Chapter 42 – Closer Now

"Holy shit, kid!" Jade exclaimed as she leaned in closer towards Seto. "You really busted that up! You better have gone to a doctor about this!"

"Yes mom, I did," he replied sarcastically, placing his head in his hand and rolling his eyes. It was Friday night, and Seto had taken both Tea and Mokuba to the orphanage. Mokuba was out watching a movie with the kids, sharing his adventures in school and such, giving Jade time to talk with the couple. Tea had not been the least bit shocked at Jade's reaction to his cut, which looked like it would become a scar rather just heal up and go away. She had literally thrown a fit over it.

"So you got involved with the mob, did you?" she asked, sitting down in a chair next to him and moving strands of hair back and forth to see the cut better. "I've noticed how they've been acting up too. It's starting to worry me, especially since they never used to come around here. The fact that you ran into them on your way home shows that it's spreading out. But seriously, Seto, this doesn't look good at all."

"Jade, for the last time, I'm okay," he repeated, glaring slightly over at her. "I appreciate the fact that you're worried about me, but—"

"—But you're a big kid now, I know. I just worry about you, Seto. It could have been a lot worse than this."

"It wasn't, and that's all that matters."

Jade's eyes widened as she looked over at Tea. "Did you happen to get hurt?"

"No, I'm fine," Tea answered, deciding it would be best to not talk in detail over that fact. Seto eyed her when she didn't continue and let the slightest trace of a smile grace his lips; his own personal way of thanking her.

"I'm glad to hear that. Now when did you get this cut checked out, Seto?"

"Wednesday, when I was supposed to have my appointment."

"That's right! How did that go?"

Seto smiled over at her and nodded his head. "I'm off the medication for good now."

Both Tea and Seto's eyes widened as Jade wrapped her arms around Seto, giggling and smiling widely. "Oh, finally! How many years since you've been on that stuff, and now you're finally done with it! I'm so happy for you, Seto!"

"I can tell," he remarked, and Tea chuckled as a blush began to form on Seto's cheeks. Once Jade let go of him, she chuckled and asked, "What did the kids at school say?"

"Oh, you don't want to know," he replied, smirking over at Tea. "I didn't really pay any attention, but she says that there were more stories about me than there are books in the library."

"I see. Well, that's expected out of them. They don't know anything about you, so when you get a scar, it's a big deal to the general public."

"This better not become a scar," he stated, pressing his finger against it. He blinked in surprise, and Tea noted how he didn't show any sign of pain.

"It should clear up soon," Jade said reassuringly. "I'd give it another day or two. Until then, just let it heal itself up."

"Yes mother," Seto repeated, receiving a playful punch from Jade.

"By the way, how is the construction going for the new orphanage?" Jade asked.

"As fast as it can," Seto answered, letting out a sigh. "Ever since that incident, I've been constantly checking to make sure everything is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I don't want to have to wait until the mob enters this particular area before we move these kids. They're too close right now in my opinion, but there's not much we can do to stop them."

"Didn't you see who it was that attacked you?"

"We only saw a red car and a motorcyclist," Tea answered. "The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, so we couldn't see him, plus it was in the middle of the night."

"You better hope they didn't see you, or else they'll probably try to find you two."

"I don't think they did," Seto replied. "If so, I'll make sure they're arrested as quickly as possible."

"Good. We don't want to bring them into this orphanage."

Seto glared over at Jade. "I would never allow that to happen."

"I know you wouldn't, Seto, but we have to be extremely careful right now."

Tea folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in her chair. "Jade, I honestly don't think they saw us. It was chaotic enough that we barely knew which road we were on; I don't think they saw our faces or anything like that."

"What about the car?"

"I took it to the shop, and it's being completely redone," Seto answered. "By the time it gets back, you won't recognize it as the original car. I'm giving it a new license plate and everything, so don't worry."

Jade smiled and nodded her head. "I'm glad to see the two of you thought this out and that you're okay. We'll just have to be more careful from now on. Did you run into anything on your way over here?"

"No. I was skeptical about bringing Mokuba at first, but he insisted on coming over, especially since he hasn't visited in a long time."

"You can tell the kids are happy to see him again."

"Yeah, and I think he's just as happy to be visiting."

"So how have you two been, besides the whole car chase incident?" Jade asked, leaning back in her chair and switching her gaze between the two. "I mean, has everything been working out so far?"

"Well…" Tea sighed and said, "My friends now know he works here."

Jade's eyes widened at this. "You mean Yugi and them all?"

"Yeah. They asked about his mark, and I kinda told them all that happened, so they obviously figured out he worked here."

