Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter13 ( Chapter 13 )

Family By Choice

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, Tristan would be trapped under the desk all the time.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, take off already! You shouldn't be here!

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thought and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

{{…}} Otogi's thoughts

*…* Mokuba's thoughts

`yak, yak' Sadie's(AI) voice

~*~*~*~*~

DD: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. With tourist season fast approaching, things are getting busy at the shop.

YD: Updates may come a little slower now that we're getting busy.

~*~*~*~*~

Before leaving to take Master Kiotou home, Seto went looking for Tristan.

He found him sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in his hands and a preoccupied look on his face.

"Tris," Seto sat down next to his friend, reaching for his hand. "Promise me you'll leave it be for now. Give Otogi some time before you start demanding answers."

Tristan nodded, not meeting Seto's eyes.

"Promise me." Seto said.

"I promise." Tristan replied. "But I swear, Seto...when I get my hands on this asshole..."

{So you DO care about him.}

Tristan sighed. /I don't…I don't know. It doesn't matter. Joey wants to be with him. He...he loves him. I'll do what I have to, to keep Joey happy./

{Don't start that shit again, Tristan.}

Tristan pulled his hand from Seto's and stood, his anger almost visible. "I won't lose him."

Seto stood as well, putting his arms around the other brunet. "Why can't you take some time to figure out how you feel about him? Why do you feel like you have to jump into this for Joey's sake? I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I'm fine."

"Yeah, right." Seto dropped a kiss on Tristan's forehead. "Stubborn mule."

Tristan laid his head on Seto's shoulder. /Fuck you, pal./

Seto snickered. "What time does Lexi have to be at the hospital?"

"Ten. I'll be over to pick her up around eight."

"What about Otogi? You're not going to leave him alone?"

"I thought I'd call Ryou. If I don't I'm going to catch it from him."

"You will." Seto laughed. "And you know Bakura's going to want to be here when Lexi gets home."

"I don't doubt it." Tristan lifted his head and looked up at Seto, the need in his eyes evident.

Seto bent his head and met the other's lips in a slow, comforting kiss. When they parted, they became aware of Master Kiotou standing a few feet away, smiling at them.

"Are you ready to go?" Seto asked him.

"I am. Otogi is sleeping. Joseph wishes to stay with him." The elder placed a small bottle on the table. "Give Otogi two of these when he wakes up. They will help him sleep, which is what his body requires right now. And you should give Alexis half of one before you leave for the hospital tomorrow. This way she will be asleep when you get there."

"Thank you, sensei." Tristan said, relieved. "I was worried she wouldn't react well to having to go back to the hospital."

"Do not worry, my friend. Her surgery will go well."

Seto gave Tristan another kiss and untangled himself from his friend's arms. "I'll see you in the morning, buddy. I'll have Lexi give you a call before she goes to bed."

"Thanks." Tristan left them to show themselves out and went upstairs.

He opened the bedroom door and found Joey lying on the bed holding Otogi, who was sound asleep. He crossed over to the bed and sat down, reaching out to brush Joey's hair from his eyes.

"Master Kiotou said he should sleep through the night." The blond said quietly.

Tristan nodded, his gaze going to the splint on Otogi's arm. "He's going to be okay, baby. We'll take care of him."

"Tris..." Amber eyes welled with tears.

"Shh." Tristan leaned down and kissed his husband. "He's going to be alright. The people who did this are going to pay. I promise."

Joey looked at the man sleeping in his arms. Dark bruises marred the pale face, and it nearly killed Joey to know those weren't the worse of his injuries.

"Do you want some supper?" Tristan asked.

"No, thanks." Honey and hazel met. "I want to stay with him tonight. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course." Tristan replied. "It'll be better for him to have someone here incase he does wake up."

"Thank you, angel." Joey looked back at Otogi. "What about tomorrow?"

"I'm going to call Ryou and Bakura. Ryou would want to be here for him."

"Okay." Joey's fingers drifted over Otogi's split lip. "I don't know what we're going to tell Lexi. From what Master Kiotou said it's going to be a couple of weeks before he can take care of himself."

Tristan bit his lip. "Is it that bad?"

"Master Kiotou said he should heal quickly, but there's some deep muscle bruising. So he's gonna be sore for a while. We just have to keep an eye out for infection and fever." Joey looked at Tristan again, the tears escaping. "I think he's more concerned that Dan will hurt him again."

