Chapter Five - Friday Night Lights, Fights, and Delights

Friday, August 28th 6:45 PM - Jump City High School Football Stadium.

Normal POV

After laying around Richard's house for a couple hours the girls had decided it was time to head back to the school. By the time they arrived, the stadium was already packed full of people, and the band was playing off in a section of the bleachers taped off just for them. The girls leaned against the gate in the same spot they watched practice from everyday. Kori could see Richard on the field warming up, along with the rest of the team. For brief moment she thought he looked at her, but there was really no way to tell due to his helmet and visor. Regardless of rather he had noticed her or not, she was beyond excited to watch him play. She didn't have to wait to long, because shortly after their arrival it was time for Kick off. The announcer in the media box could be heard throughout the stadium.

"The panthers are ready to Kick off, number eight-four, Victor Stone, is set to return."

"Let's go baby!," Bee screamed at the top of her lungs.

The panthers kicker kicked off the ball, sending in soaring through the air. Vic eyed the ball until it neared him. He caught it, and began to run, dodging and running over would be tacklers. He was finally brought down by three very large players after thirty yards.

"After a thirty yard return, the Steelers offense is now taking the field, led by All-State quarterback, Dick Grayson."
At the mention of Richard's name all the girls in the stadium began to squeal. The offense got into position. Richard changed the play at the line, using a number of different hand signals and the ball was snapped.

The announcer began to talk quickly in order to keep up with the actions on the feild. "Grayson calls for the snap, he drops back, avoids the rush, scans the field, and throws a bomb. Stones all alone deep down field. He catches it, and they want catch him today! Touchdown Steelers!

The crowd exploded into cheers as Richard ran down feild, and belly flopped Vic. The Steeler's kicker kicked the extra point, and the ball was set up to kick off. The panther's returner was stopped after a short gain, and their offense took the field, as did Gar and the Steelers defense.

"Panthers quarterback Jacob Davis takes the snap, he drops back, throws a slant down field. Has a man there... but it's intercepted by number twenty-seven, Garfield Logan!" He runs, he's at the fifty, the forty, the thirty."

"Run Gar, run!," Raven shouted, earning raised eyebrows from both Bee and Kori, which Raven was to focused on the spriting Gar to catch.

"She doesn't like him my ass," Bee whispered in to Kori's ear, causing her to giggle.

"The twenty, the ten, the five, touchdown steelers!"

"That's what you do boy!," Vic could be heard shouting from the sidelines.

The rest game progressed in a similar fassion. Richard threw four more touchdowns, two of them to Vic, and Gar played really well, suprising pretty much everyone.

"Well there you have it folks, Steelers forty-eight, Panthers ten."

As the rest of the team celebrated on the field Richard threw his helmet off and rushed through the gate to find Kori, who he quickly located, and sprinted to her.

"Richard you were amazaaagh," she squealed joyfully as Richard picked her up and swung her around in his arms. Even as he put her down, he kept his arms around her.

"God, I love Fridays," he exclaimed.

Kori giggled, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "That is most obvious. I have never seen you so excited."

"It was great... well besides being chased by three hundred pound men. I could live without that," he joked causing Kori to laugh.
"Anyway, did you have fun?"

Kori nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I ate many of the hotdogs covered in mustard, and I have discovered that fried oreos are most delicious, although they are much better with musturd."

Richard shook his head chuckling, as Vic and Gar joined them.

"Rae, did you see that interception?" Gar exclaimed as he approached with Vic at his side.

Raven just shrugged with a stoic face. "It was nothing special."

Kori and Bee traded amused looks before bursting out into laughter, earning a glare from Raven and confused looks from they boys.

"What's so funny?" Vic questioned.

"Oh, just that...," Bee began with a smirk, before Raven whispered something in her ear. Bee's eyes widened and her smirk disappeared. "Ummm nothing, it's an inside joke."

"What did she...," Kori was about to question, before Bee whispered what Raven had told her into her ear. Kori's eyes widened just as Bee's had done and she let out a nervous laugh. "Yes, it is the inside joke, and since we are currently outside, you cannot know."

The boys glanced at each other, completely lost as Raven smiled triumphantly.

"Well, uhh okay, we'd better head to the locker room and get dressed," Richard commented still looking at the girls suspiciously.

