Chapter 32

On a late afternoon on Christmas Eve, Alex and Mokuba were finishing up their preparations and getting ready to leave the mansion. A couple of days earlier, the two of them had gone shopping for Christmas gifts for Yugi and their friends. Yugi was hosting a Christmas party, and Alex, Kaiba, and Mokuba were invited. Although Kaiba refused to go, he didn't wish to stop Alex or Mokuba from going.

After Alex and Mokuba put the last of the Christmas gifts in the limo, they approached Kaiba to let them know that they were leaving. Kaiba simply nodded, and Mokuba went outside first. Alex stayed behind and asked,

"Are you sure you don't want to go? I know it's not exactly your scene, but it might be fun, and we were all invited."

Kaiba smiled briefly and replied, "I'm sure. But you and Mokuba should have fun, and I will see you later."

Alex nodded and replied, "Ok. I won't push you to go with us, but take it easy. No working. It's the holidays, after all."

Kaiba replied, "I'll try."

Alex smiled and she gave Kaiba a quick kiss. Then she left the mansion and got into the limo, where Mokuba was waiting. As Roland drove them towards Yugi's place, Alex commented,

"I feel bad leaving Seto behind. I wish he had agreed to accompany us."

Mokuba replied, "Me, too, but bro would've felt uncomfortable."

Alex replied, "Yeah, I can see that. It might have been awkward as well since only you and Yugi know about us."

Mokuba replied, "Yeah. But when are you two going to make it public?"

Alex replied, "I don't know. I mean, it's not like we're going to keep it a secret forever, but the timing has to be right. Besides, I'm a little worried about how Joey will react."

Mokuba nodded and replied, "Yeah, I understand. It doesn't help that he and big bro don't get along."

Alex replied, "True. Well, we'll figure things out, but for today, let's have fun."

Mokuba grinned, and soon, the group arrived outside of Yugi's place. Alex and Mokuba got out of the limo and took out the presents they planned to give to the others. Then Roland looked for a spot to park the limo, as he would stay nearby Alex and Mokuba.

Meanwhile, Alex and Mokuba entered Yugi's home after Yugi welcomed them and invited them inside. Along with Yugi, Joey, Tea, and their other friends were already inside, having fun. Alex and Mokuba happily greeted everyone and exchanged gifts. The atmosphere was fun and light, and it was Alex's first time attending a Christmas party with friends.

After the exchange of greetings and gifts was done, Alex found herself next to Yugi. Yugi smiled at her and asked,

"Kaiba didn't want to come?"

Alex smiled apologetically and replied, "Yeah. I tried to convince him, but I think it would have been a bad idea to push him. But at least, he didn't stop us from coming."

Joey approached the two of them and overhearing their conversation, he added, "The party would have been over if moneybags were here."

Yugi frowned a bit and replied, "Joey…"

Alex sighed and added, "I know you two don't get along, but still. He's really not so bad."

Yugi replied, "Kaiba may have his faults, and maybe he doesn't consider us friends in the normal meaning of the word, but he has good qualities and he helps out when we need it."

Joey replied, "Why are you two defending Kaiba?"

But then, as though he suddenly realized something, Joey looked at Alex and asked, "Is it because Kaiba's letting you stay at his place?"

Alex looked confused, and Yugi replied, "I told Joey that your apartment is getting renovated, and Kaiba knew you needed somewhere to stay, so he offered."

Alex nodded in understanding, and looking at Joey, she replied, "It was nice of him to offer, and I'd be homeless right now if it wasn't for him."

Joey replied, "I guess, but it's not like you couldn't have stayed at my place."

Yugi replied, "That wouldn't have been possible with your home situation."

Joey nodded, realizing that Yugi was right, and he replied, "I guess, but Alex could have stayed with Tea. Her parents are out of the country a lot, and there's plenty of room."

Alex smiled and replied, "I wouldn't have wanted to bother her, and anyway, it's already done. It's just a temporary arrangement. Besides, he's hardly at the mansion."

Joey replied, "Yeah, Kaiba's a workaholic."

