Disclaimer: I do not own the Yu Gi Oh bunch nor am I making any money off of this. Thank you
A/N: Here's the next chapter as promised. Please don't forget to review and please, no flames. If you don't like something about this story please tell me in a non hateful or hurtful way. Thank you.
Beware: Contains some cursing if you mind that sort of stuff please do not read on.
Chapter Three
*Lily's POV*
Someone was tap dancing on my brain and I really wished that they would stop.
After a few moments of feeling the unseen person put on their lovely little show in my head I become aware of a throbbing, burning sensation in my left hand. I keep my eyes closed as I slowly try and take in my surroundings, the soft and steady beep of the heart monitor and the faintly nauseating smell of disinfects as well of the tiny sound of the intercom during pages tells me that I'm in the hospital.
I slowly open my eyes and groan softly as the faint light in the room hits them, instead of closing them like I wanted to I forced myself to keep them open and look at my surroundings. I couldn't move my head without it feeling like it was going to either explode or just simply fall off my shoulders and roll away. From what I could see it looked like it was sometime during the night, the room glowed faintly with the pale light streaming in from the doorway and there were barely any noises coming from the hallway. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the light I was surprised to see Joey asleep in the chair by the window, Tea asleep on the couch and Tristan and Yu-Gi camped out in the other two chairs. I was more then a little surprised I admit by the gang being there after the beach incident; things had been a little bit strained at school that day between me and them. At least I felt it was a bit strained whether or not it really was I don't know. Duke, always told me I had a habit of projecting my own feelings onto others. And speaking of Duke, I wasn't surprised to see him asleep in the chair next to my bed with his head lying next to my right hand. I slowly smile to myself as I lace the fingers of my hand with his before drifting off into a deep dreamless sleep.
*Joey's POV*
The sunlight streaming in through the window was hitting me directly in the eyes. I slowly open them and look around the hospital room that had become all to familiar to me the past three days, I quietly get up so as not to wake up anybody else and walk over to Lily's bed. She looks so pale and fragile I thought to myself as I gently brush some of her hair out of her face. I trail my finger down her cheek before moving my hand away, I was thinking about the talk that Duke and I had last night before coming up to Lily's room:
"I'm completely and totally head over heels in love with her, Duke."
"Both Lil and I have told you how she feels about getting in a relationship right now, Joey."
"I think she's just scared. Something must have happened to make her feel this way and I'm betting you know exactly what it is."
"I'm her best friend."
"Exactly... That's why you know what happened. Why won't you tell me so I can help her?"
"Joey, as much as I'm convinced that you and Lily would make an awesome couple I'm not gonna betray 10 years of friendship."
"You think we'd make a great couple?"
"Yeah. You need someone to bring you back down to earth more often and she needs someone who will teach her how to lighten up for once."
"So why won't you help?"
"I never said I wouldn't help you, Joey. I just said I wouldn't betray 10 years of friendship. There are others ways to help you and I will do them."
"You will?"
"Like I said Joey you and Lily would make an awesome couple, she needs to spread her wings and fly and I honestly think you could help her do just that."
"Thanks, Duke. I promise you won't regret this."
"Make sure of that...Oh and Joey?"
"Yeah, Duke?"
"Hurt her and I'll make Kaiba's defeat of you at Duelist Kingdom look like the best day of your life."
I shake my head as I remember Dukes last words to me and head out of Lily's room so I could go down to the cafeteria to grab coffee for everybody. I saw Kaiba stepping off the elevator holding a bouquet of blue-tipped white roses, "What the hell are you doing here, Kaiba?"
"That's really none of your business, Dog boy."
"Listen, Kaiba if you know what's good for you you'll just turn around and leave."
"Last time I checked, Wheeler this WAS a public place. You don't have any right to say as to who steps foot in it."
"Stay away from Lily."
"This whole white knight act of yours is getting quite old, Wheeler. I'm here to check on the welfare of a Kaiba Corp. Employee."
"With roses?"
"I don't have to explain myself to a second rate duelist like you, Wheeler."
With that Kaiba throws down the bouquet on the nurses station desk spins on his heels and heads back into the elevator. I wait a few minutes to make sure he doesn't come back before continuing on my way to the cafeteria. What an ass, he really does think he can get away with anything I thought to myself as I headed down the stairs.
*Seto's POV*
I settle into the backseat of my limo and order my driver to head back to Kaiba Corp. The nerve of Wheeler daring to speak to me like that! I fumed to myself.
But why were you bringing her roses? a voice in the back of my mind nagged.
She's a valuable Kaiba Corp. employee. We can't afford to lose a talent like hers I reasoned.
And finding her lying on the classroom floor with a pool of blood around her head has nothing to do with this sudden change of heart?
No.
How about the fact that when you saw her like that you were scared shitless? The voice persisted.
I thought she was dead and I'd have to find another artist I argued.
