Chapter Nine: Courage

I DON'T OWN YGO!

Serenity wakes up a few weeks later and looks around her room. She smiles as she thinks about the weeks spent with Yugi, before getting up and using her crutches to walk into the bathroom. Serenity wrinkles her nose as she turns on the shower, before wrapping up her pink cast in plastic and getting in. Yugi knocks on her door and then blushes as he hears the shower running. He turns around to Tristan and shrugs.

"She's taking a shower. Look go downstairs and I will tell her you're here."

An hour later Serenity pulls on a white long-sleeved tunic and a vintage denim skirt. She dries her hair and then grins, leaving it looking windswept and messy. After pulling on a single white ked, she opens her bedroom door and hobbles over to Yugi's room. Yugi looks up from his duel deck as he hears the crutches, and runs over to open the door. He grins as he looks at her flushed cheeks.

"Hey Serenity…"

She smiles at him, her hazel eyes dancing. "Hey Yug. Can you uh…?"

Yugi grins and helps her over to his desk. "You have some company."

Serenity sits down and props up her crutches. "Who? Joey?"

Yugi shakes his head and leans against the desk before looking down at her. "Tristan."

Serenity sighs and leans her head against Yugi's side. "Oh. I really don't want to see him."

Yugi grins as he runs his fingers through her hair. "You and I both know that if you don't see him…"

Serenity nods. "Same with Tea…"

Yugi looks at her. "Tea? What does she have to do with anything?"

Serenity smirks and Yugi runs a thumb along her jaw. "You mean to tell me you don't know?"

Yugi shrugs. "Know what?"

Serenity laughs now. "Tea is in love with you."

Yugi laughs now. "In love with me?"

She nods and takes his hand in her own. "Not that I blame her, but I am tired of all this secrecy."

Yugi straightens up and helps Serenity on her feet. "You think we can do this?"

Serenity nods and leans into him. "I think so."

Yugi gives her a soft kiss on the lips before letting go of her. Serenity positions the crutches under her arms and hobbles to his door. Yugi opens the door but stops her from going out. She looks up at him and then offers him a reassuring smile. Yugi tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and lightly traces her fingers with his own. He walks to the stairs and then pauses as he hears his friends' voices downstairs. Serenity takes a deep breath and reaches for Yugi's hand before they go downstairs.

A/N: ... Please Review!