Gato: Here we go once again. Irie, if you please.

Irie: I have to do this again? Gawd. She owns only the plot and the original characters. Bwaha.

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Sunlight spilled in through the bay window of a tidy hotel suite. It cast a glow over scattered articles of clothing and finally warmed the torso of a sleeping Tai. The young man rolled over and reached for a certain auburn haired girl, but his hand found merely air. This startled Tai from sleep and he slowly raised himself on his elbows in an effort to locate Lexi. Her clothes remained littered across the floor, and Tai assumed she wouldn't leave the room in the nude, though he made no conclusions. After all, she came across as a very confident and aggressive girl both in the bar and after. He felt she had the capacity to wander the hotel without clothes if it benefited her in some way.

Tai rolled out of the large bed and pulled on a pair of pants. He searched for an appropriate shirt when he heard a door open. A familiar voice intoned, "Hey there, tiger."

Tai turned quickly and saw Lexi, wrapped in a fluffy towel, her skin still wet from the shower. More annoyed than pleased by her presence, Tai merely nodded and turned back to his wardrobe.

"So," she continued, unperturbed, "I was thinking we could get some breakfast."

Tai found a shirt and hastily buttoned it over his chest. "Actually, I think I have to…"

A loud knock interrupted Tai's excuse. Lexi walked confidently across the room and pulled the door open. Joshua stood on the threshold dressed in rumpled jeans and a t-shirt. Kayla maintained a firm grip on his arm and a placid smile.

"Tai, are you up for…you're not Tai." Josh laughed.

"How very clever," Lexi sneered.

"Are we interrupting something?" Josh asked while Kayla giggled noisily.

"Hardly," Tai called as he walked to the doorway. "You wanted something, Joshua?"

"Do you two want breakfast? Kayla and I are starving."

Tai began to excuse himself, but Lexi quickly interjected. "We'd love breakfast. I'm famished and I know Tai wants some."

Kayla cocked an eyebrow. "He wants some?"

"Breakfast," Lexi replied suggestively. "He wants some breakfast."

"Did you wake up Sean?" Tai cut in before the conversation escalated.

"What?" Josh asked from within a daydream. "Oh, yeah, we were going to his room next."

"Is he alright?" Tai questioned, ignoring the way Lexi pulled on his shirt.

"I'm not sure," Josh replied, a genuine look of worry on his face. "Something's been bothering him lately, but I have no idea what."

"You're his best friend," Tai reminded. "Maybe you should actually take the time to talk to him and figure it out."

Joshua nodded slowly, upset at his reprimand from their unofficial leader. Tai relaxed and clapped Josh on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, man. I'm sure it's nothing."

The blond smiled readily and agreed with Tai's comment. "Well, if I go and wake him up, will you get Stephen?"

"For sure. Meet back in front of my door in ten."

Joshua led Kayla down the hall and Tai finally turned to face Lexi. Her eyes shone as a signal she wanted something.

"Why don't you help me with me clothes, tiger?" she crooned.

"I'll meet you in the hall in ten minutes," he returned and left the room quickly. Tai cursed himself as he walked toward Stephen's lodging. Whatever Sean has must be catching, he thought. I've never left a girl in my room like that. What the hell?

Tai knocked loudly on the door and waited for a response. It took several minutes for the door to open; Stephen lean against the door jamb in boxers, his hair tousled.

"Breakfast?" Tai queried.

"Uh," Stephen cast a glance over his shoulder. "Sure. Just give us a few minutes."

"You've got ten," Tai called as Stephen shut the door. The handsome brunet wandered the hall idly in an attempt to avoid his room and the minx therein. After several minutes, Tai found himself by Sean's door.

Joshua's back blocked the view into Sean's room. Tai grinned at Kayla's absence from Josh's arm. He heard Sean's accented voice rise in stubborn objections.

"Look Josh, I don't see the point of me coming to breakfast. You lot are going to be sitting there, undressing each other with your eyes while I gag on my toast."

"To be fair," Tai intervened, "I'm certainly not going to undress Josh with my eyes. You know I only do that for you."

Sean laughed dryly. "Funny, Tai."

"I try."

"Come on Sean, stop being bitchy," Joshua joked.

Sean gaped. "Did you honestly just say that?"

"While on that topic," Tai said, "where's Kayla?"