You were scared you lost her.
We can barely stand each other. Why would I care?
You love her.
She's stubborn and over- emotional. Why would I love her?
Because she's the only woman you've ever known who can hold her own against you?
I don't even like her.
Your brother adores her.
Mokuba needs a female influence in his life. He'd adore a good nanny just as much.
You can't really believe that can you?
I can because it's the truth.
Then when you saw her lying there why did it hurt like it did when your parents died?
Shut up!
"We're here, Mr. Kaiba." the limo diver informed me. I forced myself to push all thoughts of Lilith Tao out of my head as I headed into the building.
*Lily's POV*
I woke up to the sounds of a busy hospital and again to the feel of someone tap dancing on my head. I groan slightly as I open my eyes a bit and the sunlight steaming through the room hits them.
"Lily?!?"
"My...head...."
"You're awake? Oh gods, Lily...Please be awake." A voice pleads with me.
"Head.....hurts...."
"I'll get the doctor!"
My eyes start to drift shut again when I feel a pair of arms slip around me and pull me into a sitting position. "Stay with me, Angel. Please just stay with me."
"Duke.....My...hand...hurts."
"Just stay awake, Lily." Duke says worriedly "Don't you dare scare me like this ever again. Please don't go back to sleep."
"What....happened?" I fully open my eyes and look into Dukes concerned green ones.
"You don't remember?"
"Last...thing I...remember...." I wince at the intense pain in my head and hand, "Can...I have...some....water...please?"
Duke reaches over to the bedside table and pours a cup of water one handed while he keeps one arm around me. He brings it over and gently places the straw against my dry, chapped lips. I take a few tentative sips before pulling away and leaning my head against his shoulder.
"Better?" He softly asks
"A bit." I say as I blink my eyes a few times to adjust them to the light in the room.
"Now what do you remember?"
"I was....arguing with that....Barbie wanna be...Julia in the art room."
"What were you two arguing about?"
I start biting on my lip a little bit as I try to remember, "About Kaiba, I think."
"What about Kaiba?" Duke softly growls as his arm tightens slightly around me.
"I think.....something about me...trying to steal him from her....I really can't remember, Duke. I'm sorry."
"It's ok, Angel." Duke leans over and gently kisses the top of my head as the doctor comes into the room, "I'm gonna let the doctor check you out then I'll be right back in, ok?"
"Promise?"
"Promise." Duke smiles at me, "I love you, Lily."
"I love you too, Duke."
"No matter what?" he asks from the doorway of my room.
"No.....matter what." I answer tiredly before turning my attention to the doctor standing in from of me.
*Duke's POV*
I'm fuming inside as I leave Lily's room Damn you, Kaiba. If Lily being in that room is somehow connected to you at all I will kill you.
I run into Joey out in the hallway and he hands me a cup of coffee. "Yug, said Lily's awake?"
"The doctors in there with her now checking things out." I say before taking a sip of the hot bitter brew. "How is she?"
"Tired and in a lot of pain."
"Does she remember anything about how she got hurt?" Joey asked the concern evident in his eyes.
"Last thing she remembers was fighting with one of Kaiba's fan-girls. It seems that Julia chick thinks that Lily might have been out to "steal" Kaiba away from her."
"What?!?" Joey's eyes nearly pop out of his head, "And he has the nerve to show his face around here?"
"What do you mean?" I ask worriedly.
Joey quickly explains to me about Kaiba showing up before with roses for Lily.
"He's bringing roses to an employee? That doesn't sound right."
"I didn't think it sounded right either...Do you think that maybe.....Kaiba might....?"
I sigh and run a hand through my long black hair, "I hope to hell he doesn't, Joey. All he would do is just cause her more pain then she's already been through."
"Does she know yet that Kaiba was the one who found her?" Joey asked out of the blue.
"No.....why?"
"It might be fore the best if she didn't find out. If she finds out she might be grateful to him and he might try and take advantage of that."
I think about it for a few minutes before slowly nodding, "It's because of her brother."
"What?"
"Lily's fear of relationships. She lost her brother 3 years ago and ever since then she's tried to shy away from any emotional contact with anybody. She even went as far as to disappear for three years and not have contact with anyone."
"I thought that you weren't gonna put your friendship with Lily on the line by telling me this stuff?"
"I wasn't but it looks like you're gonna need all the help you can get if you truly do love her and want to be with her."
"I do, Duke...I really do."
"Her big fear is that anyone she loves will be taken from her someone. Like her mother was.....The father she never knew.....Like her brother was and now just like her sister is going to be taken away from her by her Uncle."
"So if I wanna get her to love me I have to make her see that I won't just up and leave her?"
"That'll be a good start, Joey but I honestly think it's gonna take a hell of a lot more then that."
"And just how am I supposed to do that?"
"Help her get her sister back."
