A/N: I don't own Yu-gi-oh, only my plot and characters...Sadly, this might be my last update until after 10/27...I might be able to squeak one more in before the 17, I'll factor in the reviews and my time...so, read and review...

Chapter 22

"I don't know what to think of this mess Princess, but if you give your word I will believe you. You've never lied to me before, but tonight you deceived me and I won't put up with that ever again." Raine looked her over, then turned his attention to Ryan. "You are to keep your distance from Iolite. This little crush of yours ends now. She's married and right now her husband is already mad. There is no need for you to pour gasoline on a raging fire."

Iolite and Ryan looked at one another, a silent agreement passed between the two.

"You have a minute to say your good byes and then we head back to the mansion." Raine left the room and waited in the hall.

Iolite rushed over to Ryan, "he didn't hurt you did he?" He could see the concern in her deep blue eyes.

"I'll be fine, just keep out of trouble, Raine is right, you need Kaiba to protect you and with me in the picture he might go ballistic. We'll keep writing, I'll send a new code to you in case we've been discovered. I'll keep researching the KC shares."

She hugged him, he was slow to respond, and knowing she was in love with someone else changed so many things.

"What would I ever do without you?" She smiled at him.

"You'll never have to find out Io." He led her to the door and kissed her forehead. "I'll be online later, we'll chat then."

She kissed his cheek and then disappeared out the door.

"I suppose you don't believe me completely do you?" She asked Raine, keeping her eyes focused out the window, not wishing to see his reaction to her question. She knew she couldn't handle it if he thought she was a liar.

"I trust your word Princess, though your tactics are horrible. I think you had evil intentions, and I don't like how you involved your new friends. You better stop being vindictive and start realizing how perilous your situation is." It felt like a scolding.

She sighed and sank deeper into the seat. Raine had come on his own, making up an excuse, saying he was going to pick up Mai and bring her over. Mai was instructed to stay in the room and open the door to no one. Raine had told the staff that Iolite had a terrible headache and was to be left alone.

Raine felt terrible that he had to help cover the deception, but if Kaiba got wind of his new wife, a girl he already had trust issues with, meeting up with her ex in the middle of the night he'd hit the roof. So, he quietly snuck Iolite back into her room where Mai was ready to pounce on her. Tea, sat there waiting as well. The two were very annoyed they had been used under false pretenses. They pretty much figured out her whole scheme, knowing that Tea had dropped her off to meet with another man, other than Kaiba.

Iolite's tears were the only things that saved her. She explained how she had her sights set on revenge against the men, but that her feelings towards Seto prevented her from committing the ultimate sin.

"It's funny," she scoffed, "I thought I was quick, but I guess I'm not that bright after all huh? I mean, here I am, the last to realize that I want him. Now I guess that no longer matters seeing as he doesn't want me."

Instead of yelling at her, they comforted her. A stranger in a strange place with no one to rely on but herself, her world was torn in half and her savior had abandoned her. She was in desperate straits and the two girls hoped they could at least, for the moment, make her feel better.

After awhile they started talking about other things, trying to turn her attention away from Seto Kaiba and her horrible predicament. She laughed when Tea told her about how Yami had saved her from having to date some random guy and how it had all come about from a dance game. Mai told her about how Joey's card had been swiped at Pegasus's mansion and how she had saved him with her entry card. It was then, Mai confessed, that she knew she was falling for him.

She told them about Ryan, some of their adventures and sighed. She wanted to have some stories about Kaiba and told them as much.

"Did you know you liked him when he kissed you for the first time?" Tea asked.

"Actually," she giggled, "I slapped him, I think I drew blood."

She told them of their few liaisons. They both listened and smirked. She told them about him telling her how she couldn't kiss. Then she smiled when she explained how he was kind enough to offer instructions. The three were so wrapped up in their 'boy talk' that they almost disregarded the knock at the door.

"Come in!" Iolite called out.

"This came for you Iolite," Karen, one of the maids said, smiling, she was thrilled that the princess was actually enjoying herself. "It's special delivery."

She stood there while Iolite ripped open the envelope, they were all hoping it was from a certain CEO. They room grew deathly quiet as Iolite's color drained and her hands started to shake.

"It's my brother," she began, in a very broken voice. "I've been invited to an inaugural ball in his honor this coming weekend. I have to meet with him as well."

The maid knew her plight as did her friends.

She was filled with an overwhelming dread, her days here, in comfort with friends and freedom were now numbered. Knowing that her sick, twisted brothers were near was bad, having to face them was worse.

I won't cry, I can't cry. I have to face this, I knew I would have to, eventually, I couldn't run forever. I only wish it didn't have to be this soon. I need more time here, with Mokuba's smiles, Kaiba's scowls and Seto's kisses. I need to work things out here, I need to talk to Kaiba. I have to convince him that I was doing no harm. I'm being so selfish, I keep thinking of what I need...Kaiba needs my absence, maybe to make him realize I'm not the horrible person he believes I am. I have to go. I'll let him get on with his life, I'll rid him of his burden. I'll let him go, even though I want him more than anything. I'll forget him someday...when I die.