Thinking that it might be a good idea to change the topic, Alex asked, "So how's everyone been enjoying the break?"

Yugi smiled and replied, "It's been great. I've been mostly helping grandpa look after the shop, but I've been hanging out with Joey and everyone else, too."

Joey grinned and replied, "That's right. You should hang out with us, too, Alex."

Alex gave a look and replied, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

Joey replied, "I meant just hang out with us and not only come when you're invited."

Alex smiled apologetically and replied, "I'm sorry. I've been a bit busy."

Joey looked questioningly at Alex and asked, "With what?"

Mokuba approached the group and replied, "Alex's internship at Kaiba Corp, and since it's vacation, she's working there more now."

Joey looked surprised and replied, "Seriously? Moneybags is making Alex his slave now?"

Alex replied, "No, he isn't. I could have chosen to relax, but I like keeping busy, and Kaiba offered to let me continue working. I'm actually grateful that I can do something productive. And if I really don't want to do something, I can put my foot down."

Joey calmed down and replied, "I know. Sorry about that. You know how I worry about ya."

Alex smiled and replied, "I know, but you know I can take care of myself."

Joey nodded although he didn't say anything in reply. Yugi then said,

"Ok, you two. This is a party, after all."

Alex smiled apologetically and replied, "You're right, Yugi. I'm sorry."

Joey added, "Me, too. We should have fun."

The atmosphere lightened up afterwards, and Alex was able to relax and have fun. It was great talking to the others and catching up on what they had been doing during break. However, in the back of her mind, Alex felt a little sad and worried about Kaiba, thinking how he was alone back at the mansion. Technically, the staff was there, so he wasn't really alone, but Alex could only imagine that Kaiba might be feeling lonely. However, knowing Kaiba as well as she did, Alex guessed that Kaiba would never admit it.

As she had those thoughts running in her head, Mokuba approached Alex and asked, "Everything ok?"

Alex nodded and smiling a bit, she quietly replied, "I'm ok. I'm just a bit worried about Seto. I feel bad leaving him behind. I'm having fun, but it's not the same."

Mokuba nodded in understanding and replied, "I think it's ok if you want to leave early. Yugi will understand, and maybe you and Seto can spend some alone time together."

Alex blushed a bit, and smiling, she replied, "I'd actually like that, and I could give him his present. One of the maids is watching over it, right?"

Mokuba nodded and replied, "Yup, it's in safe hands."

He paused and then added, "You can ask Roland to take you back. I'll stay here with the others."

Alex replied, "Ok. I'll let Yugi know and then go. But I'll make sure Mr. Roland returns here, so you'll have a ride back later."

Mokuba grinned and replied, "Ok. You have fun with big bro."

Alex shook her head and laughed happily. After saying bye to Mokuba and then Yugi, Alex asked Roland to take her back to the mansion, and the two of them left Yugi's place afterwards.

Once they got back outside the mansion, Alex turned to Roland and said,

"Thank you for taking me back, Mr. Roland. Please return to Mokuba. I'll be ok."

Roland nodded and replied, "Of course, Ms. Alex."

Alex then got out of the limo and headed inside the mansion, while Roland drove off, heading back towards Yugi's place. Once she was inside, instead of looking for Kaiba right away, Alex headed straight for the kitchen. She knew that the cooks were just about to start preparing dinner, so she hoped she could get there before they started.

Alex quickly got into the kitchen, and as she expected, there were the cooks about to start dinner. She greeted them, and they waved back although the head cook was surprised to see that Alex had returned early. They were expecting to cook dinner for only Kaiba, so this was unexpected. Alex turned to the head cook and said,

"I know I'm back early, but maybe it's a good thing. I'd like to surprise Seto, so I'll take care of dinner. Why don't you all go home and spend Christmas Eve with your families?"

The head cook replied, "That's very nice of you, miss, but Mr. Kaiba would be displeased if we left work early."

Alex replied, "Please, call me Alex, and I'll take full responsibility. It's my idea, and it's Christmas Eve. You all should spend it with family. Also, didn't Seto say that I've got some authority here? So you can consider this kind of like an order from him?"