*Lily's POV*
It had been a few days since I had woken up and I had been subjected to test after test. It was really starting to drive me crazy, after all these tests you think somebody would be able to tell me something, right? Nope. I hadn't been told anything yet and the lack of information was starting to really get to me.
I reach for my watch that's laying on the bedside table and look at it "Three o'clock." I mutter to myself. Duke would be showing up soon with the school work my teachers were sending home for me, you think getting attacked and being in a three day coma would get you out of some homework but nope. I sigh loudly and punch my pillow with my good hand. I was bored, dangerously bored. I was in the middle of contemplating how I could use medical tubing, medical tape, a bedpan and a pen to amuse myself when Duke walks in with his book bag.
"I know that look and it can't bode well for any of us." he said leaning down and kissing me on the cheek.
"I am so bored, Duke that I'm even happy to see my schoolwork."
"Any word on your test results yet?"
"Nope. I think they've run every test on my hand that they can think of though. In fact I honestly think they made up one or two of them just so they could have more tests to run!"
Duke laughs and takes a notebook and pen out of his bag before handing me my homework, since it had been my left hand that was injured (And I'm left handed) he and the rest of the gang had been helping me by doing any of the writing that needed to be done. It hadn't been that bad, in fact it had been kinda nice since it gave me a chance to get to know everyone a little bit better.
Yu-Gi was a sweet kid who really wanted nothing more out of life then to help people but sometimes there was something about him that made him seem older and more mature. I think I liked him better in those moments because he felt like a kindred spirit. Tristan was a laugh riot, when he helped me I was always guaranteed a laugh. I was also helping him out by giving him some advice about this girl he called Ribbon, he was completely head over heels in love with her but he didn't know how to approach her at all. It was great when Tea came to help because it was nice having another girl to talk to. I remember after we had finished my homework she must have spent an hour with a hairbrush and scissors fixing my hair, we also spent that time talking about Yu-Gi who she had a MASSIVE crush on. By the time we were done my hair fell to just above my shoulder in a soft style that curled at the ends and she had decided to tell Yu-Gi how she felt. Today was Dukes turn and tomorrow Joey was going to help me out, I was kinda nervous because of what happened at the beach but from what Duke had told me Joey wasn't dwelling on what happened....In fact he didn't seem troubled by it at all. I was glad of that because I would hate to lose what could be a great friendship because of what had happened.
After about an hour of working Duke and I decided to call it quits for the day.
"I'm gonna go grab a cup of coffee, Lil. Want one?" Duke asked as he stood and stretched.
"If the Pope catholic?" I quipped as I tossed my book aside and smiled at him.
He laughs and heads out of the room just as a doctor holding a clipboard was coming in.
"You aren't here to run more tests are you?" I ask him as he comes over to my bed.
"My names Dr. Edwards " He says in a clipped British accent. "May I have a seat, Ms. Tao?"
I nod and nervously ask, "Are any of my test results in yet?"
"As you know, Miss. Tao we've run quite a few test's to see the probability of you regaining full use of your hand and I'm sorry to say that the prognosis is not good."
"What do you mean "not good"?" I ask as a knot of fear manifest's itself into my stomach.
"If things go as we hope you should be able to regain 45% usage of your hand."
"45%? That's all? I'll never have full use of my hand again?!?"
"Most likely not. Your hand will never be the same again."
"What do you mean my hand will never be the same again?!?!" I start yelling as I feel a panic attack starting, "I'm an artist, I can't afford to lose the use of my hand!!"
"Please calm down, Miss. Tao."
"Calm down?!? You just told me I'll never have full use of my hand again and you want me to calm down?!? That is so not gonna happen!"
"Miss. Tao, unless you calm yourself down this very moment I shall be forced to sedate you." Doctor Edwards snapped as he stood up from the chair.
I quickly shut my mouth and attempt to take a few deep breaths to quell the panic that continued to rise at the thought of never being able to draw again. After a few minutes of trying to get myself under control I quietly ask Dr. Edwards, "Is there anything thing that can be done at all to help me regain full use of my hand?"
"There is substantial nerve, muscle, tissue and bone damage to your hand, Miss. Tao. According to your x-rays you have almost irreparable damage to a number of the small bones in the hand. In all honesty you are lucky to regain even that 45% usage of your hand."
"Dr. Edwards, I'm an artist. It's how I make my living. In all honesty it's how I define who I am, if I can't draw or paint......It'll be like losing a part of myself forever."
At some point during my talk with the Doctor, Duke had come in and sat on the bed next to me, "Is there anything at all that can be done, Doc?" He asked as he intertwined his fingers with the fingers of my good hand.
"I'm not making any guarantee but there is a colleague of mine in England who's working on an experimental procedure for damage similar to what Miss. Tao has suffered. But I feel I should warn you that it's very difficult to get into his program and even if you do get in it's incredibly expensive."