He let go of Kori, and she followed suit, dropping her hands from his neck.

"See you girls in a minute," Vic said, before giving Bee a kiss.

The boys headed off to the locker room, leaving the girls to make their way to the cars in the parking lot.

Friday, August 28th 10:15 PM - Jump City High School football locker room

After an inspiring post game speech by Coach Garret, the team was aloud to dress back into their normal clothes. Richard stood at his locker, located in the middle of Gar and Vic's. He took off his jersey and shoulder pads and tossed them into his locker, along with his helmet, which the equipment manager had brought in off the field. As he threw on his clothes, his phone began to go off, but it wasn't his ringtone. It was an alert. He had a communicator installed in his phone, so that he could always keep it on him, even in school. He quickly picked it up and checked the he saw who it was his eyes narrowed, and the grip on his phone tightened.

"Slade," he spat under his breath.

Quickly he looked over at Vic. "Vic, I have to go. Take Kori home, if she asks any questions just dance around them."

Vic saw the look in his eyes. Whatever was going was urgent. "Alright, I got her, but we stay in the night. I ain't running off and leavin her there alone."

Richard nodded. "Thanks." With that Richard sprinted out the locker room.

"Dude, what's up?," Gar whispered.

"My guess is Slade," Vic replied in the same hushed tone.

Gar just gulped in response.

Richard ran as fast as he could to the parking lot, where Raven, Bee, and Kori were standing by the cars. "Raven," he called as he approached. "I need my keys."

Raven just nodded, and quickly handed them to him. She knew something was wrong, but she couldn't ask with Kori standing there.

Kori saw that he looked angry, and was obviously in a massive rush, as he opened his driver's side door.

"Richard, is something wrong?" Kori asked worriedly.

Richard didn't answer her. He truthfully didn't even hear her. Shutting the door quickly, he cranked the car and sped out the parking lot, leaving a very confused and worried Kori behind. Kori turned to look at Raven and Bee. "What is happening? Why is he mad? Did I do something wrong?," Kori rambled.

"No, it's nothing like that," Bee assured, placing a hand on her shoulder to ease her. "He just... uhhh," she looked at Raven for help.

"He just had something he needed to take care of. Don't worry Kori, he'll be okay," Raven said.

"You are certain?" Kori asked, still not convinced.

"Yeah, Dick's a big boy he can take care of himself," Raven assured.

Kori sighed not feeling at better. "Very well."

Friday, August 25th 10:30 - Richard and Kori's house

Richard drove to his house at record speeds. Rushing through the front door, he ran straight upstairs to his room. He hustled into his closet, and pushed the close aside to reveal a scanner. He placed his thumb to the scanner. Suddenly the red light on the scanner flashed green, and the closet's back wall began to rise into ceiling, revealing a staircase, with yet another door at it's bottom. Richard sprinted down the stairs to the door. On the side of the door was another scanner. Richard placed his eye to the scanner and the door unlocked. He oped the door and quickly ran in. Inside was a large, square room with concrete walls referred to as the Nightwatch. On one of the walls was a huge computer, that enabled Nightwing to monitor the city. Near the computer was a few glass cases, that held his suits. One of the cases held his old Robin suit, while the others were Nightwing suits. Richard typed in the security code on the computer and one of the Nightwing cases opened. He waisted no time stripping off his close, and changing into his Nightwing gear. After placing a utility belt around his waist Nightwing ran to his N-cycle, threw on a helmet, and cranked it up. He then pressed one of the buttons on his bike and a hatch opened on one of the walls, revealing and underground tunnel that would lead him to the highway. The reason he had purchased this house in the first place was because it was part of the underground rail road, and there were many tunnels available that could get him all over the city quickly.

Popping a wheely he sped out of the Nightwatch off to combat Slade.

