Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Nor do I own Batman. I just noticed that Kaiba is a lot like Bruce Wayne, and decided to run with this story. So sue me (on second thought please don't)!

Two weeks later, the district attorney's apartment buzzed with laughter and upbeat conversation on election eve. Marik Ishtar hung up the wall phone in Ryou's kitchen and called for attention. Dozens of well-wishers turned to face him, word spreading through the apartment until the doorways to the living room and dining room were filled with people.

"According to the latest returns," Marik announced, lifting a half-filled tumbler in Ryou's direction, "our incumbent DA here is winning by a landslide. Van Dorn's expecting to throw in the towel within the hour." Cheers and applause sounded throughout the apartment. In the kitchen, somebody tossed a handful of confetti into the air. "Speech!" called a voice from the dining room.

"Now, now," Ryou ducked a silver helium balloon drifting by his head He raised his hands to the crowd of supporters. "Let's wait till all the returns are in before we start the celebration."

Seto Kaiba edged his way toward Ryou. He stuck out his hand. "Congratulations, Ryou. The way I hear it, it's a sure thing." He tilted his head back and eyed his friend. "You know, you're looking pretty calm and collected these days."

"I told you I could handle myself." Ryou reached out to grab Serenity as she walked by with a tray of champagne glasses. He set the tray on a nearby counter and drew her close. "In fact, I'm in such good spirits I might announce a certain wedding date later this evening."

"Ryou!" Serenity stared at him in surprise and delight. "Do you mean it?"

He nodded. "It's part of my acceptance speech." As he leaned in to kiss her, Marik was at his side again. "Uh, sorry, Ry," said his aide. "Phone call."

"Hold those lips," Ryou told Serenity jauntily. "I'll be right back."

Serenity turned to Seto as Ryou threaded his way toward the wall phone. "Things have gotten so much better these past few weeks, Seto. I think he's finally at peace with himself."

Seto put his arm around her shoulder and planted a light kiss on her forehead. "I couldn't be happier for you two," he said.

Ryou pulled the handset from the wall and brought it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Congratulations, Ryou." The voice on the phone was deep, with a silky veneer that made the skin crawl at the base of Ryou's neck. "This is Dartz. Rupert Dartz."

The district attorney's face darkened at the sound of the mobster's name. "What do you want, dirtball?"

"Now, now," the other man purred, "is that any way to talk to a man who's about to make you the deal of a lifetime - or should I say two lifetimes?"

"I'm not interested in any deal you could have to offer, Dartz." Ryou started to pull the receiver away from his ear."

"Oh, I think you will be," came the voice from the phone, "unless, of course, you'd rather I did my negotiating with 'Big Bad Kura.'"

Ryou felt his blood turn to ice. He returned the receiver to his ear as Dartz's silky voice continued: "Or perhaps I should have a little chat with the press first."

Ryou swallowed a deep breath. "What do you want?" he asked in a strained voice.

"There's a limo waiting in the alley. It'll be out front by the time you get downstairs. Take it while you still have a career ahead of you." There was a sharp click, then the dial tone buzzed loudly in Ryou's ear. The DA replaced the receiver on the wall and stood staring at the balloons and confetti that festooned the room. He rubbed his finger against his upper lip.

"Darling, is something wrong?" Serenity was at his side, her hand on his arm.

"No - nothing." Ryou tried to compose himself. "I - I have to see someone, that's all. Would you mind looking after our guests for a little while?"

"But the last returns are just-"

"I won't be long. Open another case of champagne and they'll never know I'm gone." He forced a not of gaiety into his voice. "Thanks, darling." He left her side with a quick kiss on the cheek and headed off to get his coat from the hall closet.

Serenity frowned after him. When she turned, Seto was watching her. He gave her a small nod, then slipped from the kitchen and headed for the door. He caught up with Ryou at the elevator. The DA was shrugging into his overcoat with a distracted expression on his handsome face.

"Hey, Ry, what's up?"

Ryou blinked at Seto. "Uh, a surprise meeting, that's all." He jabbed the elevator button a few times. Seto moved in between Ryou and the elevator, blocking his exit just as the doors slid open. "Now?" he asked. "With whom?"

Ryou stepped to the side and pushed past his friend. "Just mind your own business, all right?"

"Hey." Seto grabbed the other man's arm. "You're in trouble, aren't you?"

Ryou pulled away and pushed the button for the ground floor. The doors closed in Seto's worried face. "My friend," Ryou muttered to himself, "you don't know the half of it."

Seto moved to a hall window and looked out. A white limousine sat at the curb, three rough-looking men lounging against its side. As he watched, the DA came out of the front door of the apartment building and got into the limo. The car pulled away from the curb and drove off into the night.

I'd like to thank SheepAteMyFanBoys for the comment left on my last chapter. Boredom led to me to actually updating. I've been snowed in the house for a few days and I already did all of my chores and such... so here's another chappie for my readers.

Cazuuki