This challenge was from Priestess Kaiba. The rules? The title must be 'Midnight Decisions'. It must be Tèa/Kaiba. And it must include the quote, "Do you want me to stay?"

I've included the alternate ending at the bottom.

Midnight Decisions

by Kysra

She had been committed to the sharp series of pirouettes when one of those pesky, earth-shattering thoughts from her subconscious-in-denial decided it would be denied no more, and suddenly, it crossed her mind that –

I haven't had to buy tampons for at least three months.

A simple thought with very complicated implications that effectively sent the graceful spin of her body out of control and into a fall to the side. The humiliation of such a faux pas was overshadowed by the embarrassment of being distracted so easily by a stray, probably inconsequential thought.

And so, Téa Gardner-Kaiba steadily rose to her feet, inwardly debating on whether to start over. That she ultimately chose to take it easy for the rest of the day had nothing to do with the aforementioned complicated implications of one possibly inaccurate ounce of brain sludge.

Or so she kept telling herself as she drove home – all the while taking extra care to follow the traffic laws.

- MD -

When Seto Kaiba returned home from work he could usually expect – without fail – two things: 1. Mokuba doing his homework to loud, screaming courtesy of his favorite metal band and 2. a welcome home kiss (and – sometimes – significantly more ) from Téa.

Today was different. For one thing, it was much too quiet. The silence was heavy and overwhelming, reminding him of dim days past; and for just one moment, he thought that perhaps the last year and a half of blissful marriage had been a dream.

However, the sounds of two familiar voices behind him settled his fears as he turned to greet them. It wasn't until he felt the gentle shove and saw the confusion bent frown on his brother's face that he realized his wife had spared him neither word nor glance as she roughly made her way to the kitchen.

- MD -

She had checked every medical book and every web page she could access. She had called her doctor and consulted her wall calendar, desk pad, and organizer. She had talked to her mother over lunch then cried herself into restless nap.

And now, she couldn't look at him.

It wasn't that she was unhappy. She wasn't even sure if her hunch was even an actuality; but she was worried. They had never discussed anything like this. For all she knew, Seto hated children –-

But . . .

He was so good with Mokuba. And so protective. There was so much love locked inside him, maybe –

She shook her head forcefully. No, she could NOT get her hopes up. It would not do to break her own heart if it turned out she wasn't. As it was, she didn't think she could take facing just the bare possibility alone.

Which was why she immediately latched onto Mokuba when he returned home from school, and dragged him to the nearest drug store to get –-

Good lord, she couldn't even think about it without her heart rate accelerating to speeds previously unknown to her save for when –-

That's how you got here in the first place!

Without explaining what they were there for, Téa had simply told her dear brother-in-law that she didn't want to walk alone and could he please wait for her outside? She had then ran in, chosen the first appropriate product she spied, and made certain to request double – no – triple layered bags.

The walk back to the mansion was silent though she was fairly certain Mokuba was on the verge of asking her something from the way he would glance her way from time to time before his eyes strayed to the bag(s) in her hand.

Her heart had skipped a beat when she realized Seto was home. It very nearly came to a complete stop when she saw the relieved look on his face. But as soon as the smile bloomed on his lips, she knew she still couldn't face him yet. Not until she knew the truth.

Was she or wasn't she?

And if I'm not, will I be relieved? happy? . . . sad?

She was beginning to think the answer to that question was more important than the former.

- MD -

Téa was acting strange.

First, she was pacing.

Second, she was pacing while he was making every effort to seduce her.

Thirdly, she was so focused on her pacing that was completely missing (and – notably – not responding) to his seduction.

Fourthly . . . Did he really have to admit to the fourth? Wasn't the first, second, and third quite enough? It was all quite a blow to his ego.

And she was still pacing as she had been since eleven o'clock just after she had taken her shower. It was now nearing midnight, and even though he was slightly frustrated, even though it hurt that she could be so distracted she didn't even notice his ardor, he could read the stress lining her shoulders and wanted to destroy whatever worries caused her to bite her lip and paled her face.

"What's wrong?" He was only slightly alarmed at the harsh tone of his voice, but he excused himself as entitled due to the current unresolved sexual tension coiling through his body.

She jumped slightly, interrupting her linear track, "I'm sorry?"

Seto noticed how she wouldn't meet his eyes, "Do you want me to stay?"

"What?" She seemed genuinely hurt at the question.

"Do you want me to stay? Here? In our bedroom?"

"Wh – why wouldn't I want you to stay with me?" Her voice was shaking and her body visibly trembled. Interesting and alarming.

Instead of answering her with words, he slid out of their bed. Her hands were clasped before her, fingers ringing fingers – a nervous gesture, and the stance of her body was strained . . . almost defensive.

If he wanted answers, he would have to take care of that first.

He smiled for her, wrapping her up in his arms before rocking her slightly, keeping silent, simply allowing her to feel his presence.

And slowly, inevitably she calmed enough to raise her eyes to his, "Seto? I need you to do something for me."

He let his fingers feather across her cheek, "Anything."

"I . . . left something in the bathroom, on the sink rim. Could you go in there and get it for me?"

Nodding, he stole a short – but warm – kiss from her before making the short trek to the adjoining bathroom. Once there, he easily spotted the unmistakable slim plastic applicator, and quite suddenly felt weak in the knees.

- MD -

The box said it would take five minutes.

Five eternally long minutes that she allowed to stretch into a full hour, and she was still so overcome with fear and – dare she admit – excitement, she had not been able to bring herself to read the results. Instead, she had sent her husband.

Her sweet, stubborn, dedicated Seto who only moments ago disappeared into the bathroom to do what she lacked the courage to do herself.

And as she waited, nervous and shaking, she tried to imagine what her life would be like if the answer was yes or no. In those brief but seemingly infinite seconds, she found peace with the possibilities and surprise at her conclusions.

Then Seto reappeared, that fateful stick clutched in his hand as his shocked face looked into her questioning one, "What does blue mean?"

Her answer was to sink down to the floor, hands covering her mouth, and tears falling down her face as she whispered, "We're pregnant."

ALTERNATE ENDING:

Then Seto reappeared, that fateful stick clutched in his hand as his shocked face looked into her questioning one, "What does white mean?"

Her answer was to sink down to the floor, hands covering her mouth, and tears falling down her face as she choked out, "I – I'm not . . ."

For long moments she was alone and burned by his stare, but as she doubled over, she was once more embraced in his arms. This time, however, she was not the only one shaking.

"Did you want to be?" His voice was hoarse and unsteady as his hands came up to hold her tighter.

"I w-wasn't sure . . . until just now," her breath hitched as she continued, "I'm so s-sorry."

She felt him kiss the top of her head, "Don't apologize. Now, do you want a baby?"

A nod before a hesitant, "Do you?"

His smile was brilliant and heart-breakingly beautiful. It was a response that spoke louder and more clearly than words ever could.

And as they stared at each other, lost in their own separate reveries at this momentous decision, Téa had the sense to blush for the look in his eyes told her that even if she wasn't now, she would be soon if he had anything to say about it.