Macon

Macon sat at his desk at his law firm, but he was unable to concentrate on the paperwork that lay before him. Francesca was on his mind. He had been harsh with her the past few weeks, letting his anger get the better of him. Reaching over to his phone he dialed her number. The phone rang, but she didn't pick up. Tracking her phone he saw that she was at the bridal shop. Today was her last fitting, he rubbed his hands with glee at the thought of their wedding. Of having his beautiful Francesca finally truly be his and his alone. The thought of having her body all to himself made him smile widely and immensely improved his mood.

His office phone rang. "Thibodaux" he answered without looking at the caller id.

"Mr. Thibodaux, this is Rachel from Mary's Marry Me Boutique. We were looking for Miss Delacroix. Her appointment was at 3 and it's almost 5. Is she with you?"

Macon's hand turned white as he squeezed the receiver. "According to her phone she is there."

"I'm sorry sir, but no one has seen her." Macon saw red. She had run, again. She had made it to Alabama last time before he found her. But he had thought they were past that. He slammed the receiver down. He violently stood and shoved everything off of his desk.

He raced from his office ignoring the questions of his staff and made it to the parking lot in record time. Getting in he sped to the boutique, where he saw her car. Taking the spare key he unlocked the car and called her again. He heard the ringing coming from the glove box. Opening it he found her phone

…and her ring. She was gone. "Francesca, I will find you." He muttered bitterly "if I have to search forever I will find you."

Francesca

They touched down in LA and Chessy was in shock. She had never seen so many buildings that tall, or so many people. It was overwhelming. She kept close to the brothers as they went to the VIP section of the airport. A special underground tunnel took them to an awaiting limo. The limo took them out of the underground garage and out into the bright LA daylight. "So Chessy, if you hadn't gotten the job at KC, what would you have done with your life?" Mokuba asked as they sped along.

"I probably would've become a burlesque dancer." She said and looked at the two men that sat opposite her. Mokuba looked shocked and even his brother had a slightly shocked expression break through the stoic mask. "I'm joking, I didn't really have a backup plan. I mean I applied at a few other places. But I have wanted to work for KC, in some capacity, since I was 12 or so." She looked at the elder brother "actually it was you taking over KC that got me into programming. With a little help from my older brother. But you changed a weapons company to a gaming company saving millions of lives. I think that is amazing."

"What does your brother do?" Mokuba asked.

"Sammy died when I was 11," she wiped a tear from her eyes "but he loved his video games. When I was little he would sit me in his lap and give me a fake controller. We would sit and play like that for hours." She took the tissue Mokuba offered. "Sorry." She sniffed. "I guess I'm missing him a little extra right now. I've never been this far from home and I've been thinking of him and my parents since we left."

"Have you ever been away from them?" Mokuba asked, putting his hand on her knee gently.

"I've never been further from home than New Orleans." She said pulling away and pulling her dress down over her knees uncomfortably. She didn't mean to offend him, but after years of being touched against her will, she wasn't ready to be touched by anyone. Especially someone she didn't know well.

Seto

He watched from the corner of his eye as she pulled away and adjusted her dress. This woman had been hurt. Possibly raped. She looked scared and ashamed of herself as she wiped another silent tear from her face. He found that disturbing. Not that she was crying, but that anyone would harm a woman. He kept watching her discreetly as she turned to look out the window at the scenery flashing by. Mokuba tapped his arms and made a motion for him to roll the window down. He obliged his brother and she gasped as the window came down allowing her to see the brightness of LA.

She stayed watching until they pulled into a large gated community. Once inside she turned back' her face red from the wind. "This place is beautiful." Both men chuckled a bit at her child-like wonder. When they pulled up at their LA home the men stepped out first then he watched as Mokuba held out his hand to help Francesca out. She hesitated, looking at his hand like it was a snake. Then a look of determination crossed her face and she took his hand gently. Mokuba took her bag from her and began walking up the stairs, she followed slowly, unsure of her surroundings. Seto saw all of these things in her face along with fear, but determination.

He watched as she wandered around the spacious living room. "Make yourself at home." Mokuba said as he sat on the couch, placing her bag on the floor. "We will probably head to Domino tomorrow or the next day so just settle in but don't unpack." She looked over at Mokuba and nodded. "The room in the middle at the top of the stairs is yours for the stay. Mine is to the left and Seto's is to the right."

"If it's ok, I'm going to lie down for a bit. Today has been a bit overwhelming for me." It was almost as if she was asking for permission.

"Absolutely, anything you would like to do. We will probably either go out for dinner or order in. I will check in later." Mokuba watched as she grabbed her bag and walked up the stairs.

"Seto, do you think she's ok?" He asked his brother, looking over at him.

"I'm not sure, Mokuba, but I think she has been abused."

Francesca

Opening the door to the bedroom her mouth dropped. The room was larger than her kitchen and living room combined. The walls were creamy off white while the curtains and trim were navy. The couch and chair were the same cream color and the dark hardwood floor had navy and white patterned rugs. The bed and canopy had a navy bedspread with cream colored sheets and pillowcases. Chessy walked over to the bed and looked at it. King size, Macon had bought her a full size bed for her 18th birthday. A downgrade from her queen, but he had insisted that anything bigger than a full put too much space between them.

