[A/N: The results are in and it was unanimous! Thanks so much for taking the poll, I'm sure the other readers are thanking you too! Okay, this is last new thing I'm posting on this. Promise :P]

***Last Last Disclaimer*** (Ummm, I'm out of clever lines -_- I don't own "Yu-Gi-Oh!")

Afterward: Surprises

*** Four Years Later ***

"This way, Mister Devlin, they're waiting for you in the conference room." The secretary of Kaiba Corp. said as she gestured for Duke to follow her.

"Of course they're waiting," Duke laughed with a flick of his perfectly styled hair. "Am I the last to arrive this time?"

"No, sir. As always that pleasure goes to the Industrial Illusions representatives." The young secretary teased lightly.

The green eyed man chuckled with a fond smile at this, "They do always like to make an entrance, don't they?"

The brown eyed woman giggled, "Oh, yes sir!"

As they rode the elevator together to the twenty-seventh floor, Duke realized he'd never actually met this secretary. He was used to being escorted around by an elderly white haired woman, not this youthful red-head. Oh did he ever need to thank Kaiba for having good taste.

"Say beautiful, are you new to Kaiba Corp.? I think I'd remember if you'd led me around before," Duke murmured with a cocky grin.

The secretary flushed, "I've actually been working here for a while; three years now. A close friend of mine recommended me for the job when Mister Kaiba's previous secretary retired. I still feel like every day is my first though."

"Well you're doing a phenomenal job," the president of Black Clown flirted shamelessly.

"I umm, thank you Mister Devlin." She managed to sputter despite her suddenly dazed expression. Yep, he still had it.

When the elevator arrived on the twenty-seventh floor, the secretary led him through the hallways that branched off into smaller meeting rooms. Eventually they reached the largest of them all. She reached out to open the door but Duke stepped in front of her, leaning back against it leisurely.

"Before I go into what's sure to be the most boring and tense meeting of the century, why don't we make some enjoyable plans for tonight? Say dinner?" He whispered suavely.

"Wow." The secretary mumbled, "They were right. You are charming, but a little pushy. You haven't even asked for my name but you want to have dinner with me?"

"More like desert," Duke purred as he reached forward and ran his fingers through her short ginger locks. "But you're right, I should know your name, I'm sure even that would get me through this meeting."

The young woman just stared at him, her eyes incredulous and her mouth slightly gaping open.

"Won't you tell me your name? Give me some hope here," he pleaded, his soft green eyes never leaving her face.

"Amy. I'm Amy," she stammered, her brown eyes wide and innocent.

"Perfect." Duke smiled, "You can announce my arrival now."

The shell shocked secretary hastily fumbled with the door once he moved aside. She ushered him in without making eye contact.

"Pr-President Devlin of Black Clown has arrived." Amy announced to the room.

"Yes, we can see that." Her intimidating boss sneered.

The red head smiled sweetly however, "Just assuring your eyes are still working, sir."

The CEO narrowed said eyes on her, "You can leave now."

"Of course, Mister Kaiba." She giggled with a bow, apparently not the least bit phased by his icy glare.

"Call me sometime, babe!" Duke called after her before the door closed.

"Must you always harass my employees, President Devlin." Kaiba drawled from his seat at the head of the table.

Duke grinned widely as he took a seat across from a purple haired man he barely recognized, "Someone has to give them a good workout, CEO Kaiba."

"Is zhis meeting ever going to get to zhe point?" The pink haired man sitting next to the purple haired man asked rudely.

Kaiba glared in response, "You were only invited upon the request of Industrial Illusions, Zigfreid. In case you've forgotten, you're still on thin ice with not only the police but me as well. It's really in your best interest to stay, but if waiting's such a bother for you, why don't you just leave."

"Perhaps I will, Herr Kaiba." The CEO of Schroeder Corp. said smoothly, flipping his long hair.

"Then I hereby withdraw my invitation. Get out of my meeting." The CEO of Kaiba Corp. said with a lazy wave.

Duke grimaced, he should have known that arriving late would only increase the unpleasantness in the room. It had even reached the point that Kaiba had forgotten his agreement to refer to all members of the conjoint board by their titles. What had started as a collective meeting was turning into a CEO standoff, both men glaring at their hated rival, daring the other to make the next move. If Duke had been more considerate or perhaps a bit more punctual he could have spared them all the tension of the thirty minute wait alone together.

"Dudes, why don't we all just take a breather? I'm sure none of us really want to back out of this partnership." The green eyed man soothed hastily.

