Aria's heart hammered in her chest. There was a part of her that didn't want to turn around but she was too startled to have had time to think about it. She was just about to scream when she caught sight of who had entered.

"Seto!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest and collapsing against the desk in relief. "I'm so happy you're here, you need to see this," Aria said, motioning towards Langley's computer. But when Kaiba didn't move, Aria looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?" It was then she noticed that he looked a bit pale, and his hands were clenched at his sides. "Seto..." she said again, walking towards him.

Kaiba put up a hand to stop her from coming any closer. He looked down and noticed the data stick lying on the floor. "We need to talk up in my office. Now."

Aria stared at him in astonishment. "But-"

"Now!" Kaiba barked.

Aria nodded numbly, too hurt and scared to try and argue any further, she walked out the door past him. Kaiba picked up the data stick off the floor before following her out.

The silence between them was deafening as they walked down the hallway and up the elevator. Aria's mind churned with thoughts and questions. Was he angry with me for going down to Langley's desk alone? What if Langley was running off with the plans now? Shouldn't they be going after him? Aria imagined she would get the answers to these questions soon. But as she glanced over at Kaiba and saw that he had put his expressionless mask on, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like the answers.

Arriving at the top floor, Aria quietly followed Kaiba to his office. Standing outside the doors was a man in shades and a suit. Aria surmised that this must be Roland who Kaiba mentioned. However, it was Langley standing beside him, shooting daggers as she walked by that filled her with dread.

Kaiba walked straight past without acknowledging either of them and went to stand behind his desk, looking out onto the city. Aria followed him, blushing at the sight of the piano as she walked past. She would give anything to have that Kaiba back right now.

Standing in front of his desk, Aria waited nervously for him to begin speaking. A part of her wanted to get the yelling done and over with so they could get back to what was important; catching the bad guys. Didn't Kaiba see there were more important matters to deal with right now? How could he stand there so calmly when someone might be making off with his beloved project?

Finally, Kaiba turned around. But he didn't look at her as he leaned over his desk and inserted the data stick into his computer. Aria jerked in alarm when he plugged it in, worried that the data stick was what was used to infect the mainframe in the first place. But Kaiba's face remained impassive as he typed and clicked. Once he had finished did he finally look at Aria. She didn't think it was possible, but it seemed his face looked even colder than it had before. The back of her neck began to prickle. Something was definitely off.

"Seto..." she began, trying to think of something to say to help diffuse the situation.

"I believe you have lost that right to call me that," he replied curtly.

Aria recoiled as if he had physically slapped her. "Why are you acting like this?" she whispered. Her voice seemed to have lost all of its strength.

"Are you really going to keep playing the victim here Miss Ito?"

"What are you talking about?" she said a little louder this time. "Yes, I went into Langley's office after hours because I heard that him and Jim were meeting-"

"Mr. Langley was down in the mainframe with me," he said coolly. "It was with his help that we were able to isolate the virus."

"So you were able to stop it?" Aria asked hopefully.

Kaiba scowled. "We thought we did. Until we saw a download of all Duel Monsters Online files leaving the system. Following the source, we were able to surmise it came out at Langley's computer." His gaze darkened. "Which led me to you."

It was then Aria realized why he had been treating her with such contempt. "You think I did this?" she gasped. All the air had just left her lungs. Tears began to collect behind her eyes, but she desperately tried to keep them at bay. "How could you think that?"

"Because I rely on facts Miss Ito. And the facts are that I found you at the scene of the crime in possession of the stolen files." Kaiba held up the memory stick.

Aria could only shake her head. No longer being able to stop the tears from flowing down her face. It simply hurt too much knowing that he was choosing what he saw over what had grown between them over the summer. Did he really think she was capable of using him in such a despicable manner? Apparently he did.

"And," Kaiba continued, "There was your absence during the time the virus was instigated."

"I explained that."

"Shall we check your alibi then?" asked Kaiba. He pushed a button on his phone. "Roland, send in Mr. Langley."

Aria stiffened. Although there was animosity between the two of them, surely Langley would tell the truth. Wouldn't he?

In a few short moments, Langley walked into the office to stand beside Aria, ignoring her presence. "Yes, Mr. Kaiba?"

