A/N: Own nothing...just my plot

Special yell out to my new beta for this story...Iris Omega! Thank you ever too much!

Chapter 10

Close Your Eyes and Breathe Don't Choke

Serenity woke up the next morning with a wide smile on her face. Last night had been quite the eye-opener. He may not be the warm fuzzy guy she dreamt of, but he wasn't as cold as she had originally thought. Still, she really wasn't shopping for a guy. Life was kind of nice just the way it was. Her apartment was a cozy home, teaching was a life-long dream she had managed to fulfill, and her friends and Joey were great to have around. Contentment was what she craved for, and she had obtained it. Seto Kaiba would complicate things—especially since her brother already had problems with the cutthroat duelist.

Showering and dressing quickly, she looked in the mirror. The bright red top screamed of festiveness, while the tapered black skirt reigned in her feisty look. Today she would wear boots; it had snowed quite a bit and she didn't want her feet getting wet by wearing heels. Too bad her only boots had heels. Her feet would be warm, she decided as she slipped socks on, but she would be wobbly on the ice. It would be nice to be in the limo and not have to trudge through the snow. Plus, would it really be so bad to see Kaiba again? She smirked as she finished the light make-up—not much, just enough to enhance—she routinely applied. She sprayed a light perfume on; one she often received compliments on. This is not for him, she warned herself, this is just to feel... feminine. Yes, simply to feel feminine.

Pulling on her coat and grabbing her purse, she walked to the door. Her bag for school—along with her cupcakes—had been left in Kaiba's care. The chauffer had tossed her bag in the trunk last night. So, nothing was accomplished as far as grading papers was concerned. Then again, when had she had the time last night?

A curt knock on the door alerted her to the limo's arrival. She grabbed her keys and opened the door, then locked it behind her. The air was crisp and clean; puffs of condensation left her lips as she exhaled. It sure as hell was cold out there. At least the building maintenance people shoveled and salted. The chauffer raced ahead and opened the door. She followed, not as quickly, and slid into the limo. Her heart sank when she realized who was missing.

"Good morning, Mokuba." She attempted a fake smile. Why should she feel disappointed? They would just end up arguing; he was far too out-of-control for her taste.

"Morning, Serenity," the boy whispered in monotone as he continued to scribble in a notebook.

"What are you working on? Homework?" She tried to look over his shoulder.

"I neglected it last night with everything we did. I thought I would finish after we cooked, but then I fell asleep." He quickly started scribbling more.

Serenity smiled as she leaned back. He had looked so darling sleeping on the prep counter, and Kaiba had been so gentle with him as he carried him off to bed.

"We should be at school soon. You can continue to work in my room until you're done. It is my fault you had no chance to do it. I'll write your teacher a note saying you were helping me out."

"Thank you, Serenity." He glanced up and smiled at her, then quickly continued his work. She looked around the limo. It was nicer in here without Kaiba... yeah, nicer...

Mokuba had settled down with his books and was quite busy. Serenity glanced around her decorated classroom. Today would be about fun and festivities. Besides, the day before a long break was useless. The children would be far too giddy to get any work done. A buzz from the intercom caught her attention.

"Miss Wheeler?" The voice boomed softly in the room.

"Yes?" She answered to the air.

"There is a gentleman here to see you."

Serenity's heart picked up that erratic beat again, her tummy did a flip-flop, and her mouth went dry. Seto Kaiba was here? Oh God, please help me.

"Send him in, please—thank you." She quickly pulled out her gloss and spread it over her lips, blotting them. She ran nervous fingers though her hair in an attempt to straighten any unruly strands. She took in a deep breath and released it slowly. What the heck was wrong with her today?

Mokuba watched the whole scene. Seto was at work... would he leave work to come here and see Serenity? Mokuba frowned. That wasn't the big brother he knew, but, after last night, anything was possible.

The door clicked and opened. Both Mokuba and Serenity watched with interest.

Unfortunately, their hopes fell as Duke Devlin stepped in the room. Naturally, he was carrying a huge bouquet of Pink Oriental Lilies. They were beautiful, but the stench that accompanied them was unappreciated. He sauntered over and placed the vase with the exotic looking blooms on her desk. Great, now she would breathe in their stench all damn day.

"Thank you, Duke, but you shouldn't have." She tried to be gracious, but she was having a hard time keeping her nose from crinkling up.

