A/n: Aw, no more joey-torture? Okay. Wah, he's losing his accent . . . (mourns joey's accent) . . . anywho, enjoy.

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%Chapter Eight: A Perfect Fit %

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Tea sighed and walked around the front door of the Game Shop, her sneakers making clicking noises, arms crossed tightly over her chest. When are they gonna be here? She thought, staring at the now dipping red yellow sun over the horizon, the sky blood red in the fall, leaves swirling about outside. It's already past seven. They should have done whatever it was they had to do at the Valentine's already, and headed over. What, did they get lost or something? We were expecting them back already, she thought, referring to her and Yugi.

Yugi kicked at the strewn paper wad, which fell neatly in a wastebasket with a KLONG. "Face it; we just have to do this alone. Joey's busy. Period."

Tea continued to stare out the window. They better not just be…goofing around! Her eyes narrowed threateningly at the clear sky.

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Joey felt a rush of brief panic, in his heart.

No. She's gonna say no! it said. His fists automatically clenched on the ground, as if to shield him from the far beyond physical blow she would deal, if it were the case. He couldn't imagine it if she said no. Couldn't bear to, couldn't fathom, and imagine---

"Yes."

…

He couldn't think of a single thing to say.

"Did you not hear me, Joey? I said, 'yes!'" An impatient tone twinged the edge of her voice. I would've thought he'd be happy . . .!?.

But instead of getting mad as she would have two years ago, she understood, and knew him better. "I will marry you," she repeated, "If you promise to be there . . .. Always . . .. Then I will . . .." she drew a bit closer, so they were sitting side by side. "Always."

"Wha?" he looked like he didn't dare to believe his ears. Even though he'd been planning everything out carefully, it was a whole other thing to be actually experiencing it.

But I messed up! I couldn't even get the box open, I didn't get approval . . .. I messed UP!

Mai saw his features constrict slightly, saw his dark brows knit together. She held her breath automatically, guessing what was on his mind. "It doesn't matter . . .. If my parents . . . don't approve, Joseph . . .. " She leaned back, casually, so he would pull out of one of his moods..

Yes, it does! "It matters," he said quietly, thumb and forefinger plucking a white daisy, and handing it over to her, more calmer now. His voice got so low, that she could barely hear it, it was more of a mumble, really. They sat in the soft grass, nearly in the dark, outside, the sun had already gone down and the lamp had flickered and died out a long time ago. "I'm really serious about this, and I have to--I wanted---" he couldn't seem to convey his feelings, so he just stood, or rather sat, there helplessly. "I don't know why everything has to go perfect fer me, I jus' know it does." He looked at her with because-you-deserve-it eyes.

She held her breath in, and blew out an impatient sigh, causing some hair to stray out of place. How can I make him understand . . . that it's pointless to worry? That there are other things to be worried about? That I don't need to be . . .. spoiled rotten? And he shouldn't have to be afraid of me? Shouldn't have to be insecure? That all want is him? Even after nearly three years, he still didn't seem to understand that he could trust her. She took his hand and studied it. "I guess . . . it's because you still see me as the pampered, spoiled princess, especially after Daddy called me 'princess', and all."

"M . . .. Maybe." he agreed, dropping his gaze as well.

"I wish . . . . . you'd confide in me. More, than you have."

"I do!"

"Sometimes . . .. Only sometimes . . .. Then, you keep stuff in." her voice trailed off. "I think you know why."

There was a short silence. "I guess . . . " he began hesitantly, probing on his quest for perfection, "that I need everything to be perfect is 'cause . . .. Well, about your parents," he went on earnestly, "you have a better relationship with them, better than me, that's for sure."

"Everything never works out the way one expects." She shook her head fiercely once. "I've learned that a long time ago.

"No matter how much you plan and plot and schedule, it's true. Unexpected is to be expected." She leaned back slightly, on one shoulder, smiling in spite of her words. "That is the universal rule, that goes for everyone. And not many rules do. So don't be constantly disappointed over disappointment, is what I'm trying to say."

He gave a soft chuckle, straightening his suit aimlessly. "I absolutely agree with dat, dat's fer sure. But, always, one hasta get permission! Escepially for something as important as for marriage--!"

She laughed, a soft tinkling sound. "And if it doesn't work?"

"Then you do it anyway." His expression became serious. "Or . . . .you try again, in my case."

"…But why--"

"Okay, now don't talk," he said, as she grinned at him. "Let me say why," he flashed a grin, then became serious again. "Mai, I . . ."