"Langley, Miss Ito claims that she had a conversation with you yesterday at 10 a.m. on the tenth floor. Can you confirm this?"

Aria stopped breathing as she waited for his response.

Langley paused for a moment before answering. "No, Mr. Kaiba. I had left the lab at that point because I had been called down to the mainframe, but I did not see Miss Ito."

Aria closed her eyes, not able to look at the man who had just condemned her. She knew her and Langley had never seen eye to eye, but did he not realize what his dishonesty had just cost her?

"Thank you Langley, you may go."

Aria heard Langley's footsteps leave the room but long after the door had closed she still couldn't bring herself to look at the man before her. The silence was suffocating. All Aria could think about was that it was all over. Her dreams of going to college, of becoming a programmer. And somewhere along the way, Kaiba had entered into those dreams. Of wanting to see him become a part of her future. Now it was all gone.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" he hissed.

Aria looked at him with bleary eyes. She prayed he would see in her gaze the heartfelt sincerity that she had been honest with him all along.

"And it all makes perfect sense now," he drawled. "You had me preoccupied with investigating the other programmers when I should have been watching you. That's why nothing was turning up."

Kaiba's words hurt too much for her to be able to formulate a response. All she could do was stand there and take the barrage of shots he kept firing at her. She knew him too well to know that she would not be able to make him see reason. Once you crossed Seto Kaiba, there was no going back. Even if it was on a false accusation.

"But despite all this Miss Ito, I didn't think you were low enough to use your feminine wiles on me in order to get what you wanted."

It then all became much clearer for Aria. It wasn't only the fact that he thought she had betrayed his company. No, it was because he thought she had betrayed his heart. She wanted to yell and scream at him that it was all real, that she had given him her heart as well. But it was too late. Kaiba would be more closed off than ever now.

Kaiba gave a sharp bark of laughter. "And to think I fell for it! I should have known that you were only doing it for something in return." He leaned towards her. "Though I am curious to know how far you would have gone for it," he said with a sneer.

By that point Aria had had enough. She marched right around his desk up to him and slapped him across the face. Hard. Shaking in anger, she said through clenched teeth, "You don't know what you are talking about! I looked you in the eye yesterday and said that I would never betray you. That hasn't changed."

Kaiba flexed his jaw. "You can go now. I'm done with your lies."

"What? That's it? You're not going to have me thrown in jail?" she asked sarcastically.

"No, I think having to go back to your stepfather without the plans will be punishment enough."

Aria blanched. He was right of course. But Aria also knew that she wasn't the one to download the files. Did Riku's insider get a hold of another copy? The tangle of it all was too confusing to sort through now. Her mind and heart were too bashed up to think clearly.

Aria straightened her shoulders and looked Kaiba in the eye. "I will not apologize Mr. Kaiba for something I did not do. But be aware that someone out there has another copy of those plans."

When Kaiba didn't respond, Aria knew it was time to leave. He wouldn't believe anything more she had to say. Regretfully, she stepped away from him and walked away. How badly she wanted to look back at him one last time, but she knew it would be futile to do so. For all she'd see would be a look of scorn on the face of a man she had come to feel so deeply for.

Her legs carried her as far as the elevator. When the doors opened, Aria stumbled in only to fall onto the floor. She pressed the button for the lobby, but had no strength left to get back up. So she put her head on her knees and cried.

+++

Kaiba watched with icy eyes as Aria left the room. Even after everything that she had done to him, Kaiba couldn't help but feel a prick of pride in her attitude. She had actually slapped him! He could still feel the sting of where her hand met his face. He had seen it coming from a mile away, but after his words had left his mouth he felt that perhaps he had taken it a bit far. He had been angry and he wanted her to feel as hurt as he did.

With a sigh he went back to the window, letting his head rest against the cool pane. Right to the end she denied stealing the files. Even after she had been caught. Turning back to his desk he picked up the memory stick that held all the files that had been completed so far on the project. Where could she have gotten a USB drive of this caliber? There must be at least a terabyte of information stored on it.

Kaiba tossed back down the USB in frustration. It was late and he was tired. The past few days had been stressful enough without having to add treachery and betrayal on top of it. As he walked out of his office and into the boardroom, Kaiba was almost afraid Aria would still be there. Blissfully it was empty.

