Disclaimer: I'm afraid I'm too tired to be clever. This is a fanfiction. 'Nuff said.

A/N: WHOO! WHOO! I have over 100 reviews! I swear I almost fainted when I saw that. Truly, that exceeds all my wildest expectations. To anyone who's reviewed, you've made me simply ecstatic, and I cannot extend enough thanks to all of you. This chapter is pretty good, I think- definitely the stuff all you pervs have been waiting for. It's the second month- so that means physical relationship. I hope you enjoy it! (YES! I actually met my deadline! ...by 17 minutes...)

Oh, and to address a review: I've tried to put the accent over the girl's name, but I can't get formatting (or whatever... we all knows it's screwed up) to keep it in the chapter. (shrugs) Sorry... I've been trying. I hope that doesn't detract from the reading!

chapter Twelve:

Intoxication.
You make futile efforts to find your freedom,
But with very sigh and every moan
That plays like a rewound tape in your head,
You're drawn right back in again.
The need you have makes you ache.
Captivated.
You are totally intoxicated.
The essence of your deepest desires
fills you with more joy
Than you have ever known before.
What a lovely, lonely
Addiction.

The Second Month

After all that time, they still hadn't gotten caught. At first they had been ridiculously careful, never being seen together and only spending time with each other when there was absolutely no chance that they'd be found out.

But Seto was getting bolder. His wandering hands just wouldn't be stilled- they seemed to find hers oftener and oftener- and the quick, heated kisses in the darkest recesses of the school hallways were becoming longer and increasingly ardent. Yes, it was maddeningly pleasant, and she enjoyed him to a degree that would surely have been counted as obsessive had anyone analyzed it, but the situation was much too dangerous for her to be entirely comfortable.

Tea was fairly certain that her friends- apart from the ever-uncanny Yugi who had somehow managed to guess- still had no idea, and for a time she intended to keep it that way. (For a time? She'd probably end up taking the secret to her grave.) They would be so disappointed in her, and though she realized it was selfish to keep the relationship a secret just to keep herself out of trouble, she did intend to let the guys get to know Seto and see that he had a good side. Then maybe she could drop the bomb. That was really the least painful plan she had come up, and as it was her hope to try and keep everyone happy and alive, that was what she was going to follow-through with.

"Hey Tea!" Joey called excitedly, snapping her out of her rambling, circular thoughts. "What's up with you today? You seem... out of it or something. You Ok?"

She smiled, touched by his concern, and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just doing some thinking, and you know how dangerous that can be."

They all laughed and Tristan said, "Yeah, Joey knows all right- that's why he avoids it whenever he can." Even Joey laughed then, not realizing that he had been insulted.

"So Tea," Yugi asked innocently (ulterior motive hidden well), "what were you thinking about that got you so distracted?"

Though she tried as hard as she could not to, she blushed as bright red as a cherry. Another obvious clue- Yugi was positive he knew who was on her mind. And he had caught her right in his trap. "Um, I didn't mean to space out like that you guys. Sorry." She grinned sheepishly.

"Aww, that's Ok Tea," Joey said happily (for some reason, he was in a very good mood), slapping her very lightly on the back. "No need to get embarrassed or nothing. I get kinda dazed and confused all the time."

"That's the truth," Tristan muttered jokingly. Joey just glared at him.

Yugi could hardly believe they fell for that- she was a terrible liar to begin with, and the way she had been acting lately was even more suspicious. He wouldn't give her away- if she felt that she couldn't tell them, for whatever reason, then he would respect that. She was a good friend, and who she... dated or whatever it was they were doing was her business. Even if is was Kaiba. Even if the reasons for that particular choice were entirely outside his realm of understanding. Even if he knew she could do better. Why, of all the men in the entire world, she would pick Kaiba to be with, he would never understand. Well, at least until she felt it was time to explain it to them.

"Hey Yugi, the bell rang!" Tea called, and he saw that everyone was starting to stand. "We have to get to class." He smiled and gathered his things, then dutifully- like the loyal, devoted friend he knew he was- followed her to their next class.

