I got downtown and into the building's garage. After some time staring blankly ahead I took my duffel form the back seat and took out my car keys heading out. I took a few deep breaths before finally stepping into the elevator and looking at myself in the mirror.
Blood-shot eyes, messy hair, tired face, wrinkled clothes and an overly large duffel bag hanging from my shoulder. I sighed and turned to face the door that, after a couple of seconds, opened revealing a door in front of me. I took out the keys and opened it only to be greeted by the familiar penthouse. I closed the door, locking it, and headed to my room, dropping the duffel in the living room
I walked into my room only to see the breathtaking view, it overlooked the city and I could still see the T-shaped tower in the distance. I tore my gaze away and walked to the bathroom. Turning on the hot water in order for it to fill the tub and prepared myself a bath. After stripping of my clothes, I stepped in and let myself relax. After a long time I stepped out and dried myself before changing into my pajamas and collapsed on the bed before I let all the exhaustion of the day take me and I fell asleep.
When I woke up it was about midday so I decided to go out for lunch and to call Tim. I changed my outfit, put a wig on, grabbed my keys, took some money and headed out. After sometime, I ended up in the pizza place waiting for my cheese and peperoni pizza to come.
"Hey there" someone said behind me. I turned around to see a red headed guy wearing black jeans, a white t-shirt and a red jacket over it with sneakers to match.
"Hi" I said with a smile
"I'm Roy Harper" he said sticking his hand out
"Kori Jackson" I said shaking it. Ok maybe I change my name from time to time but they did not need to know that
"Why is such a fair lady by herself?"
"Well I live by myself and I just moved to Jump" I answered flirtatiously
"Has anyone shown you around yet?" he questioned me again but something in his eyes changed, well this was going to be fun
"No, but I already knew the place. I lived here a couple years back"
"That's just bad; I was hoping to get to show you the tower. You see, it isn't often we have visitors, right midnight?" he smirked before turning to see my reaction
"Well, Speedy, haven't you changed?" I smiled "how did you know it was me?"
He shrugged and sat beside me while he grinned smugly at me. I couldn't help but laugh
"So why are you not in Gotham?"
"Same reason you are not in Steel" his eyes widened slightly in realization. Before he nodded
"Right, so you saw them" he said, it was common knowledge between the heroes and their sidekicks I did not like the titans
"I saw them, got in a fight with Bruce and left"
"Cool" he said while averting his gaze as my order came
"Want to eat together? I have to stay fit and eating a whole pizza by myself is just not a good way of doing it" I said trying to make a joke. It would be nice to spend some time with him before I headed somewhere else. He was one of my best guy friends after all
"Is it an excuse to spend time with me or just to bribe me so I don't tell anyone you are here?"
"A little of both. I pay" I announced before he laughed and grabbed a slice of the pizza sitting in front of us.
We spent most of the afternoon together. After we finished eating we walked around the city and finally settled in a bench in a park near my apartment. He told me how his side of the titans was doing and I told him how things in Gotham were, we pretty much caught up in everything since it was a long time since we had seen each other. When it began to get dark he said he must get going and that I should get home. We exchanged numbers and made him promise he won't tell Bruce where I was or Oliver will find out what actually happened to one of his bets bows.
Once I got back to my apartment I took out a disposable phone I had gotten on the road and made sure it was untraceable before I dialed Tim's number. It rang a couple of times before he answered.
"Hello?" his voice sounded uncertain and cautious
"Hey Timmy" I answered
"Kori?" his voice was surprised and I could imagine his ace at the time, eyes widened ever so slightly and his posture would've straighten up just a little
"Yeah, it's me"
"God princess, where have you been? Bruce is freaking out! He's about to send the JLA to search for you! He is so scared; he thought you may never come back! That he pushed you too far and God I don't want to think about it. Alfred is just as worried Kori! Next time think before you disappear like that. Even the titans are worried!"
