r?!

When they got back to the Tower's main hall, Beastboy and Cassie seperated, heading for their closest friends to discuss the days events. This was on Cassie's insistence, she and Raven had discussed matters that morning and established some ground rules for their friendship. Number one was, no references to dates with Beastboy nor signs of smae were to be made or displayed in front of one another until they had a clear decision from him. Raven had suggested this, to prevent feelings of jealousy from becoming a problem on Cassie's part, and to prevent the Emotion of Jealousy from becoming too strong in her own mind.

Beastboy intended to go see Cyborg, but decided to stop at the kitchen to get a drink. He figured his pal would be in the garage, working on additiions to his 'baby' while making happy man-grunts to himself, and would be willing to lend an ear to the changelings story. Imagine his surprise to find his metallic buddy standing before the oven, wearing a novelty apron no less ('DeFrag the Chef's hardrive), instructing Starfire in the finer points of braising spare ribs.

"Now, remember Star, ya gotta make sure the meat is coated properly. Otherwise, you'll wind up with some parts cooked more than otehrs, and nobody wants that."
Starfire nodded, her face a picture of concentration and interest. "I shall make note of this friend Cyborg. I wish for all my meals to be as well received as todays lunch was."

"YOU MONSTER!" Beastboy roared, pointing an accusing finger at Cyborg, who leapt back from the Changeling's fierce expression. "How DARE you corrupt poor, innocent Starfire to your vile cannibalism! Step away from the Unclean One, Star, listen to him not! His words are honey-barbecued LIES, meant to tempt the unwary from the true path of vegetarianism! Don't let him poison your mind wiith his nasty meats of...of...EVIL!!". A strange, fanatical light burned in Beastboy's eyes as he pulled the somewhat frightened alien girl away from the thoroughly creeped out metal man.

"Dang, B, relax. Star ASKED me to teach her how to cook. I ain't corrupting her, I'm helping her! Besides, Rob likes meat dishes."

This seemed to calm the green boy down a bit, and he actually smirked. "Ah. Plan 12?". Once, long ago, the two boys had devised a number of plans (37 to be precise) to bring Starfire and Robin together. Plan Twelve was codenamed RD- Romantic Dinner- and ivolved a candlelit meal with romantic music 'spontaneously' turning up on the roof, just in time for the pair to enjoy one anothers company beneath a full moon.

Cyborg cocked his head "Actually, I hadn't thought of that, but a good idea is a good idea." he glanced at Starfire, who seemed curious about 'Plan Twelve'. "Er, we'll talk later."

Starfire noticed her friends had calmed somewhat. "Please, friend Beastboy, why did you feel the need for the shouting? Was I wrong to wish to learn to cook?"

Beastboy shook his head "Nah, Star. I just kinda overreacted to the whole zoological genocide thing, y'know? But I think its only fair I show you the Light Side of the Kitchen, the way of tofu. So you can make the right choice. OK?" Starfire smiled and nodded. Another set of recipes, another teacher. She had the best friends in all the galaxy. "Please friends, I will go and help Friend Raven prepare for her date". Smiling widely, the Tamaranian princess floated out of the room.

That settled, Beastboy ambled over to the fridege nad pulled out a can of Zesti. "Anyway, Cy, I just finished my date with Casie."

"Yeah?" Cyborg's defeat was forgotten as he eagerly awaited news of his friends romance. "How'd it go?" He wasn't exactly sure what he hoped to hear- on the one hand he hoped his buddy had had a good time, but on the other, he didn't want Raven to get hurt. Cassie was a nice girl, but she wasn't really one of the family yet and Raven was his sister. But he wouldn't interfere- this wasn't about him it was about Beastboy, and who he wanted to be with. Still, he would admit to rooting for Raven, if only a little.

"It was great Cy! We had so much fun, I can't believe it! " Beastboy launched into a lengthy description of the days events, making it clear that he'd enjoyed his time with the newest Titan immensely. Cyborg was stunned to hear that someone had eaten a tofu burger voluntarily- and enjoyed it! It shook his entire worldview- or at least made him question Batgirl's sanity. "So, whats next on the schedule, Romeo? Up for a little zombie killing?"

