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

Working diligently now, it's time to finish this story. 'Cause I just realized I've been writing it for more than two years. Two more chapters! Thanks for all your reviews, be sure to leave some again!

Chapter 10

-II-

"Mai…" Joey sat back down onto the bench and looked to the ground. Pregnant. With someone else.

"Joey," Mai turned back around and put an arm on his back.

He put his head into his hands and stared at the water running through the cracks on the pavement. All this time he was looking for her, she already found him- the him. Joey couldn't help it, tears surfaced to his eyes. After all these years of pining, waiting, looking. He tried to force it, the hate, the emotion that should've erupted from him when he heard Mai say what she did. But he couldn't. In the rain he found solace for his numb body.

"Joey, please listen…" Mai wept as she put her head on his shoulder.

He shrugged her off as he got up and looked to the sky. He didn't know what he wanted to find, anything was better then turning and looking at Mai.

"I wanna hate you Mai."

Her heart shattered. Here it was again. Fate, destiny, whatever the hell it was just took Joey away from her.

"Joey…" Mai sobbed, she leaned back on the cold wood of the bench and began to cry. "Don't hate me Joey," her words were jumbled as she tried to speak through her breaking voice. "Please don't."

Joey looked back at her, she looked so pale, so sad, so alone. His heart told him to go to her, hold her and never let her go. But his mind told him to stay put, and watch her suffer, watch her be punished for all his wasted years. All those days he looked for her, those times he waited for her to call him, those moments he thought about her, about him, about them. He didn't know what to say to her, he was still having trouble accepting the facts. His body began to burn, he curled his fingers into a fist and tightened his hand, everything he was feeling, an indescribable sense of pain.

"Everyone in my life, all they've done is hate me. I couldn't live with myself anymore if you joined them Joseph."

"Mai, I waited for you, for years Mai, years."

"I'm here now."

"Are you really?"

Mai shakily got up and walked to Joey, he didn't turn around, instead felt her warm body hugging his from behind. Hesitantly, holding his hand over hers, he thought for a moment.

"Are you happy Mai?"

"I am now."

He rested his hand over hers.

-II-

"Where have you been?"

His voice boomed as soon as she entered the mansion. It was well after midnight; Joey and she had spent the remainder of their time talking about the circumstances surrounding Mai's baby. It almost made her laugh out loud when she saw the relief on Joey's face when she said she wasn't married, but that relief was soon replaced with empathy when she told him how she became pregnant. There was nothing but help and support in Joey's eyes, it was that kind of comforting look that helped Mai fall asleep in his arms. She felt so safe there and she knew he'd be there when she woke up. He had invited her to stay the night, but she refused saying her friend was waiting for her.

"I asked you something." A very dishevelled Kaiba came down the stairs as Mai put her jacket into the front closet. "You're wet. How long were you in the rain for?"

"Why would it matter to you? You kicked me out anyways," Mai roughly replied, brushing passed him and making her way up the stairs.

He reached out for her and swiftly grabbed her arm and forced her to look him in the eye.

"I absolutely despise it when I ask a question and it isn't answered. Where were you?"

"I sat outside at the park."

"For 8 hours?"

"Yes. Now if you would kindly let me go," she freed herself from his grip and continued up the stairs. Kaiba stood there, clearly pissed off for the way he was being treated. Women and their stupid feelings. He followed her up and stopped her just as she got to her bedroom.

"What do you want now?" Mai asked.

"You listen to me," Kaiba tightened his grip around her arms. "You will not yell or get pissed off for no reason, I don't care if you're pregnant. You cannot yell at me and leave this house, leaving me to be pissed off and then come back and act like nothing happened. I didn't do anything!"

"What's your point?" Mai asked, bored.

He pulled her body closer to his, their faces an inch a part. "You. Cannot. Make. Me. Feel. Like. Crap."

"Why?" Her breath tickled again his skin.

"Because I'm Seto Kaiba, and that's now how the game is played with me."

"Then tell me how to play the game," Mai said, in a challenging tone.

