Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter14 ( Chapter 14 )

Family By Choice

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, the boys would be running around naked all the time and we'd never get ANY work done.

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!

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: This chapter's full of surprises.

Tris: Like the readers NEED any more!

YD: Shut up, Tris! Gods! You're a pain!

Tris: Bite me.

DD: Someone's cranky.

Otogi: I know why.

Tris: It's YOUR fault, dice-boy!

DD: Children, please!

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi opened his eyes to see Yugi sitting on the bed next to him.

"Hey, Otogi!" Yugi smiled brightly. "How are you feeling?"

{{Why the hell does everyone keep asking me that?!}} "I'm okay."

"Hungry? I can make you something to eat."

Otogi shook his head. "No thanks. Where is everyone?"

"Joey and Tristan had to go to work. Tris took Lexi with him." Yugi cocked his head to the side. "Sure I can't get you anything?"

"Ummm…I think I want to get up." Otogi sat up slowly. "I need a shower."

"Do you need some help?"

"I can manage." Otogi swung his legs off the bed, biting his lip against the pain.

He tried to stand up, but found he couldn't without pushing himself up with his hands, something the splint on his wrist made impossible.

"Here, let me help." Yugi reached for Otogi uninjured arm, grasping it and throwing his weight back so Otogi could haul himself up.

By the time Otogi got to his feet, his lip was bleeding. "Thanks, Yugi." He whispered, not meeting the amethyst eyes.

"No problem." There was a catch in Yugi's voice. "Can you make it there yourself?"

"I don't…I don't know." Tears of shame filled the raven haired man's eyes. "I have to try though."

"Otogi…it's okay." Yugi put comforting arms around him. "I'm here to help. You don't have to be ashamed that you're hurt. I understand."

{{Do you? Would you be so willing to help if you knew the reason why?}} "Thanks, Yugi."

Yugi smiled up at him. "I'll go grab you some clean clothes from Joey's room. Someone's going to have to go over to your place and get you some clothes. Tristan said you're going to be staying here for a while."

Otogi looked down at the sweatpants Joey had given him and the white, button up dress shirt that obviously belonged to Tristan. It floated on him, it was so big, and he had to fold the cuffs back four times.

He watched Yugi practically bounce from the room and began his painful journey to the bathroom just down the hall. {{Tristan told him I'm going to be staying? Damn it. I saw it in his eyes last night. He won't let me leave until I tell him where to find Dan. But what if…if Dan tells him? Gods…I couldn't stand it if Tristan found out. He'd be disgusted with me…he'd think I'm a freak. I know he would.}}

"Are you sure you're going to be able to do this by yourself?" Yugi was standing next to the open bathroom door, the required clothes in his hands and a worried look on his face.

"I'll manage." Otogi walked into the bathroom, Yugi following. "But…could you…help me with this splint? I can't get it off on my own."

"Sure." Yugi smiled, putting the clothes down on the counter. Gentle fingers unstrapped the splint from Otogi's arm and he set it aside, biting his lip when he saw the bruised, swollen skin. "There you go." He reached for the buttons on Otogi's shirt. "Let me give you a hand."

"No." Otogi stopped him. He didn't want Yugi to see the marks on his chest. "I can do it."

"Well, if you're sure…" Yugi looked up at him, his purple eyes huge and full of sincerity. "I don't mind, really. I had to help Seto after his motorcycle accident. He couldn't do a thing with both arms in casts."

"I really appreciate it, Yugi, but I can deal with it." Otogi gave him a small smile.

"Okay. Well…I'll be downstairs if you need me."

"Thanks." Otogi shut the door behind the shorter man, sagging against it in relief. {{Gods…why is it so hard to say no to him? You'd think at his age he'd have given up the puppy eyes. When he looks at me like that I just want to spill everything to him. He's so trusting…so accepting. It makes me wonder if maybe he would still care about me if he knew.}}

He turned on the shower and began to unbutton his shirt one-handed. By the time he was completely undressed, all he wanted to do was lie down. He was sweating heavily and his breath came in sharp gasps.

It had only been two days and he probably should have stayed in bed, but he needed to know if he was capable of moving around on his own.

He stepped into the shower, sighing as the hot water ran down his body, taking away some of the pain.

He could do it. He had to do it. And he'd do it tonight.

After everyone was asleep, he was going to leave. He had to get out before Tristan started trying to wear him down. Before he broke and told Tristan where to find Dan.

It wasn't that he was protecting Dan from Tristan. No…he was protecting himself. He couldn't let Tristan know. He couldn't.

~*~*~*~*~

"I won't be long. I'll just leave Bakura's cell at the front desk." Ryou was looking over his shoulder, talking to his bodyguard, Phil, when he reached for the door.

It was yanked open, and he lost his balance, bumping into the woman exiting.

"Oh! I'm SO sorry!" Ryou reached out to steady her.

"REE! Diz Lexi mommy!"

"Lexi!" Ryou looked down at the child clutching the woman's hand. "What are you doing here?!"

"Lexi doe a Mommy a det eyes-keem!" Lexi smiled up at her uncle.

"You're not supposed to leave here without Bakura or Yami." Ryou told her. "Your papa said…"

"Get out of my way!" The woman tried to shove Ryou aside. "I'm taking my kid and you're not going to stop me!"

"RYOU!" Bakura burst out of the fire exit door. "DON'T LET HER LEAVE!"

