They laid there for a while, staring up at the ceiling and creating small talk. Kaiba needed to get his mind off his aching stomach, so Tea had stayed with him. They laughed at stupid things, like how ridiculous Joey could be, or how Mokuba should weigh over five-hundred pounds from all the junk food he ate. They missed their friends and family and needed to get back to the real world, but neither of them were in any sort of hurry to leave.
Tea was surprised by how easy it was just to chat with Kaiba. She assumed she had gained his trust. Why else would he be talking to her so nonchalantly like this? As a pause crept into their conversation, Tea decided to ask what had been bothering her from the beginning.
"Kai— uh… Seto," she giggled, "I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get used to calling you by your first name."
"It's fine, Tea," he accentuated her name and grinned.
She grinned right back at the sound of him using her first name, but her pleasant facial expression didn't last long as she pried for answers. "Why were you so hesitant to take your clothes off the first time we had sex… and just now?"
His curved lips and raised eyebrows fell into their typical straight line look. "I didn't think it essential to remove them in the heat of the moment."
His answer was generic, like she assumed it would be, which meant she needed to pry just a bit more. "But last night you insisted the lights stayed off."
"Because it was nighttime and people typically have sex in bed in the dark."
Again, too generic. "Okay, then explain why you put a shirt back on before breakfast."
"I didn't need you seeing my food baby." At this they both burst out laughing. Tea laughed more so at the fact that Seto Kaiba just used the term 'food baby.'
"It's not like we were eating a Thanksgiving feast!" She laughed, "Besides, you don't seem like the gluttonous type."
He smirked and raised his eyebrows in a playful way, "Where do you think Mokuba gets his unhealthy eating habits from?"
"So, you should be about five-hundred pounds too?"
He laughed, "No, I'm kidding. No one is as bad as Mokuba."
She simply smiled at him. She couldn't believe Kaiba was like this. He was sweet, sociable, and witty. Much different from how he typically was around other people. After today, she never wanted to see his unapproachable side ever again.
He sat up, "Speaking of stomachs, I feel much better. Thank you."
She sat up after him, "What did I do?"
"Simply talking to me, getting my mind off it."
"Oh, well you're welcome." She decided to lay off her meddling. If Kaiba wanted to tell her about his scars, he would eventually. Now just didn't need to be the time. She yawned and stretched her arms above her head. "And speaking of babies…" She rested her arms down on her lap and blushed a bit, "I'm kinda glad we had sex for the first time in the virtual world, if you know what I mean..."
Instantaneously, Kaiba blushed. Tea couldn't remember him blushing, but now it was obvious. "Right…" he affirmed, "if we're going to do this in the real world, then let's be a bit more cautious. I don't need something like an unwanted pregnancy ruining my reputation."
"Can one get pregnant in the virtual world?" It may have been a dumb question, but her anxiety was beginning to get to her.
Kaiba shrugged, "Does it matter? We're getting out of here anyways, unless you plan on waiting nine virtual months to leave? In which case, possibly, but by that time, you'd probably be declared braindead in the real world."
Kaiba took his gaze off her, his eyes drawing their attention to the closest window. The blinds were drawn but there was a slight opening where the blinds didn't shut completely. A bright, white light leaked in, creating an ethereal feel throughout the kitchen.
Kaiba hopped off the counter and made his way toward the window, cracking open the blinds. The white light was harsh on Tea's eyes and she squinted. The light created a slight silhouette look upon Kaiba.
When he spoke, his voice was low and laced with slight fear. "Tea…."
"Yes….?" She instantly felt worried from the way he said her name, a much different feeling than from how he said her name minutes earlier. What was he seeing? She hopped off the countertop and slowly began making her way toward him.
"Are you okay?" Now he was the one asking her if she was all right. When did this role-reversal happen?
"I'm just fine, but you're starting to make me feel like I shouldn't be all right."
He pulled open the shades, blinding her for a moment, but once her eyes adjusted she approached the window to understand what he had been seeing.
"Are you responsible for this?"
Her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe it. She slowly began shaking her head.
"You're not?" Now he was the one prying.
She shook her head.
"Are you sure?"
