I do not own Yu-gi-oh
Seto glanced over at Yugi, he is talking to Tea. He knew they have been married for years now, but not completely sure how many years. Like him, they are waiting for Serenity to come down. Yugi looked over at Seto and he nodded with a smile, Seto nodded back. He turned and saw the two idiots waiting by the stairs thinking that once Serenity comes down they had a chance to escort her. He wouldn't let them near her.
Serenity's favorite song started to play. Seto told her to descend when she heard it play. Seto knew she didn't want to do this, but he explained to her that she has just accomplished something that most don't do. Seto is proud of her for graduating college, he told her this. He had received the biggest hug from her.
"Miss Serenity Wheeler," Roland announced.
A moment later, she came into view. Seto's heart jumped into his throat. Since when has she been that beautiful? No she has always been beautiful, since when did he begin to care? He moved forward, so he is standing at the bottom of the stairs, next to the two idiots. He knew who she would choose. It isn't arrogance, just a fact.
Serenity glanced around the room, she felt a little overwhelmed. She didn't expect so many people to be here. She saw Yugi and Tea smile up at her. Tea is giving her two thumps up. She gave her a little wave back in response. Serenity saw coworkers, she smiled at them. She forced a smile at Duke and Tristan. They were pushing each other out of the way. She knew they would do this. She hates it when they act like this. They always have, and apparently always will.
Serenity glanced to her left, and saw him. Her heart jumped into her throat. She has always known how Seto is handsome, but tonight he just looking at him made her heart jump all over the place. They made eye contact, she didn't feel nervous anymore. She smiled at him, and he gave her one in return. Their eyes stayed on the other as she made her way down the stairs.
She walked over to him, he offered his arm, and gladly took it. Without looking at anyone else, Seto guided her to the dance floor for the first dance of the night.
Yugi saw the whole thing; he also saw how they looked at each other. He saw how they smiled at each other. He saw how she ignored Tristan and Duke. Yugi chuckled; he wasn't really that surprised that she chose Kaiba over those two. He saw the happiness in both of their eyes.
Because that wasn't how she acted when the decision was made for her to stay with Kaiba.
XXX
"Tell me what is going on, and it better be good," Seto ordered.
Yugi stood there for a moment. Out of all the possibilities this was the one he never even thought of. When Joey called him the other day explaining everything that was going on, Yugi didn't really know what do to. He never thought that Kaiba would want to be in on this. Tea also knew everything and wanted Serenity to come stay with them, even though she knew she couldn't. It would be the first place they will look for Serenity.
"Maybe talking about it with Kaiba could help," Yugi thought.
"Joey and Mai are on the run. It is the only way to protect Mai. Her life is in danger, and they didn't know what else to do. A few years ago Mai was mixed up with Dartz. You remember that whole situation?" Yugi asked, Seto nodded, he remembered how he almost lost his company.
"Anyway she took something when she was under the power of the crystal she was given. She can't remember much from being under the influence of the evil of the crystal. Joey and Mai think it might be a card, but she can't remember if that is what it is and where she put it. They have looked everywhere in the past few days, and haven't found anything. They know it is Dartz's henchmen who are after Mai, they keep harassing Mai over the phone, and they have driven her off the road, and keep leaving threats around the house."
"What does that have to do with Wheelers sister?" Seto demanded.
"Serenity was shopping with me earlier. If she was home she wouldn't be here right now. She would have gone with them. She has always hated being left behind. Joey did what he thought was best for Serenity," Tea explained.
"So what are you going to do? The letter said she is to be left in your care," Seto said reminding Yugi.
"What letter?" Yugi asked.
"Here, it's the letter Wheeler left his sister," Seto responded by handing him the small piece of paper.
Seto had this feeling come over him. He didn't know exactly what it was, but he wanted to help. He knew it was completely out of character for him, but he needed to help her. When Yugi was done reading it he handed it to Tea. She started to cry. She hated this, she hated how Joey and Mai are gone and how she can't do anything to help them. Yugi feels the same, he doesn't like to feel helpless.
"I think we need to keep the why from her for a little bit. She doesn't need the extra fear right now."
"I agree."
"I also think we need to make sure she is in a safe place. Who knows when and where they will strike next. As much as I want too, she can't stay with me and Tea."
"I still think she should, she is our friend and we can protect her," Tea declared.
"That would be the first place they look for her," Seto chimed in.
Tea glared at him, she knew it was true, but it didn't help. She wanted to help her friend, and this is one way she could. Kaiba didn't need to remind her she knew it was true. She just didn't like it.
"I know she wouldn't want to stay with Duke or Tristan, and that might be the next place the look for her. She needs to be in the last place they would ever expect."
