A/N: I forgot to mention that this takes place in the manga-verse, and happens right before the Weston College story arc, and that this story will be short, maybe 10-12 chapters long. Other than that, enjoy!

Intrigue

Life as a Phatomhive servant was never dull, as Vanessa learned firsthand within just minutes of waking up on her first official day. Quickly dressing in her new uniform after Mey-Rin had urged her out of bed, the sound of a loud explosion shook the entire manor, startling both women.

"I think Bard's in the kitchen," Mey-Rin murmured, hurriedly slipping on her glasses and rushing to the bedroom door.

"What-?" Vanessa began to ask, but her friend had already thrown open the door and hurried into the hallway. She had no choice but to follow the redhead, turning the corner, she stopped in her tracks.

There was smoke billowing out from under the swinging door that led into the kitchen.

"I'm coming, Bard!" Mey-Rin screamed, just before pushing her way in.

Breaking out into a run, Vanessa approached the door, intent on helping, when the door swung open again and Mey-Rin came rushing out. She was incoherently screaming, both hands waving a straw broom that was currently on fire.

"MeyRin!" Vanessa exclaimed, then squeaked in surprise when the other maid swung the flaming broom towards her. The burning object hit the wall with a resounding THWACK! Part of the fire immediately went out, but smoldering pieces fell to the carpet, burning holes into it at first touch.

"AAACCKK!" Mey-Rin shrieked, seeing the holes in the carpet. Forgetting that part of the broom was still burning, she swung it down onto the floor, trying to smother the small burns.

Vanessa squealed in horror, then instinctively stepped on the broom with her foot. Again and again she stomped on it, smoke beginning to drift up.

Mey-Rin was now kneeling on the floor, covered in bits of ash. She was panting heavily, her mouth turned down in a frown. "Sebastian will be so mad!" she said in-between breaths.

"What's ha-" Vanessa began, thoroughly confused at the situation, but was once again interrupted from her questioning by a loud cry. She looked to her friend, who was still breathing heavily and mumbling about the head butler being angry, then turned towards the kitchen door. "I'll be right back, Mey," she promised.

The redheaded maid simply nodded, not bothering to glance up at her. Vanessa stepped towards the door and pushed it open.

And stopped. She took in the sight before her, then slowly ventured in. She was just coming up to Sebastian, who was standing in the middle of the room, when she heard him say, "How many times have I told you, Bardroy?"

"Is…Is it always like…this?" Vanessa meekly asked, staring out of the giant hole that had replaced the entire west wall of the now blackened kitchen. Bardroy, Phantomhive's cook, lay half-buried under pieces of what used to be counters and cabinets, and looking quite dazed. Just beyond the opening, Finny was kneeling in the dirt, sobbing hysterically over a pile of huge oak trees he'd somehow uprooted.

Sebastian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as his eyes closed. He had hoped the servants' "shenanigans" would all but disappear once the new kitchen maid had been hired, but Bard, Mey-Rin, and Finny seemed to take it as a challenge for even more ridiculousness.

"Always," he admitted. His shoulders were sagged, and although his tone was filled with exasperation, there was also resignation, acceptance that things were never going to change.

To his surprise, Vanessa began to giggle. "Good," she said, smiling. She walked over to Bard and helped the enthusiastic cook up from under the pile of rubble, taking note of his head full of singed hair. "Life at Ashton was unbearably boring sometimes," she explained, catching sight of the butler's confused expression. "Spontaneity and surprise will make the work go faster."

Sebastian smirked. "If it's excitement you seek, Miss Vanessa," he said, "then you need not look any further than the Phantomhive Manor." He made a grand, sweeping gesture to the half-demolished kitchen, making the kitchen maid giggle once more.

"Well, at least I won't have to wonder what I'll be doing today," she said, grabbing an apron from a nearby hook, and tying it around her waist. She walked over to the broom closet and took out the remaining broom, identical to the one Mey-Rin had smoldering out in the hallway.

