A/N: Finally finished my last Final of the semester only to find out I have a surprise dentist appointment tomorrow morning. *covers mouth* I hate things poking and prodding my mouth.

Chapter 61 summary: In which Mai and company arrive, Thea learns a secret, and Kaiba learns a new game. Although he may regret allowing Mokuba to learn the game.

Arrival, Spoons, and Shoes

Mai followed the directions Fuguta had given Roland to Oliver's house and pulled up to the garage. She was shivering from the steady drizzle that had begun halfway here and revving up for a severe talking to for her Regent, after she slapped him upside the head. Honestly, that boy needed someone to keep him in line and it seemed like Mai was the only one not afraid to take up that mantle.

She parked her motorcycle, propping it up with her kickstand, and waited for her two passengers to climb off before dismounting herself. Fuming, she took out her phone and dialed Kaiba's phone number putting it on speaker so she did not have to remove her helmet and ruin her hair any more than necessary in the rain.

"Kaiba Seto," she said the moment she heard the click of Kaiba answering, "you had better get you skinny ass down here and let us in or I will climb up the walls and smack you silly."

Kaiba snorted. "I'd actually enjoy that, believe it or not."

"Of course you would," Mai sniffed. There was muffled rustling before Oliver answered.

"Hey," he said. "I'm coming to the front door. I'll let you in after I open the garage. You can keep your ride in there."

Mai smiled. "Thanks hon," Mai said smiling. "We're standing under your garage's overhand. It's drizzling out."

"Gotcha. Be out in a few."

Mai hung up and tucked her phone in her pocket before finally removing her helmet and stuffing it into the main storage compartment of her Harpie. "He's coming out to get us," she told her former passengers.

Mokuba nodded and looked up at the looming mansion several yards away determined to get to his brother. Mai squeezed the boy's shoulder comfortingly and glanced at Roland who was still shaking from the ride. She giggled enjoying the faint blush that dusted the older man's face. She could respect the man easily.

"Mai!"

She turned and saw Oliver rushing over with an umbrella. He pushed a button on a small handheld device and the garage door behind them opened up.

"Go ahead and put your ride in there. It'll stay dry," he said.

Mai obediently walked her precious Harpie into the garage, propping it up beside a sleek Ferrari. She could not resist sliding her hand over the car before coming back out and ducking under Oliver's umbrella. Together, the four hurried back to the front door of the Queen manor and stepped inside. Oliver shook out the umbrella before dropping it into the umbrella stand to dry out then led the group to the stairs.

"Oliver," a very unwelcome voice called. Biting back his growing annoyance, Oliver turned to his mother and waited for her to continue. "Who are these," she paused when she noticed Mai, "people?"

"Friends of Kaiba's," he said and made to leave again.

"He certainly keeps eclectic company," Moira said, a polite smile on her face.

Mai laughed. "At least he's not friends with a bitch like you," she said. With a wink, she hurried up the steps. Mokuba was biting his lip trying not to laugh. Only Roland managed to keep a straight face.

"She's right," Oliver said. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't insult my friends. Mother," he added after a moment of hesitation. Then he went up to join the group. "Sorry about that," he said to Mai when he reached them in the hallway.

Mai waved his apology aside. "Hon, I know what to expect from people like her. I may not like it, but I'm used to it. Besides, I find I enjoy it when I'm the one who outsmarts them in the end. And besides," she tossed her hair over her shoulder with a coy smile, "I don't see Sorceress in her name, do you?"

Oliver shook his head and smiled as he guided the group to his bedroom where Kaiba was dozing. Fuguta looked up and nodded to Roland in relief. Oliver expected Mokuba to run up to his dozing brother like he had the first time he had seen the two brothers together, but instead it in was Mai who approached first. Any hope of a gentle awakening faded the moment the Sorceress slapped Kaiba on the back of the head.

Kaiba squawked and stared up at Mai indignantly. "What was that for?" he exclaimed.

"That was for scaring the shit out of me again," Mai said, crossing her arms. "Didn't you learn your lesson the first time?"

