Thank you to my newest beta—you did an awesome job!
Chapter 31
Don't Dream It's Over
Serenity sat in her seat, stoic and numb. The man next to her attempted conversation several times, but after her quick yes or no responses, he gave up. The mind is a funny thing and hers kept going over the time she spent with Seto. Every conversation, every moment, every touch all relived; every scab was ripped open. A tear slipped down a moist cheek. The book she tried to bury her thoughts in lay, unopened, in her lap. It had all been lies; nothing was what it seemed, had he ever felt anything but lust for her?
She loved him; there was no doubt about it. She risked her life, her brother, and her friends… He thought she was worth just what everyone else was worth, not a nickel more. She bit her lip until a coppery taste assaulted her. If time could be turned back she would return to the night of the storm, and suspend it there. Reliving each heartbeat and every touch—again and again. It had been so perfect and so right. How come he didn't see it? Was he angry that she tried to save him, or worse, did he look at her as used goods? She had kissed Tristan and his father had tried to rape her. Even though the man hadn't succeeded he had touched…
He slender fingers gripped the book tighter, causing her knuckles to turn white. She couldn't get the images out of her mind, and she felt torn between the mental pain of the assault and the physical pain of her breaking heart. She needed to heal, to start over, and to stop loving him. She still did. There was real terror in the realization that she might always love him.
Looking out the window she saw the New York City skyline. She thought it would be years before she laid eyes on it again. Maybe, someday her and Seto would return and they would take a carriage ride through Central Park, or catch a Broadway play. Never did she think that she would come back—alone. Her fingertips traced the outline of the skyline on the plane's window, much like she did the Kaiba Corp. building at the airport. The circle had closed. She had come back around and was broken, left to lie on the rocks. How could he? After the gentleness of the other night, how could he? She longed to be nameless and faceless in a city of millions.
Kaiba's fingers were tireless on the laptop. Mokuba rolled his eyes; Seto was just as tyrannical as ever. Could it be that this was the only way he knew how to relieve stress? Then again, if he did manage to get Serenity back—he could discover a whole way to relieve stress. Mokuba grinned as he imagined Seto taking long weekends away and coming back with a smile on his face.
"What are you grinning about?" Kaiba questioned his younger brother.
"I was just thinking about how your operation will go after you get Serenity back." Mokuba snickered.
"Operation?" Seto's eyebrow shot up. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I think she'll make it mandatory to remove the stick from up your ass." With that statement Mokuba broke out in hysterical laughter.
"Glad you can find a good laugh at my expense," Kaiba mumbled. He watched her plane on the tracker that Jet Blue so kindly provided for its customers. She would be landing soon, and his men would call when they spotted her. He just hoped she wouldn't slip through. What if she managed to go unnoticed? It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"They'll find her Seto…I know they will." Mokuba had moved, without Kaiba noticing, and was now looking at the screen over his brother's shoulder.
"They better, it would be much harder if we had to figure out her destination. Hell, even Yugi and Gardner didn't know. I doubt if the Mutt would tell me after everything, and Mai…she…doesn't think highly of me." Great, he wanted a girl who's family despised him, then again, aside from her—he despised her family. So, it would all work out. He grunted. He just hoped she would hear him out. It was all so simple. She would have to understand that it was all a mistake. Gardner understood—she was a major pain in the ass—always annoyed him and yet, she understood. Serenity loved him, had told him several times, she would understand…she just had to.
Mokuba flipped his phone shut. When had he made a call? Seto must have been too deep in thought to even realize it.
"We have men in several areas of the terminal. Including ones in the baggage claim and out by where she could hail a cab. It's possible that someone is picking her up, so if that's the case we have men circling the airport. We will find her Seto…long before she leaves the airport. By tonight you'll know exactly where she is and you'll be able to talk to her. Hopefully, by tomorrow she'll be wearing your ring and everything will be the way it should be." Mokuba sat down. They were close on her heels. However, Seto still had to convince her it had been a mistake…
The plane on the screen disappeared; it had landed. Now it was a waiting game until one of his men confirmed she had been spotted. Minutes never seemed to stretch on this long. The total concept of time began to stretch on and on. It was possible that all the bases hadn't been covered. Had something been overlooked? Damn the concord for going bankrupt. It was the only method of flying that could have conceivably gotten them there in time.
