I am SOOOOOOOOO sorry it has taken me so long! I am in my senior year so I have scholarships to do as well as work M-F after school. It's been crazy busy. But that is no excuse. I hope this makes up for it. We have some RichardXKori fluff which is fun! Anyways, thanks to those who reviewed and to those who favorited. If you didn't do either...please do! Reviews will make me write a lot faster! Anyways...here it is!

I do not own Teen Titans! Only the plot of this story:)

Ch. 7

Bruce was furious. No, he was more than furious. It looked as though his head was about to explode. Literally. Dick had been right in his assumption that Bruce was out with Selina that night, for when they returned, she was the only one keeping him calm enough not to murder everyone within his range.

The police had shown up about 20 minutes after the explosion happened. Dick explained it all to them, leaving out the minor details of exactly what the voice said exactly and especially what happened with Kori and the bomb and the green light. He over heard the fiery red head give her statement and she conveniently left the same details out that he did, which made him more suspicious. If she had nothing to hide, then she would be more than forthcoming with the police, and yet she chose to keep quiet. Throughout the night, Kori avoided him, choosing to talk with the police or Alfred instead.

Gar and Victor showed up about an hour later, both looking worried. He assured his friends no one was hurt and they physically relaxed. It would seem Kori already had a grip on their friendship after only meeting them once or twice. As Gar informed him of all of the conspiracy theories he had, Dick glanced over to his body guard a few feet away to find her talking with the mysterious Rachel. They were talking in hushed tones and seemed to be discussing something serious, although no matter how much Dick strained to listen in, he couldn't make out what they were saying. While Rachel managed to look even more serious than ever, it was Kori's facial expression that worried him. She hid it well, but he could see in her mannerisms he had come to learn that she was tense.

"Dude, are you sure you're ok? I mean, you are spacing out more than usual...even more than me, which is saying something because you know me," Gar joked. Dick had a feeling that Gar was more in shock than he was about the situation and was overcompensating by talking through all of his random thoughts.

Victor put a hand on Dick's shoulder. "Listen, man, you can act like you aren't affected by this and you can put on a tough guy act, but it's ok to be a little scared. It's a normal reaction. Don't try to just rush past this because that could be your downfall. And we can't let that happen because I have to reclaim my crown in our video game tournament," he commented, smiling. Dick smiled back and thought about how lucky he was. His friends knew exactly what he needed and when he needed it, sometimes they knew it better than he did, which was downright creepy.

Kori appeared next to him as well as Bruce, and already Dick could tell that it wasn't going to go well for him. "Dick, Kori and I have been discussing the events of tonight and we are in agreement. You cannot stay here, at least for the time being. You need to get out of town, let the press cool down and throw your attackers off. In the morning, you will be leaving on a trip. No one but the two of you will know where you are going, that way it takes care of any surprise visitors. Your only worry is not being followed. You will stay away for a few days, enough to let me deal with getting information about your attacker without worrying about if you are going to die or not. I've already arranged with Alfred for food and money to be provided for your trip. You will be taking one of our lesser known cars so as to be inconspicuous. I will leave you and Miss Kori to finalize the details. Victor, Gar," Bruce greeted. He turned away as formal as ever and retreated to Selina's embrace. Dick could tell he was more shaken up than he let on and Selina was the only one who would be able to comfort him now.

Dick shook his head and focused on the matter at hand. He turned to Kori who had returned to her stiff posture that he hated. It didn't feel like he was talking to a person, but a robot who only had the function to protect him. "We are going away? What about work? What will this solve?" he questioned, scrunching his eyebrows at her, frustrated they wanted to run away. In his life, he had never run away from a challenge, and he wasn't about to do that now. "Whoever threatened us will still be here when we get back. They aren't going to go away just because I do. If anything, I should stay here and help Bruce find the bastards who did this because I swear I'm going to kick their asses." Dick felt something drip on his fingers and realized he had clenched his hand into a fist so hard he had made his hand bleed.

Kori laid a hand on his shoulder and her look softened. "I know that you want to find them, so do I. But it won't matter if you want to do that or not if you are dead. You can't help anyone that way," she stated. Dick sighed, knowing she was right but dreaded being a coward. "Sometimes, Richard, the bravest thing one can do is to retreat." His head shot up at her words but she had already looked away. It was as if she could read his mind with the accuracy of her answer to his concerns.

"So, if we are going away, where exactly are we going? We can't go to any of our normal places and I'm not going to go stay in some rat infested motel," Dick responded. From the looks on his friends faces, he could tell they had noticed his change in character back to the spoiled rich boy people expected him to be.

