UNBOXED

Roland shoved his shoulder against the heavy glass door that separated Seto's reception area from the open-plan office space behind him. He was carrying a large cardboard box which had a strange weight to it and was punctured liberally with what Roland feared might be air holes. He was trying his best not to think about it. He finally cleared the door and reversed awkwardly into the room.

Andrea glanced up from her typing. "Do you need some help?"

Roland grunted. "Clear a space?"

Andrea reached forward and pushed aside a small stack of glossy white books as Roland lifted the box and carefully placed it on her desk, his eyes catching on the front cover of one of the books she had moved. The image showed Seto as he had been when Roland first met him: young, sharp, and angry, standing alone against a stark white background. Roland nodded towards the photo. "Is he in?"

"He's downstairs with the events organisers right now but he should be back before three."

"What's at three?"

"Wilkins," Andrea said, her tone ominous.

"Great. He'll be in a foul mood then."

"Hmm," Andrea agreed. She looked from him to the box and back again. "Are you going to make me ask?"

"Ask away. I don't know what it is. Main reception took it in about ten minutes ago and were very keen to hand it over to me."

"It's been through the scanners though?"

"They assure me it has."

"And they didn't say?"

"I didn't ask."

"I worry about your lack of curiosity sometimes," Andrea said, as she rolled herself forward in her office chair to take a closer look.

Roland shrugged.

"Are those air holes?"

Roland shrugged again.

"Did they at least say who bought it in?" Her voice had an edge to it now, the thinnest sliver of impatience. "We don't usually make a habit of accepting mysterious boxes up here."

Roland finally turned to her. "Now, that I can tell you," he said, his stoic persona slipping.

Andrea raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

He looked around him as if half expecting his boss to jump out and catch him in the act of gossiping. Satisfied they were alone, he leant towards her conspiratorially. "Mai Valentine," he said.

"Oh." Andrea's surprise gave way to a sly smile. "That makes more sense. I believe main reception have been told, somewhat clearly, not to put any barriers in the way of Miss Valentine getting in touch." She looked again at the box. "I'm not entirely certain Mr Kaiba had this in mind when he told them though…"

"I'm just annoyed to have missed her. Seto's expending an awful lot of energy on trying to find her since we've been back."

"You can't find her?"

"No."

"But just last week you found those three men in London."

"Yep."

"And they could have been anywhere in the world, couldn't they?"

"Yep."

"But you can't find Mai Valentine in New York?"

"Nope. Apparently, she vaguely mentioned working in a bar, and I tell you, I think he's going to make me search every bar in Manhattan if she doesn't turn up soon. I've already researched it and there are over 3000 bars here, did you know that? 3000."

"He's certainly keen."

"Hmm."

"It's nice, don't you think?"

"I—"

The outer door swung open causing Roland to jolt upright just as Andrea swiftly wheeled her chair back behind the computer, resuming her typing as if she'd never stopped. Seto walked past the desk giving them both the briefest of glances, his expression confirming Roland's fears about his mood.

"Found her yet?" Seto asked.

"No, but..."

Seto paused, his hand resting on the door to his office. "But?"

"She was here."

Seto turned, his entire countenance changing. "Here?"

"In reception. She dropped this off for you."

Roland stepped aside so that Seto could see the large cardboard box on the desk.

Andrea gave up on the pretence of work and watched as her boss stepped towards the box, his expression an uncharacteristic mixture of confusion and intrigue. He cocked his head slightly as he leant down.

"Are those air holes?"

He looked at Andrea who gave him a small shrug and then turned his attention back to the box. Brown parcel tape had been clumsily stretched across the top opening and he leaned forward to take hold of the loose end before pulling it back in one long motion. For a moment nothing happened, and Seto was about to lift the flap when the top of the box suddenly exploded open and, with a noise like a baby being throttled, a grey form leapt out. Andrea scooted backwards in her chair with a yelp, as Roland found himself instinctively reaching for the taser gun at his hip.

As the box hit the ground with a dull thud, Seto laughed.

It was brief, more like a huff of air, but Roland knew his boss well enough to recognise it for what it was, and his mouth dropped open in surprise.

Andrea stood slowly from her chair and leaned over the desk towards where the animal had hidden itself in the far corner of the room. "Was that a…" she said in a whisper.

"A cat?" Seto bent to pick up the box, deftly catching a piece of paper that fell out as he lifted it. "I believe so."

