OMG. Sweetums14, you are absolutely adorable. I decided to go ahead and finish this chapter just because of you. I hope y'all enjoy it though! I kind of rushed through it so sorry if you don't like it or think its cheesy. But please review, reviews keep me going my loves!

~Kisses, Rose xoxo ;*


Chapter 15: Unmasked

"I know you're Robin." Kori finally said still not facing him.

Richard froze. He didn't know what to think...how could she know? He moved closer to her and she turned around to face him. He stared at her angelic face. She looked down feeling ashamed.

"How..." Was all he managed to get out.

"Richard," they walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, "I've known since that night. After the kiss...after you left...I laid in bed thinking about it all night."

She looked up at the clear blue sky and squinted from the cold air. "You have the same build, hair...but I couldn't see the eyes. I just had that feeling it was you. And Batman...oh my gosh, Bruce is the Batman!" She seemed excited but when she looked over at him, he seemed upset.

"What's wrong?...I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner I-

"Why'd you kiss me?" He asked suddenly.

She looked taken aback at the sudden question. Her face flushed not only from the embarrassment but also from the cold air. "I guess...it was in the heat of the moment...kind of like a 'thank you' for saving my life."

"But after you realized it was me, what'd you think?" He asked anxiously.

Kori stared at him. She didn't know what else to say. Sure she had feelings for him but she couldn't tell him right away. She was way too nervous...or was that the reason?

"I...Richard...I...don't know.."

Richard looked defeated at this answer. He then remembered that she, his best friend, knew about his alter ego. Something that was suppose to stay hidden. He quickly looked back at her and said, "Kori, you can't tell anyone."

She nodded as if she already knew this. "I know."

"Like, nobody. This is a huge secret, promise me." He held out his pinky finger and she wrapped her pinky around it.

"I promise."

After they let go, his mind drifted off in thought. 'I wish I knew what she was really thinking after she found out it was me...' He already knew she enjoyed the kiss because of the way she looked at him afterwards. He just knew it was a perfect kiss. But when he left, and she realized it was her best friend, did she find it awkward? So many thoughts ran through his head until Kori broke his thoughts.

"Richard, I have to tell you something...it's only fair."

Richard nodded. "Okay Kor, shoot."

"Well it's a really long story, do you think we can walk to my house? On the way there I'll explain."

Richard and her stood up and he felt uneasy. He wondered if it was something bad. Nontheless, he pulled out his cellphone and sent Alfred a quick text about how they didn't need a ride. Then he stuffed his hands in his leather jacket and waited for Kori.

She got up and get started to walk away. "The truth is, my real name is Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran..."

TT

By the time they made it to Kori's house, it was about 5:30 pm and she had finished the story about ten minutes ago. Richard had been quiet the rest of the way, letting all the information sink in about his best friend.

He couldn't believe she was an alien. A royal princess alien of a freaking planet! A different world! She had powers...but she looked normal! In fact she looked better than anyone on this earth! He now had a headache and rinsed himself to take some aspirin when he got home.

"So...what are you thinking?" Kori asked as they sat on the swinging chair on the front porch.

Richard shook his head and his mouth was slightly agape. "I mean...you're not...human."

She looked down, sadness written all over her face. "You're somewhat right." She said. "I am human but I'm also alien. I look, feel, and act like one. Like I said, my powers are controlled by my emotions."

"Kori...how come you didn't tell me about this a long time ago?"

She looked him straight in the eyes and said, "The same reason you didn't tell me about Robin."

He looked away. That was a good reason. "Yeah...I understand...so were both...heroes I guess?"

She shook her head. "No, you are. I am not. I do not wish to call myself that."

"Kori...you've never hurt anyone on earth though."

"But I've also never saved anyone like you have."

Richard looked defeated yet again as she said another good comeback. He so badly wanted to ask her to join him in battle but probably should talk to Bruce about it first. Instead he sad, "Does anyone else know about you?"

Kori bit her tongue. She didn't want to say who else knew about her in fear of him lashing out. She knew he hated Jason and telling him, her best friend and crush, that Jason knew about her first would crush him.

But she couldn't lie.

"Yes."

