"Joey, I'm scared." It was Serenity's first day at her new high school and she looked downright terrified as she gazed at the tall building in front of them. Joey smiled gently at her, "Don't be silly, sis. You've been in much scarier situations than this. Remember that time you took your bandages off after your eye operation even though you were afraid you still wouldn't be able to see? Well, if you can do that, you can do anything."

Serenity smiled back faintly, "I don't know what I would do without you, big brother." And giving him a kiss on the cheek, she left the car and walked slowly towards her new school. Once Serenity was no more than a blur in the distance, Joey felt the smile slide off his face. He had focused so much on staying positive for Serenity that he had almost forgotten what the morning held in store for him. He had to meet with Kaiba in the slim hope that he was still willing to give Joey a job. Thinking about it, Joey thought a few rounds with Zorc, the epitome of all evil, might just be preferable.

He didn't know whether Kaiba would deny the events of yesterday entirely or give him the worst job imaginable. Cleaning the toilets, perhaps. However, if he did keep his word and give Joey a job, Joey sure as hell was going to do it. No matter how embarrassing, no matter how demeaning, he would give it one hundred and ten percent.

And with that thought in his mind, he marched past the receptionist who had given him such trouble the previous day and pressed the button in the elevator which would take him up to the very top floor, where Kaiba would be waiting for him.

After spending just an hour in his empty mansion, Kaiba had ordered his limo and very tired limo driver to take him back to his office. There was no way he was going to get a wink of sleep that night. Yet even in his office, the same thought kept running through his mind, "Why on earth had he just agreed to help Joey Wheeler?! He should have just paid him off and sent him for the hills. But no. He had offered to give him a job. What a fool."

And where was he going to put him? That was another question. He couldn't imagine the mutt being good at anything worthwhile. He had probably spent the last few years serving burgers or some other sort of greasy fast food.

That was why it was such a shock when he received Wheeler's CV. His eyes widened and he was forced to swallow the many dog-related insults he had been preparing to unleash. Not only was the mutt a qualified game tester, he had received glowing recommendations from all of his previous employers.

Suddenly, Kaiba felt a twinge of… something. He had given Wheeler such a hard time but in reality he had been left with no choice but to come to him. Not as a friend but as an employer. Kaiba had single-handedly put all the other game manufacturers out of business, leaving Wheeler with no choice but to approach him if he was to continue along his chosen career track.

"Oi, richboy, are you finished yet? Didn't think it would take you five minutes to read a page." Kaiba dropped the CV in the wastepaper basket next to his desk, ignoring the cries of its owner. "As I expected, a useless CV from a useless mutt. However, I gave you my word that I would find a place for you in my organisation so that's what I'll do." And with that, he stalked out of the room.

Kaiba smiled to himself as Joey rushed to catch up with him and jumped into the elevator just as the doors were closing. "Do you have to be so dramatic, richboy?" Joey was panting but suddenly a grin spread across his face and he looked up at Kaiba with an expression of nostalgia, "You were always so dramatic. Remember that time Miss Krable said you had got an equation wrong in math class? You went to the front of the class and proved your answer on the black board. Then you pointed at her and said she was a phoney and was better off teaching nursery kids."

Kaiba shrugged, a carefully calculated look of nonchalance on his face. He couldn't remember what he had said exactly but he did remember that Joey had given him a grin and a thumbs up when he walked past him on his way back to his desk. Of course, Kaiba had ignored him and kept walking but secretly he had been pleased. Why? He had no idea.

Once again, Kaiba ignored the blonde and instead walked out of the lift as it opened on the fourteenth floor. "This is the game testing studio." As predicted, Wheeler's face lit up. Kaiba was used to this expression. He wore it whenever anyone mentioned a duel." For a moment Kaiba was jealous. Wheeler had found a profession that he thoroughly enjoyed. No wonder he had been so successful. Then Kaiba stopped himself. There was no way he was going to let himself envy a no-good, third-rate duelist like the pup. He, Seto Kaiba, was infinitely more successful. Not to mention the CEO of the most successful gaming company in the world.

Moving over to one of the men standing behind a monitor, Kaiba introduced the boy behind him, "Clarke, this is Joey Wheeler. He will be working in your department. Make sure you tell him everything he needs. And Wheeler, don't screw this up. One mistake and you're out."

Just as he reached the exit, he stopped. "Richards, come with me." A middle-aged man in a white lab coat followed him into a small room at the end of the corridor. "Richards, as usual, your reports have been truly excellent. Detailed, accurate and always insightful." Richards turned bright red and grasped a wall for support. The most he had received from Kaiba in the past had been "Good work."

