Sweet. Baby. Jesus. This is the last chapter before the epilogue and holey moley has this fanfiction been a journey! After quite a bit of thinking, I've decided to make a third installment to the Take A Chance On Me saga, and I think you guys will enjoy it. Anyhoo, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

xxxx

"Where is she?" Alister asked, bouncing his leg nervously from his place on the couch. He had gone straight over to Alissa and Tea's apartment after work, and immediately after arriving Tea informed him that Alissa still wasn't home. They had both tried calling her several times, but their calls went straight to voicemail. It was now nearly two in the morning and there was still no sign of Alissa.

"I don't know. Her open mic event should've ended hours ago."

"We need to call someone."

"They can't do anything until she's been missing for twenty-four hours."

"So are we just supposed to wait until she's found dead in a ditch somewhere?" His voice rose as he got on his feet.

"Alister, you need to breathe. I'm worried about her too, but we're probably worrying for no reason. She can handle herself." The sound of the apartment door inching open quietly drew their attention down the hall. The duo hurried down the hall to find Alissa slowly closing the door behind her.

"Alissa!"

"Balls!" she squeaked with fright. She tossed a glare towards the red head that had called her name. "Damn it, Alister! Don't scare me like that!" She fell silent when he dragged her into his arms.

"I thought something happened to you," he muttered, burying his face in her hair.

"Why would you think that?"

"It's two o' clock in the morning and you weren't answering your phone."

"Oh, um sorry about that. My phone died. Sorry I made you worry." He pulled away so he could look at her in the face.

"Where were you?"

"I just walked around the city-."

"Wait, you walked around New York City alone at night? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"Oh my God, I'm fine. I just needed to clear my head. You don't need to freak out."

"You had Tea and I worried sick, Alissa! You should've called us and let us know! You can't just leave people hanging like this!"

"Like how you left me hanging tonight?" Alister blinked, taken aback.

"You know I wanted to go, Alissa. I couldn't, I had work."

"Yeah, well maybe I wanted your support tonight."

"What did you want me to do, Alissa? I couldn't miss another day this month."

"No, it's fine, Alister. I understand. Your job comes first."

"That isn't what I meant."

"Whatever. I'm going to bed."

"Alissa-."

"You know what, you're just like him. You're just like Kaiba."

"That's not true!"

"Whatever, Alister." Alister clenched his hand into a tight fist as he watched Alissa disappear down the hallway to her room. Tea's gaze flicked nervously between the couple.

"She didn't mean that, Alister. Something must've happened at the open mic tonight. I'll talk to her and figure everything out."

"I'm not like him."

"She knows that. She's obviously upset about something. You know how she is. When she's upset, she hits below the belt. Come by tomorrow after I've had time to talk with her."

"I didn't do anything wrong." Tea sighed.

"She knows that, Alister. Something obviously happened to upset her so it's best just to let her sleep and cool down."

"Fine. Just have her call me once she's cooled down, okay?"

"Sure thing, Alister. Goodnight."

"Night." Tea shut the door behind Alister and let out another sigh. It wasn't hard for her to figure out what was upsetting Alissa, or more specifically, who. When Tea had sent Kaiba after Alissa, she hadn't done it with the intention to upset her. She did it to make Alissa happy. Though Alissa would never admit it, it was obvious to the brunette that Alissa still had feelings for the young CEO. She thought that sending Kaiba to talk to Alissa would at least help to quell the tension between the two, but the plan seemed to have completely backfired. I'd better explain everything to her tomorrow, Tea thought. I just hope she doesn't hate me.

xxx

"Seto?" Mokuba called. He had been playing Final Fantasy XIII in the game room when he heard the front door open. Mokuba quickly saved his progress and shut of the game.

"Seto? Is that you?" Mokuba asked, exiting the game room.

"Yes, Mokuba."

"How was your trip?"

"I have work to finish."

"Seto? Seto, wait!" Mokuba called, following his brother as the brunet made his way towards his home office. "Seto you just got home! Can't you wait at least a day before you go back to work?"

"No I can't. That trip was a complete waste of my time and now I'm behind on my work."

"What happened?"

"I shouldn't have wasted my time going to New York."

"What happened?"

"She's moved on. She's with someone else now, Mokuba."

"Seto-."

"It's fine, Mokuba. Certain people are just meant to be alone."

"But you'll never be alone, Seto. We have each other, remember?" Seto smiled sadly at his little brother.