But for a night or two she had a king bed, and the best part was she had it all to herself. Placing her bag on the bed she walked over to the armchair and sat, she carefully removed her shoes and brought her knees to her chest. Sitting there in the room, truly alone for the first time since she was sixteen, she let her tears fall. Macon was a thousand miles away, probably fully aware that she was gone and had more than likely found her car, the ring, cellphone and empty bank account. But he couldn't get to her here. Not only did he not know where she was, but she was in a gated community in the last place he would look for her. Francesca cried until, exhausted, she fell asleep.

She woke a few hours later and felt disgusting. She decided on a shower but first she needed something she had not had in years. Music. Macon had never allowed it. Turning on the tv she searched until she found a country music station. This was her favorite music by far. She was careful not to turn it up too loud, but she wanted to be able to hear it in the shower.

The bathroom was the most luxurious thing she had ever seen. Black marble with gold trim was everywhere; the toilet, tub and sink were all black custom made and the light were set for relaxation. Chessy walked over to the tub and began to fill it with hot water. She walked back into her room and gathered her bath things, her eyes glimpsing the two bank bags with all of the cash. Macon was probably fuming right now she thought as she walked back into the bathroom and began to undress.

She lay in the tub until the water began to cool then she bathed quickly and got out. After drying off she walked into the bedroom and, after making double sure the door was locked, she dressed in a simple green sundress with dragonflies embroidered everywhere. It was a dress her mother had made and was one of her favorites. Macon would never allow her to wear it. He had always told her that homemade clothes looked cheap.

Passing the mirror she realized that she didn't have to wear her hair up anymore. Pulling out the pins she let the waterfall of red curls fall down past her waist. She was scratching her head with relief when there was a knock on the door. "One moment" she called as she walked over and unlocked the door. She came face to face, or face to chest with the younger Kaiba brother. "Is the music too loud?" She asked sheepishly.

"Nah, it's all good. But we are about to head out for dinner if you would like to come. If not we could bring you something back…." He trailed off.

"I would love to come," she responded with a smile. "Just let me get my shoes and fix my hair." Turning she left the door open and walked to the chair where her shoes were. "You can come in" she said as she sat down to put the black wedges on. Mokuba walked in slowly not wanting to invade her space. He sat down on her bed.

"Chessy, I want to apologize about earlier." He said looking at her. "I didn't mean to upset you." Francesca turned to face him with a shocked expression.

"Mokuba, you didn't upset me. I am sorry that I gave you that impression. I have a ton of baggage to unload from a previous living situation. It make take a while but I am determined to get past them." She smiled at him as she stood to go brush her hair. She pulled her hair over her right shoulder and began to fishtail braid it. She watched him watch her in the mirror. She saw a slight motion in the mirror and looking up she saw the older Kaiba standing in the doorway watching her. "Time to leave?" She asked, meeting his eyes. He didn't say anything, just turned and walked away.

"Broody pants" she muttered and Mokuba let out a shocked laugh. She smiled and winked at the younger brother. She could be friends with him easily. She felt relaxed.

Standing he followed her out the door and down the stairs still laughing.

Seto

Francesca seemed to be in a better mood at dinner. She laughed and talked with Mokuba the whole time, eating a tiny amount of her food. She had to be starving. He continued to watch her as she picked at her food and tried to make it seem like she was eating. Mokuba would say something and she would laugh, and smile. "So Chessy, what do you do for fun back home?"

"Well" she smiled "my friends and I would hike, kayak, swim, fish, dance, sing. I also love to cook and read." She sighed "but I haven't really had time to do any of that lately. Can I do any of that in Domino? It would be great to get back to doing at least the dancing."

"Oh yeah, Domino has a great dance school. I have a friend who goes. If you would like to meet her." Mokuba said.

"Absolutely, I have really missed dancing. It used to be my favorite thing." That seemed to put her in a better mood. He watched as she took a bite of her food and chewed daintily.

"Well hello Kaiba." Said a voice from behind him. He turned to see Alexander Eriksson, the son of the CEO of Mari tech. Seto watched as he pulled over a chair and placed himself directly between him and Francesca. "Who is this lovely thing" he leaned into her and tried to touch her face. "I'm Alexander Eriksson." Seto inwardly seethed as she allowed it, but the fear and anxiety was in her eyes. He was thankful that Mokuba saw the change in her breathing when Alexander touched her. Mokuba took his foot and pulled her chair back away from the offenders touch.

"Alex, this is our new PA Francesca Delacroix." Mokuba answered for her.

"Delacroix?" He questioned. "Didn't you apply at Mari Tech for the junior programmer position?" Seto froze.

"I did." She answered whispering.

" You turned down a very lucrative offer from us to be a PA?" He looked at her bewildered and so did both Kaiba brothers. Mari tech was their top competitor for pay.