Joey and Tristan were throwing poorly made paper airplanes at each other. Yugi was bent over his binder, trying to finish up some of his homework for a later period that he had forgotten to do the night before. (He had refused her offer to let him copy hers.) But she... Well, Tea was sitting there bored out of her mind waiting for something to happen. Sure, the class wasn't usually terrible, but they had a sub there, and with the busy-work out of the way there was nothing to do.

Just then, as though some unseen force had heard her pleas for something other than monotonous sitting, a neatly folded slip of paper fell into her lap. She looked around, but caught no one's eye. The other students were all engrossed in their own activities- interesting or not- and probably hadn't even seen the note go flying. Suddenly, her search for the sender came to an abrupt end. A pair of deep blue eyes met hers tellingly, and she couldn't help but smile at his attentions.

Unfolding the note, she saw about three lines written in a spiky, masculine hand:

"You're afraid of getting caught? Then just avoid any would-be onlookers. Saturday night- 6:30. Mokuba's going over to some random friend's house. I know you'll be there."

She shook her head at his confidence. Yes, there was absolutely NO reason for her to refuse- actually, she reprimanded herself for not thinking of that sooner- but really... However, she grinned and winked at him, a sure sign that his invitation-he had really demanded, but that was beside the point- had been accepted.

Both parties, it must be stated, were eagerly anticipating what was surely going to be an unforgettable first date.

None too soon, Saturday came. After a talk one day after school, (though they hadn't actually done much talking) everything was settled. She had told her friends that she had some work to do- or some equally unlikely excuse- and they assured her they wouldn't bother her.

She was just congratulating herself on a successful trick as she headed out of her last period to go to the restroom. Three girls came in right after she did, and in her defense, she really couldn't help but overhear their conversation. (In later reflection, she almost wished she hadn't.)

"Are you going to break up with him?" one voice that Tea didn't recognize asked. "I mean, he is really cute, but you deserve a guy who you know is never going to cheat on you."

"Yeah," another girl said, "he's such a scumbag. You should really dump him."

"I know," the girl the unfaithful man in question apparently belonged to. Tea vaguely thought that they might have sociology together. "I want to give him a chance to admit it to me himself, though. And really- I don't know why any other girl would want him. He's a horrible kisser!" The girls all giggled.

"Really?" the first girl asked. "I've heard rumors, and they ran in a completely opposite direction."

"Well, he's smart and fun to talk to, but he's not good for anything else. I let him get to second base on one of our dates and... ugh, that's an experience I never want to repeat. He had no idea what he was doing!"

"If that's the case, he's probably just with the other girl because you've got his least too tight. You know guys, if they can't get it from one girl, they'll go find some other who'll let them in her pants. Just drop his sorry ass- he sounds like a jerk."

Tea rolled her eyes, but didn't come out of the stall. She was embarrassed; she really didn't want them to know she had heard them.

"I'm not going to tie myself down," the first girl said after a moment. "But you know who I wouldn't mind getting some attention from? Seto Kaiba."

The other girls laughed, and made generous concessions that yes, he was quite attractive.

Tea blanched. They weren't supposed to be talking about him! He was... She blushed, not willing to say he was hers- their relationship didn't allow for that anyway- but still feeling a tiny bit of possessiveness that she just couldn't shake. She didn't want other girls talking about him that way!

The girl with the cheating boyfriend said, "Do you think you could get him? He never even talks to anyone at school."

The second girl spoke up quickly with, "Yeah, and besides that, I heard he was doing his secretary. You really want a guy who would take advantage of a girl like that?"

"I wouldn't say it was taking advantage, and rumors are just rumors. But he's the sexiest thing this school has to offer, and I wouldn't really mind if just wanted to, as you so eloquently put it, do me."

"He does seem like that kind of guy. He's probably never had a real relationship in his life. Now maybe some girls have that little self-respect, but I know I wouldn't want a guy who was just using me for sex. You only get hurt in the end, you know."

