Rim: Yes, I am updating finally, I've been running around so much trying to finish everything else that I haven't had time for this one. But here I am, with nothing better to do…besides play Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories.

Kain: And we know you're going to be doing that for a while. But put down the Gameboy Advance and write. (Rim continues to play KH: COM) Fine…I'll just start this chapter without you. We would like to thank all the reviewers, and Silverm, we have one more chapter before you know what.

-------------oooooo-------------

Kenny ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his newly cut bangs from tickling his head. Of course he didn't get them cut too short because he was still attached to the way they were, but he had finally got them trimmed back so he wouldn't have so much trouble with them from now on. With a short inspection, he nodded with satisfaction before turning away from the mirror. Looking back over at the bed, he stared at the small bundle of paper bound.

Tonight he was going to go over to Oliver's two bedroom apartment to have dinner with Oliver and an old friend of his by the name of Robert. Kenny was just a bit nervous about this, being that Oliver's friend was about to get his major in English come next April. Kenny didn't know what to expect from the slightly older male. Oliver said there was nothing to worry about, but Kenny didn't know.

He was after all, a novice writer whose been trying to put a manuscript together for almost two and a half years, and he was only on chapter five. Wouldn't most writers be done with a book by now? But this was his life work, he wanted everything about it, every little detail and aspect to be perfect when he finally finished it so that whoever wrote it, could not just say it was a wonderful story, but feel it deep in their souls. That was the promise he made to himself when he finally decided to try the book.

Kain and Rei had kept him from driving himself crazy earlier when they came by earlier to find him panicking. Kain mentioned if he was worrying more about making a good impression if the guy was hot or the guy liking his book more. Of course, he had to scold his blue haired friend earlier anyway for the other day with Michael. Who he in fact was avoiding in case the red head wanted to know what was wrong with him.

In exchange for the light scolding, Kain apologized for it, saying he didn't know that Kenny was going to freak out like that. Afterwards he commented that at least he stopped panicking about his dinner date with Oliver and his friend. In times like that, Kenny thanked God for his friends, and their support.

"I suppose that if anything, a little bit of creative criticism never hurts, it might even make me want to write it more," Kenny smiled, calming himself down over the idea of meeting Robert. About that time, the phone rang, partly startling the teen. Picking it up off the base, Kenny placed it to his ear. "Hello, Shinoda residence, this is Kenny speaking."

"Kenny, it's me, Oliver," the chipper voice said. "Are you almost ready?"

"Well, yeah, I just have to decide whether or not to kill myself now or later," Kenny smiled wearily. "You don't know just how nervous I am, Oliver."

"I can hear it in your voice," Oliver agreed. "But there's nothing for you to worry about, everything is going to be fine. So calm down and breathe."

"That's easy for you to say, you've know the guy since you were nine," Kenny stated.

"Robert is harmless, you'll see," Oliver laughed. "You're just being silly now, Kenny."

"How do you know?" Kenny said.

"He's a very nice person, you will see. In fact, I sent him with directions to your house to pick you up, he should be there soon, so you get to meet him without me there to make your own conclusion about him," Oliver said.

"You what?" Kenny screamed, everything collapsing into the pit of his stomach. "Oliver…are you trying to kill me?"

"I told you everything will be fine, he's not going to give your work one look over then try to hit you with his car or something," Oliver laughed. "He's not that type of person, so cheer up. I'm sure that you two will get along well. I just called to tell you that much."

"Oh, thanks a lot, Oliver," Kenny said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Remind me when I get there to thank you for the surprise, if I arrive in one piece."

"You're going to arrive in one piece, so enough of that. I have to check on the food now. I'll see you in a few minutes." Kenny hung up the phone with a slight sigh, just as the doorbell rang. With a groan, Kenny listened to his mother's footsteps below as she walked to the door. He was really going to kill Oliver if he got through this interview alive and with his sanity intact.

"Kenny, a friend of yours is here!" his mother yelled from the bottom of the steps. "Do you want me to send him up?"

"No, don't worry, I'll be down in just a minute," Kenny yelled as he snatched up the bound pages of his manuscript off the bed. Checking his appearance in the mirror one more time to make sure that he looked fine, Kenny headed for the door. He wondered what this friend of Oliver's was like. From what Oliver had said before, Robert must be a very serious person, Kenny's opposite in a lot of ways. He had a feeling this wasn't going to work out.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Kenny headed for the living room where he heard his mother and a man's voice. Walking into the living room, Kenny saw his mother sitting in a chair, talking to a guy who was seated on the couch. The woman looked up at her son who just walked into the room with a smile. "Kenny, why haven't you brought this young man around the house beforehand? You know I like meeting all of your friends."