"Of course I did—you do know you're my best girl." The low, raspy voice he used made her stomach lurch. Spare me, she thought in hopelessness.

He hopped up on her desk and smiled at her. "My, my—don't you look lovely today?" His eyes roamed over her with appreciation. The urge to slap him almost overwhelmed her.

"Duke, you do know that class will be beginning shortly, don't you? My kids will come in soon and your being here is a distraction." She wanted to tell him to get out. What would she have done if it had been Kaiba? Butterflies in her stomach took flight at the thought.

"Do I distract you, sweetheart?" His voice dripped with honey and she felt the butterflies wither and die.

"I'm just preparing my room for the Christmas party and doing some last minute things." She tried to move around the desk, but he captured her wrist.

"I won't keep you," Duke whispered smoothly. Violet-gray eyes snapped on Duke's form.

Darn straight you won't. My big brother will see to that...

Mokuba took in the leech—all the while giving Duke the evil eye and feeling the urge to kick him in the shins.

"I really just came here to let you know I'm taking you to dinner tonight." He tried to pull her closer by her wrist, but she held back. Mokuba was in the room and the flowers were making her nauseous. Her eyes darted to the small boy, silently loving his presence, then to Duke—giving him a message.

"I can't tonight, Duke," she started.

"I won't take no for an answer, Serenity. I mean, I hardly see you anymore. You haven't returned my calls, you wouldn't dance with me at the Christmas party... I refuse to take no for an answer this time." He ran his knuckles down her soft cheek.

"Serenity, you promised to go shopping with me tonight!" Mokuba's little voice called out. "Are you going to ditch me?" He put on his best puppy-dog look and caused his eyes to tear up. Serenity's eyes narrowed—this boy had it down-pat. What a joke... and yet, she knew he would still get to her…

"Duke, you can't ask me to do that to him." She looked back and forth between the two as if she were being torn.

Duke scowled for a moment and then sighed. "I guess I can wait until tomorrow to see you."

"I have more shopping to do tomorrow, Duke. With moving and all, I have scarcely paid attention to Christmas shopping, and I'm way behind." She shook her head as if exasperated. She did have to shop, but then she had to wrap and everything, and she hardly wanted Duke by her side all day long.

"I have to shop, too." Duke smiled at her.

She believed he thought it was a smile that was going to melt her resolve. It did the opposite; making her wonder how many women he had used it on.

"I have to find a gift that will make a certain beautiful young lady grace me with her laughter, and then her heart." He winked at her as his thumb traced her lip.

Silently, Mokuba fumed at Duke. Pompous jerk, Serenity was Seto's, and that was that. It didn't even appear that she liked this moron!

"Um... well... yeah, but I have to shop for my family and all." Serenity was stammering. This damn contest had been the worst idea she had ever had! What kind of cough medicine had she been taking?

Duke's eyes narrowed. He wanted to spend time with her, and this evading was annoying him. "I won't take no for an answer. We'll meet for lunch in the mall. I mean, you do have to eat at some point, Serenity. Am I wrong?" He picked up her hand in his, softly stroking her palm.

"I will be awfully busy, Duke," she tried to counter. "I won't have much time."

"No problem—any time with you will be my pleasure." He kissed the back of her hand; the urge to wipe it off almost overcame her.

Funny, a few days ago she found him a bit charming. Damn Seto Kaiba—had he ruined her! She was now more furious with the blue-eyed CEO than ever before.

"We'll meet at Houlihan's in the mall at noon. Is that okay with you?" He smiled widely at her.

"It sounds wonderful." She forced a big smile. She would get over Seto Kaiba by remembering how wonderful Duke was. He did bring her beautiful flowers, always treated her like a lady, and was nice-looking. Although, she did prefer blue to green eyes... how did that sneak in there?

"I'll leave before I get you in trouble." He smirked as he pulled her towards the door. She followed behind him, knowing that Mokuba's eyes had never left them. Walking out the door with Duke, she blinked as he turned quickly and kissed her cheek. Biting her lip, she decided that she had to see, just to make sure... She placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed his lips softly and slowly.

It was nothing like Kaiba's kiss; there was no passion, no weak knees or erratic beat in her heart.

Duke smiled at her with what she knew was renewed hope. Unfortunately, she now realized all hope was gone. There was less than nothing here. He would make a great friend, yes, but not a boyfriend. Kaiba would make a lousy boyfriend... just plain lousy. Tristan...now there was a laugh. He thought she was a slut—or something close to it.

