And now some romantic fun. And of course some insanity. Oh I just came up with some evil and wonderful ideas! Wheeeeeee!

A Birthday to Remember

Several days later they all got the good news that all the mutants were to stay on the Joe base for good. They would also finally be given the name Freedom Force as their official group name. However the kids decided that the name the Misfits suited them better. Those who knew them had to agree.

In any case a celebration was in order. Especially since it coincided with another important occasion. "Happy Birthday Sweetheart!" Shipwreck called out as his daughter came downstairs.

"AWK! SWEET SIXTEEN!" Polly flapped his feathers. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Cut the cake!"

"That's later bird," Todd told him. He kissed Althea on the cheek. "Happy birthday sweetie!"

"Presents!" The triplets cheered. "PRESENTS! PRESENTS!"

"No," Roadblock told them. "Breakfast first, then training, then before dinner presents!"

"Yeah bring on the birthday breakfast!" Fred whooped.

"In the traditional Delgato manner!" Daria laughed.

"Oh no!" Althea blanched. "You don't have to do that anymore! I think I've outgrown it!"

"We haven't!" The triplets shouted and threw pancakes and fruit at Althea.

"Here we go again," Shipwreck sighed. "Guys could you help me…? Guys?" All the other adults had disappeared. "COWARDS!"

"That's it!" Althea shouted. "You're all dead!"

Soon all the kids were tearing into their meal as well as throwing it. "AWK! FOOD FIGHT!" Polly cried out before getting pelted with some strawberries.

Not long afterwards Shipwreck staggered inside the kitchen, covered with food. "Well the annual Delgato Birthday celebration has begun. Complete with food fighting."

Roadblock and the other adults were seeking refuge and having coffee. "Oh yeah and the rest of the day is going to be fun," Roadblock sighed.

"Don't worry," Low Light waved. "Lifeline said that he'd have the tranquilizer darts on standby."

"Man the past years flew by like I've never seen," Roadblock shook his head. "Shipwreck's little girl is sweet sixteen!"

"Yeah and Toad will be sixteen in a few months," Shipwreck pointed out. "And then they'll be seventeen and you know what that means!"

"What?" Gabriel the Blind Master asked. "Oh that's right. I remember now."

"Oh yeah," Roadblock groaned. "The boy's already marking it down on his calendar. Well at least we have over a year to prepare for that!"

"Yes and during that time my plan to keep them from having sex should be complete," Shipwreck told them. "I just said that to give myself more time to come up with an idea."

"I thought you gave in a bit too easy on that," Spirit shook his head. "I should have known."

"Why didn't you just tell them they couldn't have sex until they got married?" Roadblock asked. "Oh wait, what am I saying? Sorry. I forgot what gene pool she came from."

"Ha ha," Shipwreck said. "Besides, knowing my kid she would have hijacked a jet and dragged Toad to whatever state allows the lowest legal age for marriage!"

"He's right," Cover Girl sighed. "She'd do that."

"This way at least we have some time to prepare them," Shipwreck said. "Maybe try to get them to focus more on their relationship. Have a more mature, nurturing bond without sex until they are older. And if that doesn't work we can always drug 'em or something."

"You are such a hypocrite," Cover Girl said. "If Althea was a boy you wouldn't have even considered making them wait. In fact you were a lot younger than they were when you had sex for the first time, am I right?"

"Well yeah but…" Shipwreck started to say.

"In fact I'm guessing that none of you guys have waited for marriage before having sex," She bristled. "Am I right?"

"Cover Girl you made your point," Low Light sighed. "Please don't go there."

"Why not?" Cover Girl glared at him. "Why is it such a double standard for guys and girls and their sexuality?"

"Well don't look at me, I didn't invent it!" Low Light snapped.

"Well then I just want to know if any of you guys waited until you got married?" Cover Girl snapped. "I know Shipwreck didn't!"

"Cover Girl you have made your point!" Low Light told her. "Okay will you just drop it?"

"No I won't drop it!" She snapped then continued with her tirade.

"Uh oh," Roadblock groaned underneath his breath as she went on. "She's in one of her moods again. Heaven help all men."

"Look I'm just saying it's different with girls," Low Light protested when Cover Girl kept badgering with him.

"Oh I see and are you a virgin?" Cover Girl folded her arms.

"WHAT?" Low Light yelped. "That is none of your business!"

"Why not?" She growled. "You don't mind commenting on my private life?"

"Maybe we were safer out there?" Shipwreck grumbled. He opened the door and ducked to miss being hit by a pineapple in the face. "Maybe not." He quickly closed the door.

"Are you a virgin Low Light yes or no?" Cover Girl snapped.

"YES ALL RIGHT! I AM! NOW WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" Low Light shouted.

"Excuse me…" Cover Girl stammered. "I didn't hear that right. What did you say?"

"You know what I said," Low Light growled.

"You're kidding me?" Shipwreck's jaw dropped.

"I wish I was," Low Light groaned.

"Never?" Roadblock gasped. "But you're…"

"Yeah I know how old I am thank you very much!" Low Light snapped.

"You have never…?" Spirit started to say.

