Disclaimer: Simple. Not mine. End of discussion.

A/N: I would have posted this sooner, though honestly I don't think I waited too long, but all of a sudden life got hectic. Tests at school, and then... I banged myself in the head and was unfortunately "indisposed". All kinds of stuff going on- but I'm back! I can only hope this chapter is enjoyable; I kinda like it, but I wrote it. (chapter eight I think is my favorite) Oh, and the words dial-tone (I couldn't think of something better) indicate aconversation on the phone.I was listening to "IFought the Law" by The Clash as I wrote this, and for some ODD reason that seemed to inspire me. (Heh... you'll see one way)I'm getting down to the count-only four chapters left after this one!And then "abstract melody" which is an almost-sequel. That's all planned for the near future. But for now... read and enjoy!

chapter Eleven:

Passion.
You're bound to the strength of your own desire.
Dependent.
Incapable of escape.
You're lost in a dream where nothing matters except that
Sweet, sweet satisfaction.
The voice of your captor resonates in your head;
The taste of your prison is a permanent memory.
You're hopeless.
There's nothing you can do.
Except indulge...
Indulge...
Indulge...

The First Month

dial
"I feel really bad about not telling them, though," she said honestly, trying to make him understand. "Yugi and Joey, and Tristan too- they're my very best friends. I... I don't know, it's just hard to keep such a tremendous secret from them."

The voice on the other line sighed in exasperation. "Would you rather tell them? Do you want them to know what's going on between us? Oh, because personally, I think they'd take it very well. Especially that mutt; he'd be ecstatic."

"Stop it Seto," she said, without any real venom. "Just because you don't have friends doesn't mean that I don't, and I happen to care about them and the trust and honesty between us. I'll admit that you're right- it might shock them."

"Might?"

"OK, so there's a good chance they'd fall out cold when I told them. But that... that doesn't mean I feel good about keeping this from them."

"Would you feel good if they got angry with you for associating with me? Would it make you feel better if your own choices caused a great rift in your precious little group? Forgive me if what I say offends you, but really there is no other option."

She sighed. "As usual, you make a good point. I can't work around your reasoning."

"Besides," he continued, "whatever's between us isn't serious. It doesn't have an impact emotionally, or anything like that. If someone comes along that either of us wants to actually pursue a real relationship with, then we'll just break this off, no hassle at all. Agreed?"

"Yeah, agreed." For a moment, there was silence. "But since we're talking now, do you remember what I said about getting to know each other? Seems like the perfect time to me. You want to start?"

Had they been conversing in person, she was certain she would have seen him roll his eyes. "What, pray tell, would you like me to divulge?"

"Hmm, something interesting I suppose. Something that I wouldn't expect."

"I have a certain affinity for things that are blue."

"Astounding! Please, tell me you're joking; I simply can't believe it."

He laughed a little and said, "Alright, admittedly that is a bit obvious. But really, how am I supposed to know what you want me to say? What do you think I should tell you, if not something like that?"

"Just start talking. I'll make some sense out of the madness."

"Very well then, I suppose. I'm only doing this because I know that you'll make it very worth my while later, though." She laughed heartily, and that seemed to encourage him. "I secretly loathe pickles, I have unusually narrow feet, I can't sleep if I'm not on the left side of the bed, I compulsively wash my hair twice whenever I take a shower, I'm allergic to peanuts, and... I love Audrey Hepburn."

"Really?" she said after a long silent moment. I... huh."

"You told me to talk. Does this displease you? Not that I particularly care, but it's rather vexing that you still aren't happy even after I've followed your instructions. Now you see why I don't usually listen to others."

"No, no, it's not that. I'm honored you shared so much with me, it's just..." she chuckled. "That's a lot of random oddness for one such ordered individual. It does make you seem more human, though."

"You don't need to understand me, you know."

"Yeah, I know. But I still think it's worth it to try. Maybe I just want to understand you- maybe you fascinate me. I don't know. But hey! I'll know now never to buy you wide shoes."

