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:Chapter Twenty:

"Tristan, I'm not paying for your food."

Tristan looked up from his study of the menu. "Technically, it's my money. Technically, I'm paying for YOUR food and YOUR date."

"Why am I not surprised?" Mai asked no one in particular.

"Well, well, the mutt can't even afford paying for his date." a very familiar voice drawled. "I, unlike certain canines, am able to do so. And the jewelry, the car, the lingerie...uh...forget that one."

Joey's eyes near bugged out of his head. "WHAT?"

Then, he got a good look at exactly who's spoken. The words died on his lips. "Ka-KAIBA?"

Kaiba glared at Joey, as if daring the blonde to make a comment.

Tea, who'd come up on Joey's other side, snickered evilly. "In psych class, that is referred to as a Freudian Slip."

She had to duck a napkin tossed at her. "On the other hand, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know I've decided to utilize your gift."

Joey and Tristan blanched. "TMI..." Joey muttered. "Waaay too much information…"

Mai chuckled. "Way to go, Tea! You have fun."

Tea's face grew thoughtful, and Joey hastened to interrupt. "WHAT are you doing with him?"

"What am I doing with him?" Tea asked innocently, "Nothing, at the moment..."

Kaiba smirked as Joey spluttered. "WHAT are you doing out HERE with HIM?"

"It's a date- you know, where two people mutually attracted to each other spend time together and uh...do...stuff."

"Very nice stuff." Kaiba interjected with a smirk.

"Ok...I didn't need to know that. Did NOT need to know that." Tristan covered his ears.

"Nice stuff like take walks, eat good food, skip out on work..." Tea whispered to Kaiba, "I don't know what they're thinking..."

Joey and Tristan missed her commentary, unfortunately, and naturally, their thoughts went in the other direction. Both looked pale.

"I KNOW what that means. But why HIM?" Joey yelped.

"Seto's such a lovely person." Tea sighed, knowing full well it'd get on Joey's nerves. "I LOVE Seto. I mean, look at him. He's tall, handsome, and so protective. Remember that time at Battle City when he saved me? That was so heroic of him."

Joey turned sort of a green shade of color.

"Besides, Joey Wheeler," Tea continued, sounding Not Happy, "It's none of your business."

"But-" Joey tried to protest.

"But nothing. I can date whomever I want to. Go take care of your sister if you must meddle in people's lives."

"Serenity's fine."

"Are you so sure?" This time, it was Kaiba who spoke, sounding very smug about something.

"As long as she's not dating you, she's fine." Joey retorted. He paused while Tea nodded in agreement, although her interpretation of the statement was slightly different from Joey's. "Actually, so long as she's not dating anyone, she's fine."

Tea stopped nodding and shook her head in what seemed to be a regretful sort of manner. That Joey Wheeler was a bit...hopeless...

"Wait…" Joey said slowly. "You're not telling me sheis dating someone, are you?"

Tea smiled brightly. "Anyhow, I'm so glad you approve of me and Seto's relationship."

"I don-"

"Yugi does, after all" Tea interjected.

"But about Seren-"

"The two of them have become SUCH good friends, it makes me so happy." Tea continued, pretending not to notice Joey's desperate attempts to ask about Serenity. "Why, just last week, Seto actually won a duel."

"What do you mean my sister is dat-"

"What do you mean "actually"?" Kaiba asked, arching a brow. "I've won the week before that, and the one before that…"

"Aww, poor Seto. You know we believe in you." Tea cooed.

Seto scowled at her, but perked up when she leaned over to kiss him. Joey and Tristan turned away, looking disgusted.

"So what is this about my sister?" Joey demanded, once everything had returned to "normal".

"You know, the weather outside is so nice today." Tea commented, throwing a pleading look in Mai's direction.

Mai was too busy laughing to be of any help.

"I do think I want to take a walk afterwards. Won't you accompany me Seto?"

