The Unexpected News

[Elenaphant]

Kory was often one to believe in many possibilities, as throughout time and travel she had encountered many an ‘impossible’ scenario, and had adopted the notion that anything could happen. This viewpoint was challenged as she sat, staring disbelievingly at the doctor that had given her the news on her condition.

It is not… it could not be… What?

“You—sorry, how many months did you say I was… along?” Her mind was still reeling.

“You’re in your first trimester. Can you pinpoint the date you conceived?”

It was hard coming to terms—terms—with the fact that she was a mother. Of all things, this had come as one of the biggest shocks. The Tamaranean couldn’t have even dreamed that it could happen. Contrary to some popular belief, she was not a promiscuous woman. She was young still, for one, and for her that sort of act had everything to do with love. Kory had a big heart, and she loved many people, but that special sort of love had been reserved so far for only one person.

They had… fallen out of their relationship on mutual terms. He was still her best friend, but one could not just ‘forget’ a lover. Sometimes, when she saw him alone still, they’d fall into a habit. It would start with a conversation, they would mention something nostalgic, and they would admit things have been… lonely...since…
That was three months ago, as it was the last time she had seen him. Dick Grayson: the only candidate as the father of her child. How could this be?

Stranger things have happened before but this was very personal and very life changing. Her, a mother! A mother! Expecting a child—X’hal, what was she to do?

There had been signs but she could have never believed it to be this. Yes, two months ago she developed a strange, morning nausea, and the monthly sign of fertility had not come to her. Kory was a model, and she was required to be aware of her physical state. She hadn’t experienced any weight gain, but the small, almost unnoticeable protrusion of her stomach had been what caused her to seek medical attention at the only facility within reasonable distance of Jump City to take extraterrestrial patients.

It was still hard to fathom, but she could do this. She could provide for herself and a child. If she ran out of resources here, there was still Tamaran to go to—but what of Dick? If he was—no, he was the father, of that there was no question, but could he… be a father?

An anxious feeling settled inside her, but she cast it aside. She had to tell him. It was the right thing to do and they had too much history and rapport between each other for her to even consider hiding a child from him. He did not have to take part in this, but he needed to have the knowledge and the choice. This was, however, not something she felt right discussing over the phone. She would need to pay him another visit.

She told him she needed to speak with him about something very important, and so she arranged to come meet him when he said he was available for a chat. As she stood outside his door, waiting for him to answer her knocks, she pressed her hand over her stomach. It was still hard for her to grasp that there was a baby growing inside her. How was he supposed to take this news?

[Silv]

Dick ran his hands through his dark hair under the warm water of the spigot. His hair was getting long again. A dark, wet curl flopped over the front of his face and he pushed it back as he rinsed the white lather from his hair. There was just something rejuvenating about showers. It probably accounted for the majority of his utility bills, but Dick liked to wash away the troubles and trials of Rookie Grayson each evening, and again every morning wash away the kinks and the sores he gained each night as Nightwing. He had underestimated the amount of time he had before Kori would arrive on his doorstep and so, when he heard her knocking for what might have been the third or fourth time, he hastily turned off the water, shook his head like a wet dog, and grabbed the nearest towel off the rack.

The last thing Dick had been expecting was a call from Kori. She had said she needed time to talk with him and that it was very important. Nightwing didn't really get too many hours to himself, but he would make time for Kori. She was one of the people who meant the most to him in the entire world and if he couldn't be there for his loved ones than what sort of hero was he? He wondered what it was she wanted to talk about.

“Give me a moment, Kori!” he shouted, hoping she would hear him as he found his deodorant. Having Kori around always made him nervous in a good sort of way. While they were close, they didn't exactly have the sort of relationship where he could answer the door with just a towel around his waist. And so the frantic search for pants began. Steam followed the young man out of the bathroom as he turned the corner and grabbed a pair of fresh boxers and the closest pair of pants. An awkward dance later and he was heading towards the door, buckling his pants as he went, and trying to ignore the way his hair was still dripping water down his bare back.

Shoving the towel over one shoulder the former Boy Wonder reached the door and flung it open, giving the person on the other side his most charming smile. Or, it would have been his most charming smile if half his hair hadn't decided to flop across his face at the same instant. Shaking his head like a bedraggled dog, Dick gestured for Kori to come in. “Sorry for the wait,” he said amicably as he waited for her to pass and then shut the door behind her. “I was in the middle of something.” it was obvious he'd pretty much just flopped out of the shower and raced to the door. He smelled strongly of spices and he hadn't had a chance to pull on a shirt yet. The young man pulled the towel off his shoulder and stuck it over his head like a hood before toweling off his dark hair.

