A/N: Yeah, I purposely put off updating because I wanted to build up interest...dunno why Ithought it would work.Well except for Alex since she knows everything that is going to happen and she best not go telling or else... Also look for a Robin/Raven one-shot I might just be typing up soon. And maybe even a Speedy/Raven if I get the time.

Richard and Riley's lack of confrontation continued on till Friday. And even though Riley knew she should be happy about not seeing that… jerk for such a long time she unexpectedly wasn't. Despite apologizes and lack of any confrontation things had failed to better, but had instead evolved into an awkward peace between the two. Little did they know fate was soon to take hold…

As Riley walked into Science she noticed that Joey was missing. She didn't have long to dwell on it though as her attention was drawn to the front of the room as the teacher began to talk.

"Today class we're going partnering up for our science projects due in the spring."

An audible groan ran across the room.

"Now, now, it's not that bad." The teacher said brightly. "Now, you're going to be partnered with whoever is sitting at your table." The teacher looked around counting heads. "Let's see do we have any leftovers?"

"Hm, it appears Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stone are absent today. Ms. Hyland, you and Mr. Grayson will partner up today and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stone will work together when they return."

Riley looked at the teacher disbelievingly. She was had to be barking mad!

"Okay then. I want you and your partner to read and discuss the guideline and start talking about what you want to do your project on."

As Richard walked to the back of the room, books under arm, he wondered if the fates were getting a good laugh at him from this because this was some kind of cosmic joke. There was no way they were going to get a good grade on this. How was he supposed to concentrate? Richard sat down and wiped his slightly clammy hands on his jeans.

"Um…so…," Richard began suddenly. He had never been one for awkward situations or breaking the ice and at this moment he had never had more trouble. "Nice weather we've been having today huh?"

He desperately needed help.

"What?" Riley looked at him as one might look at their best friend who has just declared they are going to destroy the country of Canada with toast. It was in fact raining cats and dogs outside.

"Um…nothing. So what are we going to do our project on?" Richard corrected hastily.

"Oh! Um, I was thinking something like light color and it effect on perception or something like that you know. It sounds all fancy and stuff but it is really simple to do an experiment on." Riley said looking up at him.

Her gaze on him made him uncomfortably nervous and made his stomach do back flips. He felt as though he was under some kind of X-ray machine into his mind. And that was definitely not a place he wanted her to be.

"That sounds good. So when are we going to work on this because the paper says that we're only going to work on this on Tuesdays in class." Richard said dropping his gaze to the paper. Anywhere but at her. This was going to slowly drive him insane.

"Oh um, well I don't know. We could use the public library."

"I have a computer at my house." Richard said.

Riley was stuck in indecision. On one hand they wouldn't have to worry about a time limit and would be able to concentrate better then at the library, on the other hand…

She could see so many problems with this plan…

"Um, sure." The words were out before she even realized what she'd said.

Richard hadn't expected her to agree that fast. Hell, he hadn't expected her to agree at all!

"Okay then. I'll draw you a map."

Riley's mouth dropped as she stood outside Richard's house in the rain. Wait scratch that, this wasn't a house this was a manor!

When Riley had relayed the news of her Science partner to Garth and Rachel they had said he lived with this rich guy (Riley forgot the guy's real name) who had taken him in but they had never said he was loaded! Riley just stood out in the rain in shock. Despite the recently discovered wealth of her science partner, it wasn't the status of her partner that had her troubled, although it was rather intimidating. She was looking forward to two hours of being locked in a room with Richard. Completely away from disruptions… She was seriously considering turning around and saying she couldn't find the house, she was sure that there was no way her nerves could handle this. The decision was taken from her hands though as an elderly man in a suit opened the door.

"Ah, you must be Ms. Hyland. Master Grayson has been expecting you."

Riley swore in her mind as her plan to go home was blown to bits. She followed the man in through a big oak door and into what she assumed must be the entrance hall. As the man took her sopping wet jacket to hang, Riley took the chance to look around.

Actually from the inside the house wasn't nearly as big as it looked. There was a large, carpeted staircase in the middle of the room that led to what Riley assumed to be the upper story rooms and on the left and right stood a single door, probably leading to the kitchen and living room.

"This way miss."

She followed him up the stairs feeling more out of place and uneasy as they went down a hall adorned with a few paintings and oddly enough a picture or two of bats.

The butler knocked on a dark brown wood door. "Ms. Hyland is here to see you sir."

"Thank you Alfred." A voice answered from behind the door.

As the elderly butler strode down the hallway Riley slowly opened the door.

She looked around as she cautiously stepped into the room. A four post bed was lying pushed up across against the opposite wall, a curtained window at the headboard. The walls were a medium blue and had posters of sports athletes, cars, and of course a supermodel in a bikini hanging up. There was a desk in the corner and a table in the opposite corner with a computer which was of course where she found Richard sitting, smiling as he took in her soaked feet and dripping hair.

"What did you do, swim here?" He laughed as her feet made a squish, squish sound as she took a few tentative steps further into the room.

"It was raining rather heavily for your information." She replied stiffly.

"Don't you have an umbrella?"

"I forgot it."

"Oh."

There was a slight pause.

"Well pull up a seat then, partner." Richard said, a grin plastered on his face. He gestured towards an empty seat at the desk.

Riley slowly walked over and grabbed the chair. It took awhile since she was vainly attempting to prevent her feet from making noise as she walked.

"So what should we do first?"

"How should I know! You, mi fair amiga, are the one who seems to have any clue as to what we are doing."

"Yes, but it's your project too."

"I never said it wasn't, but you are the one who suggested we do this project in the first place; therefore you assign the duties, Captain, O' Captain." He saluted her.

"Fine, you write out the lab reports."

"Whatever you say, partner. Workers United and all that."

He stood up and pushed his chair to the side, leaving Riley full rein of the computer.

She found herself watching him as he made to grab a notebook.

"What?"

"Nothing," she murmured and turned back to the computer.

He stared at her for a second before shrugging it off.

You know you saw that coming.Don't worry though...there's aplot twist coming soon. evil grinReviews are nice, reviews end world hunger. You see reviews boost my self-esteem and that will help me become a best selling author, then I will be able to buy food and give it to the starving, thus ending world hunger. lol