Thursday – four days before work experience

Heva: Now coel, repeat after me. I must not tempt fate.

Coel: just shrugs and refuses to co-operate. Opens packet of liquorice allsorts and starts eating them.

Heva: Coel just repeat it!

Coel: No. It's not my fault it happened after I told a few reviewers that you would update unless you got involved in something serious like a car accident, and you're not injured and the car isn't damaged so I don't see why I should. It's not like he actually hit your car.

Heva: Coel, I have been in two near misses this morning thanks to completely idiotic, and in the case of one of the drivers, illegal drivers!

Coel: Do you want a liquorice allsort?

Heva: That's the closest I going to get to a promise not to tempt fate from you isn't it?

Coel: nods

Heva: Fine, enjoy the story. Takes a sweet from the offered bag. You've eaten all the pink ones.

Coel: Just get on with the story.

--

--

Thursday – four days before work experience

--

Joey awoke with a headache and feeling like he had the flu. He lifted a hand to his forehead to try and tell if he had a temperature. When this proved inconclusive he managed to drag himself out from the bed and into the kitchen. He pulled out the thermometer and placed it under his tongue for a few minutes. This showed he had a temperature and he pulled out the ibuprofen and sleeping tablets to send him to sleep and get rid of his headache. His dad wandered in at that moment and began making his morning coffee.

"Are you ok?"

"I think I've got the flu. Do you mind contacting the school to say I'll not be in today?" Joey swallowed the two pills and began walking back to his room before his father could answer.

"Fine. Get better soon."

--

"Kaiba?"

"Yes Yuugi," Seto answered as the short duelist walked over to him at break time.

"As Joey's ill today I thought I ought to give you his number so that you can ring him and give him details of next week." Yuugi held out the piece of paper so that Seto could take it.

"Ok."

Seto watched Yuugi leave before turning to find his friends.

--

The day was mundane for Seto, he went to maths, all three hours of it, and to his chemistry lesson in the afternoon. Joey was in his chemistry set, along with Tristan and Duke, and it was almost guaranteed that they would have an argument in every lesson. It had become something to look forward to for Seto, but with Joey away the class would be boring.

Dr Rose was droning on about carbon atoms and Seto was struggling to remain focused. He usually had no trouble listening to Dr Rose, but today he was thinking about Joey's absence. Joey was never ill, his attendance was his one good point. Seto concluded that he would phone from the office later and ask how he was feeling under the pretence of telling him the details of his work experience next week.

"Remember to do the worksheet for homework. Have a good time on work experience if I don't see you around school tomorrow," Dr Rose was saying as people began leaving the room. "By the way, will anyone see Joey to give him his homework?"

"He's working with Kaiba next week so give it to him," someone was saying, probably Tristan.

"Ok, Seto can you wait while I print out a copy of the slides for him?" Dr Rose asked as he began faffing about with his lap top. Seto just shrugged and continued packing up.

--

Joey was woken by the phone ringing a bit after four o clock. He groaned and put his arms over his head to try and block out the noise. The answer phone kicked in quickly and Joey heard his own voice telling the caller that they'd reached Joey's phone but he was probably out with friends right now so couldn't answer.

"It's Kaiba Seto here. I thought I should ring you just in case I don't see you tomorrow. On Monday turn up at nine o clock and I'll show you around. I've had a word with the CG department, that's computer graphics by the way, and the security department. They've both agreed to take you for one of the days if you want to, they're currently discussing which day is best so I'll have to tell you on Monday. My secretary said that she will find something for you to do as well, so I hope you like filing. If you want to talk about anything give me a ring, my mobile number is … wait a minute while I find it … I've got it written down here somewhere."

Joey had pulled himself out of bed and walked into the hallway where the answer phone was. He considered picking up the phone and talking to Seto but it was entertaining listening to him try and locate his mobile number.

"I'll find it in a minute. I hate getting a new mobile number. Anyway just phone me back before five thirty on this number and I'll still be here, after that I'm sure my secretary can patch you through to my mobile. I've got dinner with Mokuba and some of his friends tonight so feel free to ring me as I'm bound to be bored. Um … what else was there? Oh of course, Dr Rose gave me the work you missed from Chemistry today so I'll give that to you on Monday. I think that's all so get well soon, bye." Seto hung up the phone and Joey heard the click.

"I don't think he's used to leaving messages," he muttered with a grin as he walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. He opened the fridge to peer inside and noticed the lack of food. The cupboards and freezer showed the same pattern and Joey spotted the post-it note that had been attached to the oven reminding him and his dad that they needed to go shopping soon. Joey reopened the fridge and pulled out the milk bottle, deciding that he would make himself a hot chocolate and hope his dad brought home something to eat. He sniffed the top of the bottle and recoiled in disgust before pouring the lot down the sink, he'd have to just have hot chocolate with water instead. The coco powder was at least still edible so he was still able to mix it with the boiling water from the kettle.

