September 1, 2007
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX, or any of the characters.
Title: Baby Come Back to Me
Author: PurificationArrow
Rated: Teen
Genre: Romance/Drama
Summary: Alexis has entered the Pro Leagues with some help from powerful friends in order to win her way to the top and face off against the new Zane Truesdale. Along the way she experiences new friends, new loves, and everything in between. But between it all, will she still manage to keep sight of what's important?
Notes: I thank one of the reviewers in telling me to update this story. I realize that I've been neglecting it for me Prince of Tennis stories, and my Tales of Symphonia stories, and whatever else I've been writing up to this point. I'll try and do my very best with this chapter.
Italics - Thoughts and emphasis on words
Bold - Chapters
Bold and Underline - author's note
Chapter 9: And Back Again
"Phoenix."
Aster's lips quirked up in quiet triumph of something quite unknown to Alexis.
"Truesdale."
"Alexis, I see you've brought him with you." Zane said.
Alexis nodded, her gray eyes strong, "Yes. Zane, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Zane kept glaring at Aster with contempt... Aster matched his stare eye for eye. "Not with him around." Zane said stubbornly, continuing to glare at Aster. The prodigy frowned back, "Anything you can say to Alexis, is fine to say in front of me." he said.
Alexis gave him a brief look.
Zane glared at him, but finally returned his steely gaze to Alexis, "Very well. Alexis, you have progressed very far in these matches, haven't you?"
"You know how well I've been doing Zane, no doubt you've been watching me the entire time, am I right?" she replied evenly. Zane smirked a little at her tart response, "I have. But Alexis, I have a question."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Think, Alexis, Atticus is probably worried about you, and the same goes for Jaden, and Syrus, and Chazz, and all your friends back at the Academy. If I'm right, they've been watching every single match you've been in, and they've been waiting for you. Right?"
Alexis narrowed her eyes warily, "Yes..." she replied.
"Then tell me, if I were to duel you right here, on this rooftop, what do you think the outcome would be?" he asked.
The blonde female duelist blinked, "Outcome?"
Zane nodded, "Yes."
Alexis shook her head, "I don't... understand."
Aster watched helplessly.
As they spoke, his blue eyes switched from Alexis, back to Zane, and then to Alexis again.
Zane seemed the same, calm, cold, and emotionless.
It was the opposite of Alexis.
Alexis was nervous, confused, but strong.
"But why do you have to come with me Aster?" Alexis argued.
Aster gave her an even look, "Because Alexis, you know that seeing Zane like that will be difficult."
"No it..." Alexis trailed off.
Aster came up behind her, "Are you going to try and lie to me, and say that it won't be difficult? It'll be just like a walk in the park?" he asked, getting a little heated up, and his voice rising.
Alexis shook her head, and sighed, "No." she whispered.
Aster's eyes became gentle again, and badly wanted to embrace her, and help her just get over Zane... he knew though. He knew Alexis wouldn't abandon him, not especially when she still believed in him so much. She wasn't like that. And he loved her because of it.
"Alexis, I'll go with you, but I won't do anything. I swear. You want to ask for my help, but you've been raised not to rely on others... you and Atticus both. You aren't relying on me, by my being there. I want to help. Please Alexis, let me help... let me in." He was right behind her at this point, staring at her back. Alexis still hadn't turned to face him. "Please." he whispered.
Shakily, she took a breath.
"Aster, I... I love you very much... but... just not in the way that you want me to. I don't think I'm able to love you in the way that you love me." she said quietly, still not facing him. "Please understand." she begged.
Though the silver-haired prodigy had been expecting this from the beginning, her words cut deep.
"If you're going to say that to me... then please turn around and tell me face to face Alexis." Aster said.
She did.
Alexis turned, and Aster saw bright tears glistening in her gray eyes, tears full of pain and sorrow. "I'm sorry Aster. But right now, at the moment, I love Zane. Meeting you, and staying with you all this time has helped me realize that. You're like Atticus in a way. You're like my brother Aster."
