A/n: Ah! I didn't see that episode where she glomped him! What'd he say, what'd he say?! I saw this week's, though, when they said goodbye. :D I was smiling so hard, I could barely see it! I wish she'd had kissed his cheek, or something! Then have little anime hearts dancing around his head as she drove off. Is it too much, I tell ya! X-x
Disclaimer: Would lil ol me own anything copyrighted? um, no !
Understand Me Why
"……What?!"
"Go an' 'pologize to 'er, Yuge." Joey sat in the Moto's homey living room, talking to the phone. "Yeah! I need a long distance collect call. England, please. Or, Great Britain, whatever." He twisted around back to Yugi, who was leaning on with his elbows on the sofa. "Play some romantic music, say yer sorry an' give 'er a hug an' a kiss."
"A kiss?!?!?!?!"
"Yeah. You c'n do it. Doan be shy." He shrugged at the younger boy by a year(seventeen).
"No, it's not that." Yugi looked sheepishly down at his hands. "It's just that…..do you know how many germs there are in a single kiss?! It's--"
"Er, best ya keepit to ya self, Yuge." Joey sat up straighter in his light sweater; it was snowing outside. First snow. "Hey! Yeah, rememba me? Er, sorry 'bout dat, I'm runnin' a little short on money…"
While Joey was apologizing for calling collect, Yugi looked expectantly at him, waiting for him to give some more advice. He could hear Tea washing up dishes in the kitchen, and wanted to apologize to her, really, about something still held him back. You're still angry…..about what she said, said a voice.
Still, that's no excuse! What kind of person are you? Still, what if she did leave? Again? With one best friend getting married, another living out of town, and another moving back to New York, I feel---left alone? Abandoned?
"Yeah, great! Ok, see ya, den." Happily, Joey crossed off Ryou's name of his list of my to call and invite. "He's coming! Ok, now for Tristan."
"How is he?" Yugi inquired about his snow white haired friend.
"Doin' great, doin' great. Finishin' up college up dere wit 'is girlfriend, Ishizu." Joey muttered happily, dialing a new number. "He'll try ta be 'ere, but he might be a lil late." Putting the phone to his ear, he nodded towards the kitchen and a Well? manner, hands on his knees.
"Ho'kay." Yugi quietly got up, knowing Joey wasn't going to be around to offer and advice soon. Neither was Tea. Might as well make good amends….."Hi, Tea."
"Hi." She said over her shoulder, smiling quickly, then going back to her work. The bow at her apron's waist twitched a bit.
"Um. About the other day…." He began, fidgeting and making himself stop it, "I want to apologize…."
"You don't have to, Yugi. I'm not mad." She said sincerely, and quickly, too, before he could even finish his sentence.. "I've been thinking about it, and I realized we shouldn't stay mad at each other before I leave. We're too good friends for petty things like that."
"....For my behavior….." Yugi was speechless as Joey went to see how he was doing and eavesdrop. So….she's still leaving, Yugi thought numbly. Then he saw Joey shaking his head so frantically, so his long blond hair poofed out like a lion's mane. Yugi looked at him like he had lost his mind.
"Oldest trick in da book, Yuge," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth, taking the tone of someone experienced. "When women 'pretend' everything's all right, when it really isn't. Trust me!"
"Do YOU think I'm deaf, Joey?" Tea called irritably without turning, as she roughly set the dishes in the dishwasher. "I don't play games like that--that Mai."
"Riiiiight!" He said as he disappeared again.
"Anyway, sooo….everything's all right, then?" Yugi asked hopefully.
"Yeah, of course!" As usual, Tea's demeanor always changed. "I understand you were upset. You were right, I was being too nosy up in your business. After all, he wasn't my grandfather." She saw him flinch slightly through the reflection of the window. "You had every right to be angry. I understand."
"Oh. Okay." Yugi felt immensely relieved, like a world had been lifted. "And….you're still going to help with the, um store and all?" It was really doing well, now they had even more customers than before....
"Of course!" She said. "But…..I'll be staying with the Wheelers' now instead of here."
"What? Why?" He said, shocked.
"Well…..to tell you the truth," Now Tea turned from the stove again. "She's hasn't been feeling well, and I sort of feel guilty for not realy being concerned the other day when I saw Serenity." She wiped her hands on her apron and pushed back long strand of brown hair. "So, I'll bring some chicken soup to her later. She said she had the flu."
"Oh. Maybe I'll come there soon too," he said. "And see how she's doing, also."
"Yeah, that'll be great!" Tea smiled, before turning around and loading the dishwasher.
Meanwhile......
