Chapter 5 – Apologies and More Games
Well, well, well, we've gotten ourselves into a fine mess now, haven't we? Joey has picked on Kaiba for the last time, judging by the glare in his eyes. What's going to happen next? Well, read on and find out. And take cover. World War 3 might yet happen in the middle of an entranceway…
Disclaimer: Just own the bottle of to-kill-ya that has helped me write the last two chapters. Yu-Gi-Oh is still someone else's property. I just let them have fun occasionally.
Sorry for the long wait for the update. I've been feeling somewhat down. This is close to the end of my story and it makes me sad to see it go. I've had a lot of fun writing it and reading the reviews that everyone has been kind enough to give it. Can't wait to see how the last two chapters and the 'discovery' turn out.
And I apologize for the length of this chapter. Just wanted everyone to see that Yami isn't the only good card game player around… Should also mention that I have played this exact game before with friends of mine, except the pennies were shots of Korean liquor called soju. Yeah, brutal.
Téa flushed. She'd forgotten how young Mokuba was. Would Seto mind the name of the game? Turned out it was a problem she didn't have to worry about as Tristan blurted the answer.
"A game called 'Asshole'," he replied.
"Yeah, that's a game you should be good at, Kaiba," Joey said, snickering at his own quick-wittedness.
Kaiba looked ready to kill him, judging by the fire that flared in his eyes.
Great, World War 3 was about to erupt in the middle of her entranceway.
Something was about to hit the fan.
"Joey!" Téa shouted, her face showing only half the rage that was furiously boiling through her system. "That was completely uncalled for! I can't believe you just said that. Apologize this instant."
Mokuba stared, wide-eyed and open-mouthed as a goldfish, at Joey Wheeler. Impressive. That was his best shot at Seto ever. Swinging his gaze to said older brother, Mokuba could have sworn he saw steam escaping from his ears. Except for the eyes, his face remained an emotionless mask but Mokuba could read the twitch of an eyebrow and the slight flare of a nostril. His brother was pissed.
The group looked askance at Joey. Well, everyone except Seto, that is. If only murder weren't illegal, he thought, his hands clenched together hard enough for his fingernails to draw blood. That had been a good one though and he had to give him credit for having the nerve to say it to his face. The gears he'd heard grinding earlier hadn't rusted in place yet.
Bright red with embarrassment, Joey suddenly became very acutely aware of every, single eye in the room focussed on him and him alone. Even the Pharaoh's jewelled gaze drilled into him as the Spirit hovered near Yugi. Joey hadn't really meant to say that aloud. Not at all. Well, Joey was being Joey.
And look where he was.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
"Wheeler…" Kaiba's threatening growl was barely above a whisper and it raised the hackles on the back of Joey's neck to hear the suppressed rage in that single word. Joey had dared to really insult Kaiba right in front of his little brother. He was going to have to pay for that one. Unless…
"Well, he keeps callin' me a dog 'n' he hasn't apologized t' me once for dat yet," Joey stated, crossing his arms over his green, sweater covered chest and turning away from the prying eyes. "If I have to apologize, so… does… he."
Realization struck her with the force of a lightning bolt. It was true. She'd never really called Seto on it, except in private. Every eye was now resting on her, waiting for her to decide what was going to happen next. Maybe this would be a good time for the two of them to make up. Then again, judging by the maelstrom of fury she saw in Seto's eyes, maybe not. Sigh. Nothing was ever easy.
But a decision had to be made. And was.
With her eyes pleading forgiveness and understanding, she turned to Seto and opened her mouth to speak.
She never got a chance to say a word.
This was going to be painful. Very painful. His rage in the face of her agony. Every word Wheeler said rang with the clarity of truth, even the ones he hadn't meant to say. Now Téa was forced to be the decision maker, a job he was positive she didn't relish. How does one choose between a best friend and a boyfriend? He knew the answer from the anguish in her eyes. She didn't want to do this.