“So, you had something you wanted to talk about?” he asked curiously. And then, as if he had suddenly remembered his manners he glanced sheepishly around the small and not exactly well kept apartment. “Did you want to sit down?” he could move some of the case files off the sofa, easy. “And did you want anything to drink?”

[Elenaphant]

He was taking his time answering, but then she heard him call to her to wait and stopped tapping her knuckles against the wood. She thought, perhaps, he didn't hear her or was sleeping. The last time he had fallen asleep she had flown outside his window and tried to come in that way. His reaction was most amusing! It helped with her nerves to think of the fonder times. Dick was a good man, and he would not be callous to her.

When he finally answered the door she was startled, since he answered her so abruptly and in such a state, too! Despite the weight of the news, she let out a short laugh. He was so cute! Was this what he was rushing for? As she stepped in, she smiled coyly toward him, familiar habits arising from her "No need to rush getting dressed on my account," she said, mostly because they both knew how liberal she was about nudity. That, and it was nothing she hadn't seen before--

and that was exactly what had led to all this! She resisted the urge to bring her hand to her face. At his questions she sighed, knowing this was not the time for easy pleasantries, and it was best she take a more serious approach. Their relationship was forever changed and her life would never be the same.

"It is you who perhaps needs the sitting down, and thank you, but I'll be fine." Starfire had gotten better at her English over the years, so her use of 'the' again in the awkward place revealed how nervous she was. Though she had nothing to apologize for, and didn't feel she should, she did look sorry for having to come with such heavy news.

Kori glanced over to the case files scattered around his living space in what could only be called organized chaos. Normally people would be put off by some of the more graphic, grim imagery but that was not so much the issue when she looked at them. It reminded her of how busy he was, establishing himself as a hero and a cop and now was not the time for him to take up the role of a father. It made her sad, but she could understand. She could understand very well, however he answered her. It couldn't be helped, though. Even if it was a major inconvenience, even if he did not want her or the child in his life, he needed to know.

She hoped this would not damage their relationship. Even if she could understand, she could not expect not to be a little bitter depending on his response. "I' m thinking how to break this gently to you. I was in total shock when I found out myself, so I am trying to think of the right words to say but they will not come."

[Silv]

Dick was far too busy running around and being awkward to notice her initial hesitance to his questions. He piled a particularly gruesome set of murders on the coffee table before realizing he might need the space and then plopping them to the floor and shoving them back under with a bare foot. The former Boy Wonder made quick work of the cases littering the couch, shoving them under the coffee table too, before gesturing that she could sit down there now and scuttling off down the hallway to vanish into his bedroom.

When he came back, moments later, the towel gone and a shirt being pulled over his head, Dick caught his first sign that something was amiss. She was still standing and she was telling him that he should probably sit in that same broken English that always came out when she was uncomfortable. Oh no. His first thought was that someone was dead. But she didn't look like she was about to burst into tears and Dick was usually pretty good at reading the expressions on her face. She looked more sorry than anything. Was...was she going away? Something fluttered in the pit of Dick's stomach and he moved closer to her.

She was having trouble telling him whatever it was she needed to tell him. He could understand the trouble. Some things were just hard to say. “It's okay, Kori, take as long as you need.” Standing right in front of her he reached out for her hands and gently led her to sit down on the couch, guiding her before plopping down himself so they could sit together. He didn't say anything more. There wasn't much to say as he tried not to let her anxiety rub off on him.

[Elenaphant]

He was so sweet, really, having grown up from the tense boy she used to know. Even then she had seen kindness in him; he had been the first to show her on Earth after all. Honestly, if she were to have any man as the father of her child... Her hands squeezed back and she offered a small smile. It was okay. They had been through so much together. He would not turn her away. How to phrase it though? She wanted to just blurt it out and tell him, get it over with, but at the same time wanted to lessen the shock and make sense of it herself.

"I... I was at the doctor--I am in good health, do not worry about that..." Kori began, her thumb absently stroking the back of one of his hands as she gathered her wits. "Though my condition is... shocking, to say the least. I could scarcely believe it when she told me I was... I could never believe it was possible between us, even with the signs..."

She sat up a little, her grip in his hands a little firmer. Not enough to hurt him, she was always mindful of that, but here it was. She was going to tell him. "Dick, understand that when I came to you three months ago--what we had done--I had done with no other. So you will know why I am telling you this. Why I felt you needed to know, even with everything in our lives this is important and our relationship is forever changed."

