I hate to disappoint you all. But sorry, it's for the best. Bring on the drama.
It was the night of the charity ball, and all day has been filled with preparations. For the girls, mostly. The previous day, Alfred drove Kori and Rachel to a few boutique's so they could pick out their gowns; Rachel didn't have much of a say on hers. After they chose their dresses, Kori dragged Rachel to look at jewelry. Though for reasons unknown to her, Alfred insisted that they postpone their selection of jewelry until they returned to the manor.
They ball was to begin at 7:00 at some socialite's mansion that she didn't know. She feared that they would be intruding, but Richard insisted that they would be welcome. Fears aside, she was anticipating the event, hardly able to contain her excitement as she could no longer place her feet on the ground.
Despite their protests, Alfred hired hair and makeup artists to assist the girls before the event. They have been locked up in Kori's room for the past three hours as a man named Roberto and a woman named Sylvia tended to their appearances. The two fell in love with Kori immediately, charmed by her looks and personality. Rachel was harder to get along with, but she tied to participate in the conversations.
It was nearly 6:00, and the girls were just getting into their dresses. Rachel's hair, now black because of the holoring, was brought up into a clean up do, not a tendril out of place. While Kori's hair was draped across one shoulder and falling down in long ringlets. Both of the girls had nude-toned makeup that was meant to exaggerate their eyes; Rachel's holoring made her eyes a dark blue rather than violet. Both their lips adorned a peachy lip gloss.
Sylvia assisted the girls in zipping up their dresses and stepping into their shoes. Starfire wore a strapless gown, the champagne material clinging to her hips, flowing out in a train behind her. The fabric in the back dipped to expose her tan skin. Raven was dressed in a black floor length, flowy gown with ruffled fabric on only the right shoulder. Eyes would be on both of them tonight.
"Oh Raven, I knew it would be perfect!" exclaimed Kori as she looked at Rachel. They stood together peering into Kori's floor length mirror in her closet.
"I do look… nice," says Rachel, smoothing her hands over her dress.
"Garfield will not be able to remove his eyes from the sight of you." Kori clapped her hands in delight. They analyzed themselves in the mirror, Kori deciding that they were perfect. As they went to grab their purses, there was a knock on the door.
"You're dismissed," says a voice from Kori's room. The girls step out from the closet to see Richard standing in the room. In his hands he held to velvet boxes, one large and one smaller.
"I thank you for your assistance, Roberto and Sylvia," says Kori as she sweeps them up in one of her signature hugs. She made sure to tone down her strength even more than usual, seeing how she was playing the part of a human. Rachel waved her goodbye's as she stood beside Richard. After they left, Richard turned to the girl's with a big smile on his face.
"I got you two something," he says as he places one of the boxes on Kori's dresser. "C'mere, Rae." Rachel did as he directed. He held the box in front of her as he opened it, revealing a pair of earrings. Diamonds were clustered around large sapphire stones, the color of Rachel's eyes. She smiled as she looked down on them.
"Dick, you didn't have to."
"Of course I did. I owe you a couple of birthday and Christmas presents from the past few years." He handed the box to Rachel, giving her a kiss on the cheek. When Rachel went to the mirror to put the earrings in, Richard grabbed the other box.
"And these," he says, moving closer to her, "are for you." Kori gasped when he opened the box. Large emerald stones were strung along a silver chain with matching teardrop earrings. She ran her fingers over the jewels, mesmerized.
"They are beautiful, Richard. She took the earrings from the box and, not needing a mirror, clipped them into her ears. She was about to take the necklace out but Richard stopped her.
"Let me," he says. He spun her around so her back was to him. He maneuvered around her hair to align the necklace on her neck before clasping it. It set just past her collarbone. He took her shoulders, spinning her back to face him. "Beautiful," he says as his eyes meet hers. She smiled bashfully, looking down. "No really, you look wonderful."
"And you look handsome," she says, regarding him in his suit of the monkeys. He always looked good in a tuxedo.
"Thanks," he says. He looked over her shoulder, his eyes lighting up. "Rachel, you're gorgeous." Kori turned to look at her. The earrings really did pull it all together.
"You clean up well yourself, Dick."
"So are you two about ready?" The girls nodded, grabbing their purses. "Alright, let's head out." He opened the door and offered his arms to the two girls. They placed their hands in the nook of his elbows and let him lead them down the stairs.
