So... yeah. I'm back. Sorry for all the people who were expecting more updates much sooner. Stuff just happened and I forgot that I even had a story up (I put up a bit more on my profile so I wouldn't bore you with it here). So without further ado, I give you the long overdue, next installment of my story. Enjoy!

P.S. I still don't own the characters. I just write about them.

Chapter 9: Planning for Operation Waterworks

"Dude, it's sooooooo hot!" BB whimpered as he panted like a dog sprawled out across a bench.

It was right at the end of September, and for all intents and purposes, the fall season was about to start. Unfortunately, the mother of all heat waves had struck Jump City a week ago, raising temperatures up to sweltering summer levels.

And the heat was starting to take its toll as people grew increasingly irritable under the hot weather. Madame Rouge was stricter than usual, Professor Light threatened to blow kids up if they didn't keep quiet, and Principle Slade had reduced no less than three students to tears in the last twenty four hours. Even the five friends were getting on each other's nerves as they sat under the shade of a large tree during their lunch break, trying to cool off in more ways than one.

"Will you please stop whining?" Raven snapped, her irritation from the heat adding edge to her words. " It's pointless to complain about things you can't change."

"But it's sooooooo…" BB began, but Richard cut him short.

"BB, just drop it, will you?" Richard shot at him as he sipped on a rapidly warming soda in a vain attempt to cool down.

"Please friends. Let us not have the bickering, yes?" Kori tried playing the peace maker, but even the normally bubbly, optimistic girl sounded flat and tired.

"Hate to admit it, but BB's right," Victor added. "We gotta find a way to cool off before we bite each other's head's off."

"So, any bright ideas?" Raven asked. Nobody answered. It was as if the heat had liquefied their brains. So they just sat there, staring ahead blankly, trying to come up with some idea until suddenly, BB shot up from the bench, eyes bright with excitement and the heat seemingly forgotten.

"Guys! Guys! I just had the best idea ever!"

"What?" Robin asked absent mindedly.

"Two words: pool party." The group froze. Then as a collective, the four people turned to stare at BB.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Victor said.

"A pool party would be a great way to take advantage of the heat," Robin agreed with more energy than before.

"Yeah! We could have it at Richard's house, invite all our buddies, get some sweet tunes going, and have a blast!" BB was practically jumping up and down at this point, and the excitement was infectious. Even Raven wasn't scowling as much anymore (though to say she was smiling might be a slight exaggeration).

"Alright. We're having a pool party," Richard declared. "BB, you're in charge of inviting guests: spread the word and invite all the people we know, and then some. Victor, put together a soundtrack for the event. I want something that we can play for a while without it getting boring.

"You got it, boss," Victor grinned back as BB threw Richard a mock salute. He was getting into his leader mode again, but hey, he was hosting.

"And what shall I do, Richard?" Kori asked, her usual energetic spirit returning.

"You and me are gonna handle the food and decorations. I'm thinking something tropical, maybe Hawaiian? We can be creative on this."

"Marvelous!"

"And Raven…"

"Keep Gar in line and make sure he doesn't hurt himself in the process right?" she replied with a small smirk. Richard grinned.

"You read my mind. Anyway, today's Monday. It's a little short notice, but let's make this happen on Friday, alright?"

"Roger that!" BB replied. "Dude, this is gonna be so sweet!"

"Yeah," Victor agreed. "Who would've thought that the little grass stain would actually come up with such a good idea?"

"Yeah, I…." BB began. Then paused.

"Hey!"

**********

The next couple of days passed by in a flurry of activity. Beast Boy was practically bouncing around the hallway as he handed out personalized invitations to everyone he could find (how he got them on such notice remains a mystery) and Raven trailed behind to keep the little green snot rocket in check. Victor spent his free time putting together a mix CD that he guaranteed would win an Emmy, and Kori and Richard got the snacks together and worked to turn Wayne Manor's back yard into a tropical paradise. Everything was progressing smoothly and it seemed that the pool party would go off without a hitch.

And then Thursday afternoon rolled around.

"Um, friend Raven? Might I have a word with you?" It was after school on said Thursday and Raven turned from her locker to see Kori standing behind her, tentative and slightly worried.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Well, we are to have the pool party tomorrow, yes?"

"Yeah?"

"And it is customary to wear the suit for bathing at a pool party, correct?"

"A swimsuit? Yeah, so?"

