PART 37

(Nicole's POV)

The whole flight was quiet. All you did was listen to your Evanescence and Linkin Park CDs as you looked out the window. Some instances, you fell asleep with boredum. All you could think about was how were ou going to live without him. NO, how could Nicole Silvers live without him? Marie Bennet had never met him. As much as you know she's never even heard of him. She could live without him You fell asleep for the last few hours of the flight waking to someone shacking you.

"Marie, Marie, come on kid we're here" At first ou thought some maniac had confused you with someone, but then you remembered you were now Marie. You slowly fluttered your eyes open to see Gibbs. "Finally! Geez girl. You sleep like a rock you know that. You're worse than DiNozzo."

"Sorry, but I just have a lot on my mind tight now." You said thinking about your old life back in Domino. No matter how hard you tried, you would never be able to forget.

You stretched your now soar muscles and got out of your seat. Gibbs led you and your mom to baggage claim then took you out to a waiting taxi telling the driver the address of your new home. You stared out the window taking in the sights as you traveled down the cobblestone and paved streets. You finally stopped in an old dark red brick apartment building. After grabbing your bags, you followed Gibbs into the small building. He led you up a set of steps and down a long hallway finally stopped at a door reading 2E. He slipped a key in the door's lock and let you in.

"Welcome to your new home ladies. Miss Benet, the keys & packet of basic currency, you better learn them quick kid." He spoke handing you two keys and the large envelope.

"Until we move again Mr. Gibbs?" You smirked setting the things on the counter nearby.

"I hope not. You better keep your butt here. I don't have many more places to big enough to set you loose." He replied taking his leave of you & your mother.

The apartment was nice with a small but spaceful living room connected to the country style kitchen. Not to mention it came furnished like every place you had owned. A hall led to the bathroom and two bedrooms. One had a balcony that looked down on the street below.

"I don't like outside views that much, so I think this one will be yours." Your mother stated walking up behind you. You set your bags on your bed and looked around. The dark wood furniture accented the cold hardwood floor under your feet. You had a desk that sat near the door and a dresser that sat on the other side near your bed. The elegant white French doors led to the balcony. A small iron chair and table sat there marking the perfect place to have breakfast or just some quiet time to yourself.

You looked to see several kids dueling each other. Some were young some your age. You decided you could have some fun before taking care of your jetlag. After grabbing your deck you headed out to the streets below. A couple blocks for your apartment you felt someone tap on your shoulder. You turned around to see a guy about your age maybe a little older. He was a good bit taller then you, like Seto & Mac, with emerald green eyes. His short blonde hair was neatly cut and styled. Looking at him you once again questioned why you tended to attract the blonds.

"Hello, I see you duel." he pointed out in French pointing at your deck in your back left pocket.

"Yes, how about you? Do you duel, or do you just enjoy asking obvious questions?" you asked with a smile in his native tongue.

"I do. How about a quick duel over a cup of coffee or something at this cafe I know of down the street." he suggested.

"Sure, I could really use caffeine right now to help with the jet lag."

"You just arrived in Paris" he asked.

"Yes" you answered.

"Is this your first trip here"

"Yes it is. What's up with the interrogation?" you asked humorously.

"It's just you surprised me with how you know the language so well." he pointed out, this time in English.

"Well," you began in English yourself, "I learned probably the same place you learned English. Class." you explained.

"Well, may I know your name?" He asked.

"Let me think.. No, a real gentleman would have told the lady his name first then asked for hers, but if you beat me in the duel, I'll tell you my name." you challenged.

"Alright, but my name is John Betree. The cafe is this way miss." The tall teen pointed out.

He walked down the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets as the two of you spoke. "Do you like Paris so far?"

"Well, in the whole half hour I've been here I've liked it pretty well."

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking."

"Ja..I mean the States"

"Well, what brings you to this city?"

"My mom's job moved us here. How about you, have you always lived here?"

"Actually no, I'm from a small village outside Paris, I moved here because of my job." He lightly laughed.

"Where do you work?"

"Now who's the one doing an interrogation now?" he joked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." You apologized.

"I think it is 'No problem' as you Americans would say."

"If you mind me asking, how old are you?"

"18. You?"

"16, but I turn 17 soon"

"Really? How soon?"

"March 12"

"Two months?"

"Yea"

"Here we are" he pointed towards a pair of double doors. "Ladies first" he spoke gesturing for you to enter first. You stepped in to be surprised to see......