"I see…"

"It's been going well, though," Seto stated. "She thinks it's the end of the world, but I don't really care what her friends think of me at this point."

Jade smirked and said, "As long as you two are in love, then you should be able to work through your problems."

Tea blushed slightly, and she watched Seto smirk back at Jade. "Speaking of which, I hear you have a new boyfriend, Jade."

Jade's eyes went into saucer mode as she gasped in surprise. "How-Who told you that?!"

"Lilith said you've had some guy over once or twice to meet the kids. How is that working out for you?"

Jade growled at Seto. "You always turn a conversation around, don't you? Well, for your information, he's not a boyfriend. He's just a friend. We met while I was going grocery shopping. He was curious as to why I was buying all the food needed for these kids since he was obviously a new worker, and we began talking about my job."

"He's just a friend?" Seto repeated, raising his eyebrow in suspicion.

"You have a lot of nerve, mister," Jade countered, pointing her finger at him. "You kept saying how Tea over here was just a friend and blah blah blah, and then Mokuba tells me he catches you two making out in that grand pool of yours."

"I'm gonna kick that kid's ass," Seto commented as Tea burst out laughing.

"It just proves my point, is all."

Before Seto could give a comeback, the door to the room opened to reveal Mokuba smiling at the three. "Hey, the movie is over, and they all said they're getting ready to go to bed," he stated, walking into the room.

"Good. Tell them I'll be ready to tuck them in within a few minutes."

"Okay!" he exclaimed, running back out into the living room. Both Tea and Seto stood up, and Jade smiled at them.

"You guys gonna leave now?"

"Yeah," Seto replied. "It's getting late, and I still have to take her home."

"Alright. You three be careful now. I don't want… I don't want you to get hurt, alright?"

Tea felt her stomach drop at the connection. Jade just didn't want Seto injured; she didn't want Seto dead…like Sophie. "We will be," Seto stated, and Tea shivered as she felt his hand grasp gently around hers. She looked up to see him smiling down at her before he led her out of the room. "I don't know when I'll be back next week, but I'll give you a call," he said, looking back at Jade.

"Okay. That's fine with me. It was nice seeing you all again."

Mokuba came running back into the room and frowned. "Aww, are we leaving already, Seto?"

"Yeah. Go get your things." Mokuba nodded and grabbed his coat off the back of the couch before walking towards the two.

"It was nice seeing you again, Jade!" Mokuba exclaimed as Seto opened the door for the two. Jade waved goodbye to the three, and Tea walked over to the car as Seto shut the door behind him and followed. He clicked the button on his key to unlock all the doors, and Tea sat in the front passenger side while Mokuba crawled into the back. Seto obviously took the driver seat, put the key in the ignition, and started the car up.

"Are you staying over at our place, Tea?" Mokuba asked as Seto backed out of the orphanage grounds and began driving.

"I don't think so, Mokuba," Seto answered.

"Awww, why not Big Brother?"

"Mokuba, I'm sure she has stuff that she needs to get done at home." Tea looked over to see Seto glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Does he truly believe…or want to believe that?" she thought, looking out the window. "I don't mind staying over at his place, as it's much nicer than mine, but maybe he doesn't think the relationship is at that point yet. Not that I want to sleep with him or anything…"

"Well I think it would be awesome if she moved in with us!" Mokuba exclaimed, sticking his head between the two front seats. "Wouldn't that be cool, Tea? You could hang out with Seto and I all the time!"

"Mokuba, she has a life, you know?" Seto argued, now looking down at his brother.

"I know that! But I just think it would be cool! At least spend the night, Tea! We can watch movies and eat popcorn and play video games and—"

Tea had completely forgotten it was the weekend, so it was actually possible to stay up all night at the Kaiba mansion. But… "Only if it's okay with your brother," she said, smiling over at him. She watched him actually grin, showing his white teeth, and chuckle at her comment.

"It always has to be run by me, doesn't it? Fine, I don't care. I told you that you were welcome over any time, didn't I?"

Tea chuckled at the memory of her and Seto sitting eating spaghetti and nodded her head. "Yeah, I guess you did. Well then I can stay."

"Awesome!" Mokuba shouted nearly jumping in the backseat.

"Kid, how much sugar do you have in you?" Seto questioned, glancing in the rear view mirror as Mokuba lied down and pulled a book out of his pocket.

"Oh, not much," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I thought I told you lying was bad for your health, Mokuba," Seto stated, smiling back at the kid. Mokuba just chuckled and rolled his eyes before he began to read his book. Seto glanced back in the rear view mirror once more before slowly reaching over and grasping Tea's hand again, running his fingers over hers. She smiled over at him and watched as he continued to stare down the road, his smile showing no signs of coming off.