"Well," Kori paused, biting her lower lip. "What if one does not possess the swimsuit?" Raven blinked.

"Wait. Are you saying that you don't have a swimsuit for tomorrow?" Kori tinged pink and shook her head in denial.

"In Tamaran, it is almost always cold and snowy, so pools and swimming are not common, not even amongst the wealthy.

"I see. So, what do you want me to do?"

"I was hoping that in order to obtain a swimsuit, you would accompany to the mall of shopping?" Here, Raven blinked. Twice.

"Wait. Are you saying that you want me to go swimsuit shopping with you?" Kori said nothing and merely smiled at her friend with bright eyed expectation.

"Couldn't you just get Richard to take you?" Raven asked, seeking a convenient excuse.

"Yes, but he is a boy, and I would much rather have the opinion of a girl on matters of clothing." Raven had to admit the logic made sense. Trusting a boy with girls' clothing was like trusting Garfield with a barbecue. She shuddered, remembering the abomination that was his tofu burger.

"Please, friend Raven?" Raven was about to tell Kori that she wasn't big on mall. Or shopping. Or even fashion for that matter. But after looking at Kori, gazing at her with wide eyed smiling expectation, she simply couldn't say no. So, Raven just sighed and said,

"Let's go." With a squeal, Kori tackled Raven in a massive hug.

"Oh, thank you Raven! I am most grateful for your assistance!"

"Yeah, that's great," Raven choked out. "But it's getting kind of hard to breathe."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Kori quickly let go to let her slightly frazzled friend reorient herself. Once Raven had her head straight, she asked.

"So, do you want to go now?"

"Yes. But first I must tell Richard that I will not be returning with Alfred. I shall return momentarily." And without another word, Kori ran off or, considering her mood, skipped might be a more accurate word. Alone again, Raven returned to packing her bag, musing to herself.

"Never would have thought I'd visit the mall any time soon. Huh."

**********

For Richard however, the afternoon would not end so pleasantly. After Kori came by and machine gunned something about being busy for the afternoon and ran off again, he was just about ready to head home when he heard a voice call out.

"Yo, 'sup Dick?" Richard closed his locker door and saw Xavier Redd leaning there, all smiles and as cool as a cucumber.

"Oh. Uh, hey Xavier," Richard replied warily.

"Please, call me X. All my friends do."

"I wasn't aware we were that close."

"Of course we are. Which is why I'm so hurt that I haven't gotten my invitation to your little pool party this Friday."

"I didn't know you liked pool parties. And like I said, I didn't think we were that close."

"Come now, Dick, don't be like that." Richard wasn't sure why, but he didn't like it when Xavier called him Dick. It was okay when his friends did, but for some reason, X just made it sound… dirty. "After all," he continued, "if we weren't friends, why would you have told me about the situation with you and Kori?" This got Richard's attention.

"What do you mean?" And even though not a single muscle moved in his face, Richard could have sworn he saw Xavier's normal cool smile transform into a sly grin.

"Oh, I think you know what I'm talking about. A new transfer student comes in to our dear little school and quickly becomes friends with the famous Richard Grayson. Of course, nothing odd that. Except, why would this new student be living in the same residence as Master Grayson, hmm?

"I don't know what you're talking about.

"Really? So you're completely unaware that a car with a license plate belonging to the Wayne residence is being driven by your butler Alfred to drop of Ms. Anders every morning? Come now Richard, I thought more highly of you." Finished with his monologue, X settled back with a satisfied look on his face and waited.

"I see," Richard said, trying to buy a little time. "And what exactly is it that you want?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a personal invitation to the party. After all, we are friends aren't we?" Richard considered his options. While it wasn't the end of the world if people found out, the news that Kori was living in the same house as Richard would add a butt load of unneeded drama into the overly dramatic high school scene, definitely something he'd like to avoid.

"Well, then," he replied, matching Xavier's cool smile with his own, "I guess we'll you at the party then."

"Wouldn't miss it. See you then, Dick." With that, Xavier slid off the lockers flipped Richard a casual wave as he walked off.

"What is that guy up to?" Richard wondered to himself. Then just as quickly as it came, the thought disappeared. After all, Richard had a party to finish planning.

So what did you think? I'm kind of rusty after being away for so long, so any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. R&R and let me know what you think. I'll have the next chapter up very soon. Thanks! Peace out.