For a brief moment, he was exceptionally glad that miles and a telephone separated them- he really didn't want her to know that she had made him smile.
tone

Mokuba was almost certain that his hunch was correct. There was really almost no doubt that his suspicions were dead-on. In fact, the only thing left to do was to confirm what he was almost positive existed. And he had already formulated an ingenious plan. He'd have to be clever about it, and keep Seto from figuring out that something was afoot- Seto absolutely abhorred being manipulated. Mokub had already decided that he wouldn't accept defeat; everything had been taken into account, everything that could possibly go wrong was backed up by some fail-safe alternative of brilliant design. Setting the wheels of his newest and most admirable plot yet into motion, he took up the phone and with a sneaky grin he dialed a by-then very familiar number.

"Hi! Yeah, it's Mokuba."

"Uh-huh, great. I was wondering, if it isn't too much trouble, if you would do a favor for me. I'd really appreciate it."

"Thanks! Ok, so here's what I'd like you to do."

Sliding into his brother's office with definite mischief in mind, the younger of the two infamous Kaiba brothers made his way toward the imposing, shining silver computer. Seto had stepped out but a moment earlier, and probably wouldn't return for at least a minute or so. (Mokuba knew he was gone because he had been spying on him from the security room.) He snuck a peak at the monitor.

"All right! Score!" Mokuba said excitedly, obviously delighted with what he had found. Seto had been talking to someone online, as the IM screen clearly showed. That was exactly what he had been hoping for.

Raising a dark eyebrow in curiosity, Mokuba sat down in the large office chair and began to read. "Hmm... I know that screen name is Seto. I bet anything that he was talking to Tea! Let's see..." His eyes scanned over the conversation. "So they wanna get to know each other? That's good I guess. Surprised by Seto's Hepburn obsession? Yeah, everyone who finds out is. Scared of rabbits until she was six? That's, um, interesting maybe? ...No, just weird."

Suddenly, his name on the screen drew his attention. "Not allowed to tell friends, then you can't tell Mokuba," he read quickly, his curiosity piqued. Then, with much indignation he said, "Oh, not planning to tell Mokuba at all was he?" He shook his head. "I'm disappointed in you Seto, but don't worry. I'll get you back."

Then with a smirk, he left the office as quietly and sneakily as he had come, almost unable to wait until he could put his clever plan into action. As it turned out, he didn't have to wait very long.

Seto was sitting in his home office, busily typing some seemingly important document of course, when the interruption came. Mokuba came in and yelled, "Hey Seto! Let's do something!"

Seto sighed, and turned slowly to face his younger brother. "Mokuba, what is this great 'something' of which you speak, and why do you feel the need to interrupt me to tell me about it?"

"Aren't you bored, though? Let's go to the park! That'll be fun, right?"

A moment of faked contemplation. "No."

"Aww, but Seto!" Mokuba whined, "Please? I really want you to come! And I'm going to go even if you don't, so you might as well join me. You don't want me to be corrupted, now do you?"

Seto looked faintly worried at that. "What do you mean, 'corrupted'? Why would that happen."

Mokuba grinned broadly- and most innocently for such a devious youngster- and said, "Because Yugi and his friends are coming too!"

Oh, now that went over well.

"What? Mutou and his pathetic friends? No, you most certainly AREN'T going to be joining them. You know how I feel about them. No, wait, you've met them; you know how idiotic they are."

"I'm sorry Seto, but I really want to go. Can't you just come with me? It won't be that bad. I promise it won't!" Then, with a concealed smirk, he readied his trump card. "Besides, it's not just Yugi. Joey will be there, and Tristan will be there." He watched the expression on his brother's face, and then said, "And Tea will be there too! She's so nice, and sweet, and so pretty! Gosh, she's really pretty, isn't she?" He grinned, hoping that Seto would just think he was happy about the prospect of seeing the little gang, and not because he was secretly trying to manipulate the poor, corporate genius's love life.

Seto cleared his throat absently and said, "No, I really can't agree with you. She's just a stupid cheerleader."

