Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

The Lie That I Lived

Mai Valentine- 26

Seto Kaiba- 25

Joey Wheeler- 24

Yami Mouto- 24

Tea Mouto- 24

Serenity Wheeler- 22

Mokuba Kaiba- 20

Uh…-tries to think of some(thing/one) to blame- Sorry, but it's been very busy until now. But I've told myself that I'll finish this story, or at least have the rest of the chapters prepared before school starts! I know it's supposed to be two chapters after this one, but I've decided to make this chapter two shorter ones, so it'll be three more till the end, try to bear with! Please leave a nice review at the end.

Chapter 9

-II-

Playing with the beads on her purse, flattening her dress out, fixing her heels, checking her hair in the mirror every so often, Mai could not sit still for the entire ride to the function. Kaiba would occasionally glance over at her direction and let his lips form a soft smile, Mai would catch glimpse of these smile and quickly put her hands in her lap like an obedient girl. But then sneakily, would catch of the older Kaiba in his slick black suit. Mokuba, sat at the corner, watching the two unveil their sickeningly sweet love story.

'Just jump on each other and get it over with.' The younger Kaiba naughtily thought.

"How much longer driver?" Mai anxiously asked.

"We're almost there Ma'am, just a few more minutes," the driver responded politely.

Mai nodded, she leaned back into the soft leather interior and began tapping on her purse. As she was getting a good beat going before Kaiba turned from the window and set his hand down on both of hers, he looked at her, frustration in his eyes. She immediately stopped as he turned back to this window, leaving his hand on hers.

-II-

"There's going to be a lot of paparazzi, don't answer any of the questions," Kaiba roughly instructed as they turned into the driveway of the hotel. "Oh…and remember to smile," he quickly added as he jumped out of the car.

Mai quietly laughed to herself, as she saw Kaiba's hand come back into the car for hers, she took it and stepped out of the car. Almost immediately she was flooded with strobe lights and flashes from countless cameras. Then the questions poured in.

"Are you and Seto Kaiba currently dating?"

"Is it true you live with him?"

"When's the wedding?"

"We heard Paris is a possible honeymoon spot, care to elaborate?"

"What happened to your career as a duellist?"

"Why'd you leave Domino?"

Mai was completely overwhelmed, she didn't even know which way to look. She looked up at Kaiba for support, but even he looked a tad stifled in the limelight. He squeezed her hand, comforting her as she looked ahead to the doors of the hotel. But then she saw it, that bush of untameable blonde hair. Her breath stopped, it couldn't be him…He couldn't see her like this, with…him. She swiftly snapped her head to the opposite direction and began to pull Kaiba into the building faster.

"What's wrong with you..?" Kaiba asked, slightly confused.

"Uh…I need to pee!"

"Oh…" Kaiba cleared his throat. "Well, then…I guess I'll wait for you."

"You guess you will?" Mai snapped as they entered the doors.

"I mean…yes, of course I'll be there." Yielding to what people wanted was not a trait of Kaiba's, but as Mokuba had pointed out, many times, pregnant women required the utmost of care and caution. Dangerous territory is what one gets for getting involved with a pregnant woman.

"Kaiba, there's no need to be disgusted, it's a natural function, and since I'm preg-"

Kaiba quickly put his hand over her mouth and led her to an isolated corridor, where the bathrooms were. Mai irritably ripped his hand off her mouth and stared at him, shooting icicles with her glare.

'I feel a mood swing coming on…'

"Oh sorry Master Kaiba, didn't want to ruin your angelic image. God forbid anyone finds out you're living with a pregnant woman, what will the media say," she said sarcastically, turning away from him.

This was completely unreasonable, and he had to deal with it. He thanked every moment he told Mokuba he wouldn't get married, he finally had a solid reason why. Mai snuck a peek over her shoulder, she knew she was a burden, and she heard herself and the stupid way she acted, but what could she do? She smiled, he was so rock hard on the outside, but so naïve and innocent on the inside, he had absolutely no idea what to do when it came to handling a woman, and he had to start off with a pregnant one.

'Well, I give him practise for the real thing.' She evilly thought as she pictured Kaiba running around with diapers and bottles, baby solution dripping off his very expensive Armani suits, which by then, would either become a blanket or a play mat for the baby. She giggled, whoever she was, Mai supposed she found herself one in a million.