A tear fell.
He smiled gently at her.
"Alexis, you know that you're the most precious thing to me right now. I'm thankful that I fell for you, Alexis. But please, even though you love Zane Truesdale, promise me you'll keep this in mind." he said, his eyes turning serious.
Alexis nodded, and another tear fell, "I promise."
"If at all anything ever goes wrong, please swear to me that you will come to me, and let me help you. I can't change your feelings, I know that... but it won't stop me from hoping, and trying. You can understand that... right?" Aster whispered, lowering his head so his bangs covered his eyes.
Alexis gave Aster a tender look at the slight shakiness in his voice.
She stepped closer, and reached a hand up to touch his cheek gently. "Aster, please look at me." she asked, trying to hold his eyes.
He looked up, and Alexis saw tears of pain, frustration, and acceptance in his eyes. She didn't know what to say... and she wasn't sure she could say anything. She just reached forth, and hugged Aster tightly.
'Aster... please... please forgive me.' She begged silently.
He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and two glimmering tears fell from his cheek, and hit the cold ground. "Thank you... Alexis."
'Thank you. You promised that to me, even before you knew what it was... thank you Alexis, I really do love you.'
"What is the reason you've been fighting all this time Alexis Rhodes, do you even know anymore?"
Alexis blinked. "I was fighting to... to get you back." she said quietly, as if unsure that her answer was correct.
"Were you just fighting for yourself, Alexis?" Zane pressed onwards.
"I..."
Aster bit his lip, and clenched his hand tightly. Never before had he seen Alexis seem so at a loss for words. He wanted nothing more than to defend her, but if he did that, her pride and confidence would be shattered... this was Alexis's fight, and hers alone.
"No. Your friends, and your family are waiting, they are waiting for you to succeed, and accomplish what you set out to do. You are fighting for the people you love... and that includes me." Zane said, his voice softening up.
Alexis gasped softly, and she stared at Zane's face.
Aster's eyes widened, as realization hit him.
"Alexis, may I talk to Aster in private?" he asked.
Alexis nodded, and smiled at Zane, despite herself. "Thank you Zane... and I swear, I won't fail. I'll beat you, I'll beat you and then I'll bring you back to Syrus, to Atticus, and to me."
And for the first time in what seemed like forever... Zane smiled. "I'm counting on that." he said kindly.
Then Alexis left, touching Aster's shoulder, "Can I count on you to help me?"
Aster's answer was instant, "Yes."
"Thanks." And then she was gone... it was just the two men.
Aster grinned at Zane, "You did that on purpose Truesdale."
"I did. Care to guess why?"
"Her resolve to fight, and her true reasoning. She's been caught up in this dueling for so long now, that she managed to lose sight of what her reasoning had been. You made her realize that you aren't waiting for just her... you're waiting for everyone else."
Zane smirked at him, "You hit the nail on the head." But despite the smirk, his voice was oddly strangled sounding.
Aster noticed this, "I'll go now." he said.
Zane nodded.
"But swear to me that when Alexis beats you, you will leave him behind."
Zane nodded again, "I swear."
Aster smiled at him, "Then I guess we'll see you at the final round." Then he turned, and left, waving his goodbye. The door to the rooftop clicked shut, and then Zane crumpled to his knees, clutching the side of the wall.
Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his eyes were flashing with pain and struggle.
There was silence for a while, and finally, he straightened.
His eyes opened, and they were rimmed with black.
"Zane Truesdale, you actually managed to beat me back. But not for long. I will take the duel between sweet Miss Rhodes, and I will defeat her. I won't be forced back to the darkness. In the end, it will be you who will fall." Hell Kaiser said.
(A/N:) Alright, sorry for the shortness, and lateness of this chapter everyone. Ever since they stopped showing YGO GX where I live, the stories have kind of been going downhill for me. Sorry about that. But rest assured, I'll finish this story, and I'll make it a good one to compensate for the bad quality of this chapter. Please review everyone. Thanks.
-PurificationArrow