"Joey, don't worry. I'll find him. Until then, Otogi's not going anywhere. We'll keep him safe."

Joey leaned down and kissed Otogi's bruised face, missing the look that flashed in Tristan's eyes. "Go get something to eat, Tris."

"Sure you don't want anything?"

"No. Well...maybe a cup of coffee when you're done."

"Okay." Tristan cupped Joey's chin in his hand, turning the blond's face toward him and placing a soft kiss on his lips. "I'll be back in a bit."

He began to rise from the bed but stopped, looking at Otogi. His heart cracked painfully and he leaned over Joey, gently brushing his lips against the swollen mouth.

He got up and left without another word, leaving Joey staring thoughtfully at the closed door.

~*~*~*~*~

"What happened to him?" Bakura demanded the second he came through the door.

Tristan stopped Ryou's headlong rush for the stairs. "Ryou, wait. Look…he's a mess. I just…please…try not to cry. It's not going to help him to see you get upset."

"It's really that bad?" Ryou asked in a whisper.

Tristan nodded, his eyes worried.

"I'll…I'll try." Ryou moved away, heading slowly up the stairs.

Once his hikari was out of sight, Bakura turned to Tristan. "Who did it?"

"I'm not sure. Some guy named Dan. And…someone else." Tristan ran a hand through his hair. "He hasn't talked to me about it yet."

Chocolate eyes narrowed. "You're going to find out, right? And then you're going after them."

"Damn right I am." Tristan's voice was low.

"You know you can call me when you do."

"I know, Bakura." Tristan laid a hand on the other's arm. "Thanks."

Bakura simply nodded and turned to head for the kitchen. "I take it there's coffee on. Are you bringing Lexi home before you go to the hospital?"

"She'd kill me if I didn't." Tristan grinned suddenly. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Bakura went into the kitchen, opening his mind-link with Ryou. He could feel his hikari trying to fight back the tears, and he knew he was failing.

He shook his head, heading for the coffee pot. It was going to be a long day.

~*~*~*~*~

"BA-RA!" Lexi flew in through the door ahead of Tristan and straight into the living room.

"Lexi-girl!" Bakura grabbed her up, swinging her into the air.

Lexi shrieked, grabbing onto Bakura's hair. "Lexi miss Ba-ra toe mush!"

"I missed you too, midget." Bakura propped her on his hip and smothered her face with kisses.

Tristan stood in the doorway of the living room, watching his daughter and her favorite uncle, an amused smile on his face.

"Ba-ra," The little girl whispered. "Lexi no wan doe a da op-at-tall. Lexi tared."

"There's nothing to be afraid of." Bakura assured her. "And just think…when you're done, you'll have your finger!"

Lexi bit her lip. "Nah-ah. Lexi tay a Ba-ra."

Tristan moved into the room, catching Bakura's eye and inclining his head toward the kitchen. Bakura followed the brunet with Lexi in his arms.

"Here, baby girl." Tristan opened the bottle of pills Master Kiotou had left and shook out one that he had already cut in half. "Take this."

Lexi eyed the pill warily. "Waz dat?"

"Medicine."

"Lexi no wan med-in-in."

"Honey, you have to take it."

Lexi pressed her lips together and shook her head.

"Hey, wait a minute, Tristan." Bakura said, winking at the other man over the child's head. "Those aren't pills. That's the candy I left here the other day."

"Oh, yeah." Tristan said, catching on. "It is. Well…I guess Lexi can't have it then."

"Wait! Papa! Lexi wan tandy."

"I don't know…" Tristan pretended to consider.

"Peas? Lexi be dood. Lexi doe a da op-at-tall."

"Well…"

"Peas?" Lexi gave her father her best pout.

Bakura snickered. "Say no to THAT, slim."

"Well…okay." Tristan held out the pill. "Just this once."

"Tippie!!" Lexi reached for it, careful not to drop it as she took it from Tristan's fingers. She quickly put it in her mouth…before her father could change his mind. It wasn't very often Tristan let her have candy. "Iz dood."

Bakura put her down on the floor, ruffling her hair. "Why don't you go play for a little bit? I need to talk to your papa."

"O-tay, Ba-ra." Lexi ran from the kitchen.

"What did you want to talk about?" Tristan looked at the white haired man.

