NOTE: The last chapter! WAHHHHHHHH! I love this story SO much, and I know you guys do too! But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Thank you all so much who reviewed last chapter and even the whole story! Thank you for sticking with this: especially those of you that returned after I was cut off from To think I started writing this A YEAR ago! And now…IT ENDS! Well, read on! I hope this is the chapter you all were waiting for! Thus: the LONG AWAITED CONCLUSION (sorry!)!

PS: No, I did not get beta-readers this time. I just wanted to get this posted ASAP. Thanks again though for considering it!

Disclaimer: One year into this story and I STILL don't own it? That's just not right. Better luck with the next story….

Chapter 20: Fairy Tales CAN Occur

Tea sat on her bed doing her homework. It still surprised her that it had been a whole two weeks already since the incident where she and Seto had been locked in the school. Today had been their third day back at school: the streets had been cleared of the water and while some things were still being repaired, everything had a sense of normalcy back in the air. Luckily, Domino was rather ready for these sorts of incidents and they had prepared for the water break.

She still remembered finding her friends in the shelter:

"TEA!" Yugi suddenly saw her and ran over to her, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly, "YOU'RE HERE!"

"Her, TEA!" Joey and Tristan both waved, coming over to give their friend a serious set of noogies. Ryou laughed at the antics and ran over to hug his previously lost friend as well.

"What happened?"

"Where were you all dis time!"

She was bombarded with questions, and she rather laughed at her overly-excited friends.

"I'm fine, guys, really. In truth, Mr. Kamiah accidentally left Kaiba and me locked up in detention! Can you believe the nerve of him? I think my uncle wants to sue…but I think he's joking. …I hope."

"Your uncle doesn't sound like the type to joke, though," Yugi commented, remembering the many times he had been under the watching eye of Mr. Gardner at Tea's home.

"We're just really glad to have you back, Tea," Ryou smiled at her.

"I'm glad to BE back," she sighed.

Something suddenly hit Joey, "Wait! Did you say…you were locked up with KAIBA for da weekend!"

Tea mentally scolded herself. I should not have said that!

She was bombarded with more questions: more than she EVER wanted to hear from the guy's mouths.

After a couple beatings over the head, Tea answered most of their questions…to an extent, and they forgot the entire ordeal. Or that part at least.

She smiled fondly as she wrote down the answer to a math problem. Seto….

She hadn't forgotten him. He was still in her mind and in her heart. Even if they hadn't really spoken in the past two weeks. In fact, they seemed to have strayed away from each other.

Weird, considering how…close we got at times that weekend. Then again, being with someone for a long time…especially someone you can't stand makes you want to stay away from them for a while. I mean…I don't want to be far away from him…but I don't know what he wants. …I just wish I knew what he felt: if he feels anything at all.

She sighed and closed her math binder; finished with homework. She had the rest of the night to herself. Why not do some sketching for now? She felt like she was in a drawing mood. She went over to her desk to fetch some paper. As she dug through the drawers, she noticed something shoved at the very bottom.

She took it out and realization dawned upon her face. That's right…I hid this from the world the moment I got home…and got my backpack from school.

In her hand, she held the journal. The journal detailed with the times Kaz had hurt her. She had shoved it into the bottom of her desk so that she would not be reduced to its painful memories anymore. After all, her uncle had vowed to stop abusing her.

Of course…she had kept it for just that reason. She knew very well that people couldn't just change on the spot. He could slip up any day. But she understood. Still…that's why she kept it. Just for that day when he would slip up.

Though she hoed to God that he wouldn't.

She had witnessed the urges he had had, however.

Last week, for example, Tea had gotten a B- on a homework paper. As was required in the Gardner household, Tea, Kari and Rae were to show Mr. and Mrs. Gardner every paper returned to them. Uncle Kaz had NOT looked happily at that B-. Tea felt bad about it too, but it wasn't THAT bad, for ONE little B-….

She had seen the raging emotions in his eyes. And she had been scared all that night, just waiting for him to knock on her door and burst in.

But he never had. And Tea was relieved for it.

But that just proved that he had not COMPLETELY changed. He still had a ways to go. But Tea was patient. She would wait for him at the finish line.

Tea's door suddenly whizzed open, and she looked up from her notebook. Her uncle stood in the doorway with a horrid look on his face.

Tea's heart immediately quaked with that familiar fear. No…no, he can't have lost his wits now…. What have I done? What!

Kaz closed the door and marched over to her. She raised her hand to try to ask for peace, but her uncle grabbed it firmly.

But not…TIGHTLY, she noticed. "Uncle Kaz…what have I done now?"