What now?

"I'll see you at noon tomorrow, Serenity." He kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment, then turned and left her standing there. She had done all of this to herself. Her only option was to not laugh at anyone—which had actually been her original plan. Why was there suddenly so much confusion? In a word—no, actually, a name—Kaiba!

Him and his blue-eyed-white-dragon-wrench! Oh! That awful, vile man! What a horrible, vicious man! He came along and made her think way too much. How dare he trick her as often as he did? How dare he throw her over his shoulder? How dare he kiss her until she was breathless and weak-kneed? She could feel her cheeks flushing—a flush that had nothing to do with Duke, but everything to do with a man who wore Chrome, had the bluest eyes she had ever seen, looked amazing in a t-shirt, and tasted of frosting.

Slowly, she entered the classroom.

"I just called Seto and let him know that you're going shopping with us tonight!" Mokuba sing-songed to her. She leaned against the door. She had lost every round last night, with the exception of the snowball and the hot chocolate. Could those even be counted as victories? Honestly, the man had told her she would be made to pay for them, didn't he?

"Mokuba, I appreciate how you helped me out, but I can't..." She tried.

"Then you forced me to lie?" Mokuba looked shocked. "I don't like to lie, Serenity. I mean, I get punished for that. Lying is bad, isn't it? Big brother will be very mad at me when he finds out that I lied..." The boy looked so down trodden.

Serenity sighed. Having a small boy save her from Duke was one thing, but making it into a lie was another. What kind of example was she setting if she lied openly, using this child?

"You called him already?" She asked, sighing in defeat.

"Of course! He would be angry if you just showed up at the last moment. I did change the plans a bit. Now you're angry with me..." The small boy closed his book, eyes filling with tears. A sob escaped him as he tried to gather his things. "Don't worry, Serenity, I'll explain this to Seto. I just hope I get at least one toy for Christmas..."

"Spreading it on a bit thick, aren't you, Mokuba?" she asked. He regarded her with those sad eyes.

"Big brother hates liars; he never lies, Serenity. When he finds out what I did, I will be in big trouble." He made his way to the door.

"What time, Mokuba?" she growled, knowing she had just been beaten again.

"The limo will pick us up after school. Bye Serenity!" he yelled as he took off down the hall. Serenity shook her head. Another fun evening with the Kaibas... She drew in a deep breath and placed her hand over her mouth. Her heart had picked up that strange beat again.

It was an unruly day in class. No one wanted to work, so, instead, they colored, played, and ate. Serenity felt just the slightest bit guilty at all the sugar they ingested, but was glad that they were someone else's problem when the last bell rang. Her little ones lined up at the door and filed out to their buses. She quickly returned to her room and looked at the mess that was left for the custodians. She shook her head slowly. Christmas was so much fun... usually.

Her desk was filled with gifts from her students. She couldn't wait to open each—she just loved homemade gifts from the children, whom she had come to think of as her own. They were, in a way—daily, from nine to three. Her door opened and Mokuba rushed in.

"Wasn't this just the best day, Serenity? I had a blast! Did you?" Mokuba kept gushing as Serenity slid into her chair and started rubbing her temples. The Tylenol hadn't kicked in yet—she hoped it would soon. The flowers had been moved to the far side of the room, and would stay there to rot and die; there was no way they were coming home with her. Mokuba looked around the room and smiled.

"You had a great party, didn't you?" he asked, followed by, "What is that smell?"

Serenity sighed. "That smell" was what was killing her.

"What do you say we take this stuff out to my car and get some fresh air?" she asked as she started putting her gifts into bags. He happily started helping.

Soon, after making a few trips, they were done. She cleaned the snow off her car and started it; it turned over quickly and she smiled. Thankfully, the cold hadn't affected the engine.

A limo pulled up alongside them. The rear door quickly opened, and Seto stepped out to assess the situation. She did look beautiful in the snow—it made her hair look like fire, and her complexion like an angel's. They hadn't been out there too long—her cheeks and nose weren't red yet. He liked it when they were.

"Good afternoon, Serenity." Kaiba smirked, his voice was like liquid warmth. He walked over to her and took the brush from her hand, finishing the top of her car. "Why don't you go warm up in the limo?"

"I figured I would just drive to wherever it is we're going," she offered with a shrug. Being trapped by them for another day was not on her list of 'fun things to do.'

