Chapter 11

A projection of Cas appeared before Alex, and she said, "Thanks for reporting in. But I must admit that I'm concerned about how things are going."

Alex looked confused and replied, "What do you mean, exactly?"

Cas replied, "First, this rivalry between Joey and Kaiba. I'm not necessarily saying that in itself is bad, but your actions are having a sort of ripple effect."

Alex furrowed her eyebrows and replied, "Please explain."

Cas replied, "You've sided with Joey, so that has consequences. I'm referring in particular to Mai Valentine."

Alex looked surprised and replied, "Wait a minute. Are you saying that Joey and Mai end up becoming a thing? If I remember correctly, we never knew for sure. There were only rumors."

Cas sighed and replied, "Yeah, I know. I'm not saying that for sure, and it might not have anything to do with you. But from what I've been seeing, Mai is currently feeling some insecurities. She heard about the duel between Joey and Kaiba, and there were reports about you kissing Joey-"

Alex interrupted, "But it was just a peck on the cheek! I was only wishing him good luck!"

Cas replied, "I know, Alex. But you know how rumors can be. There's word going around that you're Joey's girlfriend although I'm sure they'll die down. That's not the only problem, though."

Alex took a deep breath and then replied, "Ok, give it to me."

Cas replied, "I don't understand what you're doing. You have a perfect opportunity to get closer to Kaiba. It's obvious he's taken an interest in you, but you want to back away? Why?"

Alex replied, "You told me that it isn't a good idea for agents to get too close to their targets. I was worried that if I got too close to Kaiba, I wouldn't be able to complete this mission, and Andy is everything to me."

Cas replied, "I understand that, but I feel like there's something you're not telling me. Well, I suppose it doesn't matter too much. I have to trust you to make the best decisions there. Putting that matter aside, there is one more thing."

Alex replied, "What is it?"

Cas replied, "This business with the pharaoh. I hope I don't need to be too concerned about it."

Alex glanced at her bracelet and then replied, "Ok, I understand. I think he genuinely just wants to look into it, and I am curious about this thing, too. Besides, you don't know much about it, either, right? And if any harm comes to me, the bracelet will protect me."

Cas nodded and replied, "Yes, that's true. The pharaoh isn't a bad being. I suppose he's simply curious, but do be careful that you not reveal your true identity to him. I think he's very perceptive."

Alex smiled and replied, "Yeah, I get that feeling, too. Don't worry, Cas. I promise I'll be careful."

"Alex? Earth to Alex? You there?"

Alex snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Joey call out to her. The two of them were at her apartment on a Saturday afternoon and going over the material for their scene rehearsal as well as some additional homework that Joey had brought over, at Alex's insistence. Alex smiled at Joey and replied,

"Sorry about that. Where were we?"

Joey looked at her with concern and replied, "You ok? You getting enough sleep?"

Alex quickly nodded and replied, "Yeah, I haven't had trouble sleeping again. I was just thinking about some random stuff. Let's get back to practicing our lines."

Joey nodded and quickly grabbed a cookie from the plate that Alex placed on the coffee table. After munching on it, he commented,

"These cookies are great."

Alex grinned and replied, "Glad you like them. They're in honor of your victory."

Joey grinned back and replied, "I can tell. I love this Red Eyes design you did here. I'm surprised you don't want to become an artist instead."

Alex shrugged and replied, "I can be creative when it comes to cooking, but my actual art skills are terrible. Besides, I feel like I understand how technology works more."

Joey nodded and replied, "Yeah, I can get that." He finished off his cookie and then said, "So I think I understand these lines better now. I have to picture being in love with Juliet, like love at first sight. That's weird."

Alex laughed a bit and replied, "Yeah, I agree. Personally, I don't believe in love at first sight, so at times, I feel like the whole play is unrealistic. I wouldn't kill myself upon seeing the person I love dead. I doubt he'd want me to do that."

