Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.

"talk"

'thoughts'

flashback/dream

...

"Seto." Serenity's small voice caused Seto to look up from his laptop and glance at the door, from where her head peeked.

"What?" He asked roughly.

"I wanted to talk to you." she said nervously, stepping inside the office. Seto frowned but put his laptop aside to show he was listening. She fidgeted.

"Hurry up. I have work to do." He said, getting frustrated at her behaviour. She nodded and spoke.

"I was wondering… if I could…" She hesitated, glancing shyly at him.

"Just say it already." Seto said.

"I want to tell Joey and the other about our relationship." She finally said. Seto's glare intensified.

"And may I ask why?" He asked with a sneer.

"I have never hidden anything from Joey before, and hiding something as big as this is very difficult for me." She said. "Besides, Tea knows and she hasn't done anything."

'Oh yes, Gardner.' Seto thought. His thoughts drifted towards the brunette. She had been acting very, very strange. Before this whole incident, she was always warming up to him, smiling at him and trying to make an effort to get him to be friendly. If not that, then she was exchanging witty insults with him. All throughout, she was always cheerful.

But in the past few days, he had noticed a drastic change in her behavior, especially towards him. Initially, she used to smile at him and say "hi" every time she saw him in the school hallways, but now she avoided his gaze and him. If they ever faced, she averted her gaze and walked away without saying a word. If that wasn't odd, she had stopped laughing too much. Infact, she acted sad and down whenever he stepped in the room. It was as if he sucked the joy right out of her. How was that possible? He always thought she had non-ending supply of it, since she was radiating with it. What was going on with her?

"So I want to tell them. Please?" Serenity begged. Seto snapped out of his thoughts and turned his attention back to her.

"No." He said plainly and started typing again.

"Please Seto. Just them and no one else." She begged again. Seto sighed. Why was she still here? Oh yes, he had kept her to find the real "her." He knew it must be someone close to Serenity since she had trusted Serenity enough to pull this off. Too bad it didn't work on him.

He had tried to ask Mokuba but the kid refused to say a word. Even when Seto told him that he knew Serenity wasn't the one, he didn't open his mouth. Seto then tried to get it out of the maids that must have seen the girl, but they also refused to help him. He tried threatening their jobs but Mokuba had already told them that their jobs were secure. So Seto was left alone to find out the identity of the girl.

"Seto please." Serenity pleaded again.

"Okay." Seto finally said and she squealed with joy, leaving the office to allow him to work.

After she left, he thought about the whole thing. Maybe the geeks knew who the real girl was. They were stupid and easily manipulated. It wouldn't be difficult getting information out of them. And seeing the look on Wheeler's face when he would learn that his sister was dating him would be worth it. Who knows, it might even cause them to break up, ridding him of her. And finally, he might even learn what was wrong with Tea. The advantages were many.

Serenity entered the game shop and found everyone sitting and talking as usual. Joey, Tea and Yugi were sitting on the couch. Tristen and Duke were on the floor and Bakura was with Mokuba, sitting on another couch near Yugi. Serenity had made sure they would all be there when she told them the great news.

"Hey sis, come on in." Joey said cheerfully, watching her enter.

"Big brother, I want you to meet someone." Serenity said nervously and moved aside to reveal a smirking Seto. The only reason he had decided to be there was to aggravate jJoey, and see his reaction first hand.

"I know that jerk already. He's Kaiba, class A asshole." Joey said and shared a laugh with Tristen.

"He's my boyfriend." Serenity slowly said and the laughter stopped. Everyone stared at Serenity and Seto, except Tea. She bowed her head so her bangs covered her eyes, making it hard to see her emotions.

"You're kidding. Right?" Tristen said with disbelief.

"No, I am dating him." Serenity said, slightly emboldened by their lack of response.

"What?" Joey screamed getting up instantly. "Kaiba you jerk, how dare you even think of my sister?" He yelled and advanced towards Kaiba to punch him, but Tea grabbed his arm.

"Joey calm down, hear her out first." She said. Joey turned to glare at her but then slowly nodded.

"Explain it Serenity. Why are you dating that creep?"

"Because I like him." Serenity said and Seto noticed Tea cringe at the words. He wondered why that was so. Serenity had told him that Tea supported her and was going to calm Joey and the others. She had calmed others but didn't seem so calm herself, neither did she look completely acceptant of their relationship.

"But that's impossible. How could you like him? He is a jerk." Joey said in disbelief.

"I just do." Serenity said. "And you'll have to accept it. Please big brother." She pleaded. Joey turned his head away in anger.

"Joey, she's your sister." Tea slowly said, even though Seto still couldn't see her eyes.

"I know and she goes off and does something like this." Joey spat angrily.

"Kaiba isn't so bad. He may act like a jerk but he's actually decent. Look at how he treats Mokuba. I'm sure he will treat Serenity in the same way." She said slowly. Her voice sounded plain, devoid of any emotion.

