Téa watched as Mikey, another dancer auditioning for the Kaiba Corp. dance team, finished her interview. Téa was up next, and she felt like she was going to vomit her breakfast.

Dancing on stage in front of hundreds of people was one thing. That was a part she played and none of it involved talking. This was going to be all her, and she was going to have all these viewers listening to her words.

Johanna Wright, a busty blonde with a high-pitched voice, probably the most famous reporter in Domino, working for Domino Updates , was conducting all of the interviews. Téa had watched a few and they were mostly the same. Where they were from, how old they were, what their favorite Duel Monster card was, if they had ever been to a tournament…mostly basic questions. That didn't stop her from being insanely nervous. She had a habit of rambling when she was uncomfortable or nervous, so she had to focus on speaking in clear, concise sentences.

The interviews weren't live, thankfully, but these interviews could still be detrimental. Kris had warned the girls that if they weren't able to interview well, that their chances of making the team were practically slim to none. Since they were to be constantly in the public eye, they needed to be able to handle themselves among reporters and fans. Nowadays, one wrong video could end a career.

Kris also had told them that these interviews were actually going to be aired and not just used as a test. The public would be able to vote for their favorite dancers. While this wasn't a definitive vote, the coaches would take it into account when deciding who to put on the team spots. There was a lot riding on this interview.

The producer told her to take a seat in the interview chair, so she headed over and tried to best situate herself. She saw the screen that showed the recording, so she crossed her legs at the ankles and shifted so her face was showing her better side. She had picked a modest royal blue dress with three-quarter sleeves with a pair of nude pumps. She was glad to see she didn't look washed out in the lighting and her blue eyes were enhanced by the work of the make-up team.

"Hello!" the bright voice of Johanna made her jump. "Sorry dear, didn't mean to startle you. I'm Johanna. And you are?"

"Uh hi," Téa stammered, "I'm Téa Gardner."

Johanna's eyes lit up. "Téa, it's great to meet you. Now, as I'm sure you've seen, I'll just go through a few questions with you and then we'll be done! Nothing too crazy, so don't be nervous." Johanna's voice was friendly, but something in Téa's gut churned uneasily.

"Thank you so much for doing this. I really appreciate your time." Téa responded politely.

"Not at all, not at all," Johanna waved her hands.

"We're ready, Jo. You?" came a voice behind her.

"Let's do it." Johanna gave them a thumbs up.

"Alright, rolling in 3…2…"

"Our segment continues as we learn about the lovely ladies competing for the spots of Kaiba Corp.'s new dance team! In front of me here, is Téa Gardner. Téa could you tell us where you're from?" Johanna asked.

"I'm from right here in Domino."

"Have you lived here your whole life?"

"Almost. I lived in the United States in New York City for a few years to study dance and then worked at a dance company there. But when I was offered the opportunity to come back to Domino, I immediately jumped on it. There's no place like home as they say." The lights were bright and Téa could feel herself start to sweat. She hoped she didn't have any pit stains.

"Are you an avid follower of Duel Monsters?"

"I was surrounded by it for many years. My closest friends were duelists, so I was constantly going to tournaments and watching duels when I was younger."

"Anyone we might know?"

Téa lightly laughed. "Most likely. I'm close friends with Yugi Motou and Joey Wheeler." She hoped they still were at least.

"Oh, Mr. Kaiba's fiercest rival! Does that mean you also knew Mr. Kaiba during this time?"

Téa got the distinct feeling Johanna had been waiting for this opening. And Téa had blatantly given it to her.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba and I went to high school together as well. So, we crossed paths at tournaments and such."

Johanna's eyes were practically dancing as she asked, "Do you currently spend time with Mr. Kaiba?"

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"We have many mutual friends."

"Do you ever go out with Mr. Kaiba? To a restaurant or a bar perhaps?"

Téa felt her temperature rise as the stage lights continued to beat down on her. The articles. She couldn't believe Johanna was being so blatant.

"As I said, we have many mutual friends. We all enjoy spending our time together when we have free time," Téa replied evenly.

"It must have been quite the experience to know the world's two greatest duelists. How close was your relationship with Mr. Mutou?" Johanna pressed.

"We're good friends along with Joey Wheeler and Mai Valentine."

"And you met Mr. Kaiba through Yugi's dueling career?"

"Yes, they dueled against each other often."

"So, you must know Mr. Kaiba very well then. What is it that you admire most about him?"

Was this interview about her or just getting information about Kaiba? I mean, seriously? Téa took a second before she answered to calm her thoughts.

Téa gave her a gracious smile and said, "I've seen Mr. Kaiba in many tournaments and duels. The one thing that always stood out to me was how unshakeable he is. As a businessman and as a duelist, he never seems to falter and finds new ways to bring out the best of Kaiba Corp. such as this dance team."

Johanna looked a little disappointed. "Yes, let's talk a bit more about you. What is your favorite Duel Monsters card?"