"Ring…damn it…" Kaiba growled at the phone.
Serenity walked through the terminal and adjusted her bag again. Airplanes were the best way to travel, it cut the time down, but jet lag was a real problem. Flying to Domino was bad, but this trip was worse. Mentally it had been hell and that had caused physical pain. A nice hot shower and about twenty hours of sleep would ease the temporary discomfort, but hearts needed time to heal. No longer able to resist the urge, she plopped onto one of the seats on the concourse. She rubbed her eyes, which were still burning from her tears.
New York was a wonderful place, and a nameless place—a person could disappear into the crowds and never be seen again. You could become a number and lose your identity in the crowd. She no longer ached to be known, fame from taking pictures no longer appealed. Unzipping her bag, she pulled out her portfolio and began flipping through it. Stills, sceneries, memories. A small child cried out and a mother scolded its older sibling, she looked up and smiled. For some reason the scenario made her think of Joey and Mai—would they make her an aunt? She hoped so. Her fingers had continued flipping even while watching the world go on all around. Nothing had stopped, life continued around her. Didn't everyone realize how broken she was? She was almost mad at her heart for continuing its everyday rhythm.
Suddenly, she looked at the pictures on her lap. There it was…the most perfect picture of a lilac—taken on that day in the park. She flipped…there he was. Eyes too blue to be cold—a serene look on his face-not really belonging to him. What had he been thinking? Sitting there on that bench that afternoon, had he realized that life was about to be turned upside down? Her eyes scanned every part of his face; she was quite familiar with him. How did these get in her bag? She was sure she had left them…
"Yugi…" it was a whispered word, which held no weight. Tossing them in the receptacle near her was her best bet, but for some reason, they stayed.
She stood again and made her way to baggage claim. The small suitcase she had taken with her was on the carousel; she watched it go around twice before she lifted it up. How could brain function cease? Exhaustion. When a body was ready to shut down the mind began to assist. How come his eyes were that shade of blue? That deep Caribbean color which reminded a person of tropical islands which were warm…they should be lighter, icier, glacial—to reflect his soul. She was angry.
"Serenity!" A familiar voice called out.
Serenity turned and smiled as Rebecca Hawkins came running over to greet her.
"I missed you! I thought you weren't coming back for a while, when Joey called I was thrilled… Hey…are you okay?" Soft blue eyes blinked at her.
"I'm sorry it's been a long flight," Serenity shrugged and then accepted the embraced offered to her. "I missed you too, I'm sorry I didn't call but life in Domino was—insane."
"Well, then you've come to the right place. We'll kick back in my Grandfather's place and relax for a few days before we figure out what you're gonna do."
"Thanks Rebecca…" Serenity tried her best to smile. "I have quite a bit to fill you in on."
"It's a long ride, you can fill me in on the way, then sleep for a few days. You look awful." Rebecca grabbed Serenity's backpack, just as a man slammed into her. "Geez buddy…" Rebecca shrugged, "welcome back to New York Serenity…"
Serenity told her some things, but left quite a bit out. She didn't feel like going into details of love that she had lost—it was too hard. Seto was too hard to discuss. Maybe later, maybe never.
"I know you're running away, but you know, once upon a time you did love it here…remember?" Rebecca asked a very sad Serenity. "When you first arrived you wanted to stay forever, you kept comparing it to Domino and you told me everything that Domino lacked. Maybe you can get back to that state of mind."
New York had been nice the first time around, but it was missing Joey and her friends and…him.
Kaiba answered the phone before the first ring ended. His breath caught when he was told she had been spotted and tagged, a tracking device had been placed on her bag. Several of his guards were on her tail. He wasn't near her yet, but soon he would be. He could hardly imagine what she thought of him, how could he dispel her belief that he was a cold bastard? Well, he was, but he needed her. Wanted her…hell, he slid his hand over the lump in his coat pocket…he had to have her.
He ordered the limo to meet him and Mokuba at the terminal, they brought no luggage, an oversight, they could shop in New York. He would pick Serenity up, maybe spend a few days in New York with her and then bring her home. They could put the whole mess behind them and pick up where they left off. Actually it would be better than where they had left off, they would be engaged.
