"Hell, yes!" Bee hollered excitedly as she crossed the cafeteria and slammed a flyer down on the table in front of her friends. "Girl's choice homecoming is on October 7th! That's just over two weeks!"

"Yippee," Rachel groaned, twirling her finger in the air halfheartedly.

"Need a date, Rae?" Gar suggested, winking at her.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Don't call me Rae. And who said I was even going?"

"Oh, come on, Rachel," Bee teased. "Bet that handsome boy you've been eyeing for the past couple weeks would love to escort you. What's his name again? Malcolm?" Out of the corner of her eye, Kori could see Gar's face drop slightly. It almost looked as if his ears had even dropped a little.

Rachel's eyes narrowed. "Melchior likely has more important things to do."

"Umm," came Kori's small voice, as she stared at the flyer with confusion. "Please tell me. Who is coming home?"

"No one," Vic answered. "It's a dance."

"Yeah, and us ladies get to ask the boys to be our dates!" Bee added, a huge smile on her face. "The way it should always be, if you ask me."

"Glorious!" Kori exclaimed. She loved the idea of dancing all night with her friends. "Who will you be asking, friend Bee?"

Bee thought for a second. "Probably Isaiah. He and I had a good time the other night, and I bet he'd look really hot in a suit. What about you, Kori? Who d'you plan on asking?"

Kori's smile slipped from her face, her gaze drifting over to the table where Kitten sat all snuggled up to Richard. She was certain Kitten would have wasted no time asking him. "I am uncertain." Bee followed her gaze, reading perfectly into the situation, and simply nodded her head, a sympathetic smile pulling on her lips.

"Well, ladies. I think this means we need to make a trip to the mall to buy our dresses. After school?" Bee asked, turning to Rachel.

"You two go without me. I'm not interested in homecoming," Rachel said, monotone.

The friends continued their chatter and laughter throughout the remainder of the lunch period, not discussing much of anything in particular. Kori did notice, however, that every time she let out a gleeful squeal of giggles, Richard's eyes would wonder over to their table. Was that longing she noticed in those cobalt irises? She supposed she wouldn't find out, because before long the bell rang, signaling the students to head to their respective classes.

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Kori finished her algebra exam with half an hour remaining in the class. It seemed that mathematics really made since to her. It was one of the few subjects that was also taught on Tameran, and Tameranean brains tended to easily comprehend the numbers and equations. So after turning in her test, she gathered her belongings and excused herself to the library, with the hopes that maybe she'd be able to do a little research on the city's local hero. Nightwing was so mysterious but kind, new but somehow very familiar. She longed to know more about him, but did not know if she would have the pleasure of getting to see him again. The past few nights when she had flown up to the rooftop of the skyscraper where they'd last met, he had not shown up. Kori figured he had criminals to deal with, so she didn't worry too much about it. But she did find herself longing to be once again wrapped in his arms as they scaled down the side of the building. It had felt comfortable, dare she say even… right?

There had been something so familiar about the way he smelled. A little like cedar and citrus, and a little like sweat. It had been intoxicating, and now she just wanted more.

And if she couldn't have Richard, maybe she should move on. Maybe perhaps to the broody and stoic teen superhero. Surely, it hadn't been in her imagination that he had leaned in close to her face the other night. Surely, it hadn't been coincidence or an accident that he had nearly placed those slightly-chapped, mostly-smooth, completely-desirable lips on her own, just mere inches away….

Maybe he could be my date for the homecoming, Kori thought to herself, but just as quickly shook the thought from her head as she walked through the library doors. She was surprised to find Gar there, and even more surprised to see he was reading a book. Quietly, she approached his table and took a seat next to him. "Greetings," she whispered.

"Oh hey, Kori," he said, scrambling to close the book and hide it in his lap. "Don't mind me!"

"What are you reading?" she asked innocently.

Gar's cheeks started to turn red. "Oh, this? It's nothing…."

"Is that not the book that Rachel was reading last week?"

"Was it?" Gar scratched the back of his neck, nervous. "I didn't notice."

Kori smiled. "Do not worry. I have no intention of telling anyone."

