To Cster: For a while I think all we'll see of Adam is going to be in flashbacks and I think Kaiba is going to be in denial for a LOOOOONG time but that's just how he is. Thanks for reading!

A/N: As I'm sitting here in my living room waiting for my car to be towed, and missing work because of it, I thought I would finish up my editing of this chapter. I also thought I would play Easter bunny and leave this extra special treat of a new chapter in your baskets. After this we only have one more chapter to go of re-posted stuff before the new written stuff comes out. I'm kinda nervous about how that stuff will be received because I'm not sure if I've managed to capture the same tone of the story as I did before.

As always please take the time to review. It really does motivate me to keep up with this story knowing that other people out there do like it.

Remember chapter 7 will be the last chapter of re-posted material and then we get to the new stuff.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Seto Kaiba. If I did I would have a better car and wouldn't be worried about missing work today.


Chapter Six

*Lily's POV*

I sit at Jase's desk watching three separate duels on the computer screen being broadcast from three different dueling arena's.
"I like how you've revamped the monitoring system for the private dueling arena's, Jase. It's much more efficient."
"Thanks, Lil."

I look up from the screen and over to the chair in front of the desk at my friend," And what the hell possessed you to bleach your hair blonde? I miss the red."
He chuckles and takes a drink from the bottle he's holding in his hand before answering, "A club owner must stay on top of the current trends, my dear girl."
I couldn't help but laugh softly as I lean back in the chair, "My dear girl? You're starting to sound like Peter." I look around the office at the various screens showing both public and private duels becoming serious for a moment, "You and Ariah have done an amazing job here, Jason."
"Ouch, she used Jason instead of Jase.......She must be serious."
"Funny but I really do mean it. I'm amazed at what you guys have done in the past year, especially making DE a very successful chain."
"Thanks, Lil but you know none of this would have happened if it wasn't for you."
"It was just a random idea that popped into my head one night at the hospital. You two were the one's who have made it work."
"You put just as much work into this place as we did in the beginning, Lily. After all it was you who not only designed the layout but came up with our logo and painted all the murals around here."
"I did the fun artsy stuff but you and Ariah made it all work.."
"None of this would have happened if it wasn't for you."
I pick up my glass and take a sip of the crisp clear icy cold liquid contained within it, "You give me too much credit."
"You know, Jason." a voice remarks from the doorway, "He won't take full credit for something that he doesn't feel he's earned."

I look up and smile when I see the tall lanky brunette leaning against the door frame, "Hello Peter."
"I hear you've been in London for a few weeks now, my dear girl and didn't try to contact any of us. Naughty, naughty thing." He moves from the door frame and walks over to the desk where we were sitting. I watch him lean down and gently brush his lips over Jase's, sighing softly I turn my attention back towards the computer screen to give them a moment of privacy. Maybe one day I would be lucky enough to find someone who would love me like Peter and Jason loved each other, I shake my head quickly to get those thoughts out of it. I mean after all, I had told Joey that I wasn't ready for a relationship with anybody and here I was thinking about love. My thoughts continue to wander to the Change Of Heart card Joey had given me, "Something I'll hope you'll have in England." was what he said he'd hope I would have but I had barely thought about him until now.

In fact the only one who had been filling my thoughts as of late was the one person whom I couldn't stand.

The only one who could turn my world upside down with a single act.

And turn it right side up with a single word.

A person who I keep letting myself kiss.

"Earth to Lily...Repeat Earth to Lily." I heard a voice say as someone snapped fingers in front of my face.
"Sorry, Peter. I guessed I just sort of zoned out a second." I shook my head briefly to clear it. "What did you say?"
"Just that you look amazing and that if I were straight I'd probably be proposing right now." My friend teased me as he leaned over and kissed my cheek.
I smile and shake my head, "You are a flatter, Peter."
"I try. How long are you going to be in London for?"
"About until the end of August I think. So you guys should be seeing me a lot more often in the next few weeks." I say standing up and walking over towards the window that overlooks the main floor of the club.
"That'll be great, Lil. It will be nice having everybody back together for a bit." Jason said taking back his seat behind the desk and hitting a few buttons on the keyboard.

