QoH: Lookit! I actually managed a Tea-bashin fic! lol Purely for a request at first, but frankly, I kinda got into it. Yugi/Serenity central! ^_^ Could ya guys explain in ur reviews y some of yall hate Tea (and tell me whatcha think about my fic, o'course)? 1 thing. Please don't flame me if I get the med info wrong on this! I'm no doctor, and I'm just going by what fits in the story, OK? Thanks.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't Yu-Gi-Oh! Wish I did, tho, like every fan who's obsessed enough 2 write fanfics and such. ^_^ Nor do I own "She's A Fool." There might be another song later, but until I write it, I don't want to give it away.... ^_~

Serene Storm

Chapter 1: First Impressions

"Hey, lil' sis! The docs just gave me your walkin' papers." Joey grinned as he knocked on Serenity's open door, "How are ya feelin'?"

She giggled, turning her head to the sound of his voice, "Like I'm ready to get out of here!"

"I don't blame you," he replied, flopping down in the chair beside her bed and peered at the bandages wrapped around her head to protect her (hopefully) newly-repaired eyes, "When do you get to take those things off?"

"The doctors tell me that I can get it cut off in about a week, barring complications," she felt her way out of the bed, "I hope you brought my clothes."

"Nah," he teased, helping her take out the IV needle as she put her bare feet on the cold floor, "I thought you might wanna meet my friends in your hospital jammies."

"Oh, you're funny, Joey" Serenity answered sarcastically, lightly punching him in the arm, "I can see your sense of humor hasn't improved in six years."

"Aw, that's cold, Sis!" Joey cried in mock-hurt, staggering comically with his hand against his heart.

"No more than your crack about my current costume, which, in itself, is quite a bit drafty."

"Point taken. They're in the bathroom, in the backpack."

"Thanks," she made her way into the tiny room and found the pack immediately, before shutting the door to get dressed, "By the way," she called as she dragged out her blouse, "when will I be meeting your friends, anyway, Bro?"

"They're waiting in the lobby."

"I hope they like me."

"'Course they will! You're my little sister, after all!"

"Yeah, that's what worries me!" Serenity taunted, before they both dissolved into fits of laughter.

****

"Hey, everyone!" Joey snickered as he announced their arrival to the entire lobby, knowing Serenity would hate it, "This is my sister, Serenity!"

"Oh, be nice, Joey," said a young, kind-sounding guy off to her right, "I don't imagine she appreciates that too much."

"He knows. That's why he's doing it," she sighed in exasperation, "Don't worry, I'm not too much like him."

"Good," laughed an airy-sounding girl to her left, "I don't know if this group could handle two of the Joe-meister."

"'Course not. I'm one of a kind." Joey struck a pose that Serenity didnt need to see to know it was hilarious, considering all the others cracked up. Besides, it was her brother. Making a goof out of himself was what he did best.

"Joseph, go lie down before you hurt yourself." The eye-roll was evident in the tone of a more mature feminine voice directly in front of her, before turning her attention to Serenity, "I'm Mai Valentine, since your brother seems to be remiss in the introductions department."

"I was getting to it!" Joey retorted indignantly.

"When? Next millenium?" came Mai's voice again, heavy in sarcasm.

"Tristan, Yugi, help me out here, will you?" Joey pleaded.

"No way, bud. You're on your own here," replied another guy's voice, haltingly, most likely because he seemed to be holding in his laughter.

"She's your girlfriend, Joey," pointed out the first fellow, who was also attempting to restrain his mirth.

She jumped when a quiet, British voice sounded to her direct right. Evidently, he'd come up to her to be heard over the escalating squabble, "Don't mind them. They always act like that."

"Oh, hello." Serenity jerked her head toward where she'd heard it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized, "I'm Ryou Bakura. You can call me Bakura, if you'd like."

"It's all right," she smiled at him, "I just wasn't expecting it, that's all. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Bakura answered amiably.

"Hi, my name's Tristan Taylor," spoke up the one who'd first turned down Joey's plea.

He'd barely gotten it out when the airy-girl from before broke in, "And I'm Tea Gardener! I'm so thrilled to finally be meeting you! Joey's told us so much about you!"

"Er..." Serenity mentally edged away from this girl, who seemed a bit too friendly. Physically, though, she plastered on a big smile, "All good, I hope."

Joey put his arm around her, "Yeah, why wouldn't I, Sis?"

"With you, who knows," she grinned up at him.

"Another point to you," he chuckled, "Oh, and to repay a certain remark made earlier..." he paused, teasingly, "Serenity, Tea's also Yugi's girlfriend."

"Uh, who?" she wondered, perplexed.

The guy who'd chided Joey when they'd entered cleared his throat in embarrassment, "Thanks loads, Joey. Anyway, that would be me. Yugi Motou, at your service." Serenity could tell from the sound of his voice he was turning about ten shades of red right then. That was understandable (she'd be doing the same thing in his position). What wasn't, though, was the prick of envy she felt when she realized the situation between him and the airy-girl. I can't be jealous! I've only heard him speak three sentences, for pity's sake!

QoH: What a place to leave off, eh? It'll get better, I swear. Please review and tell me how I'm doing so far!