A/n: I don't own Yu Gi Oh! or the show 'Cheaters'.

Chapter 8

"I gotta know if he'll treat her well."

Mai was torn between strangling him and squashing him in a hug. He's doing the wrong thing but for the right reasons . . . . . .oh, boy. . . ..

Instead, she pressed her palm against her forehead as if her head hurt. The room began to spin. Oh, no, not again . . . . . she started to tilt forward with a grimace.

"What's is it? W-what's wrong?" Joey reached out a hand to steady her. They were in the hallway next to the lobby; nest to the store, where they were a couple nights ago. People recognized him as the one who made that big scene yesterday and stared and giggled, but he barely noticed them. She had turned a faint shade of green.

"I'll be fine . .. . I just got to sit for a minute . . . ."she murmured, walking towards a sofa chair and sitting with his help. She was touched by his concern, but wasn't used to it and it made her uncomfortable. Mai took a couple of deep breaths to clear her head while he was silent and gave him a weak smile. "So . . . . . what's your plan then?"

"Don't change da subject-"

"I thought that was what we were talking about."

"Ya know what I mean. Are ya sick or somethin'?"

"No, I'm fine now. Really. So tell me your ingenious plan." She put an interested face on.

After a pause, he said, "Well . . . . .tell ya da truth, it really isn't much. I was thinkin' 'bout it all last night, and da only thing I could think of was . . . this talk show I once watched. You know when dey fix da boyfriends up with a pretty woman an' see if dey react...?"

"Oh, yeah. 'Cheaters.' "

"Well, I guess you've watched it. So I thinkin' I'd, y'know, do da same . . . . ."

Her golden eyebrows arched. "You mean . . . . you're gonna find some girl and have her hit on Kaiba?" He nodded and gave her an expectant look. ". .. .. . .me? You're asking me to do it? Me hit on him?" she sounded outraged.

"Ummmmm. . . . . ." Well.

"Are you crazy?" Well, it obvious what the answer to that is . . . . .Mai thought a moment. "Why don't you ask Tea to?"

"Tea! She'll chew my head off! She hates Kaiba even worse than me." He sighed and put his chin in his hands. "Mebbe I should think of somethin' else. . . . ."

"Noooo . . . .actually .. . ." he looked at her in surprise. "This is a good idea. Okay. I've come to a decision. I'll do it ONLY if you agree to leave them alone if he 'passes' the test. Okay?" There was a stunned silence.

"Sure, but . . . .what with da big turnaround? I thought ya were cheerin' for dem."

"I am." She said confidentially. "And I know he'll pass. If he doesn't, well, maybe it wasn't meant to be." Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she stopped to nod at her words. "Deal?"

Hmm . . . . maybe I've made a mistake . . . .but it'd been his idea and he couldn't back out now and look like a coward. ". . . .. . deal." He shook her outstretched head firmly.

A few floors above on a high balcony, Serenity was sitting, watching them. She couldn't hear what they were saying. "I wish . . . my brother would be easier to get along with . . . . " she murmured. "And not overreact so much . . . .. "

Next to her, Kaiba barely looked up from his laptop. "I told you he would. I don't see why you're surprised."

Serenity sighed and watched his little brother play and shuffle his cards at their table. "Sometimes . . .. I wish he'd just confess his feelings to Mai already. I know she likes him, too."

"Mai? Who's that?" he muttered, still glued to his screen.

"The girl who's with him."

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a tall blond girl. "She . . . looks familiar . . .. " Turning back, he added cynically, "Oh yes. One of the losers at my tournament last year. Doubt she's sees anything in Wheeler." He said bluntly and continued to type. "Looks more like they're conspiring together to me."

"I don't know . . . . .I guess I just wish my brother were as happy as we are. . . . . ." Oops . . . I think that sounded too forward . . . I should've said 'as I am . . . ' . . . She snuck a look up at him, hoping he hadn't been paying attention. Usually Serenity didn't know if he was listening to half she said, he was so immersed in his work. But he was peering down at her over his computer, and gleam of amusement in those azure eyes. Every time she looked into them, a little thrill ran over her back, like a rush of freshly-chipped ice. She gave a tremulous smile, and he smiled faintly in return.

Next to them, Mokuba rolled his eyes and pretended to gag. "Yech! Enough with the mushy stuff already." he complained as Serenity laughed.

