CHAPTER EIGHT

The contracts in front of him were important to review before he arrived. However, Seto couldn't concentrate for the life of him. He felt bad he wasn't at his brother's first quiz bowl competition, but the out of town visit had been necessary.

Meanwhile, back in Domino, the competition was beginning. Thanks to Mokuba's help, Joey got a front row seat. Of course, it helped he had worked it out with the school to videotape the competition for them. Nakamura had been more than happy to change his schedule around.

Mokuba sat stiff in his seat in his school uniform. Joey could tell he was nervous. Since they weren't starting yet, Joey left his seat and went down to Mokuba. The youth shook his head when Joey stepped into his line of view. The blonde crouched down to rest his head on his arms on the table.

"Hey," he greeted.

Mokuba forced a small grin to his face.

"H-H-Hi," Mokuba said.

"There ain't nothin' to be worried 'bout, kid. Yer smart, ya been studyin' hard fer this, and yer ready," Joey said, letting his accent slur a little bit through his words.

Whether it was Joey's words or his at ease accent, Mokuba wasn't sure, but he found the stress melting away. Joey was right. He was smart, just like his big brother. He had been studying hard to prepare for the quiz bowl.

"Thanks, Joey," Mokuba smiled.

Joey flashed him a peace sign. "Anytime, Mokuba."

Joey and Mokuba exchanged a fist bump before Joey returned to his seat. The host came out with microphone on and everyone took their seats. Joey pressed record and tried to make sure the people around him didn't bump the tripod.

"Good morning, City of Domino! Welcome to the Thirteenth Annual Elementary School Quiz Bowl Competition. We want to thank you all for coming out today to support our students."

The host listed off the sponsors before welcoming the first two schools to compete.

"Our categories for the first competition are Word Origins, Literature, Islands, Animals, and Pop Culture. Team Two has won the coin toss. They will choose the first category," the host announced.

The trio sitting across from Mokuba's side of the room huddled together before the lead member spoke.

"We'll take Animals," he said.

The host nodded as he picked up his first card.

"Your question is what are the only two mammals that lay eggs?"

Joey scrunched his face up as he watched the team against Mokuba brainstorm. He didn't even know mammals could lay eggs. Finally, the leader member piped up again.

"The duck billed platypus and the extinct dodo," he answered.

A loud buzzer sound went off.

"I'm sorry. That is incorrect. Team One, now is your chance to respond. What are the only two mammals that lay eggs?"

Having already been discussing the question with his teammates, Mokuba immediately spoke up.

"The duck billed platypus and the spiny anteater," he answered.

A different, chiming sound went off. The crowd cheered with light clapping.

"That is correct. Team One has earned the point and the right to choose the category."

Mokuba considered the options before telling the host to remain on the same topic.

"Very well. The next question is what kind of creature is a Portuguese man o' war?"

One of Mokuba's team members instantly piped up. Joey was impressed. How could such a powerful name belong to a jellfish? They went through several questions in the animal category. The last question came before the break.

"Which large mammal's tail is so strong it can stand on it and lift its hind legs off the ground?"

Joey grinned. Mokuba had reviewed quiz bowl information in the car when he had driven the younger male home. This very question had come up and Joey knew Mokuba had the answer.

Mokuba grinned big as he proudly proclaimed, "The kangaroo!"

"That is correct. We will take a short break before continuing. Team One currently leads."

Mokuba got up to walk around and stretch his legs. He watched the camera while Joey took a quick trip to the bathroom. When he came back, the competition was ready to continue. Joey wished him luck and continued the taping once the host appeared.

The competition went back and forth. Each team answered questions wrong and right, earning points for the correct responses given. Joey was amongst the loudest cheering when Mokuba's team was announced the winner and moved on to the next round. They grabbed a quick lunch at the snack bar in the convention center while the rest of the first round matches went on.

The competition continued into the afternoon until the semifinalists were determined for the next day. Joey wasn't surprised Mokuba's team made it to the semifinals. After he packed up the video equipment, Joey called for Roland to come pick them up. Joey had Roland drop them off for dinner where he treated Mokuba for his hard day of work. By the time they arrived back at the house, Mokuba was out cold leaning against Joey.

Roland stepped back and watched as Joey lifted Mokuba onto his back. It reminded the Head of Security of many times Seto himself had lifted his brother up. Joey carried Mokuba with ease. It was clear he saw the young man as a friend and adopted little brother.

Roland accompanied them upstairs to ensure there was no accidents. When Joey reached Mokuba's room, Roland opened the door for him. Joey set Mokuba down on his bed and woke him up long enough to have him change in his pajamas and brush his teeth. Joey tucked in the young man, but was stopped by a hand snagging in his wrist when he tried to step back.

"Thanks for being there today. I didn't tell Big Brother the truth. I was really sad he couldn't come," Mokuba murmured, sleepily.

