New Chapter- Although long and not as exciting . . . some key things happen in it . . . that will lead to other important aspects of the story . . . so stay tuned and a new chapter will be up ASAP!

JxMobsessivlyDuH!- I hope that your story goes well! Well here's my newest chapter( uh don't be too mad at how things work out . . . dum dum dum)

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO . . . at all! But I do own Abby . . . but she only makes minor appearances for I'm not to into the OC character thing but it happens! Behind Those Eyes- 3 Doors Down . . . I don't own that either . . . but I can dream.

Inspiration for this chapter:

"There's something I can't see
Something living in the way you smile
Behind those eyes you lie
And there's nothing I can say
Cause I'm never gonna change your mind
Behind those eyes you hide" Behind Those Eyes- 3 Doors Down

Tristan took a deep, long, sigh. He had just finished his first official photo-shoot and happiness wasn't a word to describe his feelings. He was just waiting for Duke . . . why did the guy have to be such a perfectionist? He grumbled at the thought that Duke took an extra hour in make-up . . . for a half-hour shoot.

Obviously there are some things that Tristan doesn't understand . . . like the fact that he has to DIET! He thought he faced hard times before . . . but at least becoming a serious model will make Serenity like him . . . he hoped.

His eyes glanced from the photographers and Duke to a nearby window. A very unusual sight came to his eyes.

Mai was getting out of Kaiba's limo . . .

It didn't make sense to him as he walked down the hallway and leaned against Jenny's desk. Duke soon joined him.

"Don't think too hard . . . or you're heads gonna blow up." Duke said as he hit Tristan in the back. Tristan shook his head and sighed.

"I just saw Mai coming out of Kaiba's limo." Tristan said.

"Well that's weird." Duke noted. Tristan nodded as the two watched her walk through the door. They saw employees steer clear of her direction . . . after all, word must have gotten around about her mood lately.

"Shouldn't you two . . . be working?" Mai asked in a slightly less irritable tone than earlier. In fact one could almost mistake it for playfulness . . . almost.

"Waiting for the photo guys to load up. . . plus it's our break." Duke explained. She just nodded numbly.

"So is it uh cold outside?" Duke asked.

"Yeah it's freezing . . . I don't remember Domino getting this cold." Mai said. She heard Tristan mutter something about it being because she was here, but she ignored that statement too.

"So that's why you were with moneybags?" Tristan asked before he could control it. Mai only looked at him perplexed.

"What business is it of yours who I'm with?" Mai asked.

"Only that Kaiba's like our worst enemy!" Tristan exclaimed. Mai gave a forced laugh.

"How is he your enemy there Taylor . . . it's not like you do anything . . . ever." she said in a hurtful tone. Tristan glared.

"Well he's Joey's and Yugi's and that should be enough for you." he said. Mai rolled her eyes and rubbed her temples.

"Please . . . " she said in an annoyed tone.

"Well you always did know how to pick em Mai . . . you know when your not off trying to destroy the world with some guy with funky hair that tries to kill Joey . . . you're with Kaiba . . . " Tristan said as she started to walk away. She suddenly spun on her heals.

"Tristan, I've had enough of this! I'm going to fire you in the next three seconds unless you don't shut up." Mai said.

"Or you'll send me to the Shadow Realm . . . I mean that is what you did to your best friend." Tristan muttered. Mai bit her lip . . . hoping that she wouldn't start tearing up right on the spot.

''Tristan you're fired . . . and if you don't get out . . . I'm calling security." Mai said in a calm voice.

"I don't care if you fire me, I just want to know why you were with Kaiba? I mean think how much that will kill Joey if he finds out!" he yelled. Mai just stared at him.