"Yeah. My brother didn't really mean it, we don't mind waiting!" Leon added, giving his brother a pleading frown.

The two CEO's exchanged a few more dirty looks before turning away from each other entirely. Duke and Leon breathed out in relief, grinning like idiots at each other. It was a very good thing that Zigfreid had appointed his little brother COO of their company, otherwise Duke didn't know how they'd make it through this. Normally, Mokuba and the Industrial Illusions representatives were present as well to help ease the tension, but Duke knew that the younger Kaiba was preoccupied today, and that one of the II Vice Presidents loved to make an entrance.

Speaking of entrance, he was fairly sure she was about to make hers by the sound of the soft laughter outside the meeting room doors. He looked to Kaiba and saw that he'd made the same observation. The brunette man's head turned to the door and his eyes narrowed. It came as no surprise to Duke when he barked out angrily, "Would you get in here already!"

The door opened in response, revealing Kaiba's flushed secretary and the composed, but smug, Vice President.

"Must you always ruin my fun?" The woman fake pouted, brushing off her knee length black pea coat.

The corner of Seto's mouth twitched in amusement, but other than that Duke noticed his aggravated mask was still in place. Must suck to be him right now. Oh how Duke was going to enjoy watching him squirm.

"Executive Vice President Pegasus of Industrial Illusions has arrived." Amy announced sheepishly.

Kaiba turned his cold blue eyes on his secretary, "Where's the other one?"

"Senior Vice President Pegasus has not arrived yet." She answered quickly, this time avoiding eye contact.

He dismissed her with a nod of his head and the red haired woman hurried from the room. He then turned to the VP, eyeing her up and down before gesturing for her to take a seat on his right.

The woman smirked softly, "Actually, Hayden won't be able to make this meeting so we can begin without him."

She began to make her way across the room, her black ankle boots clacking rhythmically against the tile as her hips swayed sensually. She sat down, swinging off her pea coat and placing it on the back of her seat before crossing one leg over the other and carelessly letting the slit in her gray pencil skirt ride up her thigh. Leaning forward on her elbows she caught Kaiba's eye, making it obvious that she'd noticed him mentally undressing her when she entered the room and that her emerald eyes were currently doing the same. Kaiba ground his teeth together. Damn these meetings. He could never focus.

"You're late." He managed to say tonelessly.

She grinned angelically, fluttering her long eyelashes at him as she played with the neck of her white blouse, "My apologizes Mister Kaiba, I was having lunch with a very important man in my life. He recently told me how loves me and appreciates my support."

This received a vicious smile from the CEO, "I'm surprised any man can tolerate you long enough to be considered important. He's either a fool or a womanizer."

The woman laughed quietly and Seto felt her leg begin to slide up his own. He fought to suppress the shudder that began to work its way up his spine. "You're right; any man who loves me is both a fool and a womanizer."

The blue eyed man had a lewd remark ready to throw back at her but Zigfreid interrupted their witty banter before he had a chance to make it.

"Vell since ve are all here, could ve please get zhis meeting over vith." The pink haired man demanded, trying very hard not to stare at the gorgeous woman he'd only ever spoken with on the phone.

"All work and no play is so very dull; don't you agree, Mister Devlin?" The woman asked smoothly, her emerald eyes smoldering.

Duke grinned widely, "Oh you do know how I love to play with you."

The Vice President giggled softly before turning her bedroom eyes on the disagreeable CEO of Schroeder Corp. "What about you? Don't you want to play with me, Mister von Schroeder?"

Leon coughed pointedly, his cheeks stained red as his older brother's eyes darkened and ghosted over her moist lips, long legs, and slim figure. However Zigfreid's next words contradicted what his expression was saying. "I am here for a business meeting, not to play vith you."

"Pity," the green eyed goddess sighed, twirling a piece of her curled hair that had escaped its clip. "Well then if it's business related I suppose we should hand the gauntlet back over to Kaiba Corp. So, Mister Kaiba, the floor is yours."

"Yes." He answered shortly, his teeth so clenched together that he was surprised it hadn't come out as a hiss. No matter how productive these types of meetings always were, he hated, loathed, that they were accomplished in this kind of way. He tried to ignore the delicate hand that had started to sensually massage his upper thigh. Fuck. How is it possible to be both this furious and turned on! He swallowed, hard. "Recently I've been working with Vice President Porter–"

"Pegasus." The woman corrected with a soft squeeze of his thigh.

"Pegasus," he nearly choked, "To come up with a way to incorporate Duel Monsters more effectively into everyday life. Regrettably, this idea requires the cooperation of all of your companies."