"What the hell do you mean—you told that asshole where Serenity is headed?" Joey was irate. His best friend had just betrayed him; he never thought Yugi would do that.
"If you would just calm down a minute Joey you'd see that it was the right thing to do. Kaiba came to the…" Tea attempted, but was interrupted…
"For years we knew what a creep he was! How many times did he look out for himself, and not give a damn about anyone else? Think about it! He has his own sick, twisted agenda—always has. He doesn't care who he hurts or what methods he uses as long as he comes out on top. Yugi, you of all people should know that!" Joey turned brown eyes, blazing with fury, on his small friend. Joey couldn't stop moving—like a caged tiger, prowling. He didn't seem to know where to go with himself; he had to get over to New York fast…damn it all straight to hell! "That bastard would sell his soul to the devil himself to beat you at duel monsters!" Joey looked as if he were about to have a nervous breakdown.
"What's going on?" Mai asked, walking into the room. "What are you screaming about?" She looked at Joey and softly grabbed his arm when he tried to turn away.
"They told money-bags where Serenity went…they led him right to her…they betrayed us all…" Joey tried to leave, but Mai's grip kept him where he was.
"What did I miss?" Mai looked back and forth between Yugi and Tea. Who both seemed at a total loss for words, their eyes were downcast as they shrugged.
"Kaiba and Mokuba came to the game shop looking for Serenity. I told them where to find her," Yugi's eyes were hardly focused as he sighed helplessly.
Tea shook her head, "You don't understand. Kaiba explained that the check wasn't for Serenity—it was a mistake. Kaiba has something else for Serenity…" Now Tea wrestled with wanting to tell, and not wanting to. How would Joey react to an engagement between his baby sister and Kaiba—a man Joey loathed?
"I bet I know what he has for Serenity, and I hope she knocks his teeth down his throat…" Joey growled. He raced over to the phone, breaking Mai's hold. He punched in a few numbers and asked for information to call the airlines—he was going to fly after them.
Mai approached him, once she figured out his plot, and slammed the phone down. "What are you doing?" Her eyes were narrow and angry. "I know you love your sister, and she loves you, however—she's a big girl and totally capable of putting Kaiba in his place if he needs that type of treatment. If you fly after her like an insane maniac—it will only piss her off. Sit down and let Yugi explain!" Mai pointed to a chair, and Joey slunk over to it. Mai rolled her eyes, hoping this would not be as bad as it seemed.
"Kaiba came to the shop with Mokuba. They explained that the girl who handed out the checks made a mistake. Serenity's check was supposed to go to Tea." Yugi started explaining.
"Then he didn't even think of my sister?" Joey was back to being completely pissed off again. Mai rolled her eyes and smacked the back of his head.
"Make up your mind Dear…right now you have the man in a lose/lose situation. Besides, I think Serenity would want to know what the original intention was." Mai folded her arms across her chest as Joey rubbed the back of his head. He frowned at his soon to be wife.
Tea blinked a few times before she continued Yugi's tale. "Anyway, the thing is…Yugi and I saw how Kaiba was going to 'compensate' Serenity. I'll give you a hint…it wasn't a check…" Tea looked at Mai, winked, and then smiled brightly.
"OH MY GOD!" Mai squealed. "How big was it? I bet it was huge!"
"It was huge! I've never seen one that big before! I never thought one that big existed. Leave it to Kaiba…I was very impressed. I think Yugi was impressed too. Weren't you?" Tea looked at Yugi, who was nodding and smiling. No one noticed how Joey's face had paled and his jaw dropped.
"He showed it to you?" Joey asked, but was ignored.
"I can't wait to see it for myself! What did it look like?" Mai raced over to Tea and the two girls were practically prancing.
"You're never gonna see it!" Joey suddenly bellowed. "Hell my sister is never gonna see it either!" He turned angry eyes on Tea. "You saw it? Why would you look?" He then turned to Yugi and growled, "You let Tea see? I can't believe you would direct him to my sister after he just whipped it out like that! Have you all gone insane?" Joey now had proof that Kaiba was a shameless pervert! Normal guys didn't do that—it was just wrong.
