A/N: Chapter three! I'm trying to get these out as fast as possible. I know I'm being irregular with updates, but stick with me. I'm bouncing between writing this story and the ones later in the series too.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Yu-Gi-Oh GX nor the song with which this story shares a title

Chapter 3

Aster POV

We made our way to Jesse and Jaden's apartment. Apartment was an inadequate description considering it was more of a small house. A pro duelist's salary could pay for one. The apartment Zane and I lived in wasn't exactly small, but it certainly wasn't as large as this one.

After Zane knocked on the door, there was barely any wait before Jaden opened it with his usual large grin. "Welcome. We were expecting you." He was really trying his best to be nice and proper.

"Jaden, for the last time, this is not a five star french restaurant. It's a friendly dinner party. You don't need to act like some fancy butler." I laughed to myself. The two of them balanced each other out so well. "Plus you're not going to be able to keep this up all night."

"Jesse! Not in front of the guests."

The apartment was decorated for the season. There was a giant Christmas tree in the living room and tinsel was hung up around the ceiling. That was Jesse's doing. Jaden may be a good cook, but he had no idea how to make a home look nice.

We made our way into their dining room and saw the others there. I guess we were the last to arrive.

Dana was sitting next to Hassleberry, of course, and Basiton and Atticus were seated together as well. Dana smiled when she saw us. "Hello, Zane. Aster."

We greeted her along with everyone else as Jesse and Jaden came in having settled their argument.

"So, who's hungry?" I guess Jaden dropped the act. We all agreed and soon Jesse and Jaden brought in the food. It was a seafood pasta. I swear there was nothing Jaden couldn't make. What cooking class did he take? Whatever is was, we all loved it.

Before we could start eating Jaden offered us some wine. To the surprise of no one, I was the first to agree. His wine choice was an incredible type of white wine. Along the way Jaden had also become some what of a wine genius, much to my pleasure.

We started eating and along with that, we began a friendly dinner conversation. We caught up with each other's lives. Jesse told us about the foster children he worked with.

"There was this adorable little girl who came into the office today. Her home life was deplorable and her parents very neglectful. I was disgusted to see such a happy little girl in such a terrible place. Luckily we were able to set her up with a foster family. They are a family I've worked with since I started working there. They are wonderful people. She'll have a good home."

I never said it, but I always admired what Jesse was doing with his life. He was truly making a difference, making sure children grew up in a suitable home. He always had wonderful stories about the children who came through his office. I had even met some of them.

A few months ago, Henry thought it'd be a great idea for me to get some publicity teaching children how to duel. Jesse's office works with the Domino City Orphanage so he got me a meeting with the children there. And it was one of the best experiences I can remember. I definitely thought I was going to be miserable the whole time what with all the small children and all. I had no idea I was actually good with small children. They all admired me, the ones who were old enough to know who I was. Maybe I'd ask Jesse if I could go see them again, no publicity this time.

"I have some news myself." Dana told the next story. "As you all know I'm currently rehearsing for 'The Nutcracker' and performances are coming up soon and my director gave me free tickets for all of you to come see the show."

It had become a sort of tradition for us to go see Dana in her ballets, but we'd never gotten free tickets before.

"That's great Dana. When is it?" Bastion asked.

"January third."

Two weeks from today. I'd put that on my calendar when I got home

We finished our dinner and convened to the living room for another tradition of ours. Trivial pursuit. We played in four teams. The winner didn't really matter all that much, but it was a great time to spend.

Dana answered yet another obscure question correctly as always. "Dana, how do you know all this?" Jaden was the one to ask her.

She shrugged. "Ten years in home school." I rolled my eyes. That was her answer for things she didn't want to or knew how to explain.

The game ended and it was getting late so everyone grabbed their coats to head home. I caught Jesse just before Zane was ready to leave.

"Hey, Jesse, do you think I could pay a visit to the orphanage again?"

"Publicity again?" He seemed a little upset.