The head cook was about to protest again when Alex gave a cute, pleading look. He chuckled and replied,

"Ok, miss. We'll leave dinner to you then."

The head cook talked to the other cooks and then they all left the kitchen, getting ready to leave for the holiday. Once Alex had the kitchen to herself, she set about preparing dinner. She set about cooking all the foods she liked as a kid when she spent Christmas with her family, and along with the traditional foods, she made her signature cookies along with a chocolate mousse cake.

It took over an hour before everything was cooked and ready, but once it was, Alex took care of setting up the dining table and asked one of the maids to let Kaiba know that dinner was about ready. After the maid left, Alex continued to carry plates of warm, steaming food from the kitchen to the dining table.

As Alex was putting the finishing touches and such, Kaiba entered the room. He looked surprised as he saw Alex standing there, but unable to contain his joy, he said,

"They told me that a wonderful surprise was waiting for me. I should have expected it would be you."

Alex blushed and walking towards Kaiba, she hugged him and replied, "I missed you."

Kaiba smirked a bit and replied, "Of course you did. I know you can't be apart from me, but the same can be said for me."

Alex gazed happily into Kaiba's eyes, and the two of them shared a sweet, loving kiss. Then they took seats at the table, and Alex said,

"I hope it's ok, but I wanted to make dinner for you, so I told the cooks that they should go home for the holiday. If you're angry, you can blame me. Even punish me, if you want."

Kaiba looked teasingly at Alex and replied, "That is tempting, but I'm more than ok with this. We get to be alone."

As the two of them ate, Kaiba asked, "Where's Mokuba?"

Alex replied, "He's still at Yugi's party. Probably eating with the others about now. Mr. Roland dropped me off here and then went back."

Kaiba looked a bit concerned and asked, "You weren't having fun?"

Alex replied, "No, I was, but as I said, I missed you, so Mokuba suggested that I leave early. I got to see everyone and exchange presents. But you know, Christmas is about spending time with the people we love and care about, and it just wasn't the same without you."

Kaiba teasingly replied, "You're being sentimental."

Alex pouted slightly and replied, "I can't help it. Christmas does that to me. Anyway, I hope you like what I cooked. These are all the foods I used to have as a kid."

Kaiba smiled softly and replied, "It's delicious, and I love your cooking."

Alex smiled, and the two of them continued to eat and talk, enjoying each other's company. After they finished dinner and cleaned up, Alex turned to Kaiba and said,

"I know it's a bit early, but I'd like to give my Christmas gift to you now, if that's ok. Mokuba helped me with it, so I think you'll like it."

Kaiba replied, "Then I know I'll like it."

Alex happily replied, "I have to go get it, so wait for me in our room, ok?"

Kaiba nodded and after he went upstairs, Alex headed towards a maid's room. She quietly knocked on the door, and after the maid inside opened it, Alex greeted her and asked if she could have the present she prepared for Kaiba. The maid smiled and after a minute passed, she handed the present over to Alex. Alex thanked the maid and then headed towards Kaiba's and her room. Kaiba had insisted that Alex consider it her room as well, so she got used to calling it theirs.

Once she got to the door to their room, Alex entered, hiding the present behind her back. She smiled softly at Kaiba, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. She took a seat next to him, and after giving him a peck on the lips, she handed her present to him and said,

"Merry Christmas, Seto."

Kaiba took the present from Alex, and the present immediately meowed at him. He chuckled and replied,

"It's cute, like you."

Alex teasingly replied, "So you're saying I'm like a kitty?"

Kaiba replied, "In some ways, but you're my kitty."

Alex blushed deeply, and Kaiba leaned in to give Alex a deep, passionate kiss. She loved getting to see and experience this side of him, one that he only showed to her. In a way, it felt like a miracle, knowing how much Kaiba truly loved her and let down his guard around her.

After their kiss ended, Kaiba said, "I have a gift for you, too. Wait here, ok?"