Three sets of eyes turned towards Joey, all blinking with confusion. Why was Joey so angry?
"You should be happy for her, this is what she has always wanted. After all Serenity went through—she needs this so badly." Mai whispered softly. "I guess we got carried away with the size, but that's a girl thing." She shrugged.
"Is that all you think about?" Joey was really turning red now and almost foaming at the mouth. "How big it is? Don't any of you see that…that…it's…just…wrong?"
"I also care about the perfection of it…" Mai stated simply.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you the best part Mai—it's blue! I never saw a blue one before!" Tea exclaimed with glee.
Joey's eyes widened with horror. "That's just not normal…" Mental images flooded Joey's mind and he swallowed the urge to be physically ill. Blue? He knew the guy was different, he just didn't realize he was that different.
"It happens occasionally Joey, it's very rare and unique," Mai shrugged it off—as if it were perfectly fine. "Besides I have seen a blue one before—it was so pretty." She smiled. "I'm sure it'll please Serenity, she's a lucky girl, you have to see that…"
Joey's mind raced.
Kaiba is huge…and blue…and they all saw it…and he's going after my sister to…to…to give it to her?
They heard a large thud. Then they all ran over to assist a passed out Joey…
Rebecca helped Serenity get settled into the guest room. Rebecca couldn't help but start flipping through the portfolio. When they had been roommates, before Serenity went home to Domino, Serenity's pictures decorated the walls of their apartment. These were just as beautiful, and the memories of Domino came flooding back to Rebecca.
"You've gotten better, if that's even possible. My Grandpa hung that one of the skyline in his study." She stopped flipping when she came across Seto Kaiba. "Why do you have a picture of the self-proclaimed computer wizard? Man, I hate this guy! Well, actually hate is too strong a word. I just wish he wasn't so arrogant. I'd say he was good looking, but I think your talent makes him look better than he really does."
Rebecca didn't know what she had said wrong, she bit her lower lip as Serenity broke down in tears and threw herself across the bed. The small blonde scrambled over to her, sitting beside her and rubbing Serenity's back. She didn't understand why Serenity was crying, what had set her off? Rebecca tucked her hair behind her eyes and attempted to soothe her bawling friend.
"It's probably the long plane ride, and leaving home. Maybe you should have stayed in Domino. I thought that was your plan. I mean—I'm thrilled you're back, but I hate seeing you so sad and your tears are so…heartbreaking. What happened?" Rebecca grabbed a few tissues from the box next to the bed and handed them to Serenity, who grasped at them feebly.
"Just ignore me…" Serenity sniffled. "I'm being so over dramatic. I swear I'm aggravating myself now." She sat up and wiped at her tears, and then swallowed hard. "I was stupid enough to fall in love with a guy—and he broke my heart. He actually offered me money for having 'rendered him services'. Thank God I never slept with him, just gave my heart over and my heart will mend. To think—I wanted to be with him forever. I guess you can't change the wicked—can you…"
Rebecca took Serenity's hand and squeezed it. "Then he didn't deserve you, not if he hurt you. There are so many men here who would donate body parts to have you…this guy sounds like a jerk."
"Not a jerk, just a cold-calculating bastard." Serenity's eyes wandered to the window. It was a beautiful spring day, how could the sun still shine and birds still sing? It was as if all her sorrows had no effect on the rest of the world. Shouldn't it be raining and miserable? The skies should be engulfed with clouds and it should be dark, not light…
"Wait just a second," Rebecca gasped. "You and…" She raced to the pictures and held up one of Kaiba, "HIM?" Rebecca flipped the picture over and stared at the image. She remembered Kaiba being insensitive; he kept calling her kid, even when she used her computer prowess to save his ass. "Why? What the hell were you thinking?"
"That's the problem, I wasn't." Serenity shrugged. "Temporary loss of my common sense." Suddenly she smiled, and then looked off into space. "He did know how to kiss…"
Rebecca frowned, "More to life than kissing, like compassion and having a heart. The only good thing about Kaiba was the Blue-Eyed Dragons he held." She shook her head in disgust.
"And Mokuba," Serenity added.