Kori sighed, ignoring his words as if they were in another language she didn't understand. "We will be staying at a friend's second home for the time we are away. I am sorry, friends," Kori started, turning to Gar, Victor, and Rachel, "I will not be able to inform you of where we are going. You will have to assume for the duration of our travels that we are safe. I apologize, but this is on the orders of Mr. Wayne." Surprisingly, his friends posed no objections towards her instructions, but instead took it as if she had just passed a law they must follow. "You must go and pack, Richard, for we are leaving in just a few hours, as soon as the sun has done the rising." He nodded and started walking towards the house. Halfway there, Bruce joined him, falling into step as they made their way back to their house that had almost been destroyed.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, and Dick had a feeling they both felt the same way. They both wanted to bask in the fact that they hadn't lost any other family today. "As hard as I was on you, I hope you understand I'm glad that nothing happened to you or Kori. I don't know what I would have done. No, that's a lie. I would have found that bastards that did this and put them in an early grave and I wouldn't have felt bad about murdering them in the slightest."

Dick nodded, knowing that he would have done the same thing if the situation were reversed. Bruce stepped in front of him, forcing them both to stop. "I know I don't say it very often, but you are my son, if not by blood then by heart. You are my family through and through, and I'm proud of the man you've become," Bruce admitted, showing an unheard of amount of affection. Dick smiled in response, but said nothing. "That doesn't mean I don't think you've been a dumbass, because you have. Which is why you need to go pack. I'll make all the arrangements for your absence and there should be a burner phone delivered to you by the time you leave. Call me before you decide to come home so I can tell you if its ok or not. Make sure to keep to yourselves, wherever you go, and Dick...just be careful." Without another word, Bruce turned and walked back to where Selina was waiting. Dick nodded and her and she raised her hand in a wave. It felt final, but at the same time, he had a feeling that things were only going to get more complicated from here.

He spent the next hour or so packing clothes into a suitcase, taking only the necessary things, but also preparing for however long they may be gone. Alfred came with a bag full of food and the burner phone Bruce had promised, and he said good bye to his long time friend. At about 5 o'clock in the morning, with no sleep and a near death experience under his belt, he went to the library to pick up a couple of books for their trip. At the very least, he would be able to take the time to read like he hadn't been able to before. Sitting sideways in an armchair, with her hair up in a messy ponytail and book in her lap, was Kori. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose in even breaths, which told him that she was sound asleep. He took the opportunity to see her in her most vulnerable state. She resembled an innocent child, so unlike her normal, hardened self. Her face was completely relaxed, as if she didn't have a care in the world.

He took a step closer to her and Kori's eyes flew open. Her breathing hitched as she made the transition from the dream world to the real world. "Richard?" she questioned as she noticed him for the first time. Her voice was free of her usual guarded tone and he wished she would be like this all the time.

"Yes, Kori?" he responded.

"What is the time?"

He chuckled. "About 5 in the morning." She gasped and bolted upright, her book falling to the floor. Dick bent down and picked it up, noticing the title. "Pride and the Prejudice, huh? Didn't know you were the romantic type." He glanced at her face in time to see her roll her eyes.

"I am not. I enjoy the idea that the two main characters overcame the roles they had been assigned. In that sense, the book is very...realistic," she scoffed, clearly offended at his judgement.

He held up his hands in defeat. "Woah, ally cat, I didn't mean to offend you. I just didn't know that was the type of book you liked," he replied, hoping she didn't take any real offense.

Kori shrugged, and took the book back from him. "Next time you hear something that does the surprising, do not sound so condescending. Sometimes, things are not what they seem," she replied. Dick could hear it in her voice that something was behind her words. She had many secrets and layers, and he would get to the bottom of it. "We should get going. I would like to be at the place of my friends before lunch time." Brushing past him, Kori made her way out of the room. Dick's eyes followed her out of the room, following her swaying figure until the doors shut behind her. He let out a breath and with that, he let out his frustrations. She could get to him in ways no one else had ever been able to.

They met in the garage less than an hour later with everything packed. Dick was the typical guy and had a small suitcase that fit everything he needed, but what surprised him was the lack of suitcases Kori was taking. All she had was a simple knapsack. When he questioned her about it, she simply shrugged and said she already had her things at the place they were staying. He didn't know who this friend of hers was, but obviously they were close otherwise she wouldn't already have a key to their place. They got in one of Bruce's old car and once again, Dick let Kori take the driver's seat. He hadn't bothered to say bye to any of their friends or even Bruce. It was better to just get away when no one realizes he is about to leave. One thing was clear: he didn't want to risk his friends getting hurt in any way.

