"What's that smell?" Bullet asked, walking through the zeta into the cave.
Infinity, who sat cross legged on the couch, pointed to Skylar without looking up from her computer.
"I don't smell bad!" Skylar objected. "I'm perfectly clean."
"So you're not the source of all the fleas, pervvy mutt?" Mercy said, frying a flea as it crawled up her arm. Or was it climbing down her arm? It was hard to tell with her hanging upside down.
"No," Skylar said, involuntarily scratching behind his ear.
SilverWings rolled her eyes and looked back down at the magazine that lay open on the floor in front of her. She lay on her stomach between the couches where the others sat, lay, and hung.
Alek, who sat next to Fin searching his playlist on his iPod, sniffed the air. "I don't think that's the dog. It smells more like," he sniffed again, "Cupcakes?"
The 6 gathered teammates looked at each other a moment before springing up from their various positions. They tripped over each other as they scrambled to the kitchen.
Aisling was perched on the counter, flipping through a cook book of treats. She didn't look up as the teenagers rushed in.
Harley, however, nearly dropped the egg carton was was holding.
"Babe," Skylar addressed her, "What smells like baked deliciousness?"
Harley frowned at her eager looking teammates. "It was supposed to be a surprise," she admitted. 7 confused stares met her. Harley sighed and set the egg carton on the counter. She opened the oven to expose a pan of baking cupcakes on either rack.
"We were going to surprise you," Aisling said, finally shutting the cookbook. "We were also gonna cook raspberry tarts, but I can't find the recipe!"
"Page 24," Silver answered automatically. "Under the recipe for blue-berry pie."
"You memorized the cook-book?" Alek asked, a chuckle escaping him. Silver rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out. "I happen to be very fond of that cook book," she stated. Whether she was kidding or not was a mystery.
"Since we're here already, why don't we help?" Fin suggested.
"Yes, please," Aisling said, finding the recipe for the tarts. On page 24. Under the blue-berry pie recipe. "This team's huge. A few extra hands would be much appreciated."
"Where do we start?" Bullet asked, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
---------------------------------
"It's supposed to be 2 tablespoons marshmallow creme, right?"
Mercy said. She was eyeing the measuring spoons in her hand. Silver nodded, continuing to spread a layer of icing on a cupcake.
"Yeah," Alek confirmed, glancing at the open cookbook next to the dough he was rolling.
"Why are we making these from scratch again?" Fin wondered aloud. She was trying to whisk a bowl of eggs without splashing them around.
"Apparently it makes them more special." Skylar made a point of popping another raspberry in his mouth.
"Dude, would you quite with the berries and help me with this?"
Bullet walked in carrying a stack flour. Skylar sighed dramatically and grabbed the bottom of the three bags.
"No, not that-" Bullet was cut off as the bags fell to the floor. They busted open on impact and threw up a cloud of flour.
When the coughing and dust settled, two ghosts stood staring at one another. Maybe not actual ghosts, but the white powder covering them from head to toe was enough of a disguise to pass as a cheap Halloween costume.
The others were silent. Up until the point Aisling allowed a small giggle escape her. The others soon joined in, and a blush was distinguishable from the flour that coated both boys' faces. Skylar scowled and turned to leave.
"Don't leave, honey," Harley begged, unsuccessfully trying to stifle her giggles. Skylar's scowl deepened. Harley rolled her eys and kissed him softly on the lips. Skylar pulled back and smiled. He held up a flat open palm, and blew the flour that rested there at Harley.
Caught by surprise, Harley stumbled back, bumping into Fin. The bowl of whisked eggs slipped out of her hands as she pitched forward... Splashes all over Alek and clattering to the floor.
"Ohmygod!" Fin exclaimed, "I'm so sorry!"
"It's alright," Alek said. Silver burst out laughing. Alek raised an eyebrow. "You find this amusing, do you?"
Before she could respond, Alek ran a hand through the goo that coated his shirt and flicked it at Silver.
She gasped as the egg hit her jacket. Mercy giggled at the gapping expression on Silver's face.
Silver dipped her hand into the canister of icing and tossed a handful at her partner. He ducked and the icing hit the laughing fire caster. Silver's eyes bugged. "I... I didn't.. .That was meant for Alek."
Mercy looked at her blankly for a moment. She suddenly scooped up a handful of berries and tossed them at Silver, shouting, "Food fight!"


That's the explanation Batman was given when he walked into the kitchen to find flour on the walls, icing on the ceiling, and raspberries covering his daughter and her teammates. Safe to say, what stays in the kitchen, should stay in the kitchen.