"Hey!" Josh cried. "She's not a…okay well maybe she is. She got bored and wandered off to see Lexi."

"Now that one's a…"

"Just come to breakfast," Joshua interrupted.

"Fine," Sean conceded. "Why are we friends again?"

"Cause I'm your wingman. I attract the hot girls and give you second choice."

"Whatever," Sean replied with a laugh. He closed his door and the trio walked back to Tai's room.

"So, you didn't enjoy your time with Lexi?" Josh queried.

Tai exhaled loudly. "She was great, but I think I might be catching whatever made Sean's brain melt."

"My brain has not melted," Sea said indignantly.

"I don't know man," Joshua replied. "What else would make you turn down Candy? She was a pretty hot piece of…"

"As if we all showed up at the same time!" Kayla's cry interrupted Joshua's lewd comment. The thin girl pulled Josh into a kiss. Sean appealed to the ceiling while Stephen and Tori amused themselves in a similar fashion. Tai forced himself to look at Lexi and gaped. She wore the miniskirt from the previous night, paired with one of his shirts, open low enough to reveal a lacy pink bra.

"Thanks for letting me borrow a shirt, tiger," she purred with a vampire-like smile.

"Oh, yeah," Tai replied. Dark blue eye shadow and excessive mascara smothered her eyes. Tai shuddered when she gripped his hand.

Sean coughed loudly, and the two preoccupied couples separated slowly.

"Breakfast?" Tai questioned once again.

"Yeah," Josh replied distractedly while Kayla smirked victoriously. Sean glared at the petite blonde and turned in the direction of breakfast. The group arrived at the extravagant dining room and waited for a server.

A thin, French man approached the group and queried, "Table for eight, then?"

"Seven," Sean muttered. "Table for seven."

The man glanced at the group once more and nodded quickly. "Yes, of course. My mistake. This way, if you please." The French gentleman grabbed the required amount of menus and sauntered in the direction of a t able. Once he seated the group and ensured everyone had a menu, he fluttered back to his post. Sean instantly snatched a menu and focused intently on the descriptions and prices of high-quality options. As the Scottish man predicted, Stephen and Tori concentrated on mentally stripping each other.

Josh attempted to start a conversation. "So, we have to work later don't we?"

"Yes," Sean replied quickly. "We should probably leave soo…"

"But it's a Saturday," Kayla said with a small pout.

"A lot of places are open on Saturday," Tai said, picking up his menu.

"Like your convention?" Lexi questioned, almost dangerously. Tai started and almost dropped his menu. The trio of boys turned their attention to Tai's conversation. Sean listened from behind his menu. Josh kept his eyes on Kayla, but ignored her words. Stephen shifted his eyes slightly in Tai's direction.

"Yes," Tai said coolly. "Like my convention."

"What time does it start?" she pressed.

"Late enough," Tai replied suggestively. Lexi grinned triumphantly. Each male at the table relaxed to different degrees. As if to seal the hinted promise, Lexi promptly pulled Tai into a passionate embrace.

Sean, finally frustrated with his friends' behaviour, dropped his menu and left without excuse.

"Sean," Joshua began, then sighed and slumped into his seat. Kayla slipped an arm across his shoulders and he felt a strange flutter in his stomach. He connected the feeling to hunger.

…

Sean swiftly left the hotel and inhale deeply once he stepped into the warm sunlight. He couldn't explain his actions, as he didn't understand them. Lately, he began to feel annoyance rather than pleasure when it came to their 'games'. I hate taking a different girl home every night. The thought frightened him – wasn't he living any guy's fantasy?

…

Ale quickly shoved her groceries into several plastic bags. She cursed herself for the procrastination which now required her to be at a job interview in less than half an hour. A job interview on the other side of town. Something she realized while the cashier lazily swiped her debit card and depleted Ale's bank account even further. She stuffed two bags on milk into a final bag, grabbed her slew of groceries and walked briskly into the sunshine.

'Okay,' she told herself, 'just get home, drop of the groceries and get the bus. If you're late, you can blame the public transit.'

A block from her apartment, Ale's cellphone buzzed in her purse. She shifted the weight of her bags and managed to fish the small device from it's compartment.

"Hello?"

"Is this Ale Sanchez?"

"Yes, this is she." The authoritative voice buzzed in Ale's ear and forced her to pause.