"Yeah, it will be." I reply catching sight of my reflection in the window. I almost didn't recognize myself standing there, the person standing there could almost be mistaken for a model in a purple and black brocade corset and black velvet mini skirt with tattered lace trim. A brief stop at a beauty salon after the boutique resulted in my hair being highlighted with a rich copper blonde tone that accented my skin tone perfectly and styled in loose curls and waves that gave me a tousled fresh out of bed look. The make up I was wearing was a bit heavier than I would normally wear but "perfect for a night out on the town", or at least that's what they had told me at the salon. The silvery eyeshadow and black eyeliner accented my faintly almond shaped eyes making the greyness of them appear almost fey like. The deep burgundy lipstick gave my lips a fuller just kissed look drawing eyes to my mouth.

Just kissed? If you think that lipstick makes you look just kissed you should look in the mirror after kissing Seto. The voice in my head perked up.
I was trying not to think of that, thank you very much.
But it's true. And you enjoy every second of it, Lil. The voice that sound so much like my brothers reminded me. I mean, why else would you put up with half of his bull?

Because he's my employer and I adore his brother. Plus, I needed the money.
At the time you needed it...What about now that you've got that nest egg from selling your deck? Why stick around?
It's a good idea to have a steady job especially if I'm going to fight my Uncle for custody of Evie. Plus, being around Mokuba helps ease the pain of everything a bit.
Duke, offered you a steady job at his game shop. That combined with your nest egg should be more than enough for a bit. Plus, I'm sure you could still be around Mokuba without having to work for his brother. Next excuse?
My nest egg is gonna be down to nothing if I have to fight Jean-Paul in court, after all I don't have the resources of a multi- billion dollar company at my disposal like he does.
A company your Uncle would do just about anything to keep right?
He's done just about every rotten dirty handed thing I can think of to keep it so far.
And he practically lives in fear of the day you turn 21 and can take over your rightful place as head of the company.?
Pretty much.
Then give him what he wants. In exchange for full and complete custody of Evie sign away all your rights to Tao Technologies.
By doing that I also sign away Evie and Adams futures.
As well as all chances of proving your suspicions about your Uncle having killed your mother. Unless..... My inner voice paused.
Unless what? I ask.
You ask Kaiba for help.

I reach out towards my reflection as I think about the idea. My index finger lightly traces my lips as my thoughts wander in another direction....Back towards those moments in Kaiba's private cabin on the plane.

I look around the room tastefully decorated in various shades of blue and silver as Kaiba locked the door behind us. After a few moments I feel a pair of arms slide around my waist.
"Are you sure, Lily?" He asked for the second time.
I turn around in his embrace and slide my arms around his neck, "I'm sure."
He studies me bringing his hand to the side of my face, "You've never done this before have you?"
I feel the blood rushing to my face as I look up into his deep blue eyes, "How did you know?"
"I didn't become as rich as I am by not knowing how to read people, Lily. Plus, you're still learning how to kiss." He teased lightly kissing my lips.
I bring up my hands to his chest and lightly push away, "Well, if my lack of......experience is offensive to you, Kaiba we can just stop this right now."
He pulls me tightly against him and claims my mouth in a kiss that leaves me breathless. "I don't think I'll mind too horribly teaching you....Just this once that is."
"You're so kind." I say dryly, "As long as you don't mind putting yourself out on the line like that."
He smirks and starts slowly backing me up towards the bed, "I know....It's a huge sacrifice on my part."


I feel the edge of the bed hit me behind my knees, "And you're all about sacrifice aren't you, Seto?"
He leans down and lightly sucks my bottom lip into his mouth delicately biting it as he does so before gently pushing me down onto the bed. I lean up on my elbows and watch him leaning over me, "You
really know how to drive a girl crazy, you know that?"
"Oh?" He asked placing his hands on the bed on either side of my head. "And just how do I drive you crazy, Tao?"
I lay back all the way on the bed, "I never know what part of your personality I'm going to be dealing with."
He chuckles softly as he runs a hand down my side stopping at my waist, "I could say the exact same thing about you, Lily."
I raise my hands to his chest and undo the top button of his shirt with trembling fingers, "Kiss me again, Seto."
He lowers his lips to mine in a light teasing kiss as his hand at my waist starts pulling the hem of my shirt out of my jeans. He pauses for a moment and just stares down at me for a few minutes as if he was trying to memorize every aspect of this moment for future reference, "Seto?"
"Yes, Lily?"
"Should I be the one asking if you're sure about this?"
"Why do you ask that?"
I move my hand from his chest to his cheek, "You're not the only one who's good at reading people. We can always stop and pretend none of this ever happened."
"I can't do that, Lily."
"Alright but I don't want you thinking that I'm expecting anything more than what this is."
"And just what do you think this is?"
"I know that this is nothing more than a brief interlude between two people who need a little companionship right now. It's nothing serious, right?"