"How can you be so sure?" Tristen asked her hotly. He had liked serenity and now he found out she was in love with someone else.

"Because… I know. I trust Kaiba and if you trust me, then you should trust him too." Tea said and Seto's eyes widened slightly. Gardner trusted him? But why? How? What reason did she have to support him?

"Yeah Joey, kaiba has helped us in the past and we know he's not a bad guy." Yugi said supporting Tea who smiled gratefully at the boy.

"Okay Kaiba." Joey said after a pause. "I'm willing to give you a chance, but only because Tea and Yugi support for you. You better not hurt my sister." Joey finally said. Seto was compelled to say something but didn't knowing what it might cause.

"Thanks Joey. I knew you'd understand." Serenity squealed and ran to hug her brother, who smiled in affection.

"Hey Kaiba, why don't you sit down?" Bakura offered and stood up, leaving space for Seto. He sat on a chair. Serenity also came to sit with Seto. Now Mokuba got up and sat away. Seto frowned at his brother's behavior.

"I will go get some drinks." Tea offered and got up, but Duke quickly grabbed her arm and yanked her back on the couch.

"Oh no you don't. You're not getting away that easily." Duke said smirking.

"Yeah, so tell us Tea." Joey urged with a smirk on his face.

"How old is that "kid"?" Duke said with a snicker. Besides, Tristen smirked widely. It seemed like Tea was in some sort of trouble.

"I told you already. Why do you keep pressuring me?" Tea said glaring at them.

"Because we think that "kid," is not a kid at all. He's your boyfriend, or at least someone you like." Bakura said with a smile. Seto' head snapped in Tea's direction to see her reaction. Her mouth hung wide open and a small blush crept on her face but she quickly recovered. Seto also noticed Serenity stiffening slightly beside him.

"I told you there's no one. If there was someone, I would tell you, especially now that I see how I would be tortured if I ever hid him from you. So stop bothering me. I can't believe you'd think something like that." She said, crossing her arms in a childish manner.

"We just thought that since you were always so happy when you went to visit him." Yugi said.

"No, I just liked that kid a lot. That's all." Tea replied.

"Then why did you suddenly leave the job?" Joey asked slyly.

"He… he got another babysitter." She slowly said. "Now that you know, can I go get a drink? This inquisition has gotten me thirsty." She said and got up.

"I'll go with you." Mokuba volunteered and went with her into the kitchen. Seto didn't fail to notice the expression on their faces as they left together, and knew something was up.

"So Kaiba, how did you start liking Serenity?" Yugi just had to open his mouth. Seto frowned.

"We met at his mansion." Serenity quickly spoke, and Seto was glad she did.

"I'll go check up on Mokuba." He said and got up, leaving her to deal with their questions.

Inside the kitchen, Mokuba and Tea were talking.

"You okay?" Mokuba asker her, concern evident in his tone.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled a fake smile.

"He knows. He figured it out." Mokuba slowly said as he took out some pop cans form the fridge.

"I expected him to. He is a genius after all." Tea smiled slightly.

"So what are you going to do now?" Mokuba asked and she shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm going to keep ignoring him, like I'm doing now. Even if he suspects me, I'd deny it completely. He'll grow to love Serenity. She's sweet and nice. She would definitely make a place in his heart." Tea said.

"But all the space in his heart is already occupied by someone who doesn't wish to be there." Mokuba said, not once looking at Tea. She didn't respond to that. Just then, Seto entered the kitchen.

"So Gardner, I heard you had a job. Did you really leave it or did they kick you out because of your annoying voice and your constant and may I say pathetic attempts to help everyone?" Seto said, smirking. She didn't say anything. Instead, she bowed down her head and walked out of the kitchen with the drinks. As soon as she left, Mokuba glared at his brother.

"Seto, how could you say that to her?" Mokuba said with anger in his eyes. Before Seto could answer, Mokuba was out of the kitchen as well. Seto was startled by his little brother's behavior. This wasn't the first time Seto had insulted Tea or Yugi or anyone of their other friends, and Mokuba only frowned, sometimes chiding him and asking him to be nice. But now he had just blew his head over a small comment.

'Odd. Very, very odd.' Seto thought and followed them out. Everyone was enjoying his or her drink. There was one left for him as well. He took his spot next to Serenity and started sipping. Tea was avoiding his gaze and Mokuba was glaring at him.

"So Gardner, who did you work for?" Seto asked causally.

"I… I don't have to tell you anything." She said and got up again.

"Where are you going?" Yugi asked her.

"I need to look for a new job. I'll see you guys later." She said.

"I can help you with that." Mokuba offered.

"No thanks. I can find one on my own. Thanks for the offer though." She smiled at him and walked out of the game shop. When she left, the guys exchanged looks.