He wasn't going to make her do it, either.
With that thought, the anger whooshed out in a sudden wave. Swallowing his pride and his ego, he cleared his throat once. The noise echoed around the room and every eye swung to him, much like a tennis match. The ball was in his court now. A deep breath in. Hold. Exhale. The first two words out of his mouth were the most unexpected ones he had ever figured he'd have to say to Wheeler. Unless he counted the first time he'd said them to Téa, who'd still been Gardner to him at the time.
"I apologize, Wheeler, for calling you a dog." There. He'd done it. He hadn't burst into flames, the world hadn't ended and murder was still illegal. Though hell had probably frozen over.
Tears brimmed in Téa's blue eyes. That was the most selfless gesture she'd ever had the pleasure of witnessing. He hadn't made her choose between anyone – he'd made up his own mind. Maybe there was hope for him and Joey after all. She tipped him a quick smile before lowering her head and sniffling a bit. Thank God he hadn't made her choose.
A second pin was dropped three blocks away. The whole living room plunged into complete and utter silence as Joey turned to face his tormentor, his jaw hitting the floor.
Had he heard correctly? Had Kaiba really apologized to him? Was it just his imagination or was Seto Kaiba, arrogant snake, actually being honest? Wow, never in a million years would he have expected this. Next thing he knew, Bakura, the evil Spirit of the Millennium Ring, was going to start a Pharaoh fan club complete with membership cards, fan fiction and a website.
"WH… what did ya jus' say?" Joey needed to hear him confirm what he'd heard. Maybe he was having some hearing problems or a hallucination brought on by lack of food in the last twenty minutes. Or had he somehow slipped into an alternate reality where Kaiba was a nice guy…
"You heard me," was the growled response. Ah, the Kaiba he was used to was back. Blue eyes locked on brown and Joey was stunned to see that Kaiba had actually meant his apology, that he wasn't just mouthing the words for the sake of peace in Téa's house.
"Amazing." Yami gave a low whistle and Yugi looked at him questioningly. The Spirit went on to explain. "Kaiba has changed. In one of my few memories of him as High Priest, I remember that he had someone tortured and executed for the simple mistake of mispronouncing his name, out of nervousness. To hear him speak an apology to one he regards as lowly as Joey proves that his heart is not so filled with hatred anymore."
"You're right," Yugi replied mentally, looking up into those amethyst eyes that mirrored his own. "Kaiba would never, ever do something like that, even if what Joey said was true, unless he really meant it."
Mokuba glanced up at his older brother, pride shining in his eyes. He'd heard other people call Seto the A-word before, usually under their breath, and always wondered how he'd react if it was said to his face. Now, he knew. If it had been anyone other than one of Téa's friends, they would've been torn limb from limb and put through the paper shredder for good measure. Seto really did like Téa if he was willing to let that go, with an apology on top of it.
"Joey." Tristan prompted. The mood would be spoiled, and the pizza would get colder, if Joey forgot his end of the deal.
"What?" One look at Tristan and he knew what he had to do. Besides, his stomach was rumbling and he could smell the double pepperoni, extra sausage and hot peppers pizza from here. "Oh, right." Deep breath. "I'm sorry, Kaiba, for callin' ya… dat."
"Well, now that that's over with, how about we go eat? I am starving," Mokuba piped up. Leave it to the youngest member of the group to remind them of food.
Yugi idly shuffled the cards that lay near his hands as he waited for everyone else to get their plates full of food. They'd all come up from the basement a few minutes ago after putting all of the sleeping bags and backpacks down there, still arguing over the name for the game. The original name wouldn't be suitable now that a fragile peace had settled over the group at Joey and Kaiba's apologies to each other. Not that that had stopped Joey from seating himself on Téa's left, opposite Yugi and between her and Kaiba. The air of hostility had now lessened to a more bearable degree over the slices of pizza and plates of salads that rested on the table. And the arguing was about to come to a finish as Téa clinked her fork against the rim of her juice-filled glass to get everyone's attention.
