A/N: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters...I just have an active imagination and need an outlet.

Chapter 3

Serenity finally made it to the card shop. Tea was slightly annoyed, not because of her lateness, but because she was so worried about her.

"You know, your brother has called a thousand times already!"

"I'm so sorry I was held up in the park. I started taking pictures and the time slipped away from me."

The two went off to explore galleries and talk with the managers. She had two interviews on Monday, before her meeting with Kaiba, and three on Tuesday. Many places didn't want to hear about her art, but a few were intrigued when she mentioned pictures from New York.

After lunch the two decided to stop by a photography shop to see if she could rent their darkroom in order to develop pictures. She ended up with a job. The man liked her attitude and her knowledge of the equipment he had, his knowing Solomon Motou didn't hurt either. She proved her skills when she developed the film she had shot in the park. The pictures of Kaiba were magnificent, but she only showed the ones of the flowers and of the few park scenes she took. She looked forward to starting on Wednesday, but he told her she could come in and use the darkroom at any time. She was to supply her own paper, but the chemicals were there for her to use.

It had been a rather productive day. It seemed like her life was falling into order and if she was able to exhibit at a gallery that would make her year.

"Who knew you would turn out to be a shrewd business woman?" Tea laughed as they walked towards Serenity's house.

"I think I learned quite a bit in New York. I'm not a little girl anymore."

She tried to unlock the door and hold her things when everything went falling to the floor. Geez I'm not a little girl, but I sure as hell am a klutz!

Tea knelt to help scoop up Serenity's things when she noticed a picture sticking out of an envelope.

"You didn't show this," Tea's breath caught as she pulled the picture free of the sleeve it was in. "KAIBA?! When did you take pictures of Kaiba? Are you crazy? Your brother would blink twice and die!"

"SHHHHHH...would you hold it down Tea? Someone will hear you!"

"What were you thinking?" Tea asked, in a slightly lower voice.

"He was just sitting there in the park. I didn't see the harm." She started flipping through the pictures showing Tea. "He is amazing to look at don't you think? I think this one shows his eyes off the best."

Tea was looking at Serenity, not the pictures, and scowling. "I think you've been out in the sun too long. Did your brain fry? Don't get caught up with Seto Kaiba he's a heartless monster. His brother left him, he has no friends, and he fires people faster than he can hire them, why would you show an interest?"

Serenity shrugged. "I think people misunderstand him. No one who looks this tranquil in a park can be that bad." She refused to tell Tea of her plan to subdue this 'monster'.

"You better not let Joey, or anyone else see these Serenity. Oh, and for the love of God don't tell Mai. She'll spread this little infatuation around like wildfire."

"I'm not infatuated, just intrigued."

"Just don't do anything stupid. For some reason girls do stupid things when they're around Seto Kaiba. Please don't be one of them."

Everyone showed up at Joey's for dinner. It was a welcome home celebration for Serenity and she had a blast. Everyone caught her up on local happenings and then Mai and Joey told her about their relationship. She was very positive about everything. She was thrilled that everyone was so happy.

After dinner Tristan asked her to go for a walk. Despite her apprehension, she went with him. She had been anticipating the 'feelings' talk for a while now.

Once they were outside they started walking towards the park. He was the perfect gentleman, as always.

"So you really loved New York huh?"

"It was wonderful! I saw so many plays and the museums were wonderful. The people there are a bit rude at times, and everyone is in a hurry. Thankfully I always found someone to talk to and I made quite a few good friends."

He bit his bottom lip, "Did you make and good friends?"

She stopped and looked at him, "I just said I made quite a few good friends. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," he shuffled his feet as he stood there in front of her. He felt like a jerk. "What I want to ask is if you met any good...guy friends."

It was dark out, but she imagined he was blushing horribly. She had met a few guys, but telling Tristan would hurt him. Seeing as the relationships were over did she have to disclose shattering information to him?

"I met guys and girls." She started to walk, it was getting awkward and walking was better than standing still. She shoved her hands in her pockets to discourage him from trying to hold them.

"Serenity..." He asked pleadingly.