"What he means," the brunette woman corrected again, "Is that we're all honored that you would consider partnering with Kaiba Corporation and Industrial Illusions." Kaiba scowled at her as she removed her hand from his leg and placed it innocently on his shoulder. "With the idea that we've worked up, all companies involved would profit greatly."

"Vhat is this idea, Miss Pegasus?" Zigfreid asked politely, far more politely than he normally would have been.

"Well, the entire plan is a tad difficult to explain," she said with a sweet smile that seemed to contradict her seductive demeanor. "But in essence, a school."

"A school?" Duke echoed incredulously.

"More of an Academy," Kaiba stated simply.

The VP of Industrial Illusions frowned, "School, Academy, same thing."

"But what do the rest of us have to do with it?" Leon asked skeptically before his elder brother, and boss, could scoff at the idea. Personally he found the idea both exciting and generous, two words he would never use to describe Seto Kaiba.

"Well the Academy would obviously be owned first and foremost by Kaiba Corporation. Mister Kaiba needed the permission of Industrial Illusions to create an establishment solely for the purpose of training better duelists since Maximillion has the rights to Duel Monsters. Black Clown was brought in for publicity and endorsement purposes; as a rival gaming company, President Devlin has the potential to make the new Academy more prestigious by backing it." She explained with a wink in Duke's direction.

"And vhat about my corporation? Vhat can ve contribute to such an already outrageous plan?" Zigfreid wondered aloud.

The Industrial Illusions representative said nothing. Instead she smiled at Kaiba, silently prodding him into answering the man's question.

With a scowl the billionaire sighed, "We need an island."

The pink haired man raised an eyebrow, "And you vant mine?"

"We want one of yours, CEO von Schroeder." VP Pegasus answered.

"But, doesn't your uncle have lots of islands you could choose from?" Leon muttered almost silently.

The green eyed woman grinned in response, "He does. But you see COO Wilson, by building the Kaiba Corporation Academy on an island owned by Schroeder Corp. we could effectively reestablish your company's name. Not only that but if we all participate in establishing this Academy everyone would benefit from the tremendous amount of publicity."

"Like I said, CEO von Schroeder," Kaiba added with a sneer, "We can do this without you, but it's in your best interest to agree."

Leon pursed his lips, hoping his brother wouldn't be needlessly archaic and reject the offer. "Would Schroeder Corp. have a say in the way the Academy would be run?"

"Of course. Every company involved would be able to elect one person to the Board of Governors." The green eyed woman said with a smile.

The purple haired man looked nervously at his brother who was both silent and deep in thought. "Well what do you think?"

"Ve shall consider your proposal," Zigfreid said airily, before smiling widely at the beautiful VP, "And zhen I shall get back to you."

Kaiba scowled in response but the brunette woman simply smiled back, "That's all we ask for."

"Thank you for your understanding," Leon whispered before he and his brother left the meeting room.

As soon as they were gone all three of the remaining occupants let out heavy sighs and then Duke laughed quietly, "That went better than I hoped."

Kaiba smirked slightly in response and the green eyed woman slumped forward in her chair. The black haired man turned a wicked grin on her, "Smooth moves, Alice! Look at you being all calm and collected; and the smoldering temptress stuff at the beginning, genius. You knew right where to hit him, I mean hot damn! Emphasis on the hot!"

The green eyed woman's seductive mask crumbled instantly, revealing the blushing and embarrassed girl underneath. She put her head in her hands and groaned, "Duke! I acted like a complete whore! I never want to do that again. I hate you both! And Maximillion. And Hayden too."

"But you did great," Duke argued, placing a comforting hand on her back. "And it's not like this was the first time we used that tactic. Just think, if we had you in all our meetings we'd clean house for sure!"

She whimpered slightly, "But this one was over the top." She looked up to Kaiba with pleading eyes, "Please don't make me do that again, Seto."

The infamous CEO narrowed his eyes on her but she didn't flinch away. Instead she stood up from her seat as if he'd beckoned to her and then she sat down timidly in his lap, grasping the lapel of his white suit and burying her hot face in the crook of his neck, like she was trying to hide there. He gently reached up and cupped the back of her neck with his cool hands, feeling the intense heat that was radiating from her in her embarrassed state. She let out a grateful sigh and his lips twitched slightly in amusement before he turned his icy eyes on the last remaining witness in the room.

"Devlin." He said simply.

"Yeah, Kaiba?" Duke responded with a confused tilt of his head.