"Yes, Mokuba. You're right. I need to grab a few things before I head to the office. Go on and eat dinner without me tonight, I'll be home late." The older Kaiba walked by the younger. The younger watched him leave with a sad frown.

"Seto, wait!" The brunet stopped and turned to face his brother.

"What is it, Mokuba?"

"Why do you always do this?"

"Do what?"

"Act like things don't bother you when they do."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes you do. You always do this. When something upsets you, you just throw yourself into your work and don't eat or sleep for days. I worry about you all the time, Seto! Why can't you talk to me about how you feel instead of working yourself half to death? Are you afraid that I'll think less of you?" Yes, Seto thought. I'm supposed to be able to keep it together. If I'm weak in front of Mokuba, how will I be able to show my strength in front of business rivals?

"I'm the older brother. I should be the one concerned with your wellbeing, not the other way around."

"But it doesn't have to be like that, Seto! You don't have to brave face for me! You've always been there for me, why won't you let me be there for you?" The older Kaiba could feel his resolve start to crack. "We're a team, Seto. I'll always be here for you. You've always been my shoulder to cry on, so let me be yours too." And like that, all the years of built up pain and betrayal bubbled to the surface. Seto kneeled down in front of his brother and dragged him into his arms. He buried his face in the child's wild mane as the first sobs began to make his shoulders shake. Mokuba wrapped his arms around his brother tightly as the older one sobbed. The ebony haired teen rubbed his brother's back lightly. He had never seen his brother so torn up. He was happy that the brunet wasn't restraining his feelings anymore, but it still broke the younger Kaiba's heart to see his older brother and role model so upset.

"Why is it that whenever I get a taste of happiness, it gets snatched away? I know I've done questionable things in the past, and I know that I'm a heartless asshole but-."

"That isn't true, Seto. You aren't a heartless-."

"Yes it is, Mokuba. Everyone says it. The only reason you're still here is because you have to be."

"That isn't true. I'm here because we're a team. I'll always be here for you, Seto. No matter what anyone says, it isn't true. Would a heartless person donate thousands of dollars to orphanages every month? Would a heartless person let children into their theme park for free? Sure you've made bad choices in the past, but who hasn't? If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you."

"I don't know where I'd be without you, Mokuba."

"I love you, Seto."

"I love you too, Mokie."

xxx

Seto yawned and opened his eyes to find Mokuba curled up against him. After their heart to heart, Seto had agreed to let Mokuba sleep in his room for the night. Seto gently pried his arm out from under his brother and pulled himself out of bed. He showered and brushed his teeth before getting dressed for work. Mokuba sat up and rubbed sleepily at his eyes as Seto returned to his room.

"Where are you going, Seto?"

"I'm heading into the office. I'm just going for a couple hours," he answered quickly. "I'll be back before dinner. We can order pizza."

"Okay!" Mokuba agreed, excited with the prospect of his brother actually being home for dinner. "I'll see you later, Seto." An hour later, Seto was sitting in his office and sipping on a cup of coffee. His fingers danced across the keys at a rapid pace. He was a decent way through the work he needed to get done when the lights suddenly began to flicker then turned off.

"Fuck!" he cursed, slamming his palms down on his desk. He hadn't had a chance to save his work before the power went out. He stood up fuming and made his way towards the door so he could go down to the basement to see what had happened to the power. I'll have the idiot's job, he thought to himself. He noticed that his secretary wasn't at her desk and he growled. Why can't people ever do their job? Before he reached the elevators, the power turned back on. The fuck? The power had Seto so distracted, that he didn't hear the sound of footsteps coming up behind him. He froze when he felt a hand cover his mouth and the barrel of a gun press against his temple.

"Go into your office, Mr. Kaiba. Cooperate and you won't get hurt."

xxx

When Alissa woke the next morning, she was feeling a lot less angry and very guilty. She hadn't meant to yell at Alister like that. Seto's presence had really upset her, and as usual, she took her anger and hurt out on someone else. She pulled herself out of bed and dragged herself into the kitchen. Tea was already in there, cooking up a batch of pancakes with the television blaring.

"Morning, Tea."

"Morning, Alissa. Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry I worried you guys last night."

"It's okay. I figured that you were out clearing your head. It was mainly Alister that was worried."

"Oh God! I was such a bitch to him last night! Is he mad at me?"

