A/N: I do not own Yu-gi-oh, only my plot belongs to me…

Chapter 5

Serenity curled up on the couch fearing the fast approaching CEO. If he didn't look so evil this wouldn't have been so bad. Once upon a time she thought blue eyes on a man looked amazing, but his were so cold it was frightening. What was he going to do to her now, she wondered. She had spent some time trying to find Tea, but couldn't. Maybe screaming her friend's name at the top of her lungs would produce the manipulator that led her into this ghastly situation. She prayed that she could keep her nerves calm for the assault she was sure would occur next.

"Why do you want to find your friend Wheeler?" He asked smugly, arms crossed and chin up. His gaze was terrifying.

"I want to make sure she's alright. Besides," she continued with her head down and eyes closed, "I'm not comfortable around you. I prefer her company to yours."

She was admitting her weakness and he nearly snickered. She was frightened of him just as her brother was. Her brother always tried to put up a brave front, but Kaiba knew him for the cowering mongrel he was. Gardner wasn't scared of him, she was simply annoyed and desperate to get away. This girl had an illogical terror of him and it was intriguing. The fact that she was the Mutt's sister was also quite fun. When he returned her home she could tell her brother all about the vacation she had taken with Seto Kaiba…his greatest challenger.

"I've decided that the two of you will remain separated during this get-away. I can't have you trying to do anything that puts my where-abouts in jeopardy, now can I?" He looked at her, waiting for a reaction. He didn't have to wait long.

"You can't do that!" She sprung to her feet, not realizing how close he was. She was within inches of him and that made her head spin. "We won't do anything! What can we do? We don't know anything about boats. Please don't do this."

He liked her vulnerability. "Please don't do this Kaiba…please…" Her gaze left him and dropped to the floor. She felt like crying, but wouldn't give him the satisfaction her tears were sure to bring.

He slid a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. He liked how she simpered and begged.

"You should be angry with her. She's the one who roped you into this mess isn't she?" His voice was softer, but his eyes were still disdainful. She wanted to look away, but was caught. Had he moved closer? She fought the urge to turn tail and run.

"I answered the phone." She mumbled. As she averted her eyes for a minute but then quickly looked back at him. She was afraid to look at him, but more afraid to look away.

"What?" He asked not sure of what she was confessing.

"In the photo room…I answered. It's my fault." She then tried to search his icy eyes for some shred of warmth. Was he staring at her mouth?

"You're speaking in riddles Wheeler, spit it out."

"If I hadn't answered her call I wouldn't be here. She didn't make me do anything. I guess I'm as driven as she is." His mouth looked inviting, how could a man that was so cold look so…edible?

"So you're just as stupid as she is?" He asked, trying to ignore the way she was staring at his lips. Just what was she trying to do? Distract him into letting her see her friend? He wouldn't fall into that trap, not when he had set a fairly ingenious one of his own. He had quite a bit of time on his hands while his lawyers tried to sort out his many problems. Unfortunately he couldn't use his laptop or he could be traced so he had created another avenue for his ingenuity. This was going to be very amusing, for him at least.

"We're not stupid, just ambitious." She swallowed hard, her nerves were just about shot.

"I'm not sure about your ambition, but I am certain that you are trapped. I'll try to keep it as interesting for you as possible." He ran his thumb over her lower lip sending chills racing down her spine.

"Don't touch me," she yelped and backed away from the human glacier. He smirked at her retreat, then laughed evilly when her calves connected with the couch catching her off balance making her tumble backwards onto the furniture. Her soft brown eyes showed the terror she was feeling. He left her like that, sprawled on the couch. He wanted her mind to try to wrap around their conversation. He knew her thoughts would do far worse to her than he ever could, or would.

He walked to his room and knocked as he entered. There was Tea sitting in the center of his bed reading a book from the small collection he kept in his room. She looked up at him and waited for him to say something. She was wearing his t-shirt and not much else. Her clothes had been ruined in the salt water. Dry clean only tags weren't just to promote business for dry cleaners she had discovered the hard way. Her outfit was on a hanger looking quite rag-like. He sat on the bed near her. She continued to regard his presence without much interest.

"So," he smirked, "you're finally awake? I trust you are recovering nicely?"

