Aria was once again back at the apartment sitting on the couch with her laptop. It had been a few days since the incident and although her throat was still a little hoarse, it no longer caused her pain to speak.

Everyone was out for the moment, allowing Aria some quiet time to herself. She surfed the web as she looked at programming jobs in the Domino City area. With Riku behind bars, she no longer felt like she had to leave the country. And since Kaiba now knew of her innocence, she figured she should be able to find a low-level entry position at a software company and start saving up for college. She would still be able to pursue her dream, it was just going to take a little longer.

But Seto was another matter entirely. Over the last couple of days, Aria kept replaying the words he said to Riku over and over.

...there will always be a place for her by my side.

Even after running away from Kaiba, again, he said he still wanted her. Aria was worried that it was Kaiba who was going to hurt her again, but it seemed she was the one who kept causing him pain by repeatedly rejecting his overtures. At the prom, Kaiba had come to her with his heart on his sleeve. Never had she seen him make himself more vulnerable. How hard it must have been for him to do that. And like the coward she was, she fled.

Her laptop dinged, pulling her from her thoughts. A pop-up appeared showing that she had just received an email. That's weird Aria thought. It looked like it was from the foundation that was in charge of the scholarship she applied for. She clicked open the email.

Miss Ito. We are pleased to inform you that you are this year's chosen participant to receive the Computer Science scholarship for Domino University. With your outstanding reference from Kaiba Corp, your application...

Aria didn't finish the email. Her outstanding reference? Would Kaiba really do this? Aria's blood pressure began to rise. Did he not understand her at all? How dare he put forth a reference on her behalf given their history and relationship. It was completely inappropriate! Not to mention it was probably prohibited.

Aria shot off the couch, grabbed her purse and stomped out the door. If he thought she was going to let him get away with this, he was sorely mistaken.

+++

Kaiba sat in yet another board meeting, trying his best to look interested. He didn't think he was succeeding. Things were progressing well with Duel Monsters Online, they might even be starting prototypes beginning next year. Although they were ahead of schedule, Kaiba was finding it hard to find his usual zeal for the project.

The elevator doors at the far end of the room suddenly pinged, alerting them to someone coming up. Kaiba raised a brow at who could be coming as he wasn't expecting anyone. All the executives stopped talking to look to see who could be entering the board room. When none other than Aria herself stepped through the doors, Kaiba was shocked to say the least. He blinked once wondering if it was really her he was seeing.

What at first looked like a determined expression on Aria's face when she first exited the elevator, it had quickly turned to one of surprise and embarrassment. She stared at Kaiba while he dumbly stared back at her, either not knowing what to say.

"Umm..." Aria began, but faltered to a stop, a slight pink tinge to her cheeks.

"Gentleman," Kaiba finally said, snapping to attention. "Take a short recess. We will resume our meeting later."

A few of the executives raised their brows at Kaiba's pronouncement, but fortunately did not voice any questions as they slowly got out of their seats and exited into their adjoining offices. Soon it was only Kaiba and Aria left in the room.

"Let's talk in my office," Kaiba said as he rose from his chair and opened the door behind him for Aria to enter. She wordlessly walked around the table and through the door without making any eye contact. Kaiba followed. He treaded a few steps behind as they walked through his secretary's office towards his office door that was already open.

Susan gave a sweet smile with a nod towards Aria and then continued on with her work as if nothing was amiss. If only Kaiba could say the same.

As they entered his office, Kaiba almost rammed into the back of Aria as she suddenly stopped, staring at the spot where his Baby Grand used to sit.

"Where's your piano?" she asked in surprise.

"We weren't getting along," he muttered, then stepped around Aria and went to his desk. It was mostly true. It had become unbearable working in his office with his piano sitting right in front of him all the time. It served as too big of a reminder of what he had lost.

As Kaiba sat down he suddenly became uncertain as to how to address the woman standing in the room. Aria and Miss Ito both seemed unsuitable. He decided to settle on "What can I help you with?" Best to avoid the issue altogether.

Aria all of a sudden stiffened visibly while shooting a glare in his direction. Kaiba was slightly taken aback by her change in demeanor, wondering what he could have done to earn such a look. She walked the rest of the room and planted herself in front of his desk, arms crossed. She continued to glower at him but didn't say anything.