"Get out," Seto answered with a smug smile as he reached up and undid the clip holding all of Alice's long hair up.

The black haired man let out an amused chuckle, "Yeah alright, I get it. Didn't wanna watch anyway. That wouldn't be hot or anything. I guess I'll see you both later, you know, at the thing. I've heard Mokuba's been practicing for years, should be good. So… see you then. You know, in a few hours, so you may want to hurry it up."

"Duke!" Alice exclaimed, pushing out of Seto's comfortable embrace to glare at the black haired man.

"Alright, alright! I'm going. Yeesh," Duke laughed before pushing out of the room and leaving the corporate CEO and rival Vice President to their fun.

"You've gotten heavier," Seto said with a smirk when the black haired duelist was safely out of earshot.

"Excuse me!? I have not!" Alice snarled back before looking entirely too self-conscious as she asked, "Have I?"

The blue eyed billionaire chuckled, "No, well yes, but no."

The green eyed woman's face fell and she looked worried as she said, "It's probably because Sofia is our cook now. I can never stop eating her food. Great, now I have to start exercising more."

Seto heard a false note in her words, but didn't call her on it as he chuckled again, "It's only a pound or two, hardly even noticeable."

"Are you lying to make me feel better? Because it's not working," the brunette pouted before resting her head back against his chest.

"Yes, because I lie to people all the time to make them feel better," Seto drawled sarcastically as he ran his fingers through her hair. "Honestly, I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't sat on me."

"Well we can't all be perfectly toned like you," she huffed as she poked his abs. Yep, still rock solid. Damn him.

"Alice," he warned darkly when she stopped poking his stomach and started caressing it instead.

The brunette smiled up at him innocently, her hands still ghosting over his chest, "We really should leave now or we'll be late."

"We can be late." He grinned wickedly, his fingers still tangled in her hair.

Alice rolled her eyes and laid her head back against his chest, wiggling around until she found a comfortable spot. She'd felt tired and very weak lately, but it wasn't the time to let Seto know that.

"You really were acting like a whore," he whispered out of the blue.

"Yeah well, you didn't give me much of a choice." She defended quietly, the blush rising in her cheeks again at the mention of her earlier behavior.

"It was effective though," he grudgingly admitted. "Just like the other two times."

"Please don't tell me you're thinking of making Duke's plan permanent? I don't think I can handle doing that every meeting." The green eyed woman whined lightly, shifting nervously on his lap.

Seto winced and said gruffly, "You won't have to."

Alice blinked rapidly and looked up at the billionaire with curious eyes, "Really? But I thought you liked Duke's plan?"

"I did, until I saw it in action, full force." He whispered as he ran his left hand down her side before gently gripping her hip. "It created a few problems."

"Problems?" She asked curiously, turning slightly in his lap to look at him, "What problems?"

Seto narrowed his darkened eyes and asked sardonically, "You really don't know?"

For a moment Alice looked hopelessly lost, but then Seto shifted her in his lap ever so slightly. Understanding lit up her eyes and her ever present blush colored her cheeks.

"I was just going to pretend that was your deck," she said with a small smile.

The blue eyed man smirked in response, running a slim finger along her collarbone, "Since when do I carry my deck in my suit pants."

"Fair point," she sighed as the duelist's lips replaced his finger.

With sure hands the CEO picked up the temptress in his lap and deposited her on the table in front of them, spreading her thighs with his knee and leaning down into her. She leaned back on her hands and moaned as he began to gently suck her neck. Seto grinned wickedly in response.

When her legs finally spread far enough apart, he positioned himself between them, pulling her hips into his and causing her tight skirt to bunch around her waist. He subtly rolled his hips against hers and she gasped in response, her head lolling back. She gripped the front of his suit jacket and pulled his lips away from her neck.

"We can't do this here. Again." She panted out, her eyes alight with both caution and need.

"What was so bad about the last few times," Seto teased seductively, leaning back in and peppering kisses from her ear to her jaw.

"Anyone could walk in and last time I couldn't find," the green eyed woman trailed off with a breathy moan. "Couldn't find my bra."

The blue eyed man chuckled, grasping her thighs and pressing closer to her, "Well this time I won't hide it from you."

"Sadist." Alice accused softly as she wound her arms around his neck.

"Seductress." Seto accused back as he slid his hand to the small of her back and pulled her lips to his.

Both brunette's were so overcome with their own desires and passion that they didn't hear the door to the meeting room open; or the apology that followed; or the uncomfortable cough when they didn't respond; or maybe they just didn't care. If it wasn't for the fact that Seto hated an audience he never would have pulled away from his woman.

