It looks like I should be able to post on a weekly basis for now, but if I get too busy because of work, I'll say otherwise. Hope you all have been enjoying the chapters. ^^

Chapter 47

Alex sighed to herself as she and Mokuba were in the limo, with Roland driving, as they headed towards their destination. It was Tuesday afternoon, and after Alex had returned to the mansion and changed into more casual clothes, Mokuba insisted that they get going.

Mokuba looked at Alex and said, "Hey, it's gonna be ok."

Alex looked back at Mokuba and replied, "I don't know. I'm just worried that Seto is going to find out and he won't like it."

Mokuba replied, "We're doing this for him and besides, you know why I want to help."

Alex nodded and replied, "I know, but I hate the thought of putting you in possible danger. Also, couldn't Mr. Roland simply tell Seto what's going on?"

Mokuba looked at Roland and said, "He's under orders not to say anything."

Roland added, "That's true. Mr. Mokuba has forced me to keep quiet, but Mr. Kaiba will be displeased if he finds out."

Alex replied, "That's exactly what I think. Mokuba, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

Mokuba gave Alex a determined look and replied, "I meant what I said, and I'm in this with you."

Alex sighed but leaned back into her seat, deciding not to protest any further. As Roland continued to drive, Alex thought back to what happened yesterday when she and Yami got interrupted during their conversation.

"That's it! I want in."

As Alex turned towards the direction of the voice, she was surprised to see Mokuba standing in the doorway. Yami was surprised as well, and he asked,

"Mokuba, how much did you hear?"

Mokuba smiled mischievously and replied, "Oh, not much. Just the part about time anomalies and Alex being from the future. I wouldn't have believed it myself, if not for you."

He looked at Yami, and Yami sighed to himself. Alex looked sad and worried and replied,

"So you heard pretty much everything and you know the truth about me. Listen, Mokuba. I don't blame you for hating me now that you know-"

Mokuba interrupted, "Alex, I don't hate you. Yes, I heard that part about hurting Seto, but I know you're a good person. And you see what I've always seen in him."

Alex nodded and replied, "Yes, that's true. Seto is a good person, and I never thought I'd see a sweet, caring side to him."

Mokuba replied, "That's the Seto I've known before we were adopted. You're the best thing that's happened."

Alex replied, "Even though I arrived with bad intentions?"

Yami looked at Alex and replied, "Your bosses are wrong, but you made the choice to defy them. That proves you're a good person."

Mokuba nodded and added, "That's right. And you must have had your reasons."

Alex replied, "Yes. I thought that I could get Andy back that way, but hurting others for even good reasons is still wrong."

Yami replied, "Yugi taught me that. Before we met, I would have done anything to accomplish my goals, but Yugi made me see that we shouldn't throw compassion aside."

Alex smiled and replied, "Yugi is wise."

Mokuba added, "I agree, and now that I know what's going on, I want to help."

Alex turned towards Mokuba and smiling awkwardly, she replied, "I don't know. It's bad enough that you found out the truth, but Seto wouldn't want you involved in this."

Mokuba replied, "It's not his decision. I want to help you, Alex. I may be just a kid, but it doesn't mean I'm helpless."

Alex was about to protest again when Yami looked at Mokuba and gently asked, "Why do you want to help?"

Mokuba took a breath and then replied, "I've seen how much everyone has helped me in the past."

He then recalled the times that Yugi and Yami helped him and Kaiba, the times that Alex helped him, and all the other times when others helped.

Once Mokuba was finished speaking, Alex replied, "So, is this your way of wanting to thank us? Because if that's the case, that's not necessary. We wanted to help you."

Mokuba replied, "I know, but that isn't it. I'm tired of being on the sidelines. I know that if I can help, I want to put myself out there for you. Seto loves you, and we want you to stay with us."

Alex smiled softly as she heard Mokuba's words and replied, "I want to stay with you both, too. You make it difficult for me to refuse now."

Mokuba replied, "So you'll let me help?"

Alex looked hesitant and replied, "I don't know. I really should talk it over with Seto first-"

Mokuba interrupted, "We can't tell him. He'd definitely refuse."