"All right, so have we come to a unanimous decision for the name? We're down to two as I recall. Donkey or Idiot…" she said, looking at everyone as they finished fidgeting with their plates and settled down. Mokuba's eyes told her which word he favoured. 'Idiot' wasn't a word he got to use often and 'Donkey' was just plain boring. "So who votes for 'Idiot'?"
Every hand at the table shot into the air, including Seto's, although his was a little less enthusiastic, and much slower, than his younger brother's was. Too bad that he was on 'good' terms with Wheeler now. Oh, the fun he could have had with the name of the game. And considering how bad a duelist Wheeler was, he probably wouldn't be much better at this game.
'Yugi, why would 'Donkey' be chosen as a possible name for this game? They are honourable creatures. Many of them were used during the building of the temples and pyramids. They could drag loads that would take three men many hours of labour to bring the same distance in a much shorter time. I don't understand this strange idea.' Yami looked to his Light for an explanation. Yugi sighed once, softly, and rubbed the bridge of his nose before eyeing the Spirit. He needed time to collect his thoughts before he answered this one. Yami had a habit of choosing the most inopportune moments to begin discussions like this. The whole 'fascination with snow' incident popped to mind.
'Well, Pharaoh, in this day and age, people don't really use donkeys anymore. They are rude, stubborn and thickheaded. People equate that idea with being an idiot or a jerk. 'Donkey' is also a much politer form for saying 'ass' or 'jack ass'. Again, the same meanings are implied.' Yugi hoped the definition was enough. Yami could sometimes go on for hours about the differences between modern and ancient times. He really hoped this wasn't one of them.
'But they are hard-working, industrious, intelligent animals. Why would people demean them in this modern age?' Yami looked genuinely puzzled. It was obvious he had never had to deal with a donkey. Yugi sighed again and silently asked the Spirit to ponder over it quietly so that Yugi could concentrate on the card game that would begin shortly.
Yugi hadn't noticed that all of the mumbling and whispering had stopped as he shuffled the cards. Even Seto was impressed with the skill and dexterity with which Yugi handled the cards. At times, they floated through his hands like smoke over water. A moment later, they were flying from hand to hand in patterns too quick and intricate for the eye to follow. The cards settled gently into his hand once more and he placed them in front of Téa with a quiet 'thwack'.
"Wow, Yugi, that was awesome," Mokuba exclaimed, his eyes saucer wide.
"If ya tink dat's good, you should see him when he's really tryin'," Joey commented as Téa picked up the cards and started to deal them out to everyone. The numbers worked out perfectly. Eighteen cards for everyone.
"So, how do we play this 'Idiot' game?" Seto asked, directing his question at Téa. That gave him an excuse to let his eyes focus on her. Even though it was just a scrawny Wheeler between them, the gulf felt like it was miles wide. That kiss by the car hadn't been enough, not by a long shot. He wanted to wrap his arms around her shoulders and hold her close, revelling in the scent of her hair, wanted to feel that electric tingle across his skin that only she could cause. The separation was making him itch. And bedtime was a long way away, he thought as he looked at his watch. Quarter to seven. At least another 3 hours until bed. Groan.
"The rules are simple. Jokers beat everything. One Joker can beat any hand, no matter how many cards are in it. Twos are the next highest. One two will beat a single or a pair of cards, two twos will beat 3 and 4 of a kind, three twos will beat 5 and 6 of a kind and so on. After that, it's all regular order, aces down to threes. The president starts the round by laying down any card, or cards, he or she sees fit. Have you got that so far?" His eyes were so blue that she just wanted to forget everything else and lose herself in them for the next hour or so. A small cough from Tristan brought her back to reality. Soon enough, they'd know what was going on and they wouldn't be able to stop her from doing just that. But until then…
Heads nodded around the table and she continued her explanation. "For example, S…Kaiba, if you were president and laid down three threes, Tristan would have to put down three of a kind higher than threes, like fours or even Kings." Mokuba still looked a little confused as she swung her gaze his way. "We'll play the first hand slowly so that you can get the hang of it." No one noticed her almost slip of the tongue. She was really going to have to watch what she said in regards to his name. But 'Seto' was becoming so natural to her…
The next few minutes were spent arranging the cards into a semblance of order. Téa hid her smile behind her poker face as her eyes looked over at her friends. Talking and joking continued on, Seto being the only silent one at the table. They were in trouble already and they didn't even know it yet. This was the best hand she'd ever been dealt. She'd be out in five hands or less. Her position as President was 99 guaranteed.