"First of all, when you kiss me. You don't ignore it, because we both know something happened," he leaned his head above her neck just as he whispered those last words.

"I wasn't ignoring it."

"Then why don't you look me in the eye and say that?"

Violet met sapphire and scarlet flames emerged. Her breaths were short and choppy, every time her body took a breath in, they would become that much closer. She could feel one of his breaths rise further up her neck and over her face; she closed her eyes and concentrated on every sense in her body. All of them were on their feet, waiting for his next move. He took a step forward and she was against her bedroom door.

"Afraid?"

"Never."

"Then let me in," Kaiba whispered, his lips directly over hers.

"Are you sure?"

"Are you asking me or yourself?"

Mai looked down to the ground, her hand slipped behind her back and turned the knob of the door. As she slid through the crack, she looked back at Kaiba.

"Coming?"

"Of course." His hand slipped around her waist, her feet glided across the carpet as he lightly carried her towards her bed. She felt the soft carpet under her feet once more, turning around and look in front of her, she felt his tall figure loom over her, his hands coming around her body and slowly unbuttoning her shirt. Abruptly she stopped him, holding his hand in hers.

"You can't see them."

"You didn't think you were alone did you?" He swiftly turned her around and slipped his t-shirt over his head. Mai rested her hands over his chest and let her fingers slide across his fading scars. Shyly, she brought her lips to his chest and placed them over a scar, somehow, she wanted to take some of his pain away with her when she withdrew.

Her eyes looked up at him.

"It's here, everything you need. It's all here."'

She nodded, falling into his arms once more. This was where her peace of mind was.

-II-

"Joey, I don't' know…"

"Mai, c'mon! Let me help."

"Joey…I really don't know," Mai sighed as she sat down on her bed.

She was alone, both Kaiba's had gone to work leaving her to a day of quietness and to indulge in herself- which also meant indulging in food and television. It had been a while since she'd been able to sit in front of the t.v. and have a good laugh at what was on without worrying about work or anything else on her mind. She still couldn't believe that she was carefree, it was a new emotion to her, a welcomed one. And she only had Kaiba to thank for what she had been feeling for the past month, everything had changed ever since that night they spent together. She could still remember him trailing kisses down her neck till she stopped him, he was confused at first, but they sat down and talked. Anything that had been on her mind had come out, and in return, surprisingly, Kaiba shared his past experiences. For hours they talked about nonsense, she couldn't remember when she had laughed so hard, who knew Seto Kaiba had a sense of humor!

Also over the past month, recurring calls from Joey were always welcome, she had to be a little dodgy around Kaiba, but she managed to talk to him in peace. Except for now.

"Joey, you don't have to take me to my doctor's appointment, I can manage," Mai insisted as she grabbed her purse. Quickly looking in the mirror she made sure she looked alright. Looking at her profile, she saw the roundness of her stomach, in only two short months her child would be in her arms! Fixing her maternity clothes and began to slowly walk down the stairs.

"Mai, 7 months pregnant, you shouldn't be driving," Joey complained.

"I'm walking."

"Even that, let me give you a lift!"

"Joey…" She hated saying no so many times.

"Please?"

"Fine. But you can meet me there."

"Thanks Mai," Joey happily replied as he shut his cell phone and grabbed his jacket.

"I'm goin' out 'Ren," he yelled into his apartment.

"Where are you going?" Serenity asked, a dish and dish cloth in her hands as she peeked out from the kitchen.

"Mai has a doctor's appointment."

"So she finally got tired of hearing you beg?" Serenity laughed.

"Shut up 'Ren," Joey smiled.

"It's something Kaiba would've loved to hear," Serenity joked.

"Jeez, don't bring him up. It's been peaceful these past years, don't jinx it 'Ren," Joey.

"Joey, you shouldn't be so mean. Besides, is Mai doing all right?"

"I guess I'll find out when I get there."

"I still can't believe she's having a baby, wow, a little girl, I bet she'll be like Mai!" Serenity exclaimed.