"P-positive," she stuttered, she was in as much disbelief as he was. How could this happen? She wasn't even thinking about her accident. She hadn't thought of it for a while now. Kaiba had made her forget. So why were they suddenly buried in over two-feet of snow?
"Shit, shit, shit!"
"What's wrong? Why is it snowing?" He didn't respond, so she decided to defend herself. Maybe that would get him to talk. "I swear, Kaiba, I didn't do this!"
"I know it wasn't you..." His voice was low and harsh.
"Then why does it look like Antarctica outside!?"
"Because of the real world."
She furrowed her brows, "The real world?"
"Yes," he affirmed, "my employees must be doing this. They've switched controls of the environment."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you're no longer in control. You can't shift and change the environment at your will anymore. We're under their control."
"B-but why would they do that? Wasn't this entire virtual world designed for me?"
He nodded, "Yes, but if they've taken control it means we've been in here longer than we thought."
Her eyes grew wide, "How long?"
He let out a long, shaky sigh. "Long enough for them to be concerned for the both of us."
She didn't say anything.
He grit his teeth and clenched his fists. "Dammit!" Moving toward a nearby wall, he suddenly slammed his fist into it. He punched the wall so hard that Tea thought he'd break through the drywall.
"Mokuba…." He mumbled.
"What about him?" She asked in a quiet, concerned voice.
"He did this."
"Why?"
Kaiba twisted around, placing his back against the recently punched wall, letting his head rest against it. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, Tea. Mokuba must've been concerned about us and initiated protocol three."
"What does that mean?"
"It means we're worse off than we thought. Especially you."
"Me?"
He nodded and crossed his arms across his chest, "Typically, the body can only last in the virtual world for about a year before the person becomes a vegetable or dies. You must've reached the yearlong mark, which means I've been in here for about six-months, which would cause enough concern to call for protocol three."
Her voice was shaky and she felt her anxiety rise in her throat. "What is protocol three?"
Kaiba exhaled sharply, his voice was just as nervous as hers but he did a better job of covering it up. "It means they're trying to force us out."
"Like before? When those virtual guys showed up at Barneys?"
He shook his head, "No, this is do or die."
"What do you mean?"
He closed his eyes, "I designed protocol three as a last resort mechanism, or virtual setting you might say, to extract the victim if they were unable to get out or unresponsive," he explained, "but there's a catch."
"Let me guess, this is the 'do or die' situation you mentioned?"
"Mmhmm," he nodded, "the victim either finds a way out or is trapped forever in the virtual world."
"Okay… but if we're trapped in the virtual world we won't necessarily die, right? We'll just be living here until our bodies give out."
"In which case, you die anyway, but here's the worse catch. Kaiba Corps. budget won't allow for the virtual program to stay in operation if the users can't get out, so they'll pull the plug."
"What!?"
"So, if we're deemed with no way out, they'll unplug the machines keeping our minds in here and our bodies alive."
"You've got to be kidding me!?" She screamed, "Kaiba Corp wouldn't do that! Not to you!"
He snorted, "You don't understand business. My shareholders don't care about me and my well-being. They're in it for the money. I don't think you understand how much money you're costing the company right now. The only reason I tested you for this project was because it was convenient timing. You fell into a coma as I was designing my new virtual world technology. An advancement in science and medicine would have Kaiba Corps. stock go through the roof, with every medical institution begging for my virtual world technology to be placed in every hospital around the world. My shareholders are budgeting for this project, hoping for a nicer payout in the end. If it's costing them more to experiment with the project than the monetary outcome, then they'll pull the plug, whether I'm in here or not."
The realization that she was just a piece in Kaiba's corporate world made her trust in him falter. "Why didn't you tell me this in the first place?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know. Really, Kaiba? You expect me to believe that?"
"Does it matter. I'm here now." He was right. He was here. But why?
"Why did you come here knowing the risks?"
His arms were still crossed in front of his chest and his eyes were low and leery. He refused to speak.
"Why did you come here to save me? And don't tell me it was because you made a promise to Yugi that you'd look after me! I'm sure he'd love to know how well you've looked after me, all night long!" There was bitter sarcasm in her voice. She probably had picked up on the talent from him.