Joey replied, "Same here." He looked a little thoughtful and then asked, "Alex, how do I get myself more in this role? As you said, it's unrealistic and I can't ever imagine myself falling for a girl like Juliet."

Alex replied, "I can understand that. Let's see." She looked thoughtful for a minute and then continued,

"Instead of imagining me as Juliet, picture me as the woman you would fall in love with. It doesn't have to be love at first sight or anything. It helps if you imagine that it's just the two of us and no one else. I know we have to perform this in front of the class, and that can be a little nerve-wracking."

Joey smiled knowingly and replied, "Yeah, I can definitely do that."

He gazed a bit meaningfully into Alex's eyes, and Alex could feel her cheeks heating up. She coughed a bit and then said,

"Ok, uh, let's practice then. We should make sure we can read the lines well."

Joey nodded, and he and Alex practiced their lines for their scene. Occasionally, Alex would point out particular lines where she felt needed improvement. Joey would take notes and then practice them again, improving. After some time practicing, Alex finally said,

"I think that's really good. You're doing much better, Joey. You won't have any problems with the expressive part of the lines. You just need to get them memorized now, but we have until Friday, so it's all good. And we'll continue to have rehearsals until then."

Joey grinned and replied, "Sounds great."

Alex stretched her arms and replied, "How about we take a break before I help you tackle homework? Do you want anything to drink?"

Joey replied, "A soda."

Alex nodded and replied, "Ok, be right back."

She got up from the sofa and went to the kitchen. She took out a bottle of soda and poured some into a glass. Then she poured herself another cup of coffee from the coffee pot. Then she returned to the living room, handing the soda over to Joey. Joey took it and said,

"Thanks, Alex."

Alex replied, "No problem." She took a sip of her coffee, enjoying its warmth, while Joey took a gulp of soda. As there was a bit of quiet, Joey felt like now was as good a time as any, so he said,

"Hey, Alex. Before we start this homework, there's something I want to ask you."

Alex looked curiously at Joey and asked, "Sure, what is it?"

Joey placed his glass on the coffee table, which prompted Alex to place her cup on the table, too. He then looked directly at Alex and said,

"I know we're really busy with this whole school project thing, but I was wondering. Um, after we're all done with it, we should have some free time, so yeah. I, uh, wanted to know if you'd-"

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, interrupting the conversation. As Alex wasn't expecting any other guests, she commented, "I wonder who that could be." She looked apologetically at Joey and said,

"I'm sorry. Hold that thought? I'll see who it is. It shouldn't take long."

Joey let out a breath and nodded. Alex got up, approached the door and opened it. Upon seeing who her unexpected visitor was, she looked surprised and said,

"Kaiba? What an unexpected surprise."

Kaiba smirked and replied, "Yes, I know it's always a pleasure when I make a presence."

Alex rolled her eyes and replied, "Please."

Joey heard the two of them and turning in their direction, he called out, "Moneybags, what are you doing here? You lost, remember?"

Kaiba looked briefly at Joey and replied, "I'm not here for you." He then turned his attention back to Alex and replied, "I'm here for her."

Alex replied, "What do you mean?"

He thrust the basket that Alex had left at the mansion the other day and said, "I wanted to return this to you."

Alex took the basket and replied, "Oh, um, thanks. I told Mokuba that he could return it whenever, but I wasn't expecting you to do so."

Kaiba replied, "I was going to pass by here. Also, we need to talk."

Alex looked curious and replied, "Ok, but does it have to be now? I'm about to help Joey with his homework."

Joey added, "That's right. Three's a crowd."

Kaiba scoffed and replied, "I can wait here until you two are done."

Alex looked uneasy but nodding, she replied, "Ok. Well, come on in." She stepped aside to let Kaiba inside. She then asked, "Do you want anything to drink?"

Kaiba replied, "Coffee will be fine."