"Nonsense." Kaiba took her keys from her hand and tossed them to a guard. "See that her car gets to her apartment safely and then return the keys to the mansion later."

The guard didn't hesitate to slide in her car and take off, leaving her stranded with the Kaiba brothers again.

"This could be considered a kidnapping," she growled, hating that he had won another round. Would she ever declare victory over this man? Suddenly, she realized that they were alone in the lot next to the limo. Mokuba had already slipped into the car.

"I would have to toss you over my shoulder to do that. Is that what you're looking for?" His smug look made her itch to slap him.

"If you ever do that again, I'll..." Slap your back really hard, but you won't flinch. Or I'll just pleasantly enjoy the view of your assets...

"Fine, Kaiba—whatever." She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a rebuttal. "Just know that this is my surprise, okay?" She opened the passenger door, intending to sit with the driver and beat Kaiba at his own game. Instead, a grinning Mokuba greeted her. Damn.

"Can I sit up front today?" she almost implored the boy.

Mokuba's reply was quick and curt. "I get car-sick in the back seat sometimes, and, from all the stuff I ate, I may hurl in the back." He tugged the door shut.

Kaiba stood there with his arms folded, one hand hiding his smile. She was so frustrated and adorable. She looked like she needed to be kissed, and he would be kissing her again... soon.

"Are you done yet?" He tried to sound harsh.

She stormed over and sat down. She would have sat on the side-facing seat, but that was conveniently covered with wrapping paper and other assorted things. She would have to sit near the window, next to him—again.

He slid in beside her. The scent of Chrome assaulted her senses.

"You are so..." What were the words?

"Sadistic? Tyrannical? Annoying? Appealing?"

Her head snapped in his direction at his last word.

"Appealing? You're appealing?" she huffed.

"Thank you, Serenity—I always figured you thought about me that way." His sardonic smile let her know she had been successfully led.

"If it wasn't for the fact that I'm a lady, I'd tell you what word I would use to describe you, Kaiba."

"I thought we were past that. I mean, you did use my first name last night." He chuckled.

"Under threat of blackmail. If I hadn't, you would have dropped me in the snow." He was a contemptuous, pretentious know-it-all, and she hated him.

"I would never have done that. I just wanted you to ask nicely." He watched her as she folded her arms across her chest and crossed her legs away from him. It was so cute that she was trying so hard to deny him. Mokuba had told him about Duke. She had pretty much told the man to get lost, and Kaiba knew it was due to her feelings for him.

"I had," she growled, trying to ignore him.

"No, you hadn't."

"Could we just not talk?" she snapped at him.

"Well..." He leaned closer. "You do owe me three kisses."

"Liar! I only owe you two; you kissed me at the door last night." She turned and was almost nose-to-nose with him. When had he gotten that close?

"That was a kiss of thank-you for assisting you into your home." He moved closer to her lips, his breath soft and sweet on them. "I did get you there safe and sound. Consider it payback for a job well done."

"Two kisses left, Kaiba."

"Three, Serenity. And if you continue to argue, I will expect a fourth to compensate for the headache you'll give me." He sat back smugly.

Her heart was racing, and her mind reeled.

As they pulled up in front of a huge toy store, Mokuba dashed out of the car. He raced into the store that had been closed for Kaiba's convenience.

Serenity could hardly believe the whole store had closed down for this visit.

She stood back and watched as Mokuba pointed and said, "Ten of those and twenty of those... these are great—we'll take thirty!" Up and down the aisles he went, pointing and shouting out numbers and quantities. Serenity was getting more and more annoyed by the second. What a brat!

She looked at Kaiba, who quietly stood back and let this go on. He would nod his head here and there, but, over all, this child was being allowed to get as much as he wanted!

"Can I get one of each of the bikes, Seto? I just can't decide between them." The boy stood there, scratching his head and looking confused.

"Whatever, Mokuba," Seto answered, as if bored by the whole ordeal.

"Why don't you just wrap up the store?" Serenity quipped.

"They do this each year at Christmas, Miss," an employee told her. "They have a big truck out back that they load up."

"It must be nice to have that much money." She wanted to go home now. She was done—actually, she was more than done.

She watched as shelves were emptied and men carried out enough toys to fill several small trucks. She stood by, silently shaking her head.

