(A/n: I updated…finally. I'm so exhausted. It's just that I'm so busy. I'm the editor of my friend's story. If you like Cowboy Bebop…try reading it.

And I'm another editor for my other friends drama…or something.

I never really responded to the reviews but I'll do that from now on…

RiterAnonymous: No romance yet but soon. Soon…Thanks for review. Did you update?

Enjie Yekcam: lol

Starwolf4: Yup…they met. Now find out what they will say. Thanks for review.

Peach: Yeah she is a clever one and cute….has both the parents quality's. Thanks.

Coffee-time: Hopefully he will and he won't use the same tactics his step father did. Thanks for review. Hey when are you gonna update? –Smiles-

Maurice A. Nigma: Really? It's interesting. Thanks, I appreciate it.

Xxtaintedcv: I love adding suspense. Thanks for review.

Golden Star: Read and find out…I love making people wonder what's gonna happen…. –smiles wickedly-

Cindy-a window pops up showing SxS4ever 'Nine Years' story- Thanks for reviewing.

Chika of the High Mts: Here's your update.

Hikari Lady: Hey Hikari, thanks for reviewing…

AlannaStar: Let the suspense kill you then…muhwahahahhah. Ahem…Thanks for reviewing.

Kristen N.M.: Here's your update.

Rikku: Mz. Rikku…listen up. It's hard for me to write my stories when my freaking nosy parents are always there. And… when it's my last year of school and I have to keep my grades high. Even if my parents see a stupid 'B' in my report card…they freak... even if its progress report card. Graduation is coming and so are tests. And I'm not just saying that. I help out my three friends with their stories as I mentioned before, I edit two of my friend's stories and I'm a co-author for another story of my friends. Did I mention I'm sick? I'm sorry if I'm giving you attitude but still…I don't need another person nagging me. I get that enough from my parents and some friends…not the ones I'm helping. I try…I really try to update faster. I even made a notebook so I can write my stories down during excess time in class. Well…now that I said that…please just enjoy and sit back and read. I appreciate your reviews…really I do. I'm not just saying that. So please read. If you're pissed at me right now…you don't have to review or read. But you're always welcomed too. –Smiles-

Ann: Here is your update. I'm trying really hard to update my stories. But its hard with everything going on. Anyway…please read and review.

Nine Years

Chapter Twelve: Sweet Serenity

All were silent and were looking at the door to Serenity's room. The arguments have stopped on hearing Serenity's name. They gaped at the unlocked yet closed door, almost begging them to enter. The only thing that was stopping them from entering was the stubborn doctor. One at a time, he said once before. Kaiba narrowed his eyes dangerously at him, but this time the doctor did not flinch. It was his responsibility to ensure good, physical and mental health of all his patients. He didn't care now if he defied Kaiba.

Kaiba ignored the doctor's defiance and shoved him. Soon after that, he was too shoved.

"Wheeler! You have some nerve!" Kaiba said as he too shoved for entrance.

"Touché Kaiba!" Joey retorted.

Both immature men kept shoving each other never giving in while Matt and Kari looked at them surprise and slightly amused, well Matt was. Kari just wanted to see her mom. She couldn't believe that they were acting so…childish, like her. She searched for some sort of entrance, for her only.

Mai and Duke were equally surprised. Mai was trying so hard to calm them down while Duke just narrowed his eyes at Kaiba. Some nerve, he thought silently. Coming down here. He growled softly and also looked for some entrance too, but there was none. Joey and Kaiba blocked the doorway. He closed his eyes for a minute. When he reopened them, he thought he had seen something blur by the two men.

"Hmm…" he said aloud, cocking his head to get a better view of what just entered the Serenity's room. "Hey!" he said as the door was slammed in front of all their faces followed by click.

"Huh…" Kaiba and Joey said in unison. They stopped there quarrel when realizing that neither one was going to get in.

"The girl! She went in! I saw her!" Duke said to them, still gaping at the door.

