A/n: Hewwo. Well, I just saw the rerun finally when Mai woke up, and that was a mean joke! Lol. Serenity is evil! Evil! It reminds me of when she (Mai) drew all over his face with Magic Marker and made him walk all around Spain with a mustache. It was only in my fic, though, for those who've read DTMSY…

Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh, so don't sue me.

Chapter Twenty-Two: A Night To Remember Part IV: Their Worst Nightmare, More Memories and "Er?"

I might as well check on the security cameras, Serenity thought. The maids were busy and besides, it would take forever to find Mai in such a big house-slash-mansion. She was headed down the second story hallways when she saw a maid bent over right in front of one of the dens and heard a clatter of silverware.

"Oh!" She stopped to help. It was dark and musty. "What's happened?"

"Erm, nothing, miss," said the maid gruffly. Serenity tipped up her face.

"Sheli!" She recognized her friend from the university class. "What are you doing, still here!" She looked abashed, so she gentled her voice. "I thought you'd left…." She just looked upset and didn't say anything. "Why were you pretending to be a maid and carrying silverware." Serenity helped clean up the mess. "Oh, were you helping clean up?"

"I was helping…" she said lamely. " I have some bad news!" she said quickly, patting the two shining buns in her hair.

"Bad…news?" No, not now…sigh. "…what is it?"

"It's about the university." Sheli took a quick glance behind her, making Serenity instantly on edge. "There's been a trial, your trial, and…" She shook her head and looked despairingly at her friend. "I'm sorry."

"No…" Omigod, I completely forgot! The trial was today. Serenity slid to the floor.

"Let's go over here." They went a little ways down the hall, handed the silverware off to a real maid. "It's only temporary," Sheli soothed. Serenity's face was white, even in the dim light. "They called it 'Maternity leave.' "

"S-so…I can return."

"Yeah." Sheli smiled friendly-like. "Eventually. Here, I'll tell you what happened."

They walked back up the winding stairway as she explained, and Serenity nodded as she listened, but it all sounded the same as they kicked her out. I can't believe it… until 'I can get my life settled again.' that's what they said. How am I supposed to do that? What is that supposed to mean? I can't believe I forgot to GO!

Sitting back down on the bed, she stared at a crack on the floorboards. Sensing she wanted to be alone, Sheli started to back out, then hesitated. Just then a whirlwind, of her twin sister, came in the desolate place. "Hey, I thought, S -- what's wrong?" Her mouth was gaping. Sheli took the chore of explaining. "Oh! So? Why so gloomy. It's not like, the end of the world!" Keli, a.k.a. the twin sister with the most frivolity, "Jeesh, Shel. Why'd you make 'Ren all sad for?"

"It is sad!"

"Pish." Keli smirked, tossed her long blue-black hair and put on some fast music soft. "You should be concentrating on other things. Like! The wittle baby in here." She stooped down and cooed at Serenity's stomach.

"Er." Serenity said, backing off slightly. They are always so different.

"Anyways, you're gonna tell him right? Right? And you're gonna tell the papa tonight? Right? So…you'd better tell him right! As in the right way…" Keli spun off toward the closet. "Now, what to Wear! Hm…How about this, and this, or this, ooh, this is nice…"

Flimsy, party clothes were thrown in a pile on the ever-wide bed. Serenity said another "er" but Sheli said it all of the both of them. "No way is she wearing something so-something so --"

"Think about it. Think about it! It'll remind him of the reason of why she's pregnant. Or how she got so in the first place --" she paused thoughtfully in mutual contemplation.

Said girl blushed bright red.

"Jeez, you are SO tactless! No way is she wearing these! Let's see… how about this?"

"…a business suit?! What is she going to, an interview! Mine makes sense! Right? Take him to a crowded place was the right idea; he's less too have a bad reaction at a restaurant with people around." Keli began to tick off her fingers; giving her lesson like she'd done it before. "What? Why are you both staring at me like that? Don't tell me you've never thought about these things!"

"Er," Serenity said, overwhelmed.

"No, of course not! Other people are normal!" Sheli said, angry on both of their behalves. "They also don't-- " she stopped. "Hey, where'd she go?"

Meanwhile….

A loud clatter from outside made Joey look up and pause. "What was that?" he said as he heard voices just right outside. "Didja hear that?"

"Sound like someone dropped something. Maybe we'd better get out of here and go home. Someone might be trying to spy on us." Mai said, with a wink, propping herself on her elbows with a sigh.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he agreed, aware that they were still in the Kaiba Mansion, post-party. That party was awesome.

But neither moved.

