Love, Football, and Superheros - Your Average High School Story

Chapter Thirteen - Payback

Rememeber I posted two chapters today, so read chapter twelve first. 135 reviews for the next post, and also I'm curious about something. How do you guys think or want Richard to react when he finds out? Please leave your answer in the reviews. One more thing. From now on if you have a question post it in the reviews and it will be answered shortly. Review and enjoy

Friday, October 2nd 3:15 PM - Jump City High School Parking Lot

"You are certain?"

"Yes."

"I do not think it is a good idea."

"I have to play Kor. I'll be letting everyone down if I don't."

"And what if you injure yourself more?," she said, crossing her arms over her chest, as she tried to convince her increasingly stubbron boyfriend to sit out of the night's game.

"Baby, I'll be fine," he assured.

"Do not start with the name calling, I am not an infant," she defended herself.

Richard raised eyebrow, as he fought to hide his amusment. "No, baby is something you call your partner here. It's a term of endearment," he explained.

"Oh, then you may call me the baby," she beamed before turning serious once more. "I still do not wish for you to play though."

Richard smirked, and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'll make you a deal. You let me play, and we can sleep in the same bed tonight." He hadn't patroled the last two nights, and unless a serious alert came in, he wouldn't be going out tonight either, so there was no harm in her sleeping in his bed.

She seemed to ponderd it over. "May I rest unclothed?," she asked after a moment, knowing that was the only way she could comfortably sleep.

Richard cringed slightly. It would be hard to control his... urges if she were naked next to him. "Ummm fine, but no cuddling."

"I do not know," she tapped her chin in thought. "I enjoy the cuddling very much."

"I do too, but if your that close and naked I'm gonna want to... do things," he said, shifting side to side, uneasy.

"Do things?" she asked innocently, even though she as well aware of what he meant.

"Yeah... you know, have sex," he said in a hushed tone, as he looked around the parking lot to make sure no one heard.

Kori shrugged. "Is it the big deal if we do?," she asked. She loved him, and was more than ready to take things to the next level.

"Yes, it's a big deal," he reponded, louder that intended.

Kori frowned at him. "Do you not wish to do the making love with me?," she asked, sounding hurt.

A very small part of him was amused that she picked such a public area to have such a serious conversation, but most of him was just amazed. "No Kor, I want to. It's just that I think we should get to know each other better first. I'm sure they're still things about you I don't know."

She cringed and droped her eyes to the concerete ground.

Richard caught her sudden shift in emotion. "Something you wanna tell me?," he questioned slowly.

She began to shift nervously, as her mind debated with itself.

'You must tell him.'

'No, if I do he may not wish to be with me anymore.'

'He is going to discover it eventually, and he surely will not wish to be you when he finds out you have been keeping it from.'

She mentally sighed. 'You are right, but now is not the time.'

'Well, you better do it soon.'

When she didn't respond he began to get nervous. "Kori?"

"Richard, I am not ready to discuss it," she informed, still not meeting his eyes.

She was willing discuss sex as if it were nothing, so what could it be that she wasn't willing to share with him. "Is it bad?," he asked, worried.

She thought it over, before finally looking at him in the eyes. "That depends on how you react," she answered.

Normally he would think she was talking about cheating on him, but he didn't question Kori's love for him for a single second. He'd never seen her show the slightest intrest in another guy, so that didn't concern him. He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips. "Whatever it is, we'll work through it," he mummerd against her lips.

"Do not tell me that unless you mean it," she warned.

"I stand by what I said," he said before taking her lips in his again.

She almost believed him, but he didn't understand the magnitude of what she was talking about. As he began stroke his hands up and down her sides and nuzzle into the side of her neck she forgot all about it, atleast for the moment anyway.

As he broke away from the embrace, he leaned his forehead against hers. They stared at each other for a long time, whatever problems they had fading away. They we're only broken out of there stares, when Richard's phone began to ring. Richard graoned as he reached into his pocket. His eyes widend when he saw who it was. Bruce.

"Hello?," he answered.

"Dick, are you alone? he asked.

By the sound of his voice Richard knew this was an urgent matter.

"No, give me a second," he replied, before dropping the phone from his ear and looking at Kori. "Stay here," he instructed. "I'll be back in a flash."