Later, Tea was walking with Yugi and Joey, on their way to Yugi's match today. Now the eliminations were over, they'd be playing for real. She noticed Joey was unusually quiet and could tell Yugi thought so too, because he asked him what was the matter. Before he replied, Serenity came around the corner, her long brown hair trailing after her. "Hey, big brother! There you are; I was looking all over for you."

"Well . . . .here I am.. . ."

"You sound a lot happier, Serenity." Tea commented, looking at them both. "Did you two talk things out?"

"Yeah." Serenity smiled fondly at her brother. "Everything's all right now, right?"

"Uh, yeah." he said with a nod, but Tea wasn't fooled. Uh yeah? "We're gonna watch Yuge duel. Wanna come with, sis?"

"Sure, of course." She gave Yugi a friendly smile, her brown eyes dancing. Obviously she wasn't aware of anything odd.

Tea tried to catch Joey's eye, but he avoided her with a slight guilty look. What scheme has he cooked up now? Of course, she couldn't ask him right now. So she made a mental note to ask him later. She didn't want to spoil her happiness right now. I still don't know what a sweet, innocent girl like her could ever see in more-machine-than-man Kaiba, Tea thought. She made another mental note to talk to Serenity about it later.

"Brother, aren't you dueling?" Serenity was saying. There was an awkward silence.

"He was disquailfied. It was my fault." Yugi answered her. He explained what happened.

"Oh, that's too bad. . . . . ."

"Tea managed to convince them to let one of us continue."

"Really, Tea?" Serenity looked impressed.

"It was nothing." Tea was looking at Joey, who seemed to be in another world. "Right, Joey?"

"Huh? What was da question?" Everyone sighed. Finally the came to the arena and were surprised at what they saw. The background walls was black, giving the whole room an eerie sort of feeling. The air had a crisp sharp feeling and lights shone where people were to take their places. Everyone wished Yugi luck as the ref called him forward. Tea asked,

"So Serenity, did Kaiba enter too?"

"No." At Tea's shock, she explained, "he had some business here in Spain, but his brother wanted to enter, so .. .. ."

"Really? How surprising." Tea said, watching the younger girl's face critically. "So, how are things going with him?"

Serenity blushed and glanced at her brother, who was standing a few feet away, watching Yugi, out of earshot. " . . . .Fine. Same as always."

"Really? I hope not," Tea joked. "I would hope he had changed a little!"

Serenity face grew serious. "He's . . . .different than he usually is with others. When alone, he's a completely different person. you wouldn't recongnize him. . . .It's kinda hard to explain . . . .don't tell anyone, but he's really just .. . . .a shy guy."

"Shy!" Tea nearly choked.Then she realized the girl was serious. "I-I find that hard to believe!"

"Yeah, I guess you would."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Let's talk later, okay?" Serenity pleaded her, and Tea nodded finally and they turned back to the tournament.

Later, Mai POV

I was alone in my room with the TV on soft, thinking of ways to hit on Kaiba. He was such a reserved, calm guy, it would be a challenge. I couldn't imagine hiim following girls around like others boys. Certainly he was like no ordinary guy.

I had to admit that at first I had a itty-bitty crush on him, with his tall, brooding looks and status. And he was filthy rich and not afraid to spend money. What else was there? But now things were different. I should tell Joey just that. Make him jealous. Then maybe he would confess his feelings. Boy, was he stubborn. We kept circling around each other like two butterflies. Sometimes I felt just like giving up. . . . .

WIth a sigh, I reviewed my plan. Somehow we had to pry Serenity away, at least for a while. Maybe I should do it alone and report back later while Joey keeps his sister away. Yes, that should work. Now for my strategy. If all else failed, I'd use my fememine charms. Joey had to be away, becuase if I flirted with him too little, he'd say "Oh, you didn't try hard enough," and if I flirted too much he'd say I'm a skank.

Just then, I heard the door open and him call out my name. Like on cue. I took a look at the time: 4 o'clock.

"You goin' like dat?" He picked up a bathing suit lying on the front table. "What's dis? It looks like a buncha strings!"

"That is a bathing suit. Which reminds me, I have to return it to Serenity . . . ."

He nearly exploded. "What! I knew it! You are a bad influence!"

