Kaiba was sitting in his office when he got a phone call. "Greetings Mr. Kaiba, this is the Domino Police Station. We are calling about the gun that was found on the scene of the crime."
"Yes, did anything come back on it." Kaiba asked. He looked around his office and frowned slightly. Téa would normally come into his office around this time and they would go out to lunch together. However, it has only been a few days since the incident and she was still healing at home.
"Actually Mr. Kaiba the gun was registered to a Joseph Wheeler. His records show a long history of smaller crimes like breaking and entering and entering, trespassing, and aggravated battery. Do you have any connection to that name?" the officer asked.
Kaiba was shocked to say the least… Of all the people on the list of suspects, Joey was not one of them. But, then again he did tell Yugi to be more aggressive towards Téa, so maybe he was capable of doing this. Kaiba then said, "Bring him in for questioning." Kaiba then got up and started to head home.
….
When Kaiba got home, he crawled in bed with Téa. Téa felt someone wrap his arms around her waist and turned over to greet her fiancé. "Seto, you're home rather early. Is something wrong?" she commented as she snuggled in closer to his chest.
"I was just worried about you, so I decided to come home early." He paused for a moment before continuing "Téa there is something I have to tell you. The gun that they found on the crime scene belonged to Joey.
Téa was taken back by the statement. "Joey…as in Joey Wheeler?," she said as she sat up.
Kaiba nodded and she stood up to leave. "Where are you going?" Kaiba asked.
"It's a mistake. Joey didn't do this to me," Téa replied.
Kaiba grabbed her hand and said, "They are just taking him in for questioning right now. No charges have been filed yet. If he is innocent, he should be able to prove it. The reason I told you was not to make you worry, I just wanted you to hear it from me before it showed up on the news."
Téa nodded and said, "Still, I want to go there to see if he is okay."
Kaiba stood up and stepped in front of the door. "Téa it's not likely, but what if he is the one who shot you. I don't want him to get anywhere near you until I am certain you are in no danger."
"I'm in no danger Seto. Joey would never do this and hypothetically, if he did do this I was not the target. It is not me you have to worry about. You should worry about your safety," Téa responded.
He was slightly hurt by what she said, but he knew it was the truth. So, he stepped out the way and grabbed his keys. "We'll go together," he concluded.
….
As the limo pulled up to the police office and there were paparazzi everywhere. "Are you sure you want to do this Téa?"
She looked nervous but nodded. He climbed over her and said, "Let me go first." He stepped out the limo and waited for Roland to meet him before he let Téa get out. They stood on each side of her to protect her from the crowd but it wasn't enough. One of the paparazzi grabbed her arm from behind. It happened to be the arm she was shot in she gasped in pain and her head started to spin. She fell into Kaiba's arms and Kaiba carried her the rest of the way into the police office once Roland got inside he shut the door and locked it from the inside. "You can't do that," the secretary yelled at Rolland, "This is a public building, they have a right to be here."
"Not anymore Roland. If you have any problem with that, you can deal with him." Roland said as he pointed to Kaiba. Her face paled when she saw Seto Kaiba. She then saw Téa and called for the police chief. Kaiba worked with a first responder on duty to stop the bleeding. Téa was conscious, but barely.
"I doubt it is anything too serious Mr. Kaiba. Her wound on her arm doesn't appear to have opened. It just looks it is super sensitive right now and the pain overwhelmed her," the first responder said.
Kaiba let out a breath and laid her across the bench. He then knelt in front of Téa and whispered, "I told you it was too soon to leave the house." He pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and continued, "The police chief is meeting us down here. I think you should sit a few minutes before meeting with Joey." She nodded and silently cursed for not bringing her pain medication.
A few minutes later the police chief ushered them into a room. When they entered the interrogation room, the police chief said, "We are going to bring him in soon Ms. Gardner. Are you sure you want to do this?" She nodded.
Before the police chief left the room, Kaiba said, "Chief Lance, we have another crime to report."
Téa's eyes got wide and she said, "Are you crazy?"
Kaiba smirked and replied, "Slightly." The police chief sat down across from the two and pulled out a notebook. Kaiba continued, "As per her friend's request, I purchased Téa from a trafficking ring. Originally, I did it to get back at Yugi. I thought forcing her to be my wife would drive him mad with jealousy. But eventually, I did fall in love with her and it is because of that, I am turning myself in."