She nodded as she tried to remember if 'back in a flash' was an actual measurement of time, or just an expression.

Richard walked into the currently empty stadium, and put the phone back to his ear. "Now, what's happening?," he asked.

"Tony Zuco, he broke out of jail early last week. I just got word of it." Bruce replied.

Richard nearly dropped the phone out of his hand, as he felt a rush of shock and anger flow through him.

"I believe he may be coming for Nightwing and Batman. Revenge for putting him away," Bruce elborated.

Richard's mind flashed back to the bank, and he thought about the man's accent. "I think he already has." After the incident at the Warehouse Richard had passed by it as himself. Whoever was there was now gone without a trace.

"You were attacked?" Bruce asked.

"And captured, managed to escape though," he replied, leaving out the part about him almost dying from a combination of a punctured lung and blood loss.

"Why I am I just now hearing about this?," Bruce asked, sounding angry.

"I don't know dad, you think it might have something to do with how we don't talk to each other," Richard retorted.

Bruce sighed heavily. "Barbra said you were coming back for fall break, why don't you stop by the manor? I could have Alfred make some Apple Pie."

"We'll see how things go," he replied trying to hold the hostility out of his voice.

"Right, I have to go," Bruce said. "Be careful... son," he added before hanging up.

Richard was a little suprised. Bruce rarely showed any affection to not only him, but to anyone. He put that thought aside. There were much bigger things that needed to be handled right now. If Tony Zuco wanted Nightwing he was going to get Nightwing. He made his way back to Kori, his face cold and stoic.

"Richard, what happend?," Kori asked as soon as he was at her side, and she could see he wasn't smiling like he always did around her.

Richard staired blankly into the distance as the wind blew against him. "Tony Zuco escaped from prison," he replied after a moment.

Kori gasped, remembering Tony Zuco was the man who killed Richard's parents. She reached for him, cupping one of his hand inside both of hers. "I am truly sorry."

Richard glanced at her then back into the distance. "Don't worry, justice will find him." He'd make sure of it. He now realized the bank robbery had been a set up to lure him in, and he had fell for it, but now he knew their game. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

"Richard, you are angry," Kori said with worry.

"Yeah, but I'll be okay, once he is back behind bars," he assured, giving her a light smile.

Kori pulled him into a hug, leaning her head on his chest. "You are still going to play tonight?," she asked, hopeful he changed his mind in light of the recent news.

He kissed the top of her head. "Yup."

Kori sighed. She should have known better.

Friday, October 2nd 9:55 PM - football Stadium.

"Six seconds left, Grayson drops back in the pocket, he scans the feild, avoids the rush, and he's gonna run it. He dodges the tackle, he's at the twenty, the ten, the five, he dives for the endzone. Touchdown Steelers!," Came the anoucers voice from above.

Nearly the whole team rushed onto the feild, gathering around Richard. Vic threw him up on his shoulders, as Richard held the game ball victoriusly in the air, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Kori had a delighted, starry eyes from where she stood by the gate. Richard had put on a show tonight. The game had been close, but he hadn't flinched and played flawlessly, looking amazing while doing it.

After Vic finally released him, Richard jogged off the feild to Kori. He bowed if front of her and held out the game ball. "For you, my lady," he said, unable to hide his grin.

Kori giggled and took the ball from him. "I thank you, good sir," she replied, returning his bow.

Bee and Raven traded somewhat amused glances before continuing to listen.

Richard raised from his bowed position, and took her free hand. "You probably wanna go change into your dress, the dance starts in thirty minutes," he informed.

Kori smiled at him. "I believe you are just eager to see it," she teased. She hadn't yet shown it to him, and wasn't going to until time for the dance.

"You're damn right I'm eager. I heard the words upper thigh length, and I been looking foward to the dance ever since," he joked wiggling his eyebrows.

Kori giggled. "You shall not have to wait much longer."

Richard smiled at her."Well, I'm going to clean up, and change into my tux. See ya in the ball room," he waved before jogging off out of the stadium. He would have given her a hug, but he didn't think she'd be to happy about that considering he was coverd with dirt and sweat.