"Make sure he helps you," Sebastian said, nodding towards the still-dazed Bardroy now leaning heavily against the sink. He took out the pocket watch from his vest and glanced at it. "I must serve the young master his morning tea now," he announced. "I'll be back to help with the preparations for lunch."

Vanessa nodded. "I'll make sure to have a counter cleared for you," she said, eyeing the mess that occupied one-half of the kitchen.

"Very good," he said. He grabbed the two-tiered tea cart from its corner near the door and began to load it with the manor's best tea services, as well as sweets and pastries so carefully prepared. When it was properly loaded, Sebastian pushed it towards the door. He was just passing through the doorway, when he paused, looking over his shoulder. "Oh, and Vanessa?" he called to her.

The young lady stopped her sweeping and glanced at him. "Yes, Mr. Sebastian?" she asked.

"Welcome to the Phantomhive family," he said, grinning.

She glanced around at the daunting clean-up in front of her and laughed. "Thank you, Mr. Sebastian," she said, smiling. She watched as he disappeared through the door before resuming her sweeping.

"What did Bardroy destroy this time?" Ciel asked, as Sebastian poured him his morning tea.

Sebastian set the cup in front of him, a napkin and spoon soon joining the china. "Just one wall this time," he answered, unfolding a linen napkin and placing it upon the young earl's lap. "Easily repaired, not to worry." He turned back to fiddle with the rest of the service.

"Hmm," was all Ciel said before taking a sip of his tea. He savored the taste for a moment before setting the cup down. "And how did your dear Miss Hammond take the explosion?" he asked, his voice laced with a bit of teasing.

His butler turned, and placed a beautifully displayed pastry beside his tea. "Very well," he answered, his face wiped of any betraying emotion. "In fact, she rather enjoyed it; said the change of pace was welcome."

Ciel stared at him, intrigued. "Did she now?" he murmured, his eyes filled with amusement.

Sebastian's eyes momentarily flashed with annoyance. "If there is anything else, milord?" he asked, his tone a bit cold.

Having already gone over his schedule for the day, Ciel dismissed him with a smirk. He watched the older man make his way to the door to the study before finally saying, "You will tell me the truth eventually, won't you?"

Sebastian stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Truth, milord?" he asked, looking slightly confused.

Ciel smirked. "About why Vanessa Hammond intrigues you?" he said.

Again, his eyes flashed, but only for the briefest of moments. "You'll be the first to know when I discover it, milord," he said, scowling a bit.

Ciel merely laughed. This is going to be fun! he thought.

True to her word, Vanessa had the island counter cleared and sparkling clean by the time Sebastian returned to the kitchen. Bardroy was halfway through sifting among the rubble, throwing rocks and other debris outside through the hole, while Vanessa gathered the salvable items to another cleared counter space.

"Very nice, Miss Hammond," he commended upon his entrance.

"Oi!" Bard called from his spot. "I helped, too!"

Sebastian fixed him with a piercing, hard stare. "Yes, I can see just what type of 'help' you've given, Bardroy," he said, coldly. The chef visibly gulped and slunk away, mumbling something about "finding Finny to help." He stepped through the giant hole in the wall and disappeared from sight.

Vanessa watched him go, a mixture of pity and amusement on her face. "Don't be too hard on him," she told Sebastian, putting another dented pot onto the counter. "He was trying to please the young master, after all."

The butler scoffed. "If he thinks this will please the Earl of Phantomhive, we'll be homeless by tomorrow," he said.

Vanessa merely smiled, then sidled up next to him at the counter. "I've brought out the ingredients that you listed for today's lunch," she said, changing the subject by pointing to the pile of vegetables and a slab of meat.

He quickly surveyed the stock and confirmed everything needed was present. "Excellent," he said. "I shall begin the preparations at once." He stepped away from the counter, his long fingers unbuttoning his tailcoat.

