Author: xskyisclosed
Rating: M (eventual NC-17)
Summary: Kaiba is flipping through his old yearbooks and comes across Joey's phone number. Can five years time and a certain Mutt melt the ice in one CEO's heart.

Author's Note: The idea for this fic came from "Best Wishes" by Vapidbreath. I read it and was slightly dissapointed by the way things were turning out so I decided to go and write my own with the same premise.

Because you know, if you want it done right, you might as well do it yourself. :)

Please please please review. It would mean so much. I love feedback. It makes it so much easier to write when I know people actually like it.

Thanks sooo much.

Chapter Three: Second Chances.

So call it quits, or get a grip.
You say you wanted a solution, but you just wanted to be missed.
Call me a safe bet, I'm betting I'm not.
I'm glad that you can forgive, I'm only hoping in time that you can forget.

Seto cleared his throat and answered the phone, "This is Kaiba."

"Kaiba…" Joey's voice sounded fed up and exhausted from the other line.

"Oh hello Wheeler," Seto said, pretending that he did not spend the last hour staring at the phone, waiting for it to ring. "What do you want?"

"What do I want?" Joey yelled into the receiver. "You called me first. I'm just calling you back like I said I would."

"You know Wheeler, you shouldn't call someone and then start yelling. It could be mistaken as rude."

"Fuck you, Kaiba."

Seto laughed and remembered why he liked teasing Joey so much at school, "Oh. Scary."

At that he looked down on his desk and noticed a file he didn't see before. It caught his attention because it had Wheeler's name on it. Half listening to the stream of insults coming from the telephone, he opened the file and flipped through it.

It seemed that Joey was applying for the publicity internship at Kaiba Corp. And it also seemed that Seto had a meeting with the mutt on Monday. He shut the file and focused his attention back to the telephone.

"…Stuck up, arrogant, egotistical bastard."

There was a pause.

"You forgot smug, handsome and to die for," Seto finally added.

As he said that he could hear the familiar thud of Mokuba's foot steps coming up the stairs. Mokuba wouldn't care if Seto was on the phone, he'd just yell anyway. So Seto thought it was better to end the phone conversation now, on his terms.

Joey snorted back his laughter and was about to attempt a cunning response when Seto cut him off, "Well, as much fun as this was, I have to go."

"But…" Joey started to say.

"See you Monday."

Click.

"That's what you get for hanging up on me twice, mutt," Seto said aloud with triumph as he slammed the receiver down on the cradle.

"Who the fuck would be talking to you?" Mokuba asked rudely.

"I don't see how it is any of your business." Seto said, repeating the same words and tone that Mokuba had used earlier.

Mokuba glared at him and went to take the phone. Seto was resisting the urge to smack him, but he instead let him take the phone, slamming the door on the way out.

Seto sat back in his chair and picked up Joey's file again. This time he carefully read over Joey's resume. This is going to be one hell of an interview.

-Monday­-

"Mr. Kaiba, just a reminder, you have a Mr. Wheeler coming in at 11:30 for an interview regarding the internship that opened up in Publicity. I hope you had a chance to read over his file?"

"I did, thank you." Seto replied to his secretary through his phone intercom.

Seto checked the clock on his laptop. It read 11:15. Only fifteen minutes, he thought while staring out the window.

Why am I feeling so nervous, he wondered. This is insane. I haven't seen the moron for five years and it is just an interview. I have conducted thousands of interviews. Just because we were 'arch-enemies' or whatever at school does not make a difference.

This made Seto's nerves ease a little bit, and he decided he shouldn't waste time and went back to working.

"Hello. My name is Joey Wheeler, the receptionist on the bottom floor said I should come up here. I have an interview."

"Oh yes, welcome Mr. Wheeler. Just take a seat there," the secretary gestured towards some chairs, "and Mr. Kaiba will be with you in a few minutes."

"Thank you," Joey said taking a seat.

Then it struck him. Mr. Kaiba…does she mean… Kaiba, stupid, asshole Kaiba? Kaiba that taunted him whenever they met, Kaiba who called him only the other day just to antagonize him. Oh god, what is this world coming to? That's why he said 'See you on Monday.' That sneaky bastard.

The secretary's voice cut into his misery, "You may go in now."

Oh joy, he thought, and proceeded into Seto's office.

Joey walked into the office and the secretary closed the door. Joey wasn't sure what to do or where to stand, so he just lingered by the door.