Alex replied, "But you know he'd only do so because he wants to protect you. I get where he's coming from."

Mokuba replied, "I know, but I can't stay protected forever. I have to learn how to defend myself."

Yami replied, "Mokuba has a point. I know you and Kaiba want to look out for him, but Mokuba isn't going to remain a kid forever."

Alex sighed and replied, "True."

She looked at Mokuba and added, "Let me think it over, ok?"

Mokuba nodded and then the conversation ended shortly after. Yugi left Kaiba Corp, while Alex and Mokuba returned to the mansion. Once Alex was alone, she called Max to tell him what happened, and after a bit of discussion, Alex agreed to Mokuba's request.

The group soon arrived outside an apartment building, and Alex and Mokuba got out of the limo. After Mokuba gave instructions to Roland, telling him that they would call him for a ride to the mansion when they were finished, Roland drove off. Mokuba then looked at Alex and asked,

"Max's apartment is here?"

Alex nodded and replied, "According to Max. Cas placed him in a different apartment building, but that was wise. We don't want to keep him waiting."

Mokuba nodded, and Alex led the way inside the building and then into the elevator. She pressed the button where Max's apartment was and once they were on the floor, they got out of the apartment and then walked towards a particular door. Alex pushed the doorbell, and after a few seconds, the door opened. There was Max, smiling at them and saying,

"Hey, you two. Glad you found your way here."

Alex replied, "It wasn't too difficult to get here, and it looks like we're right on time."

Max grinned and replied, "Yup. Come right in."

Alex and Mokuba stepped into Max's apartment and after Max closed the door, he led the way towards the living room. As Alex looked around, she commented,

"Your place is nice. I'm not surprised that Cas put you in a different apartment building."

Max replied, "Yeah. It would've aroused too much suspicion if she'd put me in the same building as your old place."

Max then gestured for Alex and Mokuba to take seats, and after they did so, Max asked what they wanted to drink. Alex wanted coffee while Mokuba asked for fruit juice. Max then went into the kitchen to prepare the drinks and while he did so, Alex looked at Mokuba and quietly asked,

"Are you ok with Max helping, despite what happened before?"

Mokuba nodded and replied, "Yeah, it's ok. You explained it to me, and I'm not gonna say anything to Seto. I don't think he'd like that Max is helping."

Alex replied, "True, but you know he'd only behave that way because he wants to be a good brother to you."

Mokuba smiled and replied, "I know."

Max soon returned, handing a mug of coffee for Alex and a glass of fruit juice for Mokuba. As for Max, he took a glass of orange juice. As the group took their drinks, Max looked at Alex and said,

"I have no idea how you can drink that stuff."

Alex gave a look and replied, "It's a surprise you have a coffee machine."

Max replied, "Cas thought it might come in handy. But yeah, I hardly ever use it."

Mokuba commented, "Seto likes coffee a lot, so they have that in common. But it smells too weird to me."

Alex smiled and replied, "It's an acquired taste."

Feeling relaxed, Max then said, "I'm happy you came to me for help, but I'm surprised that Mokuba found out."

Alex replied, "Same here."

Mokuba added, "It was only a matter of time, and besides, I only found out because Alex was taking so long finishing up work yesterday."

Alex looked at Mokuba and asked, "So that's how you overheard us?"

Mokuba nodded and replied, "Yeah, that's right."

Max replied, "These things happen. What's done is done, and even though I understand your worries, Alex, I think it's best to prepare Mokuba."

Alex replied, "I suppose."

She looked at Mokuba and added, "I guess I want to protect you, too, but in case things go bad, you should learn to defend yourself."

Mokuba replied, "That's right."

Max replied, "Mokuba, you want to learn to duel?"

Mokuba replied, "Yup. I've seen how Seto and Yugi duel, and crazy things have happened when they've dueled."

Max looked questioningly at Mokuba and replied, "I can believe that, but why not just ask Kaiba for help?"

Mokuba replied, "Seto is always busy although he makes time for Alex."

He looked teasingly at Alex, and Alex couldn't help blushing. He then continued, "But I figured that if I could learn to duel, that might help."