He paused for a moment and continued, "I know the ring leader and I want to bring him and his whole organization to the ground."
"And I am assuming that for helping me in this operation, you want to all charges against you to be dropped?" The chief asked.
Kaiba turned to Téa and said, "It is up to you Téa."
Téa could not believe what she was hearing, "Yes, I don't want him in jail. I love the asshat." She was both furious and scared. What he was suggesting to do was dangerous, but if he didn't do it he would be put in jail."
The chief nodded and said, "Fine, but until the operation, I am putting you under house arrest." The chief dug through a cabinet and pulled out an ankle monitor. Kaiba rolled up his sock and let him place the ankle monitor on. As soon as the chief left Téa screamed, "Have you lost your f***ing mind? Do you realize that doing something like this could get your ass killed? And even if you do live, you are a public figure. This will damage your name and possibly cause you to lose everything? What are you thinking Seto?"
"Even you?" Seto asked.
"What?" Téa responded confused.
"You said that I could lose everything, and I asked even you. Will I lose you, if things go south?" Seto asked genuinely looking insecure.
Téa shook her head, "No, of course not. I love you. But I wish you would have talked to me about this before you did this? There might have been a safer way to do this."
"There isn't. I thought long and hard about it since that day you told me about it in the hospital and I just couldn't bare to see you like that. I came to realize that when I saved you that day, I should have saved all those girls. But, the only way I could truly do that is to do what I am about to do now." Kaiba explained.
Téa nodded and said, "I understand." At that moment the door opened and Joey Wheeler walked in with his hands cuffed. An officer stood in the room to make certain that things stayed civil. Joey sat across from them and said, "I didn't do it Téa. I was at home with Serenity at the time. You have to believe me."
"I know it wasn't you Joey. The person who shot me was much shorter than you. But, we have to know, how did the killer get your gun?" Téa asked.
"I don't know how they knew where my gun is, but it is not locked up. I keep it in my nightstand. Anyone could have walked in an taken it." Joey explained.
"When did you notice the gun was missing?" Kaiba asked.
"I didn't know it was missing until the police showed up at my door. The last time I can remember digging in that drawer was 2 weeks ago. The electricity went out and I was digging in there for my flash light in case the sun went down before my lights kicked back on. I saw my gun in there at that time."
"So, the gun was taken in the two weeks before the shooting?" Kaiba asked.
Joey nodded and said, "I know you and I haven't always been on the best terms. But, I wouldn't do something like this. Especially since I know how much you mean to Téa."
Kaiba stood up and said, "As soon as the police are finished their questioning, you will probably be let go. I will not bother you. But, if I ever find out you had a part in this, things are going to get ugly."
Joey nodded and said, "I understand. Once we do find out who did this, if you need any help at all, just let me know. Téa is like a sister to me."
Kaiba walked out the door and waited for Téa. Although Joey was still in handcuffs, she hugged him with her good arm and left.
…...
A the police chief escorted them home since Kaiba was now officially on house arrest. When they got inside the police chief sat on the couch and asked, so how do you want us to proceed with this operation.
"Tonight, I want you to bug my phone. Tomorrow, I am going to make a phone call to the ringleader. I am going to tell him how much I have enjoyed my girl and tell him I am interested in purchasing another. I will then ask him when and where his next auction is. On that day, I want you and whoever you crew to be close by. I am going to go into the auction wearing glasses with a built in camera. This will give you evidence of everyone who is involved. When the first auction starts, that's when you come in." Kaiba explained.
"This will be dangerous for you. If any escape, you will be their number one suspect," The chief said.
"I know, that's why I came to you." Kaiba answered. "Once this is over with, I have tons of security. But, I won't have any while I am doing this."
"I see. Well, I will have my tech guy come bug your phone tonight. For now, rest easy and try to spend as much time together as you can in case things go wrong." The chief said before he walked out the front door.
Seto combed his hands through his hair, and although he didn't say it… Téa knew he was scared. Téa laid her head in his lap and said, "You don't have to do this for me Seto. They hurt me, but they would hurt me ten times worse if they did something to you."
He looked down at her and said, "I do have to do this. I don't want another woman to go through the hell you did. As quickly as I got you out, it wasn't quick enough. Think of all the girls that are trapped there. Téa, no matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you."
