Phew. It's been a while. How is everyone? Hope I still have some readers out there. Sorry for the long wait. No ideas have come to me for these middle chapters. However I do have some thoughts for the later chapters, even for the sequel to this story. Hm. Well enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Skating Treat

Tuesday December 25, 2007


Nora talked incoherently as she moved around in her walker. Ali was sitting on the couch, Mokuba on the floor in front of her. Seto and Claire were on the love seat. The presents were handed out. Now small talk was taking over.

Nora pushed herself into Mokuba who made a funny face and in return made her giggle.

A cooking timer was heard going off in the kitchen.

"The cookies are done." Claire stood.

"Nora and I will help." Ali got up, taking Nora with her.

Mokuba lifted himself to the couch. He cleared his throat once the girls were out of the room. Seto had been quiet for most of the morning. Something was up. "So big brother, this morning was nice." He grinned. "A nice blanket of snow on the ground. Perhaps we'll go out later for a skate around the pond?"

A small smile appeared on Seto's features. "Sounds fun. Claire will love it. She always does."

"Seto." Mokuba sighed. "I saw the plane ticket on your desk when I was there the other day." He could see the shock in his brother's deep blue eyes. "I wasn't meddling."

He nodded. "I know."

"Well?" Mokuba asked after a while.

"Well what?" Seto said in fake defense. "It's just a plane ticket."

Gray eyes blinked in surprise. "Were you going to tell anyone? Does Claire know? Is anyone going with you?"

"I don't leave until two days after the New Year." His tone was matter-of-fact. "I wasn't going to break the news until after Christmas."

Mokuba looked at his brother. "You're married, big brother. You have a daughter, remember?"

He sighed. "I haven't forgotten. It's just with everything going on, sometimes things get pushed back."

"Like telling your family that you're flying to France in three weeks?" Mokuba didn't expect an answer.

The girls walked in from the kitchen. Claire held the drinks and Nora's hand. Ali held the cookies, and Nora's other hand.


There was no point in sleeping. Fact was, he couldn't. He had chanced calling her at home. When her voice drifted through, it had unraveled him. Never could he forgive himself, nor Jonus, for the past. Claire had suffered a great deal after he was sent away. He touched the window lightly. Her name fell on his lips, as if it belonged there.

"You know." A voice said from the doorway. "It's not good when one obsesses like this."

He turned slightly and gave a hushed chuckle. "No obsession here."

"Really?" The red of Gina's hair was softened by the light casted from the moon. "Alexis says that you were taken aback when you saw Claire again."

"Alexis doesn't know what she's talking about."

Gina rised her brow. He was being defensive, which meant that she was on target. "She's concerned for you, you know."

"That's great. I feel much safer with her watching me." Bitter sarcasm was wild in his voice.

"You're a charmer, Nate Blackston." Gina rested her hands on her hips. "A real chamer."

He turned and faced her, a smile on his features. "Thank you, sis."


When they arrived, there were a multitude of people. As it grew closer to mid-night, many left to find warmth at home or a restaurant.

Seto leaned against the barrier, watching as people skated around. Most of his attention, though, was on Claire. She moved as if the ice was made for her.

"She'd be better if you were out here with her?" Mokuba slid to a stop. "Hm?"

Seto glanced at him. "I can't ice skate."

"Seto."

He put his hand up to stop his younger brother. "I just want her to have the best..."

Mokuba eyed him. There was something there, just below the surface. "Don't you think that she'd want you with her." His gazed fell on Claire. "Afterall, in her world, you are the best, Seto."


Nora was up but quiet when Claire walked in the nursery. "Thanks for watching her tonight Rosalita."

She smiled. "Oh my pleasure Ms. Claire. She's a doll." Rosalita picked up her items and left silently, waving by to Nora.

Seto watched through the mirror. He took off his watch and removed the cuff buttons from his shirt. He was going to wander over, however when he looked back up Claire was walking over to her jewelry cabnet. What Mokuba had said was true.

"That was fun, wasn't it." There was no hiding the excitement in her voice. "I didn't know I still had it in me." He could see her glance at him. "How come you didn't come out on the ice?"

He shrugged. "Can't really skate that well." He noticed a smile appear on her lips. For a moment he thought on some things. "Claire I..."

"Don't worry." She turned to him. "It's a business thing. I understand." With a kiss she closed the bathroom door behind her.