He looks down at me is eyes that were so warm and caring a moment ago now held their normal frosty expression, "That's something that you're saving for Wheeler, right? This is just a way for you to gain some experience?"
I knew I should be furious as his comment but for some reason I wasn't, "No, and I'm going to tell you the same thing that I told him. I'm not ready for a serious relationship now and in all honesty I doubt I ever will be."
"Why?" He asked bringing his hand up from my waist and closing it around my wrist.
"I saw what Ariah went through when Adam was hospitalized and I don't want to put anyone or myself through that."
"That's it?" He asks raising his eyebrow at me.
"No, but I would prefer not to get into it right now."
He lowered his body to mine moving his free hand to my other wrist taking the opportunity to raise both my hands over my head and pinning them there, "But I would prefer it if you did."
"If you wanted to be on top all you had to do was ask, but I think I would be more comfortable the other way."
"Don't change the subject."

"I can get out of this if I wanted to, you know."
"Miss. Tao, I really am tiring of these empty threats of yours. Now, tell me the real reason. Now."


I wrap my legs around his waist and use my body to flip him over onto his back, straddling his waist I push my arms forward pinning his hands over his head, "I never make a threat I can't back-up, Kaiba."
"Neither do I, Tao. And by now you should know that I always get what I want." He said as he breaks one hand free places it on the back of my neck pulling my head down and kisses me fiercely and passionately.


Letting my body relax against his I lose myself to the delicious sensations that his mouth was invoking against mine. I let go of his other hand which he quickly places around my waist pulling my body closer to his. My fingers make their way back to his shirt and begin to slowly undo the buttons as his mouth makes it's way along my jaw to my ear. I gasp slightly as the tip of his tongue traces the outer edge before coming to rest at my earlobe. The feel of is hot breath against my skin causes me to shiver slightly as he whispers, "I will get the answers out of you, Lily.....Maybe not right now but I will find out what I want to know."
I try to pull away slightly but his hand around the back of my neck makes that impossible. He chuckles slightly before rolling me onto my back and pinning my body under his. "You're lucky I want you more than I want answers right now."
"I am?"


His only response was to kiss me again, the feel of his body pressed against mine both exhilarated and scared me. I had never felt like this before......I couldn't believe that I was about to sleep with the one person in the world that—
"Lily?" Seto interrupted my thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"Stop thinking so much."
"Huh?" I ask confused.
"I stopped kissing you and you didn't even notice." He answered grinning down at me.
I feel my checks turning bright red, "Seto, I'm sorry."


He started chuckling as he pulled away from me long enough to pull off his shirt off the rest of the way. Reaching down he grasps at the hem of my shirt and begins slowly tugging it upwards, leaning over he places the gentlest of kisses on my stomach. He continued to push my shirt up just as his cell phone rang.
"Damn." He murmured his breath hot on my skin. "Lily, I have to get that."
"I know." I whisper softly reaching down and pulling his lips up to mine. I softly kiss him, "I understand."


He smiles and gets up to answer his phone as I watch him he becomes more and more engrossed in his phone call. After about half an hour I realize that there was no way he was going to be done anytime soon and I doubt he even noticed I was there anymore. Standing up I straighten my clothes out and head back to the planes outer cabin.