"But with her circumstances—"

"Joey, sometimes, even bad times bring good things. This is what Mai needs, someone to love her like she loves them, it'll help her."

"I really wanna help out," Joey replied, leaning on the doorframe.

"I can see that," Serenity laughed.

"I wanna asked her to marry me."

The plate fell out of Serenity's hands as she stared in complete awe at her brother. "M-marry her?"

"Yes."

"My brother the father," Serenity wondered aloud as she picked up the pieces of glass.

"Hey! I can be a good father, I raised you pretty well didn't I?" Joey said, pretending to be offended.

Serenity smiled at her brother. She walked up to his and slipped her arms around him. "You were the best thing I could've asked for," she whispered into his chest. "I know you'll take care of her."

-II-

"Well well, Ms. Valentine, found new company?" Her doctor greeted as her and Joey entered the clinic.

"Who have you been coming here with Mai?" Joey asked out of curiosity.

"Oh, well, just the friend that I've been living with," Mai weakly smiled at Joey. When his eyes were turned she hastily signaled to her not to mention anything about Kaiba. She nodded and smiled.

"Well Ms. Valentine, you know the procedure, wear this and we can look at the growth of your baby."

Mai nodded, taking the thin clothing and leaving the room to get changed.

"So, Doc'," Joey began. "Is her baby doing all right?"

"Well from her last visit, her baby was growing well and she's very healthy. If Mai continues to take care of herself she'll give birth to a healthy baby girl."

"That's great," Joey smiled as he looked around the room. He found one picture quite fascinating. "So this is where the baby grows?" Joey asked, pointing at a body part indicated on the picture.

"That's the male reproductive system sir," the doctor said through her fits of laughter.

Joey gave her an embarrassed smiled as he sunk into the corner, telling himself not to open his mouth in front of a doctor.

Mai walked into the room to a giggling doctor and to what seemed like a very uncomfortable Joey.

"Did I miss something?" She asked as she got onto the table.

"Oh nothing," the doctor smiled as stared into the ultrasound machine's screen.

"I don't see it," Joey said bluntly as he brought his head towards the screen.

'At least he's more open about it than Kaiba.' Mai thought.

All three's attention was averted when Mai's cell phone rang. She repeatedly apologized to the doctor as she asked her to pass it to her. As soon as she saw the caller I.D. she swiftly turned away from Joey and contemplated whether to answer it.

"Hello," she softly said.

"Did you get to the clinic alright?" Kaiba asked. In the background she could hear him typing away on this computer.

"Yeah, I did."

"Do you want me to come down there?"

"NO!" She said a bit louder than she had intended to. "I mean," she looked at the doctor and Joey who had both given her odd stares. "You have work to do, I'll manage."

"Okay…"

Putting her cell phone, she looked back to the screen. "So where are we doctor?"

"Well this month you've entered your third trimester. You're going to feel your baby kicking! Your baby will be doing a lot of growing during these last few months. You may experience cramps in your feet or legs due to a lack of calcium. Be sure that you're taking your prenatal vitamins regularly. You may notice swelling in your hands and feet during the seventh month of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions are also common this month."

"Wow…" Joey said, not understanding a word of what she had just said.

"So the baby's fine?"

"She's healthy, and as long as you continue to take care of yourself nothing will happen to your child," the doctor smiled.

"Thank you doctor," Mai replied as she got off the table and left the room to change.

"Is she staying with you?" The doctor asked as she made a few notes on her clipboard.

"No."

"What are you to her?"

"I want to take care of her."

The doctor nodded, she looked up at him and smiled. "A noble cause."

"Ready Joey?" Mai asked as she peeked her head into the room.

"Yup," he replied as he left the room.

"Take care Mai."

"I will doctor."

"I like her," Joey said as he led Mai out of the doctor's office. "Hungry?"

"Kind of, I guess."

"I see a convenient store across the street. Want anything?"

"A chocolate bar?" Mai sweetly smiled.

"'Kay, you wait right here."