"Of course I will." Kaiba hoped she was grateful for his help, considering the murderous glares Joey was throwing his way. But ah...the girl patching up wounded boyfriend senario...

Tea, sensing things were going a bit off track, elbowed Kaiba in the ribs. So much for that idea then...

"Well," Kaiba began, "It seems as if it's time for us to go."

But Joey was not to be deterred.

"Hold on a minute now-"

Suddenly, a voice behind him spoke up. "Ah…so you are all here."

It was Ishizu.

"How are Serenity and little Mokuba?"

Tea blanched, andwaved at her frantically to be quiet while Joey sputtered.

"You don't mean that they-"

"I am merely inquiring after the siblings of two beloved friends." Ishizu spoke with a smile.

"Ah thank good-"

Both Joey and Tea breathed asigh of relief.

"But I am curious…" Ishizu said, oblivous to everyone else's reactions. "Did Mokuba ever ask Serenity out?"

Joey's jaw dropped.

Tea and Kaiba exchanged looks that said "oh well". It would have come out sooner or later. Joey wasn't up for comments anyways.

"Yeah, actually, he did. They're on a date right now."

"THEY WHAT?" Tristan and Joey both chorused, leaping up from their chairs.

"Sit back down Joey." Mai snapped. "We ARE on a date here, aren't we?"

Ishizu brightened. "Ah, the two of you have finally gotten together as well. Joey asked you out at last?"

"Actually, I asked HIM out, and his friend is paying…" Mai scowled.

Tea and Kaiba shook their heads.

Joey had the decency to look slightly ashamed.

Tristan stood where he was, looking dejected and shell-shocked. His valiant efforts…wasted. Then he perked up. What if their date went wrong? Then he could be there to comfort a broken-hearted Serenity.

Everyone looked confused when Tristan skipped gleefully out of the restaurant.

"Well, we'll just uh…leave the two of you here then. We have other plans." Tea told Joey.

"Wait!" he started. "I…you…jerk…not approve…" His thoughts had grown a bit disjointed since Mai had scooted closer to him and their date was progressing along rather…nicely.

Tea, Kaiba, and Ishizu took the chance to slip away.

Outside the restaurant, Ishizu turned to them. "I don't suppose you want your fortunes told, since I ruined the secret and all?"

Kaiba looked at Tea. Tea looked at Kaiba.

"Why not?" Tea agreed.

Ishizu's eyes turned sort of distant. There was a half-second pause before the psychic's face turned an interesting shade of red.

"Well?" Kaiba prompted with a smirk.

"Just looking at today…the two of you are in for an…interesting night." She sounded a bit embarrassed, understandably.

Tea grinned shamelessly at the thought. "Really? Oh good."

The two wandered off down the street hand in hand.

"See Seto, everything's turned out pretty alright."

---

"Hi guys, this is Serenity Wheeler. I'm not home right now. Mokuba finally asked me out on a date! I mean, how cool is that? I've liked him since Battle City. (Joey's not very happy with me, of course.) I was so upset when Joey got hurt at Battle City, but Mokuba was sooo understanding- he has a big brother too. He says that our big brothers always try to act tough, but they're really just worried about us. But apparently, Kaiba's been a lot umm...nicer and friendlier these days. Joey should get a girlfriend too. Tea's been REALLY good for Kaiba. But they're always alone having "together time". When will Mokuba and I have "together time" too? Oh by the way, sorry I couldn't make this week's poker session, Duke. I'll try next week...Well, here's Mokuba."

Mokuba's cheery voice could be heard on the other end.

"(Oh my god, he looks...GOOD! (No, of course I wasn't talking about you)) Gotta go! See you guys!"

Tristan hung up his phone, feeling dejected. Serenity...still hadn't gotten home. One could assume the date was going well.

He turned to look at the clock- one in the morning... One could assume the date was going really well...

Tristan let out a wail. "JOEEEEYYYYYY!"

---

Joey Wheeler sneezed, then rolled overin his bed, muttering about Italian food.

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