He was silent for a moment, then relaxed, letting her hand drop, "You proved my test correct." He turned away, "I'm sorry for scaring you like that, Tea. I just had to know…if you were still afraid. And you are."

"Uncle, I'm sorr-"

"Don't apologize!" he turned around, putting a hand to her mouth, "This is what I came here to tell you. Tea, as strange as this sounds, and as controversial as it is to what a person should feel, I WANT you to be afraid. I don't want you to fully trust me just yet. It would break your heart if you did. I'm a long way off from being perfect, and I know you've figured that out. You're an exceptionally bright girl," he cupped her cheek, smiling at his niece/daughter.

"You are, through and through, my daughter. I don't care what bio-analysis says."

Tea smiled and hugged her uncle, "I can still hug you, right?" she laughed.

"Of course. I just don't want to hurt you, Tea. I hope you know that. Whether it's physically or emotionally. Just remember that I should be far from trusted for quite a long time."

As much as it pained her to say it, she did, "I'll remember that."

Her uncle then pulled away from her, placing a kiss on her forehead and walked out, only stopping to say, "Remember, the dance is this weekend!"

"I won't forget!" she smiled, jumping up and down excitedly. She was VERY excited about this, to say the least.

Once he shut the door again, Tea sighed, smiling. I'm glad you know that you're far from recovery. But…knowing that you know that…makes me trust you even more.

Bet you didn't see THAT outcome, did you, Uncle?

Tea sighed upon entering Mr. Kamiah's classroom again. She was not utterly sick of seeing this room.

She plopped down in her desk –the same one she had frequently sat in over the weekend- and made herself comfortable. It all felt so familiar, that it was second nature to her by now.

She then noticed a familiar form off to the left. Seto was, as usual, reading a book near the back of the classroom.

She watched him for a moment, smiling in spite of herself. He did not even look up. Seeing this, a veil of disappointment shrouded her and she turned her back on him.

Seto looked up from his book. He had seen her. She had had on a small and sincere smile. Life must have been going well for her now, hopefully. She had not come to school with any obvious injuries.

But what bothered him as the smile….

It had looked so…fond and caring.

He looked back down at his book. It must be my imagination. …It would never work out. …No matter what it is that I desire.

Finally, the day Tea had waited for, for so long had come! Tonight was the night of the party! Now why on earth would she be excited about a business party? Well, for starters, this was her first formal get-together. She wanted to prove that she was more than capable of becoming a high member of society and she wanted to show her aunt and uncle how sophisticated she really could be!

One day, she would be one of the people directly invited.

And for another, she got to wear this beautiful dress her ant had bought her! It was just what she had wanted! For once, she felt like one of the "beautiful people."

Before the whole lock-in incident, she had also been looking forward to finding a boy around her age to dance with. This…wasn't such the case anymore. She had found her love.

And who knew? Maybe…by the fate of God, he would be there….

It was a business gathering, after all.

"Seto, do we have to go?" Mokuba sighed as Seto helped him with his tie. Mokuba had never been one to learn how to tie a tie. He had always relied on the clip-on ones. But Seto had told him that he had to learn to tie one, to be in this company. Tying just had a more positive ring in business ears than "clip-on."

"Relax, Mokie," Noa replied, struggling through his own tie-exercise (he had…borrowed Mokuba's a couple times), "It won't be all that bad. Think of it! All these business partners could have daughters…."

Mokuba rolled his eyes, "Is that all you ever think about?"

"…No," Noa frowned, concentrating on his tie once more.

"Riiiiiiiiiight," Mokuba sighed as Seto finished his tie for him. Seto looked over at Noa and walked over to him, taking his hands off and doing it in ten seconds.

Noa pouted, "I feel like a two year old…."

"If you don't learn how to do things this simple, then you will be a two year old."

"Thanks for the moral support, Seto," Noa rolled his eyes, combing his hair now.

"Why are we going to this anyway?" Mokuba inquired, "It's just some dumb business…thing."

"We're going-"

"To make a good impression; possibly secure deals, and uphold the Kaiba name," Mokuba waved his head back and forth, mocking his brother as he said it.

"If you knew the answer, then why did you ask?"

"I wanted to see if you ever change your tune. I guess not. Scratch that off the Science Fair project list," Mokuba laughed.

"Ha, ha, very funny," Seto answered.

"I thought it was," Mokuba answered.

Tea opened the door to the family car as she stepped out onto the sidewalk before the miniature civic center, where the party was being held.