At the sprawling Kaiba mansion, the proprietor himself stood at one of the back doors, next to the driveway. Kaiba scowled, one hand on his hp, in the doorway, clearly upset about something. The workers, thinking he was thinking who to fire for slacking off, began running about much more quicker. But he barely noticed; or the sun light shining full in his face.
It was snowing. Where was Serenity? He had called her cell phone, the one he had given her, then her pager, also the one he had given her, but to no avail. Either she was in a place with no reception, or……she wasn't picking up. Or had turned them both off.
That was impossible. He'd instructed her to always keep both on, in case there was an emergency. What if he needed something? And in this case, he did need something. Mokuba had to be picked up at school. Again. For fighting. Or talking back to the teachers, whichever. And I can't do it, I have be at work in an hour. Anyway, he always ended up losing his temper and they ended up fighting. Mokuba was more civil to Serenity than him. He listened to her. More than to him……anyway.
So where…..? He checked his watch again, gritted his teeth and started walking to his limousine. Maybe she wasn't picking up because she was mad about something. But still, it wasn't like her to ignore him to get his attention. (Even though it did). She must be really mad about something……how annoying it was not to know what it was. He couldn't remember anything he did differently recently.
Already in a bad mood, (and it wasn't after midday) he told the driver reluctantly, "To….Domino H.S….."
Meanwhile.......
"Oh, my poor baby! Oh, my poor baby!"
Serenity's mother had been saying that over and over, for the past hour, holding her daughter tightly, and rocking her…..well, rocking her like a baby. She was a middle-aged petite woman with graying hair had sandy blond streaks in it, and had huge drops rolling down her cheeks. Meanwhile, Serenity was being buried face-first by her mother's shoulder.
It was nice to be comforted, but at the same time.....
She wished her mother would yell and scream about what a horrible daughter she was, like her brother was bound to. Mom found out I went to the hospital…..and the doctor told her the truth……
"What're you going to do, Serenity?! What're you going to do?!" Her mother wailed. "My poor baby…..My poor baby!"
Mom always has a flair for the theatrics, thought Serenity, saying nothing. Just like Joey. Shaking her head, she felt she had to say something. "Mom….! There's nothing I can do…..except have it." Her mother gasped, shocked. They looked down at her still pretty-tiny stomach. The doctor had said she was one of those rare cases which didn't show very much.
Her mother made an immediate sound of protest. "But, darling! Childbirth is so hard! It is hell! Giving birth…..you're too delicate for that! Fragile!" and saying there are other options, and then saying she'll have to marry. At that Mrs. W stopped her crying, for a still second, then continued to sob. And then it was with the "Oh, my babys" again, hugging her so tight she could barely breathe. But Serenity felt weak now, both from being pregnant and the cost of the news that would bring; she was scared and she wanted to hide.....
.....but that was luxury now. A luxury to go back in time, when she was scared as a little girl and came running to her mom. Back then, when it was just them two girls……her mother used to hold her on her lap and sing….."Just us two….me and youuuu…." But now, she wasn't a little girl anymore. Now, she was a woman.
"Serenity……I love you……I want to show you, how much….will you let me?" She buried her face again.
Afterwards, while they were in bed, listening to his heartbeat, she'd asked something she wished, later, she hadn't.
Do...........you have any regrets?"............No."
Serenity slipped off her mother's lap, feeling unusually heavy. The heavy weight of sadness. She was wearing something better than her mom for once, and that small incongruity made things seem even more unreal. A nice designer blouse and slacks to her mother's plain tee and sweatshirt. Mom always did want me taken care of......she'll make us marry......but I don't want to.....! Not for this...... Somehow, it made everything seem worse…..A knock at the front door stifled and stilled her thoughts, and she peeked through the curtain. "It's Tea…." Hm?
The door was swung open with a lingering creak. "Hi, Serenity! I hope you're not busy. I heard you were sick, so I brought some chicken soup for you." Tea smiled, holding out a red and white thermos.
Sick….Serenity smiled back, clicking it on automatically, and bowed in thanks to the older girl. "That was very thoughtful of you…..thanks. Um, come in." It was pretty bad outside, snow was piling up and cold. Tea shook out her old yellow cap, and wiped her snow boots on the doormat.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Tea greeted Mrs. Wheeler. "Hello! Remember me?"
"Oh….yes….'Tea', was it?" The woman nodded, smiled back. " The dancer. I remember." To Serenity she said, "Dear, I'll be back in a few.......I need to run to the clinic. Goodbye, Tea."
