A/N: Thank you everyone sooo much for your reviews, follow, and favorites! I love you all! Here is chapter 7 enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans
Chapter 7: Conflict & Comfort
'I am in love with Richard Grayson' I think to myself. As I look across the table I see Richard staring at me intently as though he is trying to read my thoughts.
"Kori, please tell me what you're thinking," Richard says.
I take a deep breath and gather up my courage. 'I need to tell him now, I shouldn't be keeping this inside' I think to myself.
"I love you Richard", I say and Richard's face lights up and he smiles.
"You do?" Richard asks and he reaches over and kisses my hand.
"Yes", I say and smile, "I never stopped loving you, I was afraid to tell you I loved you because I didn't want you to hurt me again", I say.
"I promise I won't hurt you again ever", Richard says.
"I believe you", I say.
Richard smiles, "So what happens now?" he asks.
"Well, I need to take care of some things first, so I need some time", I say.
Richard nods understanding, "You have no idea how happy you made me today", he says and I blush.
"I have a pretty good idea since you have the same effect on me", I say and Richard chuckles.
After having ice cream with Richard, he takes me back to my dorm. My heart is filled with joy since I finally relieved my true feelings for Richard.
I walk up the stairs and that joy suddenly turns into horror as I see Xavier waiting in front of the door. He looks over and sees me coming.
"Kori, we need to talk", Xavier says.
As I get closer I notice that Xavier looks terrible. His eyes are red and he reeks of alcohol.
"Your right we do", I say.
"I wanted to apologize for what I said... I didn't mean it", Xavier says.
As he speaks I could practically smell the alcohol oozing out of his breath.
"I would expect your apology if you were sober", I say.
Xavier chuckles, "I had a couple of beers, it's no big deal, my apology was sincere", he says.
"Fine, your apology is accepted but our relationship is over", I say and brush past him.
"What!" Xavier says and grabs my arm and shoulder hard.
"Let go of me", I say and he tightens his grip on me.
"No, Not until you tell me why you giving up on our relationship Kori", he says angrily.
Suddenly Xavier eyes widen as though he has realized something. "It's because of him isn't!"He yells.
"No, Richard has nothing to do with this, face it Xavier you and I have been over for some time", I say.
"Bullshit!" Xavier says, "That dick head ruined everything between us! Do you love him Kori?" He asks angrily.
I am silent and refuse to answer.
Xavier face hard and forces me to look at him, "I said do you love him!" he ask again.
"Yes", I answer quietly.
Xavier grabs my arm and shoves me against the wall hard. I struggle to get out of his grasp and he tightens his grip around me.
"Mark my words Kori, you will be mine and no one is getting in the way of that", He whispers in my ear and let's go.
I am to frozen to move at first. Xavier had never gotten violent with me before. I glance over my shoulder and see him leaving and I sink down on my knees and began to cry.
I am shaken up a bit as I open the door to my dorm. I go to my bathroom and wash my face. There are bruises on shoulder and right cheek, on my arm there are bruises that look like Xavier's fingers. 'Mark my words Kori, you will be mine and no one is getting in the way of that' Xavier words ring in my ear.
'I wonder what he meant by that' I think to myself. I leave the bathroom to get some ice to put on my arm. I hear the door open and Donna walks in. I quickly scramble and grab a sweater off the couch to cover myself.
"Kori are you – oh there you are", Donna says, "How are you feeling?" She asks.
"Better", I say even though it's a total lie. I fumble with my sweater and try to put it on as I move my shoulder I wince.
"Are you ok?" Donna asks.
"Fine just a little sore", I say.
Donna looks at me concerned, "Kori, what's wrong, you know you can trust me", Donna says.
I sigh and take of the sweater and hear Donna gasp.
"Oh my gosh Kori, what happened to your arm?" Donna asks and walks over.
"I broke up with Xavier today and he…ruffed me up a bit", I say.
"Did He hit you?!" Donna yells.
"No, he just grabbed me really hard and shoved me against the wall", I say.
Donna shakes her head, "We need to call the police", She says.
"No, I can handle it besides he was drunk I'm sure he didn't even realize what he was doing", I say. I think about Xavier cold angry eyes and that cryptic threat.
"It doesn't matter Kori, he could be dangerous", Donna says concerned.
I sigh, "Your right, I guess we should call the police but I need to talk to Richard first I need him here for support", I say.
Donna nods, "Ok Kori", she says still uneasy about the situation.
I go to my room and get my cell and call Richard.
"Hey Kori", he answers.
"Hi, can you come over? It's important", I say.
"Ok I'll be there in 10", he says.
I hang up the phone and go back out to the kitchen.
