Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Arrangement ❯ Chapter Thirteen ( Chapter 13 )

The Arrangement

Chapter Thirteen

The early morning sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains that hung before the windows when Selina awoke from a peaceful slumber. Blinking a few times and stretching, she felt her body being pulled closer to the other occupant of the bed. Smiling tenderly, she turned to look at him. "Good morning," she whispered softly.

Kaiba grunted in reply, kissing her forehead lightly. "Sleep well?" he asked curiously, his brow rising in question.

A tinge of crimson found its way to Selina's face as she caught the truth behind the question. "I…well…" she stuttered, losing her voice.

"Still uncomfortable around me? Even after…" Kaiba trailed off, a hint of teasing in his voice. His smirk grew at the red that continued to gather in his wife's cheeks.

Straightening her face and doing her best to push the blush from her cheeks, she found her voice. "Merry Christmas," she grinned, hoping he would accept the change in subject.

Kaiba gave his wife a crooked grin before glancing up at the clock. "Mokuba should be bouncing in here within ten minutes. Enjoy the quiet while you can," he murmured, closing his eyes once more as he enjoyed the warmth emitting from his wife's body.

Feeling somewhat cool himself and wondering whether she uncomfortable or ill, he placed a gentle hand to her forehead, a hint of concern etched within his eyes. "Are you feeling well?" he questioned.

"I'm a little warm," she shrugged, a knot in her stomach beginning to form.

Kaiba observed her with watchful eyes, noting the slight squirm when she wrapped her arms around her stomach. "Are you sure?"

"I'm…sure. I'm just hungry," she hurried, struggling to remove herself from Kaiba's arms. "I'm going to go get dressed…"

Kaiba sighed softly, pulling her back to him and kissing her gently upon her lips before releasing her and watching her run from their room to her room. He shook his head, knowing full well why she was growing uncomfortable.

He chuckled to himself, a smile replacing the smirk upon his face as he rose from the bed. "A merry Christmas indeed."

~*~*~*~

"You took forever!" Mokuba exclaimed when Selina entered the lounge.

"Sorry Squirt," she sighed, seating herself beside him on the floor and ruffling his hair. "I'm a bit sore."

Kaiba smirked from where he sat, casting a knowing glance at his wife. "Are you sure you don't want to wait until after breakfast Moki?"

"I'm sure," he said joyfully, accepting the gifts Selina was pulling from beneath the tree and handing to him. "Come join us Big Brother," he said, pointing to the floor beside Selina.

Kaiba sighed, shaking his head slightly as he rose from his comfortable position and joined his family on the carpet. "Anything for me?" he asked casually as Mokuba tore into a gift.

"Just a stocking full of coal," Selina replied innocently.

"Ouch," he said, watching the gleam in her eyes. "Am I really that bad?"

Selina shook her head, smirking to herself as she rose from her position between the two Kaiba brothers. Walking towards the fireplace, she pulled down the stockings and brought them back with her. Kaiba reached to take them from her, but his hand was swatted away. "These are last," she smiled, clutching them tightly. Kaiba knew better than to argue.

"This last one is for you Seline," Mokuba exclaimed nearly an hour later, placing a small box in her lap.

Selina smiled and gently removed the envelope to open it. Kaiba's eyes widened at recollection of the gift she was about to open. Swallowing hard, he thought of a way to stop her without raising suspicion, but found no way to do such. Sighing in defeat, he grabbed her hand gently, causing her eyes to tear from the envelope and glance at him.

"Don't open it…yet," he whispered. Leaning closer, he continued. "I need to send Mokuba upstairs first."

Selina raised her brow in question, but put the box down. "Here Squirt," she said, handing Mokuba his stocking. "And for you Seto, but, don't look yet," she whispered, smirking.

"Awesome!" Mokuba exclaimed, looking over the contents of the stocking. "These will really boost my deck. Maybe it'll get Katie to notice me! She's one of the elite duelists," he exclaimed, hugging Selina. "I'll take everything upstairs now Seto," he said, gathering all his things.