There. Again. The blonde. Mai stretched, getting on her tippy-toes, she perched over Kaiba's shoulder. Sure enough, she had been correct the first time she saw him. Joey Wheeler stood before her, photographer behind him, pen and notepad in his hand. Kaiba told her press was not allowed within the premise of the building, but that didn't stop Wheeler. His eyes scrutinized his surroundings, slowly, within moments his eyes would cross over her and stop. She stared up at Kaiba, who was looking up at the ceiling. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two men. Kaiba. Joey. Kaiba. Joey. Kaiba. Joey. Kaiba…

She acted fast, taking Kaiba's collar in her fists she slammed him into a wall and kissed him, making sure his back was completely covering her from any peeping eyes. Why a kiss, she hadn't figured out the full details of her plan. Plan? Spur of the moment, she had no idea what to do and Kaiba was standing there…Screw it, it felt amazing. Pushed at first, but their lips slowly gave into each others, Kaiba found his hands on her hips as her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. They both knew the press would go utterly ballistic if they got a picture of this, but since Kaiba didn't seem like he had any plans to pull away, Mai stuck around. Craning her neck slightly, she peeked over his shoulder once more, Joey had averted his attention to finding a way into the hall, but the security men didn't look like they were in for a compromise. Mai broke away and looked up at Kaiba, he looked down at her as a moment of awkward silence passed between them.

"Well, I'd better go pee…"

-II-

Days past, but no words were exchanged between the pregnant blonde and the blue-eyed businessman. After the 'incident' Mai and Kaiba spent a very uncomfortable evening with old businessmen and nagging, rich wives. Mokuba had sensed the awkwardness between them when since they walked in, he had taken Mai to the side and tried to get it out of her, which proved to be unsuccessful, and he didn't even try his older brother. Even now, at home, if their eyes ever crossed each other's paths it would result with both looking away and trying to act calm and collected- a very hard thing with a six month pregnant woman in the house. Mokuba just hoped this silence wouldn't turn into anything worse, like breaking vases, picture frames, bones…

One especially quiet day, Mai hesitantly walked into Kaiba's study. Kaiba looked up at her and looked back down at his work. Obviously, doing something wrong.

"Usually people acknowledge other when they walk into a room," Mai snapped.

"Usually they do…" Kaiba said, not looking away from his computer screen.

"Don't try to act smart with me!" Mai screeched. "I'll teach you some manners you ungrateful sonofa-"

Kaiba looked up at her, clearly surprised by where her language was going.

"Oh…oh my, Kaiba…" Mai sniffed as she walked up to his desk. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have raised my voice like that."

"Just make sure it doesn't happen again," Kaiba sighed, turning back to his work.

"You have to take me to the doctor's," Mai demanded.

"Ask Mokuba."

"He went to some girl's house."

"Go yourself."

"If you'd take your freakin' eyes of the computer you'd notice something. Don't see it, wait, wait, the audience has a clue. What's that? I'm freakin' pregnant you dumbass!"

"Fine. Wait, are you wearing my pants..?"

"My pants aren't fitting."

"So, why my pants?"

"'Cause."

"That's not an answer."

"How about while you're looking for that answer I stick this pen in your throat?"

There was no competing with women.

-II-

"Well, Ms. Valentine, your baby seems to be developing well. Throughout the month you're going to be able to feel your baby move, rolling from side to side and turning upside down and back. You'll also feel some back pain as your baby continues to grow."

'Great. Something else to complain about.' Kaiba thought.

"Actually, I can take an ultrasound now, we could figure out the sex of your baby."

Mai started in complete awe at her. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. The sex of her child…

"Could you?"

The doctor laughed. "Of course, let me just get the machine ready."

The doctor applied a cool jell to Mai's stomach and ran the handle of the ultrasound machine over her abdomen. Faint grey wisps were on the screen, she could barely make anything out, except…

"Ohmygod! Is that the head…?"

Kaiba turned around and looked at the screen. For him, there was nothing but lines moving across the screen.

"Yes, that is. And here," she pointed to the screen. "Is one hand, and then the other, and its two little feet. Wait," she laughed as she smiled over to Mai. "I mean her two little feet."

"You mean…it's a girl?"

She nodded.

"OHMYGOD!" Mai screamed as she grabbed Kaiba's hand who just stared at the screen, still trying to decipher the lines. "Idiot, don't you see it?"

"Of course I do," Kaiba replied, rolling his eyes.

Mai put her hand over his neck and pulled his closer to her. He caught a whiff of lavender before she began talking.

"See? That circular part? The head. And then the two curved lines, arms."

"Oh."

"I'll get you two a printout," the doctor smiled as she left the two in the room.

"I can't believe I'm having a girl!" Mai squealed excitedly, squeezing Kaiba's hand ever tighter. "I'm going to give her everything I never had."

"And when she asks where she came from?"

"I'll tell her she was my blessing when I was on the brink of death."

He wanted to say something to her. Tell her something that he could never say to her. He wanted her to think of him as her shelter, that he'd watch over her, but was that promising too much? He could never be everything she needed and deserved. He was…such a clichéd phrase, "too busy". He wasn't a family man, but a businessman, he didn't change diapers and take kids to the park or even read bedtime stories. He couldn't give someone a childhood when he didn't know what one was. He grew up right after Mokuba was born and never looked back; it was the most obvious thing to do, his father and mother died and he had a baby brother. But sometimes he did regret what he had done, because of him he couldn't give Mokuba a proper childhood either, but that didn't stop him from having that carefree look in his eyes. He tried to give Mokuba everything he could, but sometimes maybe all Mokuba needed was an older brother, not a provider or a father, but a genuine brother. If he couldn't give Mokuba himself, how could he give another human being himself?