I shake my head to clear it as I turn around and walk over to one of the observation monitors. Being around Seto Kaiba did some strange things to my head....He defiantly was not good for my peace of mind and I didn't like it one bit.
"Hey, Lil." Peter called from Jase's desk, "You'll never guess who Ariah's dueling."
"Ariah duels? Since when did she start dueling?" I ask walking over towards the desk.
"She started a few months back, she's actually not that bad believe it or not." Jase commented handing me a fresh glass of vodka.
"Yeah, but she chose someone completely out of her league tonight." Peter commented.
"Who?" I inquire.
"Seto Kaiba."
I nearly choke on my drink, "Did you just say that Ariah is dueling Seto Kaiba?"
Jase chuckles, "I'm surprised your boss came down here, kiddo. Think he's here to relax?"
"I doubt it.....So much for my night of peace." I comment leaning over Peter's shoulder and taping in the command to let me get the information about a players deck. The details of Ariah's deck pops up onto the screen and my eyes widen slightly in shock, "She's using Adam's deck?!? Why in the name of the gods is a beginner using a deck as powerful as Adam's?"
"She didn't want to use any other deck. She thought that if she could master it she might be able to challenge Alastair and Raphael and—"
"And somehow get back Adam's soul." I finish for Jase, "It took my brother years to master that deck. What makes her think that she can do it in a few months? She's to stubborn for her own damn good."
"Sounds like someone else I know." Peter replied dryly.
I lightly smack the back of his head, "If luck is on Ariah's side there's a chance that Kaiba won't slaughter her to badly."
"He's good, I know, but isn't that just a little bit harsh?" Jase asked.
"Seto Kaiba has spent the better part of his life perfecting his playing style and deck. Not many people can beat him."
"What about that Yu-Gi Moto kid?"
"Yugi's a great person and talented duelist who has also spent a while perfecting his game and deck." I reach over to the keyboard again and pull up the details on Kaiba's deck. "The cards to look out for with Kaiba are his three Blue Eyes White Dragons. They are some of the most powerful cards in the game and he knows exactly how to use them to his advantage."
"Um...Lil?" Peter asked studying the screen more carefully.
"Yeah?"
"Kaiba's deck only has one BEWD."

"That's impossible." I say leaning over and taking a closer look at the screen feeling like I had just been kicked in the stomach when I see the details of the deck. "Oh my god...He's playing with Siren's deck."
"Siren always beat Adam whenever they went up against each other, didn't she?" Jase asked peering over my shoulder.
"Yeah and that was with Adam knowing full well how to handle his deck....This is gonna be a bloodbath." I comment heading over to the office door. "Jase, will my old security codes work on the computers for the private arenas?"
"Never saw the need to change them.....Why?"
"Because I'm going to stop this before it turns out as bad as I think it's going to."
"What do you mean, Lily?"
I turn to Jase as I open the door, "Neither of them likes to lose and Seto Kaiba can be a real prick on the dueling field. I'm going to figure out what started this and do my best to stop it."

I step in the elevator that leads down to the floor where the private dueling arena's were housed. I had to admit being in a slight state of shock at the recent turn of events.

I can't believe that Kaiba was the one that bought my deck I thought to myself slumping against the wall.
You really do miss it don't you? The voice in my head asked.
I thought that I could get away from it...I honestly thought I could put it past me but on the plane....
When you forced yourself to play below your standards?
It just brought everything back...The excitement...The adrenaline rush. Everything that had ever made me feel so alive!
Then build a new deck and duel again.
I can't.
It's not that you can't, it's that you won't. You think that just because Adam's in the hospital you can't duel again. You're using him as an excuse to avoid doing something you love.
I'm not.
Bull. Not only that you're using Adam as an your excuse to not get close to anyone instead of telling them the truth.
I'm doing what I feel I have to do in order to protect people.
You really should give those people a choice instead of always pushing them away.
I have to because of one of the terms of my mothers will.
The term that states you can't inherit Tao Technologies until you turn 21 unless--
Unless I'm married before my 21st birthday.
And that's why you push people away when you feel that they are getting to close to you. You can't risk falling in love because you think that your Uncle would do something to them.
The moment that I fall in love with someone that persons life becomes forfeit. Jean-Paul wouldn't think twice before using that person against me in order to get what he wants. I'm afraid I'm pretty much poison to anyone who could truly love me.
You have to give them a chance.....Kaiba could handle anything your Uncle could throw at him and give it back twice as hard.

The ding of the elevator drags me from my thoughts as the doors opened, stepping out into the brightly lit corridor I can't help but admire the murals painted on the walls. They were of various duel monsters battles, I like to think that they were some of my best work to date, and you could swear they looked almost alive. Coming to the room where Kaiba and Ariah were dueling I enter my security code onto the keypad mounted next to the door. Upon entering the observation area I find myself looking at Mokuba's back seated in front of a keyboard wearing the headset used to communicate with the duelist's. Quietly coming up behind him I ask, "Isn't it a little late to be out, Mr. Mokuba?"
He jumps slightly as I sit down in the chair next to him and put on the other headset, "Lily! What are you doing here?"
"I saw this catastrophe starting on the monitors up in the office and thought it might be for the best if I was down here. What happened to the Duel Monitor?"
"Duel Monitor?" Mokuba asks sightly confused.
"Duel protocols here at DE clearly state that all duels, public or private, must be monitored as a way to control cheating and to make sure that all rules and protocols are observed."
"There was someone here when we got here but Ariah told them that they could leave."