"He's a friend of another friend of mine. He's staying in town for a week or two," Kenny said, as the man on the couch was standing up to greet Kenny. "Um, hi, I'm Kenny, you must be—" Kenny's sentence paused right there as the man turned into full view to reveal the guy with purple hair from the store he served the other day; the one that he had so embarrassingly stood there staring at for a long minute.

Maybe he wouldn't remember Kenny. And if he did, he prayed to all the forces above that this guy did not know why Kenny had stared at him for those brief seconds. He would never live it down if it was brought up. He was trying not to make a bad first impression, yet that little note hung over Kenny, especially if Robert remembered it.

"You're the young waiter from the Starbucks." So there was recognition for him also. Now if only he didn't remember Kenny was staring at him, drool practically coming out of his mouth. Okay, maybe that was exaggerated, but it seemed almost true.

"Yeah…my name is Kenny Shinoda, it's nice to meet you," Kenny said.

"And I'm Robert Jurgen it's a pleasure to meet you, Kenny. You don't mind if I call you that do you?" Robert said with a smile.

"Oh, no, of course not," Kenny said immediately. "Oliver called me just a minute ago to tell me that you were on your way to pick me up, I really appreciate it."

"It was no problem a friend of Oliver's is a friend of mine also. So, shall we get going?" Robert inquired.

"Of course," Kenny nodded then turned his eyes to his mother. "Mom, I'll be back later. A friend of mine is making dinner so just make enough food for you and dad. I should be back by one."

"Well you have a good time, and it was nice meeting you Robert," Kenny's mother said with a smile.

"It was nice meeting you too ma'am and I promise to get him back not too late," Robert said as he followed Kenny out the living room and front door. "Your mother is such a sweet person."

"Thanks," Kenny said, looking up slightly to study the older man beside him. Robert was dressed in a button down white shirt and a pair of blue denim pants with a light jacket over it to stave off the cool weather of the night. "I suppose that this is as much as a surprise for you as it is for me…with the meeting at my job before."

"Yes, it is indeed," Robert said. Lowering his dark eyes to study Kenny, who was looking down at the sidewalk, Robert felt a light smile rise. "There is nothing for you to be afraid of I'm not going to kidnap you."

Kenny looked up at the older, a blush creeping into his cheeks. "I wasn't thinking that. Don't mind me I guess I'm just a little nervous that's all." Kenny lowered his eyes to the halfway written manuscript in his hands.

"Is that the novel you've been working on?" Robert asked.

"Yes…it is." He seemed nice enough like Oliver told him, but a part of Kenny still was on guard in case, well…who knew. What was he going to think of the idea? Kenny would hate for Robert to call it a piece of trash that would never be published, or asked Kenny why he would think the idea would work in the first place.

"I'm very excited to read it," Robert said, opening the door on the passenger side to the midnight blue four-door Alero sedan that was parked on the curb. Kenny got in with a short thank you and watched Robert walk around to the driver side. Getting in, he finished what he was saying. "Oliver told me about what an amazing writer you are."

"I'm not that amazing," Kenny argued. "I'm still a novice at this I mean I didn't want to be a writer until about two years ago when I first started working on it. And it's only halfway done now."

"You can't rush brilliance," Robert said with another smile. "A great work takes much time to complete, especially if you're putting your soul into it." The remark caused Kenny to look up at Robert again, who still had a smile on his face. A light blush crossed his cheeks again as he smiled. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after all.

"Thank you for saying that," Kenny replied. "I have been working on it for a long time, and I am trying to put my soul into it. I promised myself that I would make people understand the feelings I placed deep into this work. Maybe find someone who relates to it."

"You're not writing it just for yourself, are you?" Robert inquired as he inserted the key into the ignition, cutting the car on. Fastening his seat belt, Robert took the car out of park.

"No, I lost…" Kenny paused in his sentence, feeling the emotions rising as he followed suit with his seat belt. "I lost a love three years ago when his uncle killed him and his cousin. I don't know all the details, but his life was full of pain, until he met me, then he began opening up to me. This book is also to tell his side of things, so some part of him won't be lost to this world."