Ryou immediately grabbed Lexi under the arms, lifting her, even as Phil shouldered his way around the white haired hikari and reached for the woman.

Lexi screamed as her arm was pulled. She wound her legs around Ryou's waist. "No `urt Lexi mommy!"

Phil grabbed the woman's wrist, squeezing and making her let go. She was suddenly yanked back as Bakura hooked a hand into her hair, pulling her away and throwing her back. She landed on the floor but before she could rise, she found a snarling man, looking remarkably like the one with her child in his arms, on her chest.

Strong hands closed over her throat and she choked, struggling to breathe.

~*~*~*~*~

"Tristan!" Teddy burst through the office door, his face pale. "Rachael just called from downstairs. She can't find Lexi!"

Tristan bolted from the couch, pushing past Teddy, Seto following. He headed for the private elevator, the one that would take them to the second floor the quickest.

Just as the elevator doors closed, Tristan's cell phone rang. Thinking maybe it was Bakura, he answered it. It was Crystal, the receptionist at the front desk. She quickly explained to Tristan what was happening in the lobby.

/Oh, shit!/ Tristan's vision darkened as he disconnected the call and he leaned against the wall of the elevator.

{Keep it together, Tris.} Seto grasped his friend's arm. {Lexi's safe. What we need to worry about now is keeping Bakura from killing this bitch with so many witnesses around.}

The elevator doors slid open and they ran out into the lobby. Quickly taking in the situation, they ran for the doors.

Ryou was kneeling on the floor, hugging Lexi to his chest as the child cried while Phil held them both protectively. Bruce and two other security guards were trying to haul Bakura off his victim. She was turning blue. People were milling around, shocked at the scene.

"Get the hell out of the way! Now!" Seto shouted, sending people scrambling.

Adrenaline pounded through Tristan's body as he ran toward Bakura. He spared a glance for his daughter. She was buried in Ryou's hair, sobbing, her terrified eyes glued to Bakura.

He elbowed one of the guards out of the way and, bending down, locked his arm around Bakura's neck. "Bakura…don't. Let…go."

Bakura growled, tightening his grip. "Bitch. I'm going to…kill you!"

/Seto! A little help!/

"Ryou," Seto crouched down next to the shocked hikari. "Do something!"

"Can't." Ryou clutched onto the little girl in his arms. "I tried. He can't hear me."

"Lexi, come here." Seto held out his arms and Lexi went to him. He stood quickly, going over to where Tristan and two of the three guards were struggling to break Bakura's hold. "Tell Uncle Bakura to stop, baby girl."

Lexi trembled, but took a deep breath, shouting. "BA-RA! TOP! NO `URT LEXI MOMMY!"

Red-tinged chocolate eyes cleared and Bakura loosened his grip on the woman's throat. Tristan took advantage of it and yanked Bakura up, his arm still locked around the shorter man's throat. Bakura looked at Lexi and, seeing the frightened look in her eyes, his head cleared.

"Let go!" Bakura pulled Tristan's arm from around his neck. He stepped over the woman's prone body, completely ignoring her, and went to Lexi.

Lexi clung to Seto. "Ba-ra…tay way! No tush Lexi."

"Lexi…" Bakura reached out to her.

"No! BA-RA NO TUSH LEXI!"

Seto backed away from the other man. "Back down, Bakura." He turned to Tristan. "Take her upstairs. Bakura, you and Ryou go too. I have to take care of this."

Bakura stepped back, his eyes wide with shock. Lexi didn't want him near her.

Tristan took Lexi from Seto, stroking her hair as she burrowed into his chest. "It's okay, baby girl."

"Ba-ra `urt Lexi mommy." Scared hazel eyes flickered to Bakura. "Papa no wet Ba-ra `urt Lexi."

"Bakura's not going to hurt you, honey."

Ryou took Bakura's hand. "Come on, love. Let's go. It'll be alright."

Bakura was numb, his heart shattered into a million pieces, as he followed Tristan and Ryou to the elevator.

When they were gone, Seto turned to his security guards, his eyes narrowing at the woman who had been hauled to her feet. "Lock her up. Then get back here. Rod," He motioned one of the guards over. "No one leaves. Everyone who was here stays here. And NO ONE calls the police yet."

"Yes, sir."

Seto stood, his face stone, until everyone was back in the lobby, looking at him and waiting for him to speak.

"What happened here today," Seto began. "Stays here. Is that understood? When the police come and question you, all you are to tell them is that she tried to take Lexi from the building. No one saw ANYTHING. If I find out that any of you said anything else, I won't stop with simply firing you."

He let the threat hang as he turned and walked toward the security office. This situation was inexcusable. That this woman could almost walk out of here with Lexi…and how the HELL did she get her hands on a security code?

When Tristan had tried to get a hold of him, Walters had been no where to be found.

Seto had had enough.

~*~*~*~*~

"Here, Lexi, honey." Ryou handed the child a glass of juice and sat next to her and Tristan on the couch.

Upon returning to Tristan's office, Lexi had asked her father to cuddle her, keeping suspicious eyes on Bakura the entire time. Bakura was currently sitting in the chair behind Tristan's desk, trying not to look menacing.

"Lexi," Tristan took her juice from her and set it aside. "Uncle Bakura is not going to hurt you."

"Ba-ra `urt Lexi mommy." The little girl insisted.

"He only did that because she was trying to take you away." Tristan explained.

Lexi nodded. "Lexi know dat. Lexi mommy take Lexi a eyes-keem."