"Wonderful," the voice continued. "This is Claire Franklin from the Blue Stone Grill. I was just calling to inform you that the position you requested has already been filled. I'm very sorry."

Ale scoffed internally. She doubt the haughty Claire Franklin felt remorseful. Since she entered her third year of university, Ale had applied to twenty different restaurants. She met rejection at each venture. She possessed cooking experience from a prestigious cooking school in Mexico and bartending abilities. These qualities however seemed overshadowed by something, possibly racism.

"If I may," Ale ventured, "I haven't even been in for an interview yet. I would be willing to do busing or waitressing…"

"The correct term is waiting," Claire said primly. "And I'm sorry, but all of our positions are full. Though I must say that your resume was certainly impressive – I'm sure you'll find work."

"Yes, thank-you," Ale replied dejectedly.

"Have a wonderful day," the sadistic woman said through training as opposed to courtesy.

"Thank-you. Same to you," Ale returned and shoved the phone into her pocket.

"Shit," she muttered. Without a second job, she would never be able to afford a new apartment.

Ale began to walk forward and shifted her bags once again, only to have the sac with the milk tear. The heavy bags collided with the pavement; one burst and a thin trail of the liquid made its way down the sidewalk.

"Shit," the Mexican girl repeated, followed by several Spanish curses.

She moved forward to pick up the fallen bags, but paused at a vaguely familiar voice. "Do you need some help, lass?"

Ale swept some curls off her face and turned in the direction of the voice. A young man with red-blond hair and emerald eyes approached slowly. His Scottish accent awoke a memory within Ale.

"Oh, no, thank-you. I'm fine," Ale said quietly. She stooped once again and several oranges fell from a bag. "Mierda."

"Here," Sean implored, picking up the fallen fruit and milk. "Let me help you."

"Thank-you," Ale conceded. Sean took two of the bags from Ale's arms and grinned.

"So, where are we taking these, lass?"

"Just to my apartment." Ale returned the smile. "It's only a couple of blocks more. But, I can carry all of the bags…"

"Nonsense," Sean interrupted jovially. "I insist."

"Thank-you," Ale repeated, startled by this unusual chivalrous behaviour. She led the Scottish man toward her apartment in silence. She always kept a guard up when around others, a habit brought on from a pained past. Finally, she forced out a sentence, "I'm Ale, by the way."

"I know," Sean said. "You we're our waitress at the bar last night. It's called the Cheshire Cat, right?"

Ale smiled ruefully at the ridiculous name. "That's the one. Oh, I remember you now! I was trying to figure out why you seemed so familiar. I guess the accent sets you apart from most of the other patrons."

"Yeah, I get that a lot." Sean laughed. "You've got a bit of an accent yourself."

"It's a Spanish one, or, to be specific, a Mexican one."

"Really? When did you come to Canada?" Sean queried. He didn't understand why everything the Hispanic said enthralled him.

"Oh, about four years ago," Ale replied vaguely. She paused before a small apartment building. "Well, this is where I live. Thanks for your help."

"I'll bring them up," Sean offered. He noticed the flicker of doubt in her hazel eyes. "Don't worry, I'll just put them on your counter and leave."

"I'm not sure," Ale hesitated.

Sean smiled compassionately and raised his right hand. "I swear that I am not a crazy stalked who helps girls with groceries as a ruse. I promise that this is not so strange pick-up. Finally, I promise that if I try anything, you can attack me in any way you see fit."

Ale laughed; her large eyes sparkled with joy. "Alright, Mr. Sean, I believe you. Follow me."

The pair walked up two flights of stairs and paused in front of door 214. Ale placed the remaining bags on the floor and fished her keychain out of her purse. The multitude of keys and accessories jangled as Ale shoved the correct key into the lock.

Sean laughed silently. "Are you sure your keychain is beg enough?"

Ale stuck her tongue out playfully. "Actually, I think I could fit more on here. Everything on here serves a purpose."

Sean squinted at the cluttered chain. "Even the pig?"

"It used to oink whenever I took the keychain out of my bag. Then the batteries started dying and for a week, it sounded like a pig drowning in mud."

Sean laughed loudly as Ale opened the door. She scooped up her bags once again and entered her small apartment. Once Sean crossed the threshold, Ale flinched at the cramped appearance of her home.

"I'm sorry that it is kind of," Ale searched for the right word, "busy."