"Nothing, I was…"

"TITTY!!" Lexi shrieked from the living room. "TUM `ERE, TITTY!!"

Tristan's eyes narrowed. "You had to get her a cat."

"I could have gotten her a dog."

"I'd RATHER you had gotten her a dog."

"Cats are cleaner."

"Cat's are a pain in the ass. They shed like crazy, they claw the furniture…I hate them."

"And I'm sure they hate you." Bakura smirked. "That's why I got her one."

Before Tristan could retort, Joey came down the back stairs. "Are we going? It's getting late."

"How is he?" Tristan asked.

"Sleeping." Joey ran a hand through his hair. "Luckily he was already asleep when Ryou came in. Only took him about three seconds to start crying."

Tristan sighed. "He should sleep until we get back." He indicated the bottle of pills on the counter. "If he wakes up, give him two of those."

"Okay." Bakura nodded. "You guys had better get going."

Tristan went into the living room to get Lexi…only to find her face down on the carpet, sound asleep. He headed toward her, a grin on his face, but stopped when he heard a small hiss and noticed a certain white bit of fuzz draped across her back.

"Get the fuck out of my way, you." Tristan snarled.

The kitten hissed again, the sound trailing off into a low growl.

"Listen, you little bitch…"

Another growl.

"I swear, cat," Tristan took a step forward. "If you don't…"

He stopped as the cat swiped at him, claws out.

"Joey! Get out here and get this THING out of my way!" Tristan turned around, only to find Joey…and Bakura…already standing behind him…laughing. "Just get this beast off our kid so we can go!"

Still snickering, Joey went over and lifted the kitten off Lexi's back, bringing it up to his face and rubbing noses with it. The kitten started to purr. "Poor, little Pita. Tristan's so mean to you."

Tristan rolled his eyes and picked Lexi up. She was completely limp in his arms. "Let's just GO already."

"Wait." Bakura stopped Tristan as he headed for the door. The pale fiend placed an infinitely gentle kiss on the soft cheek, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Good luck, Lexi. I'll be waiting for you when you get home."

Tristan caught Joey's eyes and he smiled. Whatever else Bakura might be, he was a total pushover when it came to Lexi.

And both her fathers thought it looked pretty good on him.

~*~*~*~*~

"You okay, baby?" Roger asked, sitting down next to his grey eyed lover.

"I miss the kids." Mokuba said quietly, looking down at the top of his desk. "Lexi's having her operation today."

"Make like you're sick."

"Huh?"

"Make like you're sick so we can get out of here and go talk."

Mokuba raised his hand, capturing their teacher's attention. "Ms. Small? Can I be excused please? I don't feel so well."

"I'll go with him." Roger said, standing.

"Go on then." The teacher said, not really caring. The last time she had tried to deny Mokuba, she had been reprimanded by the principal.

A few snickers were heard as the two teens left the classroom. Roger rolled his eyes, but otherwise ignored their classmates.

He pulled Mokuba into the nearest empty classroom, locking the door behind them. "Come here, baby."

Mokuba gladly went into his lover's outstretched arms, laying his head on Roger's shoulder. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, just let the other hold him.

"Mo, maybe you should try to talk to Seto." Roger moved back slightly so he could look into the tear-filled eyes. "I know not being with the kids is killing you. You were crying in your sleep last night."

"I can't." Mokuba whispered. "I just can't listen to him tell me that I'm wrong for loving you. I won't!"

"Call Yami."

"What? Why?"

"Well, maybe he can bring the boys to you." Roger shrugged. "And maybe Tristan or Joey can bring Lexi too."

"Do you…do you think they would?"

"I don't see why not." Roger untangled himself from the taller boy. "Let's go home."

"But school's not over."

Roger grinned. "Do you honestly think they're going to tell you no, Mokuba? Come on! The principal's scared to death of you."

"Scared of Seto, you mean." Mokuba muttered.

"So? Doesn't mean you can't use it to your advantage."

Mokuba shook his head. "You're something."

Roger reached out and yanked Mokuba against him. "And you know it."

Mokuba smiled into the ice blue eyes before his own slipped shut and his lips met Roger's. The kissed deeply until a small moan escaped Mokuba.

"Baby…" Roger pulled from the kiss. "Not here. Gods! Let's go home."

"Yeah. I have to call Yami."

"You can call him later." Roger's eyes burned into his lover. "If you keep looking at me like that, you'll be lucky to make it through the door."