Serenity nodded, slowly back, having a sinking feeling she knew what Mom was getting, but, it was best to humor her, for now. Her mother's pushing wasn't a problem. In the end, it's my decision.No matter what. I have to be strong. Now, I have to put my child first. I can't think of myself, now. Or anyone else. My little girl. I hope it's a girl. It has to be a girl.....! It'd go better with Seto if it were....
"Hello. Earth to Serenity." Tea waved a hand a few times, smiling friendly. "Where are the spoons?"
"Oh…..over here. Thanks Tea, I really appreciate the gesture." Serenity snapped herself out of her daze, and in a hurry. Can't be caught daydreaming….with guests.....!
"Well, um….." Tea looked uncharacteristically uncertain and embarrassed. "Actually, there is a way you can thank me….by letting me stay over here for a while. Just until after the wedding," she said quickly, rubbing her brunette head. "I can take care of you, while you're sick, and all!"
"Sure." Serenity took out a bowl and poured it herself. "Stay as long as you want. You can use the den; there's an extra bed there. I'd let you use my old room, but…." She took a sip. "I'm going to be staying here a while, too."
"Getting tired of pricey mansions?" Tea teased, sitting down at the checked table. Mai had told her Serenity stayed over there sometimes. Usually.
"Um, something like that. This is really good. Did you make it?" Serenity sipped the soup, sitting down for a friendly chat, while Tea nodded. "So, aren't you going to stick around till after Joey and Mai's wedding?" Tea shook her head no. "That's too bad. We'll all miss you." Tea smiled sadly and said she'll miss them, too. "Especially Yugi. He was a wreck when you left. But I'm sure he'll be okay and stuff...... Are you going to be a bridesmaid for the wedding?" Tea said yes, Mai had asked her and Ishizu, too. "Oh, yeah," said Serenity, recalling the tall, tanned mysterious woman. "Isn't she---"
"Bakura." Tea nodded, curling her fingers aganist a steaming mug. "He's coming as well. It's sort of exciting, isn't it? I'll be glad to see them all again." She picked at a flowered placemat, and Serenity had a feeling she really didn't want to go. "Anyway---"
The kitchen door burst open in interruption. Cold air rushed in swirls. A tall figure stood in the doorway. "Hey, sis! Ready ta go?"
"Ummm…'go?'" she repeated, blankly, while Tea said angrily:
"Joey, don't just barge in here, knock, you know!"
"Um, this is my house," he pointed out, pulling his bewildered sis to her feet. "C'mon, or we'll be late! Hup, two three…getcher mittens on....."
"Joey," Tea said irritably, peeved, "She's sick! Plus, she didn't finish my soup!"
"Sorry," He said, already wounding a long, colorful scarf around her neck and helping her with her coat, "Sis'll hafta take a rain check. Sure it was good, though." He slurped down the last of it, and hustled Serenity out the door, leaving Tea sputtering in outrage.
Outside, it was pretty cold, though it had stopped snowing. A clump of it stood here and there, as they drove down the alleyways in downtown, passing vendors and fast moving cars. He was, frowning like he had a lot on his mind, and she struggled to not throw up (from recently aquired carsickness). It was only mid afternoon.
Serenity now recalled him saying something about 'quality time' and had completely forgotten. Being his sister, she guessed he wanted to apologize. That's what he did after dragging people out like this.
Joey looked in store after store, but they were all full of people wanting to be in indoor-heated places. The windows were steamed, so it was hard to see. "Look sis," he said, finally speaking. "Rememba dis place?"
Serenity looked up to where he was pointing at: a creaky, burgundy-brown sign with "Ye Olde Shoppe" in bold, curling script. It was in front of a door with a glittering square window on it. She nodded slowly, sitting down on the front steps as he gestured. "It's front of the Valentine estate," she gestured to the curling iron gate across the street.
"Well……yeah…." he admitted, sitting down next, "but it's also where we used ta walk togetha down da street to school, remember? The path?"
"Oh…..right….." Serenity decided to humor him, but it really was in the town over. She shuffled her feet a little, remembering fondly. About three blocks……each way. "Joey……about what you said, when you were proposing. I'm not offended, really," she said with a little laugh. "I mean…..yeah, it hurt, but….you had perfect reason….to say it. I understand!"
"Naw," he said, staring at the gate, "If it hurt, it shouldn't of been said in da first place. See, sis, what I really wanted to tell ya is," he began, twisting around to face her, "…..I understand, I see it from your position. Of why ya had ta hurt me like dat. You were in love, an'….all ya were doin' was followin' yer heart. And now," he went on, while her eyes started to shimmer in happiness, "now dat I'm in love, myself, I know how it makes you crazy an' mixed up all inside, an' da only ding ya can think of is stayin' with the other person. An' nothing else. 'Cause ya care so much for dem. So much you might end up hurtin' other people dat chu love ta be with dem, even though ya don't mean it. Back den, I didn't know......." He rubbed the top of his head embarrassedly. "I guess I'm not good at sayin' what I mean…."
