A/N: I own nothing. Yu-gi-oh is not, nor will it ever be…mine…

Sorry this was such a long time coming, but lately I have been pushing myself in college, work, and other areas. My time has been so darn limited.

Let me know if I should continue this. If I hear nothing…I will assume my long absence on this story has made you all lose interest. If you're still there I am more than willing to write more so let me know…Plus I finally found inspiration for this story! Yay…I hate writer's block.

This chapter is for Cat (: She managed to get my lazy mind back in gear and shoot this out. Thank you so much!

Chapter 18

All Fall Down…

It was quite amusing how easy it was to slip right into the hospital undetected. Then again, when Seto Kaiba took off the trench coat he looked normal. Yugi and Kaiba walked through the corridors, tackling it like one huge maze.

"It would make things easier if you told me what we were looking for. Maybe then I can help." Yugi suggested as the two seemed to wander aimlessly.

"I'll know when I find it." Kaiba answered sharply. His eyes wandered over the directories on each floor. Finally he found what he was looking for. "It's in the basement."

It wouldn't be a cakewalk. A person without authorization couldn't just walk into the records department and gain access to everything within.

"Why don't you just hack into the computer system?" Yugi suggested.

"Because, the history I want to look into wouldn't be on the computer system. Hospitals are only required to keep information current for seven years. This predates that. I want to look up something that occurred seventeen years ago. I just have to figure out how." Kaiba observed the room and noticed the sole receptionist. The records room was probably located behind her. He smirked as a plan began to form in his mind.

"Yugi, you seem to have a way with people. Why don't you strike up a conversation and then provide me with a diversion so I can slip in." Kaiba suggested.

The woman sitting there was mildly attractive, no wedding band… He was no flirt, so that angle would be insane to try. It was then he noticed it—a picture of a little boy. Could she have a child? Summoning up his confidence he strode over to the desk.

"Excuse me…I seem to be hopelessly lost…" Yugi cleared his throat, trying to gain her attention. The woman looked up at him, and blinked in surprise.

"I know you!" She cried up. "My son adores you! He is obsessed with that card game! He's going to have a heart attack when he hears I actually met you!"

Yugi smiled, perfect…

After a few minutes of talking, he asked the woman to have a cup of coffee with him, so they could talk about her son. She readily agreed and placed a sign in her window that said she would be back in 15 minutes. Kaiba looked at his watch. This bought him 10 minutes. He picked the lock and slipped in quickly to begin his search. He knew something was amiss with the death of Alexandra. Iolite didn't know the reason why her mother died so young, but Kaiba had a feeling it had everything to do with what was happening now.

He knew the exact date of her death through his research, but aside from it being labeled an accident, there weren't many facts. He found the box, with the date of her death. Opening the top he began to rifle through the files. Hopefully he would find his answers.

Alexandra's paperwork was there. Scooping it up, he tucked it under his jacket. Just for curiosity sake he went through the other files. A second name caught his attention. Frowning, he pulled it. Coincidence? He opened it and flipped through the first few pages. This was beginning to make sense. It also made him realize that beyond him, Raine and Marguerite—someone else knew Iolite's real father.

He tucked the file in with Alexandra's and made his way out of the archive.

"You can keep trying to butter me up, but Princess—it will do you no good. I know your schemes and I know whatever it is you want to do would go against your husband." Raine smiled at her tenacity. She was taking a new tact and actually asking for help, probably wanting to lessen Kaiba's wrath when he found out. She had explained how she thought of Conner as a major threat, but wouldn't explain why to him.

"It's fool-proof Raine! I mean, they both think I'm drugged. All I have to do is sit there stupidly and…"

"No! I forbid it. You won't be doing this under my watch with my authority. Instead, you'll behave and do as you're told. I swear you just love looking for trouble. Sad thing is you really don't have to look far—it seems to follow you endlessly." Raine practically growled at her. This was the fault of her governess and her father. No one put parameters around what she could and couldn't do. Now, here she was risking her life left and right.

"You can't forbid me Raine. Though I do honor your opinions I have my own mind and I out rank you." It was said so smugly. It was very unlike her. "I want your help. I'm asking for it. Doesn't it mean anything that I didn't just go off and do this on my own? I swear, if it were up to you and Seto I would be chained to a chair in some gilded cage…with a twenty-four hour a day surveillance system! I'm not a child!" Storming out of the room she slammed the door in Raine's face.

Rained sighed heavily. This was all so ridiculous. He should find out if a dungeon could be built to lock her in. Hell, maybe Kaiba would consider putting his wife in some type of cage. She certainly could do with learning some restraint.

Iolite stormed through the halls, not really having a destination. She was so annoyed with that man! He knew she was more than capable of handling this simple task. It wasn't as if she was going in without someone watching her back. It was a great plan—and it would save everyone so many problems. Her mind reeled, she had promised Seto compliance and to stay safe. However, if she could put this to rest…shouldn't she just take the chance?