Mokuba laughed and grabbed Roger's hand. "You know, as much as I like you in that uniform, I like you better out of it."

Roger let himself be pulled from the classroom, hoping that they at least made it off school property this time.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan carried Lexi into the hospital, unable to help the smile on his face as the little girl's arms and legs swayed limply.

"Day surgery's this way, Tris." Joey said, leading the way.

When they got there, they were greeted by a nurse who informed the two men that Master Kiotou had called Dr. Dobson and let him know that Lexi would be arriving already sedated.

"Once you get her changed, we'll take her in and give her another light sedative." She said. "It won't be much, and she should come out of it quicker than we had originally thought."

She showed them where they could change Lexi into a hospital gown and then waited outside the small change room for them to get her dressed. When they exited, she held out her arms, indicating she would take their daughter.

Joey bent and kissed her, as did Tristan, before they reluctantly gave her up. Just as the nurse was leaving, Dr. Dobson arrived to speak to them.

"I don't want either of you to worry." The doctor said. "As I said before, it's a very simple procedure. And I promise I'll come get you as soon as she's moved into recovery so you can be there when she wakes up."

"You spoke to Master Kiotou?" Tristan asked, wanting to be sure.

Dr. Dobson nodded. "I'm glad he called. Now we don't have to sedate her as heavily and she'll wake up rather quickly."

He then showed them to a small waiting room, set aside for families awaiting the end of their children's operations. Promising he'd see them soon, he left.

Joey sat down, holding Lexi's brown bear in his hands. "Sit down, Tris. If you start pacing, I'm gonna scream."

Tristan caught himself just as he was about to take the first step. He collapsed on the small couch next to his husband, reaching for his hand. "She's going to be okay."

He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

"Of course she is." Joey squeezed the hand in his. "I'm more worried about you. You look like you didn't sleep last night."

"I didn't."

"Was it because of this…or because of Otogi?"

"A bit of both." The brunet admitted.

"I heard you up wandering around." Joey leaned his head against Tristan's shoulder. "You didn't come in."

"I didn't want to wake him." Tristan pulled his hand from Joey's and put his arms around him. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Not much. He woke me up a few times moaning in his sleep. I tried to wake him up to give him something for the pain, but I couldn't."

"If he's awake when we get home, I'm going to talk to him…"

"No." Joey interrupted. "Tristan, leave him be. Pushing him is not going to help. It hasn't even been a full day. And he's fuzzy from the medicine his grandfather gave him for the pain."

"Joey, I need to know. How can I keep him safe if I don't find the guy who did this to him?"

"He's safe with us. Dan's not going to get into our house, Tris. Please…leave it be for now."

Tristan sighed, tangling his fingers in Joey's hair. "Fine. For now."

Joey shifted in Tristan's arms, laying his head against the broad chest. "Thank you."

The sat quietly, each lost in his own thoughts, for close to a half hour, when suddenly the door opened and Dr. Dobson walked in.

Tristan jumped to his feet, nearly dumping Joey on the floor. "What's wrong?! You said it would take over an hour! Is Lexi okay?!"

"She's fine, Tristan." Dobson held up his hands. "Better than fine."

"What do you mean?" Joey asked, rising and standing next to Tristan, slipping his hand into the brunet's.

"Well, remember that I told you that her fingers were joined by skin? I originally thought it was all the way through. When I made the first incision, I discovered that it wasn't. There was a…pocket between the two layers of skin on either side of her fingers. The layers themselves weren't all that thick either." Dobson smiled. "So there won't be a lot of scarring and she'll heal that much more quickly."

"That's great!" Joey smiled.

"But..?" Tristan raised an eyebrow, knowing that wasn't all the doctor had to say.

"Just as I was going in, the neurologist came to see me." The doctor looked grave. "I think you'd better come with me."

"But…if Lexi wakes up…" Tristan bit his lip.

"She won't for a bit yet. We have time."

Joey turned scared eyes on Tristan. Tristan just looked at the doctor and nodded.

They followed him from the room.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan squinted as the doctor turned on the light-box, revealing the CAT scan of Lexi's brain.

"They were able to get a shallow image." Dr. Dobson said. "It was enough to give them the information they needed."

"What's that?" Joey nodded toward the image.