Beastboy was tempted- those zombies DID need killing... "Nah man. Much as I'd like to slay the undead menace with you, I really need some sleep. I've still got a couple sweeps of the city to make, plus my evening with Raven." The green boy headed towards his room, and dreamland. Cyborg chuckled. He was a little disappointed that his gaming would be solo for the foreseeable future, but happy that his friend was happy.

- - - -

Cassie had gone directly to Robin's room upon returning to Titans Tower. She wasn't yet close to any of the other Titans save Beastboy- who, while clearly wonderful, was hardly the right person to talk about her date with. For one thing, he probably already knew about it. Besides, she and Tim had often discussed his dates with Stephanie, and now seemed like a good time for him to return the favor.
She swept into the room, more lively and happy than the Boy Wonder had ever seen her. He had the feeling that, were she a normal girl Cassandra Cain -BATGIRL- would be skipping and humming and giggling. As it was, her body language was much less defensive than normal, and she smiled as she entered the room. He smiled; Cassie was such a great person- he liked seeing her happy. Robin pushed his work (a chemical analysis of the latest sample of Joker Venom and its antidote) and looked up at his old friend. "I take it the date went well?"

"Yes. Very! Garfield wonderful! Make me feel very special! First, we toured city. Learned where best patrol, where best to wait, and saw where you pants self in middle of battle" Robin's eyes narrowed, and he grumbled something about a terrible revenge on Beastboy "Next we have lunch. I tried tofu burger. Not bad, but not very filling." Here Robin smirked. Cassie's appetite was legendary among the caped population of Gotham City. She had been known to eat more than he and Batman combined- making her one of Alfred's favorite people in all the world. "We took a walk around rest of city, did full patrol. Go to music store, where Garfield help me find more music. Much better than what Bruce and Alfred give me. He call it Trance, I think. Saw weird couple in store pretend not notice. Garfield take me to waterfront, and we watch sun on water. I..." the young girl blushed a bit "...I give him kiss."

"A kiss, eh?" Robin said, a hint of teasing in his voice "I see. Well, I'll tell Alfred to get the manor ready for the wedding and tell Bruce he'll have to give away the- OW!"

Cassie, having just kicked the boy wonder clear out of his chair, frowned angrily. "Not funny."

- - - -

"Starfire, I told you before. No. Pink. I will not wear pink clothes, makeup, hair coloring or nail polish, nor will I consider any perfume or shampoo from a pink container."
Raven had faced down many challenges in her life, but few foes had proved as implacable, as determined or as single-minded as Starfire in Make-Over Mode.

"Please, friend Raven, do you not wish to look nice for you evening with friend Beastboy? And you did say you wished my help in the changing of your look." Starfire said.

Raven rolled her eyes. She had really really hoped she wouldn't have to stoop to playing this card... "What do you mean Starfire? D-Don't you think I look nice as it is?" She forced tears into her eyes, casuing them to shimmer. To anyone else, it would be a ludicrous display of blatant over-acting; to Starfire it was plain her friend was badly hurt by her words. Raven felt awful using her firends guilt like that but it was a small price to pay to avoid going out in public with anything pink on her person

"Oh dearest friend Raven, I am so very sorry! I did not mean to imply you were unattractive! I am certain that Beastboy will be in awe of you this evening! Please, do not be angry!"
"(Sigh) It's okay Starfire. Now, I need some help. I chose a nice restraunt but I need help picking the right gown..."

A/N

I want to take a moment to give thanks to a very very VERY faithful reader, liljimmyurine. I don't normally approve of authors taking time out to address individual readers, but I think you'll agree that in this case, an exception can- nay, MUST be made.

Folks, this gentleman (i'm assuming- its the net after all) has been with me more or less since I started here at He's reviewed virtually everything I've written, and has always had a kind word for me, even on stories that may not have been my best work. More, it's been good praise not some generic 'good job' or illiterate ramblings such as 'u rok! keep gowin!' (shudder). In fact, since much of my work is in the less -popular areas of the site, he has occassionally been my ONLY reviewer. Thanks, jimmy. I hope this story has entertained you so far, and I hope you keep on reading. Kudos to you sir, and Kudos again.

Short chapter, I know. But I'll do better next time.