"It's cozy," Sean replied sincerely. He spotted the kitchen and placed the bags on the azure counter. "You speak English very well."

Ale followed Sean's suit.

"Thank-you. There are times when I don't know the right word to use. My father," she paused briefly, her arms wrapped around her stomach. "My father was Canadian, so I've been speaking both languages since I was very small. But, for some years before I left Mexico, I spoke only Spanish, so I think I've forgotten some of my English."

Ale quickly turned her attention to the groceries. She pulled food out of bags and moved about the kitchen, putting items in their respective places. 'Why did I bring that up? I don't talk to anyone about that stuff. Especially a boy that I just met!'

Sean replayed her words in his mind and picked out several points where she faltered. She was hiding something behind her mask of joy.

"Have you had lunch?" Ale asked suddenly, a surprise to herself and Sean.

Sean stared for a moment and nearly accepted the hinted invitation, but decided to wait. "I did, thanks. I actually have to run. My friend is having an art show and I have to help him out."

"That sounds interesting." Ale finished with the groceries. "Where is the show?"

Sean feigned thought then laughed. "Yeah, I should probably call him about that."

Ale grinned. "Well Sean, it was wonderful to see you again, and thank-you for all your help.

"You're welcome." Sean had a brief internal conversation and added, "I'd like to take you out to dinner."

Ale started. "I don't even know you."

"That's what dinner will be fore. What are you doing tonight?"

"Working," she replied. "At the Cheshire Cat."

"What about tomorrow? It's Sunday; a bar can't be open on Sunday."

Ale laughed. "Yes, it can, but tomorrow is my day off."

"So, is that a yes?" Sean felt an uncharacteristic flutter of nerves.

The Hispanic girl chewed her bottom lip for a moment. Finally, she replied, "Yes. I'll give you my phone number, so I guess you can call me tomorrow."

Sean found the doubt in her voice endearing. He took the scrap of paper with her contact information and placed it in his wallet.

"So, I'll give you a call tomorrow then," Sean confirmed.

"Yes," Ale said slowly. "See you tomorrow."

The dark girl walked her mysterious guest to the door. "Well, thanks for all your help, Sean. And, have fun at your friend's art show."

"What?" Sean asked, momentarily thrown. "Oh, yeah. It should be interesting. Good-bye, lass."

"See you later, Sean."

Ale closed the door, and leaned against the cool wood. Sean stood a moment on the other side of the object, and finally made his way toward the stairs. Both felt elation and nerves about the upcoming date. And both suspected the other of a secret, though how dark the secrets were, they could not decipher.

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Gato: And, that is Chapter Two. Next time there will be more Taiora, I promise. But, as I said last time, this is as much about the other characters as it is about Tai and Sora. I think that Joshua is based loosely on Matt, so if there are any Matt fans out there, Josh should give you your fix.

Also, I'm sorry if my writing from the male point of view is not as accurate as it could be. I'm a girl, and I have a lot of trouble getting the male point of view right.

Irie: Time for the lovely, fantastical, time honoured Reviewer Response!

Gato: Thank you Irie. Do the world a favour and never becoming an announcer.

TO Musashibf: Thanks!

TO INUSYAHSREDSTAR: You're Mexican? That's awesome! I have some really good friends who live in Mexico. You're right, the story takes place in Canada…yay Canada! Don't worry, you'll be able to go on your trip soon enough, haha. Thanks so much for the review!

TO Chiban-chan: I'm sorry you feel that way, but I said this was Tairoa in the summary, so why would you read it if you don't like Taiora?

TO white artemis: Awwww, you're so sweet! Thank-you! There may be other Digimon characters, for example, I'm considering brining Mimi in, or at least someone based on Mimi. And, as I said, Joshua is based on Matt.

TO dbzgtfan: Thanks very much. Here's the update!

TO JyouraKoumi: …wow, thanks.

TO Steve-Racer: I haven't seen you in a while! Thanks for the review. Ale's name is pronounced A-lay. Hope that helps.

TO LastRedSeaKin: Haha, thanks for reviewing my story! You're so sweet. I'm really glad you're liking it. Sadly, Lexi will be around, but only for a chapter or two more. Don't worry; she'll get what's coming to her, haha. Thanks again!

Gato: And, I think that is all. Yes? Yes.