"Look here." Dobson pointed out several small clusters of dark dots. "This is underdeveloped tissue. This larger cluster is centered on the speech centers. It explains why she has such a problem with pronouncing some of the simpler words most three year olds can."

"But…what about the rest?" The blond asked.

"They're not as severe. Though they do indicate her cognitive problems. Those areas of the brain that control motor skills and her brain stem and pituitary gland are clean."

"C-can…" Joey swallowed hard. "Can you…do any thing?"

"From a surgical standpoint…no."

Joey cut a glance at the silent brunet at his side. Tristan's face was carefully blank, his eyes showing nothing to let the blond know what he was feeling.

"However," The doctor continued. "There are some things you can do. I would suggest she start working with a speech therapist as soon as possible."

"We were thinking about that." Joey replied. "I just don't get one thing though. Some words that she should have problems with…she doesn't."

"Such as?"

"Well…"home" for one."

"That's because it's important to her." Tristan said quietly.

"That could very well be." Dobson said. "The neurologist said she had never seen anything quite like this before, but she was sure it's directly linked to her mother's drug use. It's difficult to tell just how it's going to affect her. But I think you should be prepared for the fact that she will always be…well…slow."

Tristan turned away, refusing to look at the light-box anymore. "I want to see Lexi."

"Of course." Dobson opened the door. "I'll take you to her."

"Tris?" Joey took his husband's hand. He could feel him trembling ever so slightly.

Tristan just shook his head and, keeping a tight grip on Joey, left to go see his daughter.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan and Joey sat on either side of the small bed, watching as Lexi twitched in her sleep.

Joey had tucked her bear under her arm and now sat, stroking her hair. He glanced up at Tristan, worry reflected in his eyes. "Tris? Talk to me."

"I can't." Tristan whispered, not taking his eyes off Lexi. "If I do…I'm going to lose it. I don't want Lexi waking up to that."

Joey nodded. "Alright, angel. But when you're ready…I want you to talk to me. Okay?"

"I will."

"Papa?" Lexi's eyes opened just the tiniest bit. "Papa?"

"I'm right here, baby girl." Tristan reached out and stroked her face.

"Da-ee `ere?"

"I am, sweetheart." Joey said, smiling when she turned her head toward him.

"Lexi `ave tinner now?"

Joey's fingers gently enclosed the child's wrist and he lifted her hand so she could see her fingers, covered in bandages, but separate. "Yep, you do."

"Tippie." Lexi said weakly. "Lexi nee toe Ba-ra…"

A snicker escaped Joey as his daughter fell limp against the bed, sound asleep again. Tristan smiled slightly, pushing her hair out of her face. He met Joey's eyes and his smile grew, much to Joey's relief.

"I should have known Bakura would be the first thing on her mind when she woke up." The brunet said.

"Why don't you go grab the nurse and see if we can take her home now?"

Tristan nodded and rose, heading for the nurse's station. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed by the need to get Lexi home. A fierce feeling of protectiveness welled up in him.

It didn't matter if Lexi would never be as quick as other kids her age. And it didn't matter that she'd probably never speak normally. She was his daughter. His and Joey's. They loved her…and so did the rest of their family.

That's all that mattered.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto raised an eyebrow as he saw Tristan dropping Lexi off at daycare the following morning. He watched as his friend kissed his daughter goodbye and then took a few minutes to speak to Rachael, giving her a small bottle.

Seto kissed Justin goodbye and watched as the boy ran up to Lexi.

"JUT-IN!" Lexi squealed. "Lexi dot tinner!"

Justin took her un-bandaged hand and led her over to Seto.

"Set! Wook! Lexi dot tinner!!" Lexi stuck her middle finger up so he could see.

Seto bit back a chuckle. "Very nice, cute stuff." {This is going to be a problem.}

/It already is./ Tristan approached. /She gave the finger to a half a dozen people before we were half way through the lobby./

"Tum ON, Jut-in!" Lexi tugged the boy toward the daycare door. "Lexi wan toe Miz Widess tinner!"

Seto shook his head as the two children ran off. He turned to Tristan, a smile on his face. "This is going to be a riot."

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Bakura's already having fun with it. He met us in the lobby and took Lexi to show Walters her finger."

Seto laughed and threw his arm around Tristan's shoulders as they made their way to the elevator. "He lives to crucify Walters."

They made their way up to Tristan's office, the shorter brunet stopping to pick up his messages from Teddy.

