Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter25 ( Chapter 25 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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

~*~*~*~*~

A/N: We'd just like to clarify that there are a few different ways to pronounce the mantra Tris uses in this chapter. The way he's pronouncing it is “ohm, man-eh pay-may hum”. You'll see why it's important when you get to that scene. *grin* No squishing, got it?

Also as well, we've noticed that when we post to AFF, some of the text gets changed; words deleted, repeated and messed up, that sort of thing. We ALWAYS read over our work several times before posting to avoid misspelled words and anything like that. Thought you'd want to know. Enjoy the chapter!

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: Finally, an update.

YD: Have you been told today?

Tris: Not yet.

YD: Let me correct my lack of foresight then.

DD: Oh, quit. Sorry about the wait everyone. Real life is a bitch.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke slowly, turning over and reaching for Tristan.

“Tris?” Joey sat up in the empty bed, looking toward the bathroom door. “Tristan?”

He could hear the shower running and he pulled himself out of bed, intending on practicing a little water conservation.

“Hey, angel.” Joey slipped into the shower and wound his arms around Tristan's waist, snickering when the brunet jumped.

“Damn, Joey!” Tristan yelped before pulling Joey's arms from around him and turning. He smiled down at him. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

“You look happy this morning. Any reason why?” Joey asked, smiling back as he put his arms around his husband again.

“You took a big step last night, baby.” Tristan reached to trail his fingers gently down Joey's neck. “I'm proud of you.”

Joey laughed and rubbed himself against the bigger man. “Want to see me take another one?”

“Joey…baby…gods, stop.” Tristan grabbed the blond by the shoulders and moved him away. “You'll be late for work.”

Joey pouted but complied, grabbing the bottle of shampoo from the shelf next to him. “Yeah. I'm gonna pick up Otogi and go see Mokuba first.”

“You're taking him home?” Tristan asked, taking the bottle from Joey and beginning to wash his hair for him.

“Mmhmm. I figured he'd want to. He's getting anxious to get back to work. He's been away for too long.”

Tristan just nodded, not really sure how he felt about that. He had gotten used to having the emerald eyed man around.

“Are you going into the office?”

“Later.” Tristan shook himself from his thoughts. “I'll come over to Seto's with you and pick up Lexi. I've got a press release to finish and then we'll go see Mokuba. Lexi's got to see the speech therapist this afternoon, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. I've got to meet with the people at the orphanage soon too.” Joey leaned back, letting Tristan rinse his hair. “Great of Seto to offer that to me.”

“I think you're perfect for the job, love.” Tristan kissed Joey on the forehead. “There you go. We'd better finish up and get over to Seto's before Lexi thinks we've run away from home or something.”

Joey laughed again, agreeing, and for once kept his hands to himself as they finished their shower.

~*~*~*~*~

“PAPA!” DA-EE! Lexi threw herself at her parents before they were even through the door.

“Hello, angel girl.” Joey picked the child up and kissed her.

“Lexi teep a Jut-in bed. Dette may Lexi tan-pakes a beck-fat! Lexi low tan-pakes! Dadeem tay tan-pakes not dood a Lexi. Lexi no tare.”

Joey snickered at the rushed words, barely able to make them all out.

“Nadeem is rather full of opinions.” Seto said, entering the foyer. “I think Sadie's rubbing off on him already.”

“Online, is he?” Tristan asked, taking Lexi from Joey.

“Papa! Tum tee Dadeem!”

“It is not necessary, little one. I am right here.”

Turning toward the sound of the cultured voice, Tristan's eyebrows rose.

Standing next to him was an extremely handsome man, perhaps six inches or so taller than he was, with lavender colored hair and blue eyes. He was simply dressed in jeans and a black silk shirt.

“Greetings, Tristan…Joey.” The AI inclined his head.

“Hey, Nadeem.” Joey greeted him. “How's life on the outside?”

“Very interesting.”

Tristan was about to comment when Otogi entered the foyer. The raven haired man stopped; a scared, hesitant look on his face. Tristan handed his daughter back to Joey and moved past the others, approaching Otogi. When he reached him, he put his arms around him, holding him gently.

“It's over, kitten.” He said quietly. “You don't have to be scared anymore.”

Otogi trembled, sliding his arms around Tristan's waist.

Joey handed Lexi off to Seto and went over, putting his arms around Otogi as well. “You don't have to hide anymore. Dan won't be coming near you again.”

As he accepted a kiss from Joey, Otogi saw something flicker in Tristan's eyes. {{I think…I think I'd better go home. I've been there too long. I've pushed too hard.}}

“Joey, you're going to be late.” Tristan said, moving away from the two men.

“Yeah, I want to go to the hospital first.”

“Umm…will you drop me off at home?” Otogi asked.

“If you want. Why don't you come to the hospital with me to see Mokuba first?”

Otogi smiled. “I'd like that.”

Tristan took Lexi from Seto and kissed her. “And you can come home with me, baby girl.”

“TIPPIE!” Lexi squealed, bouncing in her father's arms.

“Oh, Tris, Ryou called. You've got to stick around for a few minutes.” Seto said, a slight smile on his face.

“Why?”