Kaiba just shook his head as he thought about the girl Mokuba had been crushing on for over a year. She was a decent girl, part of Mokuba's group, and she could whip any teen guy in a game of duel monsters. Noticing Mokuba had left the room, he drew his attention back to his wife and the box she was looking at in curiosity.

"You should look in the stocking first," she said, placing it in his warm hands and smiling at him.

Thankful he would have some extra time to think over how he would explain to his wife what was in the box she held, he accepted her gift. Placing his hand in the stocking, he withdrew an envelope, much like the one taped to the box in his wife's hands. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he opened it, a smirk landing on his face.

"Do you," Selina began, but was cut off by her husband's finger covering her lips as he continually shook his head in disbelief.

"Where did you get this?" he asked curiously.

"Yugi's shop…why?"

"I've been looking for this card for a few months. It's very rare; only ten of them made. Not as rare as my Blue Eyes, but still rare in the least. I'm surprised Motou was willing to sell it," he said, slipping an arm around his wife's shoulder.

Deciding not to tell him that Yugi had given her the card, she just shrugged. "Maybe next time we duel, you'll have a better chance at beating me," she teased, causing a light chuckle to escape Kaiba's throat. It's so nice to have him like this…and not so cold and…distant.

"Now, about the box-"

"Wait! There's something else in there," she interrupted, watching his hand dig deep into the stocking and pull out a little velvet box. "I um…I noticed that you didn't wear a ring…and I…well…" she stumbled, watching him stare at the ring as if he were judging its quality.

He handed her the box and watched her expectantly. "Well?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"What?" she asked, her eyes focusing on her husband.

"Are you going to leave it in the box or put it where it belongs?" he asked softly, caressing her face lightly.

"Oh," she whispered, taking his hand and pulling the ring from the box. "Merry Christmas Seto," she murmured, sliding the ring onto his finger and giving him a gentle kiss. "Now, this box…"

Kaiba chuckled slightly before growing serious. "It's not exactly from me," he said simply, nodding his head at the box and giving her permission to unwrap it.

As she tore off the envelope to open it, Kaiba glanced at the small gold band that now resided upon his finger. Never did he expect her to go and buy one, let alone, know the right size. He figured that he'd eventually get one, but it wasn't important to him. But now that she had placed it upon his finger, it seemed to be one of the more important things in his life. Not only did it symbolize his promise to someone to remain faithful and forever true, but it reminded him of the wonderful beauty he had claimed as his and was slowly getting to know. And slowly falling for.

"Selina?" Kaiba questioned, breaking from his thoughts as he felt a drop of moisture land on his hand which was resting on her knee.

Without words, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Unsure of the sudden display of affection and the fluttering of his heart, he wrapped his arms around her loosely, trying to figure out what was wrong.

After a few moments of quiet, Selina pulled back and wiped the moisture from her eyes. "The card was beautiful," she whispered, a slight blush forming on her cheeks.

The card…and she hasn't even opened the box yet…great. Even amidst his mocking thoughts, he couldn't help but feel flattered and worried. Flattered that she enjoyed the way he had worded the card, but worried at how she would react when she opened the box to find something she had thought was lost forever - something that was a reminder of her past.

Slowly pulling the tissue paper from the box, Selina felt Kaiba's arms wrap around her tightly. Never had he displayed so much emotions before that she was beginning to grow concerned at the contents of the box. "It's not exactly from me," he had told her. Then who is it from?

A quiet gasp escaped her lips when she pulled the contents from the box and recognized them almost immediately. "Oh my," was all she said before her eyes widened and her hands froze, holding two very beautiful, very antique, and very expensive platinum goblets. "Seto," she whispered, memories flooding her mind.

~*~*~*~

"They're beautiful, aren't they Sweetie?" a soft voice asked, holding two platinum goblets safely in her hands.

"What are they Mommy?" Selina asked innocently, causing a gentle laugh to escape her mother's lips.

"Their goblets Sweetie.They were your great-great grandma's, and have been passed down from generation to generation. And someday, they will be yours," Christine explained to the four year old child.

Selina's eyes grew wide and a large smile broke out on her small face. "When?" she asked excitedly, though not quite sure what she would do with two large goblets.

