Author's note: Holy crap! I updated. Um, hmmm…I happen to have the rest of the story…on my computer. It isn't edited…I think. Um, screw this, I'm posting the rest unedited so I can finally say I'm done!
Section 11: Drink the Damn Tea
Tseng folded his hands and looked at Scarlet. "Well, what is it? I'm sure you didn't come over here to bring me tea."
This wasn't working as she had planned. She had hopped that he would drink the tea first. "Of course not. I have rather personal request to ask of you." Scarlet hadn't thought ahead to what she would say to Tseng, but she was a quick thinker. "I was wondering if you would escort me to the President's Ball. I need a date and I'm not desperate enough to ask Heidegger."
Tseng looked at Scarlet in disbelief. "You are desperate." He sighed. "I'm sorry but I have to refuse. The President has requested that I be his bodyguard at the Ball. Perhaps you should ask Reeve. I'm sure he doesn't have a date." He poured a cupful of tea, "I'm sorry I can't help you. Would you want some tea?"
Scarlet paled at the mention of tea and stammered, "Ah no. It stains my teeth."
Tseng narrowed his eyes and looked down at the tea. He looked back at Scarlet and said doubtfully, "Really? I'd think you'd have to be a pretty heavy drinker for that to happen. I don't think one cupful would matter."
"Well one can never be too careful," Scarlet said airily.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you drink coffee? That would stain your teeth more than tea. If I didn't know better I'd say that there was something wrong with the tea." Tseng leaned forwards and smiled humorlessly, "What did you put in it?"
Scarlet laughed nervously and edged slightly away from the Turk, "What makes you think I did anything? I just don't want my teeth to look bad. That's all." She took a deep breath. She had to prove that there was nothing wrong with the tea. She didn't want to do this. She said haughtily, "If you must insist on being so paranoid I'll drink some."
Tseng smiled grimly, "I think I will insist on being paranoid."
Acting insulted Scarlet said, "I can't believe that you don't trust me."
"Why are you stalling? Are you trying to make me suspicious? If so you're doing a good job." He held out the cup of tea, "Drink the damn tea."
Scarlet hesitantly took the cup from Tseng. She wished she knew how much one had to drink for the potion to take effect. One small sip shouldn't hurt. She slowly brought it to her lips and took a small sip. She placed the cup down and said, "There, I drank some. Happy?"
"No, drink the rest." Tseng crossed his arms and watched Scarlet carefully. "Unless you want to tell me what you put in the tea."
There had to be a way out of this mess. She couldn't drink the rest and didn't think Tseng would appreciate the fact that she tried to make him fall in love with her. Perhaps there was a way to shift the blame, Scarlet thought. She could blame Hojo. "Alright I'll tell you." She started to sniffle, "I didn't want to but Hojo made me. He wanted me to put this in your tea." She wiped a tear out of her eye and took the love potion out of her purse and set it on the desk.
Tseng carefully picked up the potion and looked it over. He found the sticky note and read it. Tseng arched an eyebrow. "Let me get this straight, Hojo wanted you to make me fall in love with you?"
"Yes, exactly. I didn't want to do it, but he threatened to make me fall in love with Heidegger. I had to." Scarlet reached into her purse and got out a tissue. She blew her nose.
Tseng looked skeptical. "I see. Well, leave the bottle with me."
Scarlet smiled though her tears, "I'm glad you believe me."
"I don't, but don't have any proof otherwise. Now leave before I change my mind."
Scarlet left Tseng's office and dried her tears. She was slightly upset that Tseng hadn't drunk any of the tea. Despite that she returned to her office. She looked at the pile of paper on her desk and sighed. There wasn't anything important that needed to be completed, it was just busy work. But it would keep her busy until something important came up. Back to work she thought.
Scarlet spent the next couple of hours working before she went home. For the next week she made a point to avoid any of the Turks.
But what will Tseng do?
Will Tseng throw the potion down the sink? Go to section 12: Ya Have to be the Only Person in the World who Can Burn Tea
Or will Tseng ask Hojo about the potion? Go to section 13: Get Away From Me