"You look as miserable as she does," Marguerite commented as she walked over to a forlorn Raine. Sitting down beside him on the bench, she sighed heavily. "She's smart Raine, smarter than I would have thought being raised the way she was. I know it had a lot to do with you. Even though you couldn't be the father you wanted to be—you did the best you could." She stroked a lock of hair away from his eyes and smiled up at him.

"She gets that from you Megs…trying to use flattery in order to change my mind." Raine scowled at the woman next to him. "I think it's in the genes—the ability to make a man go insane despite having a sound mind."

Marguerite leaned in closer, "do I drive you insane?" She chuckled.

"Don't start Megs, or I'll be forced to tell you all the ways you drive me to irrational thoughts." Raine tipped up her chin and looked into her deep blue eyes. Alexandra had very light blue, but Megs had intense ocean blue eyes. Wide and bright and so innocent looking, but they were a simple illusion. This woman was anything but innocent and naive.

"Do you ever think of my sister?" She asked, turning away from him. "I mean it was love…wasn't it?"

"We were so young and she was so trapped in this world. Your sister placed her position in society above her own heart. Would it have worked? I doubt it. We were too immature and neither of us were strong enough to deal with the pressures of this monarchy." He glanced away and let his mind take him back to a time with her…Alexandra.

She had been his world, his only thought. He would have done anything to have her. Even when she tried to make her marriage work he loved her. He stayed back and allowed her to try. The futile attempt that it was. Alexandra needed love, and soon she found cold comfort in her marriage. What was even worse was—Edward loved her. Doted on her, tried everything to make her happy.

"You can lead a heart to love, but you can't make it fall…"

Words that haunted him, words she had said to him the night she came to his room and slipped out of her nightgown. Standing there in the firelight, he had no doubts of his desire for the slip of a girl—who was Queen. He stood there, motionless and terrified. Alexandra finally received what she had always wanted—fulfillment. Iolite was conceived that night. In the months following Alexandra and Raine spent as much time together as possible. She knew in her heart the baby was Raine's, not Edward's. A child conceived in love. Alexandra thought of the small treasure as a gift from God.

Raine sighed. Looking at Megs was like looking back in time. "Did I love her? Yes, completely and with all my heart."

Megs looked at him, tilting her head slightly. "Did you ever love anyone else?"

"Iolite…"

Megs giggled like a little girl and slapped his arm playfully. "I meant romantically."

Raine shrugged, turning from her. Honestly, he never gave love a second thought. Most of his life had been spent lovesick after Alexandra and then guarding Iolite. He never had the opportunity to pursue his own wants. Not that he regretted anything, but—no, he never had.

"No." A simple answer from a very complex man.

"Maybe it's time you did." Megs took the initiative and slipped her arms around his neck, kissing him softly.

Iolite stomped down the hall until she came to her bedroom door. Neither Kaiba nor Raine thought she was capable of having coherent thoughts or making her own decisions. She was now spitting mad, ready to lash out. Where the hell did they come up with the audacity to order her to twiddle her thumbs?

Opening the door, her blood instantly ran cold. Conner was there, in her room, with a glass of something in his hand. Wide eyes watched as he swirled the liquid and swallowed it. Looking like a true wolf he searched her face. She looked nothing like her cousin, Tatiana, who was plain and ordinary when compared to this ethereal creature. No, Iolite looked like she had fallen from a cloud, as if heaven had deposited her there. Funny thing was the girl had no idea of her affect on men.

Quickly, Iolite tried to hide her anger and awareness. Conner couldn't know she was anxious or completely suspicious. There had to be a way to get him to admit to his wrong doings. Lowering her lashes she stood there, immobile, and calm.

"Princess, how are you feeling?" Conner asked, a sneer growing on his features. How could Seto Kaiba leave her alone, even for a moment? Hell, he would be pawing her constantly if she were his.

"Tired." The answer was simple, so as not to give him doubts.

He walked over to her and stroked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Where is your husband, Princess?" He drawled, leaning in and breathing in her delicate scent. There was no heavy perfume around her, just a clean scent mingled with crisp linen. The girl had the scent of a fresh breeze.

"I don't know," Iolite felt her stomach turn. How dare he touch her, how dare he…

His fingers stroked down her neck to her shoulder. "Are you still in pain Princess?" He fingered the area that had been pierced. It was a gentle touch, nothing that would cause pain.

"I'm fine," she whispered. Fight or flight was trying to come to the surface, but she was determined to gain his trust. He would know something; he would have critical information.

"You knew that day…didn't you? You must know that you weren't meant to be hurt—why would you jeopardize yourself?" He tilted her chin up and watched smugly as her eyes fluttered closed. "Harm wasn't supposed to come to you—do you know how your people would revolt and mourn you?"

Heart hammering, she quelled the urge to deck him. He was close to spilling his secrets. She only had to hold out for a simple minute or two more.