"No, baby girl. I mean she was trying to take you AWAY. She was going to take you from me and she wouldn't have let you come back."

"Take Lexi way a Papa?" Hazel eyes widened.

"Yes. She would have taken you away from me and Daddy and everyone who loves you."

"Oh, no! No! Lexi no wan doe way a Papa a Da-ee!" Little arms wound around Tristan's neck. "Lexi low Papa a Da-ee. Lexi no wan doe way."

"Uncle Bakura was trying to keep you safe." Ryou said. "He loves you very much and he doesn't want anyone to take you away from our family."

Lexi seemed to consider this for a minute. "Lexi no wike dat mommy. Dat mommy bad. Lexi NO weave Papa a Da-ee. Lexi no weave fam-ma-mee." She looked up at Ryou. "Ree? Iz Ree a Ba-ra Lexi fam-ma-mee?"

"We are, honey. And so are Justin and Uncle Seto and Uncle Yugi and Uncle Yami."

"A Matt-chew!" Lexi said.

"They're all our family, Lexi." Tristan said. "But your mother isn't. That's why it's so important to us that you don't leave here with anyone who's not family."

"Unca Mo-tu-ba fam-ma-mme too?"

"Yes."

"Ummm…" Lexi scrunched up her face, thinking. "Miz Will-wes a Dodger fam-ma-mee?"

"Yes. Rachael and Roger are family."

"Oh ess fam-ma-mee, Papa?"

"Well…Master and Mrs. Kiotou are family."

"A Togi!" Lexi squealed, clapping her hands.

Tristan nodded. "Otogi is a very good friend, like Master Kiotou and Rachael. That makes him family too."

Lexi thought about this for a few minutes and then looked over at Bakura. "Papa," She whispered. "Tan Lexi doe tiss Ba-ra?"

Tristan set her on her feet without a word and she ran for the desk. She stopped and looked up at Bakura, smiling.

"Lexi torry, Ba-ra." She held up her arms. "Up!"

Bakura picked her up, tears coming to his eyes as the child covered his face in kisses.

"Lexi low Ba-ra. Lexi `appy Ba-ra in Lexi fam-ma-mee."

A small sob escaped the hard-eyed man as he hugged her tightly. "I am too, Lexi-girl."

"Ba-ra no cry." Lexi buried her face in star-bright locks. "Peas, Ba-ra."

Tristan bit his lip, looking at Ryou. There was only one other time that he could remember seeing Bakura cry. That was the night that Joey had returned and Bakura could hear him screaming on the other end of the phone when Mrs. Kiotou called.

"Perhaps we should leave them." Ryou said quietly.

Tristan nodded and rose, taking one last look at the pair sitting at his desk before exiting his office.

They were cuddled up as close to each other as they could get, oblivious to everything around them. Tristan shook his head. Who would have thought that Bakura, of all people, could be brought so low by the thought of losing Lexi's love?

He stopped at Teddy's desk, telling him that he was going up to Seto's office if Lexi or Bakura needed him, and then lead Ryou to the elevator.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto strode into his office to find Tristan and Ryou there.

"Ryou," Seto sat down behind his desk. "I think you might want to go. Walters is on his way up. I'm about to fire him."

"Well, I'd better remove myself then." Ryou said. "I think I'll go get Lexi and take her back to daycare."

"Stay with her, Ryou." Tristan said, looking at his white haired friend. "And ask Bakura to stay too."

Seto looked at Tristan, a little unnerved by the tone of the other brunet's voice. He could feel just how close Tristan was to losing control. He knew that he'd keep it together until everything was said and done though. That was Tristan's way. Once it was all over, and everyone was okay, he'd break down. But not before.

"Ask Bakura to post Bruce and Rod at the daycare, would you?" Seto asked as Ryou walked to the door. "They're not to leave. And they're not to let Lexi out of their sight."

"Will do." Ryou waved as he walked out the door. "And have fun. Don't shed any blood."

"Who does he think I am? Bakura?" Seto muttered, rolling his eyes.

Tristan shook his head, amused, as he came to stand at Seto's side. "Before you go off on him, I want to know how that bitch got up here."

"Don't worry, buddy. I'll make sure he gives us what we need first." Seto reached for Tristan's hand, giving it a brief squeeze. {You okay?}

Tristan nodded. /Yeah. Just…when it's all over…/

{I'll be here.} Seto looked up as Gina opened the door, stepping back to let Walters enter.

Her eyes met Seto's and he could see she was more than angry. Everyone that had been in the lobby was as well. All of Seto's employees adored Lexi. The thought that someone had nearly taken her out from underneath their noses, as it were, infuriated them.

Tristan's eyes narrowed as Walters stopped in front of Seto's desk, avoiding his direct gaze. "What excuse do you have for this fuck up, Walters?"

"None, sir."

"How did she get up here?" Seto asked. "She must have had a security code to get into Tristan's office."

"She did, sir."

"Well, where did she get it?!"

"It belonged to one of the security guards you fired for not being at their post the day Mr. Bakura was attacked by the reporter in the lobby." Walters replied, looking at the floor. He knew he was as good as gone.

"How did she get her hands on it?" Tristan asked, his voice low.

"I don't know, sir."

Seto shook his head, disgusted. "Was it still in the database, Walters?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why?"

"I don't know, sir."

"How did she get into the computers?"

"I don't know, sir."

"Where were you when Tristan tried to contact you to tell you she had been in his office?"