Maybe the hyperbole was unnecessary but it was true. "I'm with child. At the end of my first trimester--X'hal, I've been a mother for three months and I haven't known. I swear, I didn't know that it could happen."

[Silv]

Their hands were still entwined even though they were now seated. Dick had tensed when she mentioned a doctor, fearing that she was ill, but she was quick to put him at ease. She danced around the explanation at first, Dick's dark brows drawing in puzzlement, but then he understood and his eyes widened in shock. He was winded better than any sucker punch to the gut had ever managed. Starfire was...she was PREGNANT? And she was telling him, quite plainly, that he was the father. Of course he believed her. If she said it was him, then it was him but...he hadn't even thought they could get pregnant. An alien and a human? The biology made no sense.

Biology was laughing it's ass off in the corner and rolling around on the floor. And Dick laughed right along with it. By the time the former Boy Wonder managed to get his wits recollected his face was split into a sardonic smile. He could take this in stride. Compared to what he had originally thought this was the best news in the world. But it also led to complications. He was only nineteen. She was only twenty. They could barely take care of themselves (a gross exaggeration) and now they were going to have to take care of a tiny alien-human hybrid.

“I'm glad you told me,” he was glad that their relationship was as such that she wasn't going to vanish off to a distant world and he wouldn't find out he had a kid until a teenager showed up on his doorstep one day looking for her father. “I can't believe that-” he slipped one of his hands from her grip and let it trail down her abdomen with wonder. There was a baby in there! And it was his as much as hers. “We'll get through this. Together.” there was solidarity in his voice as he reached the hand he'd freed back up to meet with hers again.

Suddenly he was sliding off the couch and onto the floor, still holding onto her hands. She might have been an alien, but surely she had been on Earth long enough to know the meaning of this spontaneous gesture. “Kori, will you marry me?” he might not have known what he was doing with his life, their relationship might have been one of two ships that drifted apart occasionally before coming back together, but he did know one thing: that he would stand by her for the sake of their child, if nothing else “You-you don't have to say anything right away. I don't have a ring or anything,” he suddenly looked less resolute and more sheepish.“But, I won't let our child grow up without a father.” the emotion was clear in his bright eyes. “Let me be there. For both of you.”

[Elenaphant]

Relief flooded her when he seemed to take it well. When he told her he was glad she smiled, and she was glad for it too. It was against her principles to hide it from him--he would have had to have been a monster for her to do that. Her smile spread when he pressed his hand to her abdomen. Wasn't it just odd? There was a baby, growing in there... Their child. The theory was that Tamaraneans were an adaptable species. It wasn't the first time, though those cases were usually abduction cases and their experience was nothing like that.

She believed they would get through it, but he started to move... getting down on his knees. Though the gesture was not unfamiliar, she hadn't expected him to do it. Her breath caught when he posed the question to her. "Oh... Dick..." He told he she didn't have to say anything, but she felt she needed to. He was doing this for their child, so that he could be a father for them. She parted one hand from his so that she could press it against his face. Her expression was tender. "You will be there for us, I know this. Married or not, this child will have a mother and a father. I do not want you to feel an obligation to make sacred vows to me."

By her ethics, they could still be a family. There was part of her that wanted to accept it, but she recognized it for convenience. She loved him, but she did not want to bind him to her if that was not what his heart truly wanted. "I love you. You are my best friend." He could be reassured in that. She leaned over and pressed her lips to his forehead in a kiss.

"Now, you are the father of my child. That is more than enough for me to accept you in our lives," she said after she pulled away, smoothing back his damp hair so that she could look into his beautiful blue eyes. She wondered if their child would have his eyes or hers. "I am very happy you are willing. I was worried I would be on my own."

[Silv]

Dick wasn't entirely sure what to think of her response at first. He felt an odd sensation at her refusal to pin him down to anything, like a tightness in his stomach, and he couldn't pinpoint if it was supposed to be relief he was feeling or if it was something more akin to disappointment. He leaned into her touch ever so slightly and closed his eyes in understanding. This baby was going to solidify their relationship in one way, but it would also complicate it in more ways than Dick was even sure of yet. Children were strange and miraculous things. When he opened his eyes again she was studying him and he wondered if she was trying to mesh their features in her mind and imagine what their child would look like.