As she stood, the lamplight sparkled on her periwinkle dress, which tapered down into riveted flares. Pieces of translucent cloth were sewn onto the ends and hung about freely. It was a spaghetti-strapped dress, although the straps were a little thicker than normal, and showed only a modest amount of skin. Around her neck, a small-chained necklace was woven: its silver strand coming down to a tiny pendent that was a simple pearly, thin cylinder.

Her hair was only slightly pulled back and clipped together; the rest hanging freely, with a few, thin strands outlining her face. In her hair were a few pearly clips, and she also wore small-heeled white dress-shoes.

She walked up to the front of the hall with her family, where the host of the party greeted them enthusiastically; taking time to talk with each of them.

"Ah," he remarked upon shaking Tea's hand, "So this is the ever-famous Tea I have been hearing about lately. Your uncle has said some mighty nice things about you! You must be quite the intelligent young lady for him to compliment you so!"

Tea blinked and looked to her uncle for confirmation. He merely smiled, sincerely, in return.

She smiled too and backed away from the host as he greeted others.

Her family walked down the steps to the gathering below where other members of business were conversing merrily. Kaz introduced his family to quite a few others, and Tea just greeted them in return, looking out over the party. A few younger couples were on the floor, dancing. Other elders were chatting or drinking; some by the hors d'oeuvre table.

After Kaz began to talk more and introduce less, Tea broke away from the family (her cousins decided to follow suit, though in opposite directions) and made her way around, admiring the décor and the people.

"Hello there, miss," a boy coming up to about her chest appeared out of the crowd.

"Good evening," she replied softly, "I'm Tea Gardner."

The boys' face lit up, "My brother was just talking with your father!" he put out his hand to shake hers. "I'm Leon von Scharider!" Leon was a young boy in his preteens, who had his magenta hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a green suit with a touch of navy in such places that suited him nicely.

She laughed and shook his hand, "Oh, he's my uncle, not my father."

"Oh, excuse me," he blushed, apologizing, "I'm sorry about that."

"No, not at all!" Tea laughed, "Everyone thinks that at first. I mean, I guess one could call him my father. He did adopt me, after all."

"I understand," Leon nodded. "So…are you bored here as well?"

Tea smiled, "Bored? Perhaps slightly. Nothing interesting has happened yet. I was really looking forward to this night, though."

"Really? Trust me, this is as exciting as it gets," Leon waved a hand, "I hate these things. But to be part of the family business, I'm forced into this kind of thing."

"Really now," she answered, "So what would you rather be doing than being here?"

"I don't know…reading fairy tales, I guess. …Those are my favorite types of stories," he rubbed the back of his head in slight chagrin.

Tea's eyes widened slightly, "That's very interesting."

"I'm from a very superstitious background. Germans are naturally that way," he cocked his head, "My brother has a thing for mythology you see."

"Cool!" Tea laughed, sitting down on a bench near them. She patted the spot beside her, "Well, would you fancy telling me one of your favorites? I'm afraid I don't know many. My uncle refused to tell them to me. He is a purely scientific person."

"What!" Leon exclaimed, "You don't know many fairy tales! You poor, deprived, young lady!"

Tea giggled, "Young lady? Why thank you," she patted his head, "young man."

Leon blushed further. What a pretty girl…. …I think Zigfried ought to get to know her….

"Now vhere did zat boy go?" a tall man, accented in a frilly mauve suit walked around, looking for a young boy. His light rose hair gently lifted in the breeze as he walked, searching for his younger sibling.

He stumbled upon his brother, Leon, conversing with a pretty young maiden, who was listening, enchanted by whatever he was telling.

"And the prince was distraught at the fact that the "princess" Odette was still "dead" despite the fact that he had killed the sorcerer- oh, hey, Zigfried!" Leon looked up from his dramatic gestures of The Swan Princess and waved to his brother.

"Zhere you are, Leon. And who might zis be?" Zigfried motioned to Tea.

Leon stood up with Tea and introduced her, "This is Tea Gardner! Tea, this is my brother, Zigfried von Scharider! You were just talking with her uncle, no?"

"Ja, ja," Zigfried bowed before her and ea curtsied. Very distinguished German.

"Now vhatever could my brother have been telling you, miss? If he vas boring you, I apologize."

"No, not in the least! His stories are very interesting."

"Stories?"

"Fairy tales."

"Ah, ja. He takes quite a liking zu zem."

"So I've noticed," Tea laughed. "So, you're Leon's brother?"

"I am."

"And you are part of…which company?"

"Scharider Corp.," he answered.

"Oh, I've heard of them! I think my uncle transacts with you sometimes," Tea tried to be polite. When he's not busy with Kaiba Corp….

"Ja, ve have gotten zom ideas from him."

Leon got a sly smile on his face, "Tea, are you here ah…without an escort?"