As he headed down to the parking garage, he almost decided to call for the limo instead. There were one too many memories associated with Aria and his car. Kaiba hardened himself however and berated himself for acting so weak.

The drive back to his mansion was a quick one. Kaiba may have broken the speed limit a few times but he needed to vent his anger out somewhere. The Kaiba mansion was settled in the countryside with the city lights twinkling in the background. Pulling through the iron gates, he parked in the spacious garage. After shutting off the engine, Kaiba gripped the steering wheel and focused on leveling his breathing. He didn't want Mokuba to see him unsettled. As the older brother and basically parent, Kaiba always needed to make sure he kept a strong front up for his brother.

Walking through the front doors, Kaiba found the main floor quiet. Either Mokuba was upstairs or still out. He smiled wryly at the fact that he never really knew what Mokuba did with his time. But he did know that Mokuba was quite mature for his age and didn't need an adult hovering over him all the time.

Kaiba headed into the kitchen, more out of routine than hunger. The day's events had definitely erased any thoughts of food. He opted instead for his customary cup of earl grey and took it out onto the patio while it steeped.

The summer evening was warm but with a light cool breeze blowing just enough to keep it from becoming stifling. Kaiba sat on a patio chair, looking out onto the surrounding gardens. He didn't want to dwell on today's events, on Aria's duplicity, but if he didn't deal with it now it would only fester till it became too much to bear.

Kaiba looked back on all of their interactions together. Not once did he ever detect deception in Aria. Did he become blind by his feelings for her? Kaiba prided himself on being able to read people, but with Aria he had it completely wrong. For almost the whole summer she played coy, refusing again and again to fully involve herself with him. He conceded that maybe she did have reservations about using his attraction against him but obviously that hadn't stopped her. He thought back to their kiss at the piano...

"Argh!" he yelled, standing up suddenly and knocking his chair back several feet.

"Seto?"

Kaiba looked back to see Mokuba standing tentatively to the side.

"What happened?" Mokuba asked concernedly. He gasped. "The virus didn't get through did it?"

"In a way but fortunately we were able to catch the perpetrator responsible," Kaiba said with a scowl.

"Why are you angry then? Isn't that good news?"

Kaiba clenched his jaw. He debated whether to tell him about Aria. He knew Mokuba held her in high regard but maybe it was time he learned that not everyone was who they seemed.

"It was Aria," he said quietly.

Mokuba looked puzzled, as if he had misheard him. "Aria? But you don't mean-"

"Yes," Kaiba said curtly. "I found her tonight with the stolen files."

"That's impossible, there has to be another explanation," Mokuba said resolutely.

Kaiba grabbed his teacup and threw it against the wall. Mokuba flinched at his sudden outburst.

"Don't you get it Mokuba?" Kaiba yelled. "She lied to me, she lied to both of us!"

Mokuba silently shook his head. Kaiba could see the tears that were beginning to well up in his brother's eyes. He hated that he had to do this to Mokuba, but if he didn't, then someone else would.

"Not everyone is good in this world Mokuba, and it's about time you learned that people will take advantage of you."

Mokuba's eyes suddenly sparked with fire. "So what? I'm just supposed to shut everyone out like you do Seto? Never let anyone in and just be alone at Kaiba Corp for the rest of my life?"

Kaiba growled at Mokuba's words. "At least I won't have to worry about Kaiba Corp betraying me!"

"You're wrong Seto," Mokuba said quietly. "For Kaiba Corp will never be able to give you what every person needs most. And that's love."

Kaiba scoffed. "Save that rubbish for the dweebs. You know I don't care for it."

"I think you do and Aria is proof of that."

Kaiba turned away in disgust. He knew his feelings had grown deep for Aria. But look where it got him. His technology was almost stolen and a broken...just more rubbish he didn't want in his life.

When Kaiba turned back around he saw that Mokuba had gone. It was probably for the best. Enough words had been thrown between them. Looking at the tea and glass that now littered the ground, Kaiba realized that he hadn't just been angry for Aria hurting him but for the hurt she would cause Mokuba. But unlike Kaiba, Mokuba still held faith that Aria was innocent. Kaiba paused as he thought back to Aria's steadfast denial of any involvement. Did he need to put some faith in her as well?