"Was he your first love?" Robert asked, looking over to Kenny. Their eyes met, and Kenny was glad that he only saw curiosity within those dark eyes.

"My first love yes, but it was more. I never felt like there was just one person meant for me in this entire world, but after I lost him…I think he was my soul mate. As foolish as it sounds because I was only fifteen at the time," Kenny answered.

"Love isn't something that cares about age. Nor do all people ever claim to have found their soul mate, you are one of the lucky few," Robert smiled.

"You don't…think that…I'm…"

"I would never think that of you, Kenny, or be that judgmental of anyone. I'm not that sort of person at all," Robert assured. The more that Kenny talked with Oliver's friend he found himself liking the other's company more. Well, he suppose that he would have to admit Oliver was right about him being silly for panicking over what Robert would think of him. It looked as if they would become fast friends.

--------ooo--------

"So, what do you think of Robert?" Oliver asked Kenny while the brunette was helping him carrying out the small basket of bread he baked for the meal. In Oliver's hands was a large tray with three plates covered with lids. "Do you still find him to be unnerving? Or have you discovered that there is nothing to fear of him?"

Kenny knew Oliver was referring to the way he and Robert came in the apartment talking about different things. Even in the corner of his eyes he saw the satisfied curl of a smile appear in the corners of Oliver's mouth. "He's an interesting person. On the way over we talked about my novel and he was telling me that he was anxious to read it. I have to say you were right."

"See, he isn't so bad," Oliver said. "I would never stir you wrong, so you were being silly for nothing."

"I will admit it this time," Kenny announced.

"What are you admitting to Oliver, I have to tell you it goes straight to his head, so you should watch it, Kenny," Robert said as the two came back to the table, setting down the food. Kenny laughed, looking over to find Oliver staring at Robert with a look that seemed to be a routine between the two. "Oh, don't give me that look Oliver you know that I was jesting with you."

"Just because you're two years my senior Robert, that doesn't mean I won't hesitate to tell Kenny about some of your most embarrassing moments I can recall," Oliver said, setting a plate in front of Robert, one where Kenny would be seated and the last one where his chair was. Kenny set the basket of bread near the middle of the table before taking his seat. "Like the time when your tutor caught you—"

"All right, I give," Robert yielded, but not before Kenny caught a dusty rose tint sprinkle his cheeks. Oliver gave his friend a sweet smile that was underlined with mischief.

"I thought you would say that," Oliver said seating himself. "I am happy to unveil my first creation. Gentlemen, you may remove the lids. I present to you Poulet a la Montrachet." Kenny removed his lid to find chicken breast halves surrounded by mushrooms, spring carrots, and onions covered in a creamy white sauce. "Instead of using a whole chicken, I substitute the recipe for just the breasts."

"Seasoned with tarragon, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and Bay leaf? With a taste of white burgundy, another excellent dish, if I do say so myself, Oliver," Robert commented as he sampled his plate. Kenny picked up his fork and knife, cutting the tender chicken and eating some. He wasn't expecting the flow of tastes to blend into one unique emergence of flavor.

"Wow…I knew you were a good cook, but this is excellent Oliver," Kenny declared.

"Thank you Robert," Oliver said. "And I appreciate your comment Kenny. Now you the next time you make fun of my cooking being salty or inedible remember that I won't cook for you again."

"Now I'm going to have to find another purpose of teasing you," Kenny joked as he took another bite. "I'm going to feel sorry for your wife if she tries to cook for you, this is some high expectations you're setting for her."

"He has a point Oliver," Robert stated.

"I wouldn't want my wife to think she has to out shine me," Oliver said. "I will love her no matter what."

"This is intimidating, I think you will go far Oliver. Maybe even open your own restaurant if you don't make it as a painter. I've been meaning to ask you, how has the search for a new painting come along?"

"Not yet, I've been placing my studies elsewhere. Right now, I'm learning about Chinese, Japanese, and Italian cuisine. I want to do more than just French cuisine," Oliver said.

"I can't remember the last time I've eaten authentic Japanese food," Kenny said. "After my great grandmother on my mother's side of the family died, no one here ever cooked the traditional meals anymore. I was probably about seven or eight at the time."

"Your family originates from what part of Japan?" Robert asked, looking up from his food at Kenny.