There was nothing more than needed to be said on the matter of their relationship. He had made his intentions perfectly clear, and she had told him her own expectations. Now all that was left was to prepare everything else. Ohgod. Bruce was going to kill him. The man was already furious enough that Dick had basically severed all his connections to Batman and now he had gone out and knocked up an alien Bruce didn't like in the first place. Wow...that was totally going to win him points. Not. His guardian and mentor still thought that the youngest Grayson was little more than a child, even if he was legally an adult, and he was pretty sure he was going to at least get punched in the face when he broke the news to his father-figure. But maybe Dick was just over analyzing things and being dramatic.

Suddenly looking more nervous than he had been when he was asking her to marry him, Dick slumped against the side of the couch, not bothering to get back up. “Kori,” he ran his tongue across his lips because they had suddenly become dry. “You...haven't told anyone else, have you?” Probably the worst thing would be if Bruce heard from a source that wasn't Dick. He hoped if Kori had told anyone it was Donna, or Raven. He could trust them to keep such important information to themselves. “Because I have to figure out how to break the news to Bruce,” as hard as Dick had tried to hide it from her, there was no doubt in his mind that Kori knew how much the older man disliked her. “And the one thing that can't happen is him finding out from anybody but us.” So, he was placating Bruce. It was the easiest road.

He gave a weak chuckle as though something humorous had crossed his mind. “At least telling the old team won't be half as terrifying.”

[Elenaphant]

She did not share his humour. The moment he mentioned Bruce the tender, loving expression faded and she was conflicted. Her hands pressed against the couch and she was regarding him carefully. Yes... He was going to need to tell his father, just as she would have told her parents were they still alive. Kommand'r was disowned and she no longer saw her sister as family. The old team were her family, and she was not frightened of them. Her parents would have kept her on Tamaran if they could, or she would have continued to be exiled on the grounds of the treaty--she couldn't know. So, she could understand that Dick had to consider how his parental figure would deal with this.

She knew Bruce did not like her. Likewise, there were qualities she did not like in him. They were very different, and they both had different ideas of what was good for the person they loved--and she did think Bruce loved his son. Unlike Bruce, Kori respected that relationship. Whatever the man might think she was doing, she had encouraged Dick to try and communicate with his father at times Dick did not want to. Still, she was uncomfortable. This would be difficult enough without that man throwing around his disapproval. It was obvious to her that Dick was nervous and that was not reassuring.

Wasn't she the same, though, standing outside his door just now? She had worried the same about breaking the new to him. "I felt you needed to be the first to know. I have not told anyone else." She let him know what he asked, but fell to silence. She wasn't quite sure what to to say.

Then, she considered something. "Do you... need me to be there with you..?" As unpleasant as the experience could be, she would be there to support him; she just wasn't sure whether he presence would make it better or worse, thus the uncertainty in her tone when she offered.

[Silv]

Dick nodded when she told him that he was the first one to know. His jaw set as his gaze drifted off the the left. It was clear he was deep in thought about something. She broke the silence first, asking if he needed her to go with him. “No,” he replied a little too quickly. “But I want you to be there,” he amended. “Bruce needs to get used to the idea that you're a part of the family now. Whether he likes it or not.” the young man was standing now, slowly getting to his feet. “I'm going to call him,” Dick explained. “And then we can go. Gotham is a few hours from here. We ought to be able to make it to the Bat Cave by the time he's back from patrol. I'm going to tell him to come home early, if he can.” though it was more of a if he wanted to.

The young man walked out of the room and headed for the bedroom and rifled through one of the drawers in the desk before he came up with the communicator Batman had given him. He stared at the communicator for a few silent moments, as though going over lines in his head, before taking a deep breath and letting it out in a sigh that came straight from the gut. He wasn't looking forward to it, but sometimes, it was just easier to take the plunge and work your way out of it later. That was exactly what the youngest Grayson was going to do. Pulling the communicator to his ear he hit the button that would contact the Batman.

“Dick, I told you this line is for emergency use or mission communication,” Bruce's voice was on the other end before Dick could say anything in his own defense. It sounded like Batman was in a foul mood. But then, that seemed to happen any time Dick went anywhere near his former mentor anymore. It was almost as if Dick's very presence dredged up unwanted memories. Or maybe it was because they always fought when one went near the other. “This better be important.”

“We have to talk,” was Dick's reply. “I'm heading over now.”

“I'm going out on patrol.”

“I'll be waiting for you when you get back.”[/b][/color]

The tension on the line was palpable. Batman was silent for a few moments. “Fine.” he replied, and then the line clicked silent.

