A/n: No, Mokie's not faking it…..though, he does know more than he's letting on…..smart kid. .=) Diclamier: Sigh, I don't own Yu-gi-oh™……sigh…..

%%%%%%%Chapter Eight: Love Cures All%%%%%%%

Tea stared glumly out the big picture windows across the waiting hall, the bright blue sky reflecting in her eyes. Tina, the recepoinist beside her, was chatting on and on about her boyfriend, Sam Something, while she had to listen, pretending to file away medical reports. Finally, she hung up. "Why such a gloomy face, Tea?" asked Tina, wiping her hands on her sweater. "I would think you'd be smiling…." She winked suggestively. "Because….of that big handsome hunk of a boyfriend you got in Rm. 516."

"He's not my boyfrined, Tina," Tea said tiredly, looking troubled. A sigh that seemingly came from the bowels of the earth resounded in the noisy room from her lips.

"Ohhh…" Tina siad, "Don't pretend with me, Tea. I saw you wearing a turtleneck the other day, when it was 95 degrees outside." Tea flushed scarlet. "And don't say it's the 'new fashion', either. I'm not stupid." With another grin, she turned away with a stack of yellow manila folders.

Tea touched the knotted scarf still around her neck, wondering if it were as obvious as it seemed to be. Probably so, everyone had been giving her conspicuous looks and grins from the staff. It's doesn't.....does it?

We have to take things slower, she thought, wandering around the building to clear her head. Though I guess it's a little too late for that….. She looked up and found herself looking at the elevator; more specifically, the little red "5" on the doorway. Room 516. Not that I'm going there…..

Instead, she turned to check on the children. A shot gun victim rushed past her, a boy of nearly eleven. She paused, looking after the racing stretcher, remembering when she had chased another up the hall when Kaiba had been brought up.

"I love you……"

Tea bit her lip and turned away, feeling sad and moody. What was to be their future? He would get better, of course (she was starting to think there was nothing he could overcome) and she'd finish her term here in the hospital, and……

….try to forget about him.

How long will he take to forget about me?

Probably not much time, she figured, heart feeling heavy, weighed by sadness. S--Kaiba-- could have any girl in here. He's rich, handsome, drop dead gorgeous…… '

"But it was you, Gardener....that I wanted to kiss....."

Somehow those crass values didn't sit right. But still, he would get another girlfriend, in time…….Tea's heart clenched. She was just a fling. What they 'had' was just a 'fling'.

Right?

Tea looked into Mokuba's room, but the blinds were pulled down and the doorknob wouldn't turn. That never stopped me before……! She put her ear to the door and heard voices, one deep, male shouting voice, and a high pitched little kid's voice.

The door opened, and hiding, she saw a thin man, narrow as a reed with little round eyeglasses, step outside, grumbling, "The brat sure is dumb," as he walked away. Tea frowned, then turned back towards the door again whe he was out of sight, and pushed the door wider.

"Leave me alone!" Mokuba said, but he wasn't speaking to her, he was talking to the bodyguard in the corner. The man didn't move, mumbling that he had Mr. Kaiba's orders to stay there. But he did retreat to the shadowed corner and Tea approached the little boy.

He looked up. "Hey, you're that nurse."

"That right," she smiled, in spite of the fact his little face was tear-streaked and sticky, black hair matted on his cheek in spikes. His big dark eyes were bright and shining. "So, did you recall anything….?"

His face drooped. "No. It seems so close….I know it is! But that mean old man kept yelling at me, so much, I couldn't think! A-at all!" he was getting worked up. "I just-I couldn't--"

"Calm down," she advised, pushing him back so he could lie down and relax. "I'm sure all you need is a nap, and in the morning, everything'll be right there, in your head," she tucked the red covers around him.

"Yeah, I am sorta sleepy.." he said with a yawn. " 'Night….." he added drowsily as she walked back to the door.

"Goodnight." Even though it was only afternoon, he need rest more than anything. For heaven's sake, he's been in a coma for a week! She thought as she strode outside to find that 'tutor.' You would think he'd be nicer, he's just a kid!

She found him, drinking coffee as if his life depended on it and having a cigareete, and told him off. The man seemed surprised, then said, "What's it to you, girlie?" and walked past.

She spun him around. "Do you hear me? you'd better treat Mokuba nicer, or…..or…." She tried to think of a good impressive threat. "Or you'll have to answer to his brother! You do know who he is?"

"Lady, he's the one who appointed me!" the man threw up his hands. "Keep your nose where it doesn't belong, huh?" he slapped her shoulder, leaving her speechless.

Tea watched the guy stumble back down and turn at Mokuba's door. After a while, she could hear yelling voices again. How could Kaiba force Mokuba to regain his memories like that? she thought. Appointing some stranger to read facts from his life like, like……a some sick computer being reprogrammed!

Before she knew it, she was in front of Room 516, knocking hard and entering without an invitation. Dr. Erik, the medical doctor and Dr. Wim, the physical therapist was there with him. All three looked up at her arrival.

Seeing the look on Tea's face, the doctors quickly mumbled a five minute break, and left. It was unclear if they needed or if it was because of her. probably both.

"Feh, they just took one, they're not earning their pay," Kaiba muttered, hobbling back the his wheelchair and sitting with a sigh. Apparently, he didn't sense anything was wrong. "Are you going to stand there all day, or what?" he said when she didn't speak.

"Did you really appoint that horrible old man to your brother downstairs?" she spoke in a low, dangerous tone.