"Dick, I thought you ended your playboy ways!" called Victor from the bottom of the staircase. Gar stood beside him, eyes wide and mouth drooping open. Kori giggled as she looked over at Rachel, who was blushing madly.
"I can't help it, the ladies love me," retorted Richard as we approached the end of the staircase. Kori watched from the corner of her eye as Rachel walked up to a still dumbfounded Gar.
"Hey little lady, you lookin' fine," says Victor as he claps a hand on Kori's back.
"I thank you, Vic. You look marvelous in your tux." A little pink touched his cheeks.
"Aww thanks. Yo, Al! We're ready."
"Very well," says Alfred as he approaches the group. "May I say you all look wonderful. I shall bring the car around." Soon after Alfred left, Selina came walking into the room.
"Oh, my pretties you all look beautiful!" She kissed the girls on the cheek and playfully purred at the boys. Rachel glared at her a little, but she never really cared for Selina before. "Awe, my little Dick, all grown up," she says, pinching his cheeks teasingly.
"Her little Dick! Ha ha!" Gar held his stomach from laughter. Dick shoots him a look. "Have fun," she whispers. "Tonight's your chance. She looks radiant." She hugged him and then Kori before they went out to meet Alfred.
The name "Dick Grayson" was murmured around the crowed of paparazzi as he and his friends stepped out from the car. Gar has always enjoyed them, but seeing as he wasn't Beast Boy right now, they kind of ignored him. They asked for a picture of Dick and his friends and they obliged, but quickly entered the large house to keep Kori from becoming uncomfortable. There were a couple of "Kori Anders" called from the paparazzi, but Dick just pushed her through.
The party was in some grand ballroom. A large chandelier hung from the center of the room, bringing much of the light. Dick led them to their assigned table. Kori sat to his right next to Rachel and Gar was across from him. There was an empty seat between he and Victor, but the name tag read Barbara Gordon. Great.
The host called everyone to attention, stating his name at Basil Bowman. He's an actual friend of Bruce's, not just one of the rich guy's he befriends for the perks. Dick doesn't pay attention to what he says, just clasps when everyone else does. When they begin serving dinner, Babs jumps into her seat.
"Hey, guys," she says, pulling her napkin into her lap. Everyone acknowledges, Kori a little more brightly than the others. Dick gives her a nod and a slight smile, noticing that Victor is paying extra attention to her. Huh.
After the food is served, he sees Kori staring down at her plate, seemingly confused. He looks over at her and she suddenly blushes.
"Kori, what's wrong?" he whispers, but he catches Rachel's attention.
"It is nothing," says Kori, but she continues to just stare at her place setting.
"Hey," he says even quieter, placing a hand on her wrist that sits in her lap. "Why aren't you eating?" She sighs.
"I fear that I do not remember…"
"How to eat?" He holds back a chuckle.
"The significance of each piece of silverware." She looked down at the different spoons and forks with the lone knife. Years ago when they were dating, she attended many functions and balls with Dick and Bruce. It took her some time to remember the silverware back then.
"Oh Star, that's okay," he says. "Just work from the inside in." He lifted up his spoon on the furthest side of the place setting, and she did so as well smiling slightly. She nodded, finally digging into her soup. He looks up at Rachel, still watching the two, and she winks at him.
Dinner ended after several more courses, and after another short speech from Basil Bowman, the music grew in volume. The center of the ballroom was a designated dance floor, and soon it was filled with the gods of Gotham.
"Rachel, pleeeaaaase," cried Gar as he begged her to dance.
"I need to let my stomach settle," she says. "Go dance with Vic."
"Hell no!" says Vic. "Besides, I already found my dance partner." He stands from his seat followed by Babs. She gives me an innocent wave before they walk towards the dance floor. Did he miss something? When did they get so friendly?
"Are you the okay, Richard?" asks Kori. He looks at her, confused, before he realizes that she's referring to the whole Vic and Babs thing.
"Yeah, of course. Just… curious."
"I am as well, but they do look cute." He follows her eyes as she watches the two spinning around in the waltz. Gar and Rachel cross the path of his eyes. He must have convinced her. "I am glad that Rachel has done the opening up."
"It's nice," he agreed. He watched Kori watch the dancers, her eyes giving off a little gleam. He cleared his throat. "Kori did you, um…" He cleared his throat again. "Did you maybe want to dance?" His voice squeaked at the end. Oh good God why the hell did his voice squeak? Kori giggled quietly, but quickly worked to regain her composure.
