Kori grinned in triumph as she tied her wet hair up into a ponytail. They had all been out surfing for the entire day. The guys were all very shocked to see that Kori was highly skilled in the art of surfboarding.
"I don't even understand it. You must have surfed a lot as a kid?" Dick commented, closing Kori's door as they both wandered inside her cabin.
"I moved homes a lot but when I was living in Tarmeran; beaches were everywhere. The island was very Caribbean-like." Kori explained, throwing her towel into the bathroom hamper.
Dick crept up and placed his arms around her middle from behind, "Well, you were awesome." He complimented her,
"Thank you," She giggled, turning in his arms to give him a kiss.
It had been a few days since Kori experienced sights and thoughts of Xavier and she was beginning to move past it, believing it to be nothing. She was starting to act like her normal cheerful self and Dick was so glad for that. He hated seeing her so upset and distraught.
"You know what, I'm gonna cook for us tonight." Dick announced,
"Oh, you are?" Kori responded, smirking,
"Yep! Mm... I'll need some things. I'm gonna go out to that little shop. I'll be back in about 10 minutes, alright?"
"Okay,"
Dick pecked Kori's lips and released her. He wandered out of the bathroom with Kori following closely but she stopped in her bedroom.
"You may leave the door on the latch. I wish to take a shower before we eat," Kori informed him.
Dick nodded as he headed out the door, "See you in a little bit," He stated, earning a short nod from Kori as a response.
She sighed with content. She was so very happy being in a relationship with Dick. He was so very different to Xavier. Instead of being hit, bruised and grabbed, Dick was gentle, kind and protective of her. She had never really had that with Xavier. He never even tried to make her feel safe. She was always scared when they were alone because she knew what he was really capable of. He put on a performance around other people which explained why he acted like he didn't understand what Kori was talking about when she called him on his 'activities' on their wedding day.
Kori shook her head but her smile remained. She hummed a cheerful tune as she wandered in and out of the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and let her damp locks down from the ponytail restraint. She shook her head so her hair would fall to its natural style. She groaned as her hair was apparently very knotty. Kori sighed and put it back up in the high ponytail but swore to herself to smother it with conditioner when she went for her shower.
She grabbed two fresh towels; one for her hair and one for her body and placed them down in the bathroom, ready for when she came out of the shower. Kori reached behind her and struggled at first but found the zip on her dress. She was about to pull it down until she heard the front door open and close.
Kori released the zip and laughed in surprise, "That was quick..." Kori chuckled as she wandered out of the bathroom.
Her cheerful giggle died there and then. The colour drained from her face and her heart sped up to a dangerous level. She swallowed the large lump in her throat and she sub consciously began to shake with fear.
Xavier stood firm in the main room, leaning against the light coloured sofa. It was no dream and it was no hallucination. He was there. He had found her. Her fears were becoming a horrifying reality.
His sharp eyes focussed on her with an angry hue, "Hello Kori." He said, coldly.
Kori slowly backed away as Xavier stepped closer to her. Kori struggled to get her words out as she stammered, "Wh-What are yo-you doing h-here?"
"You disappeared after you ran out on our wedding... Left me at the alter... Not a very good move on your part, honey." Xavier said, his tone suggesting threat.
Kori blinked and gained a sudden burst of confidence, "Did you not understand? That and my punch to your face was my personal way of ending our relationship-"
Kori was cut off as Xavier gritted his teeth and in a flash, his rough hands were wrapped around Kori's wrists. He threw her against the wall and pinned her there and sneered in her face. He twisted her arm slightly and she cried out in pain. Her green eyes were wide with fear as she stared into Xavier's icy blue ones, terror of what he might do filling her slowly.
"Oh no, I understood but... I'm not agreeing to it. You said you'd be my wife and I expect you to fulfil that promise. Do I make myself clear?" He growled, making Kori whimper.
"Now... We're gonna go home. Together. And we're gonna get married." He demanded,
"B-But... You-You were unfaithful... K-Kom is c-carrying your child..." Kori croaked,
"Let it go, will you!? It was just a year or so... It didn't mean anything! If it had, don't you think I would have left you for her?" He barked.