That night she sat at her computer and typed to Ryan, telling him everything. How she would have to go to the embassy at week's end for the ball. He begged her not to, but she explained that it was her duty. She really had no choice. She would go, with her head held high, not begging for mercy, she would yield nothing to the monsters she was related to. She would never show weakness, she would face her fate.

Ryan quickly called Raine after she signed off.

"You know she's walking headlong into the lion's den don't you?" He bellowed at Raine.

"I'll be there, at her side at all times and I won't be her sole protector." Raine replied, trying to sound cool, but knowing that going there meant never leaving.

"You're fine with this?" Ryan raged. "Where the hell is that husband of hers? I thought he was suppose to protect her! If she goes there without him her marriage would be annulled, Aron is simply looking for an excuse to drag her home. Seto's absence will speak volumes...you have to do something!" Ryan was on the verge of a breakdown.

"What would you have me do?" Raine asked, defeat clear in his own voice.

"Take me to Seto Kaiba, let me plead her case."

"I can't do that." Raine replied weakly.

"You'd rather see her destroyed than go against Kaiba's wishes?!" Ryan was more than furious with the whole situation. How could he shrug off Iolite's only chance?

"Can you be ready in an hour?" Raine asked, regretting that he would go back on his word to Seto Kaiba, but this was an emergency wasn't it?

Raine contacted Roland, who was with Kaiba. Roland was sympathetic, he also knew how at a loss Kaiba was without Iolite. He had been working, but his sleeping and eating patterns were even worse than usual. Another matter that disturbed him was that Kaiba's nose was stuck in a book that he just kept reading over and over. Roland shrugged, this was bound to come to a head and now hell would break loose.

Kaiba was busy with his laptop, checking up on his wife again. Funny, Ryan was no longer writing to her. That was odd, days and days of begging forgiveness and suddenly silence. He thudded his fingers on his desk. What was she up to? She was still gathering ammunition against several companies, but nothing note worthy. He wondered how she was doing. Mokuba told him about their late night reading sessions, how she played board games with him every evening, how she wandered the gardens at night. He wanted to go home and try to start over, but she didn't need him there, her life had continued without him. If anything, he mused, it seemed she was happier without him there. Her friends visited everyday, if he was there he doubted they would come over. He knew they knew he abhorred their presence.

"Mister Kaiba sir," Roland opened his door slightly after knocking, "There is someone here to see you."

Kaiba looked up from his computer screen. Who was here? No one knew he was here, he had no scheduled appointments, his stomach knotted...it couldn't be it? What would he say? He stood up, anticipating his wife entering his office, who actually did caused the CEO's blood to boil.

A/N: What do you think? I'm beginning to like cliffhangers...their first meeting went well, I wonder if the second will be just as spectacular. If she would have come, I wonder what his reaction would have been. I thought of going there, but liked the tension this built better. PLEASE review...let me know if you're enjoying this story. Thanks! For those of you who are faithful reviewers...I can't thank you enough!!!

Frosty: I soooo wanted her to go through with it, but could you cheat on Kaiba? She has feelings for him and as much as she wanted revenge her heart couldn't jeopardize the results. It would have been a vastly different story. I'm so happy to be a godmother to the twins! Thank you for all your wonderful compliments and comments. Your criticisms and comments have made me much better at this, so Iolite owes a bit to you ya know? I know I had typos in my Serenity/Seto fic (I blame the Nyquil and the 3am hour), but I'm correcting them. Anyhow, give me your input. Can't wait to read your new additions, loved the first twin btw...

Blackcoat: Have I got you running in circles with all my plots? I hope not. I just like having lots of possibilities. Questions will start being answered in the next chapter when Iolite has to face her evil brothers. As for Kaiba's company, that may have to wait for future chapters. Glad you're continuing to enjoy!

Tenshi: Kaiba is the grudge master I think...Yugi-King of Games...Kaiba-King of Grudges... I think he'll relent at some point, or I could be wrong. Will he save his wife, or will Ryan's arrival annoy him to the point where he washes his hands of her? Forever is a really long time...kind of a lonely state as well.

Mariks1andonly: thanks for the review!

Solo-girl: I'm so thrilled that you liked how I pulled the whole 'Raine thing' off. That took careful planning. I wanted it to seem effortless, like it just fit. I'm glad it worked. I couldn't do the 'ultimate' betrayal. I'm glad you're siding with her character, it would have been easy for her to give in, but then when isn't revenge a sweet temptation? You are too perceptive, yes it was a Phantom thing. I have a love for that play (I've seen it 5 times on Broadway) and I can't wait to see what they've done with it when the movie comes out in December. I should give you a prize for that guess! Aron is coming up next, his room scene will appear soon after...

WhitejellO: She explained, but still needs to explain to Kaiba, but now he has to explain as well. I'm getting a headache from all my loose ends. I hope I can keep it all straight! I don't know about the happy ending thing, I may need a part two to continue this story. I just never seem to have problems coming up with ideas for this story. I couldn't make Ryan mean, I need him to foil Kaiba...I'm glad his admit of defeat gave him character, some people hated him for betraying her, now he has to redeem himself and that admit was a start. Thanks for reviewing as always! What did you think of the debate last night? Who do you think won, I have a few comments...I know I laughed a few times, how about you? It was sad about Christopher Reeve...last night's episode of Smallville was dedicated to him-fitting tribute.