NOTE: I am SO sorry for the "late" update! I know, I know, I'm WAY past my monthly limit! But…I have a list of excuses that you don't want to hear. Don't kill me! Just read and be happy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 4: Stalker?

Tea was brushing her hair in front of the mirror in the suite's bathroom. Seto was out in the "living room," reading the delivered newspaper.

"Seto?" Tea suddenly asked.

"Yes?" he inquired, looking up from his paper.

"Do you think…it's strange?"

"What?"

"…Alister. He's been…everywhere we've been since the wedding, pretty much." This had been on her mind for a few days. Ever since she had seen Alister out in the rain that night, she had been thinking about the probability of such an occurrence happening.

Other things had crept into her mind.

She swore that on the day she had been getting on the cruise –the day Seto had come back to her and asked her to marry him- that she had seen a red-head at the port. And even while she was walking around Domino! Could it have been him? She dared not tell Seto this. He would have gone to extreme measures to ensure her ultimate safety. As "pleasing" as that sounded, Tea had some bad thoughts concerning that area.

"Of course I do," Seto's grip on the newspaper suddenly tightened. "And I don't think it's coincidental, either. He's done this on purpose."

Tea put down her brush and looked at him, walking out of the bathroom, "Why?"

Seto placed the newspaper aside to make room for her on the couch. She sat next to him and he put his arm around her.

"I can't think up many good reasons. Why would he be following us? Is he part of another cracked up organization, bent on taking the company? Or is he just a lunatic?"

"Seto," Anzu reprimanded. "Don't talk about him like that! He's a nice guy! Just because you two had a rough start-"

"Of course he's nice. To you. He's gone out of his way to compliment you every day. If that isn't some type of flattery, call me naïve."

"F-Flattery?" Tea stuttered, losing her grip on her mask. She hadn't meant for that to slip!

Seto looked at her, concerned, "Tea? Is there something on your mind?"

"No!" she turned away, "No, no, nothing at all."

Seto was not convinced. He took hold of her chin –tightly, yet with a gentle grip- and stared her in the eye, "Tea. Look at me. Tell me with a straight face that there's nothing on your mind. Nothing concerning Alister."

Tea blinked once and began, "There is…nothing on my mind…concerning A-Alister," she cursed herself for that small fumble at the end. It was tiny, so perhaps Seto hadn't caught it….

"You stuttered."

She slapped herself, mentally. How could she underestimate her husband like that! This was Seto Kaiba after all!

"Fine," Tea sighed, taking her chin out of his grasp, "I just think…this may have been going on before the wedding. But I could be wrong…."

"Tea, what's going on-" he stopped as she interrupted, coming face to face with him.

"Speaking of flattery…I think I know its sincerest form," she said, sitting herself on Seto's lap and placing her hands light on his jaw; bringing his head closer to hers to kiss him.

After a moment of tenderness, Seto whispered, "Tea, you're not changing the su-" she kissed him again, only more passionately this time.

Once they broke for air again, Seto stated, "Tea, you're not getting any-" She lowered her eyelids seductively and leaned up against him, pressing her lips to his once more. This time though, she added a bit of tongue to the concoction….

This time, she had crossed the line.

"That's it," Seto pulled back from her, slipping out from under her.

"What?" Tea looked up, shocked, "Seto-"

He smirked, "If it's kissing you want…it's kissing you'll get." He suddenly scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the bedroom.

"Ah! Oh, Seto – I already fixed myself up-"

"Well, you're just going to have to fix yourself up again," Seto replied, looking at her suggestively. He kicked the door open lightly, then closed it with his foot.

"Do you want to just order out tonight?" Tea sighed, lying comfortably on the couch.

Seto looked up from the paper once more, "What were you thinking of getting?"

"I don't care. Something with lots of grease and fat," she laughed.

"Sounds appetizing," Seto rolled his eyes.

"It is, though!" Tea retorted, sitting up.

"There's a Burger World down the street, if you're looking for death-by-grease foods," Seto turned back to his paper, having memorized the information.

"Now that sounds like an idea!" Tea lay back against the couch. She sighed, "Remember the first time we went to Burger World together?"