The sound of running water was heard, and then the door opened and the voices left. Tea walked to the sink, her face pale. She felt bad, almost... dirty after what those girls had said. Surely he wasn't just using her. And even if he was, she was just using him, so didn't that make it even? Wasn't that an exception, if both sides were aware of the wants of the other party involved? She left the restroom, her thoughts all jumbled and her mind mired in deep confusion. Her evening plans had suddenly lost a great deal of their initial appeal.

Seto climbed out of the shower, into the large, steamy bathroom. He wrapped a fluffy blue towel around his waist, and wiped off the foggy mirror.

He was- as much as it was possible for him to actually be- rather happy. Well, perhaps saying "happy" was a stretch, but he was quite pleased, and not at all opposed to what he knew what be going on later that evening. In that respect, he was nearly ecstatic. (In his own terms, of course)

He looked at the watch lying on the counter. 5:15. He still had plenty of time.

He took out his toothbrush (a lovely navy one, it must be noted) and a comb. Mokuba's friend's mother would be picking him up in about 15 minutes, and Seto was hoping to at least be ready enough to say goodbye. It was a sheer stroke of luck that Mokuba had been invited somewhere- that made flimsy excuses and trying to sneak out without his notice completely unnecessary. He had agreed almost immediately, hardly bothering to put on a show of annoyance and disapproval at all. In fact, he had almost been to eager to send Mokuba away- the boy was- and rightly so- a little suspicious.

After donning a clean, pressed shirt and a pair of black pants, (though if things went his way he hoped they wouldn't be on long) he headed downstairs to wait for Mokuba to leave.

At almost exactly 6:30, the doorbell rang. He took his time answering it, knowing that he would be worth the short wait. Tea stood there grinning. "Hi."

"Hello." He kissed her in greeting, and ushered her inside. "I didn't expect you to be on time."

"Oh, and what about you mister?" she said, hands on her hips. "What- no flowers or chocolates? Some date." She smiled at him teasingly, and he rolled his eyes.

They went into the living room- she had played video games there with Mokuba once- and she plopped down on the couch. "Wanna watch a movie?" she asked, her voice betraying some secret she was obviously hiding. He nodded uncertainly. She dug through her purse until she found whatever it was she was looking for, and then pulled it out with a flourish. "I brought Breakfast at Tiffany's. That Ok?"

He grumbled something, and looked away, suspiciously not responding. She raised an eyebrow. "Wait... you already have it, don't you?"

He just glared and said, "Why don't you just put the movie on?"

She agreeably popped the movie in, (after having a good laugh of course) and they both piled comfortably on the couch. As the beginning previews began to roll on, he quietly excused himself and disappeared into another room. After a minute or two he came back with a large bowl of popcorn and two tall glasses of water. He handed one to her, and she murmured a quick "thanks" before taking a sip.

As the film went on, the distance between them felt utterly uncrossable. He sat, rigid and straight, as far on the other side of the couch as it was possible to be. Now, she certainly wasn't going to make any overtures- especially not after the doubts that hand been planted earlier that day- but she didn't want things to be strained or uncomfortable. Tea frowned, feeling rather confused. He was always the one trying to touch her, so why was he going out of his way to make sure they had no way of even accidentally brushing against each other? They were all alone- together- (which did make her a little nervous) and he wasn't even trying anything. She wasn't entirely sure she was complaining, but why was he acting like that?

Anyone with eyes could see that he was far from ugly, but there were times when she would forget just how gorgeous he really was. His hair was so thick and brown and soft, just begging her to bury her fingers in it. And his body- oh, she had to suppress a shudder. He wasn't very big, or as buff as some men, but his slim, tightly-muscled frame had no competition when it came to just out and out attractiveness. Sitting there beside her in the dim light of a television set, he looked like one of those young gods in Greek mythology, much too beautiful for mortal hands to touch. But he made her want to touch him so badly. As long as he didn't look at her, she would be fine. After all, they could certainly enjoy a movie together without it leading into something more. ...Couldn't they?