"Kari…" Joey said, a confused expression crossing his features. "Why would she do that?" he asked aloud. He tried turning the knob and he knew what the result would be, no entry.

"Mom…" Kari said softly. Her small and frail frame was leaning against the door. She held the door for support. Poundings and banging's were heard and this made her tread closer to the bed but she ignored it and continued leaning back against the door.

She could see Shaila still sleeping on the extra bed. She sighed and rolled her eyes slightly. She couldn't believe that Shaila missed the 'drama' outside. She took a deep breath and walked slowly over to the bed. Once she was near she pulled up a chair and sat next to her, not too near, for fear that something would happen.

Serenity cocked her head towards Kari. Her hazel eyes were half open and they lacked the excitement and cheer. It was replaced with dread and exhaustion. Her skin was returning to its normal extent but it was still pale nonetheless. It was getting rough and sensitive. Her ginger hair was not at its full volume; it was getting oily and messy. She broke a weak smile just for Kari and Kari smiled back.

Serenity hated the position she was. She was stiff and she wanted to stretch and get out of this uncomfortable bed already. When she tried to sit up, Kari gasped slightly.

"What's….wrong?" Serenity asked as she furrowed her brows.

"Don't get up. I don't want you to get hurt…" Kari said looking down. Serenity's heart swelled up in appreciation.

"Oh honey…!" she said reaching out for Kari's hand, smiling, showing her two dimples. Her face didn't look as deadly as before; the smile lightened it up. "I'm fine. I'm better. In fact, I think I could run a mile, if it weren't for this cast" she said motioning the cast on her leg. Kari giggled lightly. She loved having her mom back, alive and smiling; full of joy that was yet to come. She didn't want her mom to be apart from her for a second. Serenity helped herself sit up so she can see and talk to daughter better. Kari reached for her and gave her a hug, holding onto her tightly, never wanting to let go, Serenity the same. Kari pulled away and Serenity did the same. The pounding could still be heard from the door.

Kari pouted at the door. They were ruining their mother daughter moment. She scowled at the door and the people behind it while Serenity laughed lightly.

"I think you should let them in…"

Kari looked at her and soon nodded. "Wait…can Shaila talk first to you? I want to keep them waiting longer for banging on the door" she said scowling at the persisting banging. You shoulda seen Uncle Joey and dad-"

"Dad?" Serenity asked, interrupting her.

"Yeah…dad. They were fighting to get in and…"

Serenity's smile vanished and the deadly look on her face was returning. She took no heed to Kari's words. She bit her bottom lip slightly while frowning. What's he doing here? She thought.

"…oh yeah, I told him that I was his daughter" Kari said quickly while leaving the room, not wanting to experience the shock on her mother's face. Kari knew that she wasn't supposed to say a word to him…at all. But she longed to tell him for many years. She couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Ka-" Serenity started but the door was tightly shut and her mouth was left open.

Kari closed her eyes and let out a breath of relief. When she reopened them, she saw angry eyes gazing at her intently. Two pairs of eyes stood out the most for they were the flashing red for a minute before resuming their original colors. Kari looked at them innocently.

"Sorry Uncle Joey..." Kari said as innocently as she could. She looked up to him with big, openly eyes. "…what I did was wrong. And I am really, really, really, sorry"

"Ah…it' okay…" Joey said his angry gaze fading leaving a gentle, soft, and kind gaze fixed on her. He scratched his head for all the emotions he were feeling were getting to him.

"Joey!" Mai scolded. "You can't...just… just…do that!" she said smacking him upside in the head. Apparently, we can all see that Joey still needs parenting lessons. Matt laughed at him but stopped abruptly when Joey threw a glare at him. He stared at the floor beneath him. The tiles were an interesting color.

"Well what am I 'pose" Joey asked. As Joey continued on to argue and think of excuses of his mistake Kari found this as a chance to let the couple quarrel this out. She slipped away quietly and seated in the waiting room. Matt saw her and went to her also. She needed comfort.