They all sat in silence to think about it. Where could she be the safest? Seto perked up, here. She would be the safest here, at his house. Seto looked at Yugi, he could see that Yugi had the same idea. Tea saw the look in both men's eyes, she fumed.
"She can't stay here," Tea hissed.
"This would be the last place they would look," Seto said in a serious tone.
"And this is the safest place for her, Tea. He would have everything here to keep her safe and he has the means to take care of her."
While they were discussing where she should stay, Serenity was waking up. All she knew was Joey was gone. Serenity found it hard to breathe, her heart started pounding in her chest. She didn't know what to do.
Serenity sat up screaming. She was alone, her family was gone, and they aren't coming back. She didn't even register what was going on around her. She didn't see Yugi and Tea trying to comfort her. She needed to run, she needed to find them, and she needed to be with them. She didn't see Kaiba at the foot of the bed demanding a doctor, in his com link.
Serenity didn't know what was happening around her. She wanted to be home in her own bed, with her own family, but they weren't there. They were gone, this made her thrash around more. She didn't know what was going to happen. She needed to find them. She didn't see or hear the door open revealing the doctor. She felt something sharp enter her neck. Slowly everything was becoming bleary, her breathing was becoming heavy.
"Joey," she whispered before she passed out.
"What happened?" Tea asked, as she sat back down next to Serenity.
Tea was scared for her friend. She has never seen anyone act like that before. She was worried, but Yugi was right. Kaiba does have means to protect her. She didn't know anybody else who could summon a doctor that fast.
"She still could be in shock. Her brain hasn't process what has happened today. Her family leaving, hurt her more than she thought it would," Seto explained.
Tea looked up at Kaiba, her mouth dropped a little in disbelief. She never would have suspected Kaiba to be worried, she could see it in his eyes. Tea was sure that he only showed emotion for his younger brother. Maybe that was why he was acting like this, because he sees her as a younger sibling in need. Since Mokuba wasn't around, he felt like he needed to protect her. Tea honestly had no idea what to think.
"She will be out for awhile, it will be best if you two stayed the night. That way we all could explain everything tomorrow morning," Seto informed the two.
"Why can't we go home and come back?" Tea asked.
"I leave early in the morning, and I come home late. Unless you want to come back at two o'clock in the morning, I suggest you follow Roland to your room," Seto informed them. He didn't wait for their answer as he left the room. "Make sure Miss Wheeler is comfortable for the night," Seto said to the maid right outside Serenity's door.
Tea glared at Kaiba as he left. She hated it when he became so demanding. It was very annoying. He didn't need to demand everything. If he had asked if they would be willing to stay, she would have said yes, but now she has to stay, just because he said so. She was just about to tell him off, when she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder. She looked up, Yugi gave her a reassuring smile, and her anger was gone.
Yugi will always have that affect on her. She stood took her husband's hand and together walked towards the hallway, with Roland on the other side waiting for them.
XXX
They both have come so far, Seto being the cold CEO, to one that enjoys life. Serenity being alone, and bitter towards Seto, to someone who expects him for who he is. They have gotten closer, for a couple of reasons, first Mokuba spending the summer in the states. Second is being they were forced to interact, in the first few months.
Yugi remembers Serenity coming over to his house a lot to vent about Kaiba. Slowly he realized the visits became less and the vents ceased to exist. Yugi watched as he couldn't say he is surprised by their reaction. Over the past few years they have become closer, but he didn't think this close.
"What would Joey think about this?" Tea asked, she didn't know what to think about what she saw.
"Think about what?" Yugi asked, already knowing what she saw.
"Them, Serenity and Kaiba, how they are acting, everyone can see they have feelings for each other. So I ask how Joey would respond to this."
"Joey would be mad, no, no he would be furious, but it is her choice, and it isn't up to him. This is Serenity's life this is her choice. Who are we to take that away from her? I already took a choice from her before. I don't want to do that again. I think this is what is supposed to happen to these two. Even if Joey was here I think this would have happened eventually. They would have met somewhere and it would be similar to how it is now."
Tea didn't say anything, because Yugi is right. If Serenity and Kaiba are meant to be together, then they will be together. If it didn't happen now, it would only be a matter of time.
"Like you said Tea, you could tell by just looking at them."
Tea studied Yugi for a second before moving her eyes to the dance floor. She studied them for a moment. They were dancing closer then what was appropriate for friends.
Serenity is playing with the hair on the back of his neck, in a flirtatious way. Instead of his hand on her waist he had his whole arm wrapped around her, he pulled her closer. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, she laughed and he smiled.