'Would you like me to play for you, aibou? I have never tried this game before and it intrigues me,' Yami said, his cross-legged form floating just beside Yugi.
'Are you sure, Pharaoh? Téa is really good at it. I wouldn't want you to lose face in front of her. You may have to talk to her too, you know. And we both know how well you do at that.' Yugi was sincere in his attempt to dissuade the Spirit from joining the game. He didn't understand just how well Téa played this game. Her poker face was inscrutable. 'How about I play the first game so you can see how it's done. If you still want to after the first game, then that's fine with me. And no cheating by floating around and looking at everyone's cards.'
Yami smiled at the gentle humour in Yugi's mind voice. This was a side of him the Spirit wasn't used to seeing. The last three years had been full of plots to take over or destroy the world, which hadn't been conducive for a "fun" atmosphere. To see his Light enjoying himself, in spite of heartbreak, brought a quiet joy to his own heart. 'Very well, aibou. I shall only observe this game. And I thank you for your concern.'
Yugi blushed slightly as Yami settled down and watched through Yugi's eyes as the game began.
"Since there is no 'Idiot' yet and I dealt the cards, I'll start the hand and rake the cards in when the round is done. There are a few more rules to remember, but they won't be necessary to know until the places have all been filled. When the first game is over, I'll explain those too. Oh, and one more thing. If you can't play a card, you have to put the same number of pennies as cards into the bowl. Winner claims all." Téa fingered her cards and sent Seto a heated glance. He was so in trouble. He'd soon find out that Yugi wasn't the only one that could beat him at a card game. There would be no holding back in this game, either, just because Seto was there.
Goosebumps broke out all over as he caught her look. The teasing was going to start all over again. If she did that, there was no way he'd be able to concentrate on the game at hand. Something about her made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside and his thoughts kept sliding to that pendant still around her neck. Every move she made made it sparkle and shine against the blue sweater she was wearing. A blue that set off her eyes, deep pools that he just wanted to stare at… He shook his head. Something told him that it was going to be an even longer night now.
Glancing around the table, he saw that Wheeler and Taylor were still organizing their cards. Amateurs. The rules for the game were simple enough to follow that he felt confident in his ability to defeat those two clowns at least. True, he wasn't used to a regular deck of cards and having so few cards to rely on but victory over those two should be as easy as ABC. His only true competition would be Téa and Yugi.
"Kaiba? It's your move," Joey said, almost nudging him with an elbow before he thought better of it. The fragile peace could be easily shattered if Kaiba thought he was being 'mean'. And he didn't relish the idea of what Téa would do to him.
Seto's eyes flicked up from his hand to Téa's face and he knew from her smirk that somehow he was in trouble already. Scanning the table, he saw five pennies in the bowl. Wheeler's contribution. Five threes, laid in a neat fan, stared back at him. Smirking back at her, his eyes on fire, he locked eyes with her and drew out the cards he needed from his hand. Five sevens were flawlessly laid on top of her threes. This was going to be interesting, he thought, as he saw her eyes widen in surprise.
"Nice move," she commented, a hint of a grin on her lips. He'd caught on but he wouldn't beat her. Tonight she was unstoppable and she still had thirteen cards in her hand.
"Aww man," Tristan muttered and threw five more pennies into the bowl. "Go ahead, Mokuba. Good luck."