“S'up, guys?” Bakura walked in through the door, immediately reaching out to Lexi.

Everyone burst out laughing.

“What?” Bakura looked confused.

He felt a slight tug on his hair and heard a soft sniffing sound. He turned around to find Yami standing behind him with a handful of his long, white hair and a smirk on his face.

“You smell pretty, Tomb Robber.” Yami snickered.

“What the hell are you talking about, Pharaoh?”

Joey laughed. “Nice streaks, `kura. Where'd you get them done?”

“Streaks?” Bakura grabbed one of his batwing spikes and pulled it down, his eyes widening. “Shit.”

“Ooohhh, Ba-ra!” Lexi giggled. “Ba-ra tum pity hay-war. Is tink!”

“Frigging great.” Bakura muttered.

“You don't have time to do anything about it now, Bakura.” Seto grinned, leaning against Tristan for support. “We have to get into the office.”

The pale fiend rolled his eyes, scowling. “You're going to have to do a massive hiring come tomorrow, rich boy. Anyone who says ANYTHING is going to end up in the Shadow Realm.”

Bakura's tirade was interrupted as they heard a snort of laughter. Everyone turned toward the staircase, expecting to see Yugi. Justin stood there, wiping tears of laughter from his face.

The boy grinned at Bakura. “Looks good on you, Uncle Tomb Robber.”

“For that, it's worth it.” Bakura whispered to Yami.

“You've come a long way, thief.” Yami smiled at him.

Bakura frowned as the phrase tugged at something in his memory. He shook it off and took Lexi, kissing her goodbye.

“Let's go then.” He said to Seto, setting the little girl on her feet and patting her head. “Might as well get the side show over with.”

~*~*~*~*~

Mokuba sat in a recliner next to the bed, staring at his unresponsive legs.

Roger had left the hospital early that morning. Exams were starting today and, though he didn't want to leave, Rachael had received a call from the principal, demanding Roger come back to school.

*I hate this. I want to go home.* He cast a glance at the nurse changing his bed. *I want to sleep in my own bed with Roger. I want to see the kids.*

“There you go, Mokuba.” The nurse smiled brightly at him. “Would you like to get back into bed, or are you comfortable there for a while?”

Mokuba bit back a sharp retort and shook his head. “I'm okay. Thanks.”

“If you need anything, just let me know.” The woman said as she headed out the door, stopping to speak to the guard at the entrance.

*What I NEED is to get the fuck out of here.* Mokuba rolled his eyes, hearing the woman giggle at something Pat said. * Oh, please. Pat's beyond gay. She's wasting her time. Stupid cow.*

Sighing, he tried to shift in the chair, gripping the arms and pushing himself up. He was bored. Far from tired, all he could do was sit and stare at the walls, the monotony broken only by meals and Pat coming in every so often to see if he needed anything. With Roger gone, he had no one to talk to and he was beginning to get restless.

“Hey, colt.” Joey's smile brightened the room as he came in with Otogi, making a bee line for Mokuba. “How ya doin'?”

“Bored out of my frigging mind.” Mokuba groused. “You?”

“Just came to see you before dropping Otogi off and heading in to the clinic.”

Mokuba looked up at the raven haired man. “You're going home?”

“Yeah.” Otogi nodded. “'bout time I got back at it. Half scared to death to go into the shop. The place is probably falling apart.”

Mokuba laughed, feeling his mood lighten, and fell into easy conversation with the two men.

After about a half an hour, another of the Kaiba Corp. guards showed up to relieve Pat and he came in, lifting Mokuba carefully from his chair and placing him back in bed.

“Well, I've gotta get going.” Joey leaned down and kissed the younger Kaiba on the forehead.

“Yeah, okay.” Mokuba smiled. “Hey, can you call Seto and ask him to bring me my laptop when he comes to see me today?”

Joey tussled the tangled black hair, grinning. “Sure, I can do that.”

Mokuba bid them goodbye, feeling tears prick his eyes as they walked away.

*I want to go home.*

~*~*~*~*~

“Dougie,” Joey stopped to speak to the guard at the door. “Do me a favor, would you?”

“Name it.”

“Go in and spend some time with him. He's lonely.”

The tall, muscular young man tucked his hair behind his ear, ducking his head and looking at Joey through his long, auburn bangs. “Bakura told me not to leave my post. Seto'd get really mad if I did.”

Joey smiled reassuringly and pat Dougie on the shoulder. “He won't mind, Dougie. And if he does say anything, tell him I told you to, okay?”

“'kay, Joey.” Dougie nodded, a slight blush staining his cheeks.

“Thanks, buddy. I'll see you later.” Joey smiled again and took Otogi's hand leading him away.

“What was that all about?” Otogi asked once they were out of earshot.

“Hmm?”

“With that guard.”

“Oh, Dougie?” Joey grinned. “He's real shy.”

“He called Seto by his first name. No one else does that.”

“Yeah, well, about four years ago someone tried to assassinate Seto, AGAIN, and Dougie burst out of the crowd and took the bullet.” Joey said. “He was only sixteen. Four weeks in the hospital. Seto took him on when he was healed up.”