"I was on a break, sir."

"Then STAY on it." Seto's voice was cold. "Thanks to you, Tristan almost lost his daughter. That is COMPLETELY intolerable!"

Tristan's voice matched Seto's. "You've got twenty minutes to get out. Then your clearance will be wiped from the system. If you're found in the building without it, you'll be arrested. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Get out." Tristan growled, fighting back the red haze that began to spread before his eyes.

{Tris…don't. We still have to deal with the cops. Now's not the time for you to fly into a temper.} Seto cautioned, trying to beat back his own rage. It was all he could do to keep a level head and make sure Tristan didn't beat the hell out of the man standing on the other side of his desk. {Save it.}

Walters' eyes widened as he looked at the two brunets. Weren't Tristan's eyes brown or something? And he knew for sure that Seto Kaiba had blue eyes. He backed away. He'd seen some strange things in the years he had worked here, but this was too much for him to handle.

"You've got twenty minutes, Walters." Seto reminded him, unaware of the phenomenon that was becoming second nature to him. "Gina!" Seto waited until his secretary came in. "Please call security and have Mr. Walters shown out."

"My pleasure." Gina waited for Walters to exit and then looked to Seto. "The police are waiting for you in the board room. They've already interviewed most of the people that were in the lobby."

"Thank you. Make sure he's out of here."

Gina nodded and shut the door.

{Ready?}

/I guess. What if they want to talk to Lexi?/

{You'll have to let them, Tris. I'll make sure you get to her first so you can warn her not to mention Bakura attacking her mother.}

Tristan nodded as Seto stood. The taller brunet went to put his arms around his friend, but Tristan pulled back. /Don't. Not now. I don't know how much longer I can keep it together. Gods, Seto! Why? What do I have to do to keep my family safe?/

{You're doing everything you can, buddy.} Seto reached out and squeezed Tristan's arm. {Come on. Let's get this over with.}

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan and Seto were both shocked when they walked into the boardroom and saw who was awaiting them.

"Mako?!" Tristan stopped in his tracks, looking at the familiar man dressed in a police uniform. "Holy shit!"

"Hello, Tristan." Mako Tsunami held out his hand. "It's good to see you again after all this time."

Seto shook his head. "Just when I thought this day couldn't get any stranger."

Mako smiled brightly and released Tristan's hand, turning to Seto and extending his hand again. "Hello, Seto."

"You're the last person I expected to see." Seto shook Mako's hand.

"My partner is downstairs, wrapping up the interviews." Mako said. "We thought that it would do you some good to see a familiar face."

"Please, sit down." Seto gestured to the boardroom table. "When did you join the police force?"

"About four years ago." Mako explained as they took their seats. "I transferred here six months ago."

"What made you want to be a cop?" Tristan asked.

"It's an honorable living." Mako smiled. "And my wife is also a police officer."

"You're married?" Seto raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Four and a half years. We have two children. Twin boys. And a little girl on the way."

"Congratulations."

"That was another reason why I felt it would be better to be the one to speak with you." Mako looked at Tristan. "I need to talk to you daughter, Tristan."

"Look, Mako…can't you just take everyone else's statements?" Tristan clenched his hands under the table. "She's been through enough today."

"I understand. But this woman claims to be her mother…"

"That doesn't make any difference!" Tristan interrupted.

Mako held up his hand. "I realize that you are her legal parent. But she said she had your permission to take your daughter out."

"She didn't." Tristan shook his head, feeling Seto take his hand under the table. "I never met her before today."

"You haven't?" Mako looked confused. "But…she said you were Alexis' father. And that the child she's carrying now is also yours."

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Mako, I'm gay. And I married Joey Wheeler last year."

"Joey…" Mako blinked. "Joey Wheeler?"

"Yes. We've been together over six years."

"Well…now that puts a different light on things." Mako grinned. "And it just goes to show how out of the loop I am."

"What do you mean "a different light"?" Seto asked.

"She's claiming that Tristan assaulted her."

"WHAT?!" Tristan stood, fists clenched. "Gods, Mako! I wouldn't lay a hand on her if she begged me!"

"Calm down, Tris." Seto stood as well and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, why don't you go get Lexi and bring her here? Then Mako can ask her what he needs to."

Tristan took a deep breath, calming himself. "Okay. I'll be back in a few minutes."

{I'll keep him busy. Take your time and make sure Lexi understands not to mention Bakura.}

/Gotcha./

~*~*~*~*~

"Had a bad night, huh?" Joey asked as he dropped down on the couch in his office next to Josh.

The green eyed teen nodded. "Cravings were real bad."

"Hmm…" Joey rose and went to his desk, bringing back the dish of jellybeans he always kept there. "Here." He handed them to Josh as he sat back down. "These help me."

Josh put a couple in his mouth, not saying anything and not looking Joey in the eye.

"Something else you want to tell me?" Joey raised an eyebrow. He had learned to read Josh pretty well and he knew that when Josh held himself that way and kept his head down, there was something serious on his mind. "You had nightmares again last night, didn't you?"

"Yes." Josh whispered, looking down at where he was holding the candy dish in his lap.

"Want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay. Well…do you have your deck?" Joey smiled when Josh looked up. "Feel like dueling?"

Josh smiled slightly. "Sure. I'll have to go back to my room though. I left my deck there."

"Okay. Go get it. And prepare to get your ass kicked."

"You sure are different from all the other shrinks my parents have sent me to." Josh shook his head, standing.