Joey collapsed onto the sofa and switched on the TV, hoping to find something better than yesterday's soap opera. He was lucky enough to come across a film, even if it was a children's one, that had only started a few minutes ago. The plot wasn't particularly great, and neither was the acting from the characters but it was good enough to kill the next hour and a half.

The credits began rolling up the screen as Joey looked across at the clock. The red glow of the numbers showed it was six. A groan escaped him as he realised he still needed to ring Seto to ask him about what he should wear for work and if he needed to bring a packed lunch or money. Where was his dad as well? He usually got back just after five, but if he was shopping for food then it wasn't that surprising he was late. Joey pulled himself to his feet and wandered into the hall to where the phone was. The answer machine light was blinking at him, telling him that there were new messages. As he was about to hit the buttons to dial the last number that called he noticed that there were four messages. He replaced the phone and clicked the play button.

"Hi Joey, it's your dad. I'm really sorry about this but I'm not going to be back for the next couple of days unless I can persuade someone else to go in my place. I'll try and ring you later on tonight. Hope you feel better soon."

That explained why he hadn't shown up from work yet. It was unusual for him to just leave like that but there must be something at work that had made him go. The next message kicked in.

"I just phoned to say hello and ask how you are. It's me, Serenity. I'm getting the train down on Saturday and was wondering if you wanted to do something together. Duke asked me if I wanted to hang out with him and go to a restaurant for lunch. Anyway call me back."

Joey tried to think of what day it might be, he thought it was Thursday but he wasn't sure.

"Joey, hi, it's Yuugi. I just phoned to ask if you were feeling any better and ask if you'd be in school tomorrow, if I don't see you before Monday, good luck with working for Kaiba. Oh by the way I gave him your number today so that he could tell you times and stuff. Bye."

The machine started playing Seto's message so Joey stopped it and picked up the phone. Now who to call first?

--

Yuugi picked up the phone as it rang. He was meant to be watching over the shop but it had been a slow day so he wasn't bothered about leaving it.

"Hello?"

"Hi Yuugi."

"Joey. Are you feeling any better?"

"Not really, I don't think I'll be in tomorrow."

"I hope you get well soon. What's wrong with you?"

"The flu, I think. What did I miss today?"

"Not much. Tea's still going on about this guy, I've started blocking her out now it's getting that irritating."

"Oh. Se-Kaiba rang, he got the answer phone because I couldn't be bothered to answer it."

"I expect he wasn't happy about that," Yuugi replied with a grin as he heard the bell in the shop. "I've got to go, customers. Hope you feel well soon."

"Ok, bye."

--

Seto stared at the computer screen, not really seeing what was on it. He'd rung Joey about an hour ago and was surprised that he hadn't got a reply yet, maybe Joey really was ill. There was a part of him that was genuinely concerned about the pup and hoped that he would ring just to say he was ok or to make fun of Seto's inability to find his mobile number, maybe even comment on how awkward he'd sounded on the phone. Thinking about the conversation made him embarrassed and if he was honest he'd have to admit that it had taken him half an hour just to get up the courage to dial the number, something about knowing Joey had a crush on him made it hard to talk to the guy. Having feelings back made it even worse and Seto wouldn't be surprised if someone in the security department had noticed his indecision over the phone on the video camera when he repeatedly started dialling part of the number before hanging up.

He glanced at his watch to see it was just after five so Mokuba would be turning up with his friends in the next hour. Roland was looking after them for now, until Seto took over and had to look after them whilst at the restaurant.

He heard talking outside his office door and recognised his secretary's voice.

"Come in," he replied to the knock at his door.

"Kaiba sir?"

"Yes?"

"I've got a basic schedule typed up for next week. Would you like me to email you a copy as well as print it out? Also I can send it to Mr Wheeler if you have his email address."

"Email me a copy and I'll forward it to him tomorrow if I can get his email address. When Mokuba and his friends turn up give me a ring so that I get a warning."

"Ok," she left the office so Seto was once again alone with his thoughts. He glanced down at the paperwork that was stacked up on his desk and sighed. Getting started on this would be a good idea, if only to clear up the place a bit before Monday. Unfortunately Mokuba was planning on making him take Saturday off to go shopping with him and Georgie, Seto would swear that Mokuba was trying to set them up, so that reduced the time he would have in the office to tidy it. Maybe he could come in on Sunday for a while to clean up the place.

