2/10/08: Seeing as I can't concentrate on my memoir piece I thought I'd bring together two versions of this chapter and make it one. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Half a World Away


Saturday January 5, 2008 c. 10pm

Mokuba walked in the door, taking his jacket off as he opened the closet.

"Evening Mr. Mokuba." Bergitta smiled

"Good evening." He returned the smile. "Going home?"

She nodded. "Claire's given me the day off tomorrow, but I think I should come in anyway."

"Oh? Well you know you normally do have the weekends off."

"Yes I know but with Nora so full of energy I'd like to help out as much as possible."

"We all appreciate what you do for us Bergitta."

Her smile brightened. "Thank you Mr. Mokuba."

He went to go to the kitchen but took note of her hesitation. "Is there something wrong Bergitta?"

"Um well I know it's none of my business..."

"I'm listening."

She sighed. "I know they are happy but I feel as if something has been up."

"What do you mean?"

"I was reading the paper today and I know there have been things said in the past and that Mr. Kaiba and Claire don't pay attention to them,"

"But"

She gazed down. "I think they are finally getting to Claire." Her grip tightened on her purse. "She looked so fragile this morning, I think she may be coming down with something."

The memory of her and him at the hospital flashed through his mind. They had gone down to visit Santa, she looked fine until her eyes watered and she coughed. /I never want to see her in that state again./ "Thanks Bergitta I'll look into it."


Seto stood at the full length office window. Across the way the land was being cleared for the future KaibaLand. It was a good area; somewhat out of town yet still managable for travel.

"I'm sure it will be fine." Olivia's voice could be heard outside the door.

Henry, the co-producer of French Entertainment, held the door open for her. "My apologizes Mr Kaiba." He commented the moment they were settled. "It was my wife. Our youngest is sick and she wanted me to pick something up at the store later."

Seto glanced at Olivia. "It's alright." He nodded. "Shall we begin."

"Of course." Henry set his files on the long meeting table. "You've agreed that you like the area, and that's good. It will get plenty of attention."

He nodded. "When will construction start?"

Henry flipped through a few pages. "We're hoping springtime as long as the weather holds."

"I want this to be top of the notch. None of my businesses have complaints; this one will will be no different, correct."

"Yes sir Mr. Kaiba."

"Good. If there are any issues I want you to contact me immediately."

"Of course sir." Henry pulled out the contract. "I'll just need one more signiture from you."

"I want no foul ups."

"Of Mr. Kaiba. I'll go over everything and be twice as observant to make sure that the final preparations are ready for the meeting tomorrow morning.


"You're not so fussy tonight." Nora sat on her changing station, a binky in her mouth, while Claire put her into her night clothes. "Such the good girl aren't we?" Lifting her, she sat on the rocker. "Here we go." Claire held the bottle of warm milk for Nora. "That's my girl."

Mokuba hushed his steps as he got closer to Nora's room.

Gray blue eyes fluttered in the dimmly lit room before closing.

Mokuba took the opportunity to past as Claire put Nora in her crip.


He's sleep was an uneasy one. Seto found himself waking up between eleven and six. At five thirty he stared at the ceiling. In two hours he had to be at a meeting, so what was the point of trying to fall asleep again.

//"Hey." He rubbed at his eyes with a free hand. The other held Nora where she stood, on his feet.

"Picture perfect." She laughed from her position at the door. Bending down she stretched out her hands. With wobbly legs and Seto's help Nora walked to Claire.

"Now it's picture perfect." Seto softly spoke as Claire lifted Nora.//

Two sofa chairs sat parallel to the window in his suite. He walked between the two and leaned on the window sill. Her green eyes haunted him.

//After putting Nora down she entered the room and promptly went to her side of the bed.

He sighed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Come on Claire. I know something's up." He moved behind her, engulfing her in his embrace.

She laid there helplessly before turning to him. "Don't forget that while you're there, in Paris, to relax alittle."//

Seto shivered as the rain began to drizzle from the sky.


Sun. 1/6/08

//She looked so fragile this morning...//

Mokuba sat up yawning. Why was he thinking of Bergitta's words suddenly? After the morning rituals he shuffled down the hall. Hearing noises from Nora's room he knocked. "Claire?" Going in he glanced around. Nora was playing with a teddy bear. "Hey angel girl. Your so quiet." He lift her out of the crib. /It's not like Claire to not be up./ "Why don't we go get some breakfast?" The aroma of food lingered in the air as they got closer to the kitchen. "Bergitta?"

She smiled from her place by the stove. Homemade pancakes frying. "Good morning Mokuba."

"I thought you were taking the day off?" He place Nora in her chair and skimmed the papers on the island counter.

"I know but I just wanted to make some preparations so Claire could have it easy." She flipped the cakes and their other side sizzled.

Mokuba shook his head at one of the tabloids. "French Affair." He read the underlying caption. "Don't these people realize that Liv is his secretary?"

"No. They have thick skulls."

"Ma."

Bergitta smiled. "Mo-ku-ba." She pointed to him.

"Ma."

Bergitta shruged. "Did she wake you?"

"No she was already awake when I went in her room."

"Ma. Ma. Da."

"It is strange for Miss Claire to not be up. Most of the time she's up before Nora."

"I know." Mokuba turned to the hall. "I'm going to go check on her. You have Nora?"

"Of course."

He knocked on the door. "Claire?" When there was no answer he knocked harder. "Claire?" He voice rose and worry found it's way to him. He cracked open the door. "I'm coming in okay?" He glanced around. "Claire."

She was feeding Nora when Bergitta heard Mokuba call her name frantically.