Punching out a command on the keyboard in front of me I ask, "Why are they dueling anyway? Kaiba doesn't strike me as the type of duelist who enjoys wasting time with beginners."
"Normally he doesn't but he said that this was a special case." The raven haired little boy answered me.
"Special case?" I ask watching the progression of the duel, "What makes Ariah such a special case?"
"Seto, doesn't like it when someone gets between him and something he wants."
"How come I have a feeling that I'm not going to like this? What was Ariah getting in between of?"
"His getting to see you, Lily."
I sigh and shake my head, "Let me guess....He kept baiting Ariah and she fell for it? And when she did he figured that he'd humiliate her in a duel, right?"
"How did you know?"
"I know Ariah pretty damn well and I've gotten to know your brother pretty decently too."
Mokuba grins at me, "It sounds like it."

I watch as another of Kaiba's monsters takes 500 of her life points before flipping the switch on the intercom so that only Ariah can hear me, "You realize that I could stop this duel under Duelist Eden's rules because of the absence of a Duel Monitor, right?"
"Lily, what are you doing here?" Ariah answered.
"Give me a good reason not to shut down this duel."
"I'm doing this to protect you."
"From what? Kaiba?"
"He hurt you." Ariah replied placing a card face down on the field.
"All that hurt me was my own stubborn pride....Are you going to try and protect me from myself, Ari?"
She pauses for a moment before responding, "But he's investigating Adam and the rest of your family."
My fingers quickly type in my security code and hover over the enter key. "He was investigating us Ari but he stopped."
"But he did it." I could hear the faint cracking in her voice as my eyes travel to Kaiba's side of the field where, surprisingly, he was patiently waiting.
"If it hadn't been him it would have been someone else. In a way, I'm actually glad he found out." I softly say glancing over at Mokuba as I hit the button shutting off the power to the playing area. "He was kinder than most people in his position would have been."
"You sound like....you care for him."
"I don't know if I do, Ari. I really don't know." I say flipping the switch to end the communication with Ariah and take off the headset. Turning to Mokuba I can't help but grin at the shocked look on his face. "How pissed off is your brother going to be when he finds out I was the one who shut down the duel?"
"Let's just say I wouldn't count on a peaceful night."
"Time to go face the music than, I guess." I remark standing up and ruffling Mokuba's hair, "The limo outside?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't you head home and send it back for your brother and me?"
"You sure, Lily?" He asks standing up and giving me a hug.
"Positive, kiddo."
He walks over to the door and pauses for a moment, "Teddy bear pancakes."
"What?"
"I remember a little bit about my mom sometimes and I remembered these teddy bear pancakes that she used to make. They were the whole bear with chocolate chips for faces and buttons down the front."
Walking over I kneel down and give him a hug, "Sounds like a really nice memory, Mokuba."
"Can I have them for my birthday breakfast, Lily?"
"If that's what you really want, Mr. Mokuba it's what you shall have."
"You sure?"
"I can't guarantee that they'll be as good as your moms but I'll do my best."
"Thanks, Lily. You're the best!" He said giving me another hug.

Standing up I watch him leave the room and smile. He really does remind me so much of Evie I thought to myself as I turn around and head back to the console. I knew it would only be a matter of moments before Ariah and Kaiba came up from the lower level of the arena. I sit tilting the chair back slightly placing my feet up onto the console and my hands behind my head, I pretend to be very interested in my shoes as the door leading up from the dueling floor opens up.

"What the hell were you thinking, Tao?!?" a very irate looking Kaiba demands entering the room.
Tilting my head to the side and sighing softly, "I know...I know...Prada's new fall line on my budget but they were just so cute I couldn't resist."
Stopping dead in his tracks he asks, "What?"
I lift up a foot and let the black high heel dangle from my toes, "The shoes, of course Kaiba. I guess you now know my deep dark secret. I'm a shoe junkie."
"Shoe junkie?" He asks perplexed.
"Yep. My closet is full of them." I say slowly standing up and tossing my hair over my shoulder. "I love just about any kind of designer shoe or boot."
"That's not what I meant when I —"
Interrupting him in mid rant I walk over to Ariah and loop my arm through hers, "I sent Mokuba home for the night and told him to send the limo back for us when he was done." I start leading Ariah towards the door before continuing, "Just have them page me when it gets here and we'll talk on the way back to the house, alright?"
"Alright, Tao."