"Yes, now can we talk about something else please?" Low Light groaned.

"Low Light, I…" Cover Girl sat down in shock. "I'm sorry!"

"Oh great!" Low Light threw up his hands. "That's all I need!"

"No! No! I didn't mean it like that!" Cover Girl held up her hands. "I mean, I'm not sorry you're a…I mean it's okay that you're a…I didn't imply that being a….was a bad thing!"

"Are you kidding?" Shipwreck asked. Cover Girl then stomped on his foot. "AGGGH!"

"I've been busy okay?" Low Light snapped.

"No wonder you're always so cranky," Shipwreck said. "I never figured you'd be a…well if any of us would be I would have pegged Spirit."

"Why me?" Spirit glared at him.

"Well you know," Shipwreck shrugged. "What with all the martial arts stuff…"

"No I'm not!" Spirit bristled. "And I think we've gotten off the track here. This is about preventing the young ones from having sex not…people who aren't having sex."

"Oh sure," Low Light mocked. "If you're a kid it's okay not to have sex but if you're an adult and you don't do it you're a freak!"

"Well yeah," Shipwreck said. "OOOWWW! Cover Girl!"

"Now who has double standards?" Low Light snapped.

"Listen I'm not saying we should encourage them having sex," Cover Girl said. "I'm just saying we should be supportive of their relationship and make sure they are fully knowledgeable of what risks they take when and if they do decide to have sex."

"More like when they decide to have sex," Gabriel told them.

"We could tell them about Low Light," Shipwreck said. "No wait that might backfire on us."

"Hey Spirit pass me a banana or something?" Low Light snapped. "I wanna start a food fight of my own here!"

"I didn't just mean you!" Shipwreck held up his hands. "I mean look at the rest of us. Our love lives aren't exactly on fire!"

"I don't even remember the last time I was on a date," Spirit grumbled.

"I do," Gabriel sighed. "Bell bottoms were in style. The first time."

"Definitely not let the kids have us as examples," Shipwreck groaned. "They might be scared off seeing how pathetic we are."

"One more crack Shipwreck and we are all going to start throwing fruit at you," Gabriel said. "Let's get back to the subject here."

"We should definitely have a class on sex education," Roadblock said. "Give the kids the right information."

"Maybe we'd better let Low Light in on the class as well," Shipwreck quipped.

"That's it!" Low Light grabbed some fruit. "Ready…aim…"

"FIRE!" All the adults threw something at Shipwreck.

************************************************************************

After training the kids had a backyard barbecue. "Why are we having it outside?" Quinn asked.

"I dunno," Lance shrugged. "I guess it's because the kitchen is such a mess. Boy I thought we made a mess but for some reason the adults really went at it."

"Presents time!" Althea called out. They made their way to the table. Althea got some clothes, jewelry and CDs. Not to mention some nice new nunchucks and throwing stars.

"But the best is yet to come!" Todd said. "We gotta get ready!"

"Ready for what?" Althea asked.

"Its' a surprise," Todd smiled and handed her a box. "Go upstairs and put this on. I'll meet you downstairs in half an hour!"

"Or more," Roadblock grumbled as he followed him inside.

"What is he up to?" Althea asked.

"Oh just a little surprise," Cover Girl winked. "Come on. I'll help you get ready."

"What is going on?" Althea asked suspiciously.

"Just a little something to make your sweet 16 extra special," Cover Girl told her.

"But what about dinner?" Althea asked as she was pushed upstairs.

"Well that's part of the surprise too," Shipwreck smiled.

Half an hour later Todd was downstairs fidgeting. He was wearing a dark suit with white shirt and red vest but no tie. His hair was in a ponytail and slicked back. "I hope this works yo," He muttered. "Do I look okay?"

"Like a regular Toad prince," Pietro quipped.

"You look fine," Roadblock told him.

"Everyone get ready," Cover Girl called out. Althea came down the stairs wearing a light blue gown. Her hair was put up and she was wearing a small tiara. She had small crystal earrings and a crystal necklace.

"Wow," Todd blinked. "Wow."

"Wow yourself," Althea blinked.

"Hey Al, you look really nice," Fred said.

"Uh…thanks," Althea blushed, feeling very self-conscious. "Todd, why are we all dressed up?"

"I wanted our first real date to be extra special," Todd told her. He took her arm and they went outside the front door.

"What?" Althea gasped at what she saw. It was an old black horse driven carriage. Bazooka was at the front dressed up in fancy clothes.

"Roadblock and Cover Girl kinda helped me set it up," Todd admitted.

"Todd…I…" There were tears in her eyes. "Thank you. All of you!"

"Don't mention it," Shipwreck kissed her on the forehead. "Happy birthday honey. Now you two have fun and be back around midnight."

"Where are we going?" Althea asked as Todd helped her into the carriage.

"You'll see," Todd told her. "Driver!"

The carriage rode away. "I didn't know Bazooka knew how to drive a horse and carriage," Cover Girl remarked.

"Uh…I don't think he does," Roadblock gulped as he heard the horse whinny very loudly and the sound of the buggy moving went faster.