"She's doing it again." Joey said.

"Doing what?" Seto asked out of curiosity. Joey turned to glare at him, but Yugi put a hand on his shoulders and spoke.

"She is upset, that we know, but why, we don't know." Yugi said.

"It's just liked the time that kid went on vacation." Tristen pointed out.

"Vacation?" Seto raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. He went there for three days or so, and she was all sad and upset. She wasn't paying attention to anything, just thinking a lot. She really missed him." Tristen explained.

"Yeah, but then she got a call to come back to work, and she went back to being her cheerful self. Now she has left the job and so is back to being sad and all." Bakura said.

"Anyway, Kaiba, tell us more about you and Serenity. How did it all happen?" Duke asked and Seto rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"I had an accident." Seto said.

"Then why are you still here?" Joey snapped. Seto could tell he wasn't happy with his sister dating him. He smirked inwardly.

"Joey. Don't say that." Serenity said. "Seto was very badly hurt, and I took care of him." Serenity said proudly, as if she really had done so.

"Really? When did you go to meet him? Because I remember you were with us all the time." Tristen asked suspiciously.

"I went to see him after school, everyday for two weeks." Serenity said, hoping they wouldn't say anything to blow her thin cover.

"Two weeks? That's how long Tea babysat the kid. Right guys?" Tristen said thoughtfully. They nodded.

"Yeah, she was the one who was always running off after school. I'd think she was the one who was with you Kaiba." Balura said causally. Seto's eyes snapped wide open at that. She was at work at the same time that the girl was with him, and for the same duration of time as well. Could it be that Tea was the girl? No. That couldn't be.

"Tea… taking care of Kaiba She'd rather bite his head off." Tristen said laughing with Joey.

"Why are you laughing?" Mokuba said hotly, surprising everyone.

"What? We're just saying that Tea and Kaiba are always fighting so there's a greater chance that she would hurt him, not heal him." Duke said.

"No, she is not like that. She would take care of Seto if he was hurt, and she would help him." Mokuba said confidently.

"How do you know that for sure Mokuba?" It was Seto who asked.

"Because I just know." Mokuba said and walked out of the game shop as well, leaving everyone confused, and a Serenity sweating.

Seto entered the game shop, eyes scanning for Mokuba. He had left early that morning, telling him that he would be at the Game Shop. Seto found him sitting on the couch next to Yugi. Next, his eyes searched for Tea but she was missing.

"Hey Mokuba, why didn't you bring Kaiba to the church with us? He's a part of our group now so he should have been there." Duke asked Mokuba who shrugged his shoulders. It was Sunday and they all had gone to church, including Mokuba.

"Didn't Tea pressure you to get him? She should have." Joey said. This got Seto's attention.

"She forces you to go to church?" Seto asked them. He hadn't pegged her to be overly religious.

"Yeah, she does. She goes there every Sunday and takes us with her, even Joey. And she doesn't let him fall asleep there either." Tristen said laughing at the sour look that appeared on Joey's face.

I go to church on Sundays. Her words rang in his mind.

"Why isn't she back with you?" Seto said, his heartbeat increasing for some reason.

"She volunteers there." Yugi said causally and Seto felt his heartbeat increase tenfold.

On Sundays, everyone goes to church, so there's a lot that needs to be done. I volunteer to help them. That's why I stay there for as long as needed.

"But today, there wasn't much work." Duke said.

"Yeah. But she told me she was going to stay. She wanted to pray for her uncle." Yugi said.

"Uncle?" Seto said with a quivering voice.

My dad's friend became my guardian.

"Yeah. You probably don't know Kaiba. She never told anyone about this but since you're Serenity's boyfriend, we can tell you. Her parents are missing. No one knows if they are even alive. She was young when they went on a trip and never came back. Her dad's friend took her in." Yugi explained in a sombre voice.

When I was 8 years old, they left on a business trip, but never came back. No one knew what happened to them.

"What about her uncle?" Seto asked, already knowing the answer.

"He has lung cancer. Poor man. It's really sad. She loves him and is in the church praying for his health. She told me yesterday his condition got worst." Bakura said sadly.

He has lung cancer.

That was all Seto needed to hear. He marched out of the game shop, with Serenity yelling at him to come back, and everyone else asking where he was going. But he didn't care about them. He knew who the girl was. It was Tea. It was her all along. Now it all made sense. Her odd behavior was because she was breaking up inside, watching him with someone else.

Tea stood in church, clasping hands in front of her, her eyes closed. Everyone had left, even the father.

"Please God, help my uncle. I don't want him to experience such pain, but I can't do anything else either. Please, ease his pain somehow. Also, give me strength and courage to face the consequences of my decisions." She whispered. Her prayer was interrupted by a cold voice.

"You'll need more then that to face me."

...

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