"Hey! I think she has a great attitude." The purposefully drawn out "a" at the beginning of the word did bring a suspicious look to Seto's face, but only for a moment. Mokuba grinned again and said, "So how about it, Seto? Can I go? And will you come with me? Please!"

Having added the extra incentive to the offer, Mokuba was confident that he'd get the answer he wanted. "Fine. But only for a short while, is that understood?"

"Yes sir!" Mokuba said goofily, making a mock-salute. "All I really want is a short while. That's all I want..."

No one was suspicious. Not even a little. Mokuba was happy about that naturally, but it made him a little indignant that no one would think him a capable enough trickster to pull off such a devoius plan. They could have at least been a little uneasy.

But that wasn't what was important. What was important was that Seto was at the park, Tea was at the park, and Mokuba was there watching them... um, be at the park together. Maybe he should have planned a little more than just getting them in the same place.

"Let's play frisbee!" Joey suggested happily, holding up said object of fun-having. "Come on Tristan, Yugi... do ya wanna?" The other boys agreed- Seto didn't even mention the fact that the invitation had excluded him, mostly because he didn't want to play- and soon a riotous game began.

They all had brought part of a lunch so they could have a picnic there when they got done horsing around. Mokuba sat with his brother and Tea on a blanket while the others' game was going on nearby. He was really the only one making conversation, going back and forth between the two as they took turns giving responses. Not exactly the best start to a healthy, happy relationship.

He was certain that he was right, though! Was his brother embarrassed? Was it because he was there with them? Grumbling internally to himself, Mokuba stood up and yawned. "I gotta go to the bathroom, Seto." There was a park pavilion with public restrooms and a bit of a connected tourist center close by. "That OK? I'll be right back."

Before his brother could even give an answer though, Mokuba was already sprinting off. He figured he could kill twenty minutes before Seto started searching for him, giving the two ridiculously stubborn teens time to talk and... further their relationship or whatever the hell it was teenagers found so fascinating about each other. He realized that with Yugi and the others there they couldn't really act like they were together or anything, but at least it was a start. With a grin, Mokuba kept running, hoping that his brother wouldn't screw up his brilliant plan.

"You have a cute brother," Tea said, laughing a little. "I just love Mokuba to death."

Seto grunted. "I suppose so. He's up to something, though I'm not sure what. For some reason, he's been acting very strange lately. I really don't understand that kid sometimes."

Tea grinned. "Oh don't worry." She stretched out her arms. "Just let him scheme. How much damage can he really do? Relax and enjoy the day!"

"Relax?" he growled. "I'm a foot away from you- you in that indecently tight top and skirt so short I can see all the way up your legs- and I'm not allowed to touch you. I'm not even allowed to look at you, or your precious little nerd herd will start gnashing their teeth at me. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is? How hot and bothered you're making me sitting there just out of my reach? Damn it, I shouldn't have come."

She blinked, a little surprised by his vehemence. "I... I'm sorry? There's not really anything I can do. Besides, can't we just enjoy the afternoon together without adding anything physical to it? We can talk, and if you scowl the other guys will just think we're insulting each other again."

He looked at her like she was crazy. "No, we can't just enjoy the afternoon talking."

Tea rolled her eyes. "You're totally impossible."

He leaned in close to her, his thick bangs brushing her cheek, his lips at her ear. "I know." He chuckled once, and said, "I see you trembling; it's obvious you want me."

"Stop it," she hissed. "You're right, OK? It's been what- a week and a half since I've been able to touch you? Yes, it's getting to me too. But there's nothing we can do about it, so just back away and wait until we're alone."

His eyes darted over to the frisbee game. They weren't paying attention at all, they probably hadn't even noticed that Mokuba was gone. Yugi was in the middle, doing some sort of ridiculous jumping dance as the others played keep-away around him. They wouldn't notice anything.

Stealthily, he leaned down and pressed down on her in a hot, open mouthed kiss. His tongue snaked out and gently tasted the soft skin of her neck, reveling in the sensations that swiftly overtook him. Nothing could compare to the divine stimulation he found in that one woman's body. Why hadn't he ever pursued that before? Honestly, he no longer cared, and concentrated only on the responses he was capable of evoking in her.