Alex nodded and replied, "Ok. Just take a seat in the living room, and um, please try to be civil. The last thing I need is the neighbors complaining."

Kaiba scoffed but headed to the living room, taking a seat in an armchair. Joey glared at him, but neither he nor Kaiba talked. Meanwhile, Alex was in the kitchen, making a fresh pot of coffee. She took out a tray, placed a plate of Blue Eyes cookies on it and then waited until the coffee was done before taking out a cup and pouring coffee into it. She then carried the tray into the living room and set the coffee and plate of cookies in front of Kaiba, commenting,

"I assume you prefer your coffee black but let me know if I'm wrong."

Kaiba replied, "Black is fine."

Alex nodded and then took her seat on the sofa next to Joey. She looked apologetically at him although she didn't say anything, figuring that Joey already heard about Kaiba insisting on staying. Remembering their conversation, Alex asked, "Ahh yeah, what did you want to ask me?"

Joey replied, "Um, it can wait." He glanced at Kaiba, knowing that there was no way he could ask his question now.

Alex tilted her head and replied, "If you say so. Anyway, you still have homework to finish, right?"

Joey replied, "Yeah. I'm having trouble with these math problems."

Kaiba let out a grunt, and overhearing it, Joey asked, "Man, what is your problem?"

Kaiba replied, "You can't even do simple homework without help."

Joey was about to reply when Alex said, "Kaiba, I asked Joey to bring his homework over. I figured that since he and I would be rehearsing our lines, I could help him with his homework while we're at it. I'm sure he's capable of doing it on his own, but it never hurts to have help."

Kaiba glared at Alex and replied, "There are some things better off without your help."

Alex raised an eyebrow and replied, "What do you mean by that?"

Kaiba replied, "Hmpf, I was going to save it until after the mutt left, but since you started it. I know you helped him win yesterday."

Alex replied, "What are you talking about?"

Kaiba angrily replied, "You told him." He glared angrily at Joey for a moment before continuing, "You told him how to defeat me in a duel."

Joey replied, "What? You really can't just give me credit where it's due."

Alex felt a little angry herself and added, "Joey's right. I didn't help him with his strategy, which was brilliant, by the way." She looked at Joey, giving him a brief smile, and then she turned back towards Kaiba with her angry look and continued,

"He figured it all out. I knew he could. I only helped him get that duel with you, so if you want to blame me for anything, blame me for that. But it's only a duel, not the end of the world. You can learn from your defeat."

Joey replied, "Yeah, that's right! Just take it like a man."

Kaiba was about to say something when Alex's phone suddenly rang. Alex looked at the caller ID and said,

"I have to take this. Try not to kill each other."

She took her phone and went into the kitchen to take the call. She tapped on the receiver button and said,

"Hey, Yugi. You're a lifesaver."

On the other end, Yugi replied, "What do you mean?"

Alex replied, "It's a long story. Anyway, I assume this isn't a social call?"

Yugi replied, "You'd be right. He would talk to you directly, but he's uncomfortable around technology, so I'm talking for him."

Alex let out a smile and replied, "Yeah, I can see that. What does he want to talk about?"

Yugi replied, "He says that he found out a little information about your bracelet and wants to meet up. Would tomorrow afternoon be ok?"

Alex replied, "Sure. I'm free then. Should we meet somewhere?"

Yugi replied, "There's a quiet cafe near the game shop. Would that work?"

Alex replied, "Totally."

Yugi replied, "Ok then. Actually, why don't you drop by the game shop and then we can walk over to the cafe? It'll be easier than giving you the address and maybe risking you losing your way."

Alex let out a laugh and replied, "I'm pretty good with directions, but I suppose it's better to be safe. That works for me. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon then."

She hung up the phone and looked at it for a minute. She looked forward to what the pharaoh wanted to tell her when she remembered that she still had guests in her living room. After sighing to herself, she went back to the living room and sat again on the sofa. Joey said,

"Welcome back. Who was that?"