Friday, August 28th 11:00 PM - Richard and Kori's house

Kori and her friends arrived back at Richard's house about forty minutes after he'd left the school. When she saw that his car was in the garage her eyes lit up with joy, but she quickly sombered when she realised he was not home. Kori continued to question her friends where he was, but she could get no answers. Kori may be a little naive, but she was far from stupid. She knew something wasn't right, and she also knew they knew what, but she couldn't force them to tell her. Vic suggested they watch a movie, but she knew it was only to take her mind off Richard. She agreed regardless. It had been Vic's turn to pick, so they sat in the theater room watching Fast and Furious Six. Instead of setting on the top row as she usually did, she chose to set by Raven. Kori wasn't in the mood for much conversation, but she didn't want to be alone either, so that made Raven the perfect person to sit by. Truthfully she wasn't paying any attention to the movie. Her mind was still focused on Richard. All she wanted was to know was where he was, and why he was so angry when he left, but apparently no one could tell her that for some reason. She sighed loudly, and glanced at Raven, who at some point during the movie had falling asleep, and as she looked around the room it didn't seem like everyone one else was to far behind. Every minute or so, at least one person in the room would yawn, and she was beginning to get sleepy herself, but she refused to sleep until she knew Richard was home and safe.

Friday, August 28th 11:00 PM - Jump City

Nightwing sped down the streets of Jump City, in route to Wayne Enterprises, where the report on his alarm said Slade was.

"Oracle, can you get a view of the Wayne Enterprise's building?," Nightwing asked, trying to see what he was dealing with so he could plan out his attack. Oracle, formally Batgirl, and one of his best friends, was the go to girl when you needed any kind of information involving a villain or details on a crime scene. She was relied on by himself and the rest of the bat family, as well as many other heros.

"I'm on it wings," came her reply in his earpiece.

"What's the problem," Tim Drake, the new Robin, asked over the line.

"Break in at Wayne Enterprises, Slade's involved," Nightwing informed

"Oh, Bats is gonna be pissed," Robin replied with a hint of humor in his voice.

"Your damn right he is," Batman joined in. Nightwing sighed. He knew Bruce was listening. "Can you handle it Nightwing?"

"Of course," Nightwing answered trying not to snap. Him and Bruce still weren't on the best terms, and rarely spoke on any personal notes.

"Good, Batman out," he said before dropping off the line.

"Yeah, I'm gone too, Robin out," Robin added, leaving just Nightwing and Oracal on the line.

"Alright, I got a visual of the building from multiple angles, but I'm not seeing anything out of the ordinary," she informed.

"Damn, okay thanks, Nightwing out," he replied. Nightwing was aware that Slade, or at the very least someone Slade related was still in the building. The alarm had been tripped when they entered the building, but they had not yet exited, and they've had over forty-five minutes to get in and get out, which should have been more than enough time. It could only mean one thing. Whoever broke in was waiting for him. It was obviously a trap, but it didn't matter he still had to check it out. The N-cycle pulled into the front of Wayne Enterprises. He quickly activated the hologram mode on his bike to make it appear as a normal bike. The last thing he needed right now was to draw attention. He then pulled the grappling hook from his utility belt, and shot at the buildings roof. Once on the roof he made his way to the roof's door. Taking a sonic pulser from his belt he attached to the door disabling the alarm.

Even though he was aware there were probably already police inside, responding to the previous alarm, he didn't need to set off another one. He then picked the door's lock and opened it quietly. On the inside everything was pitch black, so he activated the night vision capability of his mask. Seeing nor hearing anyone around, he began to sprint down the stairs. He needed to get to tenth floor. The weapons that Wayne Enterprises manufactured were kept there, and that's the only reason for Slade to break in. As he rounded one of the corners on the eleventh floor, he collided with at police officer. The cop quickly held up his gun, but lowered it just as quickly when he saw it was Nightwing.

Nightwing was actually very familiar with this cop, his name was Gary Peterson. They had established a professional relationship not long after Nightwing moved here and shared ideas on cases, and during stakeouts sometimes talked on a personal level, but Nightwing never gave enough away to reveal who he to say a mutual respect was shared between them.

"Oh, Wings it's you. You here about the alarm?," Officer Peterson questioned.

Nightwing nodded. "Yeah, how many officers are in the building?"

"Just me, I checked the whole building and can't find squat," he informed.

"What about the weapon's room on the tenth floor?," Nightwing asked.

Peterson shook his head. "No, can't get access, why?"

"Slade's involved. That would be his only purpose for breaking in," Nightwing explained. "It would be best if you got out of here, this could get ugly."