"Tristan you just don't know when to shut up! Joey doesn't care what I do. He has somebody. He doesn't care anymore. He never cared. When Joey goes off and gets married it's not 'what will Mai say', it's congratulations. If I get a ride from Kaiba because it was freezing . . . it's 'let's play twenty questions'. Well I don't have time for 20 questions. I have a successful business to run. I do not have time to yell at you and I don't have time to think about how things could have been. It's over, you didn't want it and he didn't want it. Now, you want to bring it up every time you see me!" Mai stated. She knew her voice would start to quiver in any second.

Tristan just glared at her. He was so lost that he didn't notice the burly man from security dragging him out of the office.

"He almost died for you . . . I guess when you were off finding yourself you forgot that." Tristan told her. His expression was one of sadness and before he knew it, he was being thrown outside.

Mai took a deep breath and walked toward her office.

She shut the door gently . . . and started to file paperwork. Her main goal was to block out every emotion . . . but it wasn't working.

Duke stood there, amazed at the scene that just played before his eyes.

He bit his lip and looked toward the direction of Mai's office. Then he glanced toward the outside door where he could see Tristan standing in shock. He went outside and gave Tristan a small playful punch.

"What?" Tristan yelled agitated. Bitterness was creeping into his voice with each word.

"Are you okay?" Duke asked.

"Can you believe she did that to Joey? I mean with Kaiba!" Tristan yelled.

"Tristan, calm down. She did make some good points . . . and besides, she really didn't do anything . . . " Duke answered. Tristan glared.

"Take her side." he said sarcastically.

"No man, Joey moved on without her. Don't you think that's why she's been acting crazy. Sure Mai made have made some mistakes, but she always thought that Joey would be there. Well Tristan, he wasn't. I guess that's how she accepts it." Duke reasoned.

"Whatever, I just know Joey will flip out if he finds out." Tristan said.

"If?" Duke asked.

"I'm not telling him!" Tristan said as he backed away. Duke shrugged his shoulders, unsure of what to do . . . but it seemed that fate was going to handle it. Joey just happened to be walking around that corner. His head was down and he was muttering but it was very low . . . so low that it was too hard to make out.

"Are you all right man?" Duke asked Joey. Joey looked up from the sidewalk and shook his head. He was surprised to see them there . . . in fact he was surprised that he was there himself.

"I guess.'' he replied. He glanced over at Tristan. He seemed to be in a sour mood as well.

"Hey Joey, your little friend fired me!" Tristan yelled. Joey looked confused.

"What did she do that?" he asked. Tristan almost answered, but he didn't.

"She didn't have a reason!" Duke hurriedly explained, unsure of what to say. It didn't matter because anything he would have said would have made Mai look bad in Joey's eyes.

"Well she just can't fire people for no reason. I bet it's because you're my friend. Yeah . . . it's probably revenge for hitting her car or something. I'll just have to go talk some sense into her . . . " Joey started to say, but it ended in a mutter.

"Uh and what will you say?" Tristan asked. Joey glared at him.

"I don't even know . . . it seems like no matter what I say, it bounces off of her. " Joey explained. It all actuality it was true . . . at least in his own personal opinion. Joey took a long look at the building before starting to walk away with Tristan. Duke stayed behind, lost in his own thought.

"You know? Then I can tell you the real reason I got fired. I yelled at her for the same reason. I saw her get out of Kaiba's limo. I told her how much that would hurt ya and how stupid it was. Mai totally flipped on me! She fired me after that and everything else became a blur." Tristan explained. He thought Joey would be proud of him.

"So that's her problem, she's mad at me! Why? I mean after everything I did for her! How much more can I do? Well you know what . . . who needs her?" Joey yelled as he stomped away. Duke suddenly arrived and glared at Tristan.

"Nice going man." Duke sighed.

"What?" Tristan wondered.

"Let's see, you got Joey and Mai really angry on the same day. I'm surprised you're still alive!" Duke exclaimed.

Later on that Night- At the Kaiba's

Kaiba threw his laptop on his bed. He was just glad he was home. He put Mokuba to bed and now he could ease his mind. He got out his deck and looked through each card. He tried simulation after simulation, and he still couldn't beat Yugi. He just didn't get it.

