Salem and Kaiba appeared in the foyer of the Kaiba mansion, just as they heard Mokuba yelling ecstatically.
"I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU TWO!" He could be heard even as Kaiba lead Salem back to his bedroom.
"Hmmpf. Guess friendship girl said yes."
Kaiba chuckled and shut his bedroom door. He knew Mokuba always loved a good party, and weddings always had the best receptions.
He saw Salem silently sit on the bed and pop her heels off. She hadn't said a word since they came out of the portal, and Kaiba was beginning to worry.
Kaiba was glad that trip was short and informative. He didn't know how to go about asking Salem about her technology, but at least he knew it was a possibility.
He also knew that Atem didn't want to come back, but if Kaiba ever got a sign that he did, he could find a way to get the tech from Salem.
It would be easy at this point. She trusted him and he trusted her.
Kaiba brought his attention back to Salem and saw that she was already dressed for bed.
It's early isn't it?
He looked at his watch to check the time.
9:30pm.
Hmm.
He walked over to Salem and sat next to her, placing a hand on her thigh.
She remained motionless, her eyes never leaving the floor.
"Tanin...how do you sleep here?" She asked, her voice soft.
Kaiba blinked at her.
How did he sleep?
"What do you mean, habipty?" He asked running his fingers along her bare leg.
Salem sighed and finally turned to look at Kaiba.
"How do you sleep in this house? It's so loud, and cold."
Kaiba gave her a questioning look.
He agreed the house was cold but it was actually very silent when Mokuba wasn't around.
"What do you mean by loud, Salem?" He asked.
Kaiba didn't know where this was coming from. Salem had seemed fine before dinner, and now she wasn't making any sense.
She sighed and shook her head. She smiled and kissed Kaiba's lips.
"Nevermind. I suppose it was just my imagination, mish kida?"
Kaiba raised an eyebrow and got up to change for bed. He decided not to try and push the subject. Salem was obviously tired and probably just wanted to go to bed.
He watched Salem stand up and walk into the bathroom to start her nightly routine.
Something was off.
Kaiba pulled back the blankets and situated himself underneath, waiting for her to come back.
He had never seen her like this before.
She seemed, down.
As she came back to bed, he noticed a bruise peeking out from under her silk shorts. It sat on her hip and was already dark purple.
Oops.
"Sorry about that, habipty. I guess I got carried away earlier." Kaiba said, laying back on his pillow.
Salem smiled softly and looked at her leg.
"Oh I didn't notice. Its okay, Tanin. I don't mind because it's from you." She said leaning over and kissing Kaiba on the lips.
He smirked at her and pulled her on top of him.
"Then how about I give you a couple more…" He said slipping his fingers under her silk top, rubbing the soft skin on her back.
Salem chucked and placed her hands on Kaiba torso, feeling his abdominals contract at her touch.
"I don't think I can go again, Tanin...You'll break me." She said with a laugh.
Kaiba groaned and pulled her so her face was inches from his. He kissed her passionately and wrapped his arms around her waist.
His bed had never felt so warm and comfortable. It was strange that Salem still felt it was cold.
Salem broke the kiss and brushed her nose against his. She rolled off of Kaiba and got under the blankets.
"Goodnight, Tanin…"
She layed down and closed her eyes, breathing evenly.
"Night…"
Kaiba closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep the fasted he ever has in his life.
Kaiba's eyes shot open at the sound of a familiar clack clack clack. He jumped out of bed and looked around his bedroom, smiling slightly at the sight of Salem sleeping peacefully.
Clack CLACK CLACK
"She wasn't kidding when she said it was loud. Was that what she heard?" Kaiba muttered to himself, trying to find the source of the sound.
He wasn't sure if following it was the best option.
He scanned the room once more and stilled when he saw a shadow fly past him with a woosh and leave his bedroom, opening and slamming the door in the process.
Kaiba was certain he was dreaming. He looked over at Salem's sleeping form.
"Either this isn't real or she's a heavy sleeper." He whispered, walking out of his bedroom and following the shadow down the stairs, into his basement lab.
He walked into the dusty lab, tapping the lights on. They slowly flicked on and revealed the under used equipment.
As he walked further into the room, he realized how cold the cement felt on his bare feet.
Hmm.
Loud and Cold.
clack...clack...CLACKCLACKCLACK
He rounded one of the many computers and saw one of his projectors going haywire. He went up to it and tried to turn it off. He yelled when the electrical current zapped him and the small box projected a full hologram of Atem, in his traditional Egyptian robes.
Kaiba felt is heart ache.
He stared longingly at Atem's beautiful features and realized, he wasn't in love with Salem.
She was a replacement for a person who he could never truly be with.
He had moved their relationship so fast, if he went back on everything that's happened the last month, the press would tear him apart.
But, he did like Salem. She had a challenging personality and was strong in her opinions.
Hmpf.
He guessed those were traits he valued in a partner. But, he didn't want just any partner.
Kaiba realized no matter how much Salem reminded him of Atem, she could never be him.
The hologram flickered and shut off. He heard some papers fall off a nearby table and he went to pick them up.
His chest tightened as he read the pages. It was his early research on the millenium puzzle, and how he could use it to resurrect Atem.
Kaiba felt his eyes grow hot and start to water. He had forgotten how much trouble he had gone through.
But why or who is showing this to him now?
One of the computers turned on by itself and Kaiba jumped up, seeing a blank document open and words appear on the screen.
"What the shit." He cursed to himself, as the sound of tapping keys echoed throughout the empty lab.
He read the message and nearly dropped to his knees.
BRING ME BACK, KAIBA. I WANT A LIFE, A REAL ONE.
"Atem?" Kaiba said aloud, wondering how Atem's spirit was communicating. If he'd passed on, could he still make contact?
The keys tapped again, revealing one last message.
YES. I WANT A LIFE, WITH YOU.
Kaiba felt his legs waver and shake. It really was Atem.
The pharaoh wanted to return.
And be with him? This had to be a dream!
But if not then...
Kaiba looked around the lab and knew that he would need help.
He would need Salem's technology.
No matter what he had to do, Kaiba was going to resurrect Atem.
"Wait for me, Pharaoh…I'll bring you back."