"And leave you here without backup? Not a chance," Peterson replied.

"I can handle myself, besides isn't it about time for your wife to give birth?" Nightwing questioned

"Well yeah, she's actually supposed to be due sometime this week," he answered grinning ear to ear.

"Go home and be with your wife, she needs you. Whatever happens I'll report directly to you," Nightwing persuaded.

Peterson sighed in defeat. "Fine, but if you need me...,"

"I know, you're a phone call away," Nightwing finished.

"Alright, be careful wings," he said.

Nightwing nodded before taking off toward the staircase that led to the tenth floor. When he made it to the tenth floor, he immediately darted to the door where the weapons were held, and placed his ear to it. He could hear nothing coming from inside, but he hadn't really expected to. Taking out another sonic pulsar, he placed it against the steel door. He couldn't pick the lock this time because it was electronic scanner, much like the one he had on the door that led to the Nightwatch. Nightwing reached into his utility belt and pulled out a small, round, metallic device. He placed it on the scanner and electricity began to surge, short circuiting the it. He took out his bo staff preparing to combat an army of Slade's robots, but he opened the door he only saw one person, standing directly in the middle of the room. Slade.

Saturday, August 29th 12:05 AM - Richard and Kori's house

The movie finally came to an end, and Vic, Bee, and Gar stood, stretching. "Well I think it's time for bed," Vic yawned.

"Yeah," Gar agreed. He glanced at Raven. "I'll carry her upstairs."

Vic nodded, and headed for the door, allowing Bee to lean most of her wait on him. He glance back at Kori. "You going to bed?"

Kori shook her head. "Not until Richard returns."

Vic sighed. "Alright little lady, but if he isn't back in a few hours come wake me, kay?"

Kori frowned, knowing Vic was worried as well. Regardless, she nodded. Vic and Bee left the room as Gar lifted Raven bridal style.

"Night Kor," Gar said as he carried Raven and himself toward the door.

"Pleasant rest," she replied. He gave one more smile before leaving.

Kori just at there for around thirty minutes. She just wanted Richard, that was it. She didn't understand fully, but she was aware she had became very attached to him, and couldn't even begin to explain the feeling she got when he held hand or wrapped his arms around her. Before the war on Tameran, there had been many suitors asking for her hand, some generals, others were princes from other families. She had been aware she would be forced to marry one of them, the only problem was she had no feelings for them, not like she had for Richard. At first her feelings for him were nothing more than a simple crush. He was the guy that every girl lusted over, herself being no exception. She never really believed there was a chance she could ever have him, he didn't even know she existed. But then it happened, he talked to her, and he was so nice, and carrying, and patient. She couldn't stop her feelings from growing into something more. She wasn't sure when exactly it happened. Maybe it was when he told her of his parents death, or maybe when he refused to let her stay at her apartment and moved her in with him, or, as cliché as it sounds, maybe he had her from hello. No, she couldn't be sure, but then again it didn't matter when.

All that mattered was that she liked him, or maybe something stronger, much stronger. He was the key to her happiness, When he was around she felt like she could fly forever, but when he was gone it was like she had been buried her six feet under the ground. Sighing, she stood. She figured a shower might help relax her relax and pass some time as well, so she headed upstairs to her room. Grabbing a green thong and a purple tank top, she headed into her bathroom, stripped naked, and turned on the shower. After thirty minutes of letting the water run down her back, she exited the shower, dried off, and put on the barley there then headed back down stairs and settled herself on the couch. She began to flip through the channels, wishing Richard was just walk through the door.

Saturday, August 29th 12:05 AM - Wayne enterprises' weapon's room

"Hello Robin," Slade spoke in an even tone.

"Actually it's Nightwing. Now what are you doing here?" Nightwing questioned angrily

"How else would you have liked me to get your attention?" "I knew you would come," he said with the same tone.

"What do you want?" Nightwing spat.

"Only to talk dear boy," he replied.

"Well, to bad for you I have nothing to say," Nightwing exclaimed before charging at Slade. Leaping into the air Nightwing through three smoke bombs at slades feet, ableing him to land a kick on Slade's chest. Slade staggard backwards but did not fall.

"Fine Robin, if you don't want to play nice neither will I," Slade said with a hint of anger as he searched the smokey room for Nightwing.