They were locked up in a stare that sometimes happened, a kind of no-blink game that children play when the first to blink loses. Except that they were both remembering, and thinking of something that happened about a year ago, when they were just starting to date…

Flash Back!

Bump! Crash! Bang! Mai's airport stuff spewed variable items: her makeup bag, clothes, a tube of lipstick and other accessories as she walked down the hallway to her gate. She was dragging Joey behind her, or maybe he was dragging her, forwards, as people stared at the spectacle. It was full of mostly foreigners, so it was an unusual sight. But for the regular Domino citizens, it wouldn't have been that much of a spectacle.

"Let go Joseph!" she said through a gritted jaw, still moving forwards. He did this so often she was no longer embarrassed, but it was annoying. But he held on to her purse like his life depended on it.

"Yer -- not -- goin' anywhere -- !" he panted. His grip was life or death.

"Yes I am!" She whirled around, her hair flying. "We've talked this over and over. I have to go to the States to start my clothing line over there, and that's final! So let go of me!"

"No!"

Crash, bang, crash, crash.

Her dragging arm was aching from previous similar experiences, and her temper was simmering. Now I feel guilty for leaving. But I am coming back! So what's he so worried? Doesn't he trust me?

"Look, Joey," she said finally as he got up. "It'll all be okay. You have to trust me on this. I'll only be gone for a year. At most."

"A year--!"

"It's not as long as it sounds," she quickly explained before he could say more and before they called her flight. "It'll be over before you know it. I'll call -- " she paused, wondering if she should make promises she couldn't keep. It wasn't that she didn't want to call, but maybe it was best not to, it'd drive him insane.

"But -- ! Mai--" he said, still out of breath from chasing her down to the airport. "Can I help it if I'm gonna miss you? When will I see your face again? When will I hear your voice?"

She paused and took a breath, sharply. He was making those sad, mournful looking eyes at her to make her feel guilty, and by damn, it was working. "Don't be so dramatic, Joey. Hey--" she took his arm, "I'm going to miss you too. But…" she played with the clasp on her purse. "I'm still going. Because I'm going to challenge myself to be strong."

"…" He stared down at his feet.

"Now, can I get a hug goodbye?" she said in light tone, spreading her arms.

"No, you can't," he said stubbornly.

"Please?" Her eyes were starting to brim and water over. After a brief hesitation, he stepped her and enveloped her in his arms. "Thanks," she whispered as she hugged him, "I'll be back…before you know it….You'll see." Then she paused, voice breaking. "I'll miss you very much." Sighing, she dropped her arms slack. "Joey, let me go."

If anything, he squeezed her even more in a vise-like grip. "…"

"Joey. Let. Go." Nothing. He didn't move. "Joey, I'm going to miss my flight!"

"Good."

" Come on… making this difficult… won't stop me…let me go." Final Boarding Call from Domino Airport for Flight 451…In the end, the airport security had to kick him out….because he didn't have a ticket.

End flashback.

As the memory faded, he found himself staring down at the carpet. They way their eyes met while he was dragged off by hoodlums. A year without her had been hell. But… in the end, he semi-realized why she went away that day. Because of me. "Mai… when we're married…you won't leave again, will you?"

She paused and smiled. "For my clothing line business?" He nodded, look up at her. "Of course I will. But this time, as my husband, you can go with me, if you want."

"…Really."

"Yup. But I doubt you will. It'll be very boring." She sat right next to him and took his hand. "You know, while I was in the States, I missed you so much. I kept seeing your face everywhere."

He cheered up instantly. "Really? So did I. I saw your face in my salad."

"I saw yours in my tomato soup."

"Didja eat it afterwards?"

"Of course not. Did you?"

He nodded. She grinned and gave him a playful soft shove. "Silly! Figures. You're not supposed to eat me!"

"What, you didn't?" He squeezed her hand when she started to get up, his voice solemn. "Mai… I don't want you to leave me like that ever again."

"Trust me, I won't. You made such a fuss, what with not letting go of me."

"I won't ever let go of you." His eyes met hers.

"I know," she whispered, touching his chin. "Same goes for you, buster." There was a silence where they were both trying to say something, but nothing came out. "We'd better get going."

"You'd better button yer blouse before."

She looked down. Only one, the top one, was undone. He grinned, and she made a face at him. "Somebody did that, do you know who?" Mai fixed it as they stepped out into the half-lit extravagant hallway. They were breathing in the cold air when someone bumped into them.

"Serenity!"

"Oh, there you are, Mai!" she cried.

"Nice to see you too, sis."

"Oh… hi, Joey." Serenity's eyes were suddenly shiny. "That's the first time you've called me…. er, never mind. C'mon, Mai."