But just as suddenly he pulled away, crossed his arms and started scowling.

Feeling a little dazed from the sudden lack of sensation, she shook her head and then glared at him. "I should slap you!" she said angrily. "Ooh... Don't do that in public!" He didn't even acknowledge she had spoken- other than the cleverly hidden smirk that was skirting about his lips. "You'd make an incredible actor, you know that?" she asked wearily, resigning herself to his silence. "I really don't know how you do it."

About two hours later, everyone decided it was time to leave. Mokuba and Seto left first, climbing into a limo waiting for them at the entrance. Everyone else piled into the mini-van Tristan's mom had let him borrow and headed off to their respective homes. Tea stared out her window, lost in a fanciful daydream. (About unicorns and rainbows right? Ri-ight.) Yugi watched her, wondering what was on her mind. He was a little nervous; he was hoping to invite her over to his house soon on the pretense of watching a movie. What he really planned to do, however, was confront her regarding his suspicions about her and Kaiba. He could only hope that she would know his interference was well-meant.

dial
"So now I guess it's your turn to learn about me, huh?"

"There isn't another option, is there?"

"Nope. Here goes: I, as I'm sure you know, want to be a dancer, but for a while when I was very young I really wanted to-" she laughed a little before she continued. "I wanted to be a super-hero! I honestly thought that if I had a cape and I wore a pair of my father's boxers outside my clothes I could fly and fight evil. I used to tie a bedsheet around my neck and prance around the kitchen while my mom cooked supper, bent on destroying my, as of then unknown arch-nemesis." She paused a moment when she caught snide snickering coming from the other line.

But continuing anyway she said, "Also, I'm addicted to caffeine, and my favorite band is The Clash. That's about it, though."

He was still laughing. "You wanted to be a super-hero? You thought you could fly?"

Becoming very annoyed, she snapped, "Yeah, now shut up about it. Since you're so intent on teasing me, I'll just have to distract you with another question of my own." The way she immediately dove into the inquiry with little thought told him that she had been preparing it. "You said yourself that you weren't interested in getting to know me. Tell me, then, what about me does hold your interest?"

Seto was far from stupid. He knew that was a loaded question if there ever was one- a wrong answer (or one she just didn't like) and everything was over.

Clearing his throat he said, "Being a woman yourself, you obviously aren't able to fully appreciate the beauty of the female body. Your form is exquisite. I could trace your body even now- graceful neck that you're inclined to tilt to one side, even if it is a bit long you still manage to portray 'adorable' with no trouble at all, then smooth shoulders that lead down to small arms and delicate hands. Then that rather generous chest of yours, which I assure you other women are envious of." He heard a little embarrassed cough from her end of the line. That only made his smirk grow larger. "And then you have that trim waist and strong stomach- dancing has been good to you, that is certain. Round, luscious hips that curve down to long, powerful legs. Mmm..."

She made a sound that sounded a little a squeak, and he couldn't help but let himself laugh. "What's the matter?" he asked, "You don't appreciate praise?"

Tea took a deep breath to help herself calm down. "Well, you've certainly given my body more than its due, but what about my personality? My intelligence? Doesn't that matter too?"

"I wouldn't be involved with you if I though you were stupid. I absolutely loathe stupidity. You are stubborn and loud and you speak without thinking. That's rather... endearing, I suppose- at least some of the time. And I certainly admire your determination. And... well, let's just leave it at that, shall we?"

They shared a small laugh, and for a brief moment she was inordinately glad that miles and a phone line separated them. She really didn't want him to see her rosy, blushing face.
tone

It was almost time for her to go.

Yugi sighed and said seriously, "Tea, we really need to talk."

She seemed a little confused by his somber tone and almost anxious face. "OK Yugi. Is there something wrong? You look a little worried."

He led her to the kitchen. They sad down, though for a long moment neither made a move to speak. Tea was confused; Yugi was acting strangely and she really had no idea why.