Nightwing attempted to assault Slade from behind with a swift hit to Slade's head with his bow staff, but somehow Slade had anticipated the attack and ducked under the blow, and sent a back kick straight into Nightwing's ribs, knocking him to the ground. Slade attempted to kick him in his ribs, but Nnightwing caught his foot and used his leg to knock Slade other foot out from under him, toppling him to the ground. Nightwing leapt onto Slade and began to throw blow after blow at Slade's masked face. Most were blocked, but a few managed to make contact. Becoming increasingly angry, Slade used all his strength to push Nightwing off of him, and leap to his feet. The two circled each other for a moment, both trying to anticipate their opponent's next move. Suddenly Slade lunged forward. Nightwing had been waiting for him to move and was able to flip him onto the ground. Slade was back on his feet in seconds, and the close combat portion on the night began. They trade punches and Kicks, for well over five minutes. The were carefully placed strikes. Any mistakes would result in the other winning. For slade, Nightwing winning meant jail for him. For Nightwing, Slade winning meant so much more. It meant the loss of his pride, and eventually, sanity. It's often said those with more to lose fight harder, and this was no exception. Nightwing connected with a vicious roundhouse kick to Slade's head, knocking his mask off. Slade fell the ground, and scrambled for his mask, quickly securing back on his face.

"Well Robin, it was fun, but I believe it's I make my exit, but don't worry. we'll see each othe again soon," Slade said as he reached into his belt and threw seven smoke bombs at Nightwing's feet.

He fell to ground coughing, but he could hear Slade running away. His breath was to short to give chase, nevermind the fact he couldn't see anything but smoke. After a moment the smoke cleared. Nightwing stood to his feet, still coughing a little. Slade was nowhere to be found, which made him angry, but there was nothing he could do, besides check and tried to identify what Slade had taken, but everything seemed to be in place. Sighing, He exited the building and returned to the N-cycle. He drove down the mostly empty highway, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep. It had been a long day and his ribs were killing him. Knowing it was dangerous to drive sleepy, he contacted Oracle. Talking to someone would help keep him awake.

"Hey wings, how'd it go?," she asked through his earpiece.

"It was Slade. I managed to beat him, but he got away," he replied.

"What did he steal?," she questioned.

"Nothing as far as I can tell," he answered

"So, he broke into Wayne Enterprises, but he didn't steal anything?" she asked, sounding confused.

"Pretty much, he said he just wanted to talk," Nightwing responded.

She laughed. "Villains, they get stranger and stranger. Although after dealing with the joker for so many years it's hard to surprise me."

Richard chuckled a little uncomfortable at her attempted joke, after all the Joker was the reason that Jason Todd, the second Robin, was dead, and that Babs was in wheel chair, unable to walk.

She must have sensed he didn't want to discuss the Joker because she changed the subject. "So, you coming back to Gotham anytime soon?" she asked

"I was thinking about coming back for a few days over fall break," he replied.

"Dinner?" Oracle questioned.

"Yeah, as long as Bruce isn't there," he agreed

She laughed. "Yeah I know, just me and you. We got a lot to catch up on. I haven't seen you in like a year."

He frowned. "I saw you over summer," he defended

"For like an hour, the you just had to take off to Italy," she exclaimed.

"I told you to come," he shot back.

"Someone has watch over the city. You know what they say, when Batman's away the criminals will play," she said in a musical tone.

Richard chuckled. "I'm gonna let you go to sleep. When you start singing I know your tired."

"Yeah, yeah, Okay. Call me tomorrow," she said.

"Night Babs."

"Night Dick."

After his conversation with Babs it took him about ten minutes to get back to the Nightwatch. He parked his bike, stripped off his uniform, and made his way upstairs to his room. Grabbing some boxers and a black pair of pajama pants, he headed into his bathroom, and took a long, hot shower. After dressing he noticed he was hungry, so he headed down stairs to the Kitchen. Before he could make his way in there though, he saw that the living room t.v was on, and that Kori was sitting there, watching a documentary about whales. "Kori?,"he questioned from under the living room door frame.

Her head darted back to look at him. A huge smile spread across her face, as she stood from the couch and ran to him, leaping into his arms and wrapping her legs tightly around his waist. "Richard, I did not hear you enter."