--

Mokuba pushed open the doors and dashed towards the lift with his friends following. Roland tried to keep up with the group but failed as the lift doors closed before he reached them. He glanced over at the desk where the receptionist was sitting chatting with Seto's secretary. As he walked over the secretary picked up the phone to call Seto's office and told him that his younger brother and friends had arrived.

"You look fed up," the receptionist commented.

"That group is a nightmare. Why can't you and Sara look after them instead? Babysitting was not in my contract," Roland complained.

"It wasn't in mine either, but I've got to look after the work experience guy next week as well as doing my normal work so I'll happily swap with you," Sara said as she replaced the phone.

"Who's the work experience student?" Roland asked, wondering who'd managed to get Seto to let them into the company without a contract.

"I think his name's Joey Wheeler but I may have got it wrong." Roland just stared at her.

"Are you sure?"

"It's something like that. Wait a moment and I'll check; can I use your computer quickly?"

"Sure," the receptionist replied as she stepped out the way for Sara to get to the keyboard.

"Yes, Joey Wheeler."

"I never thought that I'd see the day Mr Kaiba would voluntarily spend time with him."

"You've met him before?" Sara asked.

"He was the guy who came fourth in battle city and caused all those problems when he passed out during the duel."

"I thought that him and Mr Kaiba hated each other?" the receptionist commented.

"They do so I wonder why he's letting him do work experience here?"

--

Seto replaced the phone as he began shuffling his paperwork into fairly neat piles on the desk and reached over to shut down the computer. As the logging off tune played he glanced at the clock to see it was ten past six. Mokuba was running late, but it wasn't like he minded, other than Roland was going to want a raise for having to put up with them for so long. Sometimes he wished that Roland was still scared of him. He heard the noisy group of boys in the corridor outside. Within seconds his door was forced open by Mokuba and his five friends who dashed into the office.

"Are you ready to go Seto?" Mokuba asked happily as he ran over to the desk.

"In a minute." The boys had all rushed to the windows to look out over the town; it really was a marvellous view. This was the tallest building in the whole of Domino so you could see the entire South side of town from Seto's office windows. One of the boys was commenting on the drop if you fell through the glass.

"It's special glass," Mokuba explained to them. "It's really thick and it's got a layer of that reaction lens stuff so that when the sun gets really bright the glass becomes tinted."

"That's so cool."

The phone rang on his desk and Seto considered not answering, but if he did answer he got to put off the restaurant trip so his decision wasn't that hard to make.

"Yes?" he barked into the receiver, not particularly thrilled at being interrupted with a group of six kids running loose in his office.

"Hiya Kaiba, is that you?"

"You really pick your moments' mutt. Wait a minute while I sort something out then we can chat," Seto held the phone away from his ear to talk to Mokuba. "Why don't you and your friends go down to the labs and have a go with the new duel disks? I'll just sort this out then come down and find you so that we can get going."

"Thanks, big brother. Come on guys," Mokuba said, giving Seto a hug before running back to the doors followed by his crowd of friends.

"Sounds like you're having fun, moneybags," Joey said with a laugh as Seto just growled.

"I don't know why I put up with Mokie's friends, they've only been in the building for five minutes and I can already tell I'm going to end up adding bonuses to some of my employees pay." Joey laughed as he heard Seto complaining. He could imagine Seto leaning back in his chair with a sigh, his shirt lifting slightly as he stretched. The hint of skin visible just above his belt, skin that was so pale and Joey could imagine being so sensitive to touch, and just so tempting. He had to shift slightly in his chair as a rather large problem developed.

"Mutt, are you still there?" Seto was asking when he received no answer.

"Sorry, I think I zoned out for a moment there, stupid illness."

"Are you feeling any better?" Seto asked before he could stop himself. Joey paused before answering, could it be possible that Seto actually felt compassion? Nah, he was just hoping that this illness would keep him at home all next week.

"Not much, hopefully I'll be better by Saturday, but I'm pretty sure I won't be in tomorrow. Thanks for picking up my chemistry work by the way. I didn't know that you were capable of being thoughtful."

"It wasn't me that was thoughtful, it was Dr Rose asking who was likely to see you and one of your friends telling him that you were working here next week. Speaking of which, have you got an email address I could send the schedule to? My secretary very kindly pieced a basic itinerary together for you."

"Sorry, Kaiba, not everyone is as technology dependant as you. I haven't even got a computer, let alone the internet or email." Seto's shock at this revelation was even evident down a phone line. "The answer phone is about the most complicated electronic equipment we've got in this apartment. Unless you count the duel disk I've got, I'm pretty certain that's more technologically advanced."

