She saw him sitting at his table with a frown evident on his face though it seemed as if he was deep in thought. His eyes were the most expressive part of his face as the irises widened and narrowed every now and then, his teeth biting his lower lip a little as if to maintain concentration.

She averted her gaze so that he wouldn't catch her staring for too long but shortly afterwards, he was right in front of her, his arms crossed at the counter as he leaned forward casually, a smile playing upon his lips, "Dora..."

"What do you want?" She asked keeping her eyes down on the notepad on which she was scribbling a flower pattern at the corner, "no coffee until eight, remember?"

"Yup unfortunately I remember very well. It was just that I was getting very very bored."

"So?"

"So I thought I may as well talk to you. Steph too has gone to pester your brother in the kitchen and there's nothing else I have to do at the moment."

"I can call Steph back if you want," she was about to get off her stool but he shook his head.

"Oh no no no, let her be. I don't want to get pestered anymore than I do on a daily basis. Besides a little change of company is good, don't you think?"

"I'm busy," she looked up briefly.

His eyes widened a little but the smile from his face didn't falter, "but there are no customers. You're purposefully ignoring me."

"No I'm not," she finally put down the notepad and noticed that he had leaned in a little, eyes focused on her, "but I really don't see how I can help you right now."

"Isadora... Please...?"

She shook her head, a small smile threatening to break out on her face as well upon seeing the adorable look he had on his face. She couldn't deny though that Tim Drake could manage to look irresistibly cute when he wanted to.

And knowing that fact was exactly what kept her from succumbing to his charming cuteness at that moment. She knew he was trying to get in her good books so that she would end up pitying him and revoke the challenge.

"Fine, what do you want to talk about?"

"You're new here and it's the first time we met. How about a little introductory conversation?"

"So like twenty questions?"

"Sort of," he nodded slightly pleased at the development, "ten from each side."

Their game of twenty questions exceeded to a double and she didn't notice because Tim had the most remarkable of replies up his sleeve, making her laugh and smile at almost every answer.

"Favorite hobby? Other than consuming coffee of course because I think that is a necessity for you now."

"Yup a necessity indeed which you're purposefully depriving me of and let me remind you that it is downright brutal."

She rolled her eyes, "answer the question, Drake. No other statements or accusations."

"Okay but please no surnames. I thought we were on first name basis. Or rather short name basis. My first name is Timothy but my friends and family call me Tim, including you."

She looked at him pointedly, raising an eyebrow as she reminded him that he was straying off the topic.

"Favorite hobby... Ah yes," a mischievous gleam sparked in Tim's blue eyes, "pissing the hell out of Damian."

"And who's Damian?"

"A gremlin who likes to bite everyone's toes off. In other words my younger brother. But now you've asked two questions in a row so I'll do the same."

"Sure, go ahead."

"Name your biggest strength and greatest weakness."

She noticed the curiosity in his eyes, "um... I can't answer that immediately. I have to think about it."

"I'm here until eight so plenty of time."

"What would you get by knowing that?"

"Nothing or something, depends upon the situation really," he shrugged, "plus that's another question from you and it wasn't your turn either."

"We surpassed the decided amount of questions way before so I don't think it really matters now."

He thought for a while as if assessing how many questions they had gone through, "oh, valid point."

"Anyways, aren't you tired of standing here all this time? You should go back to your seat," she remarked.

"Or I could nick Steph's seat for the time being," and without even waiting for her response, Tim had taken the stool beside her, tilting it sideways so that he was still looking at her.

It was strange that she didn't feel uncomfortable in his presence, maybe it had something to do with his adorable outlook or the fact that he could be very friendly and laid back.

"And when Steph will come back which I'm sure she would soon, she'll kick you out of the shop."

"The risk is worth it," he winked playfully, his head resting on his hand as his elbow was propped up on the marble counter.

The bell clanged so Dora turned her attention to the customers who had entered taking their orders and putting it on queue. Alex popped out from the kitchen to check so she handed him the order instead of having to go in herself.

His eyes flickered for a short while towards Tim who flashed him a bright smile as if to assure him that he was okay. Alex looked at him closely as if uncertain but the order in his hand made him return immediately to the kitchen.

"Dora's Coffee Haunt... I've visited this place for such a long time and sometimes I used to think what the Dora would actually be like after whom this shop is named."

Isadora looked at him with a slightly surprised smile, "and now you have seen for yourself, haven't you?"

"Yup," he nodded.

"So what do you think now?" She asked slightly curious of his reply.

He averted his gaze at last, a slight pink tinge drifting across his cheekbones, "Dora has eyes like coffee beans."

She laughed lightly, "excuse me?"

"Dancing in pools of milk. And her hair are the shade of cappuccino."

"Tim you were beginning to act quite normal but it seems like your withdrawal symptoms are starting to kick in."

"No no, I'm perfectly fine."

She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "you sure?"

"I'm just telling you what you asked. In third person because it's slightly easier than telling directly."

"God, you're weird," she laughed again at seeing the pink shade deepen on his cheeks.

"Yeah, I get to hear that a lot. And Dora's laugh is clear and light as the bell that sounds on the door."

"Oh my God, Tim, stop flirting with her," Steph had returned from the kitchen and she pushed him off the stool, "I knew this would happen even though I warned you not to try to steal away my friend. You disobedient little brat..."

Tim's face had turned even redder than a freshly picked tomato and Isadora was no longer laughing, slightly taken aback at Steph's words.

"I was not... Well... Thank you Steph for ruining both my day and my image. This disobedient little brat will never forget it."

The frown was back on his face and it was then Dora realized how different he looked with his smile, the serious facade breaking up the instant those blue eyes crinkled and the pearly whites peeked through.

"You can flirt all you want, you're not getting any coffee."

"I don't need any now. I'm leaving," he stated firmly, "and if I crash on my way back and hopefully die, then my ghost will haunt you forever."

Steph shrugged as if it was no big deal, "yup, and I'll pester your ghost so much that he would wish you had said something else instead as your last words. Poor little ghost stuck with me for eternity, such a shame..."

Dora spoke up seeing that Tim really looked quite serious, "Steph..."

"Oh don't worry Dora, he's not going to die so soon. You're safe from being haunted."

Tim folded his arms defiantly, "just wait and see then. Bye Dora."

And with that he stepped out of the shop, the bell clanging loudly as the door swung back and forth multiple times even after he had gone.

***