Sorry, all! A bit of writer's block coupled with out of town visitors and some major events at work results in two weeks without posting. I hope this makes up for my absence.

J~~~~~~~~~~

Kyoya and I ate the majority of our meal in silence. Even if we could have, neither he nor I wanted to talk about Sato in public. Heck. I never want to talk about him again.

Kyoya had stepped even deeper into my problems. He had taken my safety fully upon his own shoulders. I am nothing more than a burden. He protects me. I do nothing. Was it even possible for me to repay such a huge debt? I was under no illusion. It was a debt. What does Kyoya expect in return?

I raised my eyes to the man across from me. Kyoya was cutting his meat with the practiced grace of an aristocrat. His movements were clean and precise. Spear with fork, slice once through with knife. Spear, slice. Spear, slice. That's how he works with people. He throws his spear to make sure they can't escape and then quickly dissects them to find what will most benefit him. I had deduced this ruthless quality of his when we first met, but I never really thought I'd see it first hand in such a personal way. I suppose he's had me in his back pocket since that first day. Kyoya read my abilities and decided I'd be useful. Though paying me large sums to sing is hardly advantageous, I guess it can be perceived as useful to know the musician personally. The previous knowledge of his manipulative character still did nothing to help me read how much he expected as payment for his attentions to my safety and person.

"Judy, you've been staring at my plate for five minutes now. Do you want to trade dishes, or do you want to be on my plate instead?"

I redirected my gaze from Kyoya's hands to his face. He was looking at me with that infuriating smirk of his. He's just so…Grrrr!

"I'm sorry. My mind was just wandering a bit."

"I could see that." Kyoya set his flatware down and steepled his fingers. "Do you mind if I give you a couple of tips for tonight?"

"Beg pardon?" I was a little surprised by the offer and a bit perturbed. "You do know that I'm used to parties like this. Proper protocol for the musician is as follows: Always be near the rest of the ensemble. Always be prepared for the odd request and have an appropriate answer prepared if you do not readily recognize the song." I looked pointedly at Kyoya as I said that one and then continued to tick off the list on my fingers. "Avoid mingling with the guests unless you are specifically requested to do so by the master of ceremonies, the party coordinator, or your employer. Never dress to outshine the guests of a private party, but always be dressed to the basic standard of the party occasion." I gave a satisfied tilt of my head. "Is that satisfactory, sir?"

"I think you have it down fairly well. Though, I will warn you that many of my guests will try to lure you off stage or away from the ensemble. Don't go with them."

"As stated in the afore mentioned code, I do not fraternize with the guests unless instructed to do so." I crossed my arms at his seeming stupidity. He wasn't listening to me at all.

"If my party coordinator makes such a suggestion, know that it is unauthorized. Even if she uses my name."

"Do you think the coordinator and a certain man are in cahoots? That's absurd. Pfft!"

Kyoya raised an eyebrow at me and his glasses gleamed. "I do not. All my employees know that to take outside instruction from any source is to welcome swift severance from the company and possible ruin outside the company."

For the second time in an hour, I looked at Kyoya Ohtori with new eyes and shivered. Today had shown me how ruthless he could be to an enemy like Sato and also how cruel he could be to a traitor.

"I don't feel comfortable having you waltzed into a corner by some of my less exhausted acquaintances. If you do get separated from the other musicians, stay silent."

Trepidation tingled up my spine. This wasn't some social gathering. It was cutthroat, cold, calculating business. All the intrigue of TV, movies, and books have come to life. If I say the wrong thing, it could cost Kyoya, myself, or both of us. "I understand. If I were to stumble over my words, your company could be effected. Yes? Also, if you were to be connected with a musician, no matter her ability, there could be pandemonium amongst your peers." I said this without an ounce of the trepidation dancing up my back in my voice.

"What you say is true: however, it's not completely the reason I want you to keep to the stage tonight. The only time you should ever step away from the stage and musician's quarters is if I come for you."

I nodded. "After what you've done for me this last month, how could I refuse?" I quirked a smile at him. I hated being told what to do, but I did owe him this much.

"Indeed. How could you?" His mouth tipped in a dark smile that I knew held a secret that he thought very funny, but it was a joke of which I didn't wish to know the punchline.

K~~~~~~~~~~

I drove Judy to the university and escorted her to her office. She grabbed two folders full of music and stuffed them into a bag already brimming with music sheets.

"Let's go," she said as she hefted the heavy bag to her shoulder.

I grabbed it from her.

"I can handle it, Kyoya."

"I know you can, but I can't handle letting a girl carry something while I do nothing." Her shoulders fell with the huge huff she used to express her resignation. Good. She's beginning to let me win.

Twenty minutes later, I was walking her to her apartment door. We waited for Hotta to clear it, and then I said goodbye. I watched her back retreat into the small hallway before I addressed Hotta.

"Sato will not move tonight, but keep your eyes open. At the party keep her in your line of vision, but make sure you still appear to be on my detail. No one is to know that she has security from my personal guard."

"Yes, sir."

That evening, I was looking over the party coordinator and event manager's work. All was in impeccable order and up to my personal standard. I was just about to give a rare compliment to my two subordinates when I noticed something amiss.

"Where is the stage?"

"Stage, sir?" The petite coordinator looked nervous.

"I asked for a platform for the musicians."

"My people moved it to the second floor. It's usually deemed more soothing and comfortable for the musicians to be out of sight, and music wafting from above produces a more relaxed atmosphere." This came from the event manager. He looked less than worried. That's what I get for replacing the old fellow with a younger model.

"Do you understand orders, boy?"

"Yes, sir. I just thought…"

"You thought wrong. My requests are not suggestions. Now, have your workmen set the stage up where I originally planned before those doors open. If I see one worker still out here checking sound or stability, you will wake up without work tomorrow." I think that did it. He looks thoroughly petrified now. Huh.

The manager and coordinator scurried away to do my bidding in a fearful flurry.

"Kyoya, I see all is in order." I turned at the familiar voice.

"As always, Father. Would you expect anything less?" I bowed.

"Your first opening gala as Ohtori head. I hope all goes as planned."

I glanced at him. So, you still want to play? Very well. "You sound as if you wished me to fail. Be aware, Father, that I never do."

"I am well aware." He turned with his habitually clean, toe to heal swivel. "You should be warned, your deadline is coming, son," he called over his shoulder.

I know all about my deadline. I have an ace up my sleeve.