There seemed no end to the rainstorm and even the electricity was cut off temporarily due to it. The power breakdown was supposed to get over soon but the whole city had blacked out for a short time.

Dora searched for a torch and turned it on when she found it, the light dimly illuminating the surroundings.

"When does Alex usually come back?" Tim asked.

"At four. And would you look at that, it's gotten so late already," she flickered the light over the click that was striking ten at night.

"Yeah," he nodded, "I'll leave soon as the power comes back in because it doesn't seem as if the storm would end even then so..."

"Tim, it's okay, you can stay for as long as you like," she replied with a soft smile, "and I do prefer your company instead of spending my time alone."

"That's a first, people usually don't enjoy my company," a smile crept up on his features as well.

She laughed lightly, "because there are very few people who are lucky enough to actually know you. The rest only see you as a person who is one minute away from injecting caffeine into his bloodstream."

A short laugh broke forth from him as he replied, "fair point. And hey, it won't be a bad idea to do that, in fact I think I might try injecting some into my bloodstream and see what happens."

"Don't you dare do that, Timmy, or else I will not permit you in the shop for eternity."

"That's cruel, Dora."

"But that also happens to be the only threat that works on you," she answered, "hey, it's really cramped in here. Why don't you come up? And I'll show you around our tiny living space."

"Sure."

He followed her up through the spiral staircase and as they entered the small corridor, Dora turned to face him, "welcome to the Beaumont Residence. It's small but cozy and comfortable."

He chuckled slightly, "size doesn't matter as long as the place has everything you need."

"Exactly," she agreed, "and the best part is that this place even has a gas lantern so it won't be too dark in here. Alex said this building was very very old when he had bought it. And while he was renovating it for the shop, he left the upper portion in its unique character."

True enough a torch bracket was located at the top on the wall at which an antique gas lantern was mounted.

"Gives an old Gotham vibe," Tim remarked, "I haven't seen any lanterns like that before."

She fumbled in the drawers for a pack of matches and when she couldn't find a chair to get up on it, she spoke, "Tim, can you lift me up? Alex usually switches this on but he manages because he's way taller than I am and I can't find the stool I use to get up..."

"Yeah sure," he mumbled and tentatively lifted her up, hands cautiously holding her by the waist. 

"Don't let me fall."

"I would never," he replied back.

She struck the match and lit up the gas lantern, the tiny flame flickering for a few seconds and then the light spread throughout the area. Her hands rested upon his shoulders as he gently put her down to her feet. 

"Thanks," she smiled but didn't pull apart just then.

It was almost as if the two were thinking the same thing but a little hesitant to be the one to initiate it. The yellow light from the gas lantern engulfed the two ethereally and the blush on their cheeks was quite clearly visible.

"Maybe it's too soon," she mumbled, laughing slightly as if uncertain of his response.

He smiled gently as he replied, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Dora."

"I know. I just... Well..." She bit her lip nervously and brought her eyes up to meet his wide blue irises. The blue of his eyes was just so striking at that moment perhaps due to the dim light or the fact that they were much closer than usual.

When he still didn't step back she made up her mind and leaned forward, brushing her lips against his delicately. His hand cupped her face tenderly as he kissed back and for a second the world stopped for the two. 

The power came on unexpectedly making the two pull apart at last and realizing the situation, both burst out laughing; foreheads resting against one another, his fingers still lingering on her cheek.

"You even taste like coffee," her face was radiant and brown eyes were twinkling in delight.

"That's because we had just had some," he replied and the slight reluctant barrier that had been in between them seemed to have dissolved by then.

But he had to let go of her as his phone started vibrating in his pocket. At first he thought of ignoring the call but decided against it because he had been out for quite a long time by then and it could be Barbara or Alfred calling him out of worry.

"Pick it up or else Steph will skin you alive when you reach home," Isadora remarked playfully.

Though it was Jason calling him instead which did surprise him a lot but he picked up the phone nevertheless.

"What the hell are you two up to? I am waiting down here since ten bloody minutes, these people don't even have a bell I could ring plus it's fucking raining and I am in no mood to die again from an electrocution, you ungrateful little shit!"

Tim's face morphed into a weary look, "calm down and tell me what the hell is bothering you..."

"Barbie asked me to pick you up and I agreed, that's bothering me. And I'm waiting at the door of Al's coffee shop. So open up. Immediately."

He cut off the call before Jay could serenade him with a volley of curses. Then facing Dora, he spoke up, "Jason is down there. Says he's been waiting since ten minutes but I highly doubt that."

They descended the staircase and came into the shop area while Tim went forward to open the door. Not long afterwards Jason stepped in, his hair and clothes dripping from the rain.

"What took you so long?" He asked shaking the water out of his head at Tim who recoiled and stepped back. Then seeing Dora as well, he smiled, "hi Dora. I finally got to meet our lovely new friend."

"It's not the first time we've met," Dora remarked then turning to Tim she added, "Jason snitched on your family's Project Cupid."

Tim sighed as if done with the antics that were about to follow suit and of course he had been expecting that from Jason because it was a well known fact that he could not refrain from stirring up trouble any opportunity he got.

"Look who's snitching now? I thought you could keep a secret but you proved me wrong," Jay remarked as if thoroughly offended by her but then his gaze landed on Tim again, "hey, did you two kiss?"

"Shut up," Tim snapped though a rather prominent red shade had dawned upon his features.

"Oh no wait let me rephrase that; did you two make out?" His eyes were glinting in mischief, quite visibly amused at observing their flustered expressions.

Dora shrugged, "what does it matter to you?"

"It does matter because I have personally made a vow to keep annoying Timmy till my very last breath. Which is not going to be anytime soon so deal with it. Plus, I know you two definitely kissed... I can see it written all over your adorably blushing faces. Kids these days are so predictable. You people can't even hide your feelings even if your life depended on it, such a pity."

Tim waited for him to finish with his rant then finally spoke up, "now Jay if you're done with lecturing us, can we please go back home? Barbara will be getting worried by now."

"If she really had been worried for you she should have sent Dick to pick you up instead of me," Jay added offhandedly and picked him up by the scruff of his neck, "but since she sent me and that's how I treat ungrateful little birds so... Say goodbye to Dora, you have had enough fun for today."

He was steering towards the door so Tim turned to look at Isadora who was slightly laughing at their antics. He waved slightly giving her a smile before Jay almost kicked him out through the door.

However, right before leaving Jason spun around to face her, the dim light making the white streak in his head stand out, "bye Dora, have fun dreaming about this little nuisance."

***