"Thanks," he said, still a little sheepish. "So what brings you in here?"

Kori looked down at her folded hands in her lap. "I was hoping to do some research on Nightwing. I believe there is more to him that meets the eye."

"Oh well, I know loads about him! You can just ask me!"

In the next twenty minutes, Gar had managed to fill Kori's head with lots of information about Nightwing. How he used to work for Batman in Gotham, New York as Robin. Batman had practically raised him, but they had some kind of falling out. So now, he works as Nightwing protecting Jump City. There were a few times that Gar had appeared to nearly say something, only to stop himself and say something else. Kori wasn't sure what that was about. Did he know even more than he was letting on? But she didn't push the issue, instead letting him tell her all about the cool gadgets he kept in his utility belt and one of the villains who tends to cause the most trouble: Slade.

When the bell rang, Kori jumped, startled by the loud noise reverberating through the library. As she got up from her seat and gathered her belongings, she turned to Gar. "I thank you for doing the sharing with me about Nightwing. And I hope that your mission to win over Rachel is quite successful!"

The color started rising in Gar's cheeks once again. "Wait, but I didn't say anything abou—" But Kori was already gone.

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After school, Kori hopped in Bee's passenger seat, excited to return to the "mall of shopping" and find the perfect dress for homecoming. As they pulled into the parking lot, a thought occurred to Kori. "Bee, how will I do the purchasing of my dress? I do not have any money?"

Bee smirked, holding up a black bi-fold wallet. "Don't worry. Dick's paying for it. He's loaded."

Kori's brow furrowed. "Does he know you have that?"

"Of course. Asked for after lunch when Kitten had gone to the ladies' room. He said to make sure you got whatever you wanted: dress, shoes, jewelry…. He doesn't mind." Bee stuck the wallet back in her purse and step out of the car, leading Kori into a boutique with what must've been hundreds of colorful dresses.

After scouring the racks, the two girls hurried to the fitting rooms, each hauling multiple dresses on each hand. Kori tried hers on, occasionally asked Bee for help with a zipper, enjoying the experience of looking for the perfect one, but not yet finding it. The next dress hanging in the fitting room was a simple, deep purple fitted dress, made of a sequined fabric that dazzled in the lights. She took the spaghetti straps off the hanger and slipped the dress on, pulling up the side-zipper. Kori's eyes went wide as she stared at herself in the mirror. The dress hugged her curves perfectly, and complemented her large green eyes very well. It was really short, but this didn't bother Kori. Modesty wasn't a quality that most Tameraneans came by.

"Hey, Kori. Will you help me with this zipper?" Bee's voice came from the next stall over. Kori stepped out to find Bee already outside her door with her back turned. Kori tugged the zipper up and Bee turned to face her. Instantly a huge grin formed on her face. "Girl, that's the one. You've got to get it! You look so sexy! Dick is going to be so sorry he ever led you on."

Kori flushed, then looked at Bee's dress. She had on a metallic gold long-sleeve one. It was tight, with a plunging neckline that flattered her fit body. "You, too, look wonderful!"

Once they had picked out shoes and accessories to go with their dresses, they started towards the checkout counter. That's when Kori's eye caught sight of a bow tie on a male mannequin that matched her dress perfectly. She found an identical one in a box on the shelf near the mannequin, and brought to with her to the checkout. "Good thinking, Kori. Your date's gotta look good for you, too! Does this mean you've asked someone then?"

"Not yet," Kori answered, a little shy. She started to tell Bee of her plan to ask Nightwing, but didn't get the chance as she had turned to the lady at the cashier to pay for their items.

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That night, Kori once again found it difficult to sleep, though this time she blamed nerves and excitement. So, she was back on the rooftop in the middle of the city, hoping beyond hope that Nightwing would show up. She absentmindedly turned the box that held the bow tie over in her hands as she stared out over the skyline.

"You might need a safer place to hang out," came his deep voice from behind her. Her face lit up as she turned to see him. Nightwing had a slight smirk on his face as he eyed her carefully.