The youngest Kaiba smiled widely and placed five nines over top his older brother's hand before taking a huge bite out of his slice of pizza.
Yugi looked to his left side, trying to judge Téa's impassive face before placing five tens on top. She was so hard to read when they were playing cards. Any other time, he could almost tell what she was thinking but tonight, she was in top form.
"Good. That was first hand," she said as her hands quickly and efficiently raked the cards in. "Do you two understand what's going on or do you want another slow hand?"
The slight emphasis she placed on those last two words sent a shiver up his back as he remembered the massage she'd given him in his office, just before Mokuba came bursting in. If she was going to play dirty, he was done for. There would be no return from that state of mind.
"I think we get it. You can go faster this hand," Mokuba replied, looking at her as he started his second slice of pizza. The kid could eat, she thought as he happily stuffed in a forkful of salad.
"All right, then. Since Yugi played last, he goes first this hand," Téa explained as he set four sixes down. Her face remained neutral as she seemingly pondered the cards in her hand. Yami stared intently at her. He'd never really watched her play cards before. Téa was a fair duelist but this game was something else entirely.
She laid four Kings down and sighed. That little act she'd given should have thrown them for a loop. Half her hand was gone already and there was no way anyone could take her on with what she still held.
"Téa!" Joey whined as he threw four more pennies into the bowl. The second hand and he still hadn't managed to play a card. He had a pretty good idea as to what position he was going to end up in. The same position he'd held for the last few years. 'Idiot.' At least Kaiba couldn't make fun of him. Thank God for small mercies and miracles.
"The luck of the draw," she replied sweetly, having a bite of salad as the hand continued around the table. Her eyes focussed on Seto once more. He was ready to start sweating – she could tell just by the glint in his eye. He had a really good poker face when he was duelling but this game was something totally different. The tip of her tongue traced the outline of her lower lip, ostensibly licking at a spot of dressing, and she watched in triumph as his eyes dropped to his cards and he gulped.
Four Aces floated out of his hand and landed gently on top of her cards. "Or just good strategizing," Seto commented as he heard Taylor sigh in exasperation and the metallic clink of more pennies in the 'pot'.
"Can you beat four Aces, Mokuba?" Yugi asked, watching the youngest Kaiba set down his third slice of pizza and throw two cards out. Two twos smashed into Kaiba's Aces on the table, scattering them around.
"Good job, Mokuba," Téa exclaimed, "Maybe you'll beat your brother at this game tonight." Mokuba beamed at her compliment and she felt Seto's smouldering eyes on her. So, he'd finally decided to try to join in her little game. Too bad, he was too late now to tempt her into distraction. She was invincible, she thought, sending a fiery look of her own back at him. No one noticed these little shared looks. They were too busy eating or staring at their hands, wondering what Téa was going to throw out at them next. They knew who ruled this 'duel'.
Mokuba laughed delightedly a second later as he set down seven Queens. "Beat that, Yugi." Mokuba's plate was now empty of food and he was eyeing the pizza boxes that had been removed to the counter. He sighed once and decided to wait until the game was over before getting more. There was also the possibility of dessert to think about.
"Now that's the luck of the draw," Tristan stated, also eyeing the pizza boxes on the counter. He'd only had four slices and some of Yugi's macaroni salad. Although Kaiba's salad looked tempting, he wasn't going to touch anything that guy had brought over.
"I can't beat that, Mokuba," Yugi admitted, throwing his own pennies into the bowl. Yami sighed. So far, his Light was not doing well against Téa. She was in control of this game and he had a sneaking suspicion that he really didn't want to play the next game. Losing to her would be a loss of face.
"Téa?" Mokuba asked. She didn't look fazed, not at all. In fact, she looked happy. Like the cat that just got the cream.
Not good. Not good at all, if anyone else had a hope in hell of winning this game and being declared President.
A single card landed face up on the Kings.