By the time Vic and Gar entred the lockeroom Richard was already showerd, and in the middle of putting on his tux.

"Wow, we got a looker here," Vic joked as he entered.

"Got in that tux fast didn't you?," Gar joked

Richard rolled his eyes as he tied his tie. "Unlike you guys I'm not gonna keep my date waiting."

Vic waved his hand dismissively. "Bee'll be okay, I'll probally beat her in there anyway. She takes forever to get ready."

"Yeah, and Raven's not gonna dance anyway," Gar shrugged.

"How did you manage to get her to ask you anyway?," Vic asked, raising his eyebrows. No one was overly suprised when they heard they were going together, but they still weren't to clear on how it actually happend.

"She couldn't resist me any longer," Gar wiggled his eyebrows.

Richard and Vic traded glance before looking back at Gar. "Right..." the said simultaneously.

Gar frowned. "Whatever dudes," he scoffed before turning to his locker and began to undress. Vic and Richard just shook their heads, amused.

After another twenty minutes, all three were dressed, looking very dapper. "Well, let's get this show on the road," Vic exclaimed.

Gar and Richard nodded, and the boys headed off to the large ball room. When Richard walked through the door he seperated from Vic and Gar, and headed to the table set up off to the side of the room, with the punch bowl sitting on it. He grabed one of the red plastic cups but before he could pour himself a drink he felt someone tap him on his shoulder. Richard turned, his mouth falling open when he saw Kori standing there. She looked amazing, so much so that he found himself breathless. He hair was curled and she was wearing a short purple dress, with her emerald necklace hanging just below the cut of it. Her eyes were brought out with a light layer of mascara surrounding them. He had never seen anyone so beautiful.

"How do I look?," she asked shly.

"Beautiful," he breathed.

Kori blushed, as she straightend his tie. "I beieve you look most handsome as well."

On que, music began to play through the speakers, and the lights in the ball room dimmed. Richard tossed the cup he held aside and extended his hand out to her. "Dance with me?"

Her response was to take his hand, and allow him to lead her to the dance floor, where other couples were already heading. The didn't talk. Just leaned against each other and moved in perfect rythem. There eyes fixated on the other's for a long time. She leaned up and kissed him softly. Richard deepend the kiss, and the next thing you know they were making out on the dance floor.

"Oh, c'mon dudes. Really?," they heard Gar's voice say. They broke away and both looked up to find the rest group standing there, only a few feet away.

"Can you two be in the same room for more than ten minutes without trying to eat each other's faces," he continued.

Kori smiled sheepishly. "No, I do not believe so."

"And we're gonna keep it that way," Richard added.

"Whatever," Raven droned, before turning to Gar. "Are you gonna dance with me, or do you plan to bug these two all night?"

Everyone looked at her astonised. Raven? Dancing? What was this world coming to?

"You're serious?," Gar asked in disbliefe.

"Well, it is a dance afterall. I'm not an expert on these things, but I'm pretty sure that's what you're supposed to do," she replied sarcastically.

Gar smiled widely, before taking Raven's hand and dragging her off to the middle of the dance floor.

"My eyes saw that, but I do not believe it," Kori commented.

"What just happend?," Vic added.

"I think they went to dance, like we should be," Bee replied.

Vic, getting the message, grinned and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, before pulling her away so they could have there own space.

They all danced for well over an hour, only stopping when the head of the homecoming comitte, a girl named Courtney, took the stage located on the far end of the ball room, and began to speak into the microphone. "Ladys and Gentlemen, it's time to announce this years homecoming queen and king," she began, and everyone made their way closer to the stage. "Okay, this year's homecoming queen is...," she opend the white envelope and paused for dramatic effect. "Karren Beecher." Bee sqilled as everyone erupted into aplause. She took the stage and a crown was placed on her head, as she beamed at the crowd gatherd in front of the stage. "And now for your homecoming king. She opend another envelope, and looked back at the crowd. "No suprise here folks. Dick Grayson."

Richard smiled and planeted a quick kiss on Kori's lips, before running up on to stage. He briefly considerd a stage dive, but he noticed alot of girls he'd slep with in the front two rows, and he couldn't be sure they would catch him. A crown was placed on his head, as he scanned the room for Kori, who he found standing by Vic. He blew her a kiss, which earned him a chorus of 'awwws' from the room.