Without thinking, Kori ran up to him and flung her arms around his neck in a tight hug. He reciprocated, his strong arms making her feel so safe that she almost didn't let go. Finally, she reluctantly pulled away. "Greetings. It is most wonderful to see you again!" she said. "I was most hopeful that you would be here tonight."

Nightwing grinned as he looked down at her. "It's a quiet night. Not too much trouble. Thought I'd come check out the view."

Kori didn't catch the double-meaning in his words. "It is beautiful," she sighed, looking out towards the dark sky.

"It is," he replied, though his gaze hadn't left her awestruck face. He loved how she took such wonder in the little things, and how she wasn't afraid to let that show. Nightwing cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck. "So, couldn't sleep?"

Kori shook her head. "I do believe that I have the flies of butter in my stomach." Nightwing chuckled softly, but didn't correct her. Instead, he just walked over to the edge of the roof and sat down, Kori following suit. There were a couple inches of space between them.

"What've you got there?" he asked indicating the box that was now held in her lap.

Kori's cheeks went slightly pink, and she didn't meet his eyes. "Well, you see, my friend took me to the mall of shopping so we could buy dresses for the dance of coming home on October 7th. And it was so much fun, and I found the most glorious dress. But I also found this bow tie that matches it very well, and I thought I could give it to my date."

Nightwing didn't show any emotion at these words, though the thought of her bringing anyone else to the dance stung. "If you don't mind me asking, who are you going with?"

"I have not yet asked him." Kori held on tighter to the box as she drew in a deep breath, composing herself, then looked up into Nightwing's masked eyes. "Actually, I was just wondering if maybe you would like to be my date."

"Oh…" Nightwing said. He had not been prepared for her to ask him. He so desperately wanted to say yes, wanted to see Kori's face light up as he told her that he'd love nothing more than to escort her to homecoming. But he was already going with Kitten, and though she didn't know it, he couldn't very well be in two places at once. "I'm sorry, Kori. But I can't."

"I had the feeling you might say that," Kori sighed, looking down at the box in her lap. "It is alright. I am sure Jump City needs you. You should not be distracted by silly things like dates."

Nightwing, heartbroken by the wetness that had glazed over her gorgeous green eyes, placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey," he said, and she turned her head to look at him. "Thanks for asking though. I would if could. A girl like you shouldn't be alone at her homecoming."

Kori's lips tugged at a small smile. "Perhaps Vic would like to go as friends. I shall do the asking of him tomorrow." Her eyes returned to the skyline. "It is getting late. I should probably go home." Nightwing got to his feet then helped Kori up to hers. Standing there together, they were only a few inches apart.

He diverted his gaze from her face, which still looked sad and lonely. "Umm, would you like me to help you down?"

"That would be nice," she replied. So Nightwing pulled her in, holding her tight with one arm, the other hand secured on his grappling hook. Kori wrapped her arms around his neck, and they jumped.

Once their feet were firmly on the ground, Nightwing handed Kori his helmet. She climbed onto the motorcycle behind him and they sped off towards her house. Her arms were tight around his waist.

When they pulled into her driveway, Kori got off the bike and handed the helmet back over to Nightwing. He could see that her face was wet with tears, ones he was sure he had caused. "I thank you for everything," she said, then walked towards the front door.

Suddenly, it was as if his feet were moving of their own accord as they climbed off the bike, the words coming out of his mouth before he could stop them. "Kori, wait." She turned around to him and his pace quickened to catch her. Once he was right in front of her, he used one hand to gently tilt her chin up to look at him. And he paused, hesitant. Her eyes, out of focus, sad, beautiful, and now longing. He definitely shouldn't do it. He would be cheating on Kitten. He would be endangering Kori. He would only cause more of a mess that they would have to clean up.

"Oh, fuck it," he sighed, then crashed his lips into hers. They were every bit as soft as he had imagined them, maybe even more so. He felt her arms snaking themselves around his neck to deepen the kiss. His tongue searched her mouth desperately. He could have stayed right there with her forever in that moment. But reluctantly, he pulled away. "Sleep well, Kori," he said as he walked back to his bike. He waited for her to close the front door behind her before he sped off down the street.