"How expensive?" I quietly ask.
"Five million American."
Duke whistled softly, "Wow.....What are the chances of the operation NOT working in Lily's case?"
"I'm honestly not sure but if I had to venture a guess I was say the chances of it not working would only be about 20 to 25%."
"So there's at least a 75% chance that with this program I'll regain full use of my hand?"
"It's only a chance but yes the chance is there."
"How do we go about getting Lily in to see this Doctor?" Duke asked as he slid his arm around me.
"I can fax him, Miss. Tao's file and see what he has to say about it. If he accepts her as a patient things will progress quite quickly. You'd probably have to leave for England within a few days of being notified of your acceptance."
"Fine, fax him her file." Duke says letting go of my hand and standing up to shake the doctors hand.
Doctor Edwards nods, "Don't get your hopes up Miss. Tao, even if you are accepted into the study doesn't mean that the operation will work for you."
"It's a chance I'm willing to take, sir." I politely say as I watch him leave my room.
"It'll be alright, Angel. The surgery will work and you'll be back to drawing before you know it." Duke looks at me and smiles encouragingly.
"Honestly I'm not even worried about that right now."
"You aren't?" He asked surprised.
"No, I'm not. Besides it's a moot point weather I get accepted into the program anyway."
"Oh?"
"I can't afford it."
"Your Uncle won't help at all?"
"You know, Uncle Jean-Paul...What do you think?"
He thinks for a minute before answering, "I'll sell the shop."
"No, you won't Duke Devlin! That shop means the world to you."
"And you mean more to me then a pile of bricks and plaster."
"And some of the most sophisticated gaming equipment to come out of the factory in a while. You will not sell your shop, Duke. There's another way to get the money."
"Oh?"
"Sell my deck."
"You're kidding right?"
"It's not like I'm ever gonna duel again and I have enough one of a kind and powerful cards in there to get the 5 million easy."
"You will duel again, Lil. You love it to much to walk away from it forever."
"Loved. Past tense, Duke." I close my eyes not really wanting to have this fight with Duke but knowing in a way that it was inevitable. It we didn't have it now we'd have it later. "I used to love it but then....With what happened with Adam......" I fight past the tears that are welling up in my throat, "I just can't duel again. I can't have another person's life on my conscience like that."
"It wasn't your fault, Lily." He said coming over and sitting next to me. I feel myself being pulled into a hug before he continued speaking, "You didn't know what those two were going to pull. And who had ever heard of that Seal of Oricaltoss anyway?"
"There had to have been something different I could have done. Maybe if I have played another card I could have saved Adam." I sniffle into Dukes shoulder.
"And then you might be the one sitting in that hospital, Lil. You ever think of that? You could have been the one to lose your soul to the Seal."
"Maybe it would have been better that way." I whisper softly. "Adam was the good one, he was the future of this family and I...I....just let him go. It really should have been me"
"You know some days I just really do want to kill your Uncle for what he's done to you." Duke said with raw hatred in his voice.
"Sometimes.......sometimes I think maybe he's right though."
Duke pushes me away just enough so that he can grab my chin in his hand and force me to look him in the eyes, "Your Uncle is an idiotic, jealous lunatic. He knows that as soon as you turn 21 you can take over the company and he's out of a job so he's spent the last 10 years making you unsure of yourself. Jean- Paul Tao is a selfish, spoiled asshole who doesn't even deserve to have the title of man bestowed upon him. Don't you ever even DARE think that he was right when he told you that you should have lost your soul! Duel monsters and your artistic abilities gave you confidence that he couldn't undermine with his snide remarks and his abuse, so of course he was going to say those things."
I smile slightly when he finished his little tirade, "Are you done?"
"For the moment."
"Good. 'Cause I wanna say thank you."
"For?" He asked pulling me back into his arms.
"For caring enough to give me a good swift kick in the ass when I need one.....And for making me realize that I'm not as alone as I think I am."
"You'll never be alone as long as you have me. You'll never be alone as long as you have the gang either."
"I know...And Duke?"
"Yes, Lil?"
"Sell the deck."
"I'm not gonna change your mind, am I?"
"Nope."
"You really are too stubborn for your own good, you know that?"
I close my eyes suddenly tired, "I love you, Duke Devlin."
"I love you too, Lilith Tao."
"No matter what?"
"No matter what." I finish before drifting off to sleep in my best friends arms.
*Seto's POV*
"Seto?
"Mmm?" I answer distractedly as I read my e-mail.
"Can we go see Lily tonight? We haven't gone for a few days and I wanna know how she is."
"She's awake and driving the doctors nuts I'm sure, Mokuba."
"Can we please go see her though? Please Seto?"
