Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Warning: Mentions of physical abuse, alcohol use


Back at the hotel, after convening with his security and putting stricter parameters in place, Kaiba focused on the daunting task of comforting his brother. As he feared, seeing Pegasus—whom Kaiba suspected was behind the recent kidnapping attempt—had triggered Mokuba's anxiety and even his proximity to him and the added security measures hadn't been enough to make him feel safe. Between that and the mention of their abusive step-father, Kaiba was sure his brother would be inconsolable; he was barely holding it together himself, although he'd never show it. He crept up to Mokuba's room and heard soft voices; he peered in to discover that Lila was speaking to him quietly and although Mokuba still seemed uneasy, he was calm and on the verge of sleep. Deciding not to interfere, he stole away to the living room to pour himself a stiff drink and wait.

After fifteen minutes, Lila emerged from Mokuba's room, still wearing her evening gown as she'd had yet to change. Calming Mokuba down and ensuring that he felt safe enough to rest had been more important, but now she realized how heavy and burdensome the beautiful dress felt and was eager to change into her worn-out pajamas. She decided she'd better call Yami tonight as well, while the events from this evening—meeting Pegasus, the dark energy she'd felt around him, his possession of the Millennium Eye—were fresh in her mind. As she crossed the living room, she realized Kaiba lounging in the armchair, but that didn't stop her from jumping in surprise and clutching at her chest.

"Would you stop doing that?" She whispered.
"Doing what?" Kaiba retorted.

"Sitting in the dark like a ghoul!" She scolded as she turned on a small lamp on the end table. Kaiba laughed in spite of his tension at her choice of words, then grew grave as he looked across the room at her.

"What did you say to Mokuba? Normally in these circumstances, it takes me hours to console him, but you have him already asleep. What did you tell him?" Lila sighed and sat down wearily.

"At first he just wanted me to listen. He told me about your step-father, the horrible man he was, his death... Then I told him about parts of my childhood that weren't so great…" Kaiba leaned forward; Lila had never spoken about her family. He could have snooped on her easily, but…he wanted her to confide in him, to trust him, with her secrets.

"My father was considered a model citizen. He earned an honest living at a respectable bank, acted as a city councilman, and was active in his church and community. Up until I was five, I considered him my hero, like any kid thinks of their parents—"

"Not all children," Kaiba corrected bitterly. "Go on…"

"But then he fell into drinking and it turned him into a monster: angry, unpredictable, impulsive, violent. He'd throw things, punch walls, scream himself hoarse. He terrified my mother, and she begged him to get help, to seek counseling or go to rehab, anything. He tried to quit, but he always fell back into it. And every-time he did, he got worse, more violent… I still remember that first time he hit me…" Lila choked back tears at that painful memory.

"You never forget the first time…" Kaiba said after a moment of tense silence as Lila struggled to find her words. "Mine was when I fell asleep studying economics. It was just a smack upside the head, nothing like what I got after, but I still remember it as one of the worst." He laughed darkly. "Wonder why that is…"

"I think it's because up until then, you trusted them. That first time they hurt you marks the 'before' and 'after' of your life, and that stays with you."

Kaiba scoffed. "I knew Gozaburo was a cold-hearted bastard long before that. Keep going." He urged gently. "I'd offer you a drink if that'd make it easier, but that seems inappropriate given the circumstances." Lila shot him a dark look before continuing.

"I remember that I didn't want to finish my green beans; I'd always hated them. Normally I'd just get sent to bed without dessert when I refused my vegetables, but that night he struck me so hard I fell out of my chair. First he'd let his fist do the talking, then eventually his belt. And when my mom stood in between us, she'd get it too." Kaiba watched her, transfixed. "She was terrified of his rage, but even more terrified of leaving, and she'd make so many excuses for him, claiming that our errant behavior or the stress of his esteemed position led him to drink, which incited the violence. When I was ten, he beat me bad enough that I was nearly hospitalized; that was the final straw for her. One night we fled to a women's shelter in a neighboring city, but we weren't out of the woods for a while. He was a powerful, influential man and used his resources and connections to track us down, no matter how careful we were. All he had to do was paint the image that he was a loving husband and father whose wife had gone insane and kidnapped his beloved child and people were putty in his hands. Earlier this year, it'd been nearly two years since he'd last tracked us down—the longest we'd been able to hide. We thought we were safe. When he found us, my mom urged me to hide and I was so scared that I listened. She confronted him, begged him to just leave us alone and end the pain for all of us…and he did, for everyone but me. He killed my mother, while I hid in the next room like a damned coward..."