"How can you live without a computer?" Seto asked, still in shock. He heard Joey start laughing on the other end of the line.

"I don't run a company, and if I need to type something up for school I go round Yuugi or Tristan's house and borrow their computers. It's really quite easy to live without one; that is, if you don't use it as much as you do."

"Do you want me to try and get a print out to you or just wait until Monday?" Joey thought about the possibility of Seto dropping round to give him the print out and his missed work. One glance around the hallway was enough to dismiss that idea instantly, then another idea dawned on him.

"I'll be in town on Saturday if you want me to drop round your office to talk through it all and give me my missed work?"

"I won't be in the office on Saturday, I'm taking the day off, I'd prefer it if you don't ask for the reasons."

"Why?" Joey asked, intrigued.

"Because I'd rather be at work. I could make a detour on my way home tomorrow to give you everything?"

"I think I'll just pick it all up on Monday if that's ok."

"Fine, it doesn't bother me," Seto replied with a yawn.

"Thanks for ringing earlier. You sound really awkward on the answer phone," Joey told him whilst laughing slightly.

"I'm not used to leaving messages if they aren't for Mokuba or to yell at my employees," Seto replied uncomfortably.

"I'm glad I'm not employed by you."

"You will be temporarily next week."

"Do I get a bonus if Mokuba's friends turn up again?" Joey asked with a grin.

"You can have a ten percent pay increase if they do, but seeing as you're working for free I don't think you'll be too impressed with it."

"You're such a generous boss, Seto."

"I know." Joey was relieved that Seto's reply was almost instant, suggesting he hadn't noticed Joey's slip of the tongue in calling him by his first name.

"What am I actually doing next week then?" he asked, hoping that if he kept the conversation moving Seto wouldn't notice.

"On Monday nothing's been arranged yet, other than a tour of the office which I'll probably end up doing. Tuesday you'll be with the CG department which I'm sure you'll find at least mildly interesting as they're bound to let you mess about with the holographics and they are very laid back, with plenty of coffee breaks. Wednesday you're with the security team, I'm not sure what they'll be getting you to do, other than show you how bored they get when no one's trying to take over my company. Thursday you'll be working with my secretary unless someone else wants to volunteer to look after you and find something for you to do. Friday nothings been arranged so you'll be stuck with me again probably, hope you like paperwork because I'll have loads to do."

"Sounds like I'll have three good days at least, shame that Friday will probably be so dull but at least Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be good."

"If you'd rather I can ask Roland to babysit you and Mokuba on Friday, I'm sure he'd be thrilled if I ask him," Seto put his feet up on his desk as he grinned. He wasn't sure if it was just the relief of finishing work for the day or hearing Joey sounding so much better that was putting him at ease enough to let himself relax this much, but he decided to wonder about it later.

"I think I'll stick with you at the office, arguing with you and messing around with your stuff could be fun." Joey smiled as he thought about the possibility of messing around with Seto in his office rather than letting Seto work, the paperwork being knocked to the floor as he pinned Seto down to the tabletop…

"Don't get your hopes up; trust me when I say that a day in my office is extremely dull. Bring along some good films and you can watch them on my TV if I can't arrange anything interesting for you on Monday. Two things though, no lewd videos and remember that I'll be in here working with you so pick something I might like."

"No lewd videos? Of course someone as against human contact as you wouldn't want anything like that. Does kissing count as too much human contact for you?" Joey was surprised as Seto burst into hysterics at the other end of the phone.

"I may act like that at school and at tournaments but I assure you, Wheeler, I am far from being a virgin." Joey just sat in silence as Seto spoke.

"That was a sentence I never expected to hear from you, dare I ask who?"

"I'm not going to recount my love life to you, besides I need to get going or Mokuba and his friends will have broken something expensive. I'll see you on Monday."

"Bye, Kaiba."

The phone line went dead and Seto stood up from his desk to try and locate the six teenagers running rampage somewhere in his company.

--

He's slept with other people? Joey felt jealous and he couldn't rationalise it to just an appreciation of the way Seto looked. He was annoyed that someone, or even more than one person, had got there first. Of course Seto had slept with other people; he was a wealthy business man with lots of admirers. People practically threw themselves at him for his money alone, add his good looks to the mix and it was highly improbable that Seto would remain single for long.

'Why did I even kid myself that I had a chance?' Joey thought miserably. 'I fooled myself into thinking that it was possible he would actually say yes and now I think I hardly even know who he is.'