"Who?"

A pause. Then, "Jason."

Right then and there she knew she'd pressed a button. His face said it all.

Before he had a chance to say anything though she beat him to it. "But it's only because I accidentally fired a starbolt at him. He pushed me and made me angry-

"WHAT? He pushed you? When? Why?" Richard asked frantically as he shot up from his chair.

"Richard calm down." She stood up now holding up her hands in front of her. "This guy Jenny introduced me to, Chad, was drunk and almost-"

She stopped herself, shutting her eyes right at the horrid memory. Richard awaited the answer and when he didn't get it he asked very sternly, "What did he almost do?"

She opened her eyes and looked back up at him. "He almost raped me."

Richard turned around and put his hands on his head.

"It was the night of the victory party. But Jason came in and saved me. If I didn't stop him from beating Chad up, he would've killed him. But Jason accidentally pushed me which made me angry...which made me release a starbolt on him...which lead me to telling him the truth..."

Richard out another reminder in his head. Thank Jason for saving Kori-in about ten years. He still wasn't happy with the fact that Jason knew before him but then again, she couldn't help it. He pitched the bridge of his nose not knowing what else to think.

"Are you mad?" Kori asked in her sad, adorable voice.

Richard stopped pacing and looked at her. He then placed both of his hands on her cheeks. "No. Never."

"Okay...I'm sorry...for never telling you."

He pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair. "Me too. But we both had our reasons, and we both need to keep each other's secrets."

Kori nodded into his toned chest. It had been a big day for those two and now their bond was even stronger. She felt better knowing that Richard knew...and he felt the same way.

"I have one more question..." Richard said slowly.

"Okay, ask."

Richard pulled away from her and took her hands in his. This was a big moment in his life and he would either be happy with her answer or sad. He's been contemplating this moment since the sixth grade and felt like this was a good time to ask her.

Deep breaths.

'You can do this Richard.' His conscious told him.

Kori waited.

"Kori," he started and he looked anxiously nervous, "do you have feelings for me?"

Kori's heart skipped a beat. She wanted so badly to say yes. But the words wouldn't come out and she stood their like an idiot. 'What are you doing!?' That little voice inside her head hissed. 'Say something you idiot!'

Richard waited for a good minute or so and started to feel uneasy. Her mouth opened but nothing came out. Then, Richard's ride pulled up into the driveway. The black Mercedes Benz honked and Richard let go if Kori's hands. He looked at her sadly and walked off the porch.

Kori forced herself to say something, anything! Her feet were glued to the front porch and it was as if her mouth was full of rocks.

But Richard couldn't wait forever. So he got into his car, gave Kori a solemn smile and left.

She stood there in the same spot for a good ten minutes before her mother called her inside. She oil don't believe he didn't say anything! What if he liked her too!? 'Oh X'hal Kori!' She thought.

She turned around and finally went inside feeling utterly disappointed in herself. Then she took out her cellphone debating whether or not to text him or call him and tell him the truth. It was now of never...

After about twenty minutes of deciding wether or not to call him, she finally dialed his number. He picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hello?"

"Richard," She started, "I'm sorry I didn't answer you before."

"Oh no, it's okay. It was dumb of me to even ask that and putting all that pressure on you is just-

"I like you." She cut him off.

There was a long pause and she checked her phone to see if he hung up. Nope. He was still there. So she decided to go on. "I've liked you for a long time...I just never wanted I admit it in fear of losing our friendship."

Still nothing. So she continued. "You have no idea how much you mean to me...and after kissing you-err- Robin, it felt so right. I mean I know it was weird for me to kiss you without knowing it was actually you but-well anyway...the point is, I can't hold in my feelings any longer...I love you Richard..."

Still nothing. She checked her phone again and he was still there. Then there was a beep and Richard's voice sounded, "Hey Kori? Sorry I had to put you on mute, Bruce came in. Listen, I got to go on patrol in a bit so I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Kor."And then he hung up.

Kori's mouth was agape. She put her phone down and ran a hand through her hair. She then let out a groan and fell onto her bed.

"Richard Grayson," she looked out her window at the darkening sky, "You are drivin me crazy."