+++

Aria had barely registered the cab ride home. It was like she could feel her body going through the motions but her mind was someplace else entirely. It was back in Kaiba's office, going over every derisive word and contemptuous look that was given to her. She didn't know why she tortured herself so, maybe it was penance for not realizing sooner that Seto-no, Kaiba-was someone she did not want in her life. It wouldn't do to keep calling him Seto, even only to herself, as it only brought pain at how close they had become. Along with the memory of when she had called him that for the first time.

Aria's face warmed at the remembrance.

Aria hadn't noticed when the taxi had stopped in front of her building until the cab driver politely cleared his throat. Snapping out of her melancholy thoughts, Aria quickly paid him then stepped out.

After the car had driven away, Aria stood outside debating about whether or not she was ready to go in and face her friends. She was sure she wouldn't be able to disguise her emotions. Joey for sure would immediately start interrogating her until she fessed up what the problem was. And it didn't help that her "bedroom" was the living room, leaving her nowhere to go and hide from prying questions.

Heaving a sigh, Aria started up the front steps, deciding it was better to get it over with now. At least she could openly share everything that has happened. There was no point in keeping secrets now. She only hoped everyone would be sequestered away in their bedrooms to at least give herself a second to collect herself before being pounced on.

Letting herself into the apartment Aria's hopes were dashed when she came upon Téa, Joey and Tristan sitting on the couch playing a video game together. Téa was jabbing her elbows into Joey who was sitting beside her.

"Give me some room!" Téa shouted, as her thumbs flew over the controller.

"If you want more room you can sit on the floor!" Joey replied heatedly.

"You're only mad because I'm beating your butt!"

Aria gave a small smile, but seeing that her friends were occupied decided to take advantage of the distraction and tiptoed towards the kitchen. If only she could duck in one end without them seeing her, then she might be able to sneak away out the otherside. Just as she reached the entryway, her foot landed on a squeaky floorboard. Creak...

"Oh, hey Aria, we didn't see you come in," Téa called out to her.

Aria cursed the building for its ancient and noisy floorboards. Instead of turning around, Aria just gave a small wave with her hand and walked into the kitchen. She didn't think she could handle talking with her friends right then. One look at them would probably send the waterworks that she had been able to hold at bay so far. Bracing her hands against the countertop, Aria breathed in and out through her nose. She could feel the hot sting of tears beginning to form behind her eyes.

"Uh...everythin' alright Aria?"

Aria jumped at the sound of the voice. Standing awkwardly in the kitchen entryway was Joey, though concern could be clearly seen on his face. It was that look that finally undid Aria. Throwing caution to the wind, Aria ran to Joey, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She didn't care that she was hugging one of her male friends, all she could feel was how deprived she was of any human physical interaction. Kaiba had begun to fill the void that her stepfather had left, but after Kaiba's dismissal, the void had become too unbearable.

Unsure of how to react to a crying female that was clinging to him, Joey tentatively patted her on the back. "Gee Ari, I've never seen you this worked up. Don't tell me this was rich boy's doing."

Aria got her sobs under control and pulled away. She winced when she noticed the mess she left on his white t-shirt. Not able to look into his eyes, Aria gave a slow nod. "It is mostly because of Kaiba, but not in the way you think. I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than that." When she finally did chance a look at Joey, she was relieved to find no anger in his eyes, though there was a tic in his jaw.

"Sounds like you have a lot to talk about," Joey said. "And I think it calls for the whole gang. Hey, Tristan!" Joey yelled into the living room. "Get Yugi over here, tell him it's an emergency!"

Aria shook her head at Joey's brusqueness, but was happy to have someone take charge of the situation. She realized how much better it was to be surrounded by those who cared about you then going through a crisis alone. She had never been more thankful for her friends.

Following Joey into the living room, Téa still sat on the couch while Tristan was standing off to the side on his phone, presumably talking to Yugi. Téa immediately jumped off the couch at seeing Aria and wrapped her in a huge hug.

"Is everything okay?" Téa asked, not letting go.

Aria pulled back in astonishment. "How did you know the emergency was about me?"

"I saw it on your face when you entered the room. And I knew it either had to be something to do with your stepfather or Kaiba."

"Well, you're right on both counts," Aria said.