A single Joker.
Mokuba groaned. Victory was snatched from him by the turn of one card.
"Joey?" she asked and heard pennies once more. "Kaiba? I think you lost this hand. I believe you need to add some pennies in…" Téa purred at him. His eyes flared and his heart sped up. That was the same tone of voice she'd used when his shirt had been trapping his arms and she'd… Uh oh, there went his concentration right out the window. At least the blushing was under his control.
Each of his pennies made a separate clink as Téa raked the cards in. Smooth sailing from here. No one could touch her with the cards she had left in her hand. She'd be done in two more rounds and claim her rightful place as President once more.
Tristan's pennies plinked in just as she threw out her trump hand.
A pair of Jokers.
Silence around the table. There was that pin drop again.
"Guess no one can challenge that," she commented lightly, noting Joey's open mouth and Seto's glazed eyes. Beating Seto at a card game was easy as long as he was kept slightly off balance. Too bad Yugi didn't have the talent she had for that. "Oh, look at that. My move again." Her slightly flippant tone had Seto rolling his eyes. She would be insufferable when she won. Not 'if'. 'When.' Seto had no illusions as to what was coming next. Everyone chipped in two more pennies. That bowl was getting full.
Six Jacks stared at him, again lined up in a neat fan across the centre of the table, and a tight grin creased his lips. Wow.
If she ever took up dueling seriously, he was in trouble.
Crossing her hands behind her head and leaning back, she smiled. "And that is game over for me."
"I think that's the fastest you've ever won, Téa," Tristan replied, his pennies joining everyone else's in the bowl.
"So what happens now?" Mokuba asked, looking over his fan of cards at her. Poor Seto. Beaten by a girl, he thought, and then grinned. Not just any girl either, his girlfriend. There had to be some way he could use it to his advantage.
"Now, you five fight it out for the remaining positions of Vice President, Neutrals, Vice Idiot and Idiot. I am the president."
"Wow, I like this game, Seto. Can we play it at home? I want to play it more so that next time I can beat Téa."
"We've been trying for years, Mokuba," Yugi said wryly, fiddling with the cards left in his hand.
Seto glanced down at his cards and concentrated. If he got control of the next hand, he had a good chance at making Vice Prez. And that would be better than anything those two yahoos could do. Hell, if they hadn't been able to beat Téa in years, he'd settle for a step under her. Mokuba caught on to his brother's shift in mood and a brilliant flash went off in his mind. Outwitting Joey and Tristan was a cakewalk. Now he understood why Seto refused to duel Joey anymore. There was no challenge in it. He just had to get Seto to finish his hand first and his plan could be put into action.
Silence enshrouded the table as Joey set down a pair of fours. The game continued on and Mokuba eagerly watched the dwindling number of cards in his brother's hand. A triumphant flash in his eyes alerted him to Seto's impending victory as the fourth, and final, Joker made its' appearance.
"Vice president," he stated succinctly as only Seto could. The smirk of satisfaction as he leaned back in his chair mirrored the one Téa gave as she announced her Presidency.
Everyone else at the table, except Téa, grimaced. They still had to play the rest of the game out and figure out the other positions so that the next game could start. And now was Mokuba's best opportunity to put his wickedly brilliant plan into action. Since no one else would leave the table in the middle of a game, Joey and Tristan couldn't follow Seto and Téa when he asked…
"Seto? Can I have a pop? I've been really good tonight and there's no more fruit punch left. Joey drank the last of it…" The look he sent his brother's way hopefully clued him in to the plan as he continued, "Would that be all right, Téa?"
The sweet, innocent voice and those puppy dog eyes didn't fool him for a second. There was a plan in motion here and Seto thanked the Higher Powers above that he was on his side. "If Téa says it's okay, then yes, you can have one."
"Please, Téa?" The sugar in that voice made her want to smile and hug him to her. He really was a sweet kid, especially when he was scheming to get them some alone time. She could see where this was headed already.
