A/N: Once again…no ownership by me…I only own my idea…nothing more…

I must warn you that there is some serious fluff in this. I think it could be labeled a very slight lime. I'm not sure, but heck you all be the judge of that.

Chapter 22

Love is one Thing I Do Well…

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Joey muttered as he showed Serenity for the tenth time how to pick the dead bolt lock. "You know they may have an advanced system in there and then teaching you the art of lock picking will have been for nothing." He handed her the small tools in their special wallet and she attempted to choose which to use and then tried again. This time there was a sliding sound and the lock released. She smiled widely in triumph.

"Looks like I'm a quick learner." She giggled.

"Yeah, it's something every brother should be proud of his kid sister for, her ability to break and enter." Joey frowned as he stood from his kneeling position. His hands went to his hips as he sighed heavily. "I still hate the whole idea of you pretending to be in love with Tristan. He could be dangerous Serenity. I really hope you know what you're doing."

"Don't worry Joey," she smiled brightly at him. "I'll have Mai there to help me out and I'll only stay as long as I need to." She didn't want him to catch a hint of trepidation. If she even sort of acted scared he would put a stop to the plan. "Let's try a different type of lock."

By the time they had finished Serenity was practically an expert at lock picking. She could even break into a car and hot wire it. She didn't think that skill would come in handy, but she didn't want to second-guess him and then be sorry. Funny, at one point in his life Joey had been considered a hood, now his 'skills' would be used to help save instead of steal or hurt.

Mai stood back watching while she plotted a few things of her own. Roland had said it was vitally important to learn which room Seto Kaiba was in as well as the lay out of the mansion. It was highly hoped that there would be a window in his room so an escape would be easier to manage. Trying to get Kaiba out through the mansion with all the guards would prove to be very difficult.

Mai figured out a plan, using her own feminine talents, to distract while Serenity could enter the room. However, if they couldn't figure out which room, then her plan was shot before it had a chance to take off. There was also the problem of how to get Tristan to give them the 'blueprints' of his home. Seeing as even Yugi couldn't get to him, it seemed there was little hope they could get him to switch teams and hand Kaiba over.

Mai went to her closet, while Joey and Serenity continued his lessons of thievery, and picked out a killer outfit. She would easily be the most intense eye candy in the mansion. She just hoped the rare hunters were male and heterosexual. It would suck if they weren't. She zipped up her skirt and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Joey would have a cow when he knew this is how she intended to go out. Then again, if she couldn't get heads to turn plans would go down the tubes quickly.

There was a knock at the door…it should be Tristan, right on time.

Serenity came into the bedroom to sit with Mai while Joey answered the door. Tristan acted normally, Joey didn't bring up the subject of Kaiba, Tristan didn't volunteer.

Serenity shoved the rare hunter's robe into her backpack while Mai finished her make-up. "You have to swear to me if anything goes wrong we leave and attempt nothing more than getting our feet in the door." Mai said firmly.

"Nothing will go wrong," Serenity tried to assure Mai, and herself as well. It was now or never; time to face the man that held Seto prisoner.

Serenity walked out into the living room and there stood Tristan joking around with Joey. It was almost scary how he was acting so normal after kidnapping Kaiba. A true lunatic would think his actions were normal…wouldn't he! Was Tristan a lunatic? Would he actually hurt Seto? Would he hurt her? Oh God, would he hurt Mai if he found out what the two of them were planning! What had she gotten her friend into? She would have to be excessively careful.

"Serenity…" Tristan smiled as he approached her. She looked at the bouquet of roses on the table and the large box of Godiva chocolate next to it. He stopped a few feet in front of her and continued to stare.

"Hello Tristan," she stammered, then added, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. I can't believe Seto Kaiba kidnapped you the way he did. I swear Serenity he'll eventually get what's coming to him." He came closer and stroked a finger down her cheek, "he didn't hurt you? Did he?" There was concern in his eyes and she knew then and there that she had him. He was looking at her like a man in love would look at the object of his affection.

It took every ounce of strength for her not to retch.

"I'm fine, please if you wouldn't mind I'd rather not talk about it. I want today to be about…" she nearly gagged on the words… "Me and you." She smiled as she looked up at him. "I'm pretty much ready to go when you are." She reached for her coat.

"Hold it," Mai interrupted, as planned. "If you think I'm going to let you traipse out of here with Tristan unescorted after everything you've been through you're sadly mistaken."

"We're only going back to Tristan's house," Serenity offered.

"I honestly don't care where you're going. I just know that I'm going with you. You put your brother and me through hell when you disappeared, I won't let it happen again."

"It's fine with me," Tristan offered, he honestly didn't care as long as he was able to spend some time with Serenity.

With that the three left. Joey called Yugi and Roland and the three got ready to put the mansion under surveillance while Serenity and Mai infiltrated the inside.