Not giving him a chance to say more than that I pull my brothers fiancee through the door and let it slam behind me. Leading her down the hallway I ask, "What in the hell were you thinking going up against Kaiba in a duel like that?"
"I was doing what I felt I had to do to protect you, Lily."
"Why the hell does everyone seem to think that they have to protect me from Kaiba?!?" I ask my frustration starting to show itself as we enter the elevator. "Between you, Duke and Joey I've had about all the "protection" from Seto Kaiba that I think I can stand!"
"Joey? Whose Joey?" Ariah asks leaning against the back of the elevator.
Pushing the button that will take us straight to Jase's office it prompts me for a security code, I enter it before answering. "Just a guy I know back in Domino City."
"Just a guy you know? If he's just a guy you know why is he trying to protect you from Kaiba?"
"Joey's just a friend, ok?" I say staring at the doors, "Why are you dueling anyway?"
"I wanted to do something to try and help get Adam back."
"Who taught you how to play?"
"I taught myself. I checked out a few duels and researched on-line a bit."
"You're not too bad but you need work before challenging someone like Kaiba again. Adam's deck is very powerful and in a novices hands quite dangerous." My voice rose slightly on the last part as I fail at trying to control my temper.
"Well, at least I'm trying to do something to bring him back unlike Siren who doesn't even care enough about her one time friend to do anything to help get back his soul!"
"I'm sure she has her reasons, Ari."
"Like what? She's too busy? She completely dropped out of sight after that duel. Has she ever checked in on you? She claimed to care so much about the welfare of your family and what happened to both you and your sister right after the duel but where the hell is she now?"
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath I answer, "She still cares...It's just that things are probably a bit difficult for her right now."
"Yeah, right." Ariah replies sarcastically as the elevators open at Jase's office, "If she still gave a damn she'd be here with us trying to figure out a way to get Adam's soul back."
"Just be careful whom you challenge to a duel from now on. Kaiba would have massacred you." I say following her into the office.
"I will." She answered smiling back at me, "You coming?"
"Nah, I gotta go and talk some sense into my boss about some stuff but I'll try and make it back for a bit tomorrow night, ok?"
"Fine but I want you to know that if you need a place to stay or anything...."
"I know where to find you and Jase. Don't worry about me so much, Ari....I'll be fine."
"I can't help it, Lily." She answered hugging me quickly, "I promised Adam I'd look after you in case anything were to ever happen to him."
I return her hug before stepping back into the elevator and pressing a button, "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"I made a promise and I'll do my damnedest to keep it whether you like it or not." She comments just as the doors close.

Leaning against the wall I take a deep breath while closing my eyes.
Ariah has some major unresolved hostility towards you doesn't she?
Not me per say but Siren.
What's the difference?
About three years and another lifetime. And her finding out who Siren actually is.....Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to go down to the club, get rip roaring drunk and just forget about the world.
What about Kaiba?
I think I'd like to forget about him most of all.
That's not what I meant. My inner voice replies.
I know, I sigh softly as the elevator slows to a stop at the club level.
He's probably mega pissed about your stopping his duel with Ariah like you did.
I know the kinda damage that my deck can inflict in the right hands and as much as I hate to admit it Kaiba's are the right hands. I just did what I had to do to keep Ari from being totally humiliated.
And in doing so made your employer even more pissed at you than he already was.

"I'll figure out a way to deal with Seto Kaiba later." I unthinkingly mutter aloud.
"And just how do you plan to do that, Miss. Tao?" A voice whispers in my ear.
I open my eyes startled to find myself staring into the face of the object of my thoughts, "How long have you been standing there?"
"Only for a moment....I was beginning to think you'd never notice me."
"I didn't even realize that the doors had opened."
"I was just coming to look for you. I called the house and spoke to Mokuba, the limo should be here soon."
"Page me when it gets here."
A hand on my shoulder stops me, "We're waiting together, Tao."
"My purse is behind the bar. I'll be back after I get it."
"Don't keep me waiting long, Tao." He said letting go of my shoulder.
"I won't." I reply stepping out of the elevator and make my way over to the bar.