Dick set down the communicator on the desk and grabbed his uniform. It was silly, maybe, but he felt he needed to wear it. To feel like he wasn't a little kid anymore. To be his own man. Batman had taught him to change quickly, and he did, pulling on the spandex, adjusting what little Kevlar he had bothered to have put into the uniform, and pulling his pants and a button up over it. He folded his gloves and tucked them into a pocket, along with the communicator, before he snagged his leather jacket off the chair and headed out to where he'd left Kori.

“Ready?” he asked her as he pulled his keys off a peg in the wall. His hands first reached for the spare helmet to the side of his own and he held it out towards her silently.

Ooc:
Adding color to make things easier. Likewoah. Color.

[Elenaphant]

Was she ready for what was sure to be a tense (at best) conversation with a man who obviously didn't like her and preferred Dick with another woman? Yes, she was ready. She took the helmet and placed the foreign contraption on her head. It seemed a little useless to her, but there was something about being a policeman and the law, oh, and setting an example.

She slid behind him on motorbike, and though it wouldn't have bothered her alternatively it was fortunate she chose to wear jeans rather than a skirt or dress. She held him as he drove and wished there wasn't a helmet in the way. Kori wanted to rest her head against his shoulder, but had to settle for just holding him on the way there. The Tamaranean tried to say something supportive, but was too occupied by her own thoughts.

Part of the family... Kori didn't know how she felt about that. We're not married. X'hal, she wanted to be positive about this. It was probably just the nerves.

They arrived to the manor, and Kori slipped her hand into his. He'd be the only thing that was familiar and close to her in this large, ominous looking place. It spoke mystery and grandeur in the same breath. At least the butler seemed charming.

"Young Master, you have arrived before Master Wayne, and have brought some lovely company I see." Alfred held the door open for them to step inside, and led them to the living room, which naturally resembled nothing of what a typical living space looked like in a modern home. Kori kept sweeping her eyes over, since this was the first time she was at the manor or any mansion like it.

"This is a very nice home."

"Thank you, madame, I do try to keep it orderly. Shall I get some tea started? Coffee? A bowl of charms and milk perhaps?" Alfred broke into a wry smile, remembering very well the young master's preferences. That, and the look on his face was concerning him. Only in the Wayne manor was it up to the English man to try and make it less stuffy. Now, the question was, why would he bring his lady friend here? Discreetly he glanced to her hand, noting no ring. He hadn't gone and proposed, so there went that theory.

Or did it?

[Silv]

The drive was tense and silent but the feeling of her arms around his middle was just...right. Dick was trying not to over think things. He really was. It was just, with every mile a new possibility cropped up with what Batman could do to him. Bruce didn't kill, but he could be terrifyingly creative. So far the worst thing Dick could think of was being blacklisted as a hero. Batman had tried to stop Dick multiple times, to force him into retirement, but he had never taken that one unforgivable step yet.

When they made it to the manor the youngest Grayson felt an odd sort of tension mixed with the relief that comes with going home. Wayne manor was as imposing as ever, but Starfire was there at his side and he gave her hand a squeeze in gratitude when it slipped into his own. Alfred was there to meet them, and Dick's face widened into his signature smile at the sight of the elderly butler. “Alfred!” Dick greeted warmly as he stepped inside, gently leading Starfire into his childhood home. “This is Kori,” he offered no other explanation beyond her name. Though, Alfred knew of Starfire already. As Robin, he had talked about her incessantly on the times after he had decided to visit home after joining the Titans.

He laughed when the old man offered him cereal. It was always good to see Alfred. He could almost make him forget the reason they were here. Almost. Dick sobered and made a slight gesture with his head that the butler would be able to easily read as a good natured decline. Continuing on past the sitting room, where guests like Starfire were normally expected to wait, Dick headed for the clock as though daring Alfred to stop him.

“We're going to wait for Bruce,” Dick explained. He knew Batman would maul him for letting a stranger into the Batcave, but the truth was, Kori was no stranger. She was the mother of his child. And, anyway, what was another nail in the coffin he was currently making for himself? “Don't worry, Kori won't tell anyone any secrets,” he gave Starfire a pointed glance as though imploring her to also reassure the butler as he reached up to move the hands on the clock. As soon as he did that there was a soft noise of gears turning and the clock slid away to reveal a dark stairway. Dick led the way with all the confidence of an executioner despite being the one on death row.