"Sure Mokuba, but I'll have to get you one from the basement. In fact, I might as well get everyone a pop. Yugi, any preferences?" Téa looked at her best friend and could see that he was concentrating hard. Must be talking to Yami about it, she thought.
"Um, how about a cream soda." Yugi shook his head slightly. That was one flavour he knew she always had on hand that the Spirit had yet to try. Yami nodded in agreement. New flavours to try were always a good thing. His Light knew him too well.
"Joey, Tristan?" she asked.
"Uh, cream soda sounds good t' me," Joey replied, still staring at his cards. If he got control of the next hand, assuming he could beat whatever Yugi threw out…
"How about a root beer. I haven't had one of those in a while," Tristan replied. Staring at his hand, he sighed. He had a bunch of singles in there and that was going to be hard to get rid of. Yugi had a penchant to throw out pairs and three of a kinds.
Both of them saw no immediate threat to Téa heading to the basement to get a few sodas and so were unprepared for Kaiba's next move.
"I'll help you," he stated. There would be no refusing that tone of voice. "Since we're both finished til the next game and carrying a few cans of soda can be tricky, I'll assist you."
"Thanks, S…Kaiba, that would be great." She barely managed to hide her blush at her second almost-slip-of-the-tongue. Thank the Higher Powers That Be that no one noticed. Joey and Tristan, however, were not impressed. Those two could not spend any time alone. How were they supposed to protect her when she wasn't in their sight and they were stuck playing a card game? That snake would be all over her in seconds to try to get some information. Seto Kaiba did not have any scruples at all. This time, there would be no Mokuba to protect her innocence. The look the two boys shared was full of frustration.
Too bad they didn't realize that the mischievous little scamp was the one who set up the whole situation deliberately.
And they thought that Seto Kaiba didn't have any scruples…
'Foiled again,' Seto thought smugly, controlling his urge to laugh maniacally at the whole scenario, as he and Téa departed the kitchen for the nether regions of the house. Joey and Tristan were forced to stay at the table to finish their game and he had a sneaking suspicion that Yugi, of all people, knew exactly what was going on between him and his best friend. At least they'd have more than 10 seconds alone this time around. Not much more but enough for his tongue to trace the same path hers had taken a while before.
With a quick flick of her wrist, Téa turned the radio on as she walked past the little table it stood on. "Jingle Bell Rock" belted out merrily and she turned the volume up just a little more. 'Privacy' she mouthed at him as they made their way down the few stairs to the basement below. That was another thing he liked about her. She could read his mind.
Now that they were out of sight of prying eyes, he grasped her small hand in his own and stopped her from heading any further away from him. Her arched eyebrow and slight smile warmed him to the tips of his toes. He never realized how 'touchy-feely' being with Téa made him. It was such a strange feeling but… he liked it. She was soft and warm as he brought her closer and encircled his arms about her waist. The lingering scent of lemons teased his nose as he touched his lips gently to hers. He'd almost forgotten how sweet she tasted.
Turning the radio on had been a great idea, she thought as she sighed against his heated lips. It covered any inadvertent noises they might make during this oh-so tender moment. But the risk of discovery was outweighed by her need to be close to him. With Joey sitting between them, she couldn't even play 'footsies' with him under the table. That would have been a great way to distract him during the next game.
The embrace of lips was over a minute, or so, later and she rested her head against his chest, sighing once more. The secrecy had to end. And soon. She thought it was a pretty sad situation that they had to duck out of sight every time they wanted some 'together time'. Mokuba even had to enlist his help to co-ordinate these precious moments.
"You do realize that you lost a card game to me? You're now under me, according to the way the positions are laid out…"
"I wouldn't mind being under you anytime you want… laid out anywhere you want" His voice was only half-kidding. Her face immediately flushed, as she understood exactly what that last comment meant.
"Seto…" she reprimanded. And it wasn't that she didn't like that idea – it just gave her a wicked mental image and made it hard for her to breathe properly with him so close to her and all. The steamy bathroom popped into her mind once more.