"How could I forget the ever eventful Tokyo?" Seto turned a page of the paper. He looked out from behind it, "You were quite against us going there, if I recall."

"And you knew exactly why, too," Tea looked at him.

"I knew what I wanted to know about you," he replied.

"That makes no sense," Tea shook her head.

"Maybe not to you," Seto replied.

Tea sighed once more, "Tokyo…. That was quite the trip. Here I got accepted to the dance troupe and I rejected them…twice. I never thought that would happen."

"And we all know just why you rejected them," Seto commented, looking out of the corner of his eye at her.

"Oh? Tell me why, oh Great Master of all Knowledge," Tea leaned on the couch on her elbow.

"Me." Such a blatant answer.

"If you're looking for another kiss; you phoned the wrong number," Tea smirked and lay back down on the sofa.

Seto sighed and shook the newspaper, then folded it. "Well, seeing as I'm getting nowhere," he sent a glance her way, "I'll just go out and get that deadly food. Roland informed me this morning that you gave him the next three days off."

"Guy's got to have his rest," Tea shrugged, "Besides: he's been working hard. He deserves a little vacation. We're not helpless: we can do things for ourselves."

"And why wasn't I informed of this?"

"I made a point to tell you this morning…but then I forgot due to our little escapade down Romance Lane," Tea answered.

"I can see why you would forget," Seto replied, grabbing the keys to the limo. He stopped at the door. "That reminds me…. Just what was on your mind about Alister this morning?"

"Go get the food, Seto," Tea yawned, closing her eyes.

Seto stared at her for a moment before walking out the door. As he walked down the hallway, he stared at the floor, wondering, Why won't she tell me what's wrong? Doesn't she trust me? He walked for a little longer. When he reached the elevator, he stepped in, then stopped. A realization hit him. He was trying to see this from Tea's view. Perhaps…she trusts me too much. Maybe she believes I'll overreact with whatever she tells me. I'll just have to pry the thoughts out of her later.

Once she saw the limo leave –funny how only one person was in it: the driver-, Tea skipped down to the front of the hotel. Across from it was a beach. She crossed the street quickly and ran over to the sandy area, smiling as she ran. This was what she wanted: freedom and sun! Lots and lots of sun! …And water! …Sand was nice at times too….

She ran to the edge of the water and slowly put a foot in. Oh, it was just right! She put her other foot in the water and just let the ocean slid over her exposed feet. As the day was coming to an end, the beach was nearly empty.

She enjoyed the feeling of the soft sun on her face: the sea breeze blowing her hair, and the cool water tickling her feet.

"This is the life…" she sighed.

"Isn't it? That's usually why I take up jobs near the ocean."

Tea jerked upright and turned to face her right. How did he get here!

Alister turned his head towards her, "Sorry, did I startle you?"

"Just a little…" Tea admitted.

"Sorry about that. I'm on my break, so I usually come out here for some relaxation." Tea somehow let the thought slid across her mind, Sure you do…. She reprimanded herself by lightly pinching her arm. What an awful thing to…think! He was a friend of hers! She couldn't just go thinking that he didn't go place on his own without say…stalking her! How conceited was she getting!

"How's the vacation going for you and…Kaiba," Alister had to bite his tongue from hissing out the name.

Tea sighed, happily, "Wonderful." It seemed a sincere question: she gave a sincere answer.

"Good," Alister nodded, "You two seem happy together."

"We are."

"That's good. Too many couples breaking up nowadays. It's kind of…scary –for lack of a better word- the way no one stays together anymore."

"You're quite right about that. Like Brittany Spears."

"Mostly, it seems like celebrities," Alister threw out casually. Tea stole a glance at him. Was he trying to get to something? After all…Seto was somewhat of a celebrity….

"Yes," Tea paused, searching for the right answer, "But it's usually celebrity couples. You know…two celebrities that marry for thirty-two hours and break up after that." There! He couldn't say anything about that! She hadn't been a celebrity to begin with!

"You have a point there." Tea smiled inside. Victory! "Of course…look at Brad Pitt, having had some many anonymous girlfriends that aren't celebrities."