"What is it, Amelia?" He grumbled, not taking his eyes off of the panting woman with moist lips and lustful eyes he'd just pulled away from.

"Roland is here for Alice," the red headed secretary mumbled to the ground.

Seto groaned in response, leaning his forehead against Alice's. The green eyed woman threaded her fingers through his hair and sighed.

"Thanks Amy, I'll be down in a moment."

"Of course," she said before hurrying from the room.

The couple pulled apart and began straightening out their clothes, hoping to cover up any evidence of what had almost happened. Once Seto had smoothed out most of the wrinkles in his suit he picked up Alice's discarded coat and held it open for her. Gratefully she slipped into it, buttoning it up to her neck before kissing him on the cheek quickly.

"You are going to be leaving the office soon, right?" She checked as she straightened the tie he had neglected.

"I'll leave as soon as I finish signing the paperwork you left on my desk." He promised as he grasped her waist and kissed her forehead gently.

"You put off signing those papers long enough," Alice teased before pulling away. She grabbed the clip Seto had discarded and began twisting her hair back into place. "Just be sure you aren't late for the ceremony, Mokie'd throw a fit."

"How was he?" Seto asked vaguely, sitting back against the table and crossing his arms.

Alice managed to get the clip back into her hair and then she wrapped her arms around her small frame. "Nervous. He kept muttering under his breath during lunch, I think he was practicing his speech."

"Tch." He sighed, "With how keyed up he's been all month you'd think he had a permanent stutter."

She sighed too, "I know. He just needs to relax and be himself, but he's so worried he'll mess this up."

Seto shrugged, "I suppose we'll just have to hope for the best."

Alice nodded, "Right. Well, I'll see you at the ceremony."

~~~DFAD~~~

"Claves! Have you seen my car keys!?" Alice yelled as she stumbled down the stairs, pulling her black pea coat back on hastily.

"They're probably where you left them when you walked through the door an hour ago." The clover haired woman taunted from her seat on the banister.

"But they aren't," the brunette pouted as she started to run a hand through her hair and ended up rumpling it in its clip.

"Well I don't know what I'm supposed to do to help," Claves laughed as she smoothed out her maid outfit.

Emerald eyes narrowed on her, "Gee, I don't know, maybe help me find them!"

The older woman laughed softly and jumped down from her perch, "Did you check your pockets?"

"Of course I checked my… oh. Here they are, heh." Alice said sheepishly.

"See, told you. Now come here, let me fix your hair." Claves said kindly.

As she began to smooth Alice's hair back into its clip Sofia came out of the kitchen, ladle in hand.

"I 'ave made you some soup, il mio amore." The Italian woman announced with a smile.

"Sofia, I've already had lunch and I've gained four pounds in two weeks." The brunette grumbled.

Sofia smiled, "Per'aps it is just muscle?"

"Yeah, and maybe Zigfreid's hair is real." Alice snorted, "I've had the stomach flu for the past month too. I thought you're suppose to lose weight when you're sick… maybe it's all the wedding cake that's caused this."

"By this do you mean your 'flu' or the weight gain? Because I'm pretty sure they're from the same place." Claves teased after she finished Alice's hair.

The brunette scowled at her, "The cake could have caused both. It's been over a month since Mai and Joey's wedding and I'm still eating it. Maybe it went bad."

"Can wedding cake go bad?" Sofia asked, one hand on her hip.

"Who knows, but I need to head out before I'm late for the ceremony." Alice said dismissively as she started heading for the door.

"Oh, Alice!" Claves called, "Scarlet sent us baby shower invites, and it's in a week so we need to get a gift soon."

"Geez another one," the brunette laughed before glancing down at the gold ring on Claves' hand. "You know I'm surprised you and Hayden haven't had one yet."

"Shut up!" The green haired woman sputtered, her face tinged slightly pink.

Alice grinned and leaned her hip against the open door frame, "It's only logical that you'd be next. Everyone around me is either getting married or having kids."

At this Sofia and Claves smiled widely at each other, then the motherly cook asked, "Why giovane donna, are you jealous?"

"What? No!" She denied quickly, before shuffling out the door. "Gotta go, bye!"

Sofia sighed solemnly, "Poor girl."

"They just need some time, Sof. Come on, I'll eat your soup." Claves said as she looped her arm through the cook's.