He was being…nice. That was such an odd synonym for Seto Kaiba. She had no idea why he was being hospitable to her, but she sure as hell didn't want to question her luck. His hand slowly reached out and touched her outstretched leg. "I didn't know you were stung on your leg."

"It didn't hurt much." She whispered as blue eyes met blue.

"You should have told me and I would have taken care of it." His hand slid slowly up the back of her calf inspecting the skin. He then searched her other leg just as delicately. She tried not to tremble at his touch as his fingers lightly grazed her skin, searching out any blemish that might cause her pain.

"Seto Kaiba I'm fine, I assure you." Her mind wanted him to stop, but her body wanted so much more. Thankfully she was a very strong willed person.

"Did you eat your dinner?" He asked looking for the tray he had ordered for her. "Your body is still going to feel a bit ill because of the toxins so I want to make sure you're eating properly."

"Are you a doctor?" She asked mockingly.

"No, but we could pretend if that's what you want." His smirk left her speechless.

"I…I just mean that…that you have a good bed side manner." As soon as the words slipped off her tongue she wanted to yank them back. What the hell was she doing? Complimenting Seto Kaiba on his 'bedside manner'! Was she insane? Delusional? Psychotic? What type of pill had he given her…a lunacy inducing one?

"I don't think I've ever been told that before Gardner. So, you like my bedside manner huh?"

She wanted to rip her tongue out of her mouth and stomp on it. The damn jellyfish had stung the wrong parts, they should have stung her mouth then she wouldn't have felt compelled to put her foot in it. Her thoughts then turned, against her will (of this she was sure) to her rescue. He had been amazing. His arm wrapped around her, intimately, while he pulled them both back to the boat. She couldn't stop looking into his eyes.

"Where is Serenity? I would have thought by now she would have come looking for me." Tea tried to change the subject away from beds and playing doctor.

His eyes darted away and he stood up. She frowned, what had she said that made him angry? He walked over to the window and pulled the curtains open, the room was too dark even for his taste. She smiled at the sunshine, he watched the way her lips curved and licked his in a reflexive action.

"You should take a shower and get rid of the tenderizer and the salt." He walked over to a door and opened it. She leaned over and looked through the door, curious as to what he was showing her. "It's my own private bath." She smiled as she stood up from the bed. Up until now she had been using the one outside of his room. She didn't want to snoop around and get caught. More trouble was not necessary at this moment.

She walked over to him and looked in the room. It had a nice size tub and a separate shower stall, a sink and a toilet. The room was bathed with sunshine. She looked out the window that had a magnificent view of the ocean.

"Where are the curtains?" She asked, feeling a bit shy.

"You don't feel like giving the dolphins a show?" He smirked. She realized how stupid she must look. Who would be able to look in that window? A passing ship? The fish?

"This is really nice, thank you." She said as she entered the room, he was already closing the door. She walked over to the door and locked it, just in case. The water felt wonderful against her sore skin. Thankfully it only felt slightly sunburned where the nettles had made contact. He had been so thorough with the tenderizer, that's probably what had saved her from a world of hurting. Then again, he was the reason she ended up overboard. If he hadn't tried to…what, talk to her? He was the enemy she constantly had to remind herself. After the invigorating shower she slipped into the fluffy robe that had been hanging on a hook. She needed to find something else to wear and then she had to see Serenity.

When she came out of the bathroom she noticed Kaiba standing, looking out of the cabin's window. She gasped at his presence.

"Are you decent?" He asked with his back to her. Was he being gallant?

"I'm wearing your robe, I hope that's ok." He turned to look at her. Her wet hair was hanging down on her shoulders and a soft tinge of pink lit her cheeks. She looked like the picture of health and he felt himself sigh in relief. It would have been a major problem if she had an allergic reaction to the toxins, but she didn't and now she looked much better.

"I left you another shirt and a pair of shorts," he motioned towards the bed. "There is elastic in the waist, they're Mokuba's. I think they should fit you."

"Thank you. Um, Kaiba, can I see Serenity now?" She asked quietly, not wanting to aggravate him.

"I wish you could but unfortunately she's asked not to see you."

A/N: Well guys? Do any of you have a clue where this is going? I'd love to hear your ideas…please review! Thanks...