"Shut up! I'm not playing these games with you! We don't have the time!"
"Just tell me why!"
"We have to get out of here!"
"Why, Kaiba!?" She shouted. There were tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She was angry with him. Why wouldn't he tell her?
"Because I couldn't stand seeing your lifeless body anymore!"
She blinked in shock. Her voice became soft. "What?"
"I was sick and tired of seeing you not get any better, so I came in after you."
Confusion graced her facial features, "You came in to save me?"
"Obviously," his sarcastic tone was harsh, but Tea could sense the hurt conflicting with his defenses.
"But…. But you knew all the risks and you still—?"
"I would've done it a thousand times over."
The tears fell, "Why?"
He moved in closer, a soft hand grazing her cheek, "You ask too many damn questions, Tea." Wiping away the tears, he glared at her before giving her a small, reassuring smile and taking in her lips, kissing them tenderly. The kiss only lasted a few moments, but it was just enough time for Kaiba to show her how he felt about her. He had cared from the very beginning, even before entering the virtual world. But how? What had she done to gain his affection by laying in a virtual reality pod? Tea finally realized the true nature of Seto Kaiba. He cared more than anyone, and he cared enough to risk his entire life to save her. That spoke volumes to her.
She softly smiled while dabbing her tears away, "I'm sorry, Seto… I didn't know…"
Her pulled her into a tight embrace. He kissed her forehead before tucking her head under his chin, pulling her into his chest. He didn't speak, but he didn't have to. Tea could sense everything he was feeling.
They stayed that way for a few minutes, and within that short timeframe, Tea had never felt safer. Even though they were suddenly shoved into a life or death situation, everything felt right with the world. She knew Kaiba felt the same. The only thing they could rely on now was each other. It was both liberating and scary.
Gently, Kaiba broke their embrace and looked down at her, "You ready to get out of here?"
"Yes," and for the first time during their virtual journey, she truly meant it, "I'm ready."
Cold air blew in through the lab's ventilation shaft causing Yugi to shiver. He was tempted to sneak away and head outside into the hot July sun where he could warm up for just a bit, but that would mean leaving Tea and he refused to leave her side any longer than he had to. He could handle the cold. Heck, she was probably dealing with just that right now.
"How's it coming along, Mokuba?" Joey asked. He handed Mokuba a soda he had gotten from a nearby vending machine, opening a soda of his own and taking a giant gulp from it.
Mokuba tapped the top of the can to settle the carbonation before cracking it open and taking a drink. "We're in phase one. According to our team, Tea and Seto should be experiencing about two to three feet of snow right now. Hopefully, Seto catches on and realizes that protocol three has been activated."
"And what if he doesn't?" Joey asked. Tristen sent him a glare. "What? I'm just wondering."
"You've gotta be sensitive to Yugi, dude!"
"I can handle it, Tristen." Yugi spoke up, "I'd rather know than be ill-prepared for the worst."
Mokuba smiled proudly, "Don't worry guys, my brother's gonna figure it out. He designed this technology. He'll know when protocol three has been initiated."
"I sure hope so." Joey stated.
"Yeah," Yugi added, staring down at Tea's pod, "because this is our last chance to bring her home."
Mokuba placed a hand on Yugi's shoulder. It felt cool from the soda can, sending another wave of shivers down Yugi's spine. "Don't worry, Yugi. My brother promised you he'd take care of Tea. He never breaks a promise. I know they will find a way out."
"And Kaiba's one of the most intelligent and determined people we know," Tristen added, "he'll get them both out. I just know it!"
Yugi's gaze developed into a downcast state. "I just can't help but feel guilty for all of this. Tea wouldn't be in a coma if it wasn't for me," he turned to Mokuba who still had his hand on his shoulder, "and your brother wouldn't be trapped in there if I didn't break Tea's heart."
Joey bent down to Yugi's height. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Yug. It was Kaiba's decision to go in after Tea."
"Joey's right," Mokuba stated, "Seto wouldn't listen to anyone, not even me. He went in on his own free will."