"We'll see, Mokuba." I mutter as something in my in box catches my attention. A rare duel monsters card auction is being held on line in about an hour.....Interesting. I thought to myself. Might be worth checking out a little bit, who knows I might be able to find Mokuba some new cards that way. I click on the link to take me to the site and turn my attention towards my brother, "Why is it so important to you that we go see, Miss. Tao?"
"She's nice and fun to talk to. She treats me like...Never mind." Mokuba sighs and turns to leave the room.
"Mokuba, wait." I stand up and walk over to him, I stop him by placing my hand on his shoulder."What do you mean she treats you like?"
"It's just that...Seto, she treats me like I'm own person and not just your little brother."
"Of course she treats you like that, cause you are more then just my little brother."
"Seto, most girls when they come around you either end up treating me like I'm in the way of the two of you or seem to think I'm just this cute little kid."
"That's not true."
"Yes, it is. Seto, the last girl you dated talked to me like I was five, the girl before that kept pushing me off on the staff whenever she was over so she could spend time alone with you and she was over ALL the time."
I sigh and run my hand through my hair, "Well, you don't have to worry about that for a while. I'm just too busy to have anything to do with females right now."
"Even Lily?"
"Miss. Tao is one of the reasons I'm too busy," I say heading back over to my computer. "She was supposed to be the artist for the new card design division but from the look of things I'll have to find another one."
"Her hand's hurt that bad?"
"They don't think she'll regain full usage of it ever again."
"Poor Lily."
I nod slightly to my brother as I look back at the screen and pale. "Oh my god.........It can't be."
"Seto, what's wrong?" Mokuba's voice is full of concern as he comes over, "Is it Pegasus again?"
"A Blue Eyes White Dragon is up for auction."
"How is that possible? You own the only three in existence Seto."
"I thought I did, Mokuba." I say as I click on the details of the deck that's up for auction. My heart begins to race as I see the deck that's up for sale, Sirens deck?? How is that possible? I thought to myself.
Siren was one of the top duelists three years ago in America, her deck was just about impossible to beat. At least that's what most of her opponents had said after she humiliated them, I was hoping to duel her during an international tournament but she had quit dueling after winning her last tournament. From what I had heard of and seen of her abilities I was hoping to finally get the chance to challenge my skills against a worthy opponent. I thought back to the one duel I had seen her in during a tournament held by Pegasus about 3 and a half years ago, it had been when she had first come onto the dueling scene.
She had taken the whole tournament by storm in her black hooded cloak with her white porcelain mask. Her combination of dry sarcastic wit, superior dueling skills and phenomenal deck had been like breath of fresh air to an otherwise boring month. She had an untouchable mysterious air about her that intrigued everyone from the hard core duelist's to the mere dabblers in the game. Some how she had gotten far enough in the tournament to go one on one with Pegasus himself, and even with him having the millennium eye, had come out the victor.
She had a very strong dragon/ spell caster deck but it didn't look like she had much of a chance against Pegasus when he started playing his toon cards until she played a card called Queen of Dragons, it allowed her to take control of any dragon card on the field and use it to her advantage. The look on his face when his own toon dragon turned on him and took a huge chunk of his life points was priceless and then when she summoned her five elemental dragons and used a magic card called spirit form to combine them into a five headed dragon known as, Elemental Spirit Dragon it was all over.
My thoughts were interrupted by Mokuba's surprised noise when he saw the contents of the deck, "Wow, Seto. Those are some amazing cards."
"I know." I say as I look at the opening bid price of 5 million US dollars and raise it 1 million.
"Six million, Seto? Isn't that a little steep? Even for a deck containing a BEWD?"
I wave my brother away as I watch bidding start, "This deck is rare, Mokuba. It's gonna get higher then 6 million, I guarantee you that."
*Lily's POV*
I was sitting on my hospital bed wearing a pair of Happy Bunny pj's that announced to the world "You suck and that's sad." trying to work on getting the battery out of my laptop one handed when my cell phone rang.
"Tao." I answer.
"It sold, Angel."
I take a deep breath and close my eyes, "Did I get enough for it?"
"It was some pretty fierce bidding for a while there, kiddo but yeah...You got enough for it, even after the auction house fees."
"How much did it sell for?"
Silence.
"Duke, how much did it sell for?"
I hear a sigh on the other end of the phone, "You really wanna know?"
"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't wanna know, Devlin."
"Lets just say that you can now afford the surgery."
"Duke?!?"
*Seto's POV*
"I can't believe you bought a deck of cards for 13 million dollars. 13 million dollars, Seto. For cards."
"Not just any cards, Mokuba." I turn towards my brother, "One of the three most powerful duel monsters decks in the world."
"And you now have a fourth BEWD again. Are you going to rip this one up too?"
I shake my head quite pleased with myself for having acquired the deck. Bidding had been fast and hard, if there hadn't been a time limit on the auction I have no doubt in my mind that Sirens deck would have sold for a hell of a lot more then 13 million. I stand up from my desk and head over to the doorway, "Mokuba, if you still want to go see Ms. Tao I suggest you hurry up. I have some business to discuss with her and I think it would be better if I did it tonight."