"No. Not really. I told him you'd drop by later today after you'd had time to cool down."

"It was all Kaiba's fault. Who the hell does he think he is showing up here like that? As if I'd go crawling back to him! He has some nerve! You'll never guess what he did!"

"He went to your open mic?"

"Yeah! Wait, how did you know that?"

"Because I'm the one who told him where he could find you." Oops, you said it. There's no going back now, Tea. Alissa looked at her friend in shock.

"You what? Tea, why would you do that?" Alissa screamed.

"I thought it was what you needed?"

"What I needed? Only I know what I need! How dare you! Why would you think I needed to see the guy that broke my heart?"

"Because I know that you're still in love with him."

"Excuse me? I'm not in love with him! How could you do this to me? How could you do that to Alister?"

"Alissa, I know that he hurt you, but he made you so happy. Alister is a great guy, Alissa but he'll never be Kaiba. I understand you're scared that Kaiba will hurt you again, but if he's the person that'll make you happiest, isn't it worth the risk?"

"Even if all that was true, it's too late. I'm with Alister now. The sound of the news pulled the two girls' attention away from their conversation.

"Going on the tenth hour, the CEO of the prominent gaming company Kaiba Corp, has been held hostage in the office of Kaiba Corp Headquarters…"

"Oh my God! Seto! Tea, turn it up!"

"Little is known about the situation, but an ex employee is believed to be the one of the three to take him captive. Domino City police have surrounded the area, but have not yet made it close enough to the building where Seto Kaiba is being held." Alissa could feel a large lump settle in her throat.

"Seto," she whispered.

xxx

Seto could feel his energy draining rapidly. With every minute that passed, he felt himself getting weaker and weaker. The left leg of his pants was now completely soaked in blood from the bullet wounds in his thigh and calf, a result of him trying to fight off the three men. If his captors didn't do something soon, he would bleed out. He was already feeling weak from the blood loss.

"If only you could see how pathetic you look right now, Mr. Kaiba," the leader and a man by the name of Sato mocked. Sato had been fired only a week prior when he had been caught stealing money from the accounts. Seto growled and pulled against the handcuffs holding him to his office chair.

"Fuck you." Sato smirked before digging his finger into the bullet wound in Seto's thigh. Seto roared in pain and jerked his leg.

"This is your last chance, Kaiba. Give me the security codes for the accounts."

"Never."

"Then it looks like you and your company end here." Sato threw a glance at his two workers. "Set it up." Seto watched in confusion as one of the men dug into his bag and began setting something up on his desk.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll find out soon." Seto finally caught sight of the thing on his desk and he frowned. It was bomb.

"What exactly to you plan on doing with that?" he demanded, starting to struggle again.

"Isn't it obvious? If you won't give us Kaiba Corp, then we'll get rid of it."

"You're crazy if you think you'll get away with this!"

"We already have." Seto pulled against the handcuffs until they left a bloody ring around his wrists. He glared at Sato as he circled him.

"Say mighty, night, Boss." The last thing Seto saw before the butt of a gun collided with his skull was the bomb counting down from fifteen minutes.

xxx

Alissa and Tea's eyes stayed glued to the screen, waiting for more news on what was going on with Seto. Finally, after twelve hours of being held hostage, movement was seen at the entrance of the building.

"Oh my God! It's Roland!"

"And he's carrying something!" The head of security came out of the building with an unconscious and bleeding Seto on his back. Blood dripped from a cut under his hair near his temple. Alissa gasped when she saw the amount of blood on his pant leg. As soon as the CEO was safely loaded onto a stretcher, the police filed into the building.

"Oh my God! I've got to call Mokuba!"

"Wait! He won't want to answer questions now. He'll want to be with his brother."

"What did those assholes do?"

"I don't know, but if I know anything about Kaiba, is that he's too stubborn to let something like this be the end of him. You can call Mokuba later and find out what's going on." Alissa nodded and quickly turned off the television. She didn't want to see anymore. Seeing Seto in danger made her realize something. Tea was right. She was still in love with Seto.

xxx

"Come in." Seto's fingers continued to dance across the keys of his laptop as he responded to the knock at the door. It was probably just his secretary bringing him his coffee and medication.

"Hey." He looked up from his work to see Alissa standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"I wasn't aware that you were back in town," he said carelessly, returning his gaze to the screen of his laptop.

"Yeah, I'm on winter break."