Kaiba blandly stared back at her, refusing to be intimidated. "Out with it Ito, what have I done to deserve your ire this time?"

Aria stood silent, then after a few moments spoke, "I just received an email saying that I got the scholarship for my computer program."

Kaiba's brow furrowed in confusion. "I would say congratulations, except that seems to be the wrong sentiment, based on your expression."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "They say I got it because of my 'exceptional reference' from Kaiba Corp," she said using air quotes.

Understanding dawned on Kaiba. "Oh," he said, leaning back into his chair, a smirk on his face.

"Yes, oh," Aria echoed.

"And you think I sent this reference."

"I know it was you!" Aria practically shouted. "But what bothers me more is that you thought I would be okay with it. I thought you knew me better than that."

Kaiba suddenly rose out of his chair, planting his hands on his desk. "I do know you better than that Aria, that's why I didn't send it," he said vehemently.

"You- wait what?" Aria asked, now the one looking confused.

Kaiba slowly sat back down. He missed these sparring matches. It was almost like the good ol' days before blackmail and evil stepfathers. "I know you would never accept a reference from me, I value our...friendship too much for that." Kaiba almost choked on the word. He didn't want to be just her friend, but he was willing to settle, for her sake.

"I-I'm sorry Seto," Aria said abashedly. "Sorry for accusing you like that, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." She looked down at the floor, her face red with embarrassment.

"I don't know where you would get the idea that I would use my power and influence to interfere in someone else's life. Really Miss Ito."

Aria looked back up, a small smile now playing on her lips. Kaiba was also glad to see that some of the redness had faded from her face.

"But if not you, then who?" Aria asked, perplexed. "Oh," she said, her eyes going wide in realization.

"Oh?" Kaiba asked.

Aria shook her head and let out a small laugh. "Langley."

"Seems you left a bigger impression than you thought," Kaiba said with a grin. But then he sombered. "But I did actually have something I wanted to give you." He opened a drawer in his desk and withdrew a white folder. He handed it to Aria.

"What's this?" asked Aria as she took the folder.

"I looked into what you said about Riku knowing your mother before you were born."

Aria glanced up intrigued. "And?" she said opening the folder.

"And it appears that your mother was engaged to Riku before running off with what I could only assume was your father. A few years later you were born."

Aria was silent as her eyes darted over the documents. Kaiba could see her mind trying to process it all. He waited with bated breath to see if she was going to turn her fury back onto him for being a little impertinent for digging into her family's past.

"Thank you..." Aria said softly. "I didn't think I was ever going to find out the truth to Riku's words, or if there was any truth to be found in the first place." She let out a dry laugh. "To be honest, I feared that maybe Riku was my biological father. Silly, I know."

"No, it's not silly," Kaiba murmured.

Kaiba and Aria stood staring at each other for a long moment. He knew he ought to reconvene his meeting, but he couldn't quite bring himself to leave her company just yet.

"You'll be happy to know that we caught the real insider here at Kaiba Corp," Kaiba said.

Aria perked up. "Who was it?"

Kaiba smirked. "I believe you already know."

"Tenzin," she said.

Kaiba nodded. "You'll never believe how he was leaking the information out."

"This ought to be good," Aria said with a grin as she perched herself on one of the armrests. "I would love to know how he got around Kaiba Corps' illustrious self-surveillance room."

Kaiba pretended to hmph in annoyance, for internally he was floating on cloud 9. They were having a normal conversation and Aria was even teasing him. This was how things were supposed to be.

Kaiba gave himself a mental shake. "He had a device in the heel of his shoe that allowed him to send out messages in morse code."

Aria gasped in surprise. "And that's why his leg was always constantly bouncing up and down. That snake!"

Kaiba chuckled at her ferociousness.

"Did he fess up to working for Pegasus?" Aria asked.

Kaiba's smile fell. "No. Pegasus has an uncanny ability at keeping his hands clean. I don't think even Tenzin ever really knew who he was working for."

"But what about the files I stole, er-I mean found," Aria quickly corrected.

Kaiba smirked. "All those files show is a device that Industrial Illusions was trying to create. We know he was doing it to combine it with Duel Monsters Online, but we don't have evidence that proves that."

