PART 36

(Nicole's POV)

You woke up around 7:30 that morning hoping you were waking up from a dream, but you knew it was all real with a quick scan of the room. Why did it always happen like this? You were, once again, in a hotel room the morning before a reassignment. Where would you go now? You and your mother have lived all across the U.S. and now Japan. What was next?

The only thing that made the morning worse was knowing all your things were at the airport meaning, you didn't have any clean clothes. You took a shower and threw on the outfit you wore for work yesterday. What wasn't better than the school uniform? Well, there was a bright side. With the move, you wouldn't have to wear that uniform again.

You decided since it was a little after 8:15 now, Seto would have most likely gone to work, and you could talk to Mokuba without having to speak with Seto. You just decided to call the others first to be safe. It was about 8:30 when you called the Kaiba Mansion.

"Hello" came Mokuba's cherry voice.

"Hea Mokie" you spoke fighting the tears.

"Nikki, you haven't left yet have you?" He asked worriedly.

"Actually that's what I'm calling about. You see my plane leaves in an hour, and I thought you might want to see me off" you told him.

"That will be great! I'll have a car take me." he said.

"OK, I'm going to the airport right now, I'm in terminal 15. My other friends will be there, so until then Mokuba. Bye"

"Bye" you hung up and traveled down the road.

It hurt you slightly knowing you were leaving the kid behind. If possible, you had grown more attached to Mokuba then you had his brother. The thought made you realize that Mokuba had given you so much and yet you had given him so little to remember you by. Quickly, you swung buy a local store & picked up a picture frame. You had a couple rolls of film developed & one of them was from a weekend with Mokuba while Seto was away on business. Luckily for you, you had left the packets in your backpack meaning they didn't get packed with the rest of your stuff.

Upon placing the photos in their designated spots you wrote out a quick little note & had the gift wrapped so to give it to Mokuba at the airport. You just hoped he understood, if not now later.

You made it to the airport about five minutes later and spotted all your friends except Mokuba waiting at the gate. The two groups were already talking to each other and seemed to be getting along well.

"Hea guys" you spoke getting their attention. You gave each person a strong hug realizing what was happening. The water works began to start. This would be the last time you would see these people you called friends. In a very short amount of time you would be boarding a plane to Paris and wouldn't be coming back for awhile.

"So this is it. In 15 minutes I leave Domino City" you spoke with tears running down your face.

"We don't want you to leave Nikki. We finally got you back." Alex wined

"Yeah. You could at least tell us where you're going?" Tea pressed.

"I-I can't guys. Fed rules. It's a liability." You answered cringing slightly. You wanted to tell them where you were going. You wanted to bring them with, but you couldn't. You just couldn't have what you wanted in this life.

"But why now? Alex is right, we just got you back." Sam stated.

"Well Sammy, like any other time this has happened. Identities have been compromised, and they must be protected." You laughed slightly, "My god! I know the drill all too well."

Joey was about to speak but he stopped for some reason. That's when a hand was placed on your shoulder. You turned back to see Gibbs.

"Nicole it's time to say goodbye. We need to board the flight." he told you. You were shot down from your happiness, and thrown into despair. It now came to this. Mokuba still hadn't shown up. What had kept him? You took out the box and card and walked over to Yugi.

"Yugi, I need you to give this to Mokuba. I was hoping to give it to him before I left, but he hasn't shown up. Just make sure he gets this." You told him handing him the gift.

"I will" he responded.

"Thanks," you turned and began to leave "Goodbye my friends" you yelled waving to them.

You were almost at the gate when suddenly you heard something,

"Nicole!"

You turned around to see......

(Seto's POV)

After hitting traffic, you finally made it to the airport.

"Mokuba, did Nicole say anything about where she would meet you." You asked entering the building.

"Yea, she told me terminal 15." he answered. 'Just great' you thought. Knowing the airport as much as you did, you knew that terminal was on the other side as well as the largest with the most gates.

"Mokuba we have to hurry, we don't have much time" you told him picking up some speed. You couldn't go into a full sprint, because you would leave Mokuba behind.

You looked at your watch. You had only minutes, and you were still far away from the terminal. How could you have been so stupid not to notice her leaving the city? You let you anger blind your better judgement not letting you see what was so obvious. Mokuba had told you all about it in the car and you felt like a total idiot not listing to her. As you thought back, she had tried to tell you the truth, but was too stubborn to hear it.

"Seto wait up!" You heard Mokuba yell. You looked back to see Mokuba falling behind. You had no time for delays. You quickly scooped him up and continued to hurry for your destination. You finally made it to the terminal and spotted Yugi and his friends as well as the group of people you met the other night. You ran right in their direction,

"Nicole!"

(Your POV)

Mac came up to you.

"Be careful and come back to see us" He gave you one last hug.

"Goodbye Mac. I will miss you guys a lot, and remember I promised Mokuba that I would return" You reminded him.

"Flight 411 final boarding call" spoke a voice on the intercom system.

"Well, that's me. See ya." you said walking into the gate giving the sturdiest your ticket and boarding the plane. The woman closed the door behind you symbolizing the point of no return. You walked down the gate and entered the plane finding your seat next to the window. On the other side was your mom.

"Welcome to flight 411 ladies and gentlemen. Destination Paris. This is your captain Aaron, and we will be leaving shortly. Our stops are Hong Kong, New Delhi, Rome, then Paris. If you would watch the women up front they will give you the proper safety instructions." spoke the pilot through the intercom system. You drowned the rest out looking out the window. You wondered why Mokuba didn't come this meant so much to the both of you. The plane soon started to move turning onto the runway. You looked as you picked up speed and began to get off the ground. That was it. You had left the city and starting a new life as Marie Bennet. You were no longer Nicole silvers. That name would forever be combined with that of the guy you still cared about but hated you, Seto Kaiba.

(Seto's POV)

The group of people turned to see you panting as you set Mokuba down.

"Nicole....Where.....is....she?" you asked between breaths. They all just looked away.

"She's gone Kaiba. Her plane took off just a moment ago." Tea explained. You heart just sank into your stomach. She was gone. She left with the thought you hated her.

"What?!" Mokuba yelled out. You knew this was hardest for him. He had gotten so close to her, and then she suddenly left.

"Mokuba, Nicole told me to give this to you." Yugi spoke holding a small wrapped box. Mokuba took it opening the small gift to reveal a dual picture frame.

"Aren't these good pictures Seto" Mokuba spoke holding the frame up for you to see. The pictures were of her and Mokuba. You just couldn't recognize the occasion. What you did recognize was that smile that seemed to brighten up the whole room. They both looked so happy. "Read her note Seto," Mokuba said handing you a card with a handwritten note inside.

Dear Mokie,

Hea kid. Sorry I had to leave like this. Like I told you some things in my past came back and doing this will keep you and your brother out of harms way. I hope you like the photos. Good times. Good times. Don't grow up too quick. I want to come back and play with the Mokuba I remember leaving behind. No girlfriends unless I approve. You can't just go out with anyone you know. Take care of your brother for me. He and I didn't exactly leave on a good note, and right now, he pretty much hates my guts, but I still care about him. Don't let him go all wild on me. Your brother is a great guy who cares for you very much. You can learn a lot from him, you just have to listen. Now listen, I may not be physically in Domino, but trust me I left my heart there. Take care of it for me, and I'll see it when I get back. (whenever that is) I'll see you around kiddo.

~Nikki~