Mai nodded as Joey ran across the street. Mai turned around and looked into the window. There was a point where the sight of her like this would've made her hurl. But she didn't care anymore. Her hair had lost some of its shine and bounce, and her clothes were something else, but as long as her baby was born healthy and happy she didn't care anymore.

Behind her, a car pulled up into the parking lot and parked. The man got out of the black Jaguar and locked it, he was hoping to catch Mai before she left the office. Quickly running into the building he failed to notice the blonde that he passed by.

"Is Mai Valentine still here?" Kaiba asked the receptionist. Just then the doctor walked out of her office.

"Mr. Kaiba?"

"Doctor."

"Mai just left," she replied as she flipped through the pages of the folder she was looking at.

"How is everything going?"

"Her child is fine."

"Good." He briefly said as he walked out.

"Here Mai," Joey said as he handed her chocolate bar.

"Thanks Joey," she gratefully replied as she bit into it and began walking towards her home.

"Let me drop you off Mai."

"Joey," she sighed as she looked at him.

"Okay, okay, backing off," he replied as he walked backwards to his car.

"Thank you," she smiled as she began to her walk home.

"Mai."

"What did I already say to you—" Mai stopped. "Kaiba?"

"Who'd you think it was?" He asked, walking to his car, she followed behind him. She looked around and saw Joey's car pull out.

"Oh, no one…" Her voice trailed off as she got into the car.

-II-

"Where you going Mai?" Mokuba asked, looking up from the t.v.

"Just out, for a walk. I'll probably be back in an hour or so."

"Shouldn't you tell Seto?" Mokuba asked.

"Tell him for me, you know he won't let me go," Mai smiled as she opened the door.

"Let me take the blame, how nice of you," Mokuba rolled his eyes.

"Thanks!"

-II-

"Why'd you ask me to come here Mai?" Yami asked, his back turned to her, but he heard her footsteps approach him.

"Before, when we met, you said things that really made sense to me," Mai quietly replied, looking at her feet.

"They must've made sense because you've change," Yami turned to her and smiled.

"Yami, do you believe Yugi never blamed Tea for choosing you over him?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Despite the fact Yugi was hurt, he never blamed anyone for his pain."

"But you blame yourself?" Mai hesitantly asked.

"Yes."

"I've found happiness Yami."

"I know Mai, I can see it in your eyes," Yami said as he approached her.

"But I think, I think, I'm going to hurt someone in the end…"

-II-

"I think I'll call Mai and check up on her," Joey said as he reached for the phone.

"Joey showing some responsibility? Well well, what has the world come to?" Tea mocked.

"Well I just want to help—"

"And in doing so you'll help yourself find a place in her heart?" Tea teased.

Joey didn't respond, he just smiled. Every time he saw Mai all he wanted to do was tell her that he'd always be with her and give her the ring that he had been holding with him for so long. But she hadn't acknowledged anything between them, and a no from Mai, he didn't know how he'd take that. For years all he wanted to do was to find her and be with her, and if she said no, then he didn't think didn't think he could live with himself. The pain would just hurt that bad.

He picked up the phone and dialled her cell number. Waiting for a few rings a strange yet familiar voice replied.

-II-

"Kaiba and Joey. What a predicament you've gotten yourself into," Yami laughed. "Both arch rivals and now unknowingly fighting for the woman they love. Quiet ironic that it's come to this, don't you think?"

Mai just smiled back. "There's a home either way."

"Warmth and comfort, something I know you deserve to have for yourself and your child."

"But if I go one way, I'll never be able to turn around and look the other way."

"You'd be losing something and gaining something else."

"I think only Kaiba can relate to what I've been through…"

"And Joey?"

"Well, I know what he suffered with Serenity, but it was nothing like what I've been through," Mai replied, sitting on the bench. She looked up to Yami who stood, pacing back and forth.

"You want someone to understand you."

"But Joey can open his heart, Kaiba keeps to himself a lot."

"And you want someone who will confide in you."

"I don't think there's a predicament Yami," Mai replied, looking up to the full moon.

"Do you love both of them Mai?"

"Just one."