After a few minutes of talking with the bartender I grab my purse and head back towards where Kaiba was waiting. On my way someone grabs my arm and pulls me against them.
"Hey, beautiful! Wanna dance?" A drunken voice slurs.
I turn my head slightly to avoid the stench of garlic and whiskey on his breath, "No, thanks. I'm on my way out."
"Come on, baby." He said pulling me closer. "Just one dance."
"I said, no thanks." I repeat pulling away.
"Why not?" he whined pushing his face closer to mine.
I smirk at him as I move the toe of my foot towards his, "Let me go, please."
"No." He grinned as he tightened his hold on my wrist.
"I just want you to remember that I did say please." I comment as I pull my foot back and kick him right in the instep causing him to gasp in pain and let go of my wrist.

Leaning over to his ear I whisper, "Maybe this will teach you that the next time a lady says no you should listen."
"Bitch!" He hissed as I turn around and make my way back towards Kaiba who was leaning against the wall.
"Problem, Tao?" He asks smirking.
"Nothing I can't handle, Kaiba." I smirk back stepping through the elevator doors.
"You do have a habit of attracting attention, don't you?" He asks entering behind me before he pushes the button that will take us to the garage level.
"Only the unwanted kind.....So you have Sirens deck now?"
"Yes, I have to admit I was surprised that it was up for sale. Why did you stop the duel, Tao?"
"I guess you could say I did it not only to save Ariah from being massacred by you but because seeing the decks involved just brought back to many memories."
"How so?"
I fold my arms over my chest, "You using Sirens deck first off and second Ari was using Adams deck. Not well but she was using it none the less."

He quietly watches me as the elevator as the elevator continues its descent, "Do it again, Tao and you'll regret it."
"Fair enough."

We ride the rest of the way in an easy silence that was broken by the soft ding of the elevator as it arrives at the garage. I follow Kaiba out of the elevator and to the waiting limo where he holds the door open for me as I slid in past him. Settling myself in I watch him settle into the seat across from me and ask the question that had been nagging at the back of my mind ever since I has seen Kaiba on the monitor in the office, "Why did you come down here tonight, Kaiba?"
"Mokuba was worried about you when you didn't answer your phone."
"My phone was in my purse behind the bar when I was in the office."
"That was very irresponsible of you, Tao. You are an employee of mine and I expect better of you."

Leaning my head back against the soft leather I stare at the roof of the limo, "How about instead of you lecturing me about responsibly on my night off you tell me exactly what's on your mind."
"I told you, Tao. My brother was worried when he couldn't get through to you and wanted me to come look for you."
"Of course." I say softly continuing to stare at the ceiling, "Do you have any plans with Mokuba for his birthday?"
"No, I was planning on going to the office for a few hours."
"Not only on a Sunday but on your brothers birthday as well? You work to hard, you know that? You have to learn to loosen up a bit."
"I have a business to run."
"And you have a brother who adores the hell out of you."
"Do you have any plans for his birthday?"
"Nice way to change the subject, Kaiba but yes I had a couple of ideas. One was taking him on a tour of the tower of London and the other was something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh?"
"Jase owns a small country cottage in Cornwall and is willing to let me use it for a week or so. It's really nice out there, his family has horses and a few other animals. It's a wonderful environment to just get away from the world and relax."
"You want to take my brother to Cornwall for a week?"
"Actually I was thinking about all three of us going." I answer softly.
"All of us?"
"Yeah, I mean after all I did promise Mokuba I would spend his birthday with him and I know he'd love to be able to spend it with you as well." I lift my head up and look at him, "I'm sure that you could get away from the office for a week if you take your work with you....like you always do, Kaiba."
His cobalt eyes burn into mine for a moment, "Is that your only reason, Tao?"
"The only one I'm willing to disclose, yes."

His hand quickly snakes out and grabs my wrist, "You will not hide anything else from me, Tao."
I watch as his thumb begins making slow circles on my skin, I didn't even think he was honestly aware of it. "What do you want me to say, Kaiba? That ever since with what almost happened with us on the plane you are all I can clearly think about? That the past few weeks that I've been gone all I could think about was when I could get to see you again?" I pause and take a deep breath figuring that right now it was all or nothing,"You're driving me crazy, Kaiba and I can't stand it. Being around you is the worst thing in the world for my peace of mind and I don't like it one bit!" I take a moment to put the rest of my thoughts in order before continuing,"But I can't help wanting to be near you..touch you...kiss you.......make love with you."

Out of all the reactions I could imagine I never in the world thought I would get the one I did, he just simply smirked and replied, "I'm glad to see we finally agree on something, Tao."