Christine grinned at her child's antics. "When you're married dear."

"And there's no need to rush that," Darrin said, making his presence known. His face lit up as his daughter jumped from her mother's lap and ran to his arms. She was definitely daddy's-little-girl.

~*~*~*~

"What? Dad! No!" a thirteen year old Selina cried out as she watched her father grab two precious goblets from the mantle - two precious memories of her mother.

"Out of my way," he growled, his eyes full of anger and hate.

"Dad, please," Selina pleaded, tears growing in her large stormy green eyes. "Please! Mom-"

A hand flew across Selina's face and sent her sprawling on the ground. "Don't you ever talk about your mother! It's your fault she's gone and you're going to have to live with that!" he snarled, advancing towards the young girl who began to cower in fear.

It was the same old routine. She'd somehow upset him, he'd slap her, then beat her in any way he found fit. And when he was done, he'd give a final kick and leave, returning when he was drunk. Those times were the worst; when he truly scared her. She curled up, covering her face with her arms and awaited the onslaught of punches and kicks.

Sure enough, she felt a sharp blow to her stomach, causing her to lose her air supply. She coughed violently as her father continued shoving her, shouting at her. "It's your fault she's gone!" he sneered, picking up a broken beer bottle and throwing it at her, slicing her arm with the broken glass. A few more kicks, a few more beer bottles, a few more insulting words and he was gone. Along with the two precious goblets that had been in her family for almost five generations, had she been given them.

She coughed, returning to the reality of where she was. Slowly, she rose from the ground and headed to the bathroom to clean her wounds. The mirror had been broken the night before when her father had slammed her into it in his drunken rage. As she looked at herself in the broken glass, she was ashamed. She had cuts along her arms and legs; her cinnamon hair hiding the scars that lined her face. But what she was most ashamed of was her mother's death.

"It's my fault…" she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. As if in a trance, her eyes caught a small piece of glass lying on the counter. In an intrigued fashion, she bent to pick it up. Slowly, she ran it across her skin, this time, enjoying the pain. It helped to wash away the guilt and pain her father brought her. After all, what was just one more scar to add to the hundreds he had given her - both physically and emotionally.

"Selina!" a voice called through the house, snapping her from her trance and causing her to shove the glass further in her skin.

She winced in pain, finding she was unable to get it out. "Selina, what happened?" a concerned voice asked, drawing her attention away from the glass in her arm for a short time.

"Nothing Duke, I slipped on the floor and hit the glass. I think I got a piece stuck in my arm," she said, the lie easily flowing from her tongue. It wasn't the first time he had found her after her father beat her, and it probably wouldn't be the last.

"Come on, I'll take you to the hospital. I hope you don't get infected or anything. Then I want to introduce you some people I met yesterday. They're a pretty good group; Yugi Motou is one of them. Anyways, let's go."

Selina sighed, thankful he had bought her lie once more. She felt awful for continually lying to him but what other choice did she have? 'I wish I could just tell him the truth…but he threatened me…and after last night, I don't think I want to find out.'

~*~*~*~

"Selina?" Kaiba asked in concern, gently shaking her small form. She had been zoned out for fifteen minutes and he was beginning to grow worried. He had seen happiness, anger, hurt, betrayal, and pain flicker across her face like a motion picture. Her eyes flickered to his and immediately shocked him, for they seemed to be void and empty of life.

"Selina?" he whispered, grasping her shoulders tighter and shaking her a tad bit harder.

Selina blinked, shaking her head and focusing on her husband's worried eyes. She didn't notice him give off a sigh of relief because her eyes had traveled back down to the goblets. "Where did you get these?" she whispered hoarsely, a few unshed tears beginning to sparkle in her eyes.

"Duke told me that one of the things you missed the most were two goblets that had been in your family for generations. With his help, I did some research and found out your father had pawned them. It took a few days, but I found them," he stated, proud at the amount of time it had taken to find them. "Are you upset?"