"Tim I did think before I went out and you know I wouldn't do that not anymore anyways. I would never leave any of you like that ok? You hear me? I'm ok no need for a search party I'll be back I just need time to sort my thoughts and if you absolutely need me I'll be there, don't worry"
"You'll come back soon right?" he asked in such a childlike voice that reminded me of the 13 year old I first met
"We'll see alright. Connor has to find me first ah and tell Bruce that Uncle Clark and Connor know where I am or at least have more of a clue than you and leave it up to them ok? No need to leave Gotham or anything and don't get the JLA involved please. If I hear any of you have come to search for me, I'm just going to pack and leave again understood?"
"Yeah, but princess come home soon"
"I'll try ok?"
"Ok"
"And Tim?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you"
"Love you too princess"
With that I hung up the phone and went to change my clothes, as I threw on my pajamas I considered calling Connor, just to tell him I'm fine and to maybe vent out a little and too tell him he should be expecting Bruce to call them up soon. With that thought in mind I grabbed the cheap cell phone and dialed another number. I just heard the first ring when he answered.
"Hello the almighty boy speaking"
"Oh sorry wrong number I was looking for Connor Kent, the clumsy one you know." I said smirking at his answer.
"Kori?"
"Yeah, it's me. Why does everyone keep asking? If someone else asks I swear to God I'm going to punch them"
"Sorry, I just didn't expect your call" He replied. Connor Kent was Clark and Lois Kent adopted son, although he was originally a clone of Superman he had taken to being his side kick and was now 18 years old and one of the few people I had come to trust and care as my own family.
"It's ok I was just calling to give you and Uncle Clark a heads up Bruce will either be calling or visiting tonight"
"Why?"
"I may have or may have not mentioned you had a clue of where I am currently" I could actually hear his face palm "Sorry but it is not my fault you help me pick a place or that Uncle Clark helped with the paper work" I heard him sigh
"Wait on the line while I go tell dad, he's probably going to scold you or something" I heard the muffled shout of Connor and their voices as he summed up the situation before someone picked up the phone again.
"Korianne Anders! What in the world where you thinking?!" Yeah Uncle Clark was going to murder me now.
"Hi Uncle Clark"
"Hi? Is all that you got to say? Young Miss everyone is worried about you, especially Bruce. You do know what they were thinking and I don't care how but tomorrow afternoon you must be in Gotham or I'll drag you there myself! How can you be so careless about them? They need you Kori as much as you need them and they're freaking out about every single possibility! How could you not think of that?"
"Sorry Uncle Clark. It's just the titans are in Gotham and I don't think I am ready to face them" I confessed silently. I was never able to fool Superman or Superboy but they agreed to keep my secret and although we met when I was Kori Anders they could see right through it and were able to decipher who I actually was, they and Aunt Lois were key pieces in my recovery.
"it is ok to be scared but Bruce just wants to help and although his methods may not be the normal ones, he just wants you to be happy whether that is in Jump, Gotham, Metropolis, hell even China and he wouldn't have done this if he thought you weren't ready"
"I hate when you are right" I earned a chuckle form the other side of the line
"So you'll go back?"
"Yes, I'll be off tomorrow morning so I can make it to lunch but don't tell Bruce please"
"I won't but I'll call to the manor at night to see if you really did make it"
"Seriously? You're getting as bad as Bruce"
"Just doing my job here" I rolled my eyes eve if he couldn't see it "Now go to bed you have a long day tomorrow"
"Don't remind me"
"We love you" he said
"I love you too Uncle Clark and Connor too" and with that he hung up.
I went to my bed and tucked myself in before turning off my lamp light and tried to sleep, after some time tossing and turning I decided to just think about what will I do when I arrived back at the manor. Firstly I would hide in my room until a meal time, the Bruce will want to talk to me and he will make me apologize to the titans for my rudeness, the Tim will ask questions and we will have to tell the titans, yeah that would probably be it, the titans will hate me and leave and that would be the end of that. With those thoughts in my head I was pulled into a dreamless sleep for once.