"You were—are—a child. What else could you have done?" Kaiba inquired as Lila shot him a deadpan look. "Assuming you didn't have your…special skill set back then, I mean."

"I should have been with her—" Lila cried, a few angry tears betrayed her solid resolve, slipping rebelliously out of her closed eyes.

"So you could die too? Don't be an idiot!" Kaiba snapped so sharply Lila's eyes snapped open. "And don't insult your mother's sacrifice by making a damned martyr of yourself!" Kaiba shook his head in disgust, taking another long swig from his glass. "What happened to your father?"

"He searched the house for me before the police arrived, and then I heard a second gunshot… he'd shot himself," Lila concluded, eyes now dry and voice steady despite the heavy weight on her heart. Kaiba stared at her, shocked at her composure as well as her story's grim ending. "Look, the point of telling you about this is that I know how it feels to live with that fear in you, and I had to let Mokuba know he wasn't alone. The past can be painful and scary, but he will heal and move on from the terrible things that've happened." She paused, waiting for Kaiba to meet her eyes, but he glared stubbornly at the floor. "I wanted you to know that too…" Lila rose

"I have moved on," Kaiba muttered crossly.

After changing, Lila called Yugi to tell him and Yami about her encounter with Pegasus and his Millennium item. Again, Yugi picked up on the first ring, as though anticipating her call.

"Hi, Yugi. I'm sorry I'm calling you so late; did I wake you?"

"Lila, it's just shy of midnight on a Saturday and I'm a teenage boy; of course I'm awake! I'm not that lame!" Yugi laughed into the phone, and Lila could hear video game music along with Joey and Tristan's maniacal laughter on the other end. "Is everything okay?"

"Well, yes and no. Is now a good time to talk to Yami? I suspect this is something he needs to hear first…"

"I knew he seemed on edge tonight, but he wouldn't tell me anything! Hold on." After a moment, Yami spoke to her. "What is it Lila?"

"Yami, I met Maximilian Pegasus tonight, at this company banquet. He has the Millennium Eye, and I felt its energy. It was so dark and threatening, I could hardly stand to be around him!" Lila began to cry, a combination of exhaustion, fear, and relief consuming her as she heard Yami's silken voice on the other end of the line.

"Do not be frightened Lila! I am there with you, in spirit. No harm will befall you under my protection, I swear it. Not that you really need my protection, given your own power." He consoled her, and she believed him, placing her faith in him as if his words were gospel. "I have heard of the power of the Millennium Eye; it's believed to give its master insight into the minds of others, to reveal their innermost fears and desires. It's a powerful dark magic; you would feel its impact on you if he had exercised its power. Those affected are said to feel a burning sensation in their head, followed by a nagging itch, as if there were invading parasite probing your mind. What did you feel?"

"I didn't feel anything like that; just that complete darkness emanating from him. Again, I felt tied to the item and its energy, but it was a weaker connection than with yours. He kept staring at me, scowling at me; he was such a creep…" She shuddered at the memory of his touch, his malicious gaze boring into her.

"Hm. That's odd…"

"That seems like an understatement given everything we've discussed."

"I mean it's strange that you felt none of the typical effects of the Millennium Eye; few people are resistant to such dark energy. Just as your power protects you and others from physical threats, it seems to defend you from the influence of dark magic…" Yami fell silent, lost in his own thoughts, until an abrupt yawn from Lila startled him out of his reverie. He smiled warmly. "I'm sorry, Lila. I'm getting carried away with my thoughts again, and I've dragged you along with me. Please rest, and we shall talk more upon your return." Yugi came back on and offered his home as refuge from Pegasus. "Yami and I think it'd be best if you weren't alone right now. If Pegasus knows you resisted his power, which we suspect he does, he won't let it rest and he'll come after you. Yami can protect you."