"This is a horrible example, Kaiba. I mean, you're basically his parent, and you should set limits." She tried to sound harsh.

"You think I'm a bad guardian?" He smirked, seeming to be unaffected by her harsh remark. "Do you think money is the source of all evil?"

"If used badly, I do. Letting a child run amuck in a toy-store is bad, Kaiba. Do you think he's learning anything about self-control, temperance, or restraint?" She couldn't believe her eyes or ears as the loot was totaled and the trucks took off. Kaiba flashed a credit card and off they went.

"Where to now? Back to your mansion where Mokuba can enjoy all his riches? You will ruin this child, Kaiba. He's so sweet and so good... I can't imagine why you are doing back-flips to spoil him." She would have held her tongue if Mokuba was around, but he had chosen to ride with his treasures in one of the trucks.

If she and Kaiba ever had a chance, it was dead and gone now. His indulgence of Mokuba to this excess had shoved a pin in the balloon. All gone. Bye-bye.

The limo ride was quiet. She barely glanced his way, and only softly muttered about how Kaiba should write a book on how to raise a spoiled brat. When they pulled into the parking lot of Kaiba Corporation, she frowned. Why had they come here?

"If you think I'll sit in your office while you work, you are sadly mistaken." She folded her arms across her chest and stuck her nose in the air.

"Don't make me drag you out of the car; not that I don't think you would enjoy it." He smirked as he remembered the slap he gave her derrière.

"I want to go home... now!" She slapped at his hand as he held it down to her.

She had had enough—no, more than enough.

"Fine, you can sit out here and freeze. It makes no difference to me." He turned on his heel and walked to the door with the wrapping paper, the chauffer, and several helpers.

She could stand the cold.

It really wasn't that cold.

Not yet.

The engine wasn't on, so the heat had stopped.

It was getting colder now.

She was done—she would go in to make a call and then go home.

The sight that greeted her caused her eyes to open wide. Employees were lined up, wrapping Mokuba's gifts! Worse yet, Mokuba was instructing them! What the hell kind of warped sense of values was Kaiba teaching him?

She approached an employee.

"Excuse me, but don't you think this is a bit ridiculous?" She asked the woman.

"What do you mean, Miss?" The woman looked up at her, smiling. She seemed so happy about this. How was that possible?

"Wrapping all these gifts. You enjoy it?" Serenity asked in astonishment.

"Well, it is for a good cause." The woman shrugged.

"Overtime?" Serenity scoffed.

"No—actually, Mr. Kaiba only gives us a gift-certificate for our help," she mused.

"So, you do this for free?" Serenity was sure the water was drugged and these people were Kaiba's minions.

"Basically, yes, Miss."

It had to be out of fear of being fired. Why else would all these people do this? Mokuba ordered more bows for the gifts. Serenity frowned; he was turning into quite the brat. It wasn't her that needed to be taken over Kaiba's knee, it was Mokuba.

She placed her hands on her hips and scoffed.

"This is insane—why not just give him the gifts? He already knows what they are! He picked them all out!" She was furious.

The girl looked at her. "We do this every year. Mr. Kaiba is quite generous."

Yeah, so generous.

Serenity spotted the blue-eyed CEO. He was drinking coffee while overseeing the activity. Storming over to him, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the nearest room. He nearly spilled the coffee on himself as he was yanked by his spitfire interest.

She slammed the door when they were inside.

"Where do I begin?" she yelled in his face. "I am so angry with you right now! Making your employees work for free to wrap your spoiled brother's Christmas gifts! I mean, I have never seen so many gifts in my life! Why the hell does he need all those bikes? How about ten of the same games? All those things! And now, there he is ordering them how to use more bows and which paper! Am I the only one to see the harm in this?" She was now freaking out and quite close to tears.

Kaiba didn't move or say a word. He was standing in his famous dueling stance, a smirk firm on his lips.

"You just want to believe the worst about me, don't you?" he finally asked after her breathing began to regulate.

"You want me to commend you for indulging a child's every whim?" she huffed. He needed to be smacked—hard.

"You don't get it, do you?" he asked.

"Get what?" She turned to face him.

"These are gifts for the local orphanages. Well, the first of them, anyway. Kaiba Corp. does this every year; we have been doing it since I took over. The orphanage is a sad, lonely place on Christmas, so Mokuba and I like to give some joy to those who have little of it in their lives."

Serenity was staring openly at him—utterly speechless.