From his place on the couch, Seto heard Tea sigh. He wondered if she'd think him rude if he didn't ask what was wrong. He actually didn't care if she thought he was rude or not, but if he spoke he might have to turn and look at her, and above all things he was determined not to do that. He had already decided that he wasn't going to look at her or even speak to her unless it was absolutely necessary. She would be the one to decide where things went- no matter what he thought was appropriate, he knew that he needed to let her make the final call. He wanted her so badly then that he could hardly breathe. He couldn't even think without visions of her soft, pliant body assailing his captive mind. She could ruin him if she ever discovered the power she held over him- that control that put him, brought to his knees, right in the palm of her hand. But his self-control was the stuff of legends and no matter what, he wouldn't give in to any temptation.

They stayed in that state- watching each other more than they watched the movie (Seto had already seen it anyway)- for another fifteen or twenty minutes. Suddenly, as though a lightning bolt of something had struck them both at once, they turned to look at one another.

"I... I..." Tea started inarticulately.

Seto scooted closer to her and put a finger over her lips. "Shh... Don't talk." He pulled her to him roughly, and kissed her like she was water and he was a dying, dehydrated man. That was like an electric shock to both their systems. It felt so good that it simply had to be wrong.

She felt him pull her up and suddenly they were both standing, still locked in an embrace that no one could pry them out of. They pushed aside chairs, tables, anything that stopped them in their search for support. His hands had purpose- they grabbed her hips and head and pulled the two bodies tight against each other.

He couldn't stop himself; nothing in the world existed outside the two of them. Hungrily he devoured her lips, going back again and again- a slave to that delicious sensation. He wasn't sure where they really were- vaguely, the suggestion of stairs caught his mind, but other than that they could have been out all alone on some remote island for all he was aware of. Her fumbling, unsure fingers seemed to be everywhere- grabbing his neck, pulling at his hair, crawling all over his body like some uncontained, arousing plague. It was hard for him to remember that she was even less experienced than he was- that fling with his secretary hadn't been his fault; he swore she put something in his coffee- though it was obvious she wasn't quite sure what to be doing. He backed her up against a wall- they must have been near one, as walls didn't generally just materialize out of nowhere- and braced his hands on either side of her face, tongue tracing her lips as she tried hard not to moan.

"Hey Yugi," Joey asked, as they all sat around Yugi's TV, watching some badly-budgeted action flick. "Where's Tea? She shoulda come and watched this with us."

"I'm not sure," Yugi said, "I think she told me that she had going to be pretty busy tonight. Maybe she can come next week."

It was almost painful when he pulled away, the scorching heat still crackling between them. He had to catch his breath, panting slightly as much-needed oxygen was let in. He watched her for a moment, just as out of breath as he was, her chest heaving slightly with every exhale. He extended the pause for longer than he had to, just to gauge a reaction. Her hand cupped his cheek and she whispered, "Come on... why'd you stop?"

All the encouragement he needed, he immediately kissed her again. They started walking- or at least trying to- again, almost a dance of sorts as they awkwardly stepped in no discernable rhythm.

She stumbled, nearly falling over thanks to the blind haze of passion they were wrapped in. He caught her, breaking their kiss for a brief moment to look her in the eyes. Not surprisingly, she found that she just couldn't look away. He picked her up carefully, gathering her body in his arms, feeling warm, and soft, and safe. Her legs were draped over one of his arms, and her own wound themselves around his neck. He kissed her again, but with less urgency than the last time and more slow, sensual promise that made her toes curl.

Tea knew that he was moving- carrying her somewhere- but she really forgot to care where exactly they were going. She only wanted to concentrate on his strong arms and warm mouth, not pointless things like their location. (Or pointless things like her guilt for being involved with him, the inappropriateness of the situation, the assured disapproval of her friends and parents...) Suddenly though, he put her down, and she was lying on something incredibly soft.

