Disclaimer: I don't own YGO GX or its characters, this was purely written for fun.

Scene One: Taking Off

It may have been early, but time was irrelevant to the airport's crowd. There's hardly ever a time when someone has nowhere to go.

Asuka Tenjouin joined the growing group of passengers in the waiting area of her designated gate. By the tentative looks of the gate agents and the disgruntled passengers who questioned them, Asuka had a feeling she'd be stuck here for quite a while.

Well, this completely defeated the purpose of booking an early flight. But it's fine. Just as long as I get out of here today, I'll still make it to California on time. I just hope I'll have enough time to rel-

She continued standing, with hints of a headache coming onto her. Her assumption and trust in an easy, on-time flight resulted in hurrying out the door at five in the morning. Without even a jolt of caffeine or a bite of food in her system.

Clearly, something had to be done about that.

The walk to the nearest, half-decent café was noticeable but not strenuous. They never kept the good stuff next to your gate. Unless you were actually into cheap, tap water-tasting coffee, served in a Styrofoam cup.

Asuka passed by a newsstand, a pizza joint with a dingy-looking neon sign, a one-stop electronics stop (with all the $5 headphones you can buy!) and yet another newsstand, before she reached a place called Steam Bucks. Its logo was a white mug, no doubt containing a steaming cup of something, enclosed in a forest-green circle.

"At least it's not a kiosk." She may have been smiling, but her tone lacked the enthusiasm to match. She wheeled her carryon bag towards the entrance.

The café's interior was well-lit, its floors possessing a fresh gleam. With a legible chalkboard menu, some delectable looking pastries lining the shelves, and only one other person in line, Asuka's expectations had already been exceeded.

Now, do I want a hot or iced coffee?

"Really, that's all you have?"

A disinterested, familiar voice caught her attention.

"I'm terribly sorry," said the barista, slightly bowing. "That's the only brand we can offer. We don't really specialize in teas."

The man before her gave a resigned sigh, any further emotion was masked by his dark sunglasses. Wearing a black hoodie topped with a plain black sports cap, he was desperate to look inconspicuous.

"No worries, black tea is fine," he said. He stepped aside, without even glancing in Asuka's direction, to allow her to order.

"Got it," chirped the barista, likely relieved that the customer didn't give him an earful. He made brief eye contact with Asuka. "I'll be with ya in a moment miss."

While the barista searched the back shelves for the elusive tea bags, Asuka and Mr. Incognito were standing side by side. A moment of silence passed, then Asuka's curiosity got the better of her.

Tilting her head to get a better look, she found the guy in question meeting her gaze. His sunglasses were shifted downwards, revealing grey, alert eyes. That, combined with the silver hair spilling from his cap, instantly took the words out of Asuka's mouth.

"Edo Phoenix? What are you doing here?"

He clenched his teeth. "Mind keeping it down?" He dug his hands into his pockets, a futile attempt to conceal himself.

Fortunately for Edo, the barista neither knew nor cared for the pro duelist's identity, for he was more concerned about procuring a measly bag of earl grey.

"Sorry," Asuka muttered, turning away her eyes. That had been rude of her, she had to admit. "I…just didn't expect to see you here."

Edo gave a light snort. "I could tell."

Asuka frowned. He didn't have to sound so offended.

Before she could think of a smart remark, the barista made his return with a steaming white plastic cup. "There you go, sir." He then looked at Asuka, cracking a smile. "Apologies for the wait, both of you."

"It's fine," Asuka and Edo replied at the same time. A slight blush crossed Asuka's cheeks.

Embarrassment was quickly forgotten once she saw Edo had taken the cup and was already on his way out.

"Hey wait!"

He paused, looking back from the corner of his eye. "Can I help you with something?" He sounded more confused than annoyed.

Asuka gulped. "Well uh, you didn't answer my question."

"Do you really want to know?"

She shrugged. "Do you have time?" Why exactly was she doing this?

"How about you ask me after you've ordered." He pointed to the barista behind her, who stood minding his own business with a look of absolute neutrality.

"Right." She slowly turned around. Again, a random embarrassment. Again, caused by Edo Phoenix.

What was it about him?