Once they were on their way, Dick settled back into his seat and tried to fall asleep, but felt he had too many questions on his mind. Trees passed by his window quickly, and they rode in silence. He thought about everything that had happened and he just couldn't see why someone would want to kill him so badly. Sure, he was a bit of a playboy and a spoiled brat in some people's eyes, but there was no reason for someone to want to kill him other than his money. Dick shook his head. He needed to think about something else.

He turned towards Kori, and just simply looked at her. She seemed relaxed driving, as if she could focus on that and her troubles weren't there. "Kori, can I ask you a question?" he blurted, suddenly. She seemed startled he had spoken, but nodded, not taking her eyes off the road. He shifted in his seat to get a better look at her. "Why do you always call me Richard? Everyone else, even Bruce, calls me Dick, yet you don't. Why?"

She didn't answer for a moment, and he wondered if he had spoken fast and she didn't understand something he had said. But after a minute, she smiled. "When I first learned English, I did not understand the concept of the English idioms or the slang. I was ignorant and others would often make the fun of me. I simply did not understand. As I learned more, I realized what these terms meant and I could understand why the situation was the funny. I still am not able to use these English terms, it is not in my nature. I understand why you are nicknamed 'Dick', but I do not partake in calling you that simply because of its meaning. I do not think you live up to that name, therefore I will refrain from calling you this until you do the deserving of it. I will not degrade you, even if you may not think it is such," she explained. His eyebrows scrunched, and he tried to understand what she was saying.

He knew that English wasn't her first language, that much was obvious from her accent and the fact that she was from Tamaran. He just didn't know she understood that much. Her reasoning wasn't one he had expected. In an outburst, he let out a loud laugh. Instantly, he covered his mouth but still laughed. She glanced curiously over at him, but he just laughed more. Finally, he calmed himself and let his hand down. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. I don't want to sound mean, but I didn't realize you were that smart, and I was laughing at myself. Apparently I'm the stupid one," he explained, shrugging. He watched her as she let a small smile replace her frown.

"May I ask you something, Richard?"

He nodded slowly, curious as to what she could ask from him. "You do not have to answer me if you do not feel comfortable," she added quickly. "I merely wondered, what happened to your parents, that you now have to live with Mr. Wayne?"

Dick stiffened, already flashing back to his memories of long ago. No one asked him about that time in his life any more. If they wanted to know something, they could always look it up on the internet, because he's sure someone had put it on there. It was a taboo subject, that he avoided. But Kori was different. He could tell she didn't want to know because his story was interesting or because she was trying to get the 'real' story. She wanted to know, because it was his story and part of him. He sighed, and looked out the window, ready to tell the tale. "My parents were part of a circus, and so was I. Now, you may think that it's weird to be a Carni or that it's a stupid idea, but not only were my parents my family, so were the rest of the Carnis. We spent each and every day together, and even now I long for that closeness we had.

"The circus we were a part of was very well known, and we traveled all over the world. It was only a matter of time until we attracted the wrong kind of attention." He paused, taking a moment to collect himself before retelling the hardest part. "I overheard some men trying to get money out of the owner of the circus, but he was tough and refused. At first, I thought it was a good thing. I mean, you don't want to let these guys push you around, otherwise they would just keep coming back. But I realize now, he should have done just that. The two men weren't giving up, and threatened the owner. They left, and I thought everything was alright.

"That night, my parents were performing their Trapeze act, where they don't use a net. They'd never had a need for it. Their swings….they snapped. They died on impact...and I stood, watching them as they fell. Bruce...he took me in after that. He told me what really happened.

"The men, they worked for a man named Tony Zucco, who had ways to silence me if I told the police what had happened. They had put acid on the swings, causing the ropes to snap and for my parents to die. Bruce is the closest thing to family I have now. He adopted me and made me feel like he was my second dad. I'll never be able to repay him for that," he finished in a whisper. Telling her this, he felt exposed, as if he had barred his soul to her.

Kori didn't speak for several minutes, and Dick was afraid to look over at her. He didn't want to see pity in her eyes. No one knew what he was going through, but what he looked for was understanding. Someone who understood that it would never be ok, but it could be better. Things would never be the same as they were with his parents, but things could be different. He needed her to be someone who would know that although he was in pain every day from his parents death, he wasn't weak, someone who needed to be labeled fragile. He needed her to see his strength, his confidence, and not his weakness.