Aria's body deflated a bit. "And so he gets away without even a slap on the wrist."

"I wouldn't say that," Kaiba said. "You stopped him profiting from a technology that wasn't his. You should be proud of that fact Aria."

Aria smiled. A true smile, one that made Kaiba wish he could see that smile everyday for the rest of his life.

Then as if she was realizing what she was doing, Aria hopped off the armrest and started backing towards the door. "I totally forgot that I had interrupted a very important meeting. I should let you get back to that."

Kaiba stood. "It was a welcome interruption, believe me." There were a million more things he wanted to say, needed to say. But then her words from the prom came back to him.

I'm sorry Seto, I can't...

And so with a small wave Aria walked out the door, and Kaiba let her go.

Kaiba sat back down with a frustrated sigh, rubbing his face in fatigue. Moving his hands into his hair, he grabbed fistfuls of it hoping the pain would help bring him back to his senses.

"Hey Seto! I just bumped into Aria!"

Kaiba sighed again. Mokuba's timing was impeccable.

"Did it really go that bad?" he asked.

"Actually," Kaiba said, raising his head up, "It went extremely well."

Mokuba's eyes crinkled in confusion. "So what's the problem then?"

"I don't even know anymore Mokuba. Just too much...stuff, it's become too complicated."

"I don't think it's that complicated at all," Mokuba said. "I think you guys are just making it complicated."

"Easy for you to say," Kaiba muttered, putting his head back down in his hands.

When Mokuba didn't respond after a few minutes Kaiba pulled his head back up. His little brother was staring off into space while stroking his chin absentmindedly.

Kaiba knew that look all too well. "Whatever it is you're thinking, no," he deadpanned.

"You need a night out," Mokuba said as if he hadn't heard him.

Kaiba groaned and swiveled around in his chair away from Mokuba. "That's the last thing I need."

"Face it Seto, you're not getting any work done here, you need to get away for an evening."

Kaiba huffed. He knew Mokuba was right in that he wasn't getting any work done. His executives must have figured out by now that the meeting wasn't going to resume. "If I agree to this, can I know where we're going beforehand?"

Mokuba mulled over his question. "No."

Kaiba whirled back around. "Mokuba..." he said warningly.

"I'm sorry Seto, but you'll just veto whatever I suggest. Best you go in blind," Mokuba said with a smirk.

Kaiba frowned but before he could protest further Mokuba turned and ran out of his office.

"See you at 7!" he called behind him.

Kaiba growled at his brother's antics. He really needed to stop giving in to him so easily, not that he was given much of a choice in the first place.

The rest of the day passed painfully slow for Kaiba. It was a mix between struggling to get work done and fretting over what Mokuba had planned.

At ten minutes before the set time, Kaiba was surprised Mokuba hadn't come up to his office to get him. His phone buzzed. Picking it up he saw it was from Mokuba.

Meet me down in the limo.

Strange Kaiba thought. Curious as to what his little brother could be up to, Kaiba left his office. For once he was actually glad to be leaving its confines.

Exiting out the revolving doors, Kaiba saw his limo waiting for him. But it was who was waiting for him that bothered him.

What are you up to now Mokuba? Kaiba thought bitterly to himself. For leaning against his limo was Yugi Muto. And he had a very smug look on his face.

+++

"Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" Aria asked. It was getting close to night-time, the sun having just dipped below the horizon. Her and Téa were sitting in the back of a taxi driving to an unknown destination.

"Nope," was all Téa answered in reply.

"I feel like you're scheming something Téa, and to be honest, I'm a little nervous."

Téa laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not taking you anywhere crazy, you'll just have to wait and see."

Aria was unconvinced but chose to remain silent.

When the cab pulled up in front of Bartini's Pizzeria, Aria turned to Téa slightly befuddled. "You kidnapped me to take me out for pizza?"

"You'll see," was all Téa said as she climbed out of the cab. Aria had no choice but to follow.

Approaching the restaurant Aria noticed Yugi, Tristan and Joey loitering outside the front steps, chatting amongst themselves. That's weird Aria thought, usually this place is teeming with people at this time, but it looks almost deserted.

"Hey guys!" Téa said as she ran up to join the rest of the gang.

"Bout' time you guys got here," Joey said, a gleam in his eye.