Looking around, she realized that she was in a bedroom, on a bed topped with a thick, blue comforter. 'Oh... my God...' she thought. 'I'm in his bedroom... with him...'

A shiver went up her spine as she considered the situation's connotations. Seto smirked deviously at her, and crawled up beside her. He gently traced the side of her face with the back of his hand, then leaned down and caught her lips once again with his.

She looked up at him as he pulled away, the intensity that he radiated completely over-whelming. She swallowed nervously, anxiety mixing with fierce anticipation. He blinked slowly, and she noticed for the first time how long and thick his eyelashes were. How strong his chin was. How two or three strands of hair floated down constantly over his eyes. She could hardly breathe- he was beautiful.

"Tea," he whispered suddenly, his voice hoarse and demanding. "I want you. Right now... I want you." His chest was only a few inches above her own, his long legs on either side of her body. He kissed her again, hands sliding down to her hips. "You don't know what you do to me. You drive me crazy." His hand slid higher and his mouth laid hot, wet kisses on her neck. "You drive me wild."

Nothing in her mind was clear- he was doing a damn good job of totally intoxicating her. How the hell was she supposed to respond to that? "Seto..." she breathed, voice soft and inviting. That was certainly enough for him.

He let his tongue trace her collarbone, then took her hands and brought them up to his shoulders. He undid the first button of his shirt and whispered right at her ear, "Help me take it off."

Her eyes widened, and she gulped down a breath nervously. Inept fingers followed down his chest, unfastening every button slowly, until he could slide the cool, rich cloth off his shoulders. He laughed a little and leaned down to kiss her again. "My turn."

Everything was starting to melt together.

His hands snuck up to her waist, finding skin under the tight shirt she wore. She absently fingered the hem of a satiny pillowcase, trying to allay some of the nervousness still tightening in her chest. 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 lower 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."

For one undecided second, she put a hand on his chest and looked up at his face. Understanding what she was trying to say, he smiled. Yes... Not a smirk, a grin, or anything else like that. For her, he smiled. And that was all the confirmation she ever needed.

And for every blissful second that she took, every moment of ecstacy he strove to give her, she returned sensation full-circle back to him.

But he didn't want bliss; he didn't want any sort of lovely, lovely euphoria.

She gave him what he wanted.

Madness...
Pleasure that could nearly be pain...
Aching, twisting, churning delirium...
A beautiful, almost ethereal sense of-

Chaos.

He made her breakfast- waffles that he left in the toaster too long.

She wordlessly thanked him- a smile and a hug that lasted two seconds longer than she had intended it too.

There would be times in the days that followed, when they'd lose themselves in each other, but nothing else could compare. Nothing. That night, they both realized that something changed... whatever it was, they only knew they wanted more, no matter what the consequences. She knew, even before she was consciously aware she did, how he felt about her- and long before he did. And the sheer impossibility of it frightened her beyond measure. She kept memories of him wrapped up in her heart, fearing that if let loose, she'd never want to let them leave- never want to let him go. She knew that if he asked, she'd have to set him free- He meant too much to her, then, to even think about denying him a single thing. She was happy- and she was soaked to the soul in the first stirrings of... If she even dared to think it, love.

But she was certain that he'd never reciprocate any sort of feeling. After all... There weren't supposed to be strings attached. He only had an unhealthy addiction, and the only acceptable thing, when dealing with that, was to break it.

And she didn't want to be broken.

End A/N: Whoo! This chapter was kinda hard to write, and I went through a few drafts. I was hoping to add another scene, but this was 9 and a half pages, and that would have added like five more. I think this is good. (Well... I hope.) See what I did there? The bliss and chaos thing? Yeah, that has no deeper meaning, I just thought it was a creative idea. Heh. Ok! So... chp. 13 (arduous honesty) scheduled for Oct. 24. Let's see if I can do it, huh?

Thanx,
ILB

(review review review... please)