"Well, my great grandfather came from Kobe. My great grandmother lived out in Kyoto for a while before meeting my great grandfather in Okayama. I was born here in the states," Kenny answered.

"With your great grandmother being straight from Japan, did she ever teach you the language when you were small?"

"She made it my second language. She always told me that I should have a strong foundation for my heritage. I was writing kana long before I could say my alphabets. Even after she and my great grandfather died, I was still studying before I got into computers. Well…I really can't say that. I still have a large interest in the language and still love to keep up with my studies," Kenny smiled.

"It's a wonderful language," Robert nodded. "I spent more than half a year there when I was about five and learned much during my stay. Then I went back for vacations one or two times because I had such a pleasant experience there."

"By the way Robert," Oliver said, pausing in eating. "Have you decided yet where you're going to move to once you finish up your last few credits this April?" For a long minute, Robert thought on the subject then shifted his eyes to his friend.

"I've already begun checking out living quarters in Virginia and New York. When I get my Associates degree in Art, there's a good chance I'll move to New York, there's greater opportunity in that direction," Robert answered. "I plan to either work my way up to be an editor for a publishing company or a magazine. Maybe do newspapers for a while to make some cash."

"Do that, you can put in a good word for me when I finally finish my novel," Kenny voiced. "After I finish, I'm going to need some connections."

"I will be more than happy to lend you a helping hand to get your career started," Robert smiled. "And I have a feeling that so far, your manuscript will touch hearts from what I've heard so far." Kenny looked down with a slight blush at the comment. He hoped that Robert was correct in his expectations.

---------ooo----------

"I'm thinking that the dinner went well?" Kain inquired finally while drinking a mocha latte. Kenny was on break from waiter duty since it was a slow day. It was probably due to the cold rain that was pouring outside, no one wanted to be caught out in the weather. Kain and Rei came by knowing that Kenny was going to be bored out of his mind with no one to converse with.

Only when they got there, the two found Kenny talking happily with a young man with purple hair as if they were the old friends. It had been a while since either Kain or Rei could honestly say the brunette looked that happy, laughing and talking with anyone other than them or Tyson.

Only after the man left did the two approached their friend who was watching the rain and eating a piece of coffee cake. That, of course, was only ten minutes ago. The brunette now looked up from his coffee cake to stare at the other two seating with him. Tyson was off of work and was on yet another date with Ozuma.

"The dinner?" Kenny asked. "You mean with Robert and Oliver?"

"Of course, what else do you think we were talking about?" Kain rolled his eyes. "So, do you think he's hot or not?"

"Is that all you think about when it comes to me doing things?" Kenny flushed.

"Well, you wouldn't have blushed when I said it, now would you? Not to mention you looked so cozy sitting here with him. So, you think he's hot, don't you? So, you plan on investing a little more time away from us?" Kain smirked.

"Shut up! It's not like that at all!" Kenny protested.

"Is that so? So you didn't get a good night kiss from him the other night? That's too bad, at this rate your cousin is going to get a head start in getting laid again," Kain laughed.

"Can you possibly shut your damn mouth for once in your life?" Kenny's cheeks were by now the color of apple red. And he was doing everything he could not to jump across the table to strangle his friend. There was nothing between him and Robert, in fact he doubt there could be. It was true that they were hitting it off well, but the interest between them was platonic, and Kenny doubted that it was going to be more.

Not that he was wanting more, he was happy to find someone to converse with who had so many interests, one being Kenny's progress in his novel. He had even exchanged phone numbers with Robert so they could continue to talk when Robert went back to Washington. But he knew if he told Kain, the blue haired idiot would take it the wrong way, exclaiming that Kenny had a thing for Robert and so on.

"Kain stop teasing Kenny?" Rei finally said. "I don't think that Kenny feels that sort of ties to his new friend, am I right, Ken?"

"At least someone thinks so," Kenny praised. "Thank you Rei for saying the most obvious thing in this situation."

"I had a feeling. You don't have that glow in your eyes. Like the one you had with Tala," Rei said simply. "Though, it would have been nice if you could bring yourself to fall in love with someone you seem to enjoy company with."

"Robert's a really interesting person. He's about to graduate from Washington State this coming April, and he's going to get an Associates in Art. I let him look over what I've written so far and he told me earlier today when he called me that he thought it was going to be excellent," Kenny said.

"An Art major, I see. I understand why you like his company, you have someone to talk to about your book," Rei smiled. "And he goes to State he sounds like he must have a lot of interesting things to talk about. Two great minds flock to each other, so how old is he?"