“Wow.” Otogi blinked as they stepped out into the bright sunshine.

“Yeah, he's a great guy. Kinda quiet, doesn't talk much, but from what I've heard, he's devoted to his job almost to the point of obsession.” Joey reached for the door as the car pulled up, turning to look at Otogi.

He froze, seeing a man standing on the other side of the parking lot. He looked familiar. Joey felt his breath catch and his blood run cold. He looked like Bobby.

“Joey?” Otogi's concerned voice broke through to the blond. “Are you okay?”

“Umm, yeah.” Joey pulled his eyes away from the man staring at him and opened the car door. “We'd better get going.”

Otogi looked skeptical, but got into the car without another word.

Joey glanced back across the parking lot, seeing the man was gone. [Why would he be hanging around? Was that him I saw that day outside Seto's office? If it was…why?]

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan set a bowl of grapes down in front of Lexi and smiled.

“There you go, baby girl. You've got your movie, your snack, and your furball.” His eyes narrowed as the cat hissed at him from its spot in Lexi's lap. “Shut up, you.”

“Papa a Pita no do dat.” Lexi demanded, her eyes already glued to the TV screen. “Papa dunna doe wo-ark?”

“I'll be in the den. Come get me if you need me.” Tristan replied.

“Tay, Papa.”

“We can go see Uncle Mokuba later, alright?”

“Tay, Papa.”

“When Daddy gets home tonight you can help him make supper.”

“Tay, Papa.”

Tristan snickered. “I think your cat would make a wonderful pair of gloves, baby girl.”

“Tay, Papa.”

/That's beyond tempting./ Tristan shook his head, glaring as the cat growled at him, and made his way to the den.

Leaving the door open, he made his way over to the desk, opening his laptop. Before he could turn it on, his gaze fell on the small altar he had set up in a corner of the room. Giving up the idea of finishing the press release, he went over, kneeling in front of the low table and reaching into his pocket for his lighter.

He lit a stick of incense and reached for his prayer beads. /Maybe if I can clear my mind I can actually get some work done./

Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly, pushing down the first bead with his thumb. “Om mani padme hum.”

Sound and sensation faded as the second bead was counted off and he closed his eyes. “Om mani padme hum.”

“Om mani padme hum.” The third bead clicked against the other two and he slipped into a semi-trance, his consciousness wiped clean.

~*~*~*~*~

“Lexi LOW dat moo-be! Lexi a Pita wat dat de-den!”

Getting up from the couch, Lexi frowned as the bowl, half full of grapes, fell to the floor. She snatched up her kitten as it jumped down, immediately batting a piece of the fruit under the sofa.

“Bad, Pita! Papa dit mad.” She put the animal up on the couch, shaking her finger at it. “Pita be nize a Papa.”

Lexi quickly gathered up the fallen grapes, putting them back in the bowl and setting it on the coffee table. She ran from the living room and toward the den, intent on getting her father to restart the movie for her.

Gaining the den, she stopped in the doorway, hearing Tristan's voice. She entered slowly, knowing enough not to disturb him.

She stood by his side, watching, her head cocked to one side as she listened to the chant.

Thinking it looked like fun, she scurried from the room, quickly returning with a strand of pink and white beads from her dress-up box. She knelt next to her parent, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she strove to emulate his exact posture.

Brow furrowed, she mouthed the words to the chant and, finally confident she had it right, closed her eyes and began to speak.

As Tristan began to surface from his meditation, he became aware of another presence in the room. He knew immediately it was Lexi and cracked open an eye and looked at his daughter.

He swallowed hard, fighting not to laugh out loud.

Three plastic beads slid through Lexi's fingers. “Oh, man, iz Da-ee bum.”

/I'm gonna squeeze the hell out of her./

“Oh, man, iz Da-ee bum.” Four beads clicked against her fingernails.

/She's flat./

“Oh, man, iz Da-ee bum.”

“That's it!” Tristan grabbed her up, covering her face with kisses.

Lexi shrieked at the top of her lungs. “PAPA! DOAN!!”

Tristan winced as his ears rang, but didn't pause in his assault. “No way! Cute kids get kissed!”

“Tute Papas dit tissed!” Lexi hooked her hands into the collar of Tristan's shirt and tugged, returning his kisses.

Laughing, Tristan wrapped his arms around the tiny body, squeezing gently. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Lexi low Papa toe mush.” Lexi smiled at him, laying her head against his chest with a sigh. “Papa?”

“Yes, baby girl?”

“Papa low Togi?”

Tristan frowned. “Where'd that come from?”

“Dunno.” Lexi shrugged. “Togi low Papa yanno.”

/Right./ Tristan stood, his daughter in his arms. “Want to help me work?”

“Tippie!” Lexi squealed, bouncing. “Yes!”

Going to the desk, Tristan opened a drawer, digging out a handful of crayons and some paper, thankful that Lexi was so easily distracted. He set them down, along with the little girl, on the floor next to his desk.

“Okay,” Tristan straightened and turned on his laptop. “We have to write a REALLY good press release for Uncle Seto.”

“O-tay.” Lexi nodded, her little face serious. “Lexi wite da bestest pess weeze in da woo-ard, Papa.”