"No," she whispered, placing the goblets on the floor and wrapping her arms around Kaiba before snuggling close to him. "I just don't know when I'll ever forget," she sighed sadly, closing her eyes as she felt his arms wrap around her.

"Forget what?" he asked curiously.

"The day he sold the goblets…the night he took my innocence."

~*~*~*~

Selina slowly laid down in her old cot and pulled the blanket tighter around her thin frame. The night was unusually cool and she could only imagine how much worse it would be in the winter. 'I suppose I'll have to find another blanket…somewhere.'

Wincing in pain as the blanket brushed against her arm, she shivered. Thankfully, the glass hadn't infected her, but her arm was still sore; even with the bandage covering it. 'Dr. Keito seems nice,' she thought to herself, closing her eyes and willing herself to sleep and forget what had happened that day. The last two memories of her mother had been taken from her. 'Pawned for beer,' she thought bitterly.

The front door slammed shut and Selina jumped, her heart beginning to pound. 'He's home.' Closing her eyes tightly, curling up, and clutching the blanket closer to her, she prayed he would bypass her room. But it wasn't so. Drunk and incompetent, her once loving father sauntered into her room, an intoxicated smirk upon his face.

"Well, well, well; what have we here? Get up Girl!" he yelled, leaning on the door frame for support. Out of fear of what he would do, and hoping he would leave if she was asleep, she didn't move.

Darrin stumbled further into her room, pulling the blanket from her. "I said get up!" he screamed, pulling her from the cot and dropping her on the floor.

'I can't cry. Not this time.' Selina opened her eyes slowly and glanced at her father before taking a deep breath. "Do you need something Dad?" she whispered fearfully, drawing her knees closer to her and wrapping her arms around them in an effort to be warm.

Pulling her arm, he pulled her back to her bed, forcing her to sit upon the worn cot. "It's time you were good for something," he spat, slapping her across the face. Pulling his belt from his pants, he grabbed her wrists and tied them together, laughing at the fear that was evident in his daughter's eyes.

"Dad, please…don't," she choked out, failing at holding in her tears. Her pleadings fell on deaf ears as he began to pull at her shirt, causing screams to emit from his daughter's throat.

"Shut up!" he yelled, slapping her face and forcing his lips upon hers in a drunken intoxication.

'Dad…no,' Selina thought to herself, tears beginning to stream down her face.

Hours passed, yet they each seemed to last an eternity long. He was still abusing her, kissing her, touching her. And the worst thing was that he seemed to be enjoying the pain he brought his daughter.

Grinning at her with an evil glint in his eyes, he bore into her soul, shattering any strength that she had left within her broken spirit. "That ought to teach you, whore," he sneered. "But I'm not finished with you yet."

Her eyes grew wide as she realized what he was about to do. 'No! I…I can't let…no…Daddy, please!' she screamed in her mind, trying to slide from the grasp he held on her. Doing the only thing she could, she lifted her knee, hitting her father in the groin.

"You whore!" he screamed, pulling a knife from his pants that lay on the floor. Quickly, he pressed the knife against his daughter's skin, slashing across her upper abdomen. "That should teach you! I'll be back!" he sneered, grabbing his clothes and leaving his daughter, broken and weak.

Selina slowly inched to a corner of her room, sobs wracking her body as she pulled her blanket closer around her and curled up. He hadn't taken her most precious possession from her, but what was to stop him from doing it at another time.

Ignoring the pain that was burning across her upper abdomen, Selina fell asleep, fear covering her spirit, darkness clouding her vision. It was only the beginning of the worst year she would ever encounter; the year where he would come so close, yet never succeed. It was the only thing keeping her spirit alive - that she was not completely broken.

~*~*~*~

Kaiba stared in shock at the sobbing woman within his arms. All this time, she had lived in fear of her father. Growling in anger at what he had done to her, he cursed mentally, swearing revenge on the man who brought his wife such fear and pain. It was no wonder now why she had been so afraid of him at first, why she had never accepted any other proposal from a man. Then, why him? She had only met him once, when she was sixteen. She seemed happy-go-lucky then; was she really that good at hiding things? And if that were the case, then what other dark secrets lay in her past?