A long lunch ensued, Serenity drew it out longer than it needed to be. She figured as long as a table separated them she would be able to dodge handholding and everything that came with it. She also tried to be sweet as sugar, which was driving her nuts and making Mai gag. Tristan was falling, hook, line and sinker.

After lunch Serenity asked, through lowered lashes and a sweet pink blush on her cheeks, for a tour of his home.

"I want to see where the man, who I'm falling in love with, lives." She twirled a few stray stands of hair around her finger as he thought over her request and then, knowing he could deny her nothing, started the tour.

"Who are all the men in robes?" Serenity asked, nonchalantly, trying to count their numbers.

"They're my Dad's guards. If you ask me I think they're worthless. One is more brainless than the next." Tristan said without lowering his voice.

Tristan suddenly grabbed Sereinty's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry Serenity, none of them will hurt you. I've heard what they did to you, locking you in Kaiba's boathouse and then burning it down. What you have to understand is that they were trying to get you away from him to save you."

Yeah, save me from Kaiba to rape and murder me in my hospital bed.

"I know I'm safe as long as I'm with you Tristan. You always make me feel so protected." She gushed in a lowered tone. She denied the urge to rip her hand out of his.

He led her through the mansion, pointing out the library, the game room, the kitchen. She took note of all the doors and windows, as did Mai.

"What's on the second floor?" She asked, innocently.

"Mostly bedrooms." Tristan offered with a shrug of boredom.

"Can I see them?" Serenity asked with excitement. "I'm sure they're decorated grandly and I just love seeing where you grew up and live." Tristan blushed and smiled at her.

One of the rare hunters pulled him aside, "Sir, do you really think this is a good idea? Showing her the weaknesses of the house? I mean, what if she's working in Seto Kaiba's best interest? You're giving her the mother load of information."

Serenity interrupted, "I'm sorry Tristan, I just was interested in seeing how the rooms were decorated. If you feel I'm a threat I'll leave." She looked so dejectedly at him as a tear streaked down her cheek. His heart ached to hold her, but the look Mai gave him warned him off.

"Don't be silly Serenity. I know you're no threat." He led the rare hunter away to have a word with him.

"How dare you question my girlfriend's motives? She could care less about Kaiba; she's falling in love with me. If you ever talk to her or about her negatively again I'll see to it that you're banned from the grounds. Oh, and by the way, make sure the others know that as well. I won't have her scared in my home!" Tristan was livid that one of the hunters would look at Serenity, let alone question her.

She smiled timidly as he came back a single tear slipped down her cheek. "If you want to take me home, I'll understand."

"I want nothing of the sort, in fact, I would be more than happy to take you on a tour of the rooms upstairs." He held out his arm and she took it timidly.

"Thank you Tristan, for sticking up for me. I wish they understood how much I care about you."

He looked at her downcast eyes, the soft blush and smiled. "They're just concerned that you may be here to help Seto Kaiba." He had to get it out there, just in case. She looked up at him with terrified eyes.

"Seto Kaiba? I hope to never have to see him again." She flinched at the touch of his hand and she quickly turned her back to him. She couldn't let him see her eyes. They could give her motives away. "He was…cruel…to me." She shivered for emphasis.

"Well, you don't have to worry about him any more Serenity. He can't hurt you any more." Tristan assured her as he led her towards the stairs. Mai smirked behind Tristan's back, the girl was good, she was playing him better than Mai thought she could.

Serenity's blood ran cold when she turned and saw a pair of eyes regarding her from under a hood, if looks could kill, she would have been struck dead on the spot. Her breath caught for a moment as the new hunter passed her on his way down. There was something so familiar about the man, however, there was also something deadly. He would have killed her, of that fact, she was sure. Just who the hell was he. She tried not to give it too much thought and instead turned her attention to the task at hand. She had to find Seto. She swallowed hard and tried to force the eyes out of her mind.

"Well," Tristan smiled at her. "Now you know all of my secrets." He slowly walked towards her as she stared out the window onto the grounds below. She tried to figure out the best way to escape across the lawns. "Maybe you could let me in on a few of yours." He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed them slightly. She rolled her eyes, thankful he couldn't see her face.

"There are no secrets to tell." She whispered. "I'm an open book."

He slowly turned her around to face him. "If you were an open book I would know where I stood with you Serenity."

"I have so many feelings that are confusing me right now Tristan. I mean, I came home and there you were…" She looked up at him and gave him her best fake smile. "I gave you my first kiss." She diverted her eyes away from him. "Then everything happened at the museum and I was forced to deal with Seto Kaiba." She could feel a warm sensation take over whenever she recalled her time with the blue-eyed CEO. "I just need a few minutes to breathe and figure things out." She stroked the side of his face, instead of slapping it like she itched to.