"I would be delighted," she says, taking his hand as they stand. He leads her out to the floor where the join in with the waltz. He keeps hold of one of her hands and places the other on her waist, swinging around the floor gracefully. "I remember you telling me that you learned the waltz," she muses.
"Not that I like to dance, but yes, I had to learn."
"And you'll only dance for me…" her voice trails off as she goes deep in thought.
"I said that at the prom. That night with Kitten." He cringes. Suddenly, she smiles.
"I remember. I remember…"
"Is your memory improving?" She shrugs.
"Sometimes when something does the "jogging", a memory comes to me so quickly. Other times… I feel like I am hitting a wall. It is most frustrating." She looks down, her eyebrows furrowing.
"You've only been home for two weeks, and you're already doing so well." He lifts his one hand and pries her chin up to meet her eyes.
"It helps that I have my friends."
"And we'll always be here." She grins, letting herself get into the dance more. Her hips sway as they move, the fabric of her dress trailing behind her. He really loves that dress on her. The light champagne color… it compliments her so well.
"May I cut in?" Dick turns his head to Bruce's voice, who is suddenly standing behind him.
"Uh, sure," he says, noticing that Kori looks a little worried. He lets go of her hand reluctantly, leaving Kori to face Bruce alone.
...
"How is your night going, Kori?" She shifted her hand uncomfortably in Bruce's as they danced together. It was hard not to look him in the eye; they were of similar height, him being just slightly taller.
"It is most enjoyable," she says, smiling slightly.
"And Dick? How's he been treating you?" There was something in his voice that she could not name.
"He is being a good friend."
"I need to talk to you about that." She looks up at him, but immediately regrets it. His dark eyes hold something in them. Not quite anger, but he seems to be trying to intimidate her. "You need to make a choice."
"Regarding what?" asks Kori.
"Let me finish," he snaps. She sets her lips in a tight line. "I've notice that since you came back, Dick has started getting back to his old self again. I'll admit, I was worried about him for a while there." He clears his throat. "But I'm afraid that the whole 'friends' thing isn't going to be enough for him. You need to decide. You can either go back with him, or leave him alone all together." Kori stared up at him aghast.
"Why would I have to end contact with him?"
"You will obviously still know each other, being a Titan and all. But you just wanting to be friends with Dick will lead him to want more, distracting him from what's important. If you say flat out that you don't want to be with him, you'll give him no other choice but to move on."
"But… what if I am not ready to move on?"
"Make a choice. For him. It's not healthy for him to live this way." He looks over his shoulder. At what, Kori doesn't know. But whatever it is, it drives him to end the conversation. "Soon, Kori. He leaves tomorrow." He removes his hand from Kori's, leaving her alone on the dance floor. She feels an ache in her chest like she's just been punched. Bruce gave her a choice, but does he truly feel like the second option is the better one? Does he want her gone?
"Kori, what's wrong?" Kori looks to see Rachel coming up on her side, Gar in tow.
"It is… nothing. I shall go sit down." She blindly walks back to the table, not knowing where Richard is, but part of her not wanting to see him yet. She has to think.
He leaves tomorrow? But that is so soon. She was just starting to feel normal again, and comfortable with him again. Perhaps in a few weeks she could have her feelings sorted out. But she has so little time. That feeling of happiness she had earlier when anticipating the ball has now vanish, any struggle to keep her feet on the ground now gone. She feels confused, unhappy. What will she do?
"Are you okay?" asks Richard as he takes his seat next to her. He dabs a stray tear from the corner of her eye.
"I need the drink," she says, grabbing his wrist and dragging him toward the bar. He obliges, not that he has much of a choice. While she feels sad, she also feels angry and barely in control of her strength. Her hold stays firm as she sets him on a barstool next to her.
"Okay… Umm, bartender?" he calls. "Two glasses of the house champagne."
"No," says Kori, looking up at the bartender. "Something stronger please." Part of her notices the bartender wink at Richard, but she really doesn't care. She has too much on her mind.
"Kori, you didn't answer me before. What's the matter?" The bartender already comes back with two drinks. They are in big round glasses, some piece of fruit hanging off the side, but she doesn't care to ask what it is. She picks it up and takes a swig. "Kori!"
"I am fine, Richard, I just need to have a little fun."
"Uhh, maybe I should get Rachel."
"Do not. Please, Richard. Just sit with me. Drink with me." She takes another swig.