Instantly, Kaiba regretted searching for the goblets. Duke had told him that she had treasured them more than anything her father had pawned off, but he hadn't realized the pain they would bring her upon seeing them; the recollection of memories once forgotten. If only he could go back, not get the goblets; yet she had looked at them with tearful eyes, happiness hidden within them at the thought of owning something her mother once held. Yet, they brought her pain and heartache just the same.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, unsure where his words would lead him this time. He was usually so cold and withdrawn, but there was something about this woman that caused him to break from that shell. It was like she was his freedom, taking him from the world of business and responsibility to a world of liberty, where he didn't have to worry about money or his work. Something about her set him free from the pressures of living up to the reputation he had. Something about her caused him to care; caused his heart to beat a little faster. Sure, he loved Mokuba and was different around him; but he was related to Selina by law, not by blood.

"How can you be sorry?" Selina's soft voice came out, muffled by his shirt. "It isn't your fault; you had nothing to do with it."

Not knowing what to do or say, he remained still, gently rubbing her back, hoping her pain would subside. "Selina," he began, lifting her chin so their eyes would meet.

"Please don't tell anyone…not even Duke knows," she whispered anxiously, her eyes clouding in fear.

Even after six years, she still feels…he still has a hold on her… "I won't," he smiled softly, gently kissing her forehead.

Selina exhaled deeply, feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted from her. She never intended for anyone to find out the extent to which her pain went, but now it was impossible to undo what had happened. Kaiba knew, but as long as he didn't tell anyone and she didn't let anyone know the rest of her pain, then maybe it would be okay. Maybe, just maybe, she could forget.

"Hey," Kaiba began, causing her eyes to focus upon his once more. "You uh…I, well," he began, unsure how to word what he wanted to say. Blushing slightly and feeling rather stupid, he rushed out the phrase, "You mean a lot to me."

Selina smiled sadly before resting her head upon his chest, hoping her past wouldn't interfere with his thoughts on her. Once more, the haunting voice of her childhood and teen years came to her, telling her she was nothing, worthless, and deserved all the pain she had received. Once more, the haunting voice told her that her mother's death was her fault. And once more, she tried to ignore the venom in the words her mind was speaking.

~*~*~*~

"Seto?" Selina's quiet voice called through the slightly opened door to his office.

"Hmm?" he asked, turning his attention from the program he was working on to his young wife. Two days had passed and for now, she seemed to be how she was before she recollected the memories. At least, now she could look at the goblets without recalling her past; and if she did, she hid it well. They were now sitting upon the mantle above the fireplace in the lounge, seeming to fit well with their surroundings.

"Can I come in?"

Kaiba smirked, gesturing towards the couch behind his computer and turning to face her the moment she sat down. "What is it?"

Selina smiled softly, hoping what she was about to request wouldn't cause him to grow angry. She liked that he was being completely different from what everyone deemed him to be. Ever since he had given her the goblets, he had been a little bit more gentle, a little bit more caring, a little bit more…loving?

Shaking from her thoughts, she grinned at him, her eyes lighting up in joy at the wonder of his response to what she was going to request. "Well," she began, "I don't see my friends much. At least, I don't see them all together. I mean, we don't hang out in-"

Kaiba silenced her, placing a gentle finger upon his lips. "What is it?" he asked again.

Right, the point! Removing his hand, but being sure to keep hold of it, she looked pleadingly into his eyes as she spilled out her question. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind everyone…coming over on New Years Eve…" she trailed off, releasing his hand the moment she felt his muscles tense.

"Your friends?" he asked incredulously, his eyes growing wide before narrowing. "As in Motou? Taylor? Wheeler?" His growl grew louder as she nodded her head in affirmation to each name. "Selina," he began coolly, every bone in his body willing him to refuse. He had every intention to do so, until she looked at him once more, her eyes large and pleading.

"Please Seto…give them a chance," she whispered, rising from her chair and preparing to leave. She was stopped by a gentle grasp upon her arm.

"You know how I feel about them," he replied calmly, releasing her arm.