As the cousins talked it out, Kaiba got the chance he was waiting for. He stealthily walked over to the door and let the annoying couple work it out. Duke also saw the opportunity to go to the door and actually ran for, slamming the door right in front of Kaiba's face. Kaiba quickly reached for the handle and turned it, only to find it being locked.

"You better open up dice boy!" Kaiba roared.

"In your dreams" Duke yelled back.

Duke gave out a sigh as he looked around his surroundings. Serenity was gazing at the ceiling, lost in thought. She didn't notice Duke enter her room.

"Hi…Serenity…" Duke said softly. Yet Serenity still hasn't answered or showed any signs of her noticing him.

"Serenity?" he questioned. She broke out of her thoughts and stared at him blankly.

"Sorry…I didn't know you…were there" she said softly, adding a small, weak, smile. "I haven't heard from you or Tristan in a long time."

"Yeah…my bad…" he said going over to her, pulling up a chair. "…I was caught up doing some deals…"

"I see. And Tristan? Where is he?"

"He's in this investigation, case, thing. Suppose to be big…"

"That's great. Hope he is well…"

"Are you well?" Duke asked, his emerald eyes staring at her peach complexion. Deep concern was in his eyes and Serenity could see that. He picked up her hand and kissed it, as if she was a little child and she had a little injury. Serenity, however, was feeling a bit uncomfortable that she pulled away, slowly.

She really wanted to see Joey now or Mai. Anyone who would understand her. Duke was not one of those people. Maybe one who would have her back, but not one to pour feelings too.

"Uh…is Joey here? I thought I heard his voice earlier…" she said, changing the subject. She knew she had hurt him but she didn't mean too. He was taking a huge step and it was obvious to her that he still had feelings for her, feelings that she would never feel.

"Yeah…yeah. He's here, Mai and their little kid…" he grunted, getting up. He showed no emotion of hurt on his face, but deep down, he felt as if something struck him in the heart the moment she pulled away. He turned and opened the door, not looking back. He sighed and leaned against the door, thinking hard.

'Its…not meant to be…'

"Move aside Devlin…" Kaiba stated emotionlessly. He was beyond irritated. Mai and Joey had stopped their little quarrel a long time ago, back when Duke was still in the room with Serenity. Both had their attention at the door, and they stepped forward. Duke looked up and said nothing. He glared at Kaiba and he glared right back. Neither blinked. Mai was getting irritated with their little silent showdown. She quickly stepped forward and shoved Duke out of the way. Duke was taken aback by the sudden shove and fell straight to the ground. Mai quickly took this as her chance to go and talk to Serenity. Once again, Kaiba was locked out. He huffed and glared at the door, imagining it as Mai. He punched it.

"Stupid poodle…" he muttered.

"What was dat moneybags! Betta not be insulting ma wife!" Joey flared. Kaiba rolled his eyes slightly. Looks like another fight…

"Hey Serenity…" Mai said coming over to her. She sat down at the chair, where Duke once sat. "How are you feeling hon'?"

"A bit sore but fine…" she replied while Mai hugged her gently.

"You gave us quite a scare you know…especially Joey. I mean when we were on the plane, the attendant thought he was on crack or something!" Serenity giggled a little. Laughing felt good to her. Both of them smiled. Serenity's smile soon faded. Mai noticed this.

"What's wrong?" she questioned.

"It's just that told Kari told Kaiba that she was his daughter!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Oh…" Mai said blankly. "…no wonder he wants to talk to you so badly…" she muttered.

"What! He's here! Still!"

"Yup…and he must have stayed here all along…"

"She's right" Shaila said while yawning. She came over to them and hugged Serenity gently.

"How long have you been here?" Serenity asked. Shaila just looked at them sheepishly.

"I sorta…fell asleep"

Serenity smiled.

"It's good to see you awake and alive" Shaila said, sitting beside her bedside. "We all were up all night…Kari and Kaiba mostly" Shaila said scratching her head.