"What was in the bottle you gave to Rachael?" Seto asked as he headed to the credenza to pour some coffee.

"It's for the pain. Master Kiotou dropped them off this morning when he came over to check on Otogi. He said they won't make her groggy or anything." Tristan grinned. "Even he saw the humor in Lexi giving him the finger."

"How is Otogi?" Seto sat down on the couch and waited for Tristan to join him.

"He's okay." Tristan shrugged. "As good as can be expected. I haven't really talked to him. Joey barely lets me near him." Tristan sat down with a sigh. "He's been sleeping with Otogi. I think he's afraid I'm going to upset him."

"Well, I can see him wanting to be with him the first night, but…" Seto raised an eyebrow. "He didn't come to bed at all last night?"

Tristan shook his head.

"And you didn't sleep, did you?"

"No."

Seto took Tristan's coffee from him and set it along with his own on the table. {Come here.}

Tristan settled into Seto's arms. /All I need to know is his last name. We can track him down then. I…I want Otogi to feel safe, Seto./

{We'll find him, Tris.}

The office door opened and Bakura walked in, a smirk on his face. "Lexi's wandering around the tower showing everyone her finger."

"By herself?!" Tristan shrugged Seto's arms off.

"Of course not." Bakura rolled his eyes. "Bruce is with her. He's going to take her back to daycare when she gets bored with flipping everyone off."

Tristan settled back down, leaning against Seto. "Bruce is really good with her. He won't let her out of his sight."

"Seto," Bakura perched on the arm of the couch. "I can't find any record of Matthew's birth at all. The only thing I can guess is that she never had him in a hospital."

"Damn. Well…I'm going to have a birth certificated forged for him." Seto shook his head. "I'll call the guy that did yours and Yami's."

"Anything on Concerned Citizens?" Tristan asked Bakura. "The silence has been getting a bit deafening."

Bakura looked at Seto. "Didn't you tell him?"

"No." Seto took Tristan's hand. "I didn't want to worry you, but…"

"But what?"

"Yesterday…a package came up for you from the mailroom. Teddy thought it looked kind of suspicious, so he opened it."

"And?" Tristan's gaze went to Bakura as Seto trailed off.

"It was packed full of plastic explosives." Bakura said. "No wires or anything…I think it was meant as a warning."

"You're fucking kidding me?!"

"I wish I was."

"Tris," Seto claimed the other brunet's attention. "I'm getting the distinct impression it's you they're after. From what Bakura's been able to find out, someone in their organization has something personal against you."

"I don't know who that'd be." Tristan shook his head. "Gods."

"Listen…I want you up on the top floor with me. And I think Lexi should spend most of her time up there too, instead of at daycare."

"She's not going to like being separated from Justin."

"Justin's starting with his tutors soon. I had planned on converting one of the offices upstairs for him. It probably wouldn't hurt Lexi to have some time with them either."

Bakura reached out and squeezed Tristan's shoulder. "She'll be safe there, Tristan. And I'm going to set up a security code for her to use so we can find her if she wanders off."

"We really need to think about additional security." Seto commented. "I have a few ideas…"

The CEO was interrupted by a knock on the door. Teddy stuck his head in, his face pale.

"Tristan," The young man's eyes were worried. "You have a visitor."

"I'm kinda busy here, Teddy." Tristan replied. "They'll have to make an appointment."

"I think you'd better see her." Teddy bit his lip. "She says she's Lexi's mother."

~*~*~*~*~

"You said you'd get our granddaughter for us." Alice Taylor glared at the man sitting at her kitchen table. "It's been almost five months."

"I can't just march up to him and demand the child, Alice." Becket said. "But don't worry. I have a couple of irons in the fire. If the first one doesn't work, the second one certainly will. You just need to be patient."

"Doug said you'd say that."

"Listen to your husband. He has become a very important part of our group. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be able to get the tools we need. We're very lucky to have you both."

"Why can't we just fight for custody?"

"It would never work." Becket shook his head. "Seto Kaiba has the courts in his pocket. He would never allow you to have custody of your granddaughter."

Alice scowled. "Seto Kaiba has no authority! It's HIS fault that Tristan is the way he is! And Joey! He was such a good boy until Tristan corrupted him." Hazel eyes filled with tears. "Where did we go wrong with Tristan?"