"Now it's time for the king and queens dance," Courtney announced.

Richard reached over and took Bee's hand before leading her down the stage's stairs, but instead of taking her under the spotlight shinging down on the middle of the floor, he led her over to Vic. "I believe I'll step down as king," he said handing Bee's hand to Vic before taking off his crown and placing it on Vic's head. Everyone in the room applauded this gesture, while Vic and Bee took their place in the middle of the room. Richard glanced at them, watching them sway to music, before turning back to his lovely girlfriend. "You do not wish to be the king of coming home?," Kori asked, cocking her head slightly to the side.

"Nah, I already chose my queen," he replied, taking her hand in his own.

Kori blushed. "You are most charming tonight."

Richard scoffed. "Only tonight? I really got to step my game up."

She giggled and kissed him. "I believe your game is at a sufficently high level," she mummured against his lips.

He grinned, and kissed her back. "I'm gonna run to the bathroom then how about we get out of here?," he suggested.

"Yes, I wish to get home and begin the sleeping together," she responded seductively.

"Sleeping in the same bed," he corrected, believing that's what she meant.

Kori didn't flinch. "I stand by what I said."

Richard frowned, but it almost instantly turned into a chuckle. She was so blunt at times. "I'll be back in a second," he said, changing the subject.

Kori frowned at his lack of response, but nodded regardless.

Richard made his way out of the ball room, and down the hall, into the bathroom. He centerd himself in front of a toilet, and unzipped his dress pants, before releasing the excess liquid built up in him. After taking care of buisness he washed his hands and was about to make his way out the bathroom, when an alert on his phone went off. Sighing, he reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out. When he saw the screen, his eyes instanty narrowed into a cold glare. Another bank robbery, and he was willing to bet Zuco was behind it.

Completely forgetting about the dance, Kori, everything, he ran from the bathroom to the nearest exit. Anger was coursing through every fiber of his body. Zuco would pay. He would pay for killing his parents, but even more so he would pay from escaping from prison, like he shouldn't be there, and then the nerve for wanting to target him for putting him where he deserved to be. Yes, Zuco would pay. Richard ran to his car, and took off in an instance, headed straight to the Nightwatch.

Saturday, October 3rd 12:30 AM - ball room

Kori's POV

After Richard made his way to the facillitys, I go and sit at a table in the corner of the room. I am tired from the abundent dancing, and the heels of highness that Bee suggested I wear tonight, hurt my feet. As I wait for Richard, I pick at my purple nail polish. It can be rather hard to remove. I become aware someone has taken a seat beside me. I turn, expecting to see Richard or one of my friends, but instead find Xavier sitting there, doing the smirking at me. I sigh. "Is there something you need Xavier?," I ask, trying to be polite. I do not like showing meaness to anyone, but I know what Xavier's intentions are, and anything that could possibly come between me and Richard is not something I wish to be around.

"Only a dance, unless you're are willing to provide other services," he answers, and I notice he is slurring his words slightly.

"You are the drunk," I remark.

"No duh, it's homecoming," he replys, looking smug.

I frown. "Please go away Xavier. I am tired, and do not wish to do the dealing with you when you are in this state," I say, hoping Richard or one my friends will come take me away from him.

"Listen cutie, I get what I want, and what I want is you, so how about you kiss me?," he grins.

I stand from my seat. "That will not be happening." I turn to go find Richard... or anyone else, but when I begin to walk away I feel Xavier grab my hand and pull me back toward him. I spin to meet him, and just as I do, his lips crash into mine. In a panic I push him back against the wall, forgetting to control my strength. He bounces off the wall and falls face firstto ground, out cold, as they say. Usually I would be sorry to have hurt someone, but not this time. I rush off to find Richard, knowing I need to tell him what happend before he hears it from someone else. I imagine they are many girls here who would be delighted to tell him they saw Xavier kiss me. As I search the room of balls I find that Richard is nowhere to be found, so I head into hallway to find the he is also not there. Surely he cannot still be in the bathroom. I run back into the room of balls, and search for Vic, eventually finding him along with my other friends by the bowl of punch. "Friends," I call as I approach.