Tristen was the last to bend down to meet Yugi, "And it's not your fault that Tea ended up in a coma. The bridge was icy. It could've happened to anyone."
Yugi shook his head, a few stray tears falling from his eyes, "You can't imagine the guilt I feel. It's all my fault!"
"Yug…." Joey eyed his best friend empathetically, not knowing what to say or how to make him feel any better.
"Mr. Kaiba, sir!" A technician spoke up, his voice frantic.
Mokuba jolted away from the group and ran to the technician, "What is it?"
"The Board of Directors is on line one. They'd like to speak with you right away."
Yugi saw Mokuba's optimistic expression fade like fog as he picked up the closest phone and answered with a worried tone, "This is Mokuba."
He was silent for a few moments, listening to the corporate executives on the other line, and nodding his head when appropriate.
"…. Yes… They're still in there… I know, it has been a while but—" Mokuba swallowed nervously. Yugi couldn't help but feel bad for him. Mokuba was too young to be put on such a high corporate pedestal. It was times like this that Yugi could tell he needed his big brother to handle situations like this. All in all, Mokuba was putting on a good façade. How long he could keep that up was anyone's guess.
"I understand…. Seventy-two hours. We will do all we can." He hung up the phone without even saying goodbye. Yugi saw his hand clench and quiver around the phones receiver. Something was seriously wrong.
"What did they have to say, Mokuba?" Joey asked.
Mokuba's head hung low, anger and desperation swelling within him. "The board…" he swallowed the lump that gathered in his throat, "…they're going to pull the plug."
"What!?" Joey and Tristen shouted in unison.
"They can't do that!" Tristen yelled, "Kaiba's in there! Doesn't the board need their CEO?"
Mokuba grit his teeth, "I'll become the new CEO."
"But, you'll lose your brother... and Tea…" Yugi's voice was low and troublesome.
He nodded, "I know…"
"How long do we have to get them out of there?" Tristen exclaimed.
"We have seventy-two hours to get them out before they decide to kill them."
"They can't do that! Damn suits!" Joey howled.
Mokuba exhaled, forcing the tears that were forming to not fall, "Indeed they can, Joey. The Board of Directors funds this project. Seto signed an agreement with the board that states they have complete funding over the project, which basically gives them the power to pull the plug if the project isn't producing the progress as they had hoped."
"But to kill two people?" Tristen questioned, "That can't be ethical."
"It's not, but the contract Seto had set up states that the person in the virtual reality pod loses the right to speak for themselves, and hands over that right to the board."
"Why would Kaiba do that?" Yugi asked.
"And what about Tea? She didn't have an option before she was placed in the pod!" Joey shouted.
"Tea's parents signed the contract for her the day Seto and I were at the hospital," Mokuba explained, "and Seto knew that creating this contract with the board was the only way they would agree to funding the project. I don't think he predicted things would go this far. He thought Tea would be out by now." Tears threatened to fall from his eyes, "Seto believed in this project so much. He thought it was practically perfected, so when he jumped in to save Tea, it was to save his work as well." Mokuba was shaking.
This time, Yugi was the one to place a caring hand on Mokuba's shoulder. "We'll get them out, Mokuba. We got Kaiba out of one of his virtual realities before, and we will do it again."
"Damn your brother for being so frickin' obsessed with technology! He should've learned the first time we saved his ass from those corporate suits!" Joey roared. His angry tone suddenly changed into an optimistic one. "Nevertheless, we'll get em' out! Is there something you haven't tried yet, Mokuba?"
"Protocol three was our last option…. But…." He turned toward one of the technicians, "Since we have control of the environment, is there a way we can guide them to the portal?"
"I'll run a quick analysis, sir!" The technician responded, promptly typing away at the computer in front of him.
"The portal?" Tristen inquired.
"The bridge between the virtual reality and the real world. They have to get to that portal to get back," Mokuba clarified.
"And they only have seventy-two hours to do it…." Yugi murmured.
"Mr. Kaiba…" The technician said.
"Yes?"
"There's one thing we can try."
A/N: Hey guys! Finals are over which means I'm BACK! Thanks for reading. Your comments always keep me going. Be on the lookout for more updates, cause there's definitely more to come!
