When Tea got inside the house, she finally let go of the tears she had been holding back. Although, Alex was just trying to get her attention, his light tap was still enough to scrape one of the deeper cuts from last night open. Melody held her hand as Tea cried against the door. Melody was scared and didn't know what to do to comfort her older sister. When the throbbing pain finally started to subside, Tea walked to the bathroom to soak in the tub.

….

When Mokuba and Noah were ready, Kaiba walked with them back to his parent's home. Since the lock on the door was broken, Kaiba propped a chair up against the door knob. He turned around and noticed his brothers were looking at him expectantly. "What?" he asked simply.

"Why did you ask Tea to dance?" Noah asked, "Do you like her?"

"No, I just did it." Kaiba replied.

Mokuba looked up at his oldest brother and said, "Seto, we know you; and, we know you always have a reason for what you do. It is not like we are against you liking Tea. In fact, I would love to have her as part of the family. So, if you like her, tell her."

Kaiba rolled his eyes and replied, "I told you twice already, I feel nothing for Gardener."

"Then why did you ask her to dance?" Noah asked again.

Kaiba was now frustrated and mockingly said, "I must be coming down with something."

Mokuba smirked and replied, "Yeah, you're coming down with the love bug."

Thoroughly pissed, Kaiba walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.

…

The next day Tea had everything ready for her stepfamily's return home. The house was clean and red beans were cooking slowly on the stove. Her grandmother's birthday was today, so she decided to go collect some apples to make an apple filled king cake. She yelled to melody, "Keep an eye on the beans for me, please."

A loud, "Okay," rang through the house.

….

Kaiba walked outside and saw Tea outside picking apples. Remembering Operation Alligator, he slowly approached her not really knowing what to say. He then noticed her standing on her tippy toes, trying with all her might to get a large shiny red apple.

Kaiba, now behind Tea reached up and handed her the apple.

With the sight of a hand next to hers she turned around to face Kaiba. When he handed it to her, she stuttered, "uh…oh, Thank you."

"What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.

Mildly surprised by her question, he was unsure what to say. Why was he there? He gritted his teeth and replied, "umm…I saw you struggling to reach the apple."

She smirked and replied, "I know your lying, but for the time being I will let it slide."

Kaiba frowned and asked, "What are you, the human lie detector?"

She shook her head and answered, "No, but when the GREAT Seto Kaiba says 'umm,' something is up."

'Damn her for being so observant,' he thought to himself. He then looked at the very large basket full of apples and asked, "What are you making with all those apples?"

She smiled and answered, "I am making a king cake. Have you had one before?" He shook his head no and she continued, "I will have to bring you three some. It is delicious." Although, her stepmother wouldn't be pleased, Tea bought the groceries out of her own money so there wouldn't be anything she could really do about it.

She was about to explain the history behind a king cake when she heard a voice call her name. She turned to look and rolled her eyes. Kaiba heard her mumble under her breath, "Oh God, please kill me now." His eyes narrowed at the man. He was a balding man who appeared to be in his 40's. He walked clumsily with a cane.

"Who is that?" Kaiba asked.

Tea responded, "Harrison LeBlanc, He owns a small antique shop here in town…I deal with the finances of his business."

The older man finally reached us and he said, "My dearest Tea, you get lovelier every day."

"Flattery will get you nowhere sir." She retorted as she took the financial papers out of his hands.

Harrison frowned, "Tea I don't know why you insist on doing these financial statements when you could have the opportunity to live in the lap of luxury. You would never have to work again. If only you would agree to marry me."

Tea flipped through the papers and replied, "Has it every occurred to you that I am not interested in your money?"

"Don't be silly darling, everyone is interested in money. Besides, aren't you tired of the way your stepmother treats you."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed at that statement; especially, when he saw her flinch in response. He knew something was going on, but he needed to gain her trust for the sake of Operation Alligator. Besides he doubted she would talk about whatever was going on anyway with the acquaintanceship they currently had.

Harrison then noticed the man standing next to Tea, "Forgive me for my manners sir," he said as he extended his hand, "I am Harrison Leblanc, owner of LeBlanc's Antiques. What might you be called sir?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes this fellow was obviously trying to intimidate him with his so called 'power and wealth.' Kaiba simply decided to ignore the old man.

When Harrison decided the mystery man was not going to answer he said, "Well it has been lovely seeing you Tea, but my store will be opening soon and I must get things ready. Please consider my offer, and remember I can always TAKE what I want."

Tea looked up from the papers and asked, "Is that a threat?"

Harrison smirked and answered, "I prefer to call it foreplay."

Kaiba then stepped forward and glared down at the older man. He picked up the man by his collar and threatened, "If you dare lay a hand on Gardener, I can assure you it will be the last thing you do."

Oddly enough, the older man grinned and replied, "That sounds like a challenge to me boy. What's wrong, are you intimidated."