Tea's shoulders slumped ever so slightly, "True…."

"But why talk about something so disgusting and depressing? It's a wonderful sunset: why not enjoy it?"

"Hey, it really is," Tea looked out to the horizon of the ocean. The pink and golden rays of the sun danced across the sparkling sea, and the sky was a rainbow of reds and golds. "It's beautiful," Tea whispered.

"Indeed," Alister was suddenly next to her –making Tea's heart skip a beat. How did he get up so quickly, without her noticing!

Alister was trying to quickly decide something in his head. He had the perfect comment, or rather, compliment, in store for her, but did he dare risk it? She seemed rather uneasy around him today. Was she figuring things out? Seto probably had had a hand in that….

I won't risk losing her trust. No, the comment can be saved for a later date. It's best to just lie low for a while, and let her trust me some more, before I really…well…yeah.

Tea had been sure some sort of compliment about her would follow. He had been complimenting her all week! Yes, she had noticed, even before Seto had pointed it out. Now…he wasn't saying a thing! Perhaps she had been wrong about him?

Alister wondered about something. He wanted to test out his power over her…. Was he ready yet?

He put his hand in his pocket, closing it around the Orichalcos fragment. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he thought desperately, Hold my hand…hold my hand….

Nothing happened. Alister almost cursed, mentally, but kept chanting.

Tea was still looming ahead at the ocean.

HOLD MY HAND!

…

…

…Something warm slipped into Alister's other hand. He suddenly opened his eyes, and looked down. His eyes widened. He had done it…!

She was holding his hand. He looked up at her profile. She was still staring out to sea, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. He did notice, however, that her eyes had dulled immensely.

This is great! She's actually…following my commands! She's under my power-

Tea suddenly blinked and shook her head. Feeling something on her hand –she only glanced down- she yanked her hand away from his, making it try to seem as casual as possible. Alister scowled in his soul.

Tea was trying to fight her blush of anger. Who does this guy think he is! I'm married now!

Tea suddenly turned around and began walking away, "I should get back to the room before Seto gets back. He'll worry," she said, "See ya." Alister watched her go. He bit his lip. She knows something's up. …I'll just have to be more cautious from now on.

Tea lay in bed, trying her hardest to get to sleep…but sleep would not come. She shifted uneasily and sighed audibly.

"Something wrong?" Seto inquired, next to her.

"Sorry…did I wake you?"

"Well…if it wasn't with the sigh, it was with the shifting."

"Sorry…."

"Don't apologize. Something's bothering you."

She didn't answer.

"What is it, Tea?" Seto pulled her up against him. She smiled contently; being against his warm body was all the comfort she needed. "I'm always here for you. I'm your husband now…you can tell me anything."

"Seto-"

"And don't you get any thoughts into your head that I'll overreact to what you tell me."

Tea turned her head to look him in the eye, "You…knew I was thinking that?"

"I'm your husband: I'm supposed to know these things," he placed his forehead against hers. She smiled at him and put a small kiss on his lips before turning back around and laying her head on the pillow.

"I'm just…concerned about…Alister."

"What about him?" Seto's nerves suddenly spiked.

"I don't know…I just think he's…oh, it's silly."

Seto leaned on his elbow and turned Tea onto her back so that she was staring up at him, "Tea: nothing about him is 'silly.' Tell me what's going on, now."

She couldn't ignore that voice. It wasn't a request. It was a command. He wanted to know. He wanted to help her.

She turned her head away, "Seto…I just think it sounds so conceited-"

"Tea," he took her chin lightly and turned her face to his once more, closing the distance between them, "Nothing that comes out of your mouth is conceited. Tell me now. I want to help you, Tea, what don't you understand about that?"

"I do understand, but-"

"Tea," Seto's voice was becoming sterner. But Tea knew it was just because he loved her…. "Tea, the day I married you, I vowed I would protect you and care for you, no matter what the consequences. If you don't tell me this, Tea, so help me God-"

"Seto," she said in a soft whisper, looking down her front, a couple tears falling down her cheeks. She looked up at him again, "…I think he's stalking me."