Kaiba had the decency to blush as he surreptitiously rubbed his head. Only then did Mokuba climb onto the bed and hug his big brother. Mai stepped back with a heavy sigh and let the brothers be.

"Here," Mokuba said, digging for something in his pocket. "I saved it for you."

He held out a card that Oliver somehow knew was Obelisk's card. The resulting smile and reverent way Kaiba handled the card, replacing it into his Deck holster was proof enough. Then the two brothers hugged, cuddling. Oliver stepped out of the room waiting for Mai to join him before closing the door most of the way. It just felt like an intrusion of privacy if he had stayed.

He shook his head. "I can never get over how close they are," he said.

Mai smiled. "I know," she said. "It's cute and sad at the same time. Mokuba is the only blood family Kaiba has left and he won't let anything happen to him. He's killed people who've tried."

"So have I," Oliver said nodding.

"You have a sibling?" Mai asked curiously.

Oliver nodded. "Thea, my sister. She's a handful but I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Well," Mai said with a cheeky smile, "with a mother like yours, I'm not surprised she's a handful. I would be too."

"What's your family like?" Oliver asked curiously. "I hardly know anything about you."

Mai laughed and shook her head. "I grew up in a trailer park down south. It's wasn't that bad a life, actually. Well, not for me anyway. I enjoyed it." She ran a hand through her damp hair, untangling it. "A tornado wiped out most of the park when I was twelve, so my family and I decided traveling would be cheaper than sitting in one place. So we traveled." She smiled. "It was fun. I miss it."

"So you travel now?" Oliver asked.

Mai smiled wistfully. "Yes. I've been looking into buying a camper I can hitch to my motorcycle." She pressed her lips together. "But everywhere I look, it seems like I'll have to get a Trike if I want a camper." She shrugged. "Oh well. I'll still collect on Kaiba's debt. I'll see him camp out in a tent or camper in the middle of the wilderness without any computer, wifi, or connection to the outside world if it's the last thing I do."

Oliver laughed. "You really meant that?" he asked incredulously. "Over a coffee?"

Mai winked. "You bet, hon. I take my debt collection seriously." After moment, she grew serious. "Your mother, she isn't..."

"No," Oliver replied. "But Walter and Thea are."

Mai nodded. "I'd like to meet your sister, if I could."

"Good, I was getting tired of spying," a young girl's voice said as none other than Thea came out of her bedroom. "Just because my light isn't on doesn't mean I'm not there after all." She squared her shoulders and stared Oliver down. "So you've killed people for me?" she demanded quietly. "Anyone I know?"

Oliver sighed. "It's not-"

"Don't tell me it's not important," she said sharply, cutting him off. "It involves me and I think I'm old enough to deal with this."

Oliver shook his head. "I know you are," he said, glancing over his shoulder at his bedroom door. "I know you are," he repeated quietly. "I just don't want you to grow up too fast."

Mai's eyes softened. "Want me to leave?" she asked gently. At Oliver's pleading gaze, she patted his shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry. She's a strong girl. She can handle it." She brushed past the vigilante and stepped into the room. "Seth, you idiot, stop ogling me and put on something more decent."

Oliver snorted fighting back a smile until he looked up and saw Thea still looking at him expectantly. He sobered and shifted his feet uncomfortably before speaking. "I've killed people, directly and indirectly, for you. Yes."

"Anyone I know?" Thea asked softly but firmly.

Oliver winced. "A couple, but not deliberately."

"What do you mean?" she demanded.

He rubbed his face and tried to fight back the guilt memories of that particular incident always brought with them. "Tommy."

Thea's eyes widened in shock. "Tommy? Tommy Merlyn?"

Her brother nodded, pain etched in his face. "I wasn't fast enough," he said quietly.

Thea's eyes narrowed. "Not fast enough for what?"

Oliver crossed his arms and Thea recognized her brother's posture as trying to inspire confidence in what he said. "I thought I'd gotten all of them," he said. "But I missed one," he added, eyes scrunching in pain.

Thea stepped closer, studying her brother carefully. "All of what, Oliver?" she said. "All of what?"