"I came with my family-"

"No, no, I mean an escort," Leon emphasized the word.

"Ah…not really," she struggled in saying so.

"Oh, no!" Leon theatrically gasped, "You should not be left alone out here," he said everything so overdramatically; "Ziggy…you should ask her to dance."

Tea blinked in astonishment, and Zigfried replied, "Leon, I do not believe Ms. Gardner would like zat-"

Tea smirked, Well, nothing else to do for now, "Sir, I would be honored…" she gave the smallest of curtsies.

Zigfried looked surprised. "Vell zen…if zat is ze case…. Would you like zu dance, Ms. Gardner?"

"I vo-…er, would love to," she blushed slightly form her slip of the tongue. His accent was just so fun to imitate! She hoped he had not caught her slip up.

He brought her out to the dance floor and took her up in the waltz. Tea was quite surprised. He knew how to dance quite well! As strange a foreigner as he might have seemed before, he was an extraordinary dancer and…in a matter of speaking, quite easy on the eyes….

But Seto was the only one in her heart! But that didn't mean she couldn't look at men's looks from afar, right?

Kaz Gardner sat with his wife at a table. His daughters had gone off chatting and flirting and Tea had gone of God-knows-where.

"Up for a dance, Rika?" Kaz laughed.

"You know full well that I am not. I don't dance. And neither do you, unless you want your back to cave in," she replied, taking a sip of water.

"Yes, yes, I know." He looked back out over the dance floor nonetheless. He suddenly sat up in his seat, "I say…is that our Tea…dancing with Mr. von Scharider there?"

Rika's head jerked over to the floor. There indeed was Tea and Zigfried waltzing.

"I wonder how they met…and why that girl accepted! She doesn't seem the type to dance with men at first meeting," Rika stated.

Kaz smirked, "But this could be a great asset to the business."

As Zigfried and Tea danced, he decided to get some conversation going. He was not one to sit quietly.

"So…it seems as if ze party is greatly underway."

"Yes," Tea agreed.

"Hmmm, I don't see Herr Kaiba anywhere. I suppose he is not coming zen. 'E is never one to be late," Zigfried smiled in spite of himself, "But zat is just fine vith me. I am not too fond of him."

"You know Seto Kaiba?" Tea inquired. Well…duh.

"Of course," Zigfried replied, "our companies go far back! …How is it zat you know him? Or is it merely recognition?"

"No, no, I know him…personally," Tea answered. A little too personally to express….

"Is he as big a vindbag as he is in business managing?"

Despite herself, Tea felt a frown come over her face, "Not all the time," she answered. She knew the truth behind that coldness…and it was melting rapidly.

Classical music began to drift through the many rooms where the party was being located. A most familiar song to Tea suddenly began to play: a Canon in D Minor.

This conversation was turning sour…and the music was not helping her mood. "She stepped away from Zigfried, "I'm sorry…I'm getting a bit dizzy. Excuse me," she walked past him, feigning dizziness.

Zigfried watched her go while walking off the dance floor as well.

Vas it somezing I said?

Leon slapped his forehead, "Ziggy, what did you do now?"

Tea stopped at the doors to the outside gardens. She really recognized that song.

She looked out over the display of people once more, as if to confirm that fairy tales weren't true.

In a fairy tale, the familiar music: the memories: it would all bring about the person she was desperately waiting for. The man she wanted to see and speak to again.

He wasn't there.

Anzu smiled in spite of herself, Uncle never did believe in telling us myths and fairy tales. …He was right. …There's nothing scientific in them.

With tears beginning to build up, she opened the door to the outside world and stepped outside, to wash away the memory of the man who had played this song just two short weeks ago….

Not a moment later, three young men slipped through the doors at the entrance. The younger two, one raven-haired, and one sea-green colored, bowed hastily to the host who was still standing rather near the door and shook hands before rushing down the stairs.

The older boy, a handsome brunette, stepped past sighing at the practical "rudeness" of his brothers. He took his time in greeting the host, sharing a few words and apologies. The host laughed and patted his back, sending him on his way as a few more guests came through.

He scanned the room of dancers and chatters. He especially looked over the dance floor.

Not any familiar faces he wished to see.

"Ah, Herr Kaiba. You have arrived after all."

And especially not that one.

"Zigfried von Scharider," Seto turned, somewhat icily.

"Hmmm, it looks like Ms. Gardner has her facts mixed up. You're just as icy as ever."

Seto blinked, "Gardner?"

Zigfried peered at him curiously, "Yes…does the name ring a bell to you?"

"It might. But that's none of your business," Seto replied.