"The Magician of Faith has always been one of my favorites. She's not the most powerful Duel Monster, but she's gotten me out of a couple tight spots," Téa chuckled.

Johanna looked more disappointed. What did she think she was going to say Dark Magician or Blue Eyes? Does she look that dumb?

"Ah, so do you play?"

"I am very much a beginner. I played a little in high school, but then I had to focus on my dancing. It's been wonderful to be back in this world though. It's been an amazing experience and I am so grateful to Kaiba Corp. for offering this opportunity to combine two worlds I love."

"Well, that's all the time we have. Thank you so much for joining me, Téa," Johanna gritted.

"Thank you, Johanna. It was such a pleasure speaking with you," Téa returned.

"And we're out," someone called.

Téa stood gracefully and thanked Johanna again for her time. Johanna thanked her cordially again, but Téa could tell she was frustrated.

She supposed that was a good sign if she didn't give the reporter the answers that she wanted. But how would this make her look? Johanna dropped blatant hints that her relationship with Kaiba was…more. Sure, they were making their way towards a friendship, but there wasn't anything else going on. Nothing had happened between them. And nothing would. He was one of the most powerful men in the world and had hated her friends for years. She was just a dancer.

Téa's stomach roiled as she bumped into Mary, looking like a hot businesswoman in a black dress with cut-off sleeves. "Hi," Téa said glumly.

"Don't do that," Mary shook her head.

"What?"

"I saw the interview from the screens. That was not your fault. She deliberately set you up and was digging for gossip." Mary poked Téa in the shoulder. "And you handled it spectacularly. I'm serious, you did fantastic."

Téa groaned, "I gave her the opening. I should never have mentioned Yugi or Joey."

"Téa, you've been friends with them for years. This is their world. It's natural that you would. And don't think for a second that she didn't know exactly who you were. She was planning this before you ever sat down in that chair."

"Still, these are going to be aired . God, what is Kaiba going to say?" Téa said in horror. "He's so private and I just spent half the interview talking about him!"

Mary shrugged. "That I can't answer. But please try not to freak out. I'm on after Selina so I'll see you after, okay?"

Téa thanked her and wished her luck. She hoped Mary was right. Maybe Kaiba would think it was funny? Probably not though.

"Gardner, my office!"

Téa's head shot up as Kris's voice carried across the studio. Shit.

The girls had been practicing in a rented dance studio until the KC's own dance studio was finished. There were rumors they were saving the opening for the top 30 girls. Kris had her own office in the back with a couple other assistant coaches and the goal was to never be called back there. It meant you were in danger of getting kicked off or you were getting kicked off. After her interview debacle, she had told herself it would likely happen but that didn't prepare her for it to actually happen. Téa wiped her hands on her boy shorts and hurried to follow Kris.

"Shut the door." She was all business. She didn't smile often and insisted on being called "ma'am." She was a tough coach, but she had taught Téa things that she would have never learned in the dance company. No matter what happened, she would always be thankful for Kris's guidance.

"Sit." Téa did so immediately. "I need to discuss your interview with you."

Not surprising. "I'm sorry if I've caused trouble. I answered the questions as best I could."

"It's not your fault." Kris sat down heavily. "Johanna was given explicit instructions on what to ask all the dancers. None of those questions included trying to dig up information about Mr. Kaiba. It's no secret that you are friends with Yugi and therefore see Mr. Kaiba outside of this. She was told specifically not to ask anything about the nature of your relationship with Yugi or Mr. Kaiba. Ms. Valentine insisted upon it."

"Oh, I didn't know."

"There wasn't a need for you either. We talked about re-shooting your interview, but we didn't want the girls to feel as if you were getting a second shot. So, we're left in an uncomfortable position."

"I see. I'm sorry, ma'am."

Kris waved her off. "Don't be. Because of your professionalism, we are still able to air your interview. Ms. Valentine and Mr. Kaiba have both approved of it. You did a very good job answering Johanna's questions. We're all very pleased you conducted yourself so well."

Téa blinked wondering if she was dreaming. "Thank you, ma'am. That's very high praise and I appreciate it."

"Good." Kris nodded. "That being said," Kris looked Téa directly in the eye, "personally, I want you to prepare yourself for any negative comments. You are connected to two very powerful people in this world. That can cause a lot of jealousy and other negative emotions in people, including in the other competitors. So, prepare yourself and just continue to act as you did in your interview. Above it all."

Téa gave her a stiff nod. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

Kris gestured towards the door. "Go finish stretching."

With a quiet "yes ma'am," Téa left Kris's office, closing the door quietly. A lot of the girls were staring at her and whispering. Mary was standing a foot away, looking anxious. When Téa closed the door, she sprinted over.

"Well?" she whispered furiously.

"Don't worry, I'm not in danger of getting kicked off," Téa smiled.

Mary let out a loud whoop and then gave her a bone crushing hug. "Thank goodness. Who the hell would I talk to if you did?"