Max replied, "I see your point, and we can certainly help with that. Alex is the better duelist, but I'm pretty good myself."

Alex looked at Max and replied, "You're not bad, but I have no idea how you duel well with that deck. It's ancient."

Max replied, "It's not that bad. Just because I don't do what the cool kids are into, that doesn't mean-"

Mokuba interrupted, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but what kind of deck does Max have?"

Alex turned to Mokuba and replied, "A ritual deck. All Max uses are ritual monsters, spell cards, etc."

She turned back to Max and added, "I don't get why you refuse to switch over to link summoning. It's way more efficient."

Max rolled his eyes and replied, "You're only saying that because you can't help praising Yusaku over his dueling skills."

Alex replied, "He's a good duelist, and I acknowledge it."

Mokuba replied, "What's link summoning? I'm confused."

Alex looked apologetically at Mokuba and replied, "Sorry. Max and I got carried away."

Max added, "True. We can have that discussion later, but for now, we teach Mokuba all about dueling where we're from."

He looked at Mokuba and continued, "We'll also supply you with cards. What kind of deck do you want? And please don't say blue eyes."

Alex laughed softly, and pouting, Mokuba replied, "I don't see what's wrong with Seto's deck, but I want to try a thunder dragon deck."

Alex nodded happily and replied, "We can help you make a good deck and give you support cards. We should take things slowly, though. It might be too much if we tell you everything all at once."

Mokuba nodded in agreement, and then Alex and Max proceeded to explain to Mokuba about the basics behind dueling in their time. They went over them and then explained about all the different types of summoning methods.

After the two of them were done explaining, Alex said, "As you've figured out, we come from way far into the future, so duel monsters has highly advanced. I hope it was ok to take that in?"

Mokuba nodded and replied, "I got it. It's amazing how many ways there are to summon monsters."

Max grinned and replied, "It is pretty cool."

Alex added, "And yet, you only use ritual monsters."

Max replied, "Geez, Alex. Just because I've never beaten you in a duel with my deck doesn't mean ritual monsters are useless."

Alex replied, "But it proves that you need other summoning methods and support."

Mokuba noticed that the two of them were starting up that conversation again, so he said,

"So I understand how different summonings work now. And next time, I'll get new cards for my deck?"

Max replied, "That's right. I'll contact Cas and see what she can send over."

Alex added, "We can also search for cards here. They may not be advanced, but even in our time, they can still work fine."

Mokuba nodded, and Max said, "I think we're done for now."

Alex replied, "We may be finished with the dueling lesson, but we still need to come up with a plausible excuse for me and Mokuba being out."

Max replied, "What do you mean?"

Mokuba replied, "We can't tell Seto the truth, so Alex and I thought that we should tell him that I'm taking up self-defense lessons."

Alex added, "And I don't want Mr. Roland to be a victim again, and you do owe me for that shoulder incident."

Max replied, "Hey, you know I only did that because I thought you had amnesia at the time."

Alex replied, "True, but that's still no excuse for hurting me."

Max sighed and replied, "Fine. I guess I do owe you one."

Alex grinned, and then she and Max proceeded to give a self-defense lesson to Mokuba, with Alex using Max as a test dummy.

A few hours later, Alex was relaxing in the room she shared with Kaiba, having just finished her homework. She was enjoying some downtime with their pets when Kaiba came into the room. Alex got up, greeted him with a hug and kiss, and said,

"Welcome home, Seto. How was work?"

Kaiba smiled back and replied, "The usual."

He then remembered something and then asked, "What were you and Mokuba up to today? I asked Roland, but he refused to tell me anything. I haven't seen Mokuba yet, but I'm planning to ask him."

Alex remembered the cover story that she and Mokuba came up with and replied,

"Mokuba finally decided to take up my offer on self-defense lessons. I didn't want Mr. Roland to be a victim again, so we went to see a certain someone. I think Mokuba benefited a lot from it, and I got some much needed payback."

Kaiba gave Alex a look, and laughing, Alex added, "Oh, you'll find out tomorrow in school."