"Ppfftt…I told you I don't do things normal." Joey rolled his eyes. "Get used to it, kiddo."

He was relieved to see a genuine smile on Josh's face as he left the office.

He was getting concerned. Josh wasn't making as much progress as he had hoped. The hallucinations and nightmares seemed to be getting worse instead of better. Joey was seriously beginning to doubt his skills as a physiologist. He was stumped as to how to help the boy.

[I really should talk to his parents. I don't know though. They really don't seem to give a shit that he's even here. They haven't been to see him or even called. It's almost like they're trying to hide him. Like they expect us to fix him…but until we do, they don't want to have anything to do with him.]

Joey got up from the couch and went to sit at his desk. He pulled his deck out of his briefcase and began shuffling through the cards, as though looking for inspiration.

[I just KNOW he's been sexually abused. But when, and by who, I have no idea.] Joey sighed, pulling his Flame Swordsman from his deck and looking at it. [I don't know what to do to get him to talk to me.]

There was a knock on his door and Jack walked in.

"Hey, Joey." The red headed man sat down across from the blond. "How's it going?"

Joey shook his head. "Not good. Josh seems to be getting worse. I'm beginning to think that maybe someone else should take him on."

"Now, Joey. Don't start second guessing yourself. He's not as bad as some I've seen. And he's comfortable with you. That's half the battle right there." Jack held up a file folder and dropped it on Joey's desk. "Besides, you're not quitting on me. I've got another case for you."

"You're kidding me, right?" Joey raised an eyebrow. "Jack, I'm not even making any progress with Josh and you want to trust someone ELSE to me?!"

"It's another teenager." Jack said, ignoring the question. "She's in the hospital right now. She needed to be sedated when she was arrested for prostitution. She's about a week or so away from her seventeenth birthday. Again, I think you've got a lot in common with her."

Joey picked up the file. "What's her drug of choice?"

"She doesn't have one. Unless you count sex. This kid's taken everything under the sun, Joey. And she's been living on the streets since she was thirteen." Jack gave Joey a pointed look. "She sold herself to buy her drugs and had a boyfriend who pimped her out. He beat her up pretty badly, from what I understand."

A chill raced up Joey's spine. It sounded way too familiar. He reached for the file, opening it. All he got was a brief look at a pretty girl with brown hair before his office door opened again and Josh came in.

"Hello, Josh." Jack stood. "I was just leaving." He spied the cards in the boy's hand. "You and Joey going to duel?"

"Yeah." Josh nodded. "I haven't beaten him yet, but I'm going to."

"You wish." Joey put the file in his briefcase to look at later and gave his full attention to the teen. "Do you want to stick around and watch me thrash him, Jack?"

"I'd love to, but I have an appointment." Jack said as he headed for the door. "Come see me when you get a chance to look over that file, Joey."

"Will do." Joey picked up his deck and began to shuffle it, smiling at Josh as he sat down. "Let's duel."

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan stood in the doorway of the daycare, shaking his head.

"This is worse than the lipstick incident." He commented to Bruce and Rod, who were standing with him. "And I thought NOTHING could top that."

Upon arriving to get his daughter, he had found Ryou playing with Justin and some other small boys at the large sand table, looking for all the world like one of the kids. The white haired hikari was talking and laughing with the children, ignorant to everything around him.

That wasn't what caused Tristan's amusement however. It was Bakura.

The at times bloodthirsty spirit was sitting on the floor in a corner, seemingly lost under a pile of little girls, Lexi among them. In fact, if Tristan had to hazard a guess, he'd say his daughter instigated the entire situation.

A blonde girl of about five, the child of one of the people in Tristan's department, stood behind Bakura, braiding his hair. As she tied it off with a piece of pink yarn, she squealed, throwing her arms around Bakura's neck and squeezing him.

"Ba-ra wook tum pity!" Lexi exclaimed, placing a plastic tiara on top of his head.

Bakura rolled his eyes, but sat patiently as another little girl wrapped a pink feather boa around his neck.

"Ba-ra nee doves!" Lexi said, picking up a pair of pink lace dress-up gloves and struggling to put them on his hands.

"Here, Lexi, let me do it." Yet another girl took them from the smaller child and took Bakura's hand, pulling them over his fingers.

"Tank-too, Tat-ee." Lexi reached into a box at her feet and drew out two enormous, and very ugly, plastic, clip on earrings. She snapped them on Bakura's ears and stepped back, a huge smile on her face. "Wow, Ba-ra. Doze tum nize!"

"I think Bakura should be a kitty." Kathy said.

"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!! YES!!" Lexi squealed. "We-are de made-up?"

"I have it." The child who had been braiding Bakura's hair handed Lexi what looked like a black crayon. "Here, Lexi. You give him whiskers and I'll color his nose."

Bakura bit back a growl as Lexi leaned in, her little tongue between her teeth, and drew two black lines on each of his cheeks. The other girl pushed in with a tube a red lipstick and proceeded to smear it across Bakura's nose.

She stopped, her head tilted to one side as she looked critically at the white haired fiend. A huge smile lit her face and she leaned forward again, coloring his lips with the makeup.

"Per-tect!" Lexi crowed, clapping her hands.

Bakura was just beginning to wonder where his dignity went when he heard Rachael call to him. He looked up, opening his mouth to scathingly ask what she wanted when a flashbulb went off in his face.