“You do that.”

“Set dunno be TOE poud a Lexi!”

Tristan smile and ruffled her hair as he sat down. “He sure will.”

Turning on his computer, Tristan glanced down at his daughter, smiling again as he watched her busily scribbling on the paper. /Thank you, baby girl. You'll never know how much I needed that./

~*~*~*~*~

Joey leaned back in his chair with a sigh, looking expectantly at the door.

[Damn it. What am I going to do with her? She's fighting everyone, me the hardest. I am going to have to crack down on her. She's never going to get better if I can't break through that tough kid front. Gods, she reminds me of me when I was a teenager. If it hadn't been for Tristan and Yugi, where would I be now? And if it wasn't for Tristan, I'd probably be dead at Keith's hands.] A shudder ran through the blond and he fought back the memories. Memories that were getting harder to keep at bay lately, despite what had happened last night. [Was it him? When Otogi and I were coming out of the hospital this morning? It couldn't have been Bobby. It couldn't have.]

The door to his office opened, interrupting his thoughts. He smiled at the girl who entered, but didn't receive one in return.

“Hey, Angela.” Joey motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Why don't you grab a seat?”

The girl gave him an indescribable look and moved over to the bookcase, looking at the pictures there. Joey watched her, wondering what was going through her mind. He watched as she picked up a picture of Seto and Tristan, looking at it carefully.

“You know him?” She asked, not turning around.

“Which one?”

“Seto Kaiba.”

“Yeah, he's a friend of mine.” He said off-handedly as she took the picture and sat down on the couch. He studied her face carefully to see if there was any recognition there.

“Who's the other guy?” She looked up, meeting Joey's eyes directly for the first time. “He looks familiar.”

[Probably not a good idea to tell her Tris is my husband. Not until I figure out if she knows him.] Joey leaned forward, resting his hands on the top of his desk. “That's Tristan Taylor. He's Seto's best friend.”

A flicker of recognition came into the hazel eyes and Joey held his breath. When she didn't say anything, Joey decided to give her a bit more information to see if he could get her talking.

“I've known him longer than I've known Seto. He works for Seto. Head of the PR department at Kaiba Corp.” Joey stood up and went to the book case, taking down another picture, this one of Yami and Yugi. He walked over to the couch and sat on the far end, handing it to her. “This is Yugi and Yami. They're Seto's husbands.”

Taking the silver framed picture from him, her lip curled into a sneer. “Oh, yeah. I heard about that. And I heard he's fucking his friend too.”

Joey took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. Making a decision, he reached out and took the picture of Seto and Tristan from her. “Normally, I'd get pretty upset if someone talked about my husband that way. But I'll cut you some slack, seeing as you're obviously misinformed.”

“Oh, come on. It was all over the papers.”

[Interesting. She didn't even react to finding out I'm married to a guy.] “Don't believe everything you read. All that shit was made up…for the most part. We had some run-ins with that reporter.”

A distinct look of interest passed over the thin, angular features and then she shrugged, getting up and handing the picture she was still holding to Joey. She moved away, going over to the window and looking out, tugging the knit hat she was wearing further down over her eyes.

“Feel up to going outside?” Joey asked.

She shrugged again. “Dunno. I can't go anywhere without that guy following me.”

“Which guy? Will?”

“I guess.”

“Will's a good guy. He's just doing his job.” Joey stood and replaced the photographs on the shelf. “Well, I can go with you.”

She turned to look at him, her face expressionless. “If you want.”

“We don't have to. What do YOU want to do?” Red-rimmed eyes widened, and Joey was sure she only just caught herself from letting her mouth drop open. [Finally, a reaction. A weird one, but a reaction.]

“What do you mean, what I want?”

“Just what I said.” Joey cocked his head to one side, grinning at her. “What? No one ever asked you what you wanted before?”

Angela backed up until she was pressed against the window, looking at the man in front of her like he had lost his mind. “What…what I want…” She whispered.

“Angela?” Joey cautiously approached her. “Angela, are you okay?”

Joey's breath caught as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. At that moment, she looked so much like Tristan; Joey had to fight back the urge to take her into his arms.

“I…I want…I want to go outside.” The girl said softly, tensing as though expecting a blow.

“Well, let's go then.” Joey replied, equally quiet. “Do you want to get a sweater or something?”

“N-no.”

Joey walked over to the coat tree behind his desk and pulled his jacket off, putting it on. He went to the door and opened it, turning to see Angela still standing by the window. He smiled at her and she took a step toward him, a small, tentative smile flitting across her lips, quickly disappearing.

Joey made sure he stayed out of arm's reach as they walked outside together and it seemed to calm her. [I wonder what the hell that was all about? Did I say something wrong? Gods, I hope not. She seemed to be softening there for a minute.]

They went to sit under the tree in Joey's favorite spot and he waited until the girl had settled herself before speaking again. “Can I ask you a question?”

Angela looked at him, saying nothing.

“Did your boyfriend hit you if you said you wanted something?”

“That's none of your fucking business.” She replied belligerently.

“Fair enough.” Joey said calmly. [Shit. I blew it.]