"Yeah umm," he changed the subject. "What are you doing up this late?"

"Oh, I could not sleep until you returned. I asked everyone where you were and no one would tell me, and I was very worried because you left in such a hurry and appeared to be very angry. I was...," she rambled, talking very fast until Richard interjected.

"It's okay Kori," he assured, brushing her hair behind her ear with one hand, as he held her tightly to his body with the other. "Everything's fine, I just had something to take care of, but it's okay now, so how about that movie I promised you?" he asked grinning.

Her eyes lit up and she beamed a smile. "Truly?"

He chuckled. "Yeah why don't you go pick one, while I make us some popcorn," he instructed.

"Glorious," she exclaimed excitedly, as she dropped her legs to floor and released her arms from around his neck, before running to the dvd case.
As she ran off, Richard noticed for the first time that she was only wearing a green thong to cover her lower body, and just a few short seconds ago she had be pressed tightly against him. He tried to take his off her ass, he really did, but it was just so... perfect, and the fact she was jumping with excitement was not helping him. Shaking his head vigorously, he turned on his heals and headed for the Kitchen. He put the bag of popcorn in the microwave and watched as it spent around and around, he heard Kori scamper in to the kitchen, and question, "Richard, this is the chick flick, yes?"

Richard turned to see she was holding up 21 Jump Street. He couldn't help but laugh, completely forgetting she was barely clothed. "Not exactly," he answered.

Kori looked over the movie for moment before frowning and scampering back out of the kitchen. Richard chuckled and shook his head. Moments later when Richard was taking the popcorn out of the microwave, Kori journeyed back into the kitchen, now with a differnt movie. "Richard is this the chick flick?," she asked.

Richard looked up from the counter seeing she was now holding The Notebook. "That is probably the chickiest chick flick in the history of chick flicks," he replied.

"Glorious," she exclaimed before running to him and taking his hand, then dragging him out of the kitchen, nearly making him spill the bowl of popcorn in his other hand. Richard put the movie in the dvd player for her and they settled down side by side on the couch. Kori laid her head on Richard's naked shoulder at about twenty minutes into the movie. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her as close as possible to him. Around halfway in she yawned. Richard knew she was getting sleepy, so pulling her with him, he laid down on the couch. She made no objection, and happily snuggled her back against his bare chest. She was highly aware of his hand rubbing up and down her side. She had really quit paying attention to the movie, and her only focus had became his hand. She becoming turned on, began to want more, but she just couldn't push. For all she knew this was platonic, and friends did it all the time. When the movie finished Kori rolled to face him. Their foreheads leaned against each others, and somehow their legs had intertwined. Their eyes locked, and it was as if they were looking into each others soils. Maybe it was because she was aroused, or possibly because she was very tired, but she was suddenly feeling brave enough to ask the question that she had been curious about all day.

"Richard?," she began in almost a whisper.

"Yeah?," he replied in the same tone.

"Friends, Do they do the kissing?," she asked, not breaking eye contact.

Richard smirked. "Sure," he said, raising up and planting a wet kiss on her cheek.

She giggled as she wiped the wetness away. "Richard, you know that is not what I mean."

His face grew thoughtful before replying. "Well, not romantically."

"Oh," she uttered, crestfallen, now dropping her eyes.

"But," he began, regaining her eyes, "there are different types of kisses. Some people kiss to say hello, good-bye, or thank you."

She was suddenly aware there lips were less than an inch apart, and her eyes became half lidded in anticipation. "What about goodnight?," she whispered softly, as their lips somehow got even closer.

"Yeah, I guess so," he replied softly, his eyes following suit with hers. Their lips were brushing against each others at this point. Kori let her eyes shut as she pressed her lips to his.

It was only a peck and barely over a second, but it was the greatest kiss Richard had ever had. He felt things in that one second that he hadn't felt his entire life with anyone.

As her head backed away slightly she whispered, "goodnight Richard."

He just smiled softly, and wrapped his arm around her tightly. "Goodnight Kori," he replied as he closed his eyes. Snuggling against each other, it didn't take long for either of them to fall asleep. The teasing they would endure in the morning, when their friends caught them in this compromising position, would be worth it.