'Maybe Mai was right, maybe I should quit.' Kaiba wondered. He almost hit himself for that thought. Every once in a while doubt sinks into the CEO's mind, but he ignores it. He had been acting somewhat out of character lately. He didn't know why he gave Mai a ride. He figured it was just to make the mutt mad. He glanced over at his phone.

'I wonder if she's still working.' he thought. If she was still working, then he should be too. Somehow they became rival business owners. He always had to be on top, and Kaiba wouldn't accept failure. He got up and walked around his huge mansion. He saw Mokuba sleeping and smiled. Everybody thought he was heartless, but he wasn't. Mokuba was the only person he really had.

Kaiba went back into his room and went back to sleep. He would win tomorrow. He had too.

Day of the Duel

Mai dotted her I. She glanced at the paper and smiled . . . things were sort of looking up. If this deal goes through than she really will be more powerful than Kaiba.

After all . . . it's all about power right?

Mai gave a small chuckle and glanced at her watch. It was almost time for her to go. She sighed and wished that she had at least slept three hours instead of two. She was awake half the night . . . working on this deal . . . and thinking about what Tristan said.

She could hear each word clearly in her mind, and earlier she threw a wine glass against the wall hoping it would stop.

It didn't.

Mai shook her head . . . trying to clear her thoughts.

She moved on, what the playgroup said didn't matter to her anymore . . .

Right?

Mai walked out of her office and briefly told Jenny to tell any callers she would be back soon.

"And if somebody calls me about a business deal . . . make sure they reach me on my cell-phone. I'll be observing a duel this afternoon so it won't be any trouble for me to talk." Mai told her and she nodded.

She almost made it out the main doorway but Duke stopped her.

"Mai . . . we need to talk." he said.

"Well that's not something a woman who writes your paycheck likes to hear . . . you have five minutes." she said in a bored voice. Duke looked at her, stunned for a moment.

"I don't think you should have fired Tristan." he said. Mai rolled her eyes.

"I had a perfect reason. I don't need to tell you what it is. Would you like to join him Mr. Devlin?" Mai asked.

"No, I'm just saying that Joey was mad when he found out." Duke answered. Mai turned around and rubbed her temples.

"Honestly, I don't care what Joey said or what Joey does or what Joey thinks. I just want to be left alone. I mean you guys left me alone before. Why can't you do it now?" Mai said.

"Because we're your friends . . . wether you accept it or not.'' Duke stated. Mai raised her eyebrow and shrugged.

She hurriedly left . . . and now she was going to be late.

She arrived at the Kaiba mansion a short time after. She had muttered to herself the whole way there about them being such great friends. It was all in sarcasm of course.

Mai didn't need anybody.

And for a second . . . she stopped.

That way of thinking . . . it seemed all too familiar. She just drowned out Mokuba's voice telling her all about the duel. She handed the valet her keys without thinking.

Was she reverting to her previous ways?

"Mai . . . and did you even listen to me?" Mokuba said as he led her to a huge dueling room.

"What?" Mai asked . . . but her question was soon forgotten as she took in the huge view of the room. Bleachers were in a huge circle above the dueling-arena. Everything was silver and blue with huge big screen tv's arranged in different spots around the room.

But that wasn't the reason a feeling of excitement rose through her. She walked onto the dueling arena . . . it was concrete and of the non-rising variety . . . but she became fond of the ground after Battle City . . .

Mai shook her head to stop the thoughts that she knew were coming.

"I guess you can read a watch . . . right on time." Kaiba said as he strode through the room over to her and Mokuba. She suddenly became alert.

"Yeah . . . don't you think you went a little overboard with the whole dueling thing . . . it's just a game." Mai said in a voice that made her sound like she was talking to a child.

"A game that you could never win." Kaiba spat out coldly. Mai just rolled her eyes.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready to make your big entrance?" Mai asked.