"My feelings for you run deep and are so strong…I don't see them changing any time soon."

I'll hate you forever because of what you've done to Seto…

"There's no need to rush anything. I know you've been through so much. I just want you to know you have my heart and I'll do anything to protect you and keep you safe. I hope to someday make you more than my girlfriend…" He smiled at her. The knock at the door stopped him from continuing. She was thankful, because the rage she was feeling was about to bubble over.

It was Mai and a rare hunter. "She was snooping around the house."

"I was hardly snooping. First I was looking for a bathroom and second I was looking for Serenity. This house is one giant maze and I got lost." She walked over to Tristan's bed and plopped down on it. She pulled out a nail file and began to lazily shape her nails. "What were you two doing while I was off chasing my tail? I should be quite aggravated with you Tristan. Was this a ploy to get to be alone with Serenity?"

Tristan blushed at the implication. "I'm sorry Mai, I should have led you there myself. This place is confusing." He looked up at the rare hunter. I want you to go and tell the others that Mai and Serenity have complete access to my home. I don't want them to be harassed by your men when they need to use the bathroom."

"Do you think that's wise Sir?" It was the same hunter that had questioned him about showing them around. Serenity also recognized him as the one who took Seto away from her at gunpoint. She kept her expression neutral. If she gave him the look he deserved Tristan would know she wasn't the naive, innocent, angelic creature he had created in his mind.

"It's about time for your lesson Master Tristan," Max continued. "I also think it is time for you little friends to go home." His eyes bore into Serenity with that statement.

That wouldn't do at all. They hadn't found Seto yet! They couldn't leave! Quickly she came out with the first thing that popped into her mind.

"I don't want to leave you yet Tristan, I haven't seen you in such a long time and I've missed you so much." She softly grasped his hand and squeezed it. The other hunter who had glared at her on the steps entered the room. His eyes were unassuming until he saw Serenity throwing herself at Tristan. Then the cold hard glare was back. Serenity could almost feel the chill race down her spine.

"The room is ready Sir," the unhooded hunter announced.

"It is time for your lesson in dueling." Max insisted.

"You meaning his lesson in cheating," Mai chirped. "You rare hunters never play fair, you always cheat."

"I won't be cheating Mai," Tristan assured her. "They're teaching me how to duel and that's all."

"You should have asked Joey and Yugi for help, shoot I would even lend a hand. Why learn from this scum?" Mai asked as she folded her arms across her chest. Her eyes hardened and the look of distaste on her face was blatantly clear.

"I'm fine, really Mai." Tristan assured her. "Why don't you wait for me until after my lesson? You could explore the mansion and then the…three…of us can have dinner." Tristan had wanted Serenity to himself, but knew Mai wouldn't allow that. Then again, he would never want to leave Serenity unattended in this household, not with all the 'scum'running around.

"I would love to have dinner with you! Oh Mai…can we!" Serenity's eyes flickered from Tristan to Mai. Naturally the blonde agreed. Tristan was elated by her excitement.

"Ok, now listen," Mai started as soon as they were alone. "I've scanned the hallways and there are no cameras. I believe that his room is down the hall from here. One man guards the door, and he's a lustful jerk so he'll be easily distracted. You pick the lock and get in. I'll give you time in there, but when you hear me again, at the door it will be your signal that I'm distracting him a second time and you better get out and fast." Mai helped Serenity adjust the robe after pulling her hair into a French braid.

They made their way into the hall, and after a few twists and turns, Mai placed her hand on Serenity's arm. "You wait here until I can get him away. When the coast is clear pick the lock and go inside. I'll try to give you some time." Mai looked at Serenity and smiled. It had been several days since she had seen Kaiba and the reunion was a long time coming.

The plan went into action and with no effort the rare hunter was led away. Serenity quickly pulled out her tools. The lock was a basic one and with a few tries she heard the telltale slip of the bolt. She stood up and caught her breath. The doorknob turned easily and she opened the door timidly. The room was lit but not brightly, there was no window. Slipping in, she noticed him sitting on the bed facing the opposite wall. The door closed behind her and she smiled. He was in a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It was different than what he was wearing the night he was taken from her arms.

Clearing her throat she captured his attention, he turned slowly. "What do you want?" He growled at the hunter. This one he could take easily, he was shorter than the others and had only a slight built. He would be easy to overpower and then he could…escape into a house filled with other hunters…it was at best a long shot.

"I wanted to tell you I love you, but not when you're going to talk to me that way." She pulled her hood down and smiled at him. She wanted to rush into his arms, but found herself helplessly glued to the spot.

Slowly he stood and began the task of moving towards her. It was then she noticed the bruises on his beautiful face, the bags under his eyes and his slight limp.

