Seto

I had collected Mokuba earlier that day when I returned from my trip, but I had not been able to speak to Jem. She said she would stop by my company later that night.

"How was it, Mokuba?" I asked on our way back in the limo.

"It was fun! How was your trip, big brother?"

"I took care of everything I needed to. So?" I looked at Mokuba. "Did anything happen while I was gone?"

"You mean like weird stuff?" he asked. "Like headaches?"

"Yes, anything?" I pried.

"Nothing I saw," he said. "She seems to be fine."

"Mm," came my standard response.

Jem showed up at my office about an hour after dark. She had turned the chair on the other side of my desk sideways and was curled up in it, leaning her side against the back. One arm bent across the top, her head resting on it, her shoes abandoned beside her and her feet tucked to one side. She had been sitting there for a while, again mesmerized by the city lights in the dark night as I continued to work.

"How was Mokuba?" I inquired. I was still working, but now with less required focus.

"Good," she answered. "I think we both enjoyed his stay; but I did have to talk with him. You never told him about my father?"

"What about your father?" I asked, wondering if there was something beyond the call I received from my brother. I thought about her father and how he had warned me to stay away from her, telling me that I always wanted what I can't have. And then I thought about the other night before I left. I should send him a thank you note, I mused to myself.

"Well, that he is my father," she answered.

"No," I replied. I had not told Mokuba, and had planned to avoid telling him unless it was relevant. No need to now.

I continued with business. She stayed still and just studied me for a long time as I worked. Then she asked, "So how did it go?"

"Everything is going as planned," I answered. "They have already started on the train and making adjustments at the resort. I'm going to announce the tournament Monday afternoon and it will begin a month thereafter."

"This is all happening within a month?" she repeated, then muttered to herself, "Wow, that's fast." She thought, still motionless, and then after a moment, "So am I ever going to see you again?" she inquired.

"Hmm," I mused as I continued to type. "Once I have regained my title and proven that I am truly the best there is, I will come back." She just looked at me, expressionless, as she continued to study me.

She sighed. "Well, you have a lot to do. I should go home." She got up and walked out the door, but she quickly reappeared. "Oh, one more thing: you need to have a sex talk with your brother," was all she said before she left. And then she was gone.

I sat there, stunned, staring at the spot where she had disappeared.

Jem

Tuesday was the day after Seto announced his tournament. Tuesday was a day I had art with Joey. Joey never stopped talking, and Joey loved Duel Monsters. It was a terrible combination.

"Yug and I just heard that Kaiba's trowin another tournament soon. I can't stand da guy, but I will admit he has a talent for trowing tournaments. I can't wait! It's been so long since my last one. So you gonna be in Kaiba's new tournament?"

"No, Joey," I said annoyed.

"No? Really? Do you not have the time or somethin?"

"I don't duel, Joey."

"Really? But your dad-"

I slammed my pen down and turned to face him, which I always avoided at all costs. "I do not want to talk about my father. Don't ever bring him up to me again," I said fiercely.

And that time, it worked. I had finally silenced him.

Joey

I had da same lunch period as Duke; da rest of da gang had a different schedule. I was watching Jem over at da table only Kaiba had sat at before she came. She had pushed her picked-at food away and was readin, as usual.

"Ya think she gets lonely over dere all by herself?" I asked Duke.

"I don't know, probably. She could just be antisocial," he responded.

"Na, she can't be. She answers me and actually says stuff when I talk to her. She's probably just really shy," I said. "You know, we should go over and sit wit her."

"Well, if you're sure," he said, doh he didn't seem sold on da idea.

"Course I'm sure. C'mon." Duke and I wandered over and each sat down in a free chair next to Jem. She looked up.

"Hello, Jemmea. It's nice to see you again. How have you been?" Duke asked.

She studied him for a minute, puzzled. "Why are you here?" she asked.

"We're here ta keep ya company, Jem," I said happily.

She rolled her eyes. "I don't need this," she muttered. She closed her book and put it in her bag. Den she stood up and started to walk out.

I got up and walked after her. "Whoa whoa whoa, where ya goin? How's about I walk you there?" I said as I got close. I put my hand on the small of her back and tried to take her bag. Before I even got the bag off her shoulder she had pulled it back and grabbed my hand and twisted it around. I cried out, "Ow, dat hurts!"

"No one touches me," she hissed. She let go of me, then spun around and left hastily. I grasped my wrist and rubbed it. It still hurt.

"Guess she's not shy," Duke concluded.

Namara Jane Knight: I appreciate you commenting fast, and I'm really glad you're enjoying it!

luckyxtrick: I cringed a little when I read that. But before I address that, in terms of the 'how much,' I've decided to leave it as vague as they do for Kaiba and Pegasus in the show, so even I'm not entirely sure. Just a lot. Now, I don't know if you peek at my profile page, but if you haven't I post updates sometimes on where I am with the stories. I have many drafts of chapters written for up to the third fic, and I'm afraid I might have to disappoint you... but as always it plays into Kaiba's best interest so hopefully with that you'll be able to forgive me. And speaking of...

Next Chapter: Unscheduled Meeting

I was in no mood to have an impromptu meeting with anyone; but, I knew my secretary would not dare ask if she even questioned if it were important or not.