Andrea immediately moved around her desk to push past Roland. "Oh, the poor little thing!" she said in a tone that was most unlike her. "Come on little one, we won't hurt you." She approached the cat slowly, her hand out in front of her, bent low and making "pssp" noises as she got ever closer.

The cat watched her closely, clearly unimpressed. When Andrea was close enough to touch it, the cat made its move, darting forward, causing Andrea to lose her balance and fall backwards. The cat raced past Roland who jumped back with a squeak as it clambered up the shelves behind the desk.

There was another amused huff of breath and Andrea scowled darkly as Seto stepped towards her, offering his hand to help her up.

"Mr Kaiba," she said sternly as she got to her feet, "you know that I am always pleased to see you happy, but I would request that you modify your facial expression in this instance."

She turned away from him and pointed up towards the shelves where the cat was watching her with shining eyes. "Get that creature away from my files!" she instructed, her tone clearly indicating that her affection for the animal had now ended.

As Roland awkwardly balanced himself on the swivel chair to be able to grab the cat, Seto studied the piece of paper that had fallen from the box. On one side was the details of the box's original contents. On the other, in scratchy biro letters there was a note from Mai. His eyebrows twitched as he read it, and he gave another amused huff.

"Flea," he said aloud.

"Sorry sir?" Roland came to stand in front of him, the cat squirming in his arms.

"Its name," Seto said, "is Flea."

"As in—"

"The parasitic insect," Seto confirmed with a nod, trying not to smile as he watched Roland's eyes widen.

With a disapproving click of her tongue, Andrea pushed the box towards him and Roland unceremoniously dropped the cat back inside. He closed the lid, holding his hand in place until Andrea was able to seal it closed with a strip of parcel tape. The job complete, they both turned to stare at Seto.

He took a long, steady breath. "Well," he said, "that was… something." He could tell that he was still the only one to find any humour in the situation.

"Why would she get you a cat?" Roland asked, his lack of habitual honorifics speaking volumes.

"It's something I'll be sure to ask her when I see her."

"If you see her," Roland grumbled.

"When," Seto corrected him, holding up the note.

"Has she finally given you her number, Mr Kaiba?" Andrea asked.

"No, nothing so simple as that. But she did see fit to write her message on the back of a delivery note which I think will reduce the search from 3272 down to just one. The Daedalus Bar." Seto paused, his brow furrowing with a slight frown as if something about the name bothered him.

Roland was suddenly all smiles. "That's good news, Sir," he said. "Do you want me to check it out?"

Seto shook his head. "No, I can take it from here. I just need you to arrange a car so I can get this animal home."

Roland and Andrea exchanged looks.

"You're keeping it?" Roland asked, clearly not trusting his own understanding.

Seto looked at the note in his hand and then back at the box. "Apparently it's in need of a good home," he said. He continued to stare at the box, deep in thought.

"There are plenty of good homes around, Mr Kaiba," Andrea pointed out gently. "It doesn't have to be yours."

"Are you offering?"

"No."

"Well then. I guess we'll see if it could work out. The car, Roland?"

"Messaging now, Sir."

"Mr Kaiba," Andrea was back behind her desk and was regarding Seto with a raised eyebrow, "I fear I may need to remind you of your rescheduled appointment with Dr Wilkins…"

"I would far rather you didn't."

"Be that as it may, it is upcoming, in ten minutes in fact."

"Cancel it."

"She won't be happy. That's twice in a row now."

He smiled at a sudden thought. "Perhaps you can tell her I now have an emotional support animal, so her services are no longer required?"

Andrea levelled a stern look at him. "I'm not telling her that."

"Then tell her whatever you think will placate her. As much as I love being inexpertly psychoanalysed by Wilkins, it hardly seems fair to leave the creature in the box whilst it's happening, does it?"

Andrea shook her head disapprovingly, but Seto's good mood was proving to be infectious, and she was smiling as she dialled down to the main reception. They could have the honour of giving the uptight therapist the message when she arrived.

"The car is waiting, Sir."

Seto nodded picking up the box. "Roland, I need you to find a pet store and pick up some supplies. I have no idea what, but I'm sure the staff can help. Andrea," he said as she finished up her call, "do vets do house visits?"

"As with most things, I'm sure they will for the right price, Mr Kaiba."

"Good. Get one. Tell them I have a cat that probably needs… everything."

"Will you be coming back in later Mr Kaiba?"

"No. No, I don't think I will."

Andrea smiled warmly. "Very good, Mr Kaiba."