Ok guys, we need to talk. First of all, thank you for the reviews. I got another one today which influenced me to post. Second of all, I have some explaining to do. Yes, life keeps me quite busy, but as of recently, I've been writing a TON. I haven't really been posting here because I want to have the whole story so I can go back and change details before I publish. Since this story is going to be a bit longer it's taking me a while. I also have so many ideas that I have to pick and choose as some ideas conflict. But that hasn't been what I've been writing most of. Remember There Has to Be More to It? The first fic? Well, it's always been my least favorite, like by far. It all seems so forced and over the top. Why is Pegasus being such an asshole? And we're kidnapping Mokuba? Again? Can we maybe have a new plot device, please? I also never really communicated things like how musically talented Jude is supposed to be, and there are plenty of parts that just feel OOC with pretty much everyone, so I started rewriting it. Plenty of it is reused, the beginning being basically the same, and the overall plot is the same but with basically all the details changed. It's already 10,000 words longer and I'm not done with it, and I'm comparing it to the original with all its A/N. I also have written extra chapters for other fics of the series, like one for It's Never That Easy where Jude and Avery see each other. Recently I was also working on two ending chapters to Seto's Silver Ace, realizing once he lost he would lose his shit and with Jem being there that interaction would be crucial. (Also if any of you out there are knowledgeable on writing duels I would love your council).

I think the original is already much better, but am nervous about posting it. Just because I think it's better doesn't mean you all will be on board (though I'm hoping you agree with me). Since the site doesn't allow for multiples of stories I would have to replace the current one and wanted to run it by you all first just in case someone really loved it. So what do you think? Does what I've said excite or discourage you? Since I'm already in rewrite mode (and going through to edit follow up details), is there any part, from any of the stories, that you feel was missing or needed embellishing? What do YOU want? Feel free to put it in a review or PM me. Love you all and I hope you enjoy this new chapter.


Jemmea

The sky grew dark towards the end of the ride. Soon, sooner than I expected, we came over a city. The sun still emitted a spectrum across the sky, but it was hidden behind the horizon. With the dimming light, the city below had started to illuminate. I was completely dazzled by it. Slowly we passed the skyscrapers onto a landscaped horizon.

The lights left me more serene than I would have otherwise been as we landed. It seemed we were now at a mansion as part of the roof opened up, allowing us to descend into the house safely.

Seto allowed Mokuba to finish landing, promptly standing just before we reached the ground. He pushed open the door, inviting in the wind. Seto hopped out then immediately turned back to me, again offering his hand. I accepted it, then joined him on the concrete. He turned back, but before he could ask anything Mokuba called, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

The taller boy turned back to me but refused to shout. He still clasped my hand as though the wind from the blades would blow me away. He used this to lead me back into the house. Once inside, he let me go and turned back to me.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Now I need to think," he said, annoyed.

"...About what?"

"About what to do now," he answered. Seto looked at me, clearly thinking hard. I caught him briefly scan me before asking, "Do you need anything? Are you hungry, tired, anything?"

"No," I answered simply. "Just grateful."

After a moment he seemed to get an idea. "You mentioned something about a book to Pegasus. You like books?" It almost sounded more like a statement than a question, but I disregarded this.

My eyes locked on him. "I love books," I answered.

He simply replied, "Follow me."

Deeper into the house he stopped at a door. Pausing, his eyes locked on me as he pushed it open. I soon saw it was a library. My hands came up to cover my mouth. It was a bit darker and masculine in the room, but I didn't care. It was so full it didn't even have windows. My father had deprived me of reading recently and I was overwhelmingly pleased.

I went straight to a wall of books, hastily reading the titles. There were too many to choose from. I continued in, scanning the collection. As I moved about Seto slowly went on to sit in a chair in the center of the room. He watched me as he thought, but I was consumed and overwhelmed with titles. Many were books on technology. Curiosity getting the better of me, I decided to ask him about it.

"Why all the engineering books?" I asked, continuing to run my fingers along spines.

"I'm the CEO of a very successful tech company. I develop most of the technology myself," he answered brashly.

"Fancy." I started to wander back towards him, still occupied with the books but feeling it was more polite. "So all this is yours? Do you have any family?" I asked. He was clearly wealthy, beyond what I could ever expect for our age, and I suddenly became somewhat concerned that I would have to introduce and endear myself to his parents soon.

"Just Mokuba," he replied and the brief tension I had just found disappeared. "I built myself up from nothing. I was adopted by the previous CEO and seized the company from him. He hasn't been seen since," he finished in a completely dead tone, tinted only the slightest bit with a disdain and pride.

Easing back from the books a bit, I looked at him. His eyes were fast on me. "Is this what you wanted?" I asked.

"I'm proud of it. It's everything I promised Mokuba," he answered sharply.

As I went toward him, I felt my hand fall away from the books at its length. Walking up to an adjacent chair, I leaned on the back, about as fixed on him as he was on me. I just stared at him for a moment, then marveled, "You're ruthless."

His eyes narrowed a bit. "Does that scare you?"

"No," I answered, more serene than anything. Perhaps I should have been more afraid, but I felt an odd sense of calmness with this. It was clear he wasn't going to hurt me, otherwise, he would have done so already. I was happily and safely on his good side. "Perhaps it should, but it doesn't. I find everything you've told me to be rather… admirable."