~~~DFAD~~~

Roland dropped her off at the school entrance and she walked hastily to the gymnasium. Once inside she immediately found her group of old friends sitting in the bleachers toward the front, but instead of going to them she turned toward the back and headed to the solitary man leaning against the wall.

"You reprimand me about being on time and you almost miss it yourself." Seto laughed quietly as she took up a spot on the wall next to him.

"Well I'm here aren't I?" The green eyed woman huffed. "Have you seen him yet?"

"No," Seto said with a shake of his head. "But I'm sure he'll come out in a few minutes with the rest of them."

Alice nodded and turned to watch her friends as they talked animatedly to one another. She let out a quiet sigh.

"You know," Seto cleared his throat uncomfortably, "You could go sit with them."

"What and leave you here?" She asked with a roll of her eyes, "Riiight. Besides, I'm a Pegasus now; we're all about making an entrance and at the moment I don't want to steal the spotlight."

The graduating class of Domino High School began filing in after their teachers, so Seto scoffed quietly and whispered, "I really hate that you adopted that last name."

"Need I remind you love, that it adopted me? Besides, if you really had a problem with it," Alice mumbled with a gentle smile, "You'd do something about it."

The CEO scowled, his hand unconsciously patting his coat pocket, but he said nothing as the headmaster of the school announced the start of the graduation ceremony. There were a few more speeches from teachers, administrators, and the salutatorian, but eventually the valedictorian stood behind the podium, looking terribly green in the face. Alice began chewing on her lower lip and Seto slid his hand into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze before turning his steady gaze back to the stage.

"Hi," the black haired teen squeaked before clearing his throat, "Err, I mean hello. I'm Mokuba Kaiba… but everyone probably already knew that because of your programs. Heh."

Alice's hand tightened like a vice around Seto's and he actually winced at the pressure. He began drawing small, soothing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb and her grip relaxed infinitesimally.

"Umm, as you can tell I didn't get the motivational speaker genes… though if you've ever talked to my brother or listened to his graduation speech from four years ago you'd know he didn't either." There were quiet laughs throughout the crowd and Mokuba smiled hopefully.

"These three years we've spent together at Domino High have been a lesson to all of us; lessons in patience and kindness, as well as crash courses in actual classes. We've learned so much in such a short amount of time, and I know that it will help us in the years to come. And what great lives we have ahead of us! Our destinies are all shining brightly out there, waiting for us; thanks to the skills we've gained here.

"However, it isn't the skills we're good at that define us, or even the skills we're bad at, but what we choose to do with our skills. Our lives are given meaning by the challenges that we strive to overcome. For some of us graduating was a challenge, and for others it was easier than beating Joey Wheeler in a duel–"

"'Ey!" The blonde exclaimed from the bleachers.

Mokuba laughed happily along with the crowed, "But what I'm trying to get at is that even if our skill sets aren't that great, there's still a future out there for every one of us. We're all still destined to find our calling.

"Some may be destined for a business career, while others for military service, or even a job pursuing the arts, but we're all destined for something… I even know a few people who were destined for a duel," he said with a wicked smile aimed at the back of the gym.

Alice laughed quietly, glancing up at Seto with a fond smile while he scowled deeply in return; that had probably been the lamest thing he'd ever said and no one would ever let him live it down.

"But whatever the future has in store for you, wherever you end up in life, know that your friends will always be there for you, long after your skills have faded. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the graduation." The raven haired teen said with a bow.

"He did brilliantly," Alice breathed with a radiant smile as Mokuba retook his seat.

"Short and to the point, like it should be." Seto agreed.

The rest of the ceremony was monotonous, with the usual amount of people tripping on their gowns and trying to show off when presented with their diplomas, but eventually it was called to an end and the graduating class dispersed.

"How are we going to be able to find Mokie in this sea of blue?" Alice worried aloud.

"I'll go find him. Why don't you go wait with them?" Seto recommended as he pushed off the wall casually and nodded toward where Joey was throwing a fit.

"Seriously?" She asked skeptically, "You want me to go talk to one of your dueling rivals and the 'geek squad'?"

Seto grinned sardonically, "Need I remind you that you're my rival as well?"

Alice smiled sheepishly, "I suppose I am."

"Plus finding Wheeler in a crowd is easy because of the obnoxious aura he gives off." The billionaire sneered.

"Be nice." Alice commanded with narrowed eyes before she and Seto parted ways.

Before she had even made it halfway across the gym Joey spotted her and sprinted the rest of the distance. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground, spinning her around and around, as if he hadn't seen her in years.

"Joey!" Alice gasped, "Can't. Breathe."