Joey knew despite his distance that Roland could hear the youth perfectly. Unfortunately for him, Joey was close enough, the small lighting was bright enough, and Mokuba spoke loud enough for him to have heard as well. The blonde freed his wrist to take Mokuba's hand and squeeze it gently.

"It's okay, kid. I know your brother really cares about you and he woulda moved the Earth to be there today. But you and me? We both know he wouldn't have missed it this for any little old thing. He'll be back soon," Joey murmured back.

Mokuba's face relaxed as he whispered a quiet thank you. Luckily, Joey caught that one with his lipreading abilities. Mokuba turned his head into his pillow and drifted right off to sleep. Joey quietly crept out of the room. He started towards the stairs with Roland right behind him.

He was mildly surprised when Roland gave him a ride home. He knew from Mokuba he would be given a ride, but he didn't know it would be from the Head of Security. They rode in silence with Joey riding in the passenger seat of the black SUV. When they pulled up to the curb, Roland stopped him short from getting out.

"I have not told Mr. Kaiba of your employment at Kaiba Corp or your interactions with his brother. Only if Mr. Kaiba questions me, will I tell him and it would be to tell him of the hard work you've put in for both causes," Roland told him.

Joey cracked a small smile.

"Good night, Sir. Thank you for the ride."

It felt like he had just laid down to sleep when it was suddenly time to wake up. The semifinals started earlier than the competition start yesterday. Joey was grateful that Roland and Mokuba picked him up. He thanked Mokuba for the breakfast bagel he offered.

Once back at the convention center, Joey set up the equipment in the same spot. This time, however, Mokuba returned from a meeting of the teams to ask him to hold his phone.

"Why? You had it on you yesterday and nobody fussed," Joey commented.

Mokuba sighed.

"I know, but the host says a team was caught cheating yesterday with using their cell phones. We've all been asked to give our cell phones to a parent or guardian," Mokuba said.

Joey chuckled. "Well, I'm neither."

Mokuba laughed. "No, but you're close enough."

Joey sighed, but accepted the phone. He set it down in an outer pocket of the camera bag sitting on the ground.

"Thanks, Joey!"

The semifinals were much like yesterday except the questions were harder. Some of the questions, Joey had a hard time understanding what they were even asking. The semifinal break had just ended and they were starting up when a buzz vibrated against his pants leg. Joey reached down to pull out Mokuba's phone. There was a text from Kaiba.

Joey got Mokuba's attention and gestured at his phone. Mokuba threw his hands up. There wasn't anything he could do as the host was starting up again. Joey brought the phone down to his lap and pulled up the text.

Big Brother

10:02AM

Good morning, Mokuba. How is the competition today?

Joey tapped the Text Message marker at the bottom, waited for the touchscreen letters to appear, and typed out a message with his thumb.

Mokuba

The mid-break just ended. Mokuba is back competing. His team is losing but only by a few points.

Joey hit Send and put the phone back. He wasn't surprised when a second later he felt another buzz against his leg. He pulled the phone back out.

Big Brother

You must be Mokuba's friend. He never mentioned your name.

Joey cursed under his breath, earning him a glare from a mother nearby. Joey knew that was Kaiba's way of fishing for a name. He did some quick thinking before sending the next reply.

Mokuba

Everyone calls me Wheels.

The next reply came with acceptance of a name and inquiry of how the semi-final match was going. After a quick glance up, Joey relayed to him that Mokuba's team had taken the lead. He texted back and forth a little longer before Kaiba sent the final text.

Big Brother

Tell Mokuba I will be home this afternoon at 6:00.

Mokuba

Will do.

/…/

"I'm sorry to hear you didn't win."

Mokuba shrugged as he slurped up a spaghetti noodle.

"It's okay, Big Brother. I had a fun time and we did win second place," Mokuba said.

Seto smiled. Using a fork and spoon, he spun his noodles to wrap around on his fork. He brought it up to his mouth and chewed softly.

"Would you mind if we looked at the video after dinner?" Seto asked.

Mokuba grinned. "Sure, Big Brother!"

Seto reached out to grasp his drink. He took a long sip before placing it down next to his plate.

"How long have you known your friend Wheels?" Seto asked.

It was only because Joey had explained things to Mokuba that he wasn't thrown off by the question.

"Wheels? He's been a friend for a few years. You'd like him," Mokuba said.

Truth be told, his brother and Joey were a lot alike. He could see them being really good friends, if they could only get along. Seto chuckled as he reached over to ruffle Mokuba's head.

"I'm sure I would like him, Mokuba. After all, if he's a friend of yours, then he must not be that bad of a kid," Seto said.

Mokuba could do nothing more than smile. If only Seto knew.

END OF CHAPTER EIGHT