Morning came too quickly for my liking and I pressed the snooze button of my alarm clock before trying to get back to sleep, a couple times later I gave up my futile efforts and got up. After I groggily took a shower I changed and packed some of my belongings in the duffel bag I had brought with me before taking my car keys and going to the garage deciding I would have some breakfast on the road or something, before I left I put on my wig and I was on my way.
It was barely midday when I arrived in Gotham, it would be at least another half an hour to the manor and that was if I went directly there, so it would take me around 50 minutes to get back to the manor. So with that thought in mind I drove downtown to get the motorcycle back and leave my car there, once I did that I went back to the manor.
I entered the ridiculously large property through one of the back doors, knowing everyone was most likely in the batcave, parked the motorcycle in its usual place and went up the service stairs up to my room. Once I reached the hallway I quickly made my way to it before dropping my things and changing into a fresh set of clothes. I looked over at y clock it was one o' clock and lunch will be served in half an hour, so I decided to go help Alfred make dessert or help cook some of the meal.
I quickly made my way to the kitchen when I saw the elderly butler sitting near the window his back turned to me. I smiled mischievously as I silently approached him and tapped him in the shoulder, only to hide in the other direction when he looked an when he looked that way I swiftly moved across and sat in front of him.
He gave a startled yelp when he saw me before putting a hand of his racing heart.
"Do you wish to kill me early Ms. Anders?" he asked once he had regained his composure
"Sorry, I just couldn't help myself"
"So, do you want me to call Master Wayne or will we just leave the surprise for lunch?" he said with a knowing look
"Let's wait for lunch. Do you want any help?" I asked knowing full well the answer
"No, I'm still perfectly capable of doing it myself, but thank you Miss" he said standing up and going to check something that was on the stove
"Ok, let me rephrase that, I'm going to at least help you with the dessert ok?" I said in my no arguments voice before I went to get some of the ingredients to make some carrot cake. Alfred just smiled and shook his head at me, but before I could even start to make the cake he spoke.
"So are you going to tell me where have you been? And do not dare lie to me young miss because I know when you do so"
"Just out of town at a friend's house" I said, technically speaking it was not a lie that apartment was bought in mine's and Connor's name (another reason for the kryptonians to know about it) for us to have halfway space we could all meet up.
"I told you not to lie to me, little missy" he said somewhat amused
"Was it Roy or Connor? No let me guess it was Uncle Clark" I said knowing full well there was no way I could actually get away with the lies or half-truths.
"I will not say who it was, for various reasons but I must say that I am shocked you would choose exactly that city, especially for the memories it holds for you" he said with some hidden worry laced towards the end
"You would never search for me there, or if you did it would be a last resort which gave me enough time to scape if needed" I said and I received a worried glance "plus it is nothing I can't handle now"
"I will never stop worrying over you, my dear girl for you have made everyone in this household a little happier and although we had some complications along the road, we have never been happier to receive someone as you and also you gave this house a much needed woman's touch" he said while he stroke my face tenderly
"I love you Alfred"
"And I do too my girl" he said while we hugged "now come we must do all of this or lunch will not be ready in time"
We spent the next 20 minutes doing our respective jobs and I finally put the cake in the oven while Alfred set the table. When he was done he came back to the kitchen to tell me if should wait here while he goes to tell everyone lunch was ready and that after everyone is seated I should go there through the main door and not the kitchen one, since it will give the illusion I just arrived. I nodded and off we went.
Once I heard everyone was seated down I took my chance and entered the dining room, all eyes settled on me. The titans were either glaring or looking at me with their best poker face while Bruce and Tim were staring at me with (ever so slightly) wide eyes.