"Oh, heh. Sorry, Alice." The blonde carefully put her down at about the time the rest of the gang made it to them.

"Hi Alice," Tristan said with a wide smile, but his smile faltered as her face became very pale. "Are you okay? You look like you're going to vomit…"

The small brunette gently held onto her stomach, a wary grin on her lips. "I'll be alright, it's nothing."

Duke looked her over, "You seemed fine an hour ago, but now you look like you're coming down with something." The green eyed man turned to the blonde and smacked him on the head, "Way to go dude, you sickened her with your mere presence."

Alice shook her head gently, "It's not Joey's fault, I've actually had the stomach flu for the last month or so and I guess I haven't completely recovered yet."

Mai eyed her skeptically, one hand on her hip as she said, "Normally the stomach flu goes away after a week, you sure that's what it is?"

"No," the brunette admitted sheepishly. "I don't like hospitals or Seto's physicians so I'm just guessing. But I'd bet anything it was your month old wedding cake that did this to me!"

Joey grinned widely in response, like he usually did when anyone mentioned his marriage to Mai, and the other blonde rolled her eyes heavenward. "Hun, how is it my fault that you're eating that junk?"

"Because you gave it to me," Alice answered with a scowl.

"Because I didn't want to keep all of it and end up going up four dress sizes," Mai laughed, "You didn't have to take it all yourself."

"But I like cake…" she defended weakly.

Mai raised an eyebrow, "Enough to keep eating it even though you've gotten sick. If you don't throw that cake out you'll get even worse and run the risk of gaining a few pounds."

Alice's face fell, "I already have. Seto called me fat this afternoon."

"Really?" Duke asked with a laugh, "Was that after you sat on him? Haha! Oh man that's…" The black haired man trailed off when he saw everyone's disapproving glares, "Not cool. Definitely not cool. I mean clearly you're not fat. Clearly."

"Idiot." Mai accused with a flip of her long hair. "Anyway honey, you don't need to worry. Girls gain and lose weight off and on all the time. I mean Téa's weight has been fluctuating like crazy recently."

"That's because she's in Europe touring with that dance group," Alice said with a roll of her eyes. "By the way how are her and Yugi doing?"

Tristan grinned at this, "Well technically it would be how is she… and Yugi doing, since they aren't together; but isn't it just too convenient that they ended up touring Europe at the same time?

Duke chuckled deeply, "Especially when the King of Games makes his own schedules."

Joey laughed heartily along with him, "Yeah, Yug even bought an engagement ring before he left for the International Duelists convention."

"Oh!" Alice exclaimed with a smile, "That's great!"

"Now if he'd just grow a pair and ask," Duke teased.

"Sounds like someone else we know," Mai added as she nudged Alice with her shoulder playfully. The brunette scowled.

"Okay. Let's get something straight. We don't want to get married!"

"Uh-huh." The group said sarcastically.

"Really! It's just not something he… we," she corrected with an annoyed frown when they grinned at her, "Want to do."

"Right. Because you two always agree on everything," Mai countered in a deadpan voice.

"Well we agree on this," Alice declared with her nose in the air and her arms crossed stubbornly.

"Al, just admit you want to marry the pompous jackass." Duke scoffed as he twirled a lock of his black hair. "It won't kill you."

"I don't want to marry him!" Alice growled in exasperation, followed by an uncomfortable sigh, "I mean, I would want to marry him, if we were into that sort of thing."

"You're full of something, and it ain't cake hun."

The green eyed woman sighed in defeat, cradling her stomach as another wave of nausea swept over her. She hated this damn morning sickness. It wasn't even morning! And what she hated more than that was that she was still lying to everyone because she hadn't figured out how to tell Seto. Claves had figured it out, and she'd already told Mokuba, but that was only a small comfort to her.

"You're looking green again, Alice. Shouldn't you be in bed or somethin?" Joey asked, putting his hand to her forehead gently.

"No, I needed to come and support Mokie. Besides, this stomach bug is inconsistent, one minute I feel fine and the next my lunch is making a comeback." Alice said nonchalantly, grateful that after hours of rehearsing her "stomach flu and wedding cake" story it was finally starting to sound genuine.

"Gross." Tristan muttered with a wrinkled nose.

"Yeah, didn't need to know that Al." Duke agreed, looking a little green himself.

"Sorry." The brunette muttered sheepishly, her hands making soothing circles on her belly.

"I needed to know that." Mai declared with a girlish laugh.

"Uh, Mai?" Joey asked skeptically, but the blonde continued to giggle as she leaned against her husband.