Selina sighed, figuring she would just go to Yugi and Tea's home and hope their other friends joined them. Still hoping Kaiba would come around, she spoke softly, her voice barely audible. "Give them a chance Seto…you gave me one."

Kaiba watched in disbelief as she left the room, lightly closing the door behind her. "Give them a chance?" he asked the empty room, a light chuckle escaping his throat. "She can't honestly expect me to…that's just ridiculous!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist down upon the desk in utter frustration. He knew she had won.

~*~*~*~

"I don't think I've ever seen the inside before!" Joey exclaimed, hugging Selina lightly before she led him and Mai into the lounge where everyone else was waiting. Everyone except Kaiba.

"How was your trip to France?" Tristan asked, his arm wrapping around his girlfriend.

As the group settled into a comfortable conversation, Selina could feel someone's eyes upon her. Glancing around the room, she smiled at all of her friends, yet none of them seemed to be looking at her.

"Hey, Selina, where's Kaiba?" Joey asked, slouching in his seat.

"I'm not-"

"Right here Wheeler," Kaiba said, strolling into the room. "As much as I'd like to be somewhere else, I made a promise and I keep my word," he mumbled, standing close to the doorway.

"It's nice of you to allow us all to come over Kaiba. We miss not seeing Selina as much as we used to," Yugi spoke, smiling at the elder gentleman.

Quickly, the conversation started up again, Kaiba watching on in boredom. "You don't have to stay…I just don't want you to be lonely," Selina whispered as she stood beside him.

"I'll stay," Kaiba grumbled, sliding his arm around his wife's waist. "I have to make sure the puppy stays on his leash," he said, only loud enough for Selina to hear.

In spite of the rude comment about her friend, she couldn't help but giggle. It must be killing him to see all these people he can't stand sitting on his furniture. Seto Kaiba, what ever am I going to do with you?

As the night wore on, the group of friends spoke of their past, events they had gone through together. Sometimes good, other times not so great; but no matter what, they had always pulled out together. Even when things seemed impossible, it always turned out right in the end.

For the friends, it was great to be together as one big group again. What was one a group of four had grown into a group of nine, ten counting Kaiba. And then there was Mokuba; still a young teen, but a friend of all of them nonetheless.

Things had changed among the group. Tea and Yugi had married, much to everyone's pleasure. Joey was finally settling down with the girl he'd been in love with for so long. Duke's focus was on one girl, Serenity. And Tristan, well, Tristan was falling very much in love with his girlfriend. And while Kaiba and Selina had some sort of feeling for each other, they were still in many ways, complete strangers. Kaiba had yet to discover everything about her dark past, and Selina had yet to learn of his troubles with his stepfather.

"I've got a proposal to make," Joey said, bringing all eyes to him.

"What's that Wheeler?" Kaiba asked coolly, his eyes glaring at the young blonde.

"Let's bring in the New Year with a good start," he grinned, eyeing Mai.

"And how would we do that Joey?" Tea questioned, knowing full well the answer, as did every occupant of the room.

"Well duh Tea. We kiss our significant other. Except for Serenity!" he added as an afterthought.

Duke just rolled his eyes, kissing Serenity on the cheek when he was certain Joey was watching.

Joey's eyes grew wide and he made a move to attack Duke, but Kaiba's cold voice stopped him.

"Calm down Wheeler. Your sister is old enough to make her own decisions," he said, his eyes daring Joey to challenge him.

"Okay, well," Selina said, breaking the silence that had begun to settle. "How's business Yugi?" And with that question, the group began to speak again, Kaiba engaging in a brief conversation on business with Yugi. This was not a good idea…

~*~*~*~

"Alright! Ten minutes 'till midnight!" Joey yelled, pulling Mai close.

"Calm down Joseph," Mai said, rolling her eyes.

Yugi laughed slightly as he watched one of his closest friends be pushed away by his girlfriend. His attention, however, swiftly turned to his wife who had leaned her head against his shoulder. Smiling, he gently kissed her forehead before glancing over at Selina and Kaiba. A bright smile grew on his face as he noticed Kaiba's arms around Selina as he held her close.