“No, it's NOT fair!” She rounded on him. “I don't want to be here, and you people have no right to keep me here! I want to get the fuck out of here and go back to Kevin!”

[Not a chance, kid.] Joey was quickly coming to the realization that he absolutely could not handle her the way he dealt with Josh. Jack was right. “You're here because that's what the court ordered, Angela. You don't have a choice, and quite frankly, I'm glad. Your choices to date haven't been very good ones.”

“Says you.”

Joey's eyes narrowed. “I think we're done for the day.”

“Whatever.” Angela stood. “I suppose you have to escort me back to my room.”

Joey stood as well. “I do. You know the reason for that, don't you?”

“Because you're all a bunch of assholes?” She replied snidely.

“Because we can't trust you. And until we can, you're not going to be getting much private time.”

The girl snorted, turning on her heel and heading back toward the main building. Joey followed a pace behind, shaking his head. This was NOT going to be easy.

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi sat at his desk, tapping a pen against the surface.

He had returned home to a quiet, empty house. Too quiet and too empty. While he had been at Tristan and Joey's, the house had constantly been busy, with their friends coming and going, the air ringing with Lexi's happy laughter. The evenings had been quiet, but not in a vacant, sterile way. It had been filled with music, conversation, and a warm, loving atmosphere.

He hadn't been able to face the barrenness of his own life and had quickly left for the store.

{{Gods, I'd love to have that. To be there all the time. But I can't. They need some time alone together.}} Otogi picked up his appointment book, seeing he had the next few days free. {{Maybe I should go out of town. Put some distance between us.}}

He made a few phone calls, called his secretary in and gave certain instructions and made reservations. Within an hour, he had a three day business trip planned. He would leave that afternoon.

Knowing Joey was unreachable at the clinic, he called Teddy, leaving a message for Tristan that he was going away and would be back in a few days. He knew Tristan was home, but had no desire to speak to the brunet directly.

Guilt flashed through him at the thought of not talking to either of them. He pushed it aside and grabbed his keys, intent on heading home to pack.

{{Tristan won't miss me.}} He sighed, trying to qualify his feelings. {{He'll probably be glad I'm gone. Then he'll have Joey all to himself.}}

Getting behind the wheel of his car, tears blurred his vision. He was beginning to feel like he was making a mistake. He loved them both, but he felt like he was coming between them.

Otogi scrubbed at his eyes with the heels of his hands. {{I've got to sort this out. Maybe…maybe I should talk to them about this. I need to know exactly where I stand.}}

He put the car in gear and began his journey back home. By the time he got there, he had decided he would take the next few days to figure out what he wanted and how he was going to approach his two lovers about it.

One thing there was no doubt of. He loved them both enough that he would leave if it came to light that he was getting in the way. He'd rather have them happy and together, without him, than unhappy and with him.

~*~*~*~*~

“BOOS!” Lexi shrieked at the top of her lungs the second she caught sight of the man who was her bodyguard.

“Hey, little miss!” Bruce waved to her.

Letting the door swing shut behind them, Tristan looked to the man approaching them, holding the hand of someone the big brunet first took to be a child. He quickly masked his surprise when he realized it wasn't.

“Hi, Mr. Taylor.” Bruce smiled as he reached them, patting Lexi on top of the head with his free hand. “This is my husband, Mace.”

“Nice to meet you, Mace.” Tristan smiled down at the tiny man who grinned back up at him, his bright brown eyes sparkling with mirth.

“I love that look.” Mace chuckled.

“Maze teeny, Papa.” Lexi giggled, smiling as she looked Bruce's husband straight in the eye. “Is tool.”

Bruce suppressed a snicker and decided to extricate Tristan from the embarrassing situation. “Mace, why don't you head back to the security office and see if Lenny or someone can take you to work?”

“Sure. I've got to motor; we've got quads due today.”

Bruce smiled and crouched down, putting himself on Mace's level. “Love you, baby. Have a good day. I'll pick you up after your shift.”

“Love you too.” Mace smiled as he accepted the other's kiss and then turned to Tristan. “Nice meeting you. I'll see you later, Lexi.”

“Bye, Maze!” Lexi waved frantically as the diminutive man left them.

“Quads?” Tristan asked.

“Oh, yeah.” Bruce smiled and took Lexi's hand. “Mace works in the neonatal unit at the children's hospital.”

“Boos!” Lexi piped up, interrupting their conversation. “Lexi wie pess weeze a Set!”

Bruce grinned down at his small charge. “You did? Has he seen it yet?”

“Nope. Lexi tow now.”

“Why don't you go take your husband to work?” Tristan said, picking Lexi up in his arms. “Lexi's seeing the speech therapist in an hour anyway.”

“Sure.” Bruce smiled. “That'd be great. I'll go head him off.”

“If Bakura's there, make sure you compliment him on his hair.” Tristan chuckled.

Bruce looked skeptical, but didn't comment. Saying goodbye to Tristan and Lexi, he turned and headed for the security office.

“Well, baby girl,” Tristan smiled down at his daughter. “Time to go give your report to Uncle Seto.”

“O-tay, Papa.” Lexi giggled. “Tink Set put Lexi onda pay-drowl?”