"This is a girl thing," Mai said winking while she was dragged away by Serenity. The family had a thing with dragging people. "I'll be back in a few minutes, honey."

He nodded and spread his hands in the air and the girls were met by the two still-squabbling twins.

"Help."

"Okay, what is going on here?" Mai said abruptly, stopping their chatter. Sheli was glaring, and Keli did the honors. "Okay…. Mm-hmm," she nodded as they explained the event. "Right, right…. Okay, this what you have to do, Serenity…my advice is…" She rushed said girl into the lavish bathroom. Exactly fifteen minutes later, Serenity came out looking like a fairy tale princess. Pressed and curled for a night at exorbitant Mendy's Restaurant and Bar. Both twins, finally agreeing that she looked breathtaking, Serenity checked her watch.

"Omigod! I'm half an hour late! See ya!" She rushed off and a limo screeched up on the pavement.

"Good luck!" They chorused in unison.

Meanwhile…

During the duel, Yugi was aware of something curious. Though Kaiba dueled mostly in the same way, he'd changed. In some indescribable was. Maybe it was the inner calm he projected. Thought the blue eyes gleamed as always with power-hunger, Yugi could detect something else different. Maybe it was the smile that threw him off. Kaiba really seemed to be enjoying himself. And who knew, maybe one day with his title, the one that he sought after for so long, Kaiba would hold it for good instead of evil.

Maybe I should test to make sure. Before Yugi's grandfather's death, Kaiba had acted nearly civil to others for a while. Then, for some reason, he'd put up this relentless pursuit for title World's Greatest Duelist. Yugi glanced sideways at Tea, at her expression. If looks could kill…Kaiba would have many bullet holes and arrows in his chest. If she only knew that Kaiba was the one who'd badgered Mr. Moto into an early grave! Well, he was over 100, but still.

. Before Yugi's grandfather's death, Kaiba had acted civil to others for a while. Then, for some reason, he'd put up this relentless pursuit for title World's Greatest Duelist. Yugi glanced sideways at Tea, at her expression. Kaiba would have many bullet holes and arrows in his chest. If she only knew that Kaiba was the one who'd badgered Mr. Moto into an early grave!

"I do have some good plans for my soon-won title, Moto," Kaiba said as if reading his mind. "You'll be happy, to know, that I'm starting a Duel School in Domino soon, then all over the world!" Only he can make it sound like a plot to take it over, Yugi thought.

"Good, then your kid can attend it soon." Recrossing her already crossed arms, Tea was the one who said it.

Kaiba glared sharply at her.

"…Yugi." She finished, still pretending but really talking to Kaiba, obviously by the way she looking at him sarcastically. "I was talking to Yugi."

Kaiba said, "She's this close to getting thrown out, Motou." He held up fingers that were barely an inch apart. "If she doesn't shut up. I've had enough of her lies."

Yugi threw Tea an apologetic glance and shook his head, slowly. She bristled, and bit her tongue too sharp. I'm sorry, Yugi, she apologized silently, but this idiot makes me so damn mad sometimes! Her fingers drummed on the chrome metal. I want to be sure before I leave for New York that she'll be okay. But the clueless idiot keeps denying the truth. No surprise there, though. Serenity's my friend, and I have to be sure she doesn't get stuck taking care of HIS kid. Instead he prefers to keeps his head in the sand like an ostrich, or walks around with it up his ass. Tapping her fingernails, she shuddered with distaste. I won't say any more, but if he doesn't realize it soon, there's gonna be brawling and my foot will wind up up his --

Luckily, Kaiba couldn't read such malicious thoughts as he could judge Yugi's. "I place two cards…."

Yugi drew a card slowly. He gaped at his hand. Play of Rebellion, Transfer of Magick? These weren't his cards! Yami's….! He shot a glance quickly at Tea, who seemed to find the ceiling very interesting. How was he supposed to lose ….with these? They were too powerful!

But if I don't play something, Kaiba will get suspicious…and he'll never give up his dream. Okay… he thought, place cards face down. I just don't have to activate it, that's all.

"End my turn." Might as well finish this. "Place my Blocken in play. In Attack."

Kaiba raised his eyebrows at this, it was way too early to play either Deck Master and he was suspicious. Yugi instantly tried to rearrange his features into thinking he had some sort of plan.

…It worked. "Well, Motou…" he said slowly. "I guess it would be best to end this quickly…. Yugi. I have an appointment that I'm late for."

"Yeah?!" Yugi tried to make his voice sound as challenging as possible, without being too eager. SO many times they had battled, and not once he was eagerly awaiting defeat against Kaiba.