Becket laid a comforting hand on the woman's arm. "It's not your fault, Alice. But you can do something about it. We already are. Just trust me to do the right thing for you AND your granddaughter."

"Thank you, Andrew." Alice smiled shakily. "You're such a good man. I only wish my son had turned out like you."

~*~*~*~*~

Stunned silence greeted Teddy's words.

"Umm…Tristan?" Teddy raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do?"

Tristan rose from the couch, going to sit behind his desk. "Let her come in."

Three pairs of eyes were glued to the door as Teddy stepped back, allowing a young woman to enter. Bakura's eyes widened. She looked enough like Tristan to be his sister.

She stood maybe as tall as the white haired spirit, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. One had only to look at her to know she was Lexi's mother. But while Lexi's eyes were bright and full of innocence, this woman's eyes were dull, bloodshot, and glazed. Her hair was lifeless and matted and her clothes looked like she had slept in an alleyway.

But it wasn't all that that shocked the three men. It was the rounded curve of her stomach.

"You have my kid." She said without permeable. "I want her back."

Tristan's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I'd do that? The adoption was legal. You gave up your rights to her long before I adopted her."

"I never gave up my rights! They took her from me!"

"With good reason, from what I understand." Tristan replied coldly. His hands clenched into fists. Standing in front of him was the reason his little girl would never have a "normal" life. It was all he could do not to smack her. "Leave now and I'll forget we had this conversation."

Drugged hazel eyes took in Seto and Bakura, still sitting on the couch. "He said you'd say that."

"Who said?"

"Fine." She ignored the question. "If you won't give me my kid, I'll settle for money."

"What?!" Tristan shook his head, incredulous. It was obvious the woman was high. "Are you out of your mind?!"

The woman shrugged. "If you don't, I'll say she really is your daughter. I'll tell everyone you raped me." He hands went to her stomach. "And I'll tell everyone this brat's yours too."

"Get out." Tristan's eyes narrowed. "And don't come back. It doesn't matter what you say. No one will listen to you."

"Don't be so sure of that." She turned and stalked from the room.

"Gods…" Seto finally found his voice. "What the hell was THAT all about?"

"What I want to know is how she got up here." Tristan said, reaching for the phone. "She can't get up here without a security code."

"Who are you calling?" Seto asked.

"Walters. He has some explaining to do."

Bakura was looking at the still open office door. Something about this didn't feel right. He got up and headed out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Tristan's voice stopped him.

"To check on something." Bakura moved out past Teddy's desk, ignoring the man. He came to the elevator, noticing it was stopped on the second floor. The very same floor the daycare was located on.

Bakura headed for the fire stairs, a low growl escaping him. Something was definitely wrong.

~*~*~*~*~

Lexi stood on tiptoe and pressed the button for the elevator, extremely pleased with herself.

After Bruce had taken her back to the daycare, it had occurred to her that she hadn't show Gina her finger.

She had successfully snuck out of daycare, without being detected, just as Bakura had taught her. After she showed Gina her finger, she was going to go find Bakura and tell him all about how she had hidden on the bottom shelf of the mail cart as it passed by the door.

She bounced on the balls of her feet, thinking about how proud her favorite uncle was going to be of her.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a woman standing inside.

"Hey-doe, wady!" Lexi smiled, holding up her hand. "Wook a Lexi tinner! Iz tum neat!"

Glassy hazel eyes narrowed on the child. "Is your name Lexi?"

"Yes. Who you?"

"I'm your mother." The woman smiled and held out her hand. "I've come to take you out for some ice cream."

"Weel-wee?!" Lexi smiled brightly and took the offered hand, allowing herself to be drawn into the elevator. "Lexi mommy? Weel-wee?"

"Yes. You're father said you could come with me." She clutched the little girl's hand as the doors slid closed.

"Is Lexi mommy Papa fwend?"

"A very good friend."

"Tippie!" Lexi tugged at the hand holding hers as the elevator doors opened. "Tum ON, Mommy!!"

"This will teach him to try to take my kid away from me." She muttered as she pulled open the large glass door at the entrance to the building.

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: You're BOTH dead!!

Bakura: *growls* How in the name of Osiris am I supposed to get down twenty six floors in time?!

YD: *shrugs* I dunno.

Seto: I can't believe you're doing this. *shakes head*

Yugi: Hey, readers! You have our permission to throw rotten fruit. *eyes Cherished* Got tomatoes?