They all turn from their conversation to see me. "Hey, little lady," Vic greets.

"Have any of you seen Richard? I cannot find him, and I must tell them that Xavier Kissed me," I explain, talking rather quickly, as I do when I get nervous.

Everyone's face turns to a mixture of shock and anger. "He kissed you?," Gar exclaims. "I'm so gonna kick his ass. Where is he?,"

I point to the far corner, where Xavier still lays on the floor. "Oh,... nevermind."

"You did that?," Bee asks in disbeliefe.

"Yes, I did not know what else to do," I reply, trying not give to many details. Suddenly my brain rationalizes something. "Oh no, what if Richard saw him kiss me and left," I panic.

"Hold up," Vic attempts to calm me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Let's not jump to conclushions. Gar go see if his car is here, while I call him," Vic instructs.

"Right," Gar nods before he runs toward the room of balls' exit. Vic then takes out his phone and attemts to contact Richard, but he gets no answer, which worries me greatly. I begin to pace in tight circles until Gar returns a short time later. "His car's gone," Gar informs us out of breath.

Vic nods and pulls Raven aside. I cannot hear what they are saying, but I am sure it cannot be good because Vic appears worried. He come back and he puts on a smile, but I know it is just for my sanity. "I'm sure he's fine Kor, don't worry. How be all head back to your house and relax? I don't know about the rest of you but I'm exhausted," he comments.

Everyone nods and the next thing I know, I am being led from the room of balls to Vic's car. Gar and Raven sat next to each other in the back seat, which I am thankful for because watching the landscap pass by through the window has a calming effect. I fear that leaving may have been his way of doing the breaking up with me.

When we arrived home, everyone disapeared upstairs. They said they were very tired, as am I, but I cannot sleep until I speak with Richard, so I settle on the couch and watch a documentary about the rain forest. I am not really listening, but the colors are distracting enough to ease my mind. Eventually that becomes most boring, so I do what I always did on Tameran when I needed to do the clearing of my head. I walk out side flew into the air. I know one person, who can give me the advice, and I need to find him.

Saturday, October 3rd 1:00 AM - First National Bank

Normal POV

Nightwing scouted the bank carefully. He couldn't make a mistake this time. He was sure they would kill him. There was no get away driver in the black van parked outside the bank, meaning they were probably a few extra people inside. He dropped from the roof of the bank, but instead of rushing in he turned on the night vision capabillity of his mask, and threw in five smoke grenades. He could have simply thrown a few exploding pellets full of sleeping gas insied, but he wanted some payback

"He's here," coud be heard coming from inside, followed by a fit of caughing.

"Find him," came another voice, the same voice from the other night.

Nightwing krept into the building. He took advantage of the fact that they couldn't see him, but he could see them, and snuck in behind one after another, picking them off like flys, until only one man stood in the middle of the white tiled floor. "Come out you coward, I know you're here," Zuco yelled.

"I'm the coward? I wasn't the one targeting innocent familys. I wasn't the one who took an eight year old boy's parents away from him because of your selfishly pathetic greed," Nightwing's voice echoed throughout the bank, leaving Zuco with no idea where he was. Suddenly, like a lion ambushing it's prey, Nightwing tackled Zuco from the side. Zuco hit the ground and before he could even react, fists were being slammed into his face with rapid sucession. Zuco's head bounced off the floor over and over again, and despite the fact that his face was pouring blood Nightwing didn't let up.

He continued the assault, his anger at dangerously high levels. A part of him was aware that if he continued Zuco woud die. He had to find something for his mind to latch onto to calm him, so he thought of when he was tha happiest. When he was with Kori. His blows began to lose force until his arms just dropped to his side. He panted heaviy, as he rose to his feet, leaving the batterd, bloody, but alive Zuco on the ground. Nightwing gatherd the men up, and tide them together, before discarding all their wepons to the side for the police to collect when they arrived. Before leaving he walked back over to the group, and kneeled down to face the barely awake Zuco. "Mark my words, if I ever see you again, I'll break every bone your in pathetic body, without giving you the satisfaction of death."