Alex nodded, and after Kaiba handed over the kitten to Alex, he left the room to get his present for Alex. A couple of minutes later, Kaiba returned, hiding his present behind his back, like Alex had done. Kaiba smiled at Alex and said,

"Mokuba helped me pick this out, too, but I think he must have had an ulterior motive."

Alex looked questioningly at Kaiba when Kaiba showed his present. Immediately, it barked happily at Alex and laughing, Alex replied,

"Awww, it's perfect, and you remembered."

Kaiba nodded and replied, "On our first date, you told me that you wanted a puppy, so I got you one."

Alex happily replied, "He's adorable. I can't believe Mokuba helped, too. He must really want pets here."

Kaiba replied, "That is my conclusion, but he could have just said so."

Just then, there was a knock at the door, which was open, and Mokuba was standing in the hallway, grinning. He commented,

"I thought it would be more fun like this."

Alex laughed and replied, "You're quite sneaky, you know."

Mokuba replied, "You and Seto aren't the only ones who can come up with clever plans."

Alex shook her head and replied, "At least, it'll be livelier around here. How was the party? Did you have fun?"

Mokuba nodded happily and replied, "Yup, it was great, and there was lots to eat."

He looked at Kaiba and Alex and slyly asked, "Did you two have fun?"

Kaiba replied, "The answer should be obvious."

Mokuba grinned and replied, "Of course."

Alex then said, "There's leftovers and plenty of dessert, but I'm guessing that you're quite full, and it can wait until tomorrow. Do you want your gift now as well, or would you rather wait?"

Mokuba yawned a bit and shaking his head, Kaiba said, "It looks like Mokuba should get our gift tomorrow."

Alex laughed and replied, "I agree. You do look tired, Mokuba, but look forward to our gift, ok?"

Mokuba nodded happily and replied, "I will. I'm going to get some sleep. Good night."

Alex and Kaiba said good night to Mokuba as well, and after he left, Kaiba said,

"We should get some sleep, too. It's getting late."

Alex nodded in agreement, and soon after, the two of them got ready for bed. After their pets were settled at the foot of the bed, Alex and Kaiba got into bed, and Kaiba wrapped his arms around Alex while Alex snuggled close to his chest for warmth. He then softly said,

"I'm happy you returned early for me, and we got to spend this time together. I love you, Alex."

Alex blushed happily and softly replied, "I love you, too, Seto."

Soon after, Alex fell asleep in his arms, and Kaiba smiled gently as he, too, fell asleep.

Despite the lively Christmas atmosphere at the time agency, a rare time when people were feeling relaxed and not working, two people were absent from the annual Christmas party that was being held. However, no one noticed their absence.

In a small, darkened office, Cas and Max were meeting in secret. Cas was sitting at her desk while Max took a seat across from her. She looked directly at Max and said,

"You understand that you're not to disclose anything that happens in this room?"

Max nodded and replied, "I do. I won't even report to the bosses upstairs."

Cas concluded that Max was telling the truth, so she nodded and replied, "Ok. I've considered your request to be sent on the mission, but there's something important I need to know. It may affect if I send you or someone else, but I want you to be honest."

Max replied, "I understand. What do you want to know?"

Cas replied, "I'll give you a hypothetical scenario. If you had to choose between this time agency and Alex, who would you choose and why?"

Max was surprised by the question, but he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He thought over his answer and then replied,

"You want me to be honest, so even if that means you won't send me, I'll tell you. I'd choose Alex because yes, I like her. Ok, I really like her. I know that we're not allowed to be in relationships other than friendships here, but she's just amazing. There's something about her that makes me believe in her, and I'd put my whole faith and trust in her."

Cas nodded although she couldn't help feeling a little sad upon hearing Max's reply. If Max had confessed to Alex before her mission, things might have played out differently. As the case was, though, Cas thought that Max might have lost his chance. Still, she thought things over and finally replied,

"Thank you for being honest. I am going to send an agent soon, probably after the holidays. Be ready, just in case. You're dismissed."

Max nodded and after he got up, he left Cas' office, leaving Cas alone with her thoughts.