"Tea I..." he paused, and with a frown tried to gather his thoughts. "You've been acting differently lately, and for awhile I really was worried. Actually," he amended, "I'm still a little worried, but I think I've figured out why you were acting that way. I... I really don't like the conclusion I've drawn, but honestly it seems like the most logical answer- especially considering what I've seen. So... here's the big question: are you, um, well... are you and Kaiba seeing each other?"

Yugi didn't give her a chance to say or do anything other than go wide-eyed in shock. "I saw the way he was looking at you when we were all at the arcade- that day we accidentally ran into him. He was looking at you NOT like someone who hates you, but like someone who cares for you. He was looking at like he wanted you. You might forget because I... I may not seem like it sometimes, but remember I am still a guy- and I recognize that look, and that is not the sort of look I want him directing as one of my best friends. Maybe it's one-sided, and he just wishes that you felt the same way. I'm not going to pretend I know. But... Have you... you haven't done anything to encourage him, have you?"

Tea was in shock. Yugi knew? How the hell did Yugi know? She had thought they had been discreet; they had only been in her friends' presence once or twice- well, school too- and she had been so careful not to let anything slip. But... oh, why did Yugi have to be so perceptive? She didn't want to lie to her best friend, but she and Seto had both agreed to keep it secret, and she'd have to consult him before she decided to tell anyone, even if it was Yugi. That meant there was only one thing to do (as much as she dreaded it)- deny.

"Of course I haven't encouraged him. I don't even know what you're talking about- him and me? Him actually being interested in me? That's... well it's absurd, isn't it? He hasn't said or done anything that indicated he'd even want to pursue something with me." Her mind was screaming "Liar! Liar!" as she spoke every word, filling her with an even greater sense of guilt. "Are you sure you didn't imagine it?" she asked hesitantly. "Because really, what you're telling me is unlikely."

He was sure then that he wasn't wrong.

Tea hadn't ever really lied to him before, so a big part of him did want to believe her. But she was being so defensive that there were few explanations. One: though he thought her hatred had abated, perhaps it really hadn't, and she was sickened by the though of Kaiba's- real or imaginary- desire. Two: he had made an advance or two and it shook her up and embarrassed her so much that she didn't want to admit it- or Three: there really was something going on between them, and judging from her passionate denial it was serious. At that point, he wasn't certain enough to say which it was.

With a reasonably believable fake smile he said, "OK Tea, I guess it was just my imagination. Or maybe he was looking at some other girl. You obviously dislike him far too much to ever start a relationship with him."

"Yeah," she said, feeling a pang in her heart, and for the first time in the conversation being truly sincere. "We wouldn't ever be in a real relationship."

By the time she got home, she was almost in tears. "I can't keep lying to Yugi," she said to herself. "He deserves, at the very least, my honesty." Resolving to broach the subject with Seto gradually, she dragged herself to her room, praying that a warm shower would help wash at least some of the guilt away.

End A/N: There we go. Some parts of this chapter were awesome! Some, on the other hand, were... less than satisfactory. Please leave a review- how can I get better if I don't know what my readers like and don't like? On a similiar note, I am so very, very thankful to everyone who does review. It really meant a lot to me.

Random (but rather important in my humble opinion) Note Concerning This and Following Chapters: Each of the chapters about one of the months of their relationship represents a different stage. This was the 'getting to know' stage, a fact I felt I made abundantly clear. Next is the 'physical relationship' stage, then the 'accepting faults and surviving quarrels', and lastly there's 'falling in love'. So... cool!

OOH, special chp. 12 (abandoned inhibitions) sneak-peek: She absently fingered the hem of the pillowcase, trying to allay some of her nervousness. He took her hand away and kissed each of the knuckles. "You really don't know what you do to me," he said heatedly, leaning over her. "You took my ordered, methodical world..." His fingers found the waistband of her jeans. His lips found the neckline of her shirt. "...And you..." She moaned lowly as he gave her another lethal kiss. "Dropped me into chaos."