Kori had stopped listening to the lies that were spewing from his mouth. All that filled her mind was what she should do. She decided to chance it.
A blood-curdling scream erupted from Kori's throat that took all of the aid of her lungs. Xavier narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He violently clamped a hand over her mouth and she silenced immediately.
"Shut up, you bitch. Why do you have to ruin everything!?" He roared.
Suddenly, Kori's prayers were answered as the door to her cabin opened. Dick wandered in and he stopped in his tracks.
"Get away from her." Dick bit out. Xavier smirked in smug way and took a step back from Kori. With his release, Kori bolted and hid behind Dick who kept his eyes on Xavier the entire time. He'd gladly protect her whenever she needed it.
"Who the fuck are you?" Xavier interrogated,
"Dick Grayson; Kori's boyfriend to be more precise. I'm gonna go ahead and assume that you're her ex-fiancé, Xavier?" Dick responded, in a low tone.
Xavier's smug smile vanished and he squared up to Dick; something that didn't really phase the ebony haired guy.
"Boyfriend?" Xavier scoffed, looking at Kori, "You little-"
"I advise you not to finish that sentence. Also, you need to leave. You're not welcome here." Dick hissed,
"You're not even worth it." Xavier huffed, "This isn't over, Kori."
Xavier didn't break eye contact with Dick until he passed Kori. She looked down and flinched as he walked past her and out the door.
Suddenly, Kori couldn't hold her emotions back any longer. She broke into tears and sobbed into her hands. Dick turned around to face her and he brought her into his arms. He stroked her hair and hushed her softly.
"Don't worry... I think that's the last you'll see of him for a while," He reassured her,
"Wh-What about wh-when I return home?" She wept, "He and I live to-together afterall..."
"We'll figure something out. I promise." Dick vowed. Kori nodded against his shoulder and he gently rubbed her back.
Around midnight, the group had decided to relive some of their youth moments and they all set out to the beach and Wally made sure that they picked up a couple pizzas on the way. They were sat in a circular shape around a makeshift fire which had been made up of a few branches that they found along the way.
"This was a perfect idea!" Wally announced, pushing the box of pepperoni pizza round to Vic. They all gave into small chuckles at Wally's enthusiasm.
Kori had a faint smile but she caved into a sigh. She hoped that it had gone unnoticed but of course, Dick had heard it. His arm around her waist tightened and he looked down at her,
"What's wrong, Kor?" He asked, softly,
"I was simply wondering... What will happen at the end of this week?" She queried.
"What'd you mean, Kori?" Vic quizzed, chewing a pizza crust,
Kori sat up slightly, "Well... All of us are returning home... Will we all remain in contact?" She asked,
"Well, I don't know about everyone else but I intend to see you guys all the time!" Garfield claimed,
"Great." Rachel deadpanned, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. Garfield grinned and poked her, causing the smirk to show. Karen and Vic exchanged glances and smiled as they held each other's hand. Karen turned to Kori, "I think we'll be fine, Kor," She approved, smiling,
"We'll be that cool adult group of friends!" Wally chimed in,
"It sounds lame like that," Jenny said, bluntly,
"It sounds lame like that - No it doesn't," Wally imitated, earning narrow eyes from Jenny. She smirked and gave into a chuckle. Kori smiled at all of them, happy that they all wanted to keep in contact. She looked up at Dick, meekly.
"And... Your thoughts?" She asked, quietly,
Dick shrugged, "Oh, I was thinking of forgetting all about you when I get back," He joked,
Kori giggled and felt her cheeks heat up a little. Dick brushed some hair behind her ear,
"Kori, I like you more than you'd believe... I mean..." He paused and lowered his voice so the others couldn't hear, "I think... I mean, I'm pretty sure... I-I love you..."
Kori's eyes illuminated and her heart felt fluttery, "I believe I love you also," She whispered. Dick grinned,
"Good," He stated. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
Wally suddenly slapped his hands together, "So, on a less negative note, thank you Kori; who else is excited for the concert tomorrow!?" He wondered, grinning,
They all cheered and raised their slices of pizza in response...