"I called him he is coming over", I say.
Donna nods," Good, I'll call the police" She says and picks up the phone.
There is a knock on the door about 10 minutes after Donna called the police. I go to the door and check the peep-hole and see Richard.
I open the door and Richard smiles but his smile falters as soon as he sees my bruised cheek and scared expression on my face.
"Kori, what happened?" Richard asks.
I move over to let him in and shut the door making sure to bolt it.
"I'll explain just please sit", I say.
Richard looks at me confused and sits next to a still worried Donna.
"After you dropped me off as I walk up the stairs of the dorm I saw Xavier waiting for me. He was drunk and apologizing about what he said to me last night. I told him I accept his apology and that our relationship was over and that's when-when", I say and start crying.
"Are you saying Xavier did this to you?" Richard asks.
I nod, "He grabbed my arm really hard and threw me against the wall", I say and rub my now bruised arm.
Richard moves my hand gently to see the bruise. I see the anger spread across his face.
"I swear as soon as I see him I—"Richard starts to say but I interrupt him.
"Richard please, just let the police handle it", I say plead.
Richard face softens at my tone "Alright Kori", he says.
The police arrive shortly after and I tell them the same story. I also give them of a description of Xavier and Donna and Richard convince me to file a restraining order against Xavier.
"Would you like to press charges for the assault and vandalism?" The police officer asks.
"Vandalism?" I say confused.
"You don't know do you", The police officer says.
"No, what are you talking about vandalism?" I ask again.
"Follow me please", he says.
Donna, Richard and I follow the police officer downstairs to the parking lot. When we reach there I gasp. My car, or what used to be my car is destroyed. There are dents everywhere as though someone has used a sledgehammer and hit it repeatedly. There is graffiti all over it and a huge red X on the hood.
"What, how", I try to say but I am lost for words.
"Oh my", Donna says shocked.
"We checked the registration of this vehicle and its in your name Miss Anders, Xavier is our prime suspect for this as well", the police officer says.
I stare at my car in shock. 'How could Xavier do this? I had no idea he was capable of this' I think to myself.
"If you have any more trouble, please call", the officer says and hands me his card.
"Thank you officer", I say.
We walk back in to the dorm in silent. I am shell shocked at all the events that happened today. I couldn't believe that Xavier could do this. He always had a bad temper but it was never like this. This wasn't the Xavier I knew at all.
'Maybe I didn't know him that well to begin with' I think to myself.
"Kori, are you ok?" Donna asks.
"Yea, just tired", I say.
Donna gives me a hug, "I'm so sorry this happened Kori, get some rest ok I'm down the hall if you need me", she says.
"I know, thanks Donna", I say.
Donna goes to her room and I and Richard are left alone.
"Richard can you do me a favor?" I ask.
"Anything", He says.
"Can you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone" I say.
"Of course I can", he says.
I grab Richard's hand and we go to my room. I let go of his hand and open the door and we walk in.
"Purple, why am I not surprised", Richard says and I smile a little.
Richard sits on the bed and removes his shoes while I go to the draw and grab my pj's. I go to the bathroom and change.
I walk out and sit on the bed next to Richard.
"Thanks for staying with me tonight, I'm just so scared I—", I start to stay and burst into tears.
Richard then wraps his arm around me and I bury my head into his shoulder.
"Oh how I wish I could kiss away those tears", he says.
I raise my head from his shoulder, "Then why don't you?" I ask.
"You sure Kori, I don't want to rush anything and tonight been really emotional for you", he says.
"I want you too", I say quietly.
Richard eyes look in to mine. He then brushes my fast softly and starts to kiss my cheeks that are covered in my tears.
I shiver as his warm lips kiss my face. He then stops and looks at me.
"Better", he says.
I smile, "Much, although I do wish you would kiss my lips", I say.
Richard smiles, "Thought you never ask", he says and leans in. His lips press to mine softly as my lips move with his the kiss deepens. His mouth was so warm and inviting. I tentatively tasted his lips with my tongue and he opens his mouth to invite me in. Passion burned with the kiss as did desire.
Richard and I finally break away and I stare into his ocean blue eyes.
"I love you Kori," he says.
"I love you too Richard", I say.
Richard and I lie down and he puts his arm around me and I snuggle closer to his chest. His strong arms and his steady heart beat make me feel peaceful. The steady rhythm of his heart begins to sooth me to sleep. At that moment in Richard's warm loving embrace I felt safe and complete.
A/N: Sooo what do you think? I am writing chapter 8 now and will post it tomorrow so please review, follow, favorite of all 3!
Happy Reading!-TrniPrincess