Kaiba smiled at him, "Because you have earned my trust, I have a very important assignment for you." Richards looked up at him with adoration, determined to prove to the great Seto Kaiba that he was worthy of the honour being bestowed upon him, "Anything, anything at all." Kaiba smiled, people were so very predictable.

Joey glanced up at the clock and gasped. How could it be eight o'clock already? Then again, he had been totally absorbed in his task and hadn't looked at the clock for more than five hours. The games at Kaiba Corp were of a much higher quality than those he had tested in the past. The picture, the sound quality, the screenplay – it was all excellent. Not that he would tell richboy. But still, he had thoroughly enjoyed his first day.

The drawback to such high quality games was that it would be harder to find faults. However, that didn't mean it would be impossible. Joey had tested the game in question from all angles until he had found some potential subtle flaws. Sloppy games were easy to critique. Highly sophisticated ones were not. But Joey wasn't going to complain. He loved a challenge.

Wiping his head, he looked around the room. Unsurprisingly, he was the last one there. Or so he thought. Just as he was checking he had everything he needed before he set off, a man stepped out from behind a monitor and gave Joey the fright of his life. At Joey's strangled cry, the man put up his hands and looked apologetic, "Sorry to startle you, Joey. I got so engrossed in my work that I didn't even realise someone else was here."

Joey grinned at the man as he felt his heart rate return to normal. "Ah, no worries, pal. It was the same with me." Joey cocked his head in curiosity. Although the man was smiling, Joey thought he saw a trace of apprehension on his brow. Then again, he had never been good at reading emotions. He was probably mistaken.

"Er… Joey…" Ok, the guy was clearly nervous. "I was wondering… if maybe… you would… perhaps…like to get a drink with me?" Joey took a nervous step back. Was the old dude asking him on a date? Seeing the fear in the blonde's eyes, the man let out a laugh that seemed almost forced, "No, no, not like that! I just meant, as colleagues. You could tell me how you found your first day."

Joey shifted from foot to foot. On the one hand, he wanted to make a good impression and integrate with the department. But on the other hand, Serenity would be waiting for him and he didn't want to worry her. Sensing Joey's dilemma, the man smiled at him. "Don't worry if you need to go. We'll all be heading to the pub after work on Friday. We can catch up then." Joey smiled. That he could manage. "That sounds great. See you tomorrow!"

Just as Joey was about to leave the room, he remembered something, "Hey! I never asked you your name!" The man smiled at him and walked forward with an extended hand. At close proximity, Joey found himself wondering how he managed to keep his lab coat so white. If he had a lab coat, it would be covered in grime and all sorts of strange stains within a day. The man grasped his hand warmly, "My name is Max, Max Richards."

Kaiba had recently installed a new system which required all employees to use their KC identity card to enter and leave the building. Not only would this enhance security, it would also allow him to determine who was in the building at any given time. He could call up his employee database and the photos of present employees would be edged in green and the photos of absent employees would be edged in red.

He was slightly surprised when Wheeler's light remained green after six. He expected the mutt to rush out the door the minute the working day ended. But when it was still green at eight he found himself checking the database every few minutes. "Focus!" He told himself sternly. But he still found his thoughts drifting back to Wheeler. When his light finally changed to red at quarter past eight, he could no longer restrain his curiosity and immediately contacted Richards for a report.

On seeing the trembling man, Kaiba feared the worst. Had Wheeler blown up the games testing lab? "Richards, I'm looking forward to another one of your detailed reports." Max Richards took a step back from Kaiba's desk and looked at the floor, "Joey Wheeler is clearly an accomplished games tester. He found a number of subtle design faults which we had all previously overlooked. He also came up with a number of interesting suggestions which we will consider presently. He is a team player and I'm sure he will become a valued member of our department."

Kaiba surveyed the man coldly. "I was expecting a proper report. Not this garbage. Quite frankly, I think I may have overestimated your abilities."

Max Richards looked mortified. "I said I wanted to talk with him. To find out… other information. The type you wanted. But he said he had to get home to his sister. I didn't think it would be fair…"

Kaiba's expression softened infinitesimally. "Very well. I expect better from you in the future." A look of pure relief settled over the man's features, "Yes sir, of course!" And with that he scurried out of the room.

Kaiba looked out of the window, sorry that he had missed Wheeler's exit from the building. Wait. Why on earth was he sorry about that? He had better things to do than obsess over certain third-rate duellists. Now, he was going to regain his focus and complete this report without any more distractions. But just one hour after he made that promise to himself, he found himself staring at the employee database once again. Or rather, a certain employee on that database. Closing down the database, Kaiba punched the wall. What could possibly be wrong with him?"

And that's chapter 4! Review for continuation as I'm still not entirely sure whether the plot I've thought up is strong enough. Also, I would be extremely grateful for any ideas/suggestions you might have. Thanks for reading