Seto hadn't been expecting that. His facial tone paled a notch or two. Of course, he hadn't ever completely disregarded the theory, but it had seemed so ludicrous that he had just…skimmed over it. But to actually hear Tea say that…to hear her say that she thought he was actually stalking her brought the reality of the situation to a whole new level.

"What makes you say that, Tea? Besides the fact that he's followed us this whole time…taking up jobs were we stay…."

Tea looked away again, "I never told you this…but the day I was going to leave –the day you asked me to marry you- I swore I saw someone following me around town as I bid it farewell. And I remember seeing the same figure in the crowd at the dock that day. Al I could remember was a head of red hair…."

"Sounds like him, alright," Seto grunted, turning his eyes to the shut window to his right.

"But why would he do that, Seto?" Tea looked back up at him, "Why would he be after me?"

"Tea," Seto took her hands, "You're a girl any guy would want. …I just happened to get to you first," he replied sincerely, "Trust me. In fact, it's no surprise to me that he seems to want you."

"But Seto!" Tea suddenly sat up, making Seto shift backwards. She suddenly clung to him, fusing herself to his chest, "It's you I want…."

He put his arms around her, "Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that…." They stayed in that comforting position for a few moments. Seto suddenly stated, "Tea, try to get some sleep, alright? I'll do what I can tomorrow."

"What are you going to do?" she suddenly looked up at him.

"Whatever I can to get him out of our hair for the next week here. Unfortunately, we'll probably be "graced" with his presence on the cruise back, but…I'm not perfect. I can't solve everything."

"I don't expect you to," Tea replied, "Though it would be nice. Still, what are you going to do? I don't want you to do anything too rash-"

"Don't worry," he stroked her hair again, "I told you I wasn't going to overreact. It'll be something small…but effective."

"I'm sure it will be…" Tea replied, truthfully.

Seto walked down to the lobby and asked the receptionist if he could see the manager.

"Of course, Mr. Kaiba," he replied, "Is everything in order?"

"Yes," Seto nodded, waiting for the manager. The manager was soon retrieved.

"Mr. Kaiba! What can I do for you? Come, come, let me take you in back," he led the guest into his office. Alister watched from his post as breakfast host, suspiciously.

What's the snake up to now?

"So, Mr. Kaiba, what can I do for you?" the manager inquired.

"You have an employee by the name of Alister Amelda, correct?" Seto got straight to the point.

"Yes…" the manager looked a little uncertain.

Seto raised an eyebrow, "Is something the matter?"

"Is he…bothering you by any chance?"

Seto remained silent, waiting for an explanation.

The manager sighed, "You see…he is a rather odd one. And I've noticed that this past week, he's been a little…well, pardon the term, stranger than usual."

"I've noticed," Seto responded emotionlessly, as people were used to hearing him. "So why did you hire him in the first place?"

"He said he needed a job. And he's a very good worker-" the manager stopped, trying to fit two and two together, "If you're going to ask me to fire him, it's out of the que-"

"I'm not asking you to fire him," Seto stated. "Merely get him out of this hotel for the next week. Give him a vacation: make up some excuse!"

"Why, Mr. Kaiba? Has he given you any trouble?"

"One might say that."

"Mr. Kaiba, I'm sorry, but I can't just go giving out vacations to my employees-"

Seto sighed and reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. "Perhaps I can…persuade you to give the guy just a week off," Seto pulled out a twenty.

"Well, maybe I can give him some time off," the manager pondered over it, casually reaching for the twenty.

"How much is some?" Seto pulled the twenty back from him.

"Three…four days?"

"Make it nine."

"I don't know, that's awfully a lot…" Seto sighed and pulled out another twenty. The manager suddenly swiped the money and held out his hand for Seto to shake. The boy reluctantly agreed. "Mr. Kaiba; you have a deal."

And you have my money, Seto rolled his eyes.

The next day, Tea and Seto went down to breakfast. To her surprise, a nice waitress was at the podium, instead of Alister.

"Hello!" she called in a peppy voice, "Can I help you?"