"We're gonna go see Lily?!?"
I simply nod my head as my brother runs from the room calling out, "Thank you big brother."
*Back To Lily's POV*
I hang up with Duke and start going back to work on my laptop. I work at it for a few minutes before pushing it aside and lean back to think, 13 million....Even after the auction house took their fees.....Wow. That's more then enough to pay for my operation and maybe......just maybe it would help me get Evie back. I know it's not steady income but it's enough to keep the two of us fed and clothed with a roof over our heads for a while until I could find steady work. Hopefully it would be enough to convince my Uncle that I could take care of my sister.....Hopefully.
I go back to trying to dismantle my laptop with more hope in my heart that I had had in it for months. I was sitting Indian style on my bed when suddenly I hear, "Lily!" and find myself knocked backward by a black-haired blur of a little boy.
"Hello, Mokuba." I laugh softly as I return his hug. "It's nice to see you too."
"I missed you, Lily. Seto and I have been by almost everyday to drop off flowers for you."
"Let me guess....The blue-tipped white roses?" I say watching him settle onto the end of my bed.
"How did you know?"
"Lucky guess......Plus, they were the only ones I've gotten that didn't have a card with them."
"Seto, didn't think leaving a card was that good of an idea. He said that you would know who they were from."
"Oh?"
"Mainly because I didn't want to deal with those losers that you call friends would have to say about me bringing you flowers." the object of our discussion walks into the room carrying a bouquet of said roses. Mokuba jumps off the bed and runs over to his brother grabbing the roses and bringing them back over to me.
"I hope you like them, Lily. They're not as pretty as you but I thought you'd like them." he said blushing slightly.
I grin as I take the bouquet from him and inhale there sweet, seductive scent, "I love them, Mokuba. Can you please go to the nurses station and ask one of them for a vase please?"
"Sure!" He said running out of the room, leaving Kaiba and myself alone. I put the flowers down on the bedside table and go back to trying to remove the battery from my computer one handed. After a few more failed attempts and even more muttered curses, Kaiba comes over and takes it from me.
"What did you do to this?" he asks looking at it.
"It was in a bag that got thrown at somebody."
"It looks totally destroyed."
"That's why I'm trying to see if I can salvage the hard drive from it, Mr. Kaiba but first I have to remove the battery pack."
He deftly removes the battery pack and drops it by my feet on the bed, "Is that so, Miss. Tao? It seemed more like a fish floundering around out of water to me. I'm just glad my brother wasn't around to hear your foul language."
I watch Kaiba take a small screwdriver out of his pocket and start dismantling my laptop, I can't help but grin as I say, "I do believe I've just been scolded.......Touche, Mr. Kaiba ....Touche."
Kaiba was saved from answering when Mokuba came back into the carrying a vase and helped me arrange the flowers in it. Kaiba sat down in a chair by the window and continued working on getting the hard drive out of the case. It was quiet and calm for a few minutes until.
"Lily?"
"Yes, Mokuba?"
"Seto, said that you got hurt during a fight at school and that's why you're here."
I throw a quick glance at Kaiba before answering, "Yes, it's true."
"What happened?" Mokuba asked as he settled in at the foot of my bed.
I was quiet for a few moments before answering, "I was cleaning up after art class when......this young woman came into the room with two of her friends and proceeded to make things.......somewhat difficult." I pause for a moment to think about how to word the rest of the story, "I simply wanted to forget the whole incident but that obviously wasn't going to happen. Things quickly escalated and soon turned violent and well," I motion to my now shortened hair, bruised face and hold up my bandaged hand, "this all happened."
"Miss. Tao seems to be forgetting to mention that the "supposed" instigator of the fight now has a shattered forearm and will need several surgeries in order for it to heal properly."
"Everyone has the right to defend themselves, Mr. Kaiba. I didn't break Bimbo Barbie's arm until after she decided to play Vlad the Impaler with my hand and a desk.." I snapped at him.
"That's not the story going around school, Miss. Tao."
I look at Mokuba and smile sweetly for a moment, "Mokuba, can you please be a dear and go get me a coke with lime from the machine down the hall? There's change in the front pocket of the purple bag next to your brother."
"Are you gonna yell at Seto, Lily?"
"I promise you I'm not going to yell at your brother, Mr. Mokuba....Ok?" I watch him nod slowly and head over to the bag to get the change. After he leaves the room I get off the bed and walk over to where Kaiba was sitting and lean down slightly to look him in the eyes.
"I don't care what cock and bull story that little bitch is going around telling everybody at school, Kaiba........All I know is that because of that lunatic's self-delusion that the two of you are an "item" and I'm just some whore out to get "her man" I more then likely will never be able to draw again. Which also means that any chance I may have had of making a stable life for my sister by July is shot to hell. And THAT, Mr. Kaiba means I can say good-bye to the last of my family for at least 6 years!"