Aria stopped up short and noticed that all of them seemed to be wearing a sort of smug expression on their faces. She planted herself, crossed her arms and gave the most intimidating glare she could manage. "Okay, you guys are up to something and I want to know what it is. The last time we were here you ambushed me with a surprise visit from-" She paled. "You didn't."

Without waiting for a reply, Aria ran up the steps and pressed her face against the glass in the front door. Peering into the restaurant she should have seen a dining room full of hungry patrons, but instead all she saw was an empty room with all the tables pushed to the side. Accept one. For right in the middle sat a lone table with a single candle burning at its center. And sitting at it was the only person in the room; a tall brunette with a purple trench coat. Although his back was to her, she didn't need to see his face to know who it was.

Aria slowly backed away from the door, thankful that he hadn't seen her peeking in. Turning to her friends, she looked at their expectant faces, waiting to see her reaction. She took a deep breath. "I appreciate what you guys are trying to do, but I can't go in there. Kaiba and I..." She trailed off, unsure of how to describe her and Kaiba.

"Aria Ito!"

Aria started. Down the steps stood Téa, a fierce determination sat in her eyes and they were set right on her.

"Do you know how many times you've walked away from that man sitting in there?" Téa asked.

Aria shook her head even though she knew Téa wasn't looking for an answer.

"A lot!" Téa said. "And yet he keeps coming back, keeps hoping that maybe this is the time that you stay."

Tears began to well up in Aria's eyes. If this was Téa's idea of a pep talk, it could use some work. For all it was doing was reminding Aria of the countless times she had turned him away.

"That's why I can't go in there Téa," Aria said with a sniff, "I'm just going to hurt him again."

Téa walked up the few steps until she was level with her. She grabbed Aria by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. "Now you listen to me, Aria Ito. Love is hard and sometimes we hurt the ones we love. You know why?"

Again Aria shook her head.

"Because we're human. We don't always get it right. Sometimes we mess up."

"I think I've messed it up too far this time," Aria said wistfully.

This time Téa shook her head. "The fact that Kaiba is sitting in there waiting for you, tells me you're wrong." Téa sighed, her features softening. "Answer me this Aria, do you want Kaiba in your life?"

"Yes," Aria whispered. For although she truly did believe that things were too far gone for her and Kaiba, she desperately wished that there was some way he could be in her life. It seemed they were forever destined to be apart.

"Then go in there and make it happen," Téa said, pointing at the door. "Did you give up when it seemed like you would never escape from under your stepfather's thumb? No, you found a way to make it happen and now you get to live out your dream of becoming a renowned computer programmer. Go in there and do the same."

A glimmer of hope began to grow in Aria's chest. It was true that she found a way to get away from Riku. Even during the blackmailing, she fought on, unwilling to allow that there could be no solution to her predicament. Could there be a way for her and Kaiba too?

+++

Kaiba continued to sit in an empty restaurant, waiting for who knows how long for Aria to appear.

How do I keep letting my kid brother get me into these ploys of his? Kaiba thought sourly. Aria had repeatedly turned down any advances on his part, why would this time be any different? But despite knowing this, he still held out hope that for once she would choose to run to him instead of away from him.

Kaiba sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time that night. If he was hoping this time was going to be different, so far his odds weren't looking good. It didn't look like Aria was even going to walk into the same building as him. How badly he wanted to turn around and see if she had at least arrived. But Mokuba was persistent that he sat with his back to the door and made him promise not to turn around.

Kaiba didn't know which was worse, taking orders from his little brother, or finding out he was in cahoots with the geek squad. He had definitely been surprised to find Yugi standing outside his limo, but that didn't compare to finding the rest of the nerd herd sitting inside. He scowled and said his usual demeaning comments when in their presence, but inwardly he was experiencing a few sparks of hope that maybe these losers could convince Aria to give him a chance.

And so here he sat, in an empty restaurant, which actually ended up being a blessing in disguise. He didn't need strangers looking at him with pity for waiting for a date that probably wasn't going to show.

Kaiba huffed in annoyance. It really was getting pathetic the amount of times he's pursued this woman...only to fail continually at securing her. Anger began to build up inside him. He was Seto Kaiba! He would play the fool no longer.

Just as he was preparing to stand up and throw back his chair, he heard the door open behind him.