"I see," Zigfried replied. He was starting to see where this was going. It was all beginning to make sense now. Why Tea ran off after he had talked about Seto; why Seto seemed so interested in her. The fact that they knew each other personally….

Why not stir things up a bit with his favorite rival?

Zigfried turned nonchalantly towards the center of the room, "She's a grand dancer. Simply wunderbal." He glanced out the corner of his eyes. Seto had tensed up quite a bit: he could tell. The boy was jealous! It was simply a laugh!

Seto suddenly smirked, "Now why ever she danced with you is beyond me. It couldn't have been your fashion sense; your hairstyle; your brains or your personality."

Zigfried growled slightly. Touché, Kaiba…touché….

Getting right to the point, Seto inquired, "Where is she?"

This time, Zigfried was all to happy to answer, "Zat, I do not know. She walked off!" he shrugged.

Seto grit his teeth and made his way past Zigfried.

Only to be caught by Tea's uncle himself.

Seto pretended to be interested in what he was saying. Something abut a proposition…new software…all that.

For once…I don't care about the business…I just need to find Tea….

She couldn't even escape the music out here. There must have been speakers outside or something. She walked along the small, glittering pond, watching her reflection move along it in the moonlight.

People out here were scarce. Only a couples times did she stumble upon someone either enjoying the breeze or enjoying the company of a lover.

She could do no such thing. Her love was not here. She wanted tonight to be the night that she finally told him how she felt. It was more than obvious that they would not speak at school.

And what will I do if he spurns me? What will I do…if that weekend was all just a joke? A ploy in his mind.

What will happen to my heart? Can it handle getting torn again? It is still mending from my uncle's past abuses on me…my family's exclusion.

She stopped at a point where the paths crossed in an X-like formation. On her left: the sparkling, moonlit water. To her right, some beautiful, blooming night-lilies that shone the color of the moon itself.

She knelt down at the pool's edge and dipped her fingers into it, swirling around the clear water. The emotions built up inside of her. A single tear escaped her crystal eyes and dropped to the water below; the ripples flowing outward.

"Seto…I love you. If only you were here to hear that."

A pair of arms encircled her waist.

"And what if I am?"

Seto was growing rather restless. We have five days a week to talk…can we do that then? Why now?

Deciding to not waste anymore time, he held up a hand to Mr. Gardner, "Perhaps another time, sir, I need to attend a priority at the moment. Excuse me," he broke off, searching for Tea. Kaz just stood there, slightly aghast.

I did not see her in here before…but where else would she be? Seto stalked through the room searching for that familiar head. Ack, I should have asked her uncle. Then again, that may seem rather suspicious to him. I'll just have to find her myself. Shouldn't take too long….

He found himself on the opposite side of the room, facing the wall. A little ways off was a door.

Could she have…gone outside?

Seto opened the door and slipped outside into the cool night.

He shut the door quietly and looked around for a first glance while walking to waste no time.

Person drinking…couple making out…person sleeping –good thinking-…another couple kissing…girl standing- He froze in his tracks.

There she was….

And she was more beautiful than ever….

If he hadn't loved her before, he sure as heck loved her now.

Just seeing her standing there with her back to him; the moonlight transcending around her, lighting up her skin and periwinkle dress; the breeze tussling her hair just a tad…and the surroundings were perfect for her. Just the type of person she was, was reflected perfectly around her.

He walked…no, ran…no…somewhere in between…towards her. She was right there….

She turned towards him, and he stopped for a second, thinking she spotted him. But no, he head was cast down and she knelt to the pond's edge. He walked quickly, but quietly, wanting to surprise her, but not in the funny way.

In the loving way.

He stepped up behind her and knelt as well, ready to tap her shoulder, when he heard something that made him swear he was dreaming.

"Seto…I love you. If only you were here to hear that."

His heart stopped: he swore it had. It couldn't be possible. The words he had wanted to hear for weeks…had been spoken?

But…fairy tales didn't come true.

Then again…miracles happened…once in a while.

Changing position, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in towards her ear to whisper, "And what if I am?"

He heard her sharp intake of breath and she turned around in his arms to make sure this was the very man.

It was.

"I-I…Seto," she breathed, "I didn't know-"

He brought his hand up to her cheek and ran his thumb across it softly, with a gentle smile on his face. He tilted his head slightly as he bent down to meet her lips.

With tears of happiness now falling freely, Tea replied with her own passion, wrapping her arms around his neck.

With a small pause for air, each lover opened their eyes only slightly. Seto saw now as the time to return the favor:

"I love you, Tea Gardner."

It seemed some fairy tales did happen.

(See epilogue for ending notes! Squee! Hope that was a good ending!)