Disclaimer:
If you really need a disclaimer, you haven't been paying attention.

Author's Notes:
Against my better judgment, I'm sitting here contemplating this chapter and realizing the next chapter will most likely be written on a train between here and Portland next weekend. Mmm... writing on a train... There's something almost romantic in that. Knowing my luck, that means that I'll really just stare out the window and sing along to my favorite work playlist instead of getting anything real done. We'll see.

This chapter was inspired by an amusing weekend with a new friend. As I was staring at the blank screen grasping for a beginning to this chapter, he suggested one of my all-time favorite first lines: "It was a dark and stormy night". The chapter doesn't begin that way, but it certainly ends there! Chapter seven is already trying to write itself! I think I may have finally hit this story's groove!

Chapter 6

The bright laughter that filled the coffee house filled Junko with warmth. When she saw the group of teenagers enter the coffee house, she was nervous that they would disrupt what had been an otherwise pleasant evening. Then she saw Serenity among them and just smiled. It was the first time she'd seen the girl among friends. The teen smiled and waved at her, taking the time to introduce everyone Junko didn't already know. The group got their drinks and snacks quickly and took over a couple of tables in the corner. The auburn-haired girl sunk into a plush chair, sipping her tea carefully as she listened to her brother and his friends and relaxing in her surroundings.

Junko watched her, a smile spreading across her face. This was the Serenity she had hired, the one she enjoyed having as an employee. Relaxed, smiling, surrounded by people who cared about her. It was such a welcome change from the girl who ran for the back room every time the door opened for fear of running into someone who couldn't stand her brother.

Another pair of eyes watched the younger Wheeler quietly from outside the coffee shop. He didn't care for the company she was keeping, but there was no denying that there was something about the unusually subdued girl that didn't permit him to walk away.

The skies the next morning were as grey as Kaiba's heart, drowning Domino by the early afternoon. Joey grumbled as the gym teacher informed everyone that they would be running outside for the period.

"What's the matter, Wheeler? Afraid of a few raindrops?"

"At least he's heading outside," came a defiant voice not two steps behind the blond.

Seto Kaiba's lips curled into a satisfied smile before quickly falling into a smirk. For some reason he couldn't put his finger on, he was glad to see that the previous evening seemed to have restored Serenity Wheeler's fire. His eyes locked onto her as he addressed her brother, "I guess you're used to being out in the rain like a bad dog." His attention shifted back to the elder Wheeler on the last four words.

"Don't talk to my brother like that, Kaiba!"

Deep blue eyes shifted back to take in the delicate girl. "Still can't defend yourself, Wheeler?"

"Stop that! My brother has done nothing to you! Why must you be so mean to him?"

Kaiba stifled an impressed chuckle. Not many people were willing to stand up to KaibaCorp's young president. Joey Wheeler often tried, but fell tragically short as words failed him or his friends pulled him away. The upperclassman was pleased to see neither stopping the girl this afternoon. "That's true. Wheeler hasn't done anything for me."

He departed amid protests from both Wheeler siblings. Joey's, "Kaiba, you jerk!" almost drowned out his sister's retort, "That's not what I meant, Kaiba!"

The gym teacher, oblivious to the disturbance, soon sent everyone outside for their run. By the time she returned to the locker room, Serenity was soaked to the bone and freezing.

Her hair still hadn't dried by the time she got to work. Carefully, she twisted the waist-long auburn strands up into a bun and stuck a pencil through it to hold it in place. Junko took one look at the bedraggled teen and made her a cup of warm tea. "What happened?"

"Gym class," the girl responded, teeth still chattering. Junko gave the girl plenty of time to warm herself to the point where she wasn't chattering before putting her to work. Privately, the woman hoped Serenity's recovering time would overlap the Kaibas' routine visit, and was disheartened when the teen announced she was ready to work before the brothers showed up.

The evening was moderately busy, Serenity spending as much time as she could making drinks to further warm herself with the heat coming off the machine. By the time things had slowed down, Serenity could feel her fingertips again.

"Serenity, dear, I'm going on a break. I think things will stay quiet enough for you to handle it alone while I'm out." The girl nodded and the supervisor disappeared into the backroom.

Humming along with the music filling the coffee shop, Serenity started clean the area where the whole beans were kept. She heard the bells that had recently been tied to the front door chime, "I'll be with you in just a moment."

"Take your time, Serenity." She jumped, not expecting to hear Mokuba Kaiba behind her. Her heart dove straight for her feet as she tried to turn to face the little boy and the brother she knew was accompanying him.

"Oh, hi, Mokuba." The boy grinned and nodded, his ebony hair bouncing slightly. Reminding herself of that afternoon's run-in with the teen CEO, Serenity turned and made a small bow, figuring that would be the easiest way to keep her temper and her act together, "Kaiba." The taller boy was visibly startled by her actions. "Your usual, Mokuba?" Calm courage flooded Serenity's voice as she walked over to the register.

"Yes," a gruff voice replied. "I'll take a cup of coffee," Serenity froze, her fingers poised over the register, "and they'll both be for here." Her eyes couldn't hide her surprise. Kaiba was always in such a hurry to leave the coffee house; now he would be here several minutes as he and Mokuba finished their drinks.

Noticing the weather outside was still nasty, a mean thought played through the redhead's mind, a chance to avenge her brother, "What's the matter, Kaiba? Afraid of a few raindrops?"

The older teen's eyes flared for just a moment before settling into a steel gaze. "I have nowhere pressing to be."

"That's a change," Serenity muttered as she poured coffee into a mug and placed it in front of the boy who delighted in tormenting her brother no end. She quickly moved away to make Mokuba's cocoa, trying to dissuade Kaiba from saying anything else.

The chesnut-haired teen watched as Serenity deftly and quickly created the sickeningly sweet liquid, not a movement wasted. It was like watching a well-rehearsed dance. The corporate president appreciated efficiency, and Serenity Wheeler's creation of the cocoa had him utterly captivated. There was something else, though, a slight tremor in her hand as she placed the mug at the edge of the counter.

Mokuba gleefully grabbed the mug and ran off to a table. Kaiba watched the girl a minute longer, eyes scanning her slender form as he tried to determine why she seemed to be shaking. When his eyes finally landed on her hair, her damp bun slightly darker than the rest of her dry hair, he realized she was probably drying out from the class run and her walk to work.

The question came out of his mouth before he had the opportunity to consider it, "How are you getting home?" Her eyes widened in surprise, the look on her face questioning his intent. "Look, you've obviously spent a lot of time in the rain today. When do you get off work?" He couldn't believe the words as they tumbled out of his mouth, but the more he thought about them, the more he realized he honestly didn't want to risk Serenity's getting sick from the inclement weather. He was feeling guilty enough over how he had been treating her.

For her part, Serenity Wheeler just stood there silently staring at him as if she were trying to see right through him.

He wanted to be annoyed at her lack of response. He wanted to tell her she was no better than her mutt brother. For reasons that escaped him, the words that came out were, "I'll be here for a bit. If you want a ride home, let me know." He turned to join his brother, already halfway through his cocoa.

She stood there a few moments longer in shock before forcing herelf to start brewing a new pot of coffee.