"No, I just want to pay a visit,"

He smiled. "I'll see what I can do." Zane came up next to me and put a hand on my shoulder, obviously ready to leave. "They'll love to see you."

Zane and I left their apartment and went to our car and I thought about Jesse. He cared a lot about those children. They always do what you love and Jesse was doing just that. Maybe someday I could raise a child of my own. But then a thought came that scared me. Would I raise that child with Zane? I certainly hoped so.

"What were you talking to Jesse about?"

"I want to pay a visit to the orphanage again."

That seemed to surprise him. "That's great, but honestly you don't seem like the kind to like children."

"Well I guess I still have a few surprises left." I started to open the driver's side door but Zane closed it.

"I don't think so. How much wine did you have tonight?" I knew it was a rhetorical question, but it wasn't until then that I'd realized he hadn't had any wine. He held out his hand and I gave him the keys.

"Honestly, Zane, I'm fine." I walked over to the other side of the car.

"That's what they all say until they end up in a wreck. We're not taking chances."

He had a point, but I felt it was my job to argue at least a little bit. It wasn't like me to give in so willingly.

When we got home, I went straight to Loren's file to read through it again. I knew every page but it calmed my nerves with the whole new manager situation. However, before I managed to pick it up, Zane pushed it out of my reach.

"Not tonight, Aster." He wrapped his arms around my waist. "You can call him in the morning. Now, you need to get some sleep."

I knew he was right, no matter how much I wanted to distract myself with the file. Still I let him take me away from the file and to the bedroom. I hit my pillow and it might have been the level of alcohol I had consumed that night, but I fell asleep almost instantly.

Zane POV

The next morning, Aster called Loren and invited him over to our apartment for a meeting. It was my suggestion. Our apartment was more personal than a restaurant.

We'd agreed to meet for lunch. I made us some sandwiches, and while I may not be the grade of cook Jaden is, but I knew my way around a kitchen

"Should I really go through with this, Zane?" He ran his fingers through his hair and was slumped on the couch. He had asked me that question about a thousand times, and anyone else would have started to get irritated, but I was just reminded of how cute he could be sometimes.

"Aster, it's not something you can avoid. If not Loren, then it's got to be someone else."

"But what if-"

There was a knock on the door so Aster couldn't finish his sentence.

"Aster, just go answer the door, and tell that man he is going to be you're new manager."

He said nothing, just stood up and went to the door. He paused for a moment, but then he opened it, revealing out expected guest. "Hey, Loren." Aster was trying his absolute best to be calm and casual. I put our food on the coffee table in the living room and waited for the two of them on the couch.

Loren was a little surprised at Aster's attitude, but he tried to follow along. "Aster."

"Come in. Zane made us lunch."

The two of them made their way to our living room and Aster sat on the couch next to me while Loren sat in the chair.

We made idle conversation for a while trying to lighten the mood because the anxiety between these two was so thick. Aster was anxious to accept a new manager, and Loren was anxious because today he'd find out if he'd gotten the job. There was no way the two of them could have a good conversation.

Eventually the two of them began talking comfortably like they were close friends and I figured it was time for Aster to get to business. I stood up taking our plate back to the kitchen. I knew Aster would take the hint. I started to clean the plates while I listened to the conversation.

"Now Loren, we have to talk about this new manager position."

Loren stiffened slightly, but he kept his composure. "Yes, I thought we were going to talk about that."

Aster was silent for a moment, thinking about what he was going to say. I was worried he was going to go back on this. He wasn't going to give up this opportunity was he?

"Loren, I'm just gonna cut straight to it. I think that's the best thing to do right now." I could see the anticipation on Loren's face. "I've talked with Henry, I've looked through your file and I've talked it over with Zane. And I have decided that I want to sign you on as my new manager."

The look of relief on Loren's face was incredible. "Thank you so much Aster. You won't regret this, I guarantee." The two of them stood up and shook hands.

There, he did it. He might have been anxious before, but it would get easier now. He and Loren seemed like they were gonna work well together. Loren was going to be a good addition to Aster's career.