"Well sit down." Seto said nodding to the chair in front of his desk. Seto took in Joey's appearance, trying to see what was different about him. His honey-blonde hair was still the same length and just as unruly. Joey's face was also the same; the past five years hadn't aged it a bit. The only things that seemed different with him were his eyes. The same innocence that could have been seen five years ago was still there, but something was out of place. Looks like five years can really change a person.

Joey walked up to the chair and sat down and looked straight at Seto. "I hate you."

Maybe not so much. "Now is that any way to speak to the guy who is looking to employ you?"

"I'm sorry, let me reword it. Hello Mr. Kaiba, I have a passionate dislike for you."

Seto replied, but only to egg Joey on, "Better, but you need to work on the delivery."

Joey glowered at him. "You are so immature." Kaiba sure hasn't changed any. He is still the same condescending jerk, he even looks the same. What is with the belts on his arms? Honestly.

Seto was taken aback. "Me…I'm immature?"

Joey answered sharply, "Yeah, you."

Knowing this could go on for hours, Seto decided he better end it, "You're here for an interview, not to start an argument about who is the most immature. So do you want to do this or should I just excuse you from my office?"

"No…let's just do it," Joey said with a clenched jaw.

Seto pulled out Joey's file again and opened it. "You're applying for the Publicity internship. This job requires…" Seto stopped mid-sentence.

Joey looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Seto closed his file and set it on the desk. "Alright, listen up Wheeler. I'm giving you this chance okay? I know you will put every thing you have into this job. So I am going to hire you, don't make me regret it."

Joey's jaw dropped, he was in shock over what Seto just said. His mouth was open and he was trying to form words of thanks, but nothing would come out.

"Don't do that," Seto said noticing the weird face Joey was making. "You look like a dying fish."

"It's just…" Joey started. "It's just…well, thanks. And I don't really hate you, you know. He gave Seto a genuine smile.

"Like I said, Wheeler, don't make me regret it." Then he took up the professional tone again. "It will take a few days to become official but my people will get it done quickly. You are expected to be at work from 9am to 5pm. Lunch break is from 12pm to 1pm. The Publicity department is on the fifty-first floor and you must be there, ready to work at 9am tomorrow morning. Got it?"

"Yeah. Thanks again Kaiba."

Seto regarded his words for a moment and finally said, "Your welcome. Now get out."

About five minutes after Joey left his office, Seto realized that sending him on his way was a mistake. As much as I hate to admit it, it was nice talking to someone who isn't trying to suck up to me.

Seto picked up the phone and called his secretary from the intercom, "Did Mr. Wheeler already leave the floor?"

His secretary answered, "No sir. He is just about to get on the elevator, would you like me to send him back to your office?"

"Yes, I would appreciate that. Thank you very much." Seto clicked the off button and cleared his desk of the other applicant's files.

"Kaiba?" Seto looked up at the sound of Joey's voice. "What do you want?"

"Sit." He answered. And Joey sat. I'm going to regret this, Seto thought as the words were leaving his mouth, "Are you busy tonight?"

Joey was shocked by Seto's words for the second time that day. "I don't think so. Why?"

"I had these reservations with clients at this restaurant, but they had to cancel. I still have the reservations and if you're not busy we could go. You could fill me in about your life and tell how college was."

I sound like an idiot, Seto was kicking himself under the desk.

"Okay. That sounds fine. Thanks for inviting me."

"Don't think on it. Here is the address of the restaurant. I'll meet you there, say, about 7:00pm?"

"Alright. See ya' later, Kaiba."

On his way home, Joey was thinking about his impending dinner with Seto. Why on Earth would he invite me? I thought he hated me. Maybe I was wrong. It has been five years since we last talked. People change. It sure seems like Kaiba changed.

Joey put his keys in the lock at walked into his house. He saw Tristan and Yugi sitting on the couch watching some lame movie. "How'd the interview go," he heard Tristan yell over the loud volume of the TV.

Walking into the living room, he took off his jacket. "My interview was with Kaiba."

Tristan cringed. "That slimy bastard. I bet he didn't even hear what you had to say."

Smiling, Joey answered, "Actually, no. He said that he knew I would do my best and he gave me the job right away."

Yugi jumped up, "That's awesome Joey!"

"Yeah," Tristan agreed while slapping him on the back. "How 'bout we go out and celebrate tonight?"

"Sorry guys, I can't. I have… work stuff that I've gotta do. Maybe tomorrow?"

"That's cool," Tristan replied and focused his attention back on the TV.

"Congratulations, really." Yugi said honestly and followed suit with Tristan.