[Elenaphant]

Kori took the hint, turning her head toward Alfred and quite sincerely told him, "Oh, I would never!". It hadn't even crossed her mind. He was taking her somewhere dark though, and while the sun was early to set in the November sky even artificial light would be missed. Goodbye, windows, and hello cave. Still, what could Bruce do to his own son? It was probably good Dick did not share his frightening thoughts or she'd be picking him up and insisting he tell Bruce over a safe distance.

"If you feel it prudent." was all Alfred had to say on that, raising an eyebrow and watching the confident young man stride down the steps with his young love. Yes, Alfred knew of the Tamaranean princess that had occupied young Robin's mind and heart, and how as Nightwing those flights of fancy seemed more serious, committed, and they all knew Bruce's opinion. He pinned her with the crime of not being his preferred choice of Barbara Gordon. Not that he was much in the gossip of love affairs (he had a hard enough time keeping up with Bruce's) but he had been under the impression that they had stopped being an item.

If he was leading her into the Batcave after all these years, so that they may meet the bat... Behind them, out of sight, Alfred the butler faded and he took on the face of a concerned father. Dear God, what had he been up to? Perhaps the young miss needed help with something? No, that was not it and he knew it. Wishful thinking did old men no good.

Once again, Kori was looking around at the new location, taking it all in as she twisted her head to look this way and that. There was a giant penny!, and a dinosaur? It did remind her of a cave, all devoid of light, but this one didn't have exits she could see and not everything could be seen at once due to the sheer size. "Will Bruce be coming soon?"

"He will be coming now." Alfred informed from the back, checking his watch; which was not just any ordinary watch, much like how he was no ordinary butler.

Kori looked up at Dick. He wasn't her husband, he wasn't her official lover anymore, but he was her father's child and best friend. That was enough for her to help him see this through. Her hand pressed comfortably against his back, and while she still could without a scathing eye upon her she kissed his cheek. "I am here for you."

[Silv]

Alfred didn't fight him, but then again, Dick hadn't really been expecting the old butler to. He stiffened as Alfred announce Bruce was arriving now. Kori's presence there gave him strength. Actually, it was making him bolder than it probably should have. He felt like, when she kissed him on the cheek, he could do anything. “Thanks Kori,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

It was then that the Batmobile pulled up. Bruce was the first to notice them and he looked about ready to murder both Dick and Kori. When Tim's head popped over the side of the car to catch sight of his adopted older brother and Starfire, the kid's masked eyes widened in surprise. The boy skittered around the car curiously, following the form of Batman that was slowly approaching in the most menacing way possible.

Bruce's sharp eyes glanced once over Starfire before turning towards his boy. “She's pregnant,” the man said curtly. Dick blanched but managed a nod. Of course Bruce would be able to figure it out right away. He was the world's greatest detective. The older man turned towards Tim, dressed brightly in Dick's old Robin colors, who stood behind them both with wide eyes. “Tim,” the boy stiffened at the command. “Finish after-mission protocol,” it was code for wipe down the Batmobile, polish the weapons, and put everything away, Dick knew better than anyone. Then Bruce's expression softened. “Then you can go to bed.”

Tim nodded quickly, sending Dick a look that read I'm so sorry as Batman turned towards his favorite first son and said. “You and I need to talk. Alone.”

“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Kori. We don't have any secrets.” it wasn't true. Batman knew it wasn't true.

The man in the cowl turned his hooded eyes on Starfire. “Get out.” he ordered sharply ignoring the way Dick glared at him and protectively took a half step between Batman and the Tameranian.

[Elenaphant]

Batman was most intimidating, but what really got her nerves on edge when he just... said it. He knew, or he surmised, but Dick nodded and there it was, the reveal. She was naturally taken aback, but got her wits about her. She was a hero too, trained not to be easily intimidated by situations that were tense and unnerving. Her background was a warrior culture, and she was no stranger to fierce, unfriendly expressions. No, the awe of Batman's presence came from her inability to properly judge what he would do next and what he was capable of. Thankfully, she knew Dick did have that ability. He would not have brought her here otherwise.

Kori's eyebrows furrowed together. No secrets--if only. He was addressing her, and her eyes locked onto his masked ones. In response to the sharpness hers turned an opaque green. She took Dick's arm in hers, setting herself to stand beside him and negating that half-step. He wasn't going to do something as stupid as hurt her. Stupid, because he'd never see his favourite son's child as long as she lived if he tried it. That was as clear on her face as his dislike for her was on his person. "No."

The opaque eyes died down and her expression softened, glancing up to her best friend. "Not without Dick. I want to be included, so I can better support him through every trial we'll face--including you."