"My entrances are never planned." Kaiba stated in a bored why am I telling you this tone.

"Uh right . . . " Mai agreed sarcastically. Kaiba scowled and walked away. Mokuba led Mai up to the stadium-type bleachers and waited for the game to start.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a certain group of people coming her way. She frowned and rolled her eyes.

"Mai! I didn't know you'd be here!" Tea shouted as she sat in the seat behind her.

''Course she'd be here . . . after all they are like best friends." Tristan replied. Mai just bit her lip and ignored him.

"Isn't that right Joey. . . they hang out all the time." Tristan kept saying.

"Tristan when are you going to grow up?" Mai asked, tension rolling off of her in waves. Joey sat in the back speechless. . . which was a first for him.

Abby was also there, looking bored. . .and Duke just looked confused.

"Hi guys!'' Mokuba said, waving happily. . . clueless to the tension.

"So uh Mai. . . what have you been up too?" Tea asked, trying to make conversation.

"Why don't you ask Kaiba. . .you know since were like best friends and stuff!" Mai answered in a fake valley-girl sort of voice.

"And I'm the one who needs to grow up?" Tristan asked.

"Shut up guys, it's starting!" Mokuba stated.

Kaiba strode in emotionless and Yugi came in with a slight smile on his face.

"Where's his necklace?" Mai asked. Nobody answered her and she figured she would have to find out herself.

"I will regain my title Yugi. I will defeat you." Kaiba yelled at Yugi, cutting into her thoughts. Yugi just shook his head.

"Life isn't always about titles Kaiba!" Yugi yelled back.

"Then why are you here?" Kaiba asked. Yugi laughed at this.

"I'm here because I'm a true duelist. I never run away from a challenge. With my friends behind me, I can't fail!" Yugi announced.

"You'll get him Yug!" Joey encouraged.

"Go Yugi!" Tea shouted. Kaiba gave them looks of disgust.

"Let's duel!" the duelists announced.

"Mai, have you seen them duel before?" Mokuba asked her. Mai thought for a while, and she realized that she never had seen Yugi and Kaiba duel.

"No, I haven't." she answered. Mokuba gasped.

"Your in for a treat! My brother is the best duelist around and when he battles Yugi, he gives it his all!" Mokuba told her. Mai just nodded.

Tea and the others were talking in the background. . . giving play by play action. Tea had a feeling that Mai was ignoring them, but she didn't want to say it out loud.

Mai was actually enjoying the duel. It had been a long time since she watched one. . . and even longer since she dueled. It seemed like a part of her life that she hadn't witnessed for a long time. . . despite the people sitting behind her.

At this point Kaiba just laid down a Blue Eyes White Dragon.

"Oh. . .you can do it Yug!" Joey yelled.

"It seems pretty hopeless." Mai said with a sigh. Tristan just rolled his eyes.

"Why do you say that?" Duke asked.

"Well because they are tied for life-points and Kaiba has two dragons on the field. . . and Yugi doesn't have anything except that face down card. He has to have a lot of faith in that one card." Mai explained.

"Knowing Yugi, it'll be something that will blow Kaiba away." Tristan stated.

"I don't know. . . he just doesn't seem into it. . . it seems like he doesn't want to be here. I think it's because he doesn't have that little necklace thing." Mai told them.

"No. . . that's just you." Tristan said.

They continued to watch the duel in silence.

"So Mai what do you think of the duel?" Tea asked after some time had passed. Mai shrugged.

"Gave my opinion. . . nobody wanted to hear it." she replied smugly. Tea sat back and gave a harnessed sigh, out of annoyance really. There she was. . . just trying to make conversation. . . but even that backfired.

"Did you see how she shot Tea down like that?" Tristan whispered to Joey.

"She was right. . . nobody wants to hear her opinion." Joey replied in a voice loud enough for her to hear.

"If you have a problem with me Tristan. . . then talk to me!" Mai said in a stern voice.