"No, I understand," she assured, barely daring to breathe, in hope. She put a hand on his arm. "I-I'm---" There was so many things that she wanted to say right then. Do the impossible and fit it all in one single sentence. "I--I'm sorry." She began to wail. That was the only thing she could think of. Apologizing. Somehow….it seemed fitting. "I-I don't want to lose you…."
Joey held her, thinking that she was crying about another thing, something they weren't discussing, but it didn't matter. He didn't want her to be unhappy right now. "There, there sis," he said, patting her head. "Why wouldja?"
"I'm scared….." she mumbled in his shoulder. "About……the future….what's to come." Her hand strayed to her belly.
"Everyone's gets scared about that….but the thing I wantja ta know, sis, is dat….I'm making a vow. From now on, I'm gonna supportja in anything you wanna do." Here, he pulled out a cell phone from his coat, looked down at it with a kind of scowl, and handed it to her.
"My….cell phone," she said, recognizing it. "Oh….I dropped it. Thanks. Fifty-two messages….wow." She gave him a hug.
"Ya didn't drop it, sis....." Guiltily, he said he was sorry and that she should call her boyfriend back and didn't even flinch, not once. "I just wanted to tear you away from him for a moment ta talk," he said, promising not to do it again.
"Well….do it anytime you want," she smiled, as they both got up again, and made their way back arm in arm. "I mean it." Taking his hand, she frowned down at it a little. "Joey? Where's your ring?"
"Sis, dat's only afta da wedding. Only the girl gets da engagement ring."
"Oh. Right."
Later.......
Dusk was falling as they drove back home, stopping for an ice cream (even though it was the dead of winter) her idea, not that he minded; he was always ready for ice cream, but even he thought it very strange to order an vanilla cone with pickles and onions on the side. Then again, as he licked his own pistachio and donut flavored cone, he asked no questions. a/n: haha! maybe joey's pregnant, too! lol!
Meanwhile, as he drove down darkening streets, Serenity gripped the phone in her wool coat, her hand turning slippery with anxiety sweat. Good thing he was driving so he didn't notice her biting her lip, so hard, she tasted blood. Seto…..he wants to talk to me……but I don't want to tell him yet…..God, what should I do? He's not an idiot.....he'll find out soon......The news….I'm afraid …..ever since he told me he doesn't want any children yet……..She swallowed her ice cream in three quick bites. Ouch. My head…..Head. Ouch.
The phone rang suddenly, and she was pressing her fist to her temple as she answered, "H-hello….?"
"Hey, Serenity." A voice warmly filled up the car. "Do you know where Joey is?"
"Mai." She said relievedly slumping back in the seat. "No---- Er, I mean, yes. Sorry. He's right here. Do you want to talk with him?"
"Yeah, but hold on." There was a small pause, then Mai said, almost shyly, "Tomorrow, I have my bridal fitting appointment. If you're not too busy, would you like to come? I mean----"
"Yeah, of course!" Serenity sounded flattered that she'd been asked.
"Since you're going to be my sister-in-law, and all!!" Mai finished loudly, excited.
"I know!" Serenity's face split into a wide grin, one not seen in a long time. "Eeeeeeee!" Both girls squealed happily in excitement, whilst Joey rolled his eyes in the driver's seat. Women.................
Done talking, Serenity handed over the phone. "Here." She grinned a ha-ha,-you-can't-hide-from-her-now grin. He made a so-what face and took it. "And Mai says she saw that."
Yeah right.....
"I did!" said Mai.
TBC
a/n: Well, I'd thought i'd end this chappie happy, sence there'll be lotsa chaos in later chappies.Cuz, next: Seren's secret comes out! Reactions.....will surprise you! Right outta your swivly computer chair! The chaos, mm-hmm. And afta that, 's when I get to have fun! Torture bishies Mwahahaha!
LordofBloodyHand, very interesting anaylis. why didn't he wear protection. Oh, he'll be asked that by the YGO girls. over and over and over. poor guy.....
BlackLightniing & Luthein-Anwaman, Mokie just going through a teenage rebellion phase. he'll be back to his sweet little self. eventually. Same with Yugi.....
anyhoo, congratulate me! i'm a member for a whole yr. now! Yayerness! Words written: a whopping 222,678! Jeez! and.....only writted 28 reviews? Um....b-blame the s-slow ficcers who update slow! Not me, though! (chibi eyes) I update fast! Yesh! So R&R!