To make matters worse, he heard a familiar snort of laughter and saw Tristan standing in the doorway, leaning on Bruce for support as tears ran down his face.

"Very funny, slim." Bakura growled. "You can kiss my…"

"Bakura!" Ryou automatically reprimanded and then looked up. "Oh…sweet…gods!"

Bakura growled again as his lover became a victim to laughter. "Ryou…"

"Oh, gods!" Tristan wiped the tears from his eyes. "Rachael…I need that picture."

"I'll email it to you." Rachael grinned.

Bruce and Rod exchanged a look and then burst into laughter.

"Papa!" Lexi stood with her hands on her hips, looking offended. "Ba-ra pity! Tee? Ba-ra a titty."

"He sure is." Tristan snickered. "Rachael, make sure you send that to Seto."

Bakura rolled his eyes again and removed himself from the pile of children. He approached Tristan, a scowl on his face. "I only did this so Lexi wouldn't get upset."

"That's a good excuse." Tristan couldn't stop laughing. "Come on, Bakura. I know you like to play dress-up when no one is around. Ryou told me."

"What are you doing here?" Bakura changed the subject, casting a glare in the direction of the two guards. They quickly stopped laughing.

"I came to get Lexi." Tristan sobered, remembering why he was there. "The cops want to talk to her."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Bakura asked.

"I don't think it would be a good idea. We want to keep you out of this. That way if the witch says anything, it'll look like she's lying. Besides," Tristan smirked. "You're not dressed for it."

"Bite me, slim."

"Seriously though. I need a favor. Can you go wipe Walters' security clearance from the database? And make sure he's gone."

"Seto finally got rid of him, huh?" A feral grin crossed Bakura's face. "It's about time!"

"Just don't hurt him." Tristan warned. "Let him leave and keep an eye out to see if anyone has a problem with him getting fired. Let Seto know if you do."

"I seriously doubt it. The old jackass wasn't very well liked."

"Sir?" Bruce interrupted. "Would you like Rod and I to come with you?"

"No, that's okay." Tristan replied. "Why don't you go with Bakura? Just make sure he washes his face first."

Bruce snickered. "Yes, sir."

Tristan walked over to Lexi, reaching down and picking her up. "There someone you have to talk to, baby girl. You'll have to come upstairs with me."

"Not Lexi mommy? Peas, Papa. Lexi no wan tee dat mommy."

"No, honey. Not her. It's okay. Uncle Seto and I will be with you."

Tristan took Lexi out of the daycare and headed back up to the boardroom. In the elevator, he explained to her that she shouldn't say anything about Bakura even being there. He told her in simple terms that Bakura could get in trouble if she told, stressing that the police could take him away if she did.

Lexi nodded gravely when her father finished, saying that she wouldn't tell.

She clung to Tristan's neck as he opened the door to the boardroom and brought her inside.

Seto stood and held out his arms. "Hey, baby girl."

"Set!" Lexi reached for him, giving him a wet kiss as soon as she was in his arms.

"Now there's a sight I never thought I'd see." Mako smiled. "Seto Kaiba getting drooled on by a child."

"That's nothing." Tristan grinned. "His youngest is a veritable facet. And every time Seto touches him, Matthew throws up on him."

"Now that I'd like to see!"

Tristan shrugged. "I'll send you pictures."

"You wanted to ask Lexi a few questions?" Seto rolled his eyes, mentally smacking Tristan.

Mako looked closely at the little girl in Seto's arms for the first time. An eyebrow went up and he cut a glance at Tristan. "I thought you said…"

"She's NOT, Mako." Tristan said tersely. "It's a coincidence."

"Well…I've never heard it said you weren't a man of your word." Mako turned his attention to Lexi. "Hello, Alexis."

"Hey-doe, misser. Papa tay Lexi `ave tell bout dat mommy tieing a tate Lexi way."

Mako frowned, trying to sort out what the child had said. "Did your daddy tell you that you could go with your mother, honey?"

"No." Lexi shook her head. "Lexi Da-ee a wo-ark a day."

"She calls me "papa"." Tristan clarified.

Mako nodded, not taking his attention from the little girl. "Alexis, have you ever met your mother before?"

"No. An Lexi no wike dat mommy. Dat mommy tied a tate Lexi way a Papa a Da-ee a fam-ma mee. Dat mommy mean!"

"What happened when she tried to take you out of the building?"

"Ree topped. A Pill. Pill Ree doddy-dard. Pill tum nize! Pill dave Lexi tandy!"

"Did you see anyone hit your mother?"

Lexi looked confused. "Huh? No one `it dat mommy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yah-ha!" Lexi nodded her head vigorously. "No-bobby."

"Well," Mako looked at Tristan, his gaze clearly stating that he knew bloody well what was going on, but he wasn't going to ask. "I think that's all I need to know."

Seto blinked in surprise. "Okay. If you need anything else, you can contact me directly."

"I will." Mako stood and came to stand next to Seto. He reached down and pet the top of Lexi's head. "It was nice to meet you, Alexis."

"Lexi like a meet, umm….Papa? What man name?"

"Mr. Tsunami." Tristan replied.

"Lexi like a meet Mitt-er New-man-ny." Lexi smiled brightly.

"She sure is cute, Tristan." Mako said, stroking her hair again. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wrapped piece of candy, handing it to the child.

"Tank-too, Mitt-er New-man-ny!" Lexi squealed, bouncing in Seto's lap.