Alex smiled and replied, "It was Yugi. He just wanted to talk for a bit."

She figured that it was best that no one else know about their conversation for now. Although Joey accepted Alex's reply, Kaiba was skeptical. Nevertheless, he masked his feelings with a look of indifference.

Suddenly, feeling a bit of exhaustion overcoming her, Alex turned to Joey and asked, "Would it be ok if we called it a day? I feel bad about it since I asked you to bring your homework here and all, but I'm feeling a little tired."

Joey nodded and replied, "Yeah, of course. I'll see you on Monday?"

Alex smiled and replied, "Totally."

Joey replied, "One thing. Can I grab the rest of these Red Eyes?"

Alex laughed and replied, "Sure. They are for you, after all. Let me just wrap them up."

She grabbed the plate of Red Eyes cookies and went into the kitchen to put them in a small box and wrap them up. Having quickly finished, she returned to the living room, gave the box to Joey and said,

"Here you go."

Joey grinned and replied, "Thanks, Alex." He grabbed the rest of his things and getting up, he said,

"I'll be going then."

He and Alex walked towards the door although Kaiba remained seated. Joey noticed this and asked,

"Moneybags, aren't ya leaving? You're not gonna bother Alex, are you?"

Kaiba scoffed and replied, "I don't answer to you, but I still need to talk to her."

Alex sighed and looking at Joey, she replied, "It's ok, Joey. It shouldn't take long, and you know I can always chase Kaiba out of here if I have to."

Joey grinned and replied, "That I know, but call me if there's any trouble."

Alex nodded and replied, "I will. I'll see you on Monday. Have a good rest of the weekend."

As Joey stepped out of the door, Alex waved goodbye to him until he was out of sight. Then she closed the door and returned to the living room, where Kaiba was waiting. She collapsed on the sofa and said,

"Ok, let's get this over with. I am way too exhausted."

Kaiba replied, "At least, you didn't kiss the mutt this time."

Alex glared at Kaiba and thought,

What is everyone's deal? It was just one kiss and a peck on the cheek!

She then replied, "Oh, you think that kiss contains superpowers or something? Or could it be…? But nah, that would be beneath you."

Kaiba replied, "What?"

Alex replied, "For a moment, I entertained the idea of you being jealous, but you don't get jealous. I doubt you're even capable of that feeling, let alone feeling anything along the lines of love. Well, aside from familial love since I'm not even that low to suggest otherwise."

Kaiba got up angrily and approached Alex until he was towering over her so that she had no means of escape. He glared right at her, and their eyes were locked in some sort of battle. Kaiba replied, "Is that what you think of me?"

Alex replied, "I doubt you can prove me wrong."

Kaiba replied, "You keep on challenging me, but I don't mind. You're worth fighting for."

Alex looked startled and replied, "What?! Please tell me you were making a really bad joke just now."

Kaiba smirked and backing off, he replied, "I don't make jokes. You can fight this, even run away all you like. But in the end, we both know who you'll choose."

Alex shook her head and replied, "Whatever. Was that what you wanted to talk about? Because if that's it, then you should go. I am really tired, and you two certainly contributed to that."

Kaiba replied, "One more thing. What did you and little Yugi really talk about?"

Alex was exasperated and replied, "It's none of your business. It was purely a social call and nothing that concerns you."

Kaiba scoffed and replied, "I see. In the case, I will leave, Ms. Lawrence."

Kaiba walked towards the door and Alex followed to make sure that he would leave. She commented,

"You know, I'm surprised you didn't make more of a fuss over the duel or the school project."

As Kaiba was about to walk out the door, he looked back at Alex and said, "Those were just battles, and I can take losing them. But I'm going to win this war."

He smirked at Alex and then walked away from her until he was finally out of her sight. Alex then closed her door and locked it. Stomping towards the living room, she collapsed face first onto the sofa and then groaned,

"What an arrogant jerk."