Welcome back guys! Well, you asked for more. And honestly, I've gotten too attached to this relationship to let it go too soon. As usual, I don't own Talespin or its characters, only Eliza and her father are my creations.

Inhale. Exhale. It was on ongoing pattern for Eliza. The only sound next to her breathing was the snipping of her uncle's garden shears. They had been like this for three hours. Sometimes the venus flytraps tuggged at her hair or sweater, but Khan chased them off so she could concentrate. Not that it helped. She wasn't getting anywhere even without distractions.

When she couldn't take it anymore, she tested her claws. Nothing happened. Although she expected it not to work, she threw up her arms. "I can't believe this!"

Khan sighed, but he didn't stop his trimming. "I thought we talked about this."

"I know, I know," Eliza moaned. "Patience." She rubbed her forehead to stop a headache. "Didn't you ever get bored?"

"Yes, but I used that time to listen to my body."

"What's that even mean?"

"If you were patient, you would figure it out."

Eliza planted her head on Khan's desk. "I quit."

"After three weeks?" Khan shook his head, eyes still on his plants. "Pitiful."

"Mhmm," Eliza moaned, face planted, too tired to argue.

Khan stopped trimming to look at her. "Need I remind how long it took me and your father?"

Eliza lifted her head just enough to prop her chin. "I remember."

"So why the hurry?"

Eliza shrugged. Truth was, learning how to control her claws was less exciting than she anticipated. She wondered if it was even worth it anymore.

Khan set down his garden shears and removed his gloves. "Get the chessboard."

The girl was quick to spring out of her miserable state and out of the office. How they could be related was beyond him. However, when he introduced her to the game, she displayed a steel, Khan-like determination to win. A minute later, she returned and helped set the game up on his desk.

Once the pieces were ready, Khan moved his first pawn. "You realize we've been through seven matches?"

"Yeah." Eliza moved her piece.

Khan didn't yet move but stared at his side of the board. "None of which you've won."

Eliza glared. "That supposed to help?"

Khan ignored her as he moved his next piece. "Yet, you haven't quit."

Eliza shrugged. "I'll get it." She moved her pawn before catching the look on his face. The one he always gave when he wanted her to think hard. "I'm getting the hang of it. Sort of."

"I see." He returned his focus to his pawns. "You know, business is like this chessboard."

"I thought you said it was like a jungle."

"It's both." He picked up another pawn. "Every choice determines who wins," he moved the piece towards Eliza's," and loses." His pawn traded places with hers.

Eliza groaned, slumping her face into her hand propped up by her elbow. Great, they barely even started.

"You see?" he grinned. "It's all about reading your opponent."

"Sure." If only her opponent wasn't so hard to read. Then again, he wasn't always right. "Except most animals just run. So, it's not exactly like chess."

"True, but typically those who panic become the prey while those waiting for the right time become the eaters."

Eliza twirled her pawn while deciding what to do. "Your point is?" She gave up thinking it through and set the pawn on the next square.

"The point is," Khan picked up a bishop behind the new space from pawns he moved. "If one setback becomes your final defeat," he set the bishop several squares diagonally, "you miss your potential. Have you ever heard of Whistlestop Jackson?"

"No."

His brows crossed down center. "Count yourself lucky." Though he often looked like he had a permanent scowl, Eliza learned how to tell when he was annoyed.

"Years ago," he continued, "when I was rising in Aviation Executives, I almost had mail contract with the government." Khan's hands curled into fists. "It was supposed to be my first groundbreaker. The mayor not only canceled it for some grinning hero wannabe, he had the nerve to rip my contract in front of the entire town."

Eliza's eyes widened, then drooped as her head lowered.

The last thing he wanted her to feel was sympathy for him. "Now look around you. What do you see?"

"Your office." She made it sound like a question.

"Which is part of?"

"Oh, Khan Tower."

"An impressive monument, wouldn't you say?"

Eliza nodded.

"But what's beyond that?"

"Cape Suzette."

"And I am responsible for nearly two thirds."

Eliza's jaw dropped. She often forgot just how much he owned.

"So, tell me," said Khan. "Would any of that be here if I let one humiliation decide my life."

Eliza smiled and shook her head.

Her uncle looked her in the eye. "Khans don't quit." He poked her forehead with each word. "Remember that."

"Okay," Eliza giggled, scratching her forehead. "I'll remember."

"Good."

As Eliza picked up a rook, the phone rang. "Yes?" Khan answered with his usual bored tone. His brows lifted slightly. "Miss Cunningham?"

Eliza hovered her rook over a square.

"We have private line, you know," said Khan. "You already tried? Very well." He handed the phone to Eliza. "It's for you."

Eliza set her rook down and accepted the receiver. She was less surprised since Rebecca wouldn't dare call the tycoon even if they were on better terms. "Hi, Miss Cunningham. Sure, I'm free tomorrow. No problem." Her face beamed as she listened. "It'll be fun. Okay, see you tomorrow. Bye." Sporting a triumphant grin, she hung up. "Guess who just got her first job."

Khan stared. "Didn't I offer you a job yesterday?"

"Yeah, but babysitting's more fun than mopping the office."

Khan scoffed. "So you think."

Eliza folded her arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Khan didn't answer, focused on moving his knight. He never answered when he knew that she knew.

"Oh, come on," Eliza rolled her eyes. "I'm not six. That's different."

"I had a younger brother, remember?"

"Oh, yeah." She had no problem picturing her dad as a little troublemaker. But, imagining the powerful and stoic Shere Khan as nine-year old, trying to keep said troublemaker under control…She bit back a snigger.

That didn't escape her uncle's sharp sense. "What?"

"Nothing." Eliza innocently moved her next piece.

"Yes, well," Khan returned his focus to the chess game. "I suppose I should count myself lucky you're twice that age."

"Thanks."

Khan smirked. "Which means half the trouble."

"Hey!"

Would you say Eliza's being trained by Master Khanobi? I'll see myself out.