They said their goodbyes and once Mako had left, Tristan took Lexi back down to the daycare, calling Bruce to come watch over her again. His hands were shaking, and he was fighting back the tears as he watched his little girl run off to play.

Lexi seemed to be over what had happened, but he wasn't.

/Seto?/

{I'm in your office.}

/I…Seto…I need…/

{I know. I'm waiting for you.}

When Tristan reached his office, he instructed Teddy to hold his calls and not to let anyone disturb him. Teddy nodded, knowing that Tristan needed to be alone with Seto for a while. He had seen his employer like this before. When Joey was gone.

Tristan shut the door behind him, seeing Seto standing at the window, looking down into the street. The taller man turned and, letting his love and caring flood their bond, approached, holding out his arms.

A soft sob escaped Tristan as Seto took him into his arms and he laid his head against his best friend's shoulder.

{It's okay, Tris. It's over. Lexi's safe.}

"Oh, gods…I almost lost her." The tears began to flow as Tristan clung to Seto.

Seto just held him, knowing that Tristan didn't want words of comfort. He just needed to be held, to be allowed to cry and let the tension out.

{I'm here, Tris. It's alright. Cry.}

Tristan held tightly to Seto and let all the fear and anxiety that had built up inside him come pouring out.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey put his feet up on his desk and leaned back in his chair, opening the file in his hands.

Josh had gone to his room when they had finished dueling, barely able to keep his eyes open. Joey had told him to get some sleep and that he would probably be gone by the time he woke up.

He stared at the picture of the girl.

His first impression that she was pretty was quickly replaced as he took a closer look at the photograph that had been taken at the hospital. If you looked past the blank eyes, the tangled hair and the bruises on her face and neck, she was more than pretty. She was beautiful.

Something about her looked familiar. Joey shrugged it off. It was probably only because her eyes were the same shade of hazel as Tristan's.

He skimmed over the vital statistics, taking note of nothing more at that point than her name. Angela Marie Cole. Something about that struck him as familiar too, but again, he shrugged it off.

Reading the report from the attending physician at the hospital, Joey bit his lip. [Gods, what a mess.]

The report indicated that she had arrived at the hospital from the police station under the influence of an unspecified drug. She had been badly beaten, though there were no broken bones, and had to be sedated when she attacked a nurse. It also said there was evidence of an eating disorder. When they had offered her something to eat, she had stated that "if I eat, I'll just get fatter than I am".

[Anorexia.] Joey looked at the picture again, noting the thinness of her face. [Gods.]

The last line of the document said that her next of kin had been contacted, but had refused to come.

[Next of kin?! Holy shit!] Something clicked and Joey pulled out the sheet of paper containing that information. He swore his heart stopped beating as he read it again.

Next of kin: Greg and Alice Taylor. (uncle and aunt)

[What the fuck..?!] He looked at the photo again, seeing other similarities to his husband he hadn't noticed before. [Wait a minute! Cole…that's Tristan's mother's maiden name! What the HELL is going on here?!]

He threw everything into the folder and stood, taking it with him as he left his office and headed down the hall to Jack's.

Not even bothering to knock, he threw open the door and strode in. Jack was just hanging up the phone.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked, seeing the shocked look on the blond's face.

"What the hell is this?!" Joey tossed the file on the desk and collapsed into the chair in front of it. "This kid is lying to us and she's not even here yet!"

"Whoa. Calm down." Jack held up a hand. "What are you talking about?"

Joey pulled out the stats sheet and pushed it across the desk. "It says that Tristan's parents are her aunt and uncle."

"They are."

"They can't be! Tristan doesn't have any cousins!"

"Yes, he does. She's the daughter of his mother's younger sister. I checked. Her mother is Deborah Cole, daughter of Miriam and Andrew Cole, Tristan's grandparents."

"But…I KNOW he doesn't have a cousin. I remember him saying years ago that I was lucky to have Serenity because he didn't have any family, not even cousins."

"Maybe he doesn't know about her." Jack shrugged. "You mentioned to me that you only met his aunt once and that she didn't seem to be a particularly nice person."

Joey nodded. "At Tristan's grandfather's funeral. He died when Tris and I were fourteen. That was the only time Tristan met her too. She didn't come to his grandmother's funeral. I got the distinct impression that she and Tristan's mother didn't get along."

"Which could explain why he doesn't know about her."

"Jack…I can't treat this kid. It's a conflict of interest. I'm related to her."

"Just by marriage." Jack shrugged. "Besides, you've got a lot in common with her, Joey. Whether you want to call it that or not, you prostituted yourself for drugs, the same way she did."

"I never…I never thought about it that way." Joey flushed. "Keith made me do it."

"And her boyfriend made her do it." Jack stated.

"What am I going to tell Tristan? Does she even know about him?"

"I don't know. But I think maybe you should find that out before you say anything."

"Yeah." Joey sighed. "It'd kill him if he knew he had family that his parents never told him about."

"Tristan feels very strongly about family, doesn't he?"

"He does." Joey picked up the file, shuffling through the papers. "He hasn't really had one since his grandmother died. I mean, I've got my sister, but Tris hasn't even really got parents. They disowned him when they found out about us."

"Some people shouldn't have kids." Jack said, a tinge of anger in his voice.

"Well," Joey grinned. "If they didn't, I wouldn't have Tristan."

"True." Jack smiled back. "So…you'll take her?"

Joey sighed. "Yes. I just hope I can help her."

"I know you can. And don't worry about Josh. Something will give soon."