Joey looked at his watch. Only six more hours till I have to meet Kaiba, he mused.

After his interview with Joey, Seto had a full schedule ahead of him. After a long day at work, he had finally realized that there was only twenty minutes left before he was scheduled to meet Joey at the restaurant. He picked up the phone and called his secretary, "Can you please ready my car, I have reservations at seven o'clock."

"Yes sir."

"Thanks," Seto said, and hung up the phone. He gathered all of the files he was taking home and put them into his briefcase. He checked his reflection in a mirror and continued out of his office. He took the elevator to the garage level where his car was waiting for him.

It pulled up to where he was standing and he opened the door and slid in.

It only took ten minutes to get there, so as his driver was pulling up, he saw Joey walk into the restaurant. After the car was parked, he got out and walked into the lobby. He saw Joey leaning against a wall, waiting for him. "Hello Wheeler."

"Hey there, Kaiba."

A hostess came up to Seto and Joey and said, "Mr. Kaiba will you and your guest please follow me." She led them into a private room. "Will anyone else be joining you?"

"No, I'm sorry. My other clients had to reschedule. This is Joey Wheeler."

The hostess politely stuck out her hand and Joey shook it. "Nice to meet you. Now I will be back with menus. Can I get you anything to drink?"

Joey asked for some sort of foreign alcoholic drink. "What's that," Seto asked.

"It's good. You should get it," Joey answered.

"Alright. Two of those then," Seto said referring to the drink Joey had ordered before. In less then a minute she was back holding two large pink drinks with umbrellas.

Seto asked Joey, "What are these called?"

"Mai Tais." He answered with a grin. "Cheers."

Seto took a sip of his and grimaced. "Tastes like gasoline. Bleh."

"Good huh?" Joey asked.

"Amazingly, yes." And Seto took another mouthful of his drink.

"YOU'RE KIDDING ME," Joey's voice rang out. "Mokuba is being a jerk to you now. I don't believe it." Joey said laughing and slurring his words.

Mai Tai glasses and mini umbrellas littered their table.

Seto answered, "Nope. Not kidding. 'S actually kinda funny." His speech was impaired as well.

Joey pointed at him and laughed. "Kaiba, you're soooo drunk."

"'S all your fault, mutt. You made me order all the other drinks…" Seto said, trying to suppress his laughter. But seeing Joey laugh was only making him laugh harder.

"Nuh-uh. You ordered them yourself. And don' call me mutt. I don' like it."

"I can call you mutt if I want. I don' mean it to be mean, ya know? 'S just fun." Seto slurred out.

"If you can call me mutt, I get to call you somethin'."

Seto replied with a smile, "You can call me incredibly sexy."

Joey burst out into another fit of laughter and threw a handful of mini umbrellas at Seto's face.

Seto started laughing in unison with Joey, not noticing the green cocktail umbrella stuck in his hair. "What, you don't think I'm sexy?"

At that moment the waitress came in and told Joey and Seto that they needed to leave because it was late and they were closing the restaurant.

Seto stood up. "Whoa there." He reached out and steadied himself on Joey's shoulders.

"Let's go. I got my firs' day of work tomorrow. And I'll have a hangover. Wonderful." Joey said, picking the umbrella out of Seto's hair and slipped it into his pocket.

Together they walked out of the restaurant and into the parking lot. Joey remembered that he took the subway here and turned around to head towards the station. "Don't bother," Seto said to Joey. "You're too drunk to take the subway."

"Well then smart guy, how'm I gunna get home."

"I'll have my driver take you home," Seto answered as the car pulled up to the curb. He opened the door and gestured for Joey to get it in. "In, mutt."

Joey stuck his tongue out at him and got in. Seto followed behind him.

"Hey mutt, thanks for coming with me tonight. I had fun."

"No problem money-bags. I had fun too."

They sat in silence for a while until Joey spoke up again, "You know somethin' Kaiba. You're fun when you open up, ya know? You shouldn't be so angry all the time."

"You mean I'm fun when I have twenty ounces of alcohol in my blood?" Seto joked.

"Well, that too," Joey replied with a smile.

At that, the car pulled up to Joey's apartment and Joey got out. He walked up the steps and unlocked the front door. Before he walked inside, he turned his head to catch one last glimpse of Seto's car. Walking inside the house, he didn't bother turning on any of the lights, not wanting to wake Tristan or Yugi. He was about to go to his bedroom when he realized that he wouldn't be able to make it and just passed out on the floor.