"Table for two," Seto responded blandly. She led them over to one and left them to themselves.

"Seto," Tea looked at him, "What did you do?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Seto…" Tea narrowed her eyes, "What happened to Alister?"

Seto sighed, taking the seat opposite from her, "I gave him a vacation."

"No, seriously," Tea leaned on the table.

Seto leaned on it as well, staring her in the eye, "Seriously."

Tea blinked, "…You're not serious!" she jumped back.

"Must we overuse that word?" Seto leaned back in his chair.

"You gave him a vacation!"

"That's what I said. I talked to the manager about getting him out of our hair for the next nine days."

"I love you," Tea smiled at him.

Seto was about to respond when she continued, "Now tell me…just how much did it cost?"

Seto laughed.

Alister stood outside the hotel, glaring at the top floor. "Vacation my foot," he crumpled the leave pass in his hand. "I know you're behind this, Kaiba. If I know the manager, he just doesn't hand out vacation passes when he feels like it. And for nine days, too! You've crossed the line, Kaiba…and you've entered dangerous territory. Just you wait…."

"And that's what happened!" Tea leaned back on the couch in the Kaiba Mansion. They were finally home after their month's honeymoon, and all her close friends (the old Battle City gang) were gathered around to hear the details. Joey and Mai were taking mental notes. Their own wedding was approaching soon….

"So, that's it?" Ryou sat up straight, "That's all there is to it? No drama? No suspense? Just that?"

"What are you suddenly, a novel-writer?" Tea smacked the back of his head, "This isn't supposed to exactly be a thrilling story!"

"As a matter of fact, I am becoming an author," Ryou looked down at her.

"No way!"

Before she could continue, Yugi sat up and smiled at her, "But are you sure nothing exciting happened? I mean…there was nothing worth mentioning?"

"Well," Tea put a finger to her lip, "Seto did spend forty bucks trying to rid us of a small problem…but other than that, that's all."

"What problem!" all leaned in closer to hear.

"Nothing big!" Tea laughed, holding out her hands, "Just…some guy."

"WHO!"" Tea was practically thrown off the couch.

"No one…."

"WHO!"

"Alright, alright!" Tea sighed, putting up her hands in defeat. "Okay. We just found it weird…that Alister seemed to be tailing us for half the trip…so Seto got rid of him."

The group looked confused.

"Alister?" Yugi inquired.

"Following you?" Duke asked.

"What was he doing?" Joey's senses had picked up.

Tea shrugged, "He just seemed to have jobs everywhere we went. Co-captain on the cruise; a host at the hotel…. Seto finally persuaded the manager to give him a vacation for the remained of our hotel stay, but he was back on the cruise. But…we made sure to kind of steer away from him that time."

"Why was he doing that, do you think?" Mai put her hands on her hips, looking skeptical. Joey was unusually quiet.

Once the gang was leaving the mansion, Joey stayed last in line. When Tea had said goodbye to the rest of them, she turned to Joey, surprised he was still standing there.

"Joey?"

"Tea," he put his hands on her shoulders, "I don't like that Alister's stalkin' ya-"

"I never said-!"

"Tea, I know," he looked seriously into her crystal blue eyes. She looked into his amber ones. "Believe me. I have my sources. Just stay away from him, okay? He's nuthin' but trouble. Watch out for yourself and stay away from him."

"Joey, how do you kno-"

Joey lowered his hands from her shoulders and turned to walk out the door. He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. "That I'll keep to myself. Later, Tea. …And be careful." He shut the door behind him.

FINALLY! THE UPDATE! Goodness! That only took long enough! Sorry about the wait, again! And this probably wasn't the best chapter…. BUT FINALLY! THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE ONE I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO WRITE FOR MONTHS! FINALLY! PART TWO BEGINS! WHEEE! It'll be better, I'm sure! Of course…don't be surprised if after the first two chapters of part two, the story stinks. I haven't quite gotten that far with it yet. I need to go on a bike ride…. Good idea boosters. Anywho! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I can't wait to see you next chapter! For the beginning of the probably ten-chapter Part Two! PLEASE REVIEW!