Oliver met her eyes for a split second before flicking in either direction for eavesdroppers. But that split second of eye contact was all Thea needed to see the guilt and utter dejection her brother was feeling.

"The bombs," Oliver said, startling her. "I thought I'd gotten them all. I didn't know there was a forth."

"Bombs?" Thea gasped. "You mean the bombs that killed Tommy?" She shook her head in disbelief. "But the police said the vigilante was the one who... Oh my god. I was right." Oliver's eyes met hers sharply and Thea felt more confident now. "I was right. You're the vigilante," she declared.

Oliver again looked both ways uncomfortably. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that, not even Moira."

"Moira?" Thea repeated in confusion. "You mean Mom?"

Oliver shook his head. "It's a long story and I don't have time to tell it, but I will soon, I promise," he said, placing a hand on Thea's shoulder. "But right now, I have a friend who needs my help."

"Kaiba," Thea said nodding slowly. "He really didn't overdose did he?"

"Actually," Oliver said thoughtfully, glancing over his shoulder, "I wouldn't be surprised if he has at some point. But in this case, it was more of a case of severe withdrawal than anything else."

"Withdrawal from what?"

Oliver laughed in mild confusion. "You know, I'd tell you, but you probably wouldn't believe me."

"Try me," she dared, bracing her weight on one hip and openly daring him with her eyes. It was so reminiscent of Mai that Oliver chuckled.

"Alright, hang on. Let me get his permission," he said and leaned into his bedroom. "Kaiba, could we... Oh, hi Seth. Do you mind if we-"

"I did say she was under my protection, did I not?" Kaiba's distinct voice said.

Oliver shook his head and when he leaned back into the hallway he was smiling. He jerked his head towards his room. "Come on," he said. "Let me introduce you."

Thea eyed her big brother suspiciously before following him into his room. She was mildly disconcerted when the two bodyguards slipped past her to stand guard outside the room. When she finally turned around and actually looked at the people in the room, her mouth dropped open.

Kaiba was sitting on her big brother's bed with Mokuba curled comfortably in his lap talking to him in excited Japanese. A faint smile tugged at the Japanese businessman's lips as he listened his little brother ramble. Also on the bed was a person who was almost identical to Kaiba but his skin was a rich tan and his hair was a shade or so lighter and longer, tied back in braids. Gold bands encircled his forearms and ankles. He wore a blue colored shirt tucked into a gold fabric belt before splitting into narrow strips of cloth and tumbling down his front and back over an ankle length cream skirt split along the side seams for easy mobility.

He was talking animatedly with Mai when Thea came in and he turned to look at her. Thea was struck my the clear crystalline quality of his eyes. They were so similar to Kaiba's, except this person's were perhaps a slightly lighter shade, or it could be a trick of the light. He smiled conspiratorially when he saw her and leaned over to Mai and whispered in a not-so-quiet voice, "Takes after you I bet." Dear god, that voice was sexy.

"Um..." she said intelligently. Oliver chuckled beside her.

"Don't worry," he said. "I had just about the same reaction when I saw him."

"You almost hit the ceiling in shock," the strange Kaiba look-a-like teased. "Be glad I was too tired to laugh at you."

Oliver just shrugged and gestured to the stranger first. "Thea, this is Seth. Like I said, it's a long story and I promise to explain later, but basically he's with Kaiba."

"You mean together together?" Thea asked.

Seth blushed a bright red and his eyes grew round in shock just as Kaiba choked on a glass of water he had the misfortune of drinking at that very moment. Oliver and Mai laughed.

"Ra no!" Mai said. She glanced slyly at the both of them and added, "Though I wouldn't be surprised if they did eventually."

"Mai!" Seth gasped.

"Sorceress! Shut up," Kaiba snapped in indignation tempered by the flaming red color blotting his cheeks. "Not in front of Mokuba."

"I'm not judging," Thea said. "Just curious."

Oliver covered his mouth and managed to say between snickers, "He's half of Kaiba's soul." At Thea's disbelieving stare, he waved his hands in innocence. "I swear. I told you it's complicated. I promise to explain later. Cross my heart."

