Chapter Ten-Reunion

"Why today of all days? Lizzie's just now recovering from her illness!" Rex lamented. He was flipping through her folder, while Alston sipped the coffee he'd bought on the way in.

"Well, at least it's getting solved. I hope the girl gets to return to her brother." Alston replied sincerely.

"So do I." Rex agreed, as he left his cubicle. "I need to call and make sure Wheeler didn't screw up picking Lizzie up from her dance practice." He might've been friends with Joey,but sometimes,he just didn't trust him on certain assignments. He dialed Joey's number, and got the machine. "This better mean you're on you're way to get Elizabeth,Wheeler! I mean it or-"

"Hello? Rex, what are you doing?" Weevil Underwood had picked up Joey's phone.

"Weevil! What are you doing over there? Where's Wheeler?!" Rex immediately panicked. "Don't tell me he forgot about Lizzie!"

"Slow your jets. He went to get her. I'm keeping an eye on their cousin." Weevil laughed. "I swear,Rex. You really should get a hold of your temper sometimes."

"Shut up." Rex hissed in agitation. "Tell him to have her at my place by three o'clock."

"Sure will. So...the big hearing's today,isn't it?"

"Yeah,and I'm really not looking forward to it." Rex replied. "I just hope Lizzie gets all that she wants."

"So do I...so do I. She's been through so much already." Weevil sighed. "We all have."

"Well,I gotta get going now. I'll catch up with you tonight,Weevil."

"Sure." Weevil hung up on him.

"Bye to you too..." Rex muttered, as he replaced the reciever. He got his coat on, and went outside for some fresh air. "I can't do this anymore.....I need Lizzie to be back with Bakura." He sighed, and shook his head. "Rex Raptor,you've really gone soft!" He muttered to himself, as he walked into the building to check out his next caseload.

The courtroom was packed by the time Katsu (formerly known as Dark Magician) and Kedo (formerly known as Celtic Guardian) arrived. They were dressed in the same clothes the pharaoh had given to them. "Wow...all this is for Lizzie's case?" Kedo asked.

"Seems like it." Katsu replied. The two had been keeping an eye on Lizzie from a distance, though the young girl knew of their appearences in an instant. She turned now in her seat in the front row, and Katsu waved a little. "She's put on a brave face for this."

"She's better for it." Kedo replied. "Elizabeth is a strong girl." They quieted then, as the hearing began.

Bakura was the first to speak, with his lawyer, Mr. Messing , at his side. "I believe that I have been done a great injustice by being denied my little sister."

"Do you have anything to back that up,Mr. Bakura?" The judge asked now.

"My attorney,Mr. Messing ,does,your honor." Bakura sat down, and let his lawyer take over.

"My client feels that the court was in the wrong to have taken Elizabeth away from him because it was unable to make a clear decision." The lawyer began. He went through everything that's happened since Lizzie'd last seen Bakura. "In conclusion, I'd like to remind the court about what it means to be a family. You do not necessarily have to be blood related. A family is a unit that you can look up to in times of need, and when you need care. As small a family it is,Bakura and his sister belong together."

"Thank you,Mr. Messing. You may be seated." The judge's face was still emotionless. "Is there anyone else here who would speak on Mr. Bakura's behalf?"

"I would." Seto Kaiba stood up. "This whole thing has gone on long enough,Your Honor. Elizabeth and Bakura belong together. End of story."

"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba. Anyone else?" No one else spoke up, so the judge cleared her throat. "And now for Dominio City Child Services. Your case,please."

Rex stood up,wiping his sweaty palms on his shirt. "I,Rex Raptor speak on behalf of Child Services in Domino County."

"Very well. State your position."

"Child Crisis manager." Rex replied. "Your Honor, I had the pleasure of keeping Elizabeth in my home for several months. She is a very special little girl, and even though most won't agree with what I am about to say, I will say it anyway. What Child Services did to her was wrong. Lizzie is only a child, and to have asked her to choose between two very different families, both of which she loves very much,was very wrong. I am of the opinion that she will be best taken care of in the arms her brother, Ryou Bakura." Rex sat down,breathing heavily.

"Nice job,Rex." Joey touched his friend's shoulder comfortingly.

"Court will take a fifteen minute recess." The judge stood up,and walked into her chambers.

"Ryou!" Elizabeth ran to sit with Bakura. "I think we're going to win."

"I hope so, Lizzie. I really do." Her brother hugged her gently. "How are you feeling?"

"Loads better. Rex is a good brother too. Can we still be friends with him after this is over?"

"Sure." Bakura replied, smiling a little. "Sit down. The judge will be back in a minute." The british boy watched her return to her seat, then snapped to attention when the woman returned to her throne.

"After reviewing the facts of the case in question, I am rewarding custody of Elizabeth Bakura to one,Ryou Bakura pending a follow up by Social Services." She banged her gavel. "Court dismissed."

"We did it!" Lizzie ran to her brother, who grabbed her up tightly, crying tears of joy.

"We certianly did, Lizabeth! We certainly did." He clung to her as if he'd thought she'd disappear again.

"Ow....you're squishing me!" Lizzie yelped then, and he loosened his grip.

"Come on, you two. We're going to Fiona's. My treat." Seto came up, shaking Bakura's hand in congratulations.

"Fiona's! Yeah!" Lizzie, and Mokuba, who'd been watching from the back somewhere ran ahead of their two older siblings.

"Congratulations, Bakura." Everyone he knew was coming up to offer their congratulations.

"Thank you. But really, it wouldn't have happened without all of you to support me." He told them, as he got into Kaiba's limousine. He listened to Mokuba and Elizabeth talk about school, smiling a little. "How does it feel to know you're going to be able to go home with me?"

"It feels wonderful! I can't wait to see my own bed, and my deck, and Oreo...."

Bakura laughed. "Me either. I will finally be able to sleep."

The limousine drove off toward Fiona's, while a lone figure stood watching. She had blonde hair, and blue eyes. Her arms were crossed,as she smirked after the car that was departing. Enjoy your happiness now. For soon it will all be gone! She laughed at her own demented thoughts, before disappearing.

(A/n:And that concludes Choosing Sides. I will be changing the summary,so don't panic. The second plot I had going will be continued in my next fic, to be released in August.)