"That doesn't explain why you're standing here in my office."

"I wanted to see you."

"Obviously." He ran a hand through his hair and quickly saved his work before shutting down his laptop.

"Why are you here?" She chewed on the inside of her bottom lip with an awkward shrug.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay. I saw on the news that you were-."

"Held hostage? Yes, I figured you saw that and that was your motive for being here. I'm fine.'

"I talked to Mokuba. He said that you were shot."

"I appreciate your concern, but it's not really your place to be concerned with my well being anymore." She rubbed her arm and looked around the room nervously, trying to think of what to say.

"How long until you're out of that?" she asked, noticing the wheelchair directly next to his desk.

"I assumed Mokuba would've told you."

"Told me what?"

"I won't be out of it. The bullet shattered too many bones in my leg."

"Se-Kaiba. I'm so sorry." His chuckling caused her to look at him in confusion. "Why are you laughing?"

"You seem to be a lot more gullible than I thought. I'll be able to get rid of that stupid chair soon."

"That wasn't funny! That was a cruel joke, I thought you were serious!"

"Well, according to you I'm a cruel person, so the cruel sense of humor fits."

"You aren't a cruel person." An awkward silence fell between the two before Alissa broke it.

"So how much longer do you need the chair?"

"A week or two. I need it just until the stitches can be removed. Of course, I would've preferred crutches, but Dr. Swanson advised against placing excess weight on my leg because it will upset the stitches."

"Well, I'm glad to know that you're okay."

"If that's all you wanted, you should leave. We wouldn't want your little guard dog getting upset that you visited me."

"Alister and I broke up." He went still.

"What?"

"I realized that I went into a relationship with him before I was ready. I still want to be with someone else."

"Do you now?"

"Why'd you come to New York, Seto?"

"Excuse me?"

"Don't avoid the question. You heard what I said. Why did you come to see me in New York? You told me more than a year ago that you never loved me and then suddenly you're flying all the way to New York to try and get me back? Why? Why do you continue to insist on torturing me?"

"I didn't fly to New York to torture you."

"Then why? What, did you finally decide that I was good enough for you?"

"It's never been about that."

"Then what was it about? Did you just lose interest?" Alissa let out a small, sarcastic chuckle. "Oh wait, I forgot. You never had any interest to begin with."

"You're being difficult."

"Don't I have a right to be?" The pained edge in her voice made the brunet stiffen. "You know what, forget it. I should've known that it was a waste of time coming here."

"Alissa, wait." He pulled himself into his wheelchair and rolled it until he was in front of her. "I lied about never caring about you. Do you think I would've spent my time on you if I didn't care about you? I was the happiest I'd been in a long time when I was with you. I thought that staying broken up was what was best for you. I never wanted to push you away, but I had to do it for your protection."

"For my protection? You're going to use that excuse again? Don't insult my intelligence by claiming you did all of this for my protection!"

"I couldn't lose you again!" It was Alissa's turn to fall silent. "After your accident, you fell into a coma. I thought that I was going to lose you. I've lost too many people in my life, Alissa. I couldn't lose you too. Then in Egypt I almost lost you again. It was only a matter of time before a business rival saw you as one of my weaknesses and hurt you to get to me. I couldn't deal with that, Alissa."

"Well, you obviously decided that you'd rather be happy than push me away. What made you change your mind?"
"Mokuba did. All my life, I've made decisions that would help Mokuba have a better life. Even if it meant that I'd have to live through hell. But Mokuba made me realize that I deserve a chance at a better life too. And you're that chance, Alissa." He slowly reached out and laced his fingers through hers. He marveled at how their fingers seemed to fit together perfectly.

"I want to be with you, Alissa. If you'd let me, I'd like another chance to show you how much you mean to me."

"Seto, I don't know-."

"I love you, Alissa. I have always loved you." Alissa felt her eyes start to sting with tears. He had finally said the words that she had always wanted him to say. And she could tell by the glistening in his eyes that his proclamation was sincere. She kneeled down next to his chair and cupped his cheeks in both hands.

"I love you too." The distance between them closed, and at long last their lips met in a passionate kiss.

xxxx

Woo! Let's crack open a bottle of champagne! Selissa is finally back in business! After seventeen chapters and about a year and a half (in the fanfiction universe) they are finally back together! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for the epilogue and sequel! Love you all, peace out girl scouts!