"A girl…" Kaiba said, trying to dismiss the whirlpool of emotions going through his head

"Yeah…"

"Make sure she doesn't end up like her crazy mother."

-II-

"What are you trying to do?"

"I'm trying to take care of you!"

"I've been doing that for years, I don't need you!"

"Well maybe if you don't need me you don't need any of this."

"Kaiba..?"

"Maybe you should leave Mai."

She grabbed her jacket and ran outside, tears falling from her eyes, Kaiba not calling her back once. Now she wandered the park, cold and alone. She knew she was on an emotional roller coaster, but she didn't even know why she burst out like that. Kaiba had been starting to actually shut up and be helpful and all she did was yell at him. She hated herself right now, but most of all she hated him. She hated feeling so down, and it was all because of him.

Water dripped off her golden hair as she sat down on a bench and watched the water roll off her. She didn't want to be alone anymore. Her whole life was solitude and now, she finally found a family, but as life would have it she was outside in the rain again. No one to lend a helping hand, she was a burden people just brushed off when they didn't want her anymore. Mai reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the cell phone Kaiba had given her. She scrolled down her phonebook and pressed talk.

"Joey..?" She whispered.

"Mai?"

"Joe, could you come?"

"You never need to ask Mai. I'm already there."

"Joey," she laughed. "I'm not kidding."

"Neither am I."

Mai turned around, and there he was, water dripping off his leather jacket and blonde hair, he gave her a trademark Joey Wheeler smile as he sat down beside her and brought her closer to his body.

"Why are you out here like this Mai?" Joey asked, putting his head over hers.

"I had no where else to go."

"You could've come to me," Joey said as he looked down to her eyes. "You can always come to me."

"Joey-"

"Mai, you know how many years I've been chasing you?" He laughed. "Ever since I saw you on the boat ride to Duellist Kingdom. There was always something about you no other girl had."

"Backbone?" Mai scoffed, hating herself for what she was now.

"Yeah," he laughed again. His laugh felt nice against her, she leaned closer to him, his heartbeat becoming her lullaby. "You were always out there, putting yourself out there, saying whatever you wanted to and not caring about who said what. You were something else."

His eyes shimmered with happiness as he told her that last line.

"After you left, I looked for you." He looked down into her soft violet eyes. "After a while I thought that you could've been dead and no one would've known. You left nothing behind."

"Things had to be like that Joey…"

"But why Mai? After everything we went through together you couldn't come to me and for help?" Joey plead.

"Joey, everything that happened between us can never compare to everything that happened before that and after."

"Mai, I wanna be there for you." Joey took her hands in his.

"Joey, you can't…" Mai looked away from the sincerity in his eyes. She didn't want him to look at her like this; the truthfulness struck a pain deep within her heart that always wanted someone to depend on but quickly became overshadowed with the darkness of rejection and loneliness.

"Why won't you let me Mai?" Joey brought her face towards his, inches away and eyes to eye, he began to confront not only her emotions, but his as well. Emotions he had buried away along with his half-hearted attempts to forget Mai, everything he wanted to know would come out right now.

"Joey, it's not that easy."

"You can still try."

"Joey, I'm too lonely…" Her eyes began to water.

"I can make that disappear, let me make you happy."

"I don't think I can ever be happy Joey…" Tears streamed down her faces, joining the rain from the sky.

"Mai, let me be with you, let me make you happy."

"Joey…"

'Kaiba…'

Mai stopped herself. Tears rolled down her eyes as she thought of the sapphire-eyed jackass waiting at home. Home. Something he familiarized her with again. Safety and comfort. It always happened like this, she would find something and then it would be snatched away, but for some reason, it felt different this time, almost permanent. But anything, anything good happening in her life was always disturbed with the same force that had been active for many years. She had found Kaiba, and here was Joey, making amends and trying to bring her into his life. Both ways led to somewhere warm, somewhere she could spend the rest of her life. But if she went one way, the other would crumble. Fate and destiny. Two factors that had always been against her, and would continue to be.

She looked up and Joey; water droplets rolled down his pale cheeks as he stared, determined, into her eyes. He brought his hand up to her face and began to wipe her tears away.

"Even in the rain Mai, I can still see your tears. I don't wanna see you hurt Mai, you're too precious."

"Joey…" Mai slowly stepped back away from him, her eyes never leaving his saddened russet ones. "Don't…"

"You should've told me before I became mesmerized by those eyes. You should've told me before I spent all those nights thinking about you. You should've told me before I decided to fall in love with you..."

"Joey…I'm pregnant."