By the time I was done my one hand was balled up into a fist and I was shaking pretty badly with rage but somehow I had managed to keep my tone calm and level throughout everything which in all honesty really did amaze the hell out of me.
"Are you done?" Kaiba asked very calmly.
"Yes, actually I am." I say and straighten up to head back over to the bed but am stopped by a strong hand on my shoulder. I look up into Kaiba's cold blue eyes and see them snapping in anger.
"Good because now you are going to listen to me. If you can manage to listen and not jump to conclusions for 10 minutes it would be a pleasant change of pace."
"What "conclusions" have I managed to jump to, Kaiba?" I snap as I pull away from his touch.
"That I believe the stories going around school. I've known that Julia has been a problem for a while but never thought that she would turn violent against an employee of mine." I start to open my mouth to apologize when Kaiba holds up a hand for silence, "But on the other hand, Miss. Tao who knows what someone who hides their past is capable of."
CRACK
*Seto's POV*
I knew a split second after I said it that it was the wrong thing to say but I sure as hell wasn't going to apologize for it. I wasn't prepared for the force of her hand on my face when she slapped me though, a small part of me was impressed by the sheer amount of nerve she had in standing up to me. There was another small part of me that wanted to run like hell and stay away from this woman no matter how much Mokuba begged to see her, and yet another part that when I look into her snapping grey eyes and saw her pale bruised face just wanted to take her in my arms and protect her from the world. The majority of my personality wanted to snap at her for daring to slap me and that's the part I went with as I reached out and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her right up against me. I lean down so I'm almost nose to nose with her, "Do that EVER again, Tao and it will be the last thing you do."
"That was insult number 2, Kaiba." She softly said ignoring my warning.
"Really, Tao......." I say softy letting go of her arm and moving away from her, "These empty threats of yours are really getting quite tiresome."
"I told you, Kaiba you get three chances before I completely lose my temper. No more. No less." She reaches behind me for her computer, "Now if you would excuse me, Mr. Kaiba, it's getting late and I'm tired. Good night."
I was about to say something to her when Mokuba came back into the room, "Let's go." I say to him before he has a chance to say anything. I watch him give Lily her soda and notice the way he hugs her goodbye, he really did need a steady female influence in his life. I had really tried to give him everything that I could since our parents died but some things even I couldn't provide.
"Mokuba, wait here with Miss. Tao. I have a call to make."
"What's wrong, Seto?"
"Nothing. Just a business mater I remembered that I have to attend to."
They both just looked at me with confused looks on there faces as I turn and leave the room. I was starting to confuse even myself I thought as I went in search of Lily's doctor. I find him in his office looking over a few files, he looks up when I enter and stands.
"Good evening, Mr. Kaiba. I trust you've been in to see our patient?"
"Yes, I have. She looks amazingly well for someone who was supposedly near deaths door just a few days ago."
"Concussions are tricky things, Mr. Kaiba. And with the swelling that had been on her brain we hon—"
"What about her hand?" I interrupt.
Doctor Edwards sighs an runs his hand through his hair, "That is not so good. According to the test results we got back the other day she'll be lucky to regain 45% usage of her hand."
"Is there anything that can be done?"
"I told Miss. Tao about an experimental program that a colleague of mine is running in England that deals with similar injuries. She seemed interested enough to request that her file be faxed to him to see if there's a chance that she could be included in his study."
"What are the chances of the program working?"
"If she's accepted, can afford it and is completely committed to the program, I'm guessing somewhere around at least 75% to possibly 80%. It all honestly depends on her level of commitment to the program."
"How expensive is this program and what are her chances of being accepted into the study?"
"The surgery, post-operative care and therapy will more then likely cost around 5 million US dollars. Her chances of being accepted, in my opinion, are quite good but it's not my opinion that counts."
"Your colleague can expect a very, and I stress the word very, generous donation to his program if Miss. Tao is accepted."
"I'll be sure to let him know, Mr. Kaiba. Another thing will be that Miss. Tao is going to have to relocate to England for the time that it will take for her to complete the program."
"Fine. As I said last time we talked, Dr. Edwards, when it comes to a Kaiba Corp. Employee of Miss. Tao's talent money is no object."
"Yes, sir. I'll see what I can do."
"Good." I say and leave Doctor Edwards office and head back towards Lily's room. I paused outside her doorway when I hear Mokuba's laughter and that annoying voice starts up in my head again.
Why didn't you kiss her?
What?
When you had her that close to you. You should have kissed her.
She is an employee. Nothing more.
So that fact that you had Julia arrested for aggravated assault and then expelled from school has nothing to do with the fact you want to protect Lily from her?
She's a crazy bitch, just like Lily said. I don't need someone like that following me around.