Vanessa moved behind him. "Let me help you, Mr. Sebastian," she said, placing her hands on his shoulders. The moment her fingers touched him, however, she jolted as if hit by an electrical shock, her body immediately tensing. Sound and sight faded from her, and she had the distinct impression that she was falling as faded images floated in her mind….

Small, slender fingers reaching out…the back of a figure dressed all in white….hands running through black hair….someone laughing….familiar brown eyes….

"Miss Hammond? Miss Hammond!...Vanessa!"

She jerked back to reality at the sound of Sebastian's voice, only to blush when she found herself sprawled out on the kitchen floor. Said butler was kneeling over her, looking very concerned.

"Wh-What happened?" she asked, struggling to sit up.

He gently helped her into a sitting position. "You fainted," he replied, the concern in his voice matching that in his eyes. "One moment you were helping me remove my coat, the next you were on the floor, unconscious."

She stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "How embarrassing!" she murmured, avoiding his gaze.

He gently took her hands in his and gave them a small tug. "Are you alright now, love?" he asked, helping her to her feet.

She froze, her eyes snapping to his face. Did he just call me-?

"Vanessa?" he asked when she didn't immediately answer him.

I could have sworn he called me… she thought. But, one look at his face devoid of any acknowledgement of using such familiarity was enough to convince herself she'd imagine his term of endearment. "I-I believe so," she said, shakily. "Was I out long?"

He led her over to a nearby chair. "A few minutes, perhaps," Sebastian answered, carefully lowering her onto the seat. "Why?"

She blushed. "I-I think I was…dreaming," she said, hating how sheepish she sounded.

A perfectly arched eyebrow rose above his left eye. "Dreaming?" he prompted.

Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember the images. "I saw…images," she said, slowly, "but, they weren't clear."

This seemed to interest the butler greatly, for he knelt down beside her. "Do you remember what they were of?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Vanessa blushed under the intensity of his gaze. "Hands…" she murmured, averting her eyes, "…someone dressed in white….and I heard laughter."

His dark eyes rounded. "Laughter?" he asked.

She nodded. "A woman laughing," she confirmed. "It sounded like…."

"Yes?"

For some reason, the kitchen maid blushed. "Like…she was very happy," she murmured.

Sebastian stared at her for the longest moment. His face betrayed none of his thoughts, but Vanessa, it seemed as if he was thinking long and hard. Finally, he got to his feet, and said, "Hmm, interesting." He walked over to the undamaged sink and ran a clean dishcloth under the faucet. After wringing out the cloth, he walked back over to her and gently pressed it to her forehead.

"Well, at the very least, I would like for you to go and lay down for a bit, Miss Hammond," he announced.

The abrupt change of subject startled her. "But, I-" she immediately protested.

Sebastian immediately shook his head. "I insist," he said, carefully helping her to her feet.

"But, what about lunch?" she asked.

He smiled at her. "I assure you, I can handle the lunch preparations," he replied, gently prodding her towards the door. "Besides, if I couldn't handle the meal preparations for my master, what kind of butler would I be?" He grinned then, pleased with his cleverness.

Vanessa frowned with doubt. "Are you sure?" she asked once more.

Again, he smiled, amused by her hesitation "Positive," he said, then leaning in so close that she could feel his breath on her face. "It wouldn't do to have a member of my staff fainting and causing me concern, would it?"

His words seemed to mesmerize her, rooting her to the floor, his eyes boring into hers. It wasn't so much his words but his tone –the way he said them- that made Vanessa stop and blush. It was a few, long moments of returning his gaze before she merely shook her head, truly at a loss for words.

"Good," he said, smiling as he straightened his back and stood at his full height. "Now, run along, miss."

He watched her reluctantly leave, glancing back at him a few times as she headed towards the door. It was only after she had left the room that Sebastian fell back against the counter, as if exhausted.

"She's remembering," he whispered, feeling his heart hammering painfully in his chest.

A small smile spread across his lips.