Life minus love equals zero. (Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life)

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"So, what are you going to do?"

"About what?"

"Well, your brother. He didn't seem like one to do something like that."

"So? Did you think I was crazy when you first met me?"

"Yeah, for having the guts to write on me."

"Well, I had nothing to lose."

"I guess."

"I miss those days."

"You mean your childhood?"

"Oh, hell no. I meant...well, I don't know."

"Remember that time we went to the beach?"

"And that crab bit you and your leg became all swollen?"

"Yeah, but I meant that night."

"You mean when we were watching the sunset and it was all cozy and romantic, and you said that you liked me?"

"And then you said, 'I think I've figured that out.' And laughed at me?"

"Oh yeah."

"Well, what I was trying to say, but was too nervous, was that I, think...I love you."

"Really, so you're not nervous now?"

"Well, I think I've let out my emotions enough to feel that."

"But love is an emotion."

"Yes, yes it is."

"Okay."

"Are you going to say something else?"

"Well, you did call me crazy."

"Look, I'm sorry—"

"I'm kidding. No more secrets from now on."

She kissed him.

"Love ya too."

::silence::

"Thank you."

"You're not welcome."

She raised her eyebrow and gave him a what-the-hell-are-you-saying-look.

"Lightening the mood," he said with a smirk and kissed her forehead, "Now, since all that emotional baggage has been sorted out, what about dinner?"

"Uhm...okay."

"So, I think we should go to that restaurant you like so much, you know, to celebrate the end of our silence period."

"Okay."

"And there's always next year..."

"SETO KAIBA! I won't have any of that kind of talk, especially during dinner. Is that clear?" she said, returning to her old self.

"What? I was referring to, uh, nothing, actually."

"Okay, okay. Let's go."

::ring ring::

"Hello?"

"Hey big brother, how are things going?"

"Good."

"Are you going to come home soon?"

"Well, I was planning to go out with Lily—"

Lily interrupted him and said, "Oh, go ahead, we'll do stuff tomorrow, that should give you two some time together, oh and take this too; it's for Mokuba."

"Oh...well, okay, I guess."

She walked with him back to his car and she picked up her mail after saying goodbye. Back inside, she turned on the TV and flipped through her mail.

::SIGH::

Well, that certainly didn't turn out the way I planned...But at least we're talking again...stupid brother...if you want to screw yourself over, keep me out of it...

She then came across a postcard with a nice looking couple and 'Merry Christmas.' As she looked to see who it was from, she made a face.

Lily, Just because I told you to keep out of my affairs, doesn't mean that I hate you or don't want to have anything to do with you. Anyway, here's my new look, not bad, huh. Best wishes for the holidays.
Mike and Jenny

She rolled her eyes and tossed it into the trash. The next envelope was from R&F Law Firm, making her check if it was really for her. To her surprise, it was, so she opened it. After reading it, she thought about how funny the situation was.

Well, well, well, seems like you've run into a bit of trouble Mike. That's so sad, you being tried for the murder of yourself. Trying to be nice now? Now that you're in trouble? Hah, yeah right I'm gonna keep silent about anything, cuz I'm so gonna make sure that you get what you deserve. I don't care if I lie. You will be condemned to prison, I'll see to that. All the bad things you've done are catching up to you. Well, Mr. Fredrickson, looks like I'll be seeing you soon.

The next day Lily woke up in a good mood, that is, until she remembered her brother. Anger and vengeance filled her mind, not to mention a pesky little voice, too.

Things were fine until you came along and screwed it up. At least he's still sending checks. SHUT UP. SHUT UP SHUT UP! Money doesn't matter. You said that it's better to be alone and rich than alone and poor. SO? GO AWAY! You know, he's still your brother, despite what he's done. So? HE committed MURDER, OKAY? He should be locked up for that. Can't you forgive? He IS your brother. FORGIVE HIM FOR THAT CRIME?! YOU'RE INSANE! It's impossible. Nothing is impossible.

She hit her head with her fists, trying to make the voices go away.

"STOP TORTURING ME!! DON'T YOU THINK I'VE GONE THROUGH ENOUGH?! GO AWAY!!!" she yelled at no one.

Her phone went off.

"What?" she sneered.

"Calm down, Lily, it's me."

She inhaled deeply, "Okay..."

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Yes. Yes I am. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you can trust me this time."

"All right..."

"So what'd you want to talk about?"

"Plans for today."

"What do you want to do?"

"Whatever you want."

"Well, I need to restock some ice-cream, and I haven't gone out to eat in some time...and a movie would be nice, but they're probably closed, so you have any good movies at home?"

"Er, no."

"Fine, I have some DVDs."

"I'll come by at three, okay?"

"Yeah."

It seemed like days before he came, so she watched TV, listened to music, and stared into space, well, also talked to Steven.