"Are you sure I could stay? I'd hate to impose on you and your grandfather. Plus what if it puts you in danger—"

"It's not an imposition! Joey and Tristan stay over all the time when things aren't going great at home, and you're much quieter and cleaner; my grandpa won't mind! And like I said, Yami and I—to a lesser extent—can protect you. There's safety in numbers, Lila, and it's definitely not safe for you to be living alone right now."

"I'll think about it…thanks Yugi. Have fun with the guys—but not too much!" Yugi giggled and said goodbye before hanging up. Before she could collapse on the bed and succumb to sleep's siren song, a sharp knock brought her back to consciousness.

"Come in," she said. Her door creaked open and Kaiba leaned against the door-frame casually, still nursing his brandy. After eavesdropping on the tail end of Lila's phone conversation, he'd been tempted to pour himself another, but he was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. Who had she been talking about staying with? He'd heard something about a grandfather, but as far as he knew Lila didn't have any family in the country besides her ever absent cousin.

"Who were you talking to?" He asked sharply. "It's late."

"It was just Yugi…uh, we're working on this project for school…" Kaiba's slim eyebrow arched doubtfully at her obvious lie.

"You must have had quite the break-through if you just had to call him at midnight on a Saturday. Look, I don't give a damn what you and your loser boyfriend talk about, so long as it doesn't concern anything that happened tonight!" He snapped, finishing his drink with a deep swig.

"Yugi's not my boyfriend! And why were you eavesdropping anyway?"

"It's not eavesdropping if it's my suite." Kaiba declared imperiously. "Anyway, if you're concerned about your safety, I can set you up at the mansion. There's arguably no safer place in the world."

Lila eyed Kaiba's empty glass. "I think you've had a bit too much to drink, Mr. Kaiba; you're in danger of being decent."

"It was a serious offer."

"In that case, thank you; but as you know, I can protect myself just fine, Mr. Kaiba."

"Then why stay with him at all?" Kaiba snapped, a wave of jealousy and possessiveness overtaking him suddenly.

"Who said I was?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes, slammed his empty glass on a nearby bureau, and slowly sauntered towards her. "You said you'd think about his offer. Why not consider mine?"

"Consider it considered. I don't believe it'd be a good idea for me to reside at my employer's house." Kaiba had covered the distance between them quickly and plopped down heavily on the bed next to her, his intoxicated state robbing him of his usual grace. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped loosely together in front of him as he turned his head to face her, a sad smirk marring his handsome face.

"Why not? Don't you trust me?" He whispered, brilliant blue eyes clouded with drink, dark humor, and something more foreign in his expression- hurt and desperation. He leaned so close that the tantalizing scent of sandalwood, spice, and a touch of brandy enraptured her. He leaned in closer, closer—then suddenly too close as his upper body lurched forward and his forehead slammed heavily into Lila's shoulder.

"Mr. Kaiba?!" Lila yelped in shock. "Christ, how much have you had to drink?" Kaiba's brilliant retort was a low groan as he tried to sit up and steady himself, only to tilt forward before Lila grabbed his shoulders and pulled him upright. "I'd say that's an answer in itself. Come on, let's get you to bed." Lila slung Kaiba's right arm over her shoulders and wrapped her left arm around his back and began leading him across the suite to his bedroom. "Here, let me get your jacket," she mumbled, easing his jacket off of his shoulders before heading to the closet to hang it up. When she returned to help him out of his shoes, Kaiba had already shed his shirt and had begun clumsily yanking down his pants, boxers and all.