Satisfied, Thea turned back to the crowd and zeroed in on the only woman present. "Who're you?" she asked.

"I'm Mai Valentine, and yes, I've heard all the jokes," she said with a friendly smile.

Despite herself, Thea smiled sympathetically. "Tough childhood?"

Mai shrugged. "Just slapped a few heads until I got the respect I deserved."

Thea grinned, she liked this woman. "Are you together?" she asked, gesturing between her and Kaiba.

Kaiba groaned. "Why can't I be single and everyone be satisfied with that?" he grumbled.

"Because you're a handsome rich boy with a genius mind, hard exterior, and mushy plushie inside."

"Oi!"

"No," she said to Thea who was enjoying the vocal exchange immensely. "We're not together. He's got someone else he's interested in." Kaiba's blush returned as did Seth's which was interesting. "Anyway," Mai said settling on the bed and patting the spot next to her, "come talk to me. Like I said, I'm Mai. What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Thea," the youngest Queen said with a smile.

"Well, Thea, since old grouch over there has given his permission and your brother thinks it's alright, I'll tell you my title." She winked. "I'm the Sorceress."

"Sorceress?" Thea said disbelievingly. "As in magic?"

"You bet," Mai chirped. "Shadow magic to be precise. I'm the Sorceress under his command," she said, nodding to Kaiba. "He's the Regent."

"Regent?" Thea said, turning to Kaiba. "What, not good enough to be King?" she teased.

Kaiba groaned and thunked his head back against the headrest while Oliver covered his mouth, holding back his laughter. "Why does everyone react that way to my title?" he grumbled. Seth smiled sympathetically and leaned over to whisper something in Kaiba's ear earning him a tired swipe from his pale counterpart's hand.

"We work as a triumvirate," Mai explained. "Basically, we have a King, a Pharaoh, and a Regent, him," she said, pointing to Kaiba. "Each ruler controls a certain part of the magic and everyone who uses that part answers to the corresponding ruler. Kaiba rules the Balance."

"Balance?"

"Think Neutrality," Mai said and Oliver smiled. "I use Neutral magic so I answer to him. Your brother also uses Neutral magic, so he also answers to him."

Thea's eyes bulged and she whirled on Oliver who's smile had faded somewhat as he waited anxiously for her judgment. "You have magic?" Thea demanded.

Oliver shrugged his shoulder self-consciously. "Not a lot, but yeah."

"How long?" she pressed.

"Since a few days ago," Kaiba answered. "He may never have discovered it had I not shown up. But he did and now he answers to me."

"You mean like a servant?" Thea said, eyes dark.

Kaiba stared at her incredulously. "I have no use for servants. I want someone who can think and act on their own independently. All Oliver has to do is not break the rules and he's free to do as he pleases. I won't interfere unless he asks me to or if I feel my presence is necessary."

"What kind of rules?" Thea asked carefully.

"Don't kill anyone with the power unless it's self defense or the defense of another," Seth answered. "Basically, as long as he uses his common sense he'll be fine."

"And if he does break the rules?"

Kaiba met her gaze with hid cold blue eyes. "Then I step in and punish him." He shrugged and turned his gaze away. "Although I doubt that will ever happen."

"Ni-sama's actually really nice," Mokuba said. Thea watched curiously when Kaiba stared at his brother in shock. "He won't bother you as long as you don't bother him."

Thea hesitated. "So the withdrawal was from magic," Thea said to her brother who nodded. "Who else knows?"

"Walter and Diggle," Oliver replied.

"Not Mom?"

Oliver shook his head. "I don't trust her."

Thea scrunched her nose in confusion. "Why not? You've only know Walter for less than a year."

"And Walter was nearly killed by an assassin who's identity Moira knows and the bomb that killed Tommy was also made by someone she knows," Oliver said sternly, eyes cold and hard. "She was fully aware of the bomb plan but said and did nothing to stop it. She didn't do anything to help Walter when he was kidnapped either. I don't trust her and I don't think I ever will."