"I sure hope so." Joey said. "I've got to take off. I want to get home and see how Otogi's doing."

"Is he any better today?" Jack knew all about Otogi, including how Joey felt about him.

"A bit. Yugi came over to stay with him. Hopefully he'll be able to get around better tomorrow. I don't want him to feel like we're babysitting him."

"Have you and Tristan spoken to him yet?"

"No." Joey shook his head, knowing what Jack was talking about. "Tristan didn't react very well to it, so I'm going to wait until he brings it up again. I don't want to push him. He needs to sort out how he feels about Otogi. He's half convinced he's going to lose me again."

"Have you brought it up with Diane?"

"I tried…and it backfired."

Jack frowned. "How so?"

"Tris clammed up. And he called and cancelled the appointment we had with her for tomorrow with some lame excuse about a meeting."

"That's not good." Jack replied. "My advice…back off. If there's one thing I know about Tristan it's that he's stubborn. If you try to force him to see Diane, he's going to dig in further and refuse."

"I know. I'm not really worried though. He'll come around. I just need to let him think it was HIS idea." Joey stood. "I'd better get going."

"Angela's going to be in the hospital for a week." Jack said. "They're pumping her full of antibiotics. Maybe you should introduce yourself."

"I'll stop in and see her on my way in tomorrow." Joey promised as he headed out the door.

Getting back to his office, he put the file in his briefcase. [I hope I can help you, Angela. Whether anyone knows it or not, you're family. I've got to help you.]

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi lay, watching Joey sleep, hoping that the blond would continue to slumber.

{{Poor Joey.}} He leaned in and brushed his lips against Joey's cheek. {{It's okay. She's safe now.}}

Joey had been very upset when he arrived home to find Tristan already home with Lexi. When Tristan told him what had happened, Joey had took the news without a word and then went and picked up his daughter, sitting down on the couch and clutching her to his body as if he was afraid that if he let go, she'd disappear.

Otogi had come down the kitchen stairs to get a drink and was surprised to find Tristan cooking dinner. Tristan didn't cook if he could help it. When the brunet had filled Otogi in, Otogi had gotten the urge to put his arms around the big man, seeing the poorly concealed pain in his eyes. He held back though, not knowing if Tristan would welcome it.

Then, to make matters worse, Lexi had come in to the kitchen and, upon seeing Otogi for the first time since he had been there, had begun to cry at the sight of his bruised face.

Not seeing any other way out of it, Otogi had told her he had had an accident, but that he would be okay. Tristan had gone on to say that Otogi would be staying with them while he got better. Lexi had shrieked at the top of her lungs and jumped up and down, excited that Otogi would be there.

Joey had come in then, relieved to see that Lexi had accepted their explanation without much fuss. He had taken over preparing dinner, telling Otogi to go sit down.

Over dinner, Tristan had alleviated Joey's fears a bit more by telling him that Seto had assigned Bruce to be Lexi's bodyguard. He would accompany her both in and out of Kaiba Corp., unless they told him he wasn't needed.

Joey had spent most of the evening playing with Lexi, bathing her and putting her to bed.

Otogi had been a little nervous when Joey took the little girl upstairs for her bath, leaving him alone in the living room with Tristan. He had expected the brunet to start questioning him about Dan, but Tristan hadn't said much. He had sat down at the piano, playing and basically seeming to be unaware of Otogi's presence.

Otogi had been relieved when it was finally time for them to settle down for the night.

Joey had insisted on sleeping with him again, not seeing the look on Tristan's face when he announced it. Otogi, however, did.

{{I have to leave. Not just to keep Tristan from finding out, but for his and Joey's sake. Me being here is coming between them. I can't do that.}}

Otogi slipped out of the bed, biting back a whimper as he caught the splint on the edge of the mattress.

He was dressed in sweatpants and a tee shirt belonged to Joey and he had spied a pair of Joey's sneakers sitting next to the front door. He planned to walk to the end of the road where he knew there was a payphone and call a cab to take him home.

He snuck from the room as quietly as possible; noting that Tristan and Joey's bedroom door was shut. One less thing to worry about.

Clutching the banister, he slowly made his way down the stairs, his body screaming in protest. Finally reaching the bottom, he paused, listening carefully. Not a sound.

He bent painfully and put on Joey's sneakers, having to clutch the doorknob as he stood up, fighting off a wave of dizziness. He unlocked the door as quietly as he could and opened it just enough to get out.

The three steps down to the driveway seemed like a hundred, but he managed to make it down without falling. Wiping the sweat from his face, he began his walk down the driveway, trying to remember if it had always been that long.

When he reached the gates, he turned and looked back at the house.

{{It's for the best.}}

He reached out and opened the gate.

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: Gods! What the HELL was THAT all about?

Mako: Yeah! I get to be in this story! You guys NEVER use me!

YD: *pets Mako's head* I just couldn't help it. You look so damn cute in a police uniform!

Seto: Tris has a cousin?

DD: Looks that way.

Mokuba: What about me? I thought I was going to get to see the kids.

YD: Patience, boy-o. Next chapter.

DD: And lemons! Lemons next chapter!!

Joey: Who?

YD: Not saying.

Tris: Better be me and Joey.

Yugi: What about me? I want a lemon with Seto!

YD: Demanding, the bunch of you!

DD: Hope you enjoyed. The next chapter is already partially written. Hopefully it'll be out next weekend.

YD: No promises though.