"So… What's for lunch?" I said before I went across the room and seated in my usual seat next to Bruce
"Welcome back princess" was Tim's response and I smiled in his direction and in that moment Bruce chose to clear his throat making everyone at the table look at him
"Where have you been?" he asked finally, directing one of his famous bat glares at me
"Around" I answered with certain tone of indifference in my voice, while I scooped up some of the food Alfred had served us before placing it on my mouth and swallowing quickly
"So why the early come back?" it was Tim this time, trying to delegate between Bruce and me
"Let's just say someone discovered where I was and he told, certain teenage kryptonian who told his father, who tracked down the number of the house I was staying in and threaten to drag me here if I was not here tonight" I answered
"So basically, Uncle Clark called you to tell you off and threaten to fly you here against your will if you were not at the manor tonight?" he said with a smirk
"I like my version better"
"So who ratted you out?"
"Not telling, but I will make sure he gets some punishment"
"You are not punishing anyone Korianne , you and I are having a word after this and I will punish you as I see fit" Bruce interrupted us, I glared at him but knew better than to make a scene, that was until I saw Richard, Victor and Garfield smirking and Rachel just looked annoyed.
"What is so funny?" I asked in a sweet voice while I glared at them
They immediately looked at their plates but their smirks didn't disappear, and Rachel just shot me an annoyed look while I glared at her.
"Are you always such a bitch?" she finally asked
"No, I'm a bitch on demand. Why need someone to screw you over?"
"Why do you hate us? We have done nothing to you"
"Oh honey, you thought I hated you. That's cute. I don't hate you, if I hated you there would be a possibility of us standing each other but there is not, because I don't hate you, I despise you and what you did to one of your own, so excuse me if I don't welcome you with open arms"
"Why would know anything about it? Why would we believe someone who doesn't have any idea of what family means?"
"Leave me alone, that is not for you to know"
"Just answer the damn question, you bitch" I looked up to her with a murderous glare making sure she backed down, she stood her ground but her eyes widened once she realized she had overstepped some kind of boundary
"I'll answer the question alright. You want to know why, because my family did to me what you did to Starfire. They sold me, betrayed me and when I thought the worst had come they were murdered by the Joker. So excuse me if I have some unresolved issues but the only people who completely understood were murdered by the man who took my family in the first place Raven!"
Well damn.
Before anyone could react Bruce had stood up, glared at me and said:
"To my studio. Now!" I quickly got up and went out of the dining room, while I reached the stairs I heard Bruce apologize generally for my behavior and that they will be called later for a meeting in the library.
Once inside Bruce's studio I took a seat in one of his chair while I waited for him, it wasn't long until he stormed in.
"What the in the world were you thinking?"
"Oh c'mon I was softening the blow! And it is not my fault they started it!"
"It doesn't matter now we have to tell them!"
"Wasn't that the plan all along? Just tell them, give them a week to recover and we'll see if the world's second greatest detective can figure this out, I mean it isn't as if they hadn't considered it. It has been four years Bruce, the thought must have at least crossed their minds"
"I don't know if we should do this. Do you really want to be Kori Anders and midnight for the rest of your life? Don't you think there is still hope for you to become Starfire once again?"
"Starfire is dead, even for me Bruce and I like my life as Kori, I get to do much more than I did as Starfire, it helped me heal and get a fresh start somewhere I would have never imagined and I am happy with all of that. I have an amazing father figure, great friends, a silly little brother and so much more. I don't want to go back to being that girl, and I know why you want me to decide. I know my mental state is still somewhat fragile but going back to being Satrfire is not a way out, just let me figure things out on my own and we'll see ok?"
"You know I am no happy with it but it is your life and this way you will never have to blame me for anything." He said, I smiled I knew how to get Bruce to agree to something and being one of the only girls to ever have stayed in the Wayne manor for this long was not a bad thing either. I just really didn't want him trying to get me to be Starfire again, because in his eyes that was the solution to everything.
"We should go tell them"
"Yeah, we should"
I'm back! and I'm sorry. I know there is no excuse but better late than never right? I trully am sorry hope you still continue to read i'll try to post more frequently! Thanks for everything! I love you! review? please?