Tea wasn't fooled, though. Is it possible that Yugi…wants to lose? She thought with a sideways glance at said boy. He is avoiding my look….

So it must be true.

Well…not on my watch!

I mean…. I know this is important for him. I know he thinks he can' t defeat Kaiba…alone. Without Yami, I mean. Well…that's why I'm here! Besides…. She fiddled with the zipper on her warm-up jacket. It'll be a good healing process for him.

Her head jerked when Kaiba was saying, "See, I've studied your ways, Yugi. And although you do manage a few great hits, most of the time, you have to pay some life points for it. And that takes you down to 0. But at the last minute, you manage to turn things around…" he paused, clearly composing himself. "But I noticed a flaw. It is so simple, I couldn't believe it…"

Yugi interrupted him after while, " You have predictable flaws. You're so greedy; not only do you want to win all the time, it has to be in exactly the way you've planned out or …nothing."

Kaiba scowled.

"…That's not how always life works. Life isn't all chosen. It's always is your down--" He paused suddenly in the silence. "I don't know why I'm wasting words. I might as well be talking to a wall, for all it'll listen."

"Oh, I listen all right. And you're wrong. Because now I'll settle for just a win." Kaiba rasped, "And now are you ready to lose?"

"Yes," Yugi said honestly. Luckily, Kaiba thought he was being sarcastic. Tea bit her lip.

"Good. 'Cause you will. I attack with my Different Dimension Dragon! Destroy his Blocken my beast!" There was a roar and a fizzle of sparks and then Kaiba's voice again. "Of course," he said silkily as screeches rose in surround-sound, "there is a new features to my Dueling Disks…you'll see what I mean, personally."

"What do you mean?!" Yugi shouted over the noise of dying monsters. He was more afraid now than of being defeated. Kaiba, in his sinister ways, usually involved going head to head with the monsters, and scaring his opponents out of their wits.

That's what I'm most afraid of…

"Why screens, that's all. You see, I'm revolutionizing Duel Monsters to be played anywhere, anytime, without having to face the opponent. So, you could be playing someone far, far away like Russia and never have to see them to defeat."

"That makes it no fun." Yugi muttered, staring at the screens that covered his view of his opponent. There was one with something… with him! inside and staring at a graveyard…

"Like it?" Kaiba's voice rose tauntingly. "Whenever one of your monsters goes to the cemetery, so do you... on screen...."

"No!" Tea cried as Yugi was frozen unblinkingly solid. He couldn't take his eyes off the tombstone…with his name on it. She remembered his newly acquired phobia of death, because of his grandpa. "You idiot! You'll make him as crazy as you, he has hypochondria!!"

"Really?" Kaiba looked bored, but his voice held all the amusement in the world, "I didn't notice."

Yeah right! Furious at his smirking gaze, Tea started to rant. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs....

"Relax, Gardener. He's already lost his deck master, and that counts as a monster, too." Kaiba explained, "so his life points are down to zero as well. And now the realistic image of his worst nightmare is coming true before he's eyes." Yugi started to gasp, clutching his throat and panicking. "And he has two minutes to recover." His checked his watch nonchalantly.

"Oh really? Well, don't tell me to relax, you idiot!" Tea said, shaking Yugi out of his stupor…trying to. "You shouldn't even be playing. You should be buying diapers… with Serenity, mind you, instead of harassing Yugi all the time! Get your priorities straight! God, you're about to become a FATHER!"

Her disgust in her tone, especially at the last statement, made him flinch, but also made him grit his teeth… against the actuality of the words. But the seeds of doubt were already planted. His smile faded swiftly and he was staring wide and unblinkingly. Could it be…True? She had been acting funny… not to mention-mention… eating all sorts of horrible concoctions… of pickles and a-and…

No, nonono it can't! But those words fell uselessly against the rising tide… of doubt. No… it was reduced to a faint whisper as sweatslid down ….

…. Not, now….

..I'm about to w...win...

A/n: Heh. I like how she scares the beejeezus out of everyone...'cept Yugi. I know in the anime and manga Tea doesn't hate Kaiba all that much, but… her rants and inner comments amuse me. Also she's kinda a tomboy in this fic, since she always hangs around with boys, and prefers the company of them. But that's ok cause I'm something of a tomboy myself!
Well, I was gonna have a big Kaiba/Yugi battle, but…. This not being an action fic, I decided not to. I do like the card game but… oh well. I no good at writing duels anyway.
So! Did Yugi lose? His LP is 0, deck master gone…looks like it… (smirk) you have to wait and see! Yeah yeah cliffies suck. See ya then!