"Oh, my Ra. It is sooo obvious! I mean come on." The purple eyed woman gushed. "Stomach pains, nausea, gaining weight, her ridiculous moodiness!"

"I am not moody!" Alice denied quickly in a panic.

"Fine, you're right, you're always like that." Mai countered with a laugh, "But the rest of it can only mean one thing! You're pregnant!"

"What!? How does that even make sense?" Alice demanded nervously.

"Ha! Oh damn, you're right Mai. She's totally preggers." Duke laughed.

"I am not!" The brunette snarled.

"But Alice, it makes more sense than having the stomach flu for over a month." Tristan tried to reason.

"But that doesn't mean I'm pregnant." She grumbled, already losing her patience because she knew they were right. "Joey, help me out here."

The other blonde stared at her for a minute blankly before his cheeks flamed red, "She's right guys, there's no way she could be pregnant cause there's no way Moneybags has a sex drive!"

Alice's face reddened as well as she muttered, "I wouldn't say that."

The group howled with laughter as Joey sputtered angrily and Alice flushed to the point that she looked like Christmas. They didn't care how loud they were being or who heard because this was one of the best opportunities for comedic gold they'd had in a long time.

"So you admit it could happen?" Duke teased relentlessly.

"No! Well yes," Alice huffed, beginning to lose track of when she was supposed to lie.

"When was your last period?" Mai demanded.

The Vice President of Industrial Illusions stood absolutely still, her eyes wide, before she shook her head in denial, "It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters! There's gunna be a little Kaiba soon. I better be a bridesmaid in your wedding, it's only fair." Mai declared happily.

"Whoa, just because I'm pregnant," Alice said with a scowl at her giddy friends. "Doesn't mean there's going to be a wedding. Seto doesn't want to get married, and he probably wouldn't even want to be a father."

"So you admit you're pregnant?" Mai verified with a wicked smile, her eyes darting around the room quickly before settling on Alice's face smugly.

The brunette crinkled her eyebrows in disdain at having been caught in such a childish way. She sighed however and smiled timidly, "Yes, I'm pregnant."

Tristan stared at Mai incredulously before the bodacious blonde elbowed him in the ribs, spurring him to play along. "Err, do you want to be pregnant?"

Alice's cheeks turned a light pink, "I hadn't really ever thought about it until it happened."

"That's not a real answer," Mai responded in a singsong voice.

"Yes, okay. Geez." She mumbled, gently caressing her stomach.

"And you want to marry Kaiba too, right?" Duke pressed, his eyes just as mischievous as Mai's.

"No, I'm not the marrying type." Alice denied with a gentle shake of her head.

"Are you sure? I saw how fangirly you were at my wedding." Mai insisted.

The brunette scowled again, "Alright, I wouldn't mind marrying Seto."

Joey scowled back and asked reluctantly, "Then why don't you?"

"Because I'm pregnant, Joey! I don't want to back him into a corner and force him to do something that is clearly outside his comfort zone. I already have to tell him about the baby, I can't handle the stress of admitting that I've always wanted to marry him too. I mean Ra! Can you imagine the look on his face if I told him both at the same time?" Alice fretted nervously, her eyes darting between her friends.

Mai smiled triumphantly, looking over Alice's shoulder as she said, "We don't have to imagine."

Alice's eyes widened instantly, and then she closed them in defeat. She prepared herself for the anger, or the indifference, or the coldness, or whatever mask Seto was going to use after hearing the two giant secrets she'd been keeping from him.

When she faced him she looked first at Mokuba, thankful that there was at least one Kaiba who was happy about her announcement. And then she looked to Seto. Her eyes trailed over his thin pressed lips, his blank eyes, and the firm set of his jaw. Indifference won.

"We're leaving." He announced sharply before turning and walking out of the gym, leaving Mokuba and Alice behind.

She sighed gently, and turned back to her friends. "Was that really necessary? I didn't need any help telling him."

"Oh we weren't helping you," Duke said with cocky grin.

"Clearly," she grumbled before hugging the mischievous jerk. Once she was done saying goodbye to her treacherous friends she looked at Mokuba, "We better get going before he decides to leave without us."

The raven haired teen was still grinning full force as he thanked everyone for coming to watch him graduate and they made their way out of the school.

"You can stop smiling now," Alice said bitterly as she shoved Mokuba gently. "I know you got what you wanted for your graduation present, but there's no need to rub it in."

The amethyst eyed teen laughed heartily, "Sorry, I just can't