"Come on Yugi, let's dance. I have to know what is going on." Yugi just laughed.
Tea tired to get close and catch Serenity's eye. She moved Yugi closer, but she still couldn't catch Serenity's eye.
Seto pulled Serenity closer to him, she gently rested her head on his chest. She closed her eyes, and smiled. She opened her eyes, Tea had finally caught them.
"What is going on?" Tea mouthed, Serenity just smiled bigger.
Tea smiled back, she hasn't always trusted Kaiba. There was a time where she hated him. He has always treated her and her friends badly, especially Yugi and Joey. She has come to tolerate him, and that turned into being in is presence without him or her making some comment, where finally it has turned to trust.
There was a point where she felt sorry for him but now she felt happy for him. If this romance is happening between Serenity and him, he is one lucky guy.
It had been hard to let her stay with Kaiba, but he was true to his word, he took care of her. Just like he did with Mokuba, Tea was sure that both of them didn't expect to end up like this. Tea remembered when Serenity woke up the second time, it was hard, but over the years it had become easier, even if it has been only a little bit.
XXX
The first thing Tea did the next morning was run in and checked on Serenity. Tea couldn't sleep. Her mind was on her friends, Joey, Mai, and Serenity. Their wholes lives have changed and Tea couldn't do much to help them. She hasn't felt this useless since Kaiba was forcing Yugi's hand at Duelist Kingdom.
Tea didn't want Serenity to stay here. It was out of the question. Serenity shouldn't have to stay here with Kaiba. Serenity should come stay with her and Yugi, which was what should happen. Who knows what Kaiba would do. Tea was only looking out for her friend.
It surprised Tea knowing that it was around ten in the morning and Kaiba still hasn't gone to work yet. He didn't do that for anybody, but this situation needed to be taken care of. They all gathered in her room, discussing what needs to be taken care of. Tea brought up how she thinks Serenity should stay at their house. This got everyone arguing, well mostly Tea and Kaiba.
What they didn't notice while they were talking, Serenity stirred from their voices. The last thing Serenity remembered was Joey and Mai were gone, and she had run into the night. She passed out from the rain and the stress, she tripped and let the darkness overcome her. Serenity barley remembered last night. Last night the pain had been so fresh, it still hurt a little bit, but she wasn't freaking out anymore. She did know she wanted answers, so she sat strait up in bed.
"Where am I? How did I get here? What's going on?" She demanded.
"I guess we can include Serenity in this now," Yugi chuckled without humor. "Hi Serenity, how are you?"
"Yugi, Tea what is going on? Where is Joey and Mai? Where am I?" Serenity asked, she started to cry again.
Tea wrapped her arms around Serenity. Tea didn't say anything, she didn't have words to comfort her friend. She held her in her arms to comfort her, knowing there was some people who still care about her.
"I don't know where they are going, but you are at the Kaiba Mansion. Joey will be fine and I know you will be fine."
"The Kaiba Mansion! How did I get here? How can you know that? What is going on?"
Serenity stopped crying, now she was confused. She needed to know what happened to her family. Tea let her go, but sat close to her. Tea wanted to be there for her friend, she will do anything for her friends.
"You were found outside the gates of Kaiba's home and for Joey and Mai," Yugi paused, then began again. "Serenity some bad people are after Mai and it was best for them to leave. Right now we need to protect you just in case if they come after you," Yugi explained the best he could.
"So am I staying with you?" Serenity asked as she was getting out of bed.
"Even if we really want you too, but no," Tea said quietly. Everyone could see how much Tea hated this idea.
"Staying with us would be the worst idea. They know where we live, so living with us wouldn't be safe. You need to stay somewhere where they will never even think to look for you."
"So where am I going?"
"You will be staying here with me," Seto said making his presence known.
Serenity had forgotten that Kaiba was standing in the room. Serenity didn't say anything as she looked at him. She felt so angry.
"Why do I have to stay here? I'm sure there is somewhere else I can go."
"I'm sorry Serenity, but this is the only safe place for you. Joey put me in charge of your safety and I think and Kaiba agrees this is the only safe place for you right now."
"What about Joey's house? What about my stuff?"
"We can send someone to retrieve your things in a few days and with Joey's house it's up to you, but you will be living here until the threat is gone," Seto explained, with an order attached.
"So I really don't have a choice right now do I?" Serenity asked, she felt so defeated.
"For right now, no and I am truly sorry, but this is the only option," Yugi stated sadly. He hated telling people what to do.
"I am so, so sorry Serenity," Tea whispered defeated.
"I guess I don't have any choice," Serenity uttered, she laid back down and started to cry. Seto, Yugi, and Tea left without saying another word.