With his fingers running through the silky strands of her hair, he whispered, "You're such a tease."
Her soft laugh rumbled through his chest as she replied, just as softly, "No, I'm not. This is just a preview of the next time we're alone."
"Let's just get the pop and head back upstairs. If you keep talking like this, I'm bound to do something neither of us will regret but which will involve a lot more time." He ruffled his fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head before releasing her from the grip of his arms.
"All right," she replied, wondering exactly what that would be. She shrugged. No use in pondering it now. She'd probably find out soon enough.
Stepping past his sleeping bag as it lay close to the entrance to the largest room in the basement, she headed for the mini-bar in the far corner. Her father had built it himself, just before he got rid of all of his power tools. The ones that were supposed to be stored in the shed that he had built last summer. No need to mention that it was just the other side of rickety either. The weight of the fridge was the only thing that was keeping it from falling over. Grabbing out the requested cans of pop, she handed three over to Seto, who stood silently behind her, visibly admiring her form. This time, her arched eyebrow warned him to knock it off… or else.
A sharp, but muffled, scream from somewhere above them caught their attention as they headed back for the stairs. What the hell…? Racing to the front foyer, they heard yet another scream although this one sounded more like a shriek of laughter. Glancing out of the small window to one side of the front door, she abruptly laughed.
"It's just the neighbourhood kids outside in the snow. Looks like a snowball fight is about to start…" Téa stated, watching four or five kids run passed her house. Must be going to get Drake and Harvey, she thought wryly.
"A snowball fight? That sounds like fun," Mokuba exclaimed, his wild, black-haired mop of a head popping into view from the kitchen. "Can we go join them? We finished this game. We can come back in later, have dessert, and play another game. I want to learn the rest of the rules you were talking about earlier. Then maybe we could have some hot chocolate, too. PLEASE?" Those puppy-dog eyes again. It was no wonder that Seto couldn't resist him, especially when they were on full-blast – like now.
"Yeah, Téa. That does sound like fun. We haven't had a good snowball fight in years. Since before Duellist Kingdom," Yugi added, his voice echoing around the living room. Yami was entranced by the idea of playing in the snow and chuckled gleefully at the idea, almost rubbing his hands together in anticipation. There had never been snow in Ancient Egypt, as Yugi knew full well. This was going to be a rare treat.
"So much for needing the pop now." Téa and Seto entered into the kitchen to find the bowl full of pennies and Tristan and Joey still playing their last couple of hands. Yugi and Mokuba must be the neutrals if those two were still hard at it. Setting the pop down on the counter by the sink, she turned just as Tristan threw out his last card.
"HAH, who's the 'Idiot' now, Joey?"
Seto refrained from anything at all, although he almost bit through his tongue to stop from commenting.
"Aww man. I never win at dis game. Why do I keep playin' it? Year after year, it's de same ole' story. Let's go have that snowball fight. Maybe dat'll help me change my luck," Joey muttered. Téa and Kaiba had only been gone for a few minutes and she seemed to be all right. Maybe he hadn't tried to press her for information. Maybe he was waiting for a better moment. He'd better tell Tristan to keep a good eye on her when they went outside.
It would be too easy for those two to disappear into the depths of the dark, where he could grill her to his heart's content.
Thus began the process of getting ready to go outside and do battle.
Too bad they didn't know just how soon the secrecy was going to end.
The big wrench was coming.
Woohoo! This chapter is finally done. Two chapters (possibly three) to go before this 'short' little Christmas fic is finished and I can start my next one.
I had posted a one-shot called "I Need to Get This Out" but I decided it was a little rough and I removed from the site so that I can flesh it out a little bit. It might end up being a one-shot in two parts…
Thanks for all of the great reviews and thanks for taking the time out of your own busy lives to read this.
The next chapter is entitled "Snow Wars". Heehee, this should be good.