-II-

"Hello?" Kaiba said into Mai's cell phone.

"Who is this?"

He knew that voice. Distant, but he recognized that voice.

"Shouldn't you know who you're calling for?" Kaiba irritably replied.

"I'm looking for Mai," Joey retorted, trying to get past the annoying man on the other end.

"Wheeler." He had finally pinpointed the bothersome tone to someone he wished he didn't know.

"Kaiba."

Silence past between them. One wondering 'why did he pick up the phone?' and the other wondering 'why is he calling her?'

"What do you want Wheeler? I thought I finally was able to get rid of the dog," Kaiba sneered.

"Why do you have Mai's cell Kaiba?"

Tea looked up at him in shock. 'Kaiba?' She mouthed to him, putting her magazine down and taking a seat beside Joey so she could hear the conversation.

"What's going on?" Serenity asked, placing a tray of tea in front of them.

"Kaiba has Mai's cell," Tea whispered.

"She lives here Wheeler."

His breath was caught in his throat after that next line. He felt the room close in around him, numbness and bitterness settled in. Mai lived with Kaiba. That's why he had her cell phone. She wasn't looking for him. She had already found the person she needed.

"Why'd you call Wheeler?" Kaiba asked, breaking the silence.

"Just."

"What else could I expect but a 4-year-old's answer?" Kaiba smirked.

"I wanted to ask about her baby," Joey retorted.

It was Kaiba's turn to stop. Joey knew. Obviously Mai had been seeing him, talking to him, without informing him.

"Wheeler, I think we need to talk."

-II-

"Whenever she spoke with Yami she always felt a sense of calm. Even though she didn't understand the first few times when he tried to make her see reason, she realized now, his voice always made her feel like everything would be okay. He was someone, she felt she could divulge all her pain to and he'd still be optimistic about it.

'Guess that's what happens when you marry someone like Tea,' Mai thought so herself as she opened the doors to the mansion.

"We've been waiting Mai."

She was immediately greeted with Kaiba's deep voice, he stood before her, like he'd been there for a while.

"Sorry if I held you and Mokuba up, it just felt nice to go outside and walk around," Mai smiled as she put her jacket in the closet.

"You didn't make me and Mokuba wait Mai."

"Then who?"

Joey stepped out of the living room and stood a foot away from Kaiba. His hands in his pocket as he stared at Mai, his eyes asking hundreds of questions, questions she didn't have answers to. Both of them looked at her as if she had betrayed them, but honestly, she had done nothing wrong. She never toyed with them, all she wanted was a person who would take care of her and she had found that in both of them.

"I need answers Mai." Kaiba was the first to speak.

"I never did anything wrong with either of you."

"Then how come I feel like I've been lied to?" Joey asked.

"Joey, yes, I wasn't completely honest about whom I lived with, but that was only because I didn't want you to judge Kaiba based on what you guys had in the past. Both of you make me feel so safe and warm. But I'm telling you I did no wrong with either of you. There was only one person in my mind all this time, and I just needed some time before I could open myself to him."

"Who is it Mai?" Joey asked, his heart racing inside him. His nervousness showed on the outside. Years had been dedicated to finding her, and losing her once more would leave him a broken man. But there was nothing to be done, if Kaiba made her happy then he would have to smile through it and be a friend, the one thing he didn't want from her.

Kaiba, on the other hand looked much more composed than Joey did. He considered everything in his life to be related to business and this was no different. A notion which he was trying to make himself believe, truth be told, he wanted Mai to turned to him and tell him he was all she needed. Wheeler could never give her anything, he however, could provide for her.

"I'm sorry if you both feel like I hurt you, but truthfully it was always—"

Her words stopped as she fell to her side, grasping onto the wall for support. With one hand keeping her balance, her other hand reached down to her stomach. It couldn't be now.

Kaiba ran to her and picked her up. With her in his arms he turned to Joey, who stood there, still unable to comprehend what was going on.

"Get your car ready Wheeler!" Kaiba demanded as he put his shoes on.

"But, what..?"

"She's in labour dumbass!"