He simply stared at me for a moment, giving me no reaction. Finally, he said, "I can set you up with everything you need to stay away from you father. I can supply and apartment, untraceable phone, all of that, but you will need to stay with me until that happens."

I straightened up a bit, now even more attuned to him. "This was more than we agreed upon. Why are you doing so much for me?"

"Because I don't like Pegasus, and what good is saving you if I leave you susceptible to him. He took my brother, so this is my revenge."

This man was fearless. I looked at him and tilted my head, curious. I found something about him strangely alluring. "Are you a vengeful person?" I asked.

"I'm always one step ahead, and no one messes with my family," he answered fiercely. "Besides, what else will you do? I can't just send you out there on your own, not without a plan." He just looked at me a moment. His elbow rested on his armrest, his thumb grazing his lips. He was rather... handsome. He glanced at his watch before looking back to me. Finally, he added, "And I've never met somebody who went through what I went through."

I half-laughed, "'There's nothing like another soul that's been cut up the same.'"

"How would you know?" he challenged darkly.

I turned to look at him. "I don't really, my brother sings it sometimes."

He was quiet at this. In his silence, I began to advance toward him. He watched me, allowing it. I slowed, hesitating as I entered the circle of brown leather. No one had ever done something like this for me. I glanced at him, but his eyes were intent on me as he continued to think.

I looked away, noticing a seam along the top of a nearby chair. As I raised my hand to run along the stitches I felt him watching me, but it didn't make me uncomfortable for some reason. I was... happy.

I looked up again, reminding myself of the books that surrounded me as well. I smiled before I could realize it. "I love it here," I breathed. "Can I really stay?" Then I caught up with myself and looked back to him. "I mean, for now of course."

He just stared at me. His eyes... they were so captivating. Finally, he answered, "You can stay with me as long as you like."

My stomach dropped at this. Perhaps that always happens when you suddenly get something you wanted so badly, I wouldn't know. I was overwhelmed with a blissful relief. I felt like... I wanted to kiss him. But I didn't know what to do, I had never kissed anyone before, but this would be a good first one, right? I mean, who better to kiss than the man who rescued me and brought me into my dream world?

Oh, but what if that's inappropriate? I fretted internally. What if it upsets him and he takes offense to it? What if it means I can't stay?

Then he looked away, gathered himself, and brought himself to admit and partially explain, "For some reason, I don't mind your company."

"How often does that happen?" I softly inquired.

He looked back into my eyes. I was so inexplicably drawn to him. Something about him. He expressed a tenderness that I had never known, but I appreciated how well he hid it behind a serious and cold demeanor. It made me more comfortable. And how he touched me… purposeful and firm yet gentle. I had never been held before, certainly not with somebody staring back into my eyes. My attraction to him also had me curious. It was rare that I found or realized someone was attractive, and I'm not sure that when I had it had ever interested or meant something to me.

"It never happens," he answered, now allowing his eyes to stray from mine... to study my other features.

I became self-aware of myself, realizing I still had his coat. I pulled it off, yielding a bit more of my skin that might hold his interest. Letting it fall over my clasped hands, I looked back at him. Seeing this, he stood, reaching out to take it from me.

As I thought of returning it to him, I realized I had an excuse. Stepping forward, I slowly whirled the fabric back around, reaching up on my toes to put it over his shoulders as he had done to me. He immediately responded, putting his arms through the sleeves as it fell and looking down into my eyes. But I did not draw away. I used this opportunity as a simple test. Still on my toes I leaned toward him a bit. As I released the fabric over him I did not draw away, but slowly ran my hands down his chest as I lowered myself.

As his first hand was exposed, he immediately drew it back, covering one of my hands on his chest and holding it there. The other was at the small of my back a moment later, encouraging my lean into him and dissuading my heels from returning to the ground. That small touch… it was ok.

I hesitated at this, freezing where he held me. I glanced at his hand over mine, then back up to his intent eyes, realizing that he too so ever slightly leaned in toward me. He had me trapped. No, trapped was definitely not the right word. I had been trapped all my life. Now I felt I was exactly where I wanted to be. Perhaps even where I was meant to be.

Staring up into his eyes, I leaned in, cautiously, watching him. He closed his eyes, coming down a little closer to not make me strain with his height. With this my eyes dropped to his lips, realizing I was actually going to do this. I was too close to stop myself. I too closed my eyes and felt his lips warm against mine.

When my lips met his I immediately felt connected to him. I fell forward a bit, giving in.

As soon as they met he didn't hesitate to respond. In an instant, I felt his hand that had simply rested at my lower back now strongly pull my body against his. His hand that covered mine immediately left to weave into my hair, grasping me firmly. He did this as soon as we kissed, holding onto me as though he was afraid I would pull back. The immediate response almost seemed like an act of relief on his part.

All at once I felt a rush of emotion. I- I loved this man. I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling myself closer to him. He did not kiss me gently, but very passionately. Suddenly, I remembered everything.

I pulled back, gripping him. "Seto?" I questioned frantically.

"Tell me you remember," he pleaded.

"Why didn't I before?" I beseeched. Then I heard an ominous laughter surround us as Seto's library vanished.


Next Chapter: Memories

"Anyway, a deal is a deal. You wanted her memories back, she'll have her memories back." He stopped finally, turning toward us with a sinister smirk. "All of them."