Téa's eyes grew wide in shock. "What? But how is that possible?"

"Let's wait for Yugi to get here and I can tell everyone at once."

Tristan hung up his phone and walked over. "He'll be here in ten minutes."

Téa nodded. "I'll go put the kettle on for tea," Téa said, walking into the kitchen. "By the sound of things, this is going to be a long talk."

By the time Téa had cups of steeping tea set out in front of the couch, Yugi was walking in the door.

"I came here as fast as I could," he said, a little breathless. "What's the problem?"

Joey jerked a thumb over at Aria who was already sitting on the couch. "Something went down today at Kaiba Corp between Aria and rich boy. We were just waitin' on you."

Everyone gathered around in the living room, looking expectantly at Aria, waiting for her to start talking. Aria wasn't sure where to start. Would her friends be angry with her for not telling them sooner about what has been going on at Kaiba Corp? The fear gave her pause, until Téa reached over and gave her hand a soft squeeze.

"Just remember," Téa said, "We are your friends and we are here for you no matter what. So don't be afraid to tell us anything."

Aria gave Téa a warm smile for her reassuring words. It was exactly what she needed to hear. Taking a deep breath Aria began right at the beginning, when she and Kaiba had first interacted in the classroom. There were a few gasps when Aria got to the parts about her stepfather's blackmail, and even a few heartfelt sighs from Téa during Aria recalling her times with Kaiba. Joey usually responded with either a roll of his eyes or an imitation of a gag reflex. Aria didn't acknowledge any of this, she just kept talking. She knew she needed to get it all out now.

By the time she finished, the room had fallen eerily silent. Until Joey, red in the face, jumped up and started punching the air.

"How dare that creep say those things to ya! Does he have no respect? I'm going to show him what happens when he messes with my friend!"

"Woah, calm down man," Tristan said, placing his hands on Joey's shoulders. "I'm pretty peeved at the guy too, but it won't change anything about Aria's situation."

Joey shoulders slumped forwards in acquiescence. "Your righ' Tristan. Until we find out who framed her, we won't be able to clear her name."

Aria looked at Joey like he had just sprouted three heads. "What did you just say?" she asked. "You think I was framed?"

"Well it makes sense doesn't it?" said Joey. "You just conveniently happened to be in the place where the stolen files were. Not to mention Kaiba bursting in on you seconds later."

Aria got off the couch and started pacing around the room. It was like puzzle pieces were finally falling into place. How could she not have seen it? Of course someone would frame her. Haven't they been setting her up all along? The threatening messages, the "secret" meetings between Langley and Jim. Someone was only making it look like they had been conspiring together. Like the phone call Jim got to get him to leave the office.

Aria buried her face in her hands. How could she have been so stupid? She was so convinced that Langley was the insider that it blinded her to all the other programmers. She suddenly gasped, making everyone jump. "I know who the insider is..."

"You do?" Téa asked, "Who?"

"It was Tenzin," Aria said. "It was him who told Hiro that Jim was having a secret meeting with Langley tonight. He did it when he knew I would overhear him." She threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Ugh! How could I have been so stupid?"

"Easy," Yugi said, stepping in. "The point is we now know who's behind this. Could you go to Kaiba and get the real guy caught?"

Aria thought about it for a moment then sadly shook her head. "No, I can't go back to Kaiba unless I have real hard proof. It would only be hearsay, which is exactly what I've been telling him all this time."

"Then how can we prove it?" Téa asked determinedly.

Aria looked in wonder at her friends who so readily accepted her innocence and were now willing to fight for it. Which was why she couldn't involve them in this any further. "I appreciate your willingness to help, but I can't get you guys anymore involved. You might already be in danger from just being privy to this information."

"Aria," Joey said, wrapping an arm around her neck. "We just saved the world from a crazy psychotic nutcase. I think we can handle an evil blackmailing stepfather."

Aria gave him a knowing look. But she knew deep down she wouldn't be able to keep them away, even if she wanted to. Aria gave Joey a curt nod. "Glad to have some help for once."

"Great!" Tristan exclaimed. "So where can we get some cold hard evidence?" he said, rubbing his hands together.

Aria knew where they had to go and she didn't like it. "Looks like it's about time I paid my stepfather a visit."