"Joke, Joseph. Just a joke." I rolled my eyes. "It's mine." I snatched it back. "Now, about the plan . . . "

"You're not goin' to be wearin' dat, are ya?" He pointed to what he'd called 'a bunch of strings.'

"I don't know yet. . . .I want to really test this guy out." I drawled, peeking through my lashes to see his reaction. "You think he'd cave?"

"Uh, mebbe." He scratched his head. "Actually I think he would no matter what you were wearin'!"

"You really want this to work huh?" He nodded vigoursly. "And if he does, then what will you do next? Tell your sister? She wouldn't believe you; she know how much you hate him."

"She would. She knows I wouldn't lie ta her." But he looked a little uneasy. "Plus, she'll believe you, you're her friend."

I looked down a bit guility. "Yeah. Some friend."

" . . . .you don't hafta do this. I c'n get someone else . . .. "

"No . . . .. I can." I insisted. "Now here's the plan, so listen carefully. You distract Serenity somehow while-"

"Naw," he shook his head. "I'm comin' wit ya."

"You can't. You'll blow our cover!"

"I'll hide and spy. Mebbe Tea can distract her. I'll ask. . . ."

"Fine, whatever. Serenity told me he has some sort of meeting with her tonight. Tea can tell her, I don't know, that Mokuba told her he's not coming, okay? That way, he'll be expecting her, but getting me," I struck a pose, "instead."

He gave me a long look. "You certainly seem ta thought dis out good. . . ."

"Oh, I have. If he's a true cheater, Serenity should be nowhere near him. But I really think you should stay with your sister. I can report back what he did and stuff."

"No." He put a stubborn look on and crossed his arms.

"What you don't trust me?" I said, giving an innocent look and batted my eyes.

" 's not dat. I don't think you'll tell da truth, since your rooting from them to be togetha."

"That's what I meant."

" . . . . .oh."

I paused. "You can . . . . still call this off, you know. Just trust them and leave them alone . . . ." I peered up at him, hopefully. At first, he looked like as if he'd agree, but then he glanced away.

"I really want to know, Mai. You-"

"All right, all right." I studied a chip in my fingernail polish, rummaging through my purse for the bottle. "After this," I murmured, finding it and unscrewing the cap, "I'm . . . . . . . leaving . . . ."

"For where?"

"Domino, I guess." I gave a slight shrug. "It all depends."

"On?" I said nothing, taking a dab with the brush and expertly running it over my finger. He was watching me as I did so like he had to write an essay about it. "Well?" he prompted after a while. "On what?"

"Why do you want to know?" I muttered so softly, he had to lean in to hear. We were standing so close now, but I still avoided his eyes. Finishing, I replaced the cap and blew on my finger nail to dry it. When it was dry, I looked over at him with a slight smile. "What are you looking at?"

"N-nothin'." he muttered, grinding his toe in the ground. "I-um." he started to say something then stopped, hesitating.

"Quit looking at the ground, Joseph." I ordered. "There's nothing there." I stepped aside, going to the hallway mirror to check my makeup. He turned, too, and our eyes met in the mirror.

"Don't boss me around, Mai." he said defiantly, folding his arms again, and coming up closer behind me.

"Oh?" I said smiling. "What're you going to do about it, huh? I'll boss you around, Joseph, if I want to." I turned around and poked him in the chest with each word. "And. You. Can't. Do. Anything. About. It!" I was just joking, but he grabbed my small hand so that it was swallowed up in his own. My smile disappeared.

"I can so," he said, stepping in so close I could see the cute, light sprinkle of freckles across his nose. "What would ya do if I kissed you right now? Huh? Not a darn thing."

I lifted my chin and narrowed my eyes. "You wish. Just try if you dare." I accused. My heart was beating fast as the tension in the air crackled around us, but I balled one fist at my waist so that my knuckles lightly brushed aganist his stomach.

"Hey, what's wit da fist?" he stepped back slightly. I shrugged and smiled. "So lemme get dis straight." His eyebrows scrunched together in deep thought. "If I don't kiss ya, I'm a coward, and if I do, I get punched?"

I cocked my head sympathetically to one side so my long hair fell over the side of my face. "Isn't love tough?" With that, I grabbed my purse and swung out the door but not before I heard him mutter confusedly under his breath,

"Love?"