Zuco didn't respond, but Nightwing didn't expect him to. He called 911, and departed the building before the police arrived. With the beating he gave Zuco, it was possible he could be charged with assault, but he really didn't care. Zuco would never be forgiven for his parents death, but it did comfort him to know that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars. That and the fact he was friends with the daughter of Trigon, and he'd make sure Raven sent him to burn in the hottest part of hell where he belonged. Remounting the N-cycle, Nightwing drove, not really to sure where he was headed, but he knew wasn't ready to return home.

He drove for around ten minutes before he was contacted by Oracle. "Wings?," she said into his earpiece.

"Yeah?," he reponded, as he changed lanes.

"You busy?," she asked.

"No, just took care of Zuco. I'm sure you heard he escaped from prison," Nightwing replied.

"Yeah, I also heard he attacked you. Why don't you tell me these things?," she scolded.

"I didn't think it was a bid deal. I didn't know it was Zuco till earlier today," he informed.

"You didn't kill em did you?," she asked, sounding worried.

"I wanted to so badly,... but no," he sighed. "Anyway whatcha need?"

"There were reports of a green light streaking across the sky around Jump City Park," Oracle replied.

Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "Green Lantern?," he asked.

"No, I already contacted Hal, he had nothing to do with it," she informed.

Nightwing turned his bike around and began to head in the opposite direction. "Alright, I'll check it out."

"Tell me what you find."

"Got it."

He drove for around ten minutes before arriving at the park. His eyes scanned the skys, and the area around him, but he saw no green light. He drove slowly down the park's sidewalk, just to check the place out. In the distance a figure came into view. It was a female sitting on the park bench, swinging her legs back and forth. The girl wore a dress, though he couldn't make out the colour.

She stood quickly when she heard the motorcyle coming, and as Nightwing got closer he saw that the girl was none other than his girlfreind. His mind flashed back to the time when he told her the next time she needed to talk, to try the park. He didn't think she would actually take that literally, but she did apparentally. He stopped his bike a few feet short of her, but did not get off. They seemed to study each other for a moment before he spoke. "You're the girl from the roof right?," he asked.

"Yes, that was me," she nodded, but he could pick up some somberness in her voice.

"Something you wanna to talk about?," he asked, finally standing from his bike.

"It would be appreciated. You were most helpful last time, and I caould use your assistance again. You are not busy, are you?," she questioned.

He rememberd the reason he was actually here. "That depends on if you saw a green light streak across the sky or not?"

Kori tensed, but quickly relaxed, so not to give herself away. "No, I have not," she answered casually.

"Probally just some stupid kids prank calling," he mutterd to himself before turning his attention back to her. "So, what's up?"

Kori somberd and let out a sigh that reflected just how she was feeling. "Remember the boy I spoke of last time?."

He stoicly nodded, but on the inside he cringed. What had he done this time? Well, besides leaving her at the dance.

"We began to the dating over a three weeks ago, but I fear he has done the breaking up with me," she continued, forcing herself not to cry.

Nightwing was a little shocked. "Why would you think that?," he asked.

She shifted from foot to foot. "There is this boy at school, that my boy does not like, and for good reason. While my boy was using the facillitys the other boy approached me. He was the drunk, and I asked him to leave me alone, but when he did not I got up to leave. He pulled me back and kissed me."

Nightwing's jaw tightend, and his fist clenched. It was a good thing that Kori had found the ground interesting at some point in her explanation because she would find his behavior odd.

"I pushed him away, but I fear that before I had a chance to do so, my boy saw and left," she concluded as a tear splashed the ground.

Nightwing didn't like the fact Xavier had kissed her, but it didn't look like she'd done anything wrong, so he had nothing to be mad at. "Listen, I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding. Why don't you go back home, and wait for him to get there. I'm sure your boyfriend will understand. How did you get here anyway?," he asked.

She began to fidget nervously. "Oh, I did the walking," she replied after a moment.

That sounded reasonable. It was only abot a thirty minute walk from here to their house. "Hmm," he nodded. "C'mon I'll give you a ride," he offerd, heading back to his bike.

"I thank you, but I wish to walk back," she declined. It would be faster just to fly back, plus she didn't want to take the risk of Richard pulling in the same time Nightwing did. It would be hard to explain why she was pulling up the city's superhero.