Rebecca shrugged and sighed, "You'll get over him. I'll help you. I know lots of guys—sort of the reward of being surrounded by men all the time." She giggled as she pushed her hair, which was now as long as Serenity's, back over her shoulders. Gone was the immature child, replaced with a young lady who was as smart as always, just more refined and quite beautiful. "Maybe I'll fly to Japan, lead Kaiba on and then dump him hard. Turn about is fair play you know?" Serenity giggled as she imagined her friend hunting after Kaiba. "Maybe it would take a genius to topple one…"
The two girls laughed as they thought of creative ways to torture Seto Kaiba. From dying his hair blue to eliminating useless body parts, nothing was off limits. Soon Serenity actually started feeling better.
"I'm just glad to be rid of him. If I never see him again it'll be too soon. I guess a major part of my leaving Domino was to get away from him. He was awful Rebecca…I am so done with that ugly mess. Seto Kaiba can crawl back under the rock I lifted—it's just too bad I can't smash that rock back down on his thick skull."
The two girls smiled at each other and giggled.
"Not that I can't spend the day bashing him, but I'm hungry. I'll go get lunch started. I bet you're starving. Airplane food sucks." Rebecca left her and walked down the stairs. Her heart slammed into her throat as she glanced out the large bay window; a limo was pulling up the driveway. Who could it be? She raced to the door and opened it. The limo came to a halt on the gravel making a crunching sound. Why was she suddenly reminded of a circling shark? The door opened and a man stood up, she tilted her head, trying to remember where she had seen him before. Her eyes widened as he glanced her way, violet eyes…Mokuba…She quickly slammed the door even as he yelled, "wait!"
Mokuba rushed the door and started banging on it, demanding her to open it.
"If you don't leave the property…I'll…I'll call the police!" She shouted as she flipped the lock closed. Damn…was the kitchen door open? She left her spot—leaning against the door—and raced into the kitchen. She arrived just as a strange man did. She screamed and bolted the door closed. She then, methodically, checked each window, making sure they were locked. What the hell was she supposed to do now? How did they figure out where Serenity was? She raced to the phone and picked it up, only to find the line was dead. This couldn't be happening! She ran to get her purse, but before she even took it out, she knew her cell phone had a dead battery. She was bad at remembering to charge the stupid thing.
Serenity heard the screaming, pounding and other assorted noises. She left the room and came down the stairs.
"What did you see a spider or something?" Serenity giggled as she recalled Rebecca's hatred of crawling bugs.
"Worse! I saw a Kaiba!" Rebecca came tearing into the room, which Serenity just entered, and pointed out the window. "See for yourself…he found you. I have no idea how, but he did!"
Serenity approached the window, slowly, tentatively, almost in fear. She moved the curtain slightly and peeked outside. A sleek black Mercedes limo sat in the driveway, Mokuba was at the door. Where was Seto? Oh God! He had come to what—humiliate her more? Was that his game? She could vaguely hear Mokuba asking Rebecca to open the door, and Rebecca yelling back 'over my dead cold body'…
Serenity began to feel her head swim, all the blood rushing into her ears, her heart pounding. Suddenly he was walking around the house towards Mokuba. The man she loved was right outside the door. She raced to get away from him, only to have him turn up on the doorstep—thousands of miles from Domino. Why was he here? Maybe he'd make her another offer? Maybe he was attempting to purchase additional services? She frowned as she approached the door.
"Go home Kaiba!" She spat, in a voice she had never heard from her own mouth. "Or go to Nevada—prostitution is legal there, it's illegal here!"
Instead of giving up he smirked, damn he wanted her. He could see her in his mind's eye—all fired up and angry.
"Serenity…Open the door…" He spoke in a steady voice.
"Go to hell Kaiba—I'm not for sale…"
"Serenity…I need to set things right…open the door." His voice was more commanding.
She bit her lower lip, now what?
A/N: I hope you all liked my little stab at some situational comedy… Did any of you laugh? I hope so; my current beta and I enjoyed it, Samantha did too. Let me know if you found it funny, or if you hated it or whatever…I love all your comments and I thank you for all the continued inspiration! Have I said it before? I'll say it now—you guys really are the greatest and I thank you! responses to reviewers on my profile page!