Tea was frantic, "Kaiba, put him down this instant!" she shrieked.

Harrison was certain he heard that name before, but where?

That was when Alex drove by in his pickup truck. After he parked, he saw Kaiba holding Harrison and said, "No need to bûcher (fight) over ME." He grabbed the straps of his overalls and cheekily finished, "There is more than enough of me to go around. Now carerre (hug) and make up."

Tea started to chuckle, Alex obviously didn't know Kaiba very well. He would sooner break someone's neck than hug someone (other than Mokuba of course.)

Kaiba dropped him on the ground he scurried away as fast as he could…with a cane that is.

Melody walked out the front door and yelled "Tea the rice needs to be strained!"

Tea was about to go inside when Alex said, "Hold on, Cher! I didn't come down here for nothing. I wanted to know if you wanted to go cocodril chasse?"

Kaiba looked on confused, so tea translated, "Alligator hunting. Sounds like fun, what time do you want me to be ready?"

"deux heures (2 o'clock). Mon frère (my brother) and I set up the traps yesterday." Alex explained.

Alex then had a brilliant idea, "Hey boug, why don't you and your brothers join us. Mon frère's fiancé is pregnant. We normally visit the traps in 2 bâteaus (boats) and I don't want him chasse cocodril alone. You could ride in the bâteau with Tea and me; and, your brothers can ride with mon frère."

Kaiba was about to flat out say no, I mean who in their right mind would want to try to catch an alligator. However, Tea interrupted, "Don't tell me the great Seto Kaiba is afraid of getting his hands dirty."

'Damn she is good,' he thought to himself. If he was certain of anything in life, it was that he wanted to be viewed as fearless, a force to be reckoned with. And, when a tiny girl like Tea isn't afraid of Alligators, then he certainly couldn't be. She smirked knowing she hit a nerve. He let out an annoyed sigh and replied, "I will be waiting outside with Tea. However, I cannot guarantee my brothers will want to come."

Tea was practically beaming at this point. She threw her arms around Kaiba and then ran inside to strain the rice. Before she shut the door, she yelled back, "See you in the morning!"

Kaiba smiled slightly, until he realized Alex was still next to him. He then instantly switched back to his emotionless face.

"You beaus best not be late." Alex warned before he left.

Kaiba walked home and was surprised to see his brothers were waiting for him. "Soooo, can we go?" Noah asked nonchalantly.

Kaiba smirked and leaned against the door, "spying on me again are we?"

"Yep!" Mokuba said enthusiastically, "How else are we going to plan the wedding?"

"I was thinking Jasmine would be a nice name if it is a girl." Noah mentioned.

Mokuba shook his head and replied, "I like Evangeline better, and it sounds more southern."

"If I let you two go, will you stop badgering me?" Kaiba asked irritably.

Mokuba and Noah nodded and Kaiba headed up to the bedroom to check his stocks. Nothing seemed to have changed so he shut his computer and laid back on the bed. While gazing at the ceiling he was deep in thought, he would definitely need more than 2 weeks if he was going to win operation alligator. He growled in frustration, most girls threw themselves at Kaiba, but not this one. She had to be difficult…but, in a way he liked that.

The next day he and his brothers waited outside Tea's house. Alex's truck rolled up and swathe three brothers waiting outside, wearing white button down shirts and black slacks. Alex and his brother got out of the truck and questioned, "That is what you beaus are wearing? Chasse cocodril is a dirty job."

Mokuba shrugged and replied, "That is the most comfortable clothes we own."

Suddenly, Tea came hopping out the barn door on one foot. She was wearing a pink camo jumper with a pink baseball hat. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was wearing one boot? "Alex, have you seen my other boot?" she asked while pointing to her foot.

Alex started to laugh and replied, "Certainly mon cher, you were hosing it off yesterday. It is probably still behind the barn. Now hurry up Cendrillon, we gonna be late."

Tea chuckled and scurried off to fetch her boot, Alex circled the truck and pulled out some extra pairs of camo. He threw the sets at the boys and said, "I guess Tea wasn't jesting when she said, you didn't own camo."

Kaiba cocked an eyebrow and asked "Do we look like the type who would own camo?"

Alex shook his head and replied, "No, but I never met a beau without at least one set of camo. How else does one hunt?"

Mokuba then asked, "Mr. Alex, What is Cendrillon?"

"You ain't never heard of Cendrillon?! Well, I guess the best description would be the Cajun Cinderella."

By this time Tea came back with her other boot and saw the boys with their button down shirt and slacks. They almost looked ready to attend church. She smirked when she saw Kaiba glaring at the camo.

The 3 boys walked into the barn and changed real fast. When the 3 boys returned, they saw Tea sitting in the front of the truck with Alex. Alex's brother was sitting in the bed of the truck waving the 3 over to join him. Mokuba and Noah ran to the bed of the truck and asked, "Aren't you excited big brother?"

"Ecstatic." Kaiba answered flatly