"Thanks…" Serenity replied sarcastically. "Who knows what happened" She sighed and looked at them both.

"So…what am I gonna do about Kaiba?" she asked them.

"Well… you know how much Kari wants you to be together and how she longs for a father-"

"Thanks for making me feel even guiltier…" Serenity muttered while crossing her arms. "I don't wanna see him…"

"He did sorta save-"

"Hurry up will ya?" Joey's voice was heard.

Shaila rolled her eyes while Mai frowned, followed by a sigh.

"Alright…time to let him in…" Mai said.

They both got up and walked over to the door. Shouts and profanity could be heard outside. Goodness…and in front of kids, Shaila thought. Shaila unlocked it and stepped aside. And as she predicated, one of the so called 'men' tumbled inside, that being Joey. He quickly closed the door but there was a matter of shoving coming from the outside. He leaned against the door and pushed with all his might and managed to close it. He spun around then and locked it. Smiling in triumphant he turned to Serenity who had a curious look on her face and then smiled. Joey on the other hand just looked at her, swallowing hard. He gaped at her bandages and her pale face.

"Serenity…" he mumbled, a guilty look plastered all over his face. He arrived next to her bedside and sat down beside her. "…I was so worried" he mumbled, stroking a thumb on her cheek. She loved the warmth it gave off; she hadn't felt it in days. She smiled timidly at him. Even though they hadn't talked much, she knew that he would help her with the coming to argument with her and Kaiba. "How do ya…feel?"

"Alright…safe…" she replied while Joey just grinned.

"Dat's ma sis'…!" Joey said while she laughed lightly.

"Joey…" Serenity began. "…What am I going to do about…Kaiba?" she said looking up to his chocolate brown eyes. "Kari…told him…"

"You know little kids…dey…jus' playin'…" Joey said, uncertain himself. He tried to make Serenity feel better. She had endured enough pain and the last thing she needed was something out of Kaiba's mouth. She sighed and looked at her hands.

"No…she was serious. Kari wouldn't lie about something like that"

Both were silent. Joey didn't know how to response. What would happen? Would Kaiba just break the little girl's heart or take her away from her? Kaiba would have to do something sooner or later. Joey sighed.

"Even though I hate the bastard's guts…We gotta tak ta him…" Joey muttered looking away. She looked up to him; his eyes held civility and solemn. He was serious about this but Serenity didn't want this to happen. She liked the way it was before…Joey, Mai, Matt, Kari, and her. They were a family. Putting Kaiba in the picture would ruin things. He has no heart, she thought. He wouldn't understand. But then she thought back to Kari, how difficult this was for her. Why else would the child tell him? Having no father for about nine years. She sighed heavily and leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes.

"Ren'…?" Joey asked, slight fear dawning upon him.

"Okay…let's… talk" she said, hesitating before she said the words. She opened her eyes and smiled up to him, he returned the smile.

"You know I'm not gonna leave ya in the same room as him…you know. Just so you-"

"I get it Joey…" Serenity interrupted. He was rambling too much.

"Right…right…" Joey said while getting up. He opened the door to find Kaiba leaning next to the door. Kaiba stood up to his full height and met Joey's eyes.

"One way or another, I am getting in that room..." Kaiba said emotionlessly. He was not really in the mood to fight; he had no energy. Drained color complexion, messy hair (not so messy) and bags under the eyes emphasized this. But he needed to talk to her nonetheless.

"Whateva'…get in…" Joey grunted, pointing his thumb to the door. He stepped aside, letting him enter. He shut the door. Again…no way was he leaving the bastard with her. Joey leaned against the door and watched the two. All was silent.

(A/n: I'm done! Finally! Let the suspenceeat you away! Muhahahahah...What will happen in the next chapter? What will Kaiba do/say? What will Serenity say? Will Kari and her father be reunited? Will you review? –Grins- Please review!)