Nightwing was reluctant to just leave her there, but he couldn't force her on the bike. "Alright, get home safely. No pit stops, and don't get in the car with anyone," he instructed, which was somewhat ironic considering he was attempting to give her a ride just a second ago.

She giggled. "You sound like my boyfriend."

Nightwing gritted his teeth together. He could have sworn he made his voice at least two levels deeper, and much more rough. "I do?," he asked nervously. Apart of him was hoping she would make the connection right then and there, but the park in the middle of the night probably wasn't the best place to hash everything out. He was kinda scared at what would happend when she did find out. He'd been lying to her constantly. It wouldn't be going overboard for her to break up with him, something he desperately hoped wouldn't happen.

"Yes," she nodded. "He always very protective as well. For instance he will not let me eat the cream of ice after ten because he says I will not be able to sleep, and I'll be moody the next day, but as soon as he goes to bed I do the sneaking into the kitchen and do it anyway."

Nightwing now saw that she wasn't referring to their voices, and... wait she has, has she? He knew the ice cream had been disapearing rather quickly. He found himself unable to stop smiling at her. He'd better get out of here before he walked up to her and planted a kiss on those lips he knew were as soft as a cloud. "Well, I wish you the best," he said before cranking up his bike, giving he a two finger salute, and driving off.

Saturday, October 3rd 2:15 AM - Richard and Kori's house

Normal POV

Richard exited the Nightwatch, and made his way into his bedroom. He grabbed a pair of boxers and went straight for the shower. The warm water felt so good on his back. It relaxed him, after a night that he'd been forced to feel anger that he hadn't felt for years. He nearly fell asleep just standing there, but the sound of his door shutting fixed that problem. He cut off his shower, dried himself off, and put on his boxers, before exiting the bathroom to find his girlfriend sitting in the middle of his bed, wearing nothing but a thong and bra. She was obviously waiting on him to exit the bathroom.

"Hey Kori," he said casually as he strolled over to the bed and sat down beside her. She seemed to be waiting on him to yell or scream, but he acted oblivious to the situation.

After a moment she spoke. "You are not mad?," she asked.

"No, why would I be?"

"You do not know," she said more to herself than him. "Richard I have something to tell you, but please do not become angry, and let me explain," she pleaded.

He nodded, and acted as if he didn't already know.

"Xavier,... he kissed me," she informed hesitantly. Her eyes studied his expression, waiting for it change, but it didn't.

"Oh," he replied simply.

She was suprised to say the least. "Oh? I thought you would be furious with me."

"Well, did you want him to kiss you?"

"No."

"Did you like the kiss?"

"No."

"Did you push him off you?"

"Yes."

Richard smiled. "I don't see why I should be mad at you. Doesn't look like you did anything wrong to me."

Kori thought for a moment before a smile krept across her face. "You are correct. I did not." She then frowned. "But wait, if you were not mad at me then where did you go?"

"Tony Zuco and his thugs were arrested tonight," he replied.

Her eyes widend in realization. "I see. I am very happy to hear that."

Richard smiled and kissed her. "I hope I didn't ruin your night. I was in such a rush to get the police station I forgot about everything," he said as he pulled away.

She smiled warmly and caressed his cheek. "You did not. I had a glorius time until you left."

He wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close to him. "I'm here now, and I'm very tired, You wanna go to bed?," he asked, as he gave soft butterflys kisses on her neck and lips.

"I am going to sleep unclothed," she warned.

Richard considerd it before nodding.

She broke from his grip with a grin and stood. Right in front of him, she stripped off her thong and bra, and tossed them to the floor.

Richard just stared at her, wanting so bad to pull her on to the bed and make love to her all night. The only thing that restrained him was the fact that within the next two days she would know everything, and then if she still wanted to be with him, there would be nothing holding him back.

They setteld themselves under the covers on the bed, and despite Richard's hormones, he snuggled with her. They ran their hands through each other's hair, along each other's bodys, shared sweet, yet passionate kisses, for well over an hour, until she finally fell asleep on his chest. He laid there a satisfied man, but in the back of his mind he knew everything was going to to change. Rather it would be for the worse or better, only time would tell.