"Last time I did that, you fired me." he replied. Mai shrugged and gave him a look like she could care less.

"Tristan, calm down." Tea warned.

"No, Mai needs to know how stupid she's being." Joey added.

"Stupid? Don't even start with me Joey!" she yelled.

"Why, are you afraid of the truth Mai?" Joey yelled to her.

"No, I don't care about what you have to say!" Mai screamed.

''Good, I don't want you to care about what I have to say!" Joey screamed back. Kaiba laughed at this. Yugi glared at him as he played yet another Blue Eyes White Dragon.

"Yugi, I don't even know why you talk to idiots like that!" Kaiba remarked. Joey looked angry for a moment.

"Shut up moneybags!" Joey yelled at him.

"Kaiba didn't say anything!" Mai shouted.

"He called me an idiot!" Joey whined.

"Now who's afraid of the truth?" Mai asked him. She was smirking and Joey was full of rage.

"Whatever Mai. You can't just fire people just because they are my friends." Joey told her.

"I had a reason to fire Tristan. It wasn't because of you Joey. My world doesn't revolve around you!" Mai snapped. Joey just sighed. Yugi was having a hard time dueling with them yelling. In fact, he hadn't dueled this bad in ages. . . years even.

"Some friends, are they ruining your concentration?" Kaiba asked. He was smirking the whole time.

"No, I will defeat you even with them fighting! But wait, this. . . this was your plan! You wanted them to fight so my concentration would be ruined!" Yugi shouted as he looked up at his friends. Joey felt guilt rush to his face, but Kaiba smugly smiled. So what if that was his little plan. . .maybe Mai was right. Maybe he did plan mostly everything he did. . .this time it would pay off.

"Sorry Yug, If Mai wasn't being such a witch then I wouldn't have a problem." Joey apologized.

"Was that an insult Wheeler? It was quite pitiful."Mai stated.

"Ya know what Mai, you changed. You're a loudmouth who doesn't care about anybody. It's no wonder your alone!" Joey yelled back. He quickly slapped his hands over his mouth.

"I'm better off alone. If I would of waited for you any longer, I wouldn't own my own business. I wouldn't own all the crap that I do and I wouldn't be a millionaire!" Mai replied, full of rage. She was just upset that none of these people could leave her alone. . . and although his words stung, she had nothing else to come back with. Joey was confused by what she said.

"Mai I thought we taught you that money wasn't everything. I thought that we taught you about friendship." Joey said. Mai sighed and rubbed her head. . . she was becoming so sick of the friendship speech. . .

"Friendship? Yeah right. I didn't need friendship to make it where I am today." Mai snapped back.

"So our friendship meant nothing to you?" Joey asked.

"What friendship?" Mai asked. Joey glared.

"After all the crap I've done for you, you go and say we were never friends!" Joey screamed.

"Mai...I wish you didn't make me hate you so much. There I said it. The way your acting is driving me crazy. I hate you Mai, I really do!" Joey screamed. The room became silent. Kaiba stopped insulting Yugi. Yugi stopped talking about the heart of the cards. Mai thought the room was spinning, but it wasn't. She was usually prepared for things, but she wasn't expecting this. She was used to being hated, but hearing the words come out of Joeys mouth stung her. They hit her very hard. The room remained silent for some time.

She looked angry for a moment. . . and Joey thought he would be dead very soon. She just stood there, speechless. Did he really just say that?

"Good. . . I'm glad. . . because I hate you more." she replied bitterly before she flipped her hair back and walked out the door.

"I didn't mean it." Joey called back to her, but she was already gone.

"I think she did." Tristan noted with a heavy sigh. The group turned toward Yugi again. It appeared that Kaiba had left, bitter that Yugi beat him once again.

"Uh good job Yugi." Mokuba said before rushing off after his brother.

Abby stirred from her slumber. She never understood dueling, and it bored her actually.

"What did I miss?" she asked. The group only glared.