"He's twenty-one right now, he graduated from high school at sixteen and went immediately into college, but had to take off a year because his mother was in this car accident and he wanted to be by her side for the time she was injured. So technically he would have graduate last year had it not been for the accident. He plans to become an editor for a publishing company or magazine," Kenny answered.

"He graduated at sixteen! Damn…I suppose he was home schooled mostly then?" Kain questioned.

"I think so, he traveled a lot when he was a kid, so I assume that he was home schooled from the time he was five and up. He stayed for five years in Paris, so I guess he finished high school there," Kenny said.

"Hell, if I had graduated at sixteen, my parents would have just thrown presents my way," Kain grinned.

"Yeah, but we know you aren't smart enough to graduate at sixteen…unless you mean elementary school," Kenny suggested. Kain turned eyes on Kenny who went back to his coffee cake. Rei placed a hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, shaking his head no.

"We still want him love," Rei murmured, leaning over to kiss Kain behind the ear.

"If we didn't love you…" Kain trailed off.

"If you didn't love me, what?" Kenny raised a brow to his friend. "You would pick on me more? It's too late for that turn of events. You've said more than we needed."

"Now, now you two, enough of that," Rei said, sounding like a mother stopping her two children from fighting over who has more juice in their cups. "Kain, you should stop teasing Kenny, and Kenny stop making Kain angry. I can only keep him at bay for so long. Now I want you two to apologize to each other."

"Why do I have to apologize when he just called me stupid?" Kain pouted.

"You are an idiot," Kenny stated.

"Kenny, Kain, enough," Rei interrupted. "Now apologize, we can't have blood all over the floor. I don't think they would appreciate the extra clean up of bodies."

"Fine, I'm sorry for saying what I said," Kain sighed.

"And I'm sorry for calling you an idiot," Kenny frowned.

"There, now don't we feel better," Rei chimed. Both teens looked at the golden eyed Chinese with a similar stare, before yelling no concurrently. "Well, I was only trying to help you ungrateful brats!"

"Who's ungrateful?" Kain grinned.

"I'm not a brat!" Kenny declared.

"You're both hopeless," Rei shook his head. "But I suppose that today marks a special day, so I will allow you to get away with it."

"And what day is that? Our anniversary isn't for another half a year," Kain pointed out.

"That I know. What I'm talking about is Kenny," Rei said.

"What about the munchkin?"

"Excuse me?" Kenny cut in.

"Look, I said enough, I'm trying to finish talking," Rei interrupted.

"Go ahead baby, me apologize," Kain murmured.

"Like I was saying beforehand, today marks a very special day." Rei turned his eyes on Kenny who sat curiously wondering what his friend was going to say. Raising his cup, Rei continued his speech. "A day that I will remember for years to come today shall mark the first day Kenny's smile has reached his eyes. The first day that the smile in his eyes has been genuine happiness."

"Rei…" Kenny blinked back the familiar burning behind his eyes.

"I think that's a good thing to toast to," Kain joined in, raising his cup to Rei's. "For our best friend smiling again after losing a smile I thought I would never see again. Even if you aren't in love yet, this is the first step back on that road. So, I want to toast to that first step you're taking."

"Kain…" Kenny couldn't help the tears that slipped down his chin and fell.

Raising his cup to theirs, he realized that it was indeed true. For the first time in three years, the little pieces he had been trying to snap back into the puzzle were finally fitting somewhere. Even if he wasn't ready for love, he found a…companion. Oh, the irony of that conversation with Oliver had. He really would have to get on his friend's case towards slyly setting things up like this.

"And I toast to my friends watching me take my first steps. Thanks for always remaining by my side through all the rough times," Kenny replied.

"Hey, you know, if you don't fall in love with your new friend, Michael still has his eyes on you. You would make a cute couple," Kain voiced.

"Shut up, and let's enjoy my new start in life," Kenny spoke.

"You two never change," Rei declared lowering his cup while shaking his head at the start of yet another banter session between the two. He really doubted that aspect of their lives would never change no matter what came their way.

------------oooooo-----------

Kain: And the chapter is done. Blame Rim if it was horrible. (Rim still playing KH: COM) She hopes everyone enjoyed the chapter and Silverm you don't have to kill her any longer. Your chapter has finally come. Until next week some time everyone.