"....." She was trying to be patient, but it was too exciting---! She tried to look a bit to the side, not directly, like he were the sun, so not to make him too nervous again, and waited.

"When my sister betrayed me, I was angry, sure, obviously, but . . .. also, I was sad." he said thickly. " 'Cause I've always been her sole protector; and that was the one constant thing, always in my life . . ."

"J---" she began sympathetically, but he shook his head to let him finish.

"And den she got sick and tired of me . . . " he said, looking away, "and took away the role and gave it away, to somebody else. . . . . and without it, I felt like I was nothing. When . . . ." his throat closed up. "she disowned me like that, I missed it, like a hole in my heart."

Mai put her hand on his shoulder, and he went on.

"And then you were there. You helped fix things, when I was upset, and feelin' abandoned, by the one person I thought . . . ." She began massaging his shoulder, feeling the warmth as it channeled to her. " . . .. Anyway, " He paused again, then took a deep breath. "You listened and helped me realize . . . that I wasn't a failure, afta all. To keep trying. And, that I wasn't, and will never be, left all alone."

" 'Alone . . ..' " She repeated softly, almost to herself. It was what she had been musing on earlier. The fear of being alone.

"And you made realize . . . .I could serve other purposes . . . like . . .. how to love," He saw her eyes water. "And be loved back. I want to repay you for that, Mai . . . I want to protect you, forever. Forever. That's why I . . . .want you to be my wife."

By now, they were both standing again, him looking tenderly at her. Her face had a soft smile, but tears were standing out in her large eyes, about to spill. He held her and said, "So . . . nothing to say . . .?" he prompted when she was speechless.

"Well," she pointed out finally, covering a sob with a smile that shook; "you haven't asked me yet!"

Wordlessly, eyes fixed on her, he took the box back, with a smile, and opened it, easily, this time. His hands were no longer shaking, but steady and firm. "Will you marry me, Mai Valentine?"

Though not "Valentine" for long . . .

"Yes, I will," she said, smiling, as he slipped it on her finger; a perfect fit.

Just like us. We 'fit' perfectly . . . . the mutual thought rang into their heads.

Then, they hugged and held each other for a long moment, with the sounds of sniffling filling in the darkness "I was afraid. . ." she admitted into his shoulder, "I was afraid that you'd never ask.You should have told me the truth! Promise to always, in the future." She tugged at his long, thick mane lightly, as they pressed their heads together.

"Okay, I promise." She ran a finger along his jaw, the brilliant ring dazzling and winking on her ring finger, and told him, softly and laughingly, that he needed a shave. He grinned that boyish grin of his. "I love you, Mai."

"I love you . . .."She gave him a tiny, salty kiss, since tears were finally slipping down. "Too . . .. " Hands linked, they made their way back to her cottage.

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Serenity buried her face into his chest wetting his shirt. What Mai and her brother said, about expecting the unexpected, had really hit her hard. She came to a decision. I must tell him.

Taking his hanky for a pocket, she blew her nose and tried to compose herself. "Shhh. . . .there, there," he comforted, having had zoned out. And even business meetings don't zone me out!

But she had heard everything, since her hearing was better than his was. And the image of two little children, one auburn-haired and one blond, clinging to each other in the darkest nights kept resurfacing . . . .over and over . . . .

It made her want start sobbing all over again.

His eyesight was better than hers, though, as he helped her out of the bramble bushes, Kaiba spotted a large group of reporters, a few feet away, taking pictures at the nearby entrance to the Valentine estate, then goggling at him. Uh oh. Great. I can just picture it on the cover of the National Enquirer: Photo Op Exclusive! Seto Kaiba and girlfriend Are peeping Toms!

Serenity gripped his hands suddenly, look up at him through tears.. "I have to . . . tell you something. . . . I . . . " Just then, there was a loud, excited shout, as the group of reporters began closing in, like a group of hungry wolves. Serenity, come on, let's go! She heard him shout. But then the whole landscape starting swimming, spiraling around, crazily, out of balance. . . .

Kaiba saw her collapse, ashen pale, and he immediately bent, and caught her arm tightly. She didn't crumble, just collapsed--! Heart hammering, he shouted as cameras flashed, "Serenity! Serenity!"

But she didn't move . . ..

TBC

a/n: Aw, what's wrong w/ her? (singsong) I'll never te-ell . . . . and how sweet! Joey wants to protect his love! Aw! And forever! Double aw! bad serenity! (throws plushies to readers) feel free to fall in love w/'im. Take a number, though, lol. R&R