Tristan struggled to keep a straight face and nodded solemnly as he set her down. “I'll negotiate your contract myself.”

“Tay.” Lexi tugged on her father's hand. “Go now?”

Tristan smiled at the little girl and led her off toward the elevator. She stopped three times to tell different people that she was going to hand in her press release to Seto and negotiate her pay contract.

When the elevator stopped on the thirty sixth floor, Lexi placed her hand on Tristan's. “Lexi ude Lexi tur-bur tatee tode.”

“Be my guest.” The brunet smiled, watching his daughter getting up on her toes to punch in the four digit security code Bakura had set up for her.

“Thank you, Miss Wheeler.” The computer responded.

“Do wel-tum.” Lexi replied, grinning up at her father.

The rest of the way to the fortieth floor, Tristan watched Lexi out of the corner of his eye. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, hands clasped behind her back, humming under her breath.

Tristan was just contemplating making a grab for her when the doors slid open.

“Papa?” Lexi stopped the second they exited the elevator and held out her hand. “Pess weeze peas.”

Tristan shifted his briefcase into his opposite hand and pulled a file folder from the side pocket. “Here you go.”

“Tank too, Papa.” She smiled brightly at him. “Lexi nee tow Set now.”

That said, Lexi strode purposefully toward the door to Seto's outer office. Tristan bit his lip to keep from laughing and followed.

“Hey-doe, Deena.” Lexi said as she stopped in front of the woman's desk.

“Tell him his twelve thirty is here.” Tristan grinned.

Gina raised an eyebrow and looked at Lexi. Seeing the file folder in the child's hand, her lips twitched. “Of course.” She picked up the phone and informed her employer that his appointment was there and then turned to Lexi. “You can go in now, Miss Wheeler.”

“Tank too, Deena.” Lexi nodded, her face expressionless, and walked toward the inner office door.

“I don't know how you can stand it.” Gina whispered to Tristan as he passed.

“Pure and utter self-restraint, beautiful.” He whispered back with a grin.

Seto smiled at Tristan as he entered the office and then gave his full attention to the child standing in front of his desk. “So, Miss Wheeler, what can I do for you?”

“Lexi tinnish pess weeze.” Lexi replied, setting the folder with great ceremony on the polished surface.

“Well, now,” Seto picked it up and opened it, trying not to grin when he noticed Lexi trembling with suppressed excitement and shifting from one foot to the other. “There's one company policy you need to know before I read this.”

“Waz dat?” The little girl asked, wide eyed.

“All employees under the age of five have to sit in my lap when I read their press releases.”

Tristan struggled to control his laughter and sat down in front of Seto's desk. “It's true, baby girl.”

“Oh, oh-tay.” Lexi promptly moved around the desk and crawled up into Seto's lap. “Wike diz?”

“Perfect.” Seto began to shift through the crayon-scribbled pages, nodding gravely and trying not to snicker as Lexi squirmed with poorly concealed anticipation. “Hmm…”

/I wonder if I should have taken her to the bathroom first./

{Huh?}

“Oh no.” The all too familiar peculiar look passed over Lexi's face and Tristan burst out laughing at the look of horror that passed over Seto's.

“Gods…” Seto grimaced, feeling wetness spread through the leg of his pants.

“Lexi torry.” The elfin face flushed red and tears sparkled in her hazel eyes.

Seto sighed. “It's okay, honey. I'll go get changed.”

Tristan stood on weak legs and went to lift his daughter from Seto's damp lap. “That's what you get for trying to break the child labor laws, pal.”

{Bite my ass.} Seto got up, a shudder of distaste passing through him as he surveyed the damage. {I'm glad I keep extra clothes here.}

“Lexi toe torry, Set.” Lexi regarded the taller brunet from her father's arms.

“It's okay, Lexi. Really.”

“Diz dunna `urt Lexi ton-track, huh?”

{Taking a leak in the CEO's lap usually gets you fired.} Seto shot Tristan a deadly look as the bigger man snickered. “Not one bit. Go with Papa and get changed, little girl.”

“Oh-tay.”

/This is one for the record books./ Tristan grinned at Seto. /The day Seto Kaiba was peed on by a three year old./

{Didn't I already tell you to bite my ass?}

/Later. I have to get Lexi changed./

{Asshole.} Seto rolled his eyes as Tristan left his office.

/Love you too./

~*~*~*~*~

Joey leaned against the doorframe, smiling at the scene in the kitchen.

Lexi was sitting on the table in nothing but her diaper, her hair damp, with Tristan standing behind her. The big brunet was combing the tangles from the child's hair, talking quietly to her.

It was an altogether peaceful scene.

“You did really good today, baby girl.” Tristan said, putting the comb down and taking up half of Lexi's hair, beginning to braid it. “Do you like Mrs. Croft?”

Lexi nodded. “Yah-ha. Lexi no tan tay doze wood wite doe.”

“It'll get easier.” Tristan tied off the braid and started on the other. “You just need to practice. Daddy and I want you to spend some time with Justin's teachers too. Think you might like to do that?”

“Fer sur.” Lexi tipped her head back and smiled up at her father. “Papa?”