"Slow down horsie!" Bazooka called out. "Not so fast!"

It was shortly thereafter that they made their way to a setting in the middle of the park section of the base. "WHOA!" Bazooka screamed. Finally the horse obeyed. "Okay that wasn't so bad…"

"Man what a ride," Todd hopped down and helped Althea down.

"I'll say! What?" Althea looked. There was a small table on a small gazebo lit up with tiny white lights. The table was there with plates, silverware, flowers and candles.

"Oh my," Althea gasped as Todd helped her into her chair. "This is…How did you do all of this?"

"Like I said I had a little help," Todd admitted.

"Oh this is the night, it's a beautiful night! And they call it Bella notte!" BA came out dressed up in a gypsy costume pushing a tray with food on it. There was a CD player playing music underneath the tray. "Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes on this lovely Bella notte! Side by side with your loved one you'll find enchantment here! The night will weave its magic spell when the one you love is near! Oh this is the night and the heavens are ripe on this lovely bella notte!"

He sang as he served the meal, a simple chicken dinner with stuffing. When he finished he even did cherries flambé. Well he tried to but he ended up setting his beard on fire. But even as he ran around screaming for the fire extinguisher all Todd and Althea could see was each other. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes.

Althea stood up and Todd followed her. They began to dance to the music. Until BA overturned the CD box. "OH GREAT NOW I GOT THE TABLE ON FIRE!" BA shouted.

"Uh you wanna get outta here?" Todd asked.

"I thought you'd never ask," Althea said.

"Allow me," Todd took her in his arms and they hopped away. Leaving BA and Bazooka to deal with the fire and a runaway horse.

Todd carried Althea up to a high tree where they could be alone and look at the sky. "Todd thank you," Althea told him. "This has been the best birthday of my life."

"This has been the best day of my life," Todd told her.

"Look at the view up here. It's beautiful," Althea looked at the sky.

"So are you," Todd said automatically. "Here. This is my real present to you." He took out a small box.

Althea opened it and saw a small silver ring with a pink stone in it. "Todd…"

"I know it ain't expensive or too fancy," Todd said. "But what it means is what's important. It's kind of like a promise ring. An 'engaged to be engaged' ring. If you want me."

"Are you asking me to…?" Althea blinked.

"Well sort of," Todd scratched his head. "I mean I don't mean you have to answer right away. It just means you're my girl and I'll…I'll wait for you."

"Wait for me to do what?" Althea looked at him wryly.

"Nothin'," Todd shrugged. "Just…wait. That's all." He put the ring on her finger.

"You'd better," Althea grinned and kissed him. They sat in the tree and kissed under the moonlight.

Unfortunately they did not go unobserved. Hiding behind some shrubs Brittany held up a small radio like device and listened in on the headphones. "He gave her the ring!" She chirped.

"Not so loud," Quinn hissed. "Do you want them to hear us?" The triplets were sitting on Fred's shoulders.

"Guys will you stop moving around so much!" Fred hissed.

"Hold still!" Daria snapped.

"I'm not so sure this is a good idea," Xi remarked.

"Oh shut up," Lance snapped. The others were piled on top of each other in order to be unobserved as well. "I knew he'd do it! You owe me five bucks Wanda!"

"Isn't that sweet," Pietro sniffed. "Our little Toddles is growing up!"

"Will you get your elbow out of my eye!" Lance hissed.

"Move it you losers!" Wanda snapped. "I want to see too!"

"Will you quit shoving me?" Daria snapped.

"Stop that! It hurts!" Xi snapped.

"You stop shoving!" Brittany snapped.

"Are you trying to get us all caught?" Wanda snapped.

"Well maybe if somebody wasn't hogging all the space here!" Lance snapped.

"SHHHHHH!" The others hissed.

"Oh shhhhh yourselves!" Lance snapped back.

"HI GUYS!" Polly squawked in his loudest voice. "WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU GUYS DOING BEHIND THE BUSHES?"

"SHHHHH!" They all hissed.

"WHY ARE YOU SHUSHING ME? DON'T YOU GUYS WANT TO BE SEEN?" Polly shouted. "HEY LOOK AT THAT COOL RADIO!"

"SHHHH!" They hissed. Then they saw a very angry Todd and Althea standing over them.

"Hi," Pietro waved. "How's the date going?"

"YOU ARE ALL DEAD!" Todd shouted, then he slimed them.

"AAGGGH!" They screamed.

"Let's kill them," Althea growled.

"RUN AWAY!" Fred shouted as he took off. "RUN AWAY!"

Meanwhile at a nearby lookout post, "Shipwreck are you sure this is all right?" Stalker asked.

"Yeah, yeah," Shipwreck waved his hand. "Don't worry about it."

"Awk!" Polly flew up to him. "Agent Double O Parrot reporting! Awk!"

"Okay bird, report," Shipwreck said.

"Pay me first!" The bird demanded.

"How about a fist full of pounds?" Shipwreck made a fist and chased Polly everywhere.

"Oh yeah," Stalker watched as Todd and Althea chased the other kids as Shipwreck and Polly trashed the lookout post. "I can't wait until the next birthday comes around here!"