"Five minutes!" Joey yelled, his eyes intently watching the clock.

"Honestly Joseph," Mai said, shaking her head. "You don't need to yell so loud."

"I don't think Tristan wanted to wait five more minutes," Serenity said softly, nudging Duke and nodding her head to the young man who currently had his girlfriend in a deep lip-lock.

"Ah, Trist', man, get a room!" Joey exclaimed, shoving his friend and causing him to break from the kiss. The room erupted into laughter.

"Ten seconds! Nine, eight, seven…" Joey began, turning to look at Mai, his lips moving in unison with everyone else's.

"Six, five, four…" they counted, each turning to their significant other.

Kaiba, on the other hand, remained silent, wondering how people could find this fun. He never had trouble staying up late; after all, most nights during the busy seasons, he was up well past midnight. Yet, talking seemed to be making him slightly drowsy. Tired as he was, and phased out of what was going on around him, he didn't realize the soft lips that had been heading for him until they were upon his own lips.

"Happy New Year," Selina's gentle voice said, kissing him once more before resting her head against his chest.

Kaiba grunted in reply, his arms wrapped around her as he held her close to him and glanced around at the other couples. They aren't so bad when they're quiet, he thought sarcastically to himself.

"Didn't know you had a soft spot in you Kaiba," Joey teased as he eyed the couple.

He just had to open that trap of his, Kaiba growled to himself, eyeing Joey dangerously. "I'm going to get some work done," he whispered to his wife, lightly kissing her forehead. "Don't be up too much longer."

Selina sighed as she watched him turn away and leave the room before turning on Joey. "Joseph Wheeler!" she glared, advancing on him.

"Hey, whoa, sorry…" Joey said, feeling a pillow slam down on his head. "What was that for?"

"I swear…" she muttered to herself, shaking her head before sitting on the floor and glancing up at Joey. "Think before you speak," she mumbled, ignoring Joey's question.

And so the morning went on, friends talking amongst themselves for an hour into the New Year before they departed the house. All the while, the young CEO had been watching, smiling as he saw the joy written clearly across his wife's face. If suffering with her friends for a couple hours could make her happy and forget the problems of her past, then he was willing to suffer again. Maybe…in a month or two.

~*~*~*~

"The view is so breathtaking," Selina smiled as she glanced out the window beside their table.

Kaiba nodded slightly, glancing out the window and back towards his wife. "I thought you might like it."

"Thank you for taking me to dinner tonight," she whispered, her eyes shining as she looked across the table.

"I return to work tomorrow," he said, his heart seeming to wrench at the thought. "I'll be out early and won't return until late for the first couple of weeks."

Selina nodded gently, taking a sip of her water. She had expected that, but against all odds, had hoped against it.

"I'll understand if you return to your room until things are somewhat normal again. I wouldn't want you to be awakened every time I came home and left," Kaiba said quietly, a large part of him hoping she wouldn't leave.

"It's fine," she said, smiling up at him. "I wouldn't want you to be alone. I don't mind if you wake me."

Kaiba sighed, watching his wife as she took a bite of her salad. So many times, he wondered if she ever completely thought of herself. She was always so willing to please that she seemed to ignore her own needs. It was something so sweet about her, and yet, at the same time, caused him to worry. It was that part of her that had caused her to remain in her father's home, practically allowing him to beat her.

Perhaps it was the love that was etched so deep within her heart; the inability to find wrong within every person, no matter how much they hurt her. Even after all he had done to her; after all the times he had hurt her, she still loved him, the man she had called Father. The man who beat her, used her, abused her - and after it all, she still loved him. Perhaps that was the cause of the uneasy feeling within his cold heart. Or perhaps it was something more, something beyond that.

If I were like you, then things would be different, Kaiba thought calmly, before reaching out for her hand and caressing it. He sent her a soft smile before the waiter came for their order and his faded business aura replaced the gentle longing that showed upon his face. The mask was back, and things returned to as they once were.

Selina could only hope he would be the Kaiba she had begun to see when no one was around. She could only hope that the man she was falling in love with wouldn't disappear from her vision or her heart.