Was it a dream? In all the days he had been here he never imagined that she would show up. It was the only amazing thing in the dank room he was forced to occupy. Her feet finally felt free enough to move towards him. They met half way and just gazed at one another.

"You're safe." He whispered as his knuckles brushed her cheek. She pressed her face against his hand and closed her eyes. He was alive. He was hurt, but alive.

"I did a lot of fast talking that night and Umbra is brainless." Her eyes slowly opened. She looked up into eyes that were so familiar and…warm. His eyes had never been warm before. "I'm just thanking the powers that be that you're alive Seto…"

The sound of his name falling from her lips caused his breath to catch. He hadn't had anything soft or warm in days and now, here she stood before him, tempting him in ways he never imagined he could be.

"Did you say what I think you said?" He growled roughly. His left arm snaked around her waist.

"Yes, I'm thankful you're alive." She leaned in closer. Her hands moved to his shoulders. She felt her body being pressed closer to his. That familiar ache he caused assaulted her senses. She licked her lips in anticipation. He felt so incredibly good.

"That's not what I meant. I was talking about the other thing.." She smelt like lilacs and his memory retreated to that fateful day in the park when he caught her picking the fragrant blooms. Had he known then all the events that would unfold he doubted he would have changed a thing. Except, perhaps, he would tie her to the bed at night to prevent her from wandering in the morning.

Her fingertips traced a bruise on his cheek, but he winced and pulled his face back. The concern on her face was evident, she quickly muttered a sorry and softly placed her hand back on his shoulder. He looked at her again, the pain gone from his eyes.

"I love you Seto Kaiba," she managed quietly before his lips claimed hers.

Lips parted as their kiss deepened. It turned ravenous and needy in a matter of heartbeats. Her fingers tangled into his hair as his hands worked their way up and down her back, pulling her closer as his mouth devoured hers. There was no protest, as she pressed closer into his warmth, enjoying the dance of their tongues. He growled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up off the ground, lifting her to a level slightly above him. She broke the kiss as she looked down into his sweet face, her honey brown eyes searching the depths of his blue. The realization of his being here and holding her were sinking in slowly.

Her lips brushed his again, teasing him before settling. She nipped at his lower lip, then his upper, drawing them, in turn between hers to be caressed by her tongue. Had he always tasted this good? Had it always felt this right? She felt him moving towards the bed and sighed against his lips. If he wanted her here and now she would never have the energy or the inclination to resist him.

He sat down and she straddled his hips. His hands moved up and down her sides as they traded gentle nips with their mouths. She suppressed a giggle as his mouth made its way to her neck. His warm breath sighed against her ear. She dug her nails into his shoulders at the havoc he was reeking on her senses. His tongue traced the shell of her ear before he whispered, "I need you."

She whimpered as he started pulling the robe up her body. There was no resistance as her hands raised to rid herself of the costume. Their eyes met again for a brief moment before their lips sought to dance again. This was insane, she should be using this time to tell him what was going on, but she was relishing how good he felt. His hands slid up under the back of her shirt, feeling her skin caused his breath to escape raggedly. Desire had never raged through his veins like this before, a woman had never affected him like this before. She was like a drug and the delirium was suffocating.

Their lips met again and it deepened instantly. She lost track of valuable minutes as his hands explored her completely.

He could hardly believe that she was here.

He pulled away slightly as his fingers unclasped her bra. She gasped, digging her nails into his hair. She smiled at him as she bit her bottom lip. He smirked as his hands continued their inquisition into new territory.

"Not that I'm not thrilled to see you," he pulled her lower body closer to his in order toinsure her of his interest. "But don't you think Roland or Mokuba should have come?" She moaned softly as his hands deftly stroked her. His mouth settled on the hollow of her throat. He had never touched her so intimately before, her focus was driven from her. She moaned gently as she nuzzled his hair. She didn't want the feelings he was stirring within her to end.

Her head was spinning but she managed a, "what do you mean?"

"Well," he murmured against the side of her throat. "I think one of them should have freed me from this room, not you. Then again, who am I to argue? This is the best torture I've endured this whole hellish time."

It was then she realized that he thought he was free. How would she explain that in a few minutes she would be leaving without him to be with another man? How could she tell him Mokuba was nowhere to be found and that his only chance at freedom was through a rag-tag group of his enemies?

He sensed her hesitation and ended his kisses. Sliding his hands back down her body he rested them on the outside of her shirt, around her waist.

"What's wrong…love?" He asked as his grip tightened and his eyes started turning cold.

A/N: Wow…that took like forever…I hope you all liked it. I figured I would throw in some serious fluff. They haven't seen each other in awhile and, well, I figured under the circumstances they were parted they would need an explosive 'hello'. I hope I succeeded. Thanks for all the wonderfully informative reviews! You guys all seriously rule, makes me want to update instantly, but this time I'll need a few for my fingers to uncramp...please keep me going!