How long had he waited to possess her? How many times had he tried to grab her? His father had tried to secure Iolite's hand in marriage for him, but Edward never allowed it. He wanted her to choose for herself—ironic that his own wife had been chosen for him. Here he stood, engaged to a woman he all but detested and touching a girl he longed for.

His hand slipped down and cupped her breast, squeezing it gently, as his arm snaked around her back. Her gasp caught him off guard, as did her struggling.

"Don't touch me!" She growled, pushing him away. The game was now over. She would fight for all she was worth.

"So, I see you're aware Princess. All the better—I can show you just how superior I am to that worthless boy who plays immature games."

He lunged for her, managing to grab her sleeve and rip it. Her scream pierced the tension in the room.

Raine and Marguerite were walking back to the main house. The guard Raine had set at Iolite's door was walking towards them.

"Aren't you supposed to be guarding the Princess?" Raine asked.

"I was relieved about a half hour ago, just when Conner came back. I just wanted to let you know that Roland is now with the Princess and Mokuba is with Tea and Simmons." The guard explained.

"Conner…was he anywhere near Iolite?" Raine had a terrible sinking feeling.

"He was up on the floor with the bedrooms, but I don't think he was anywhere near her. Besides, Roland was up there with…" The guard looked at Raine with apprehension. "You don't think…"

"Son of a bitch." Raine whispered the curse the first time, shouted it the second as he raced up towards the house, closely flanked by the guard and Marguerite. The closer they got the faster Raine moved, he had no idea why, but he felt as if his daughter was in danger. Nothing else mattered—he had to get to Iolite.

And then he heard her scream, his heart slammed into his ribs as his stomach lurched. Hand automatically reaching for his gun—he would kill the bastard. He was aware of guards racing from all directions coming up the back steps toward the rear entrance.

Raine looked up when he heard a shout. One of the guards called attention to Conner falling out onto the balcony, teetering like a tree ready to fall. He stood there, swaying a bit as the color drained from his cheeks. He approached the banister, turned suddenly, and then plunged backwards into the air. He twisted in a last useless attempt to land on his feet, screamed in horror and then landed on the marble floor with a sickening thud.

Raine reached the door, silently praying that Iolite would still be alive. As he pulled it open the Princess came charging out onto the terrace.

He stopped dead in his tracks. The expression on her face of pure terror was even worse than her cry for help. Her eyes were glazed over, her face stark white, and there was blood everywhere. The arm, which had been pierced by the arrow, was coated. It was splayed open from the top of her shoulder to her wrist. More blood covered her shoulders and neck, and her clothing looked as if an animal had shredded it with its claws.

No one could understand how she was able to stand. Raine reached for her, but she evaded him as well as Marguerite. She made her way over to the lifeless, wrecked body, a puddle of blood forming under its contorted shape.

"Hurry Raine…you have to help me…we have to hide him…" She was sobbing.

More than ten guards had gathered around the body and stood there in shock and outrage.

"I didn't push him…no…no I didn't. His feet were caught in the drapes after I kneed him in the groin. Yes. I meant to hurt him so he wouldn't…He was holding me down, but his knife was in my hand then…when he rolled over…it went…and he jumped, Raine. He did, he jumped…and then he staggered and…the drapes…and he fell backwards…"

She grabbed hold of Raine's hand and tried to pull him forward. "Don't you understand? We have to hide him! They can't see him like this! My Aunt and…oh God! I have to tell Seto…I couldn't let him…he touched me. His mouth was on my skin. Raine, I couldn't let him!" She was breaking down, screaming now and crying.

She leaned down and took one of Conner's legs and tried to pull him.

Raine walked over to her and softly tried to pry her hands off. "Let me help you love…"

"Yes, help me…we have to take care of this before Aunt Gertrude…and my Dad…oh God…I killed him…oh Raine…please we have to hurry!"

"We'll hide him, don't worry." Raine tried to reassure her.

"They'll never forgive me…My Dad, my Aunt, Tatiana, even Seto…I killed him Raine…I killed him…Please help me Raine…" She was so frantic but sobbing and breaking before his eyes. "I want Seto…" it was a strangled whisper.

Raine put his hand out to her, but she refused it, frantically shaking her head. "I'm not clean, he touched me with his hands and his mouth…"

Then she threw herself into Raine's arms. "Take me to get cleaned up…please…" Raine nodded.

"I destroyed him…" she mumbled as Raine gathered her in his arms. To him she was more like a child than ever.

"No, he destroyed himself. If you hadn't killed him Seto would have. He deserved to die."

"Will Seto hate me?" She hiccupped.

She fainted against his shoulder, even as he heard the ambulance sirens, and before he could answer her.

A/N: I am so sorry it took so long to update this, but I had had no inspiration as to how to get to this point. I know who did what but I was unable to set it all up. So, here it is. I hope you all enjoyed.

Let me know if there is still interest in this story…and I shall continue it. If there are a few of you still out there wanting this story…I will be more than happy to go on. If I hear nothing, I will assume you have all run off…