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“Lexi low.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” Tristan smiled, leaning down and kissing the little girl on top of the head.

“Lexi tory bout da poddy in-den-dent, Papa.”

Joey grinned, hearing his daughter trying to parrot what Yami had come to refer to as her “potty incidents”.

“It's okay, baby girl.” Tristan replied. “I think it'd be a wise idea to get you some training pants though.”

“Yah-ha.” Lexi nodded vigorously, causing Tristan to lose his grip on the hair he was braiding. “Lexi no mean a pee a Seto wap. Lexi t-wye `arder, Papa. ”

[Gods. I'da paid big money to see that.] Joey grinned. [Better than Bakura's streaks.]

“That's my girl.”

“Ow tum Togi no he-war, Papa?”

“It was time for him to go home, baby girl.”

Lexi pouted. “Lexi miz Togi. Lexi wan Togi now.”

“You can see him when he gets back.”

“Gets back from where?” Joey finally spoke up.

“DA-EE!” Lexi squealed, reaching out to her father. “Hey-doe!”

Joey picked her up, giving her a kiss and a squeeze before setting her on her feet. “Run and play for a couple of minutes, angel girl. I need to talk to Papa.”

“Oh-tay, Da-ee.” Lexi scooped up her cat from the floor, where it was sitting glaring at Tristan, and ran from the room.

Tristan reached for Joey and kissed him, holding him close with a contented sigh. “How was your day, baby?”

“Fine.” Joey laid his head on Tristan's chest. “Where did Otogi go?”

“Dunno.” Tristan shrugged. “He called and left a message with Teddy saying he had to go out of town for a few days on business.”

Joey sighed. “Oh, okay.”

“Hey,” Tristan tipped Joey's face up and kissed him gently on the lips. “He's been gone from work of a while. He's probably got a few things to catch up on.”

“Yeah.” Joey didn't sound convinced. “You're right. I'll give him a call after supper.”

Tristan gave the blond another quick kiss and moved away. “Sounds good. I've got to check on a few things and then I'll give you a hand getting dinner ready.”

[That's it for you, isn't it?] Joey watched as the bigger man left the room. [It doesn't even occur to you that there may be something wrong, that Otogi's avoiding us both.]

Shaking his head, Joey went to the refrigerator and pulled out a few things to start dinner. He tried to put from his mind the paranoid thoughts that his green eyed lover was purposely avoiding him.

He glanced through the window into the darkening yard. [Nothing I can do about it right now. But I will talk to him when he gets back. If he needs to feel more secure, I'll do whatever I can. I just wish he and Tris would talk.]

Joey put the thoughts from his mind and called to Lexi, smiling as the little girl ran into the kitchen and immediately began pulling a chair toward the counter, giggling and demanding she be able to help.

Tristan came in a few minutes later, taking over helping Lexi “help”. Before long, the kitchen was ringing with laughter and Joey was able to put aside his doubts about Otogi.

Even if it was just for the moment.

~*~*~*~*~

“You're sure this is air-tight?” Walters regarded the man in the police uniform with suspicion.

The man shrugged. “As tight as it can get considering none of it is true.”

“What about your partner?”

“Please. He's as clueless as they come.” The officer rolled his eyes. “You let me worry about Mako Tsunami.”

“Fine.” Walters handed the man a thick envelope. “Just don't screw this up, Earl. I promised them their granddaughter.”

“With Taylor in jail, his so-called husband won't stand a chance of winning a custody battle.”

Walters didn't reply. He had his doubts that this was going to work. Seto Kaiba had the best lawyers in the country at his disposal. If this didn't work, they'd just have to try again. Sooner or later Taylor's luck would run out.

“You've got a watch on his house?”

Earl nodded. “As soon as we get the opportunity, we'll move in.”

“Good.” Walters nodded in return. “The sooner the better.”

“I'll be in touch.” Earl walked away, the shadows swallowing him.

Walters sighed, his shoulders slumping. He was getting tired of this constant battle. And it was looking like he was never going to win.

“Why can't you just die, you son of a bitch?” Walters muttered to himself as he walked away.

~*~*~*~*~

“Dat tum dood tupper, Da-ee.” Lexi grinned as she slid from her chair and immediately began picking up what she had dropped on the floor during her meal.

Joey smiled as he began to clear plates from the table. “Papa helped.”

“Yeah, but Papa no tan took dood.”

“Hey!” Tristan looked offended. “I made you lunch today.”

Joey snickered. “Tris, if you can't spread it on bread, you can't make it.”

“I'm so under appreciated.” The big brunet muttered.

“I appreciate you.” Joey said, slipping his arms around his husband. “At least as much as I can appreciate a guy who can burn water.”

“Very funny.” Tristan rolled his eyes. “Lexi, leave that, baby girl. I'll clean it up.”

“Lexi nee bat de-den, Papa.” The child commented, picking a piece of noodle out of her hair.

Joey squeezed Tristan around the waist and let go. “Go give her a bath, Tris. I'll clean up.”

“Okay.” Tristan kissed Joey and went to pick up Lexi.

Joey smiled after them and finished clearing the table. As he worked, he could hear Lexi giggling and squealing and the deeper rumble of Tristan's voice coming from upstairs. There was only one thing missing.