"Whoa, whoa, wait!" Lila cried, lurching forward to halt his hands. "Let's just keep those on, okay?" Realizing the compromising position of her hands, Lila yelped and yanked them back. "Just lie down!" Lila encouraged as she placed both hands on his chest before realizing that having her hands splayed on her employer's bare chest and ordering him to bed was almost as scandalous as having her hands near his—

Lila's hands jerked away, hovered over his shoulders, then fell away lamely as she considered that his broad, powerful shoulders would enliven her as much as his firm, well-defined chest had. With a frustrated growl, she shoved his forehead roughly until he complied and sat down on the bed, chuckling derisively at her obvious discomfort. Glaring, she knelt before him and yanked off his shoes roughly, earning a sharp yelp of protest from Kaiba. She rose to her feet and met his surprisingly clear, sentient gaze before uttering a hushed good night and fleeing back to her room. Kaiba stared at the closed door intently, hoping Lila would return, run her cool, firm hands over him and send delightful bolts of serene clarity to dispel the dark, drunken haze clouding his mind. He curled in on himself and let the darkness consume him, praying that his inebriation would distract him from the cold, empty side of the bed and the menacing memories cavorting through his head.


Lila woke a few hours later to fitful whimpering and crying, and her heart ached thinking that Mokuba's nightmares had returned. Using her cellphone as a flashlight, she navigated towards his bedroom, surprised to find him snoring softly, fast asleep. She heard the crying again, next door in Kaiba's room. She quietly opened his door and peered in to discover Kaiba thrashing so wildly that he had kicked the sheets off of his bed, breathing heavily in between broken sobs. She rushed over and tried to secure his flailing arms, nearly earning her a wayward blow to the head. Finally his strength waned and she managed to fasten his arms to his sides.

"Mr. Kaiba! Mr. Kaiba! Seto, please wake up!" She whispered urgently. His eyes flew open and he struggled against her firm grip on his arms until he was loose, then gripped her shoulders with an animal like strength that frightened her. "Seto, it's Miss Clarke, it's Lila. You're okay, you were having a nightmare." But looking into his distant, terrified eyes, Lila doubted her own reassuring words. He looked so stricken and lost that it broke her heart. His fingers were still digging painfully into the flesh of her arm as he leaned forward to rest his head on her shoulder, struggling to steady his breath. Gradually his vise-like grip loosened and she embraced him gently, rubbing circles on his bare back slowly, a soothing gesture her mother used to calm her after her own nightmares. His breathing slowed, his head lolled against her shoulder, and she knew he'd fallen back to sleep. She carefully lowered him onto his pillow and threw the sheets back over him before settling down in the armchair by his bed, prepared to protect him should the nightmares return.


Despite the late hour, Pegasus sat awake, the day's events percolating in his mind. A sharp knock at the door interrupted his thoughts and he scowled. "Come in!" In his mind's eye, he sensed Agent Hopkins' presence as he opened the door hesitantly and stood at attention.

"Master Pegasus, we think now would be an ideal time to strike, given the targets are likely asleep and unaware of our proximity. Just say the word and it's done." Pegasus contemplated his next move; it certainly would be easier to kidnap the younger Kaiba as he slept not twenty minutes away, with less obstacles than he knew he would encounter at Kaiba's fortress of a manor. However, he also knew that Kaiba had fortified his security following his thinly veiled threat, and it would be impractical to strike now, when he was at his most alert.

"Mm, not yet Hopkins. Let them scurry home, where they think they're safe. Once they've let their guard down a bit, we'll strike hard and swift; Kaiba boy won't know what hit him, until it's too late…" He smiled menacingly at the thought of Kaiba's delicious fear as his only family was stolen away and completely at his mercy. Even the logical, ambitious young CEO with the supposed heart of stone would yield to him if his brother was in danger, Pegasus knew.

So why am I not satisfied? Pegasus mused with a stern frown. Ah, yes; the girl. In order to control Kaiba, to break him, to bend him to his will, he must take no half-measures; everything Kaiba valued must be his.

I can't blame him for being mystified; the girl confounds even me…Although the ancient power of his Millennium Eye allowed him to anticipate many things, he had not foreseen the girl, could not read her thoughts or predict her actions as he could with the Kaiba brothers and any other adversaries that dared cross him. Her resistance intrigued and mystified him, for he had only read legends of those who could resist such astonishing power. The challenge of unshrouding this mystery, as well as the immense power and wealth he would obtain once Kaiba surrendered to him, inspired him to act ruthlessly.

"Hopkins, you have one additional target to apprehend for me."
"Sir?"

"The girl. I want her alive- and intact if you can- hand-delivered to me. We have much to discuss…"