"You have been through much, Richard Grayson, and yet you live life to its fullest. Though your parents dying is a horrible event, it is my belief it has made you a better person," she stated. Her voice held more understanding than sympathy, and he respected her for that. "Your parents live on through you." Then, she was quiet. If he could guess, then he would say the conversation was over. It came as no surprise to him. It was a lot to take in. Not every person you meet tells you they saw their parents die right in front of them when they were just a kid.

After a while, Dick opened his eyes and found the sun was already going down, and realized he had fallen asleep after his deep revelation. Yawning, he glanced over at Kori who was sipping a coffee mug as she drove. "How long was I out?"

She shrugged. "You were doing the sleeping for around 8 hours. You needed the sleep," she stated simply. In response, his stomach growled and he smiled meekly. She chuckled. "There is food in the back, if you would like." He nodded, and reached back to get the food out of the backseat. As he ate, he noticed that they were driving through a town and had slowed their speed excessively.

"Kori, where are we?"

"We are almost at our destination. We should arrive at the cabin in about 10 minutes," she informed him. He nodded and kept eating. True to her word, they arrive about nine minutes later, and Dick couldn't imagine a better place to be hiding out.

They were surrounded by woods and it was a rather large cabin. It was a two story log cabin, with a wrap around porch and a balcony out two of the windows. A small stream ran back behind the cabin, and there were paths leading into the thick woods. There was a large pile of cut wood on one side of the cabin as well as a fire pit he could see in the back. Dick lived in a mansion, and even he was impressed with the cabin. The inside had a large family room attached to a state of the art kitchen. The family room had a large flat screen TV hanging above a fireplace and leather sectional. The ceilings were exceptionally tall, and he found that instead of just an upstairs, it had a loft, where the stairs led to an open room above the main floor.

"Kori, who owns this? I mean, I love my house, but this place is awesome!" he exclaimed, excited to check out the rest of the house. It had been a long time since he'd been this impressed with something someone could buy. "Don't tell Bruce this, but I think even he couldn't build something this amazing." She laughed, and ignored his first question. Dick just figured that he didn't know her friend, and let it go.

Kori lead him upstairs, and he found that the open loft also had two rooms, one on each side of the house. "The second bedroom will be yours. Do not be afraid to use anything you find here. My friend will not do the caring if you use his things," she commented, setting down her bag in the first bedroom. She left him to explore, and he was grateful. Outside of his bedroom, there was another couch, though just a loveseat, that sat in front of a flat screen. It seemed to be more intimate than the one found downstairs, and he could only imagine what Kori's friend had planned for this couch.

He returned downstairs to find Kori had already started a fire and was lounging on the couch watching TV. Giving her a strange look, she simply shrugged. "I am able to relax, am I not?" she questioned a little bit snippy. Dick laughed and shook his head. Walking to the kitchen, he pulled open the refrigerator and found it fully stocked. She thinks of everything, he thought incredibly. His thoughts were pulled back to their earlier conversation, and he realized he had another question for her.

Sitting on the couch next to her, he grabbed the remote and shut off the TV. Kori merely gave him a questioning look and he sighed. "Why did you sound so...understanding about my situation when we were in the car?" he asked bluntly. Kori didn't even blink. She simply glanced away from him and then looked back, as if checking to see if he was still there. He waited.

"I have a sister and a brother. I do not speak with my sister but my brother...I have not seen him in years. He disappeared and I have not heard from him since. I do not know what happened to him. I do not even know if he is alive. Although I have not seen my parents die, my closest friend has done the disappearing and there is nothing I was able to do. My brother was and always will be the one who I can go to for anything. I do not know if I will ever find him again and I do not think that anyone will be able to fill that part of my life," she slowly told him, taking breaths afterwards. She didn't look at him during the story, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. He could see a tear fall down on her clenched hand, and Dick's heart broke for her. Without thinking of anything except her pain, he reached out and put his hand on top of her hand. He laced his fingers through her hand, and felt it was abnormally warm. Looking down, he felt it grow warmer and suddenly, he felt a shock on the middle of his hand.

"Ouch! That was hot! What just happened?" he questioned, rubbing his hand. Jumping up, Kori turned away from him. Her back was stiff and her hands were clenched at her sides. Dick stood and attempted to put a hand on her shoulder, but she stepped away quickly.

Her face showed sadness, but it was also closed off from him. It was no longer the vulnerable Kori, but his bodyguard. "I am sorry, Richard, but I should not have done the spilling of the beans. I did not mean to be personal. I will go and check around the cabin as well. Good night, Richard," she told him coldly. He opened his mouth to object, but closed it when she turned and walked outside. He was stunned. What did I do wrong?