"Mr. Durse?" he grunted, making himself comfortable after long hard work. "Yes, so? Any progress?"

" 'Progress?!' " She looked like she was going to explode. " The guy practically reduces him to tears, yelling and berating him!" Her voice shrilled higher and higher.

"Keep your voice down," he ordered, then automatically spun himself to the window. For once, the shades weren't drawn, but it was cloudy outside. Looking down at the parking lot, he said after a pause, "Mr. Durse is highly recommended for amnesia patients."

"Oh yeah, when they're too busy bawling, they can remember a lot more." Her sarcasm stung like a wasp.

"What do you propose we do, then?" he said in a tight voice that meant she was wasting her breath. "Come on," he said when she hesitated. "Tell me. Give me your Great Advice."

All right I will! "First thing, you have to have him brought up here, to your room instead of the children's ward. You're the closest thing he has as a parent----no, scratch that, you are his parent---and being around you will jog his memory better, than….what you're putting him through now.."

He paused, seemingly thinking over her words. Then he cocked his head, catching her eye. "How many children have you raised, Tea?"

' Tea'….. Taken aback, she stuttered, "None, at least, not like you. But I do have a younger brother, also, about his age."

"That's right," he confirmed. " ' Not like me.' Our situations are completely dissimilar. Therefore, you can never be in my shoes, and not make my decisions. Got that?!"

But I want to be in your shoes…..I want to know everything about you……Tea wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled at his blindness. But she couldn't; he was a patient, and she a volunteer nurse. So she restrained herself, with effort. For five minutes.

Grabbing his collar, she said, "I am bringing your brother here first thing tomorrow morning. And you can't stop me. Got that, pal?!" They were nose to nose.

"Take your hands off me!" he said automatically in an authoritative tone. When she didn't, he grabbed her wrist and started to twist it without thinking. She cried out in pain and he immediately released her, trying to control his rise of temper. "I'm sorry…." When she didn't answer, he said gruffly, "Are you all right….?"

No. She was unhurt, but said, "No….." she sniffed and then, "but you can repay me for that by bringing him up here to be with you."

"I can't. " he said shortly.

"Why not?" He looked away. "Well?!"

"Because....... I can't let him see me like this...!" he said, gesturing to his legs."He'd be devastated..... humiliated, plus."

"Because…you're too embarrassed," she said finally, getting it at last. I can't believe how selfish he is sometimes! Blowing out a breath, she looked at him reproachfully, as he scowled back, shifting his eyes away. "What do you think he'll do? Laugh? K--"She said, sitting on the tiled floor so she could look up into his downcast gaze. "He needs you now. Not some tutor, but you…..and that's the only way for him to remember you…."

"How can I help him?" he muttered. "When I---" he stopped.

"Tell me." she urged, stopping the chair when he tried to turn. "I want to know……what happened that day of the accident."

"No," he said stubbornly.

Tea decided not to push him. Anyway, it didn't matter….much. "Fine," she said, standing up and letting the circulation return to her legs. "As I said, your brother'll be here, whether you like it or not!" he scowled away, but didn't argue. For once.

Is she always this pushy? "G---Tea."

She froze. "Yes?"

"Help me to my bed. I'm too tired for any more therapy now, thanks to you." He was irritated as she shifted around, unsure. "Well? Aren't you a staffperson?"

"Yeah." she snapped, coming and quickly helping him out. He put an arm about her neck for support, as she hoisted him out of the chair, taking his robe-covered waist so they wouldn't fall over…….again. Finally, he lay down and held her there when she tried to get up again. [a/n: you had to know that was coming! =)]

"Kaiba….let me go….." she hissed very softly to him, since their faces were very close. Already her heart was going 'rum pum pum' in her chest instinctively.

"You're the one holding me," he accused, cupping her chin and drawing her in. She tried to push him away, actually push herself up again, but….. She saw him smirk. "No kiss goodnight?"

"Give yourself one." But she obediently gave him a peck on the cheek. "You.....didn't shave...." His chin felt bristly.

"I meant, one right here." He tapped his mouth with a finger. Even unshaven, with his caramel colored locks tousled and uncombed, he still looked devastingly handsome. It actually gave him a sort of dangerous air. She was not displeased. Bending forward, she surprised him by rubbing her nose softly, aganist his. Now it was her turn to smirk.

"What. In The Hell Was That." Was all he said, though, not disgusted, just confused.

"Eskimo kiss." Her large lake-blue eyes widened with mock-innocence, giving him another. "It's still a kiss.....!"

"You wish, Gardener...." He pushed her nearer to give her--in his opinion----a better one, and then door opened.

"Are you all ready, yet, Mr.----" Dr. Erik stopped abruptly, then smiled his dazzling smile. He winked knowingly. "Or should I just get out?"

Tea practially shot to her feet. "N-no..I was just leaving!" she blushed, brushing past him and speeding down the hall, into the ladies' bathroom on the first floor, going into a stall and locking it shut, blushing like mad. Omigod, he caught us! We were caught! She couldn't stop blushing, a deep cherry-red, hanging her head in her hands, moaning at her stupidity. Now I'll be mercilessly teased by the staff! Especially by someone as popular as Dr. Erik....should I tell him not to tell....? He is pretty nice....yeah he'll agree. Tommorrow, then.....'cause I'm too embarrassed right now! With a sigh, she unlocked the door and crept outto go home for the day. Hopefully, he woudn't tell....

TBC


A/n: Next: Kaiba get bitten by a green eyed monster.......he's so cute like that. Review, and I'll update some more.