Whatever it was had the fangirls constantly on his heels.

"And it's not just girls," he said once they were back at the gate area. As it turned out, they were taking the same flight. "One of my matches, I caught some guy in the back carrying a body pillow of me."

Asuka grimaced. "Jeez, that is- "She reached for another sip of her latté, slightly singeing her tongue in the process.

"Yeah," Edo deadpanned. "Hence…this." He gestured to his "covert" attire.

"And you really think that helps? I recognized you pretty easily."

"Only after you got a closer look. I'd know any one of those people from a mile away. Trust me, I wouldn't let them get within one foot of me."

She snorted. "I wouldn't doubt that. I take it you're on your way to some tournament? No offense, but," she observed the surrounding crowd, "wasn't there some easier way to avoid all the secrecy?"

He didn't seem perturbed by her somewhat-patronizing question. "My pilot was low on fuel, he didn't have enough time to get the tank refilled."

He lifted the tea bag from his cup, deciding it had brewed long enough, especially since he was over half-way done.

"I just told him not to worry about it," he continued. "That I'd use this as an opportunity."

"An opportunity to what, experience the wonders of commercial flight?"

Gradually, it began to dawn on her, that this was the first proper conversation she ever had with Edo Phoenix.

Sure, they almost dueled that one time, and she faintly recalled looking forward to the challenge. But that feeling had been overshadowed by concern for Juudai's whereabouts.

And thanks to Junko, Momoe, and the rest of DA's female student body, there was no shortage of discussion about Edo Phoenix. Even if he didn't attend class half the time.

"I guess," Edo replied, leaning back on the standard airport waiting seat. "Not to say I liked going through security but, 'least it's something new right?"

She wanted to laugh, she figured he intended that to be funny. Instead, she just smiled. "I suppose."

Maybe the flight delay hadn't been such a waste of time.

"So what about you?"

Asuka blinked. "Sorry?"

He placed a hand under his chin and leaned towards her. "What's waiting for you in California?" His eyes remained alert.

"Oh." She did not expect his curiosity to go this far.

It wasn't that Asuka found him too self-centered or anything. Edo Phoenix just always seemed…busy.

"I've got a summer internship there actually," she said.

"Really. Which company?" Evidently, he wouldn't be appeased with such a non-descript answer.

But then, Asuka remembered. "Industrial Illusions. I figured it'd be a good opportunity before I start at the Academia's college." It's not like he had any notion of her aspirations.

They barely knew each other, after all.

Edo nodded, as if he were appraising some auctioned antique. "Nice." He made no further effort to press for information.

They both took another sip of their drinks.

"Well, good luck with that," he then said.

Even if he was just saying that for the sake of saying it, Asuka appreciated the gesture. "Thank you."

Gulping the last remnants of his tea, Edo stood. "You done?" His hands crushed the paper cup.

"Huh?" She glanced down at her own cup of still warm liquid. She looked up and saw his hand outstretched. "Oh, that's okay, I can throw it out myself."

He headed towards the trash bin without another word.

Attention passengers. We are about to commence boarding for Flight #0729 with service to Los Angeles.

Taking off, already?

"About time," said Edo as he leisurely walked back to her, hands in his pockets.

Then Asuka noticed. "Wait. What about your luggage?" She peered behind him, in case a bag was somehow popping out

"Didn't need any," Edo casually answered. "All the stuff I need's in my place in L.A."

"Oh." She refrained from commenting in disbelief, 'You have a house in L.A?'

Because he was just Edo Phoenix.

We will now begin boarding our first-class passengers.

"Guess that's me," he said, taking out his boarding pass.

Wryness flickered in Asuka's eyes. "First class huh? That'll keep them off the trail. Real low-key."

He smirked, shaking his head. "The day the stalkers resort to me flying coach to escape their trail, they win."

Before he proceeded to board, he lowered his sunglasses at her.

"See you around, Asuka. And thanks. For not making a big deal out of this."

"Sure," she murmured, but he hadn't waited for a reply. She couldn't help but feel miffed at what he probably intended as a compliment.

She put the feeling aside. Like Edo Phoenix said, it wasn't a big deal.