"I- I really shouldn't. I kinda gave up the stuff. Remember what I told you about?" She considers his words, trying to connect what he's saying.
"X'hal, Richard, I am sorry!"
"It's alright, I just try to steer clear from the stronger drinks." He slides the drink in front of him closer to her. "You can have mine." She looks down at her glass, seeing that it's already empty. She shrugs and takes his, drinking that down quickly too.
"It appears I am thirsty," she giggles. He smiles at her.
"Here, I'll get you another one. And some water." He looks around for the bartender, but he's far down at the other end. He holds up a finger indicating that she should hold on before he gets up. She sits there alone, thinking.
It is nice of Richard to offer to get her drink. She fears that maybe she is doing the leading him on. Does he think that by doing these little things for her, she will take him back? She loves him, but it isn't that easy. She watches him walk to the bar, eyes lingering on his long, leanly muscular form. He really has filled out and grown in the past four years. How she wishes to place her hands on his arms, his chest, his face.
"Kori Anders?" asks a voice from behind her. She swivels on the barstool, nearly falling off. A firm hand grasps her shoulders to right her. She looks up the arm to find the face.
"Xavier?" He flashes his white teeth and his dark blue eyes shine. His blond hair-What is it called? Sandy?- is smoothed nicely, his black tuxedo somehow enhancing his tanned skin.
"I knew that was you. I saw you earlier, crossing the dance floor."
"What are you doing here?" She didn't mean to be rude, but she couldn't help it.
"My parents are some of these Gotham big shots. I moved to Steel City a year ago, but they wanted me back for tonight. Trying to get me to meet a girl." He takes Richard's seat next to her. Where is Richard? "What are you doing here?"
"I am here with my friends as Richard and Bruce's guests."
"Richard? Ohh, Grayson. Yeah, I saw you dancing with him earlier. You guys back together?" Her heart pings.
"No."
"Good," he says, the white teeth flashing again, making her stomach flutter. "So, you wanna dance?"
"I apologize; I am having the drinks with Richard." Xavier looks over his shoulders.
"Well I don't see him anywhere." Kori looks around too, noticing that Richard is nowhere to be found.
"Bartender," he calls, and soon another drink is in front of her. "He ditched you."
"He did not."
"You like him."
"I do not!"
Then dance with me, cutie." Kori shifts her eyes. Where is Richard? With Bruce giving her choices and Xavier showing up, she is more confused than ever.
"Just one song," she says before she finished up the last of her drink. She flops off the bar stool, nearly stumbling. Xavier grabs her arm and holds on even after she's righted herself. She lets him hold her and dance with her, all the while feeling a little guilty. But the alcohol in her system is making her question why. Then she meets eyes with Bruce Wayne across the room, the dark beads cold and unwavering. Oh yeah, that is why.
...
Xavier Redd. Dick knows him. When they were younger, they were dragged to all of these functions by their parents and forced to be friendly. While he never really had a reason to hold hard feelings against the guy, right now he can't remember that.
And Kori's dancing with him! She got up after asking him to get drinks with her and she totally ditched him! She feels his face grow red and hot with anger.
"Can you tell me who that guy is?" asks Rachel who is now standing next to him.
"Xavier Redd," he murmurs with clenched teeth.
"Xavier… Ohhhhhh."
"What?"
"Well I was just thinking how it's so unlike Kori to just get up and dance with a stranger. But he's not."
"Not a stranger?" She shakes her head.
"Met him at that party."
"God damn it Roy!"
"Yeah, sure, blame him."
"He invited her! He's ruined everything!"
"How?" she asks incredulously.
"We were just getting better. We were friends. She let me touch her. And now look at her! She's flirting!" he exclaimed.
"She's just being friendly."
"A little too friendly if you ask me."
"She's not some common whore, Dick."
"Toy with my feelings. God damn it."
"Azar, Dick. She's just being kind. She met him before and merely agreed to a dance. What is so bad about that?"
Dick watched Kori dance with Xavier. She throws her head back as she laughs at something he said. Her green Kori eyes are shining brightly. She looks happy. Happier than he's seen her in the past few days.
"Just look at her, Rae. I don't make her look like that anymore." He turns away, pulling out his "cell phone" to hit the call button. He exit's the house, walking down the driveway and out near the street. Soon his motorcycle, the disguised N-Cycle, meets him by the curb. He hops on, deciding that there's nothing here for him anymore. He might as well go back for his return to Bludhaven.
The End...
Just kidding! Reviews :)