"Oh Tristan, there is no devastating news to report. I promise."

He fell in step beside her. "Do you think we stand a chance? I mean, time has passed, but I still have feelings for you."

"I just got home yesterday Tristan, I'm still dealing with jetlag, how can I think of a relationship?" She really did not want to go there, she realized, not with him.

They walked for a while longer in silence. Finally they stopped at the edge of the pond in the park. It was a beautiful scene, the moon was translucent on the water, stars filled the dark night sky, and there was still crispness in the air reminding them that winter had only just retreated. She sighed heavily and smiled.

"It's so quiet here, not like in New York. In Central Park you could still hear the city all around you. Here it seems like a different world, not touched by the hustle. I missed walking at night, over there I didn't have that luxury."

He was standing close to her; she figured if she kept talking he wouldn't have an in.

He slid his jacket off his well-built frame and slid it over her shoulders, rubbing her arms lightly. The gesture helped him stand closer to her. She knew it wouldn't be long before he tried to kiss her, and she dreaded her own reaction.

"I missed you Serenity," he whispered against her hair.

"I missed you all too." She wondered if her remark was registered. Did he hear the 'you all'?

He turned her to face him, she bowed her head a bit and looked at the ground, her lashes lowered. Man, he was dense! Was he not getting her signals? She didn't want to spell it out and crush his feelings, but she would not make-out with him for pity's sake either.

He tilted her chin up and forced her to look at him. His eyes searched hers.

"I'd almost forgotten how beautiful you are...Do you remember all the time we spent together at the hospital? How we cheered Joey on during his duels? I loved the train ride we took to see him after your operation. Those are some of my favorite memories."

"Those times mean a great deal to me as well. You proved what a great friend you are to Joey and to me." She was hopeful that if she kept saying the word 'friend' he would get it.

"I didn't do it for Joey," he shook his head, "At first it was for Joey, but then it was for you."

Suddenly he leaned in and captured her mouth with his. His hand slid along the side of her face, as he wrapped his other arm around her waist pulling her closer to him.

She tried not to cringe at his sloppy kiss. He wasn't very good at this, much to her amusement. He tried to deepen the kiss, but she pulled away quickly.

"I'm sorry if I moved too fast for you." He was clearly affected by the kiss, but he couldn't tell that she wasn't. "It's just that I've wanted to do that for so long now I couldn't wait any longer. I promise the next time we kiss will be after a proper date."

Oh joy! Over my dead body...another date...as if! He's nice and all, but I just can't force myself to like him like that. When there is no chemistry, there is no chemistry. He's too mushy and where is the challenge? Hell if I proposed he'd accept right now! I can't take much more of this. We might have stood a chance if...

"I think Joey will be upset if we stay out too long. I haven't been able to spend time with him at all. Would you mind if we head back?" She was already walking away.

"I don't want to get Joey mad. Sure, let's head back. We have all the time in the world now that you're back." He held out his hand for her to grab it.

"My hands are cold, I'd rather keep them in my pockets if you don't mind overly much." How much longer was she going to remain polite?

"Not at all Serenity." He knew she was shy and had just received her first kiss. If she didn't want to hold hands until she was more comfortable he would understand. She didn't know how to act around a man. He would let her slowly adjust to their new relationship.

She looked up at the Kaiba building looming in the distance. Was Kaiba working late? She saw lights on in the building. She wondered how Kaiba kissed. It wouldn't be mushy and sloppy like Tristan's, it would be scalding and sensuous. When she started toying with him she would have to be careful, he wouldn't be so easy to respect her boundaries. She had the urge to wipe her mouth, she hated dousing kisses.

She looked at Tristan. She didn't like the fact that she would hurt him when she told him he was only going to be a friend, but pretending would be maddening. She had her sights set on someone far more dangerous. She was circling a predator, she smiled slyly. She pretended to yawn. When they got back to the house she wanted to go to bed. She had had enough for one day and besides, tomorrow she wanted to go to the museum. Kaiba was a prime benefactor for it and she wanted to see if any of his tastes were revealed in the exhibits. She had to start analyzing her intended.