Alright, I've got Chapter 8 finished now. It's a bit shorter, but it's more of a transitional chapter than a real story bit. Still, it's got some good stuff in there. Enjoy.

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Chapter 8: Life Goes On.

The next morning, Kori woke up slightly confused.

"This is not my home… Oh wait, yes. I am staying at the Wayne Manor to learn about American customs. I have met Bruce Wayne and his son Richard Grayson and…" And then she remembered yesterday.

"Well that was certainly… strange," turning red at the thought. As she brushed her teeth and hair, she tried to reason with herself.

"Now there is no reason to feel so embarrassed. It was merely an accident. You should not read so much into these things. I am sure Richard has forgotten all about it already. Yes, I am sure that he has, so there is no reason to feel 'the awkward' around him." But Kori wasn't a good liar, not even to herself.

She got dressed in a lime green shirt and capris, put on just a touch of makeup, and went downstairs for breakfast. Upon entering the kitchen, she saw Richard sitting at the breakfast table, dressed as usual in his jeans and a white T-shirt, drinking a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. He looked up, and when he saw her, pinked up.

"Well, at least I now know how he feels."

"Morning Kori."

"Morning Richard."

"So… about yesterday," he said, looking really uncomfortable.

"Oh, yes. Well, I do not believe we need to discuss yesterday." She really didn't want to relive that situation, and Richard seemed to agree, because when she said this, he looked pleasantly surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes. After all, it was merely an accident. It could have happened to anyone. We should merely forget it and move on." She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. She must have, because Richard suddenly looked a lot more relaxed.

"Yeah. An accident." He grinned, and Kori felt the tension ease out of her as well. There, no harm done. She and Richard could go on being friends without problems. Everything would be fine.

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When Richard had woken up that morning, he'd been, to put it mildly, freaking out.

"Ohmygodwhatthehell?Ican'tbelievethatactuallyhappened!WhatamIgoingtodo?" True, it hadn't been his fault… well, not totally, but Richard was a fairly obsessive guy, and things like that just throw him for a loop.

However, after talking with Kori and seeing as how she thought nothing of it, he started to relax, which apparently made her relax, which relaxed him all the more. Yeah, Richard was now ready to forget the whole issue.

"So Kori. Do you want some breakfast? Alfred's making some right now."

"Certainly. But first, I am rather thirsty. Perhaps there are beverages that I may partake of?"

"Sure. There's a bunch of stuff in the fridge. Help yourself." Richard returned his attention to the newspaper and Kori went to help herself to the fridge. It was well stocked with sodas, sports drinks, beers (for Bruce. he is an adult you know), and juices. However, Kori could not find anything that appealed to her, until she saw a small yellow bottle.

Richard heard Kori sit down across from him.

"Did you find something you like?"

"Yes Richard. This tangy yellow beverage is most appealing."

"That's nice." He kept reading the paper until it hit him. "Wait. We don't have any yellow drinks." He looked up from the paper and nearly gagged.

"Uh, Kori?"

"Yes?"

"You do realize that you're drinking… mustard."

"Oh, is that what it is called? It must be very popular. I only saw one bottle remaining in 'the fridge'." She held out the bottle to Richard. "Perhaps you would like some?" This time, Richard did gag.

"No thanks, really. I'm good. But, you might not want to start drinking mustard here, Kori."

"Why not?"

"You see, most people here don't drink mustard. It's more of a, condiment." Kori looked confused.

"What is a condiment?" So for the next ten minutes, Richard tried to explain how certain foods, like mustard, should only be eaten in certain situations, like on a hot dog. Kori, who apparently had a cast-iron stomach, couldn't understand this.

"But if the flavor is pleasant, why must you not eat of it when you wish?"

"It's not that it's unpleasant, it's just too strong."

"Strong? I was not aware American foods were physically active." Richard was silent, then burst out laughing."

"What is so funny Richard?" Kori was pouting at this point

"Nothing, it's just I keep forgetting you just got here and don't know everything yet."

"Why do you keep forgetting?"

"It's cause I feel like l've known you forever." Richard froze. He'd been so relaxed, he'd said more than he wanted to. Richard Grayson never said things like that, not even to Raven, and he really had known her forever. Kori, however, seemed to take it all in stride, and smiled widely.

"And I, you Richard. You have been a most wonderful friend and pleasant companion." Richard relaxed.

"Yeah. You too." Alfred broke what could have been an awkward silence by walking in carrying two plates with toast, sliced fruit, and omelets. He set the plates before them, and delicious aromas drifted forth.

Alfred was about to leave them, when Richard grabbed his arm.

"Hey Alfred."

"Yes, Master Richard?"

"The next time you go shopping, get a lot of mustard." Alfred raised an eyebrow.

"Mustard?"

"Yeah, about twenty bottles." Alfred glanced at Kori, then nodded and said,

"Very well Master Richard. By tomorrow, you shall have your mustard," and walked out. Kori looked at Richard.

"I do not understand. Why have you asked for the mustard?"

"Well, you like it don't you?"

"Yes, but I thought you said that most Americans do not drink the mustard."

"True, most people don't. But," Richard grinned, "you aren't most people. You're unique."

"Crap! Went to far again!." Richard blushed slightly at this comment, but Kori simply smiled and began eating. What Richard didn't know was that Kori had started on her toast so she could hide the fact that she had turned red herself.

Richard and Kori quickly finished their breakfasts, then went to get their school stuff. Bruce had decided that Richard would continue riding solo to school while Alfred would drive Kori over. This way, people wouldn't always see them arriving together (hey, Bruce may be old, but he had been a high schooler once; he knew how rumors got started) Richard drove off on his motorcycle, then Kori and Alfred followed after.

So life went on. Richard went to school and Kori went to school. They hung out with friends, complained about teachers, and worried about tests. High school life went on, and for all intents and purposes, the very awkward incident that happened between them was forgotten. But in the back of each teen's mind, from that very incident, a little voice was born. It didn't speak very loudly (yet), but it started talking all the same:

"You know you liked it."

"You know you liked it."

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Well, there's Chapter 8 for you. Chapter 9 will be longer, and it's gonna be about a good old fashioned pool party. Wonderful stuff coming up next. Until then, R & R please. Oh yeah, and one more thing. Does anybody out there know of a good TT artist? I think it'd be really cool to see a picture of Robin and Starfire as Bonnie and Clyde, but haven't found one yet. If anyone sees one, or knows anyone willing to draw one, let me know. Duo Xie!