Thea sat and absorbed this new information slowly, rolling it through her head and comparing it to what she had seen and heard. As reluctant as she was to admit it, the pieces added up too well to be a lie. It made too much sense. But that meant her Mom had allowed the man she supposedly loved to be kidnapped and almost killed and allowed Tommy and all those innocent people in The Glades to die. Her Mom was guilty of being at least complacent in mass murder. No wonder Oliver had been so distant with her lately.

"So what do we do?" she said finally.

Kaiba looked at Oliver and nodded. "She's smart." He grinned. "I never doubted it."

Mokuba climbed out of his big brother's arms and sat next to Thea. "Do you like card games?" he asked.

Thea shrugged. "Yes," she said. "I prefer games like Bullshit-"

"Thea-"

"Not Walter," she countered Oliver's interruption. "Egyptian Rapture, Speed, and Spoons. Oh, Spoons is deadly. So much fun. Especially when you play with shoes."

"Shoes?" Seth asked scooting over curiously.

Thea nodded. "It's the game Spoons only you play with your shoes instead."

"How's that?" Mokuba asked, intrigued.

Thea pulled her legs up onto the bed and crossed them comfortably. "Basically, you have one deck of cards to play with. Everyone starts out with four cards. The goal is to get four of a kind, like four aces or four fours, you get it." Mokuba nodded excitedly and Seth more slowly, pulling the knowledge of this knew type of cards from Kaiba's memories. "Well, everyone sits in a circle and you get spoons, or in this case shoes, and put them in the middle of the circle. However," she said dramatically, "there's always one less spoon or shoe than the number of people playing the game. So if there are five people playing, then there can only be four spoons or shoes."

"Why?" Seth asked.

"Because the point is to grab a spoon or shoe," she said.

"But if there are only four spoons...shoes...somethings," Mokuba said, struggling to understand. "Then one person won't get one."

"Precisely!"

"I don't understand," Seth said, folding his knees under him and leaning forward curiously.

Thea held up a finger. "When the game starts, the person with the card deck picks up a card and if it'll help them get four of a kind, they keep that card in exchange for another which they then pass to the next person to their left. Follow me so far?"

Both Seth and Mokuba nodded and even Kaiba was leaning forward with interest. Mai was snickering. She knew this game and could not wait to see her Japanese and Egyptian friends' reactions to the best part.

"Now," Thea continued, "this goes on with cards continuously going around the circle. If the deck runs out of cards, you start passing around the cards that have already gone around until someone gets four of a kind."

"Then what?" Mokuba asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

Thea smiled. "Well then it depends on the player. No matter what, the player who gets four of a kind has to grab a spoon or shoe from the middle of the circle. But sometimes the player will do it slow and sneaky, trying to slip the spoon away without anyone noticing then pretend to go on with the game until someone realizes a spoon is missing. Other players will snatch a spoon the moment they've got four of a kind and not bother being sneaky about it."

"And that's when everyone else grabs a spoon," Seth guessed.

"Right. But," Thea said, holding up a finger and grinning darkly, "here's the best part: no one can touch a spoon before the person with the four of a kind does. So even if you see that person going for the spoons, you can't touch them until that person does. But once they do, it's free game and open season."

Mokuba blinked and Seth tilted his head in confusion. Thea sighed. "Everyone jumps for the spoons all at the same time. People end up having an all out tug-of-war over a spoon because no one wants to be the one person who doesn't get one."

"Why not?" Mokuba asked.

"Because that person's out of the game," Thea answered. "It's much more fun with shoes because watching people fight over stinky shoes is hilarious. I did it in the park once with my friends, so much fun."

"Then after that round," Kaiba said, "you do the same thing with one less person and spoon until only two people and one spoon remain."

"Yep," Thea said grinning. "That's always cool. Sometimes one of the two players will twitch and the other person will grab the spoon. But the catch is if you grab a spoon before the person with four of a kind does, you're out too."

Mai cackled. "I remember teaching Raphael that game. Turns out he's afraid of hitting a lady."

"As he should be," Thea said. "But yeah, I agree. All's fair in love, war, and Spoons."

Mai grinned and the two girls high-fived each other. Kaiba glanced up at Oliver and nodded in approval. Oliver just smiled proudly.