Putting away the last of the dishes, Joey went to the phone with the intentions of calling Otogi. It rang the second his hand closed over it, causing the blond to jump.

“Hello?”

“Joey, it's Jack. I hate to do this to you, but you have to come in. It's Josh.”

Joey felt his heart clench. “What happened?”

“I'm not sure. He had a phone call and then went into your office and locked the door. He won't come out.”

“I'll be there as soon as I can.” Joey disconnected the call without saying goodbye and immediately called Tim. His driver only lived two blocks away and would be there in minutes.

Joey pounded up over the stairs and ran into Lexi's room, calling out to Tristan.

“What's wrong?” Tristan came from the bathroom, his shirt dripping.

“I have to go to the clinic. Josh is having problems.”

“Call Tim.” Tristan stripped off his shirt and tossed it over his shoulder into the bathroom.

“Already did. He'll be here in a few minutes.”

“Okay, well…go kiss Lexi and I'll see you when you get back.”

“I love you, angel.” Joey gave Tristan a quick kiss and then went to kiss his daughter.

Five minutes later, Joey stood on the front steps, watching as the gates opened to permit Tim. He ran down over the stairs and hopped in the car before it had come to a complete stop. His mind completely on the problem lying ahead of him, he forgot to shut the gates.

Also unnoticed by either man in the car was the police cruiser that passed through them, it's lights off.

~*~*~*~*~

“Hold still, miss squirmy pants.” Tristan laughed, struggling to put a clean diaper on Lexi.

Lexi wiggled her fingers over her father's bare chest. “Lexi tick-tel Papa!”

Finally getting the tapes of the diaper in place, Tristan leaned down, burying his lips in the child's round belly, blowing. “I'll tickle you!”

“PAPA! DOAN!”

Under their laughter, Tristan heard an incessant pounding on the front door.

“Stay here, baby girl.” Tristan left Lexi's room, hurrying down over the stairs.

/Why didn't Sadie let me know someone was here?/ A quick glance at the wall panel told him Sadie was offline. /Shit./

Heart pounding, Tristan opened the door. Two men in police uniforms, one looking vaguely familiar, stood on the doorstep.

“Can I help you?” Tristan asked, praying Lexi would do as she was told and stay upstairs.

“Tristan Taylor?” The taller of the officers asked.

“Yes.”

“We have a warrant for your arrest.”

Tristan blinked, dumbstruck. “You what?”

“Papa!” Lexi was suddenly there, attached to his leg, looking up at the policemen with huge, scared eyes.

“It's okay, baby girl.” Tristan picked the diaper clad child up.

The shorter cop's eyes narrowed. “Put her down.”

“What?” Tristan backed up a step. He was totally confused by what was going on. “Look, maybe you'd better explain this to me.”

“Put the girl down, Taylor.” The man repeated. “You're in enough shit for putting your hands on little kids as it is.”

Tristan backed up again, Lexi clinging to him as the two men advanced. “What the hell are you talking about?!”

“Put the kid down now.” The first man said.

Tristan stared at him, incredulous. Then he recognized him. Earl Richmond, Mako Tsunami's partner.

“Please,” Tristan held Lexi tightly against his chest. “Just explain to me what this is all about.”

“You're under arrest for statutory rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”

“You have GOT to be kidding me!”

“Take the girl.” Earl said to the other man. “She's safer at the station. Who knows what he's done to her.”

Lexi shrieked as the officer reached for her, clinging to her father. “NO! LEXI NO GO! NO! PAPA! NO!”

“Don't touch her!” Tristan struggled to keep his grip on Lexi, suddenly finding himself trying to fight off both men.

Lexi struck out at the man trying to pull her from Tristan's grip, twisting and sinking her teeth into his hand. Suddenly, the supporting hands were gone and Lexi fell with a whimper and a thump.

“Lexi, run!” Tristan yelled. “Run to Uncle Seto!”

Lexi scrambled to her feet, bolting out the door. She turned when she reached the shadows, seeing her father grappling with the two men, trying to keep them from going after her. She began to go back, seeing the taller man pull a night stick from his belt.

“RUN!”

Lexi sobbed as the officer struck Tristan with the night stick and blood began to pour down his face. The brunet staggered, his eyes locking with Lexi's.

“Leave her.” Earl said, grabbing Tristan to keep him from falling. “We know where she is and orders are to get him to the station.”

“Fine.” The other replied, eyebrow raised as blood flowed down Tristan's bare chest. “Damn, he bleeds a lot.”

“I love you, baby girl.” Tristan whispered, feeling himself getting weak. “Go…please….go.”

She ran.

As his vision darkened he saw was his daughter disappearing through the gates, relief pouring through him when he saw she turned in the right direction and vanished into the darkness.

With the last of his strength, Tristan reached out to Seto. /Seto…I love you. Please….take care of them./

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: You have GOT to be freaking kidding me!!

YD: *evil grin*

Tris: Am I going to die?!

DD: Maybe.

Tris: Great, just great.

DD: The next chapter of Soulmates is just about done. Barring the world coming to an end, we're hoping to have it posted this week.