"Well, Steven, I don't think I'm going to be talking to you as much."

It just sat there.

"Don't give me that look. You're still my favorite, but don't tell the others," she whispered.

-----

::ding-dong::

She opened the door and greeted Kaiba, "Hey, let's go."

The two went to the ice-cream shop where Kaiba first declared that he was her boyfriend.

"I will have the...peach."

"I'll have vanilla."

"Wow, actually eating it today?"

"I'm feeding it to the birds."

"What birds?"

"Nevermind."

"O-kay," she murmured as he paid for it.

"Hey, you finished before me!"

"So?"

"When did you start eating ice-cream?"

"Since today."

"Huh. Feels like I know you just as little the first time we went here."

"Well, I'm mysterious."

"Quite."

"Anyway, what did you want to do now?"

"Dunno."

"I know. Amusement park."

"They're not open, silly."

"Well, when you own them..."

"::gasp:: really? Let's go!"

Since there weren't any other people there, they went on all the rides in a very short amount of time. In the exhilaration of the rides, she forgot all about her problems. The two stayed there for a few hours until it became dark, when they decided to go get some dinner.

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"Please follow me to your table..." the waiter led them.

"Great...excuse me, do you have another table?"

"What's wrong with this one?" she smirked.

"Excuse me, waiter, do you have another table?"

"I'm sorry, the only one left is reserved," he said and left.

"Do you have a problem sitting next to us?" Tea said.

Ignoring her, Lily spoke to Yugi, "Ah, what a surprise to see you here. Don't mind us and enjoy your date."

Tea, annoyed by her presence, said, "And what are you grinning so madly about?"

"Well, that's a secret. And if you were me, you'd be acting this way too." She turned her attention back to Kaiba and left Tea perplexed and Yugi nervously laughing.

"Hello, I am Sam, your waiter for tonight. May I interest you in the seafood special? It has lobster—"

"Sounds good to me," Lily interrupted.

"Me too," Kaiba stated.

Once the waiter left, Lily blurted, "So, how long have you been dating?" although she already knew the answer.

"Not too elite and high class to be talking to us?" Tea snapped.

"No response, no matter how clever, insulting, whatever can wipe this smile off my face; I'm in just too good of a mood from all this, so just answer the question."

"Anyway, we're not dating, just having a friendly dinner."

"Well, well. Looks like you didn't hurt me with that comment, but someone else," she looked over to Yugi, "Make sure you play nice, or you'd be stuck with a fat check."

"So tell me, Yugi, how'd you finally ask Gardner out?" Kaiba entered the conversation.

"Well..."

"Go on..." I love putting people on the spot.

"Look Kaiba, he just asked me, and I said yes, okay? What's your point anyway?" Tea said.

"We're just having a bit of fun," she said smugly, "Excuse me, I have to freshen up." She walked to the bathroom, and when she got there, she noticed that her underpants had a splotch of red. Muttering curses at the annoyance, she struggled to temporarily stop the leak with toilet paper and rushed out back to the tables.

"Tea, I need to talk to you, er...privately."

"Why?"

"Fine. I'll say it here. I need some things for my monthly—"

"Oh, sorry. Let's go."

A few minutes later, the two returned to the tables.

"Everything all right?" Yugi questioned.

"Yes. Thanks for asking."

The four continued to eat, in silence.

All of a sudden Lily gasped and cried, "YES!!"

Everyone turned to her and looked at her funny.

"Hehe...don't mind me."

She whispered to Kaiba, "Guess what?"

"Why are we whispering?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, what?"

"GUESS!"

"I don't know, you want desert now?"

"I just had an epiphany."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm not pregnant."

Kaiba wrinkled his eyebrows at her seemingly random comment, "What?"

"I just got my period, and—"

"Okay, that's enough information."

"Isn't that great?"

"Yes. That's wonderful news."

"I'm excited! I'm not pregnant!" Her grin grew even wider.

"Can we stop whispering now?"

"Oh, yeah," she returned to her normal voice, "so, ready for dessert?"

Tea and Yugi heard the whole conversation, despite the whispering.

"You mean you and Kaiba already..." she whispered, wide eyed.

"Hmmm?" Lily responded in her normal voice.

"Babies."

"What are you whispering about?"

"I couldn't help but hear your conversation."

"Oh."

"So you two..."

"Uh...yeah," she said, faking confidence, "Surprised?"

"Well...yes," Tea faltered as the waiter came.

"Would you like anything for dessert? We have an incredible strawberry cheesecake. If not, we also have—"

"I'll have that," Lily cut off the waiter again.

"Very well, and for you sir?" he forced out.

"::chuckling:: none for me, thanks."

"All right," he said with forced politeness; "I bet they're lousy tippers too," he mumbled as he left.

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hehe...good news, not babies, those three little words...tea and yugi...wow, lots of conversation this time....well review :D:D