Some wise people once said that nothing is impossible and that if you don't try how will you know. They were both never faced with quite this problem of having a fascination with a wealthy, good-looking CEO and now realising that he probably had to employ people just to manage the offers for relationships and marriage that he got each day. Joey slumped down in his chair, suddenly feeling a lot worse than he had when he woke up.

The sound of Seto's voice on the other end of the phone, especially when he was just being friendly and even nice, had made him feel much better. When he had made what probably counted as a joke about the ten percent pay rise Joey had actually felt like he was back to full health but that came crashing back down when Seto had made the comment about sleeping with other people. He pulled the rug around himself as he sat on the sofa miserably. The sound of a key in the door made him look up.

"Are you feeling any better, Joey?" his dad asked as he stepped into the room.

"Not really, I thought you weren't going to be back for a few days?"

"Something else came up so the trip was delayed until it gets sorted out. I hope I haven't spoiled your plans for any wild partying you were going to do with me out the way."

"With the way I'm feeling partying is out of the question," Joey said miserably as his dad sat down next to him. He looked over at the pile of magazines he'd left on the floor next to the sofa last night, the top one showed Seto on the cover wearing the new prototype duel disk. As Joey looked at the picture he felt a tear drip down his cheek and his dad put an arm round him.

"What's wrong? Is it just the flu or has something upset you?"

"I just realised that I have no chance with the person I like, that's all," Joey heard his own voice crack as he felt the tears begin flowing down his cheeks.

"What makes you think you have no chance?" his father asked as he pulled Joey into a hug, this wasn't something he was used to, comforting Joey wasn't a regular occurrence.

"Because he can have practically anyone he wants, and I'm the last person on earth he'd ever want to date." The elder Wheeler didn't miss the use of 'he' but decided not to ask about it right now.

"I'm sure this person isn't as unreachable as you seem to think. It's because you like them that you think they're perfect, I assure you that they are just like you, human and with flaws."

"You don't know him like I do, dad, I don't think I even know the real him. I used to think I did but I don't. Seto's got so many masks." Joey felt his dad pause as he said Seto's name.

"By Seto you don't mean Seto Kaiba, do you?" Joey nodded. "I thought you hated him."

"I did, but he's …" Joey tried to think how to explain his lust turned crush. "I don't know how it happened but it turned into something else."

"They do say that there's a fine line between love and hate."

"I'm not in love with the guy, dad, he's too irritating for anyone to ever love, but I want to give a relationship a chance. Who knows, maybe he could get less irritating? There's no chance though, he'd never say yes to me."

"How do you know if you don't try? You should ask him out." Joey smiled as his father said those same words as Georgie had yesterday. The exhaustion from the afternoon he'd spent awake finally got to him and he drifted off to sleep with the grin still in place. His dad carried him through to his bedroom. After putting him under the covers he walked back into the living room and picked up the pile of magazines, if his son had a crush on this guy he ought to find out about him.

--

Seto decided that he was glad he'd booked the back room of the restaurant instead of just a table in the main area. So far no fewer than three glasses had been broken, he'd had his red wine knocked over his white coat and there was still the main course and deserts to go. Seto was pretty certain he would murder someone before the end of the meal if things didn't improve. He'd already used up his excuse of important phone call at the office and was sure that trying it for a second time without a very good reason would make Mokuba annoyed with him.

The waiters brought in the main course and placed the plates in front of the group. Seto ate in silence, watching and listening to try and anticipate the next accidental damage so he could prevent it.

Strangely the rest of the meal went rather well, with only two more glasses dropped or knocked, both stopped by Seto before anything broke. The ride in the limo to drop each of the boys home was survivable as well and soon it was just Seto and Mokuba left.

"Well done, big brother," Mokuba told him with a smile on his face.

"For what?" Seto snapped back, finally letting his irritation show.

"Putting up with them and not yelling at anyone."

"I'm glad you approved, but don't think this means that you can invite them again anytime soon." Mokuba just grinned as the limo pulled up in front of their house.

--

--

Heva: I like this chapter. What do you think coel?

Coel: I think that we need more liquorice allsorts.

Heva: I actually meant about the story but it doesn't matter. We don't have anymore liquorice allsorts though, you ate the last pack and I'm not spending my money on buying you anymore. Please review and say thank you to melodyz07 again as she has been so amazingly helpful with this story. Don't expect an update until next week as this one was up earlier than I planned due to my shock at some complete idiot nearly hitting my car this morning. There is a link somewhere in my mind that makes me put up a chapter after nearly having my car made a write off.

Coel: Your mind is weird.

Heva: I'll tell you what, coel, if you promise not to tempt fate again I'll buy you some more liquorice allsorts.

Coel: Deal.

Date: 18/08/08