What about the fact the when you heard Wheeler talking about visiting her tomorrow you cleared your schedule for after school?
Coincidence. I have business matters to attend to.
Matters that just happen to involve a certain brunette with flashing grey eyes that your brother adores?
I have to see about temporarily finding another artist for the new division. I thought I should let her know about it in person.
Temporarily?
Yes, she really is the most qualified for the job and I don't want the company to lose her as an asset.
Excuses, excuses.
Shut up!
"Seto's a really great guy when you get to know him. How's this look?"
"Very nice but try shading this area a little more to help get the effect of movement. And I'm sure your brother is a very nice person when you get to know him, I just have a hard time getting to know people. I've been told that I can be more then a little.....abrasive at times."
"Hey, you were right this really does look like it's flying with the shading here. And you've always been nice to me."
I peek into the room and see both Lily and Mokuba sitting on the floor by the window with a variety of art supplies out around them. Their backs are to the door so they don't see me quietly enter the room.
"Lily?"
"Mm?"
How do you think it would look if I mixed these two pastels together?"
"Well, if you do it like this you get a layered effect...Or you can use your fingers and rub lightly creating a misty hazy effect."
"Cool. He's not dating anyone you know."
"Your drawing?" Lily laughs softly.
Mokuba's laughter joins Lily's, "No, silly. My brother, he says he just doesn't have time to date but I think it's just because he hasn't found the right girl yet."
"I'm sure he will one day, kiddo. That's assuming that the vapid twits that call themselves his "fan-girls" will let him get close enough to her for him to know that she's the one."
"Do you have a boyfriend, Lily?"
"No, nor do I wish to have one, Mr. Mokuba. I'm quite happy without the complications of a relationship right now. And I highly doubt that your brother would approve of the direction that our discussion seems to be taking. Aren't I right, Mr. Kaiba?" She says looking over her shoulder at me. The surprise that she had been aware of me the whole time must have showed on my face because she just grinned and said,"Normally it's tough to sneak up on me.......Plus, I saw your reflection in the glass."
I nod slightly as Mokuba jumps up and runs over to me handing me a drawing pad, "Seto, look what Lily helped me draw!"
I look and see an amazing detailed rough sketch of a BEWD, "You did this, Mokuba?"
"Lily helped." he answered blushing lightly.
"I only showed you a few techniques, kiddo. You are the one with the talent to draw it." Lily said coming over and ruffling Mokuba's hair affectionately. "Your brother is incredibly talented, Mr. Kaiba. If you want I can recommend a few good art teachers for him."
Before I had a chance to answer Mokuba gave Lily a huge hug, "That would be great! I love drawing."
"Let me talk to your brother for a few minutes...Why don't you go start putting some of that stuff away?"
"Ok!" He said before heading back over to the window.
She turns back to me, "Mokuba has a real gift. Not only is he talented he enjoys it very much, that's kinda rare anymore."
"You enjoy drawing, don't you Miss. Tao."
She nods slowly and if quiet for a few moments before speaking, "Drawing is something that comes from a deep place inside of me, Mr. Kaiba. It helps me express emotions and thoughts that I normally wouldn't be able to express."
"How long have you been drawing for?" I ask softly, we had been in the same room together for almost 15 minutes and we hadn't started fighting yet. I was waiting.
"Let's just say that I can't ever remember not drawing."
"Why did you apply for the job at Kaiba Corp.?"
She looks thoughtful for a few moments before answering, "It was a great opportunity for me to make a living at doing something I love. Plus, it was going to give me the chance to make a new life for my sister and myself."
"Would you still like that opportunity, Miss. Tao?"
*Lily's POV*
I look at Kaiba like he had just proclaimed his love for either Joey or Yu-Gi. I hold up my bandaged left hand, "I'm left-handed, Mr. Kaiba......What use does your company have for an artist that is unable to draw?"
"None but I do have use of an art instructor for my brother." Kaiba said looking over towards Mokuba.
"I'm no where near qualified to teach someone how to draw."
"I'd say my brothers drawing says otherwise."
"Your brother has an amazing natural gift, Kaiba.....That's something that needs to be cultured and nurtured with someone with far more experience that I have. As I said before I'm more than happy to give you a list of teachers whom I think would be wonderful for Mokuba."
"I've seen your work, Tao. My brother likes you and you are patient with him. That makes you qualified enough for me right now, plus as you said before you need a job if you want to have your sister with you...Correct?" He smirked at me. "Besides, Miss. Tao...Medical bills aren't cheap."
I sigh softly to myself knowing that I had lost this round with Kaiba, I look as he goes over to his brother and starts talking to him. Mokuba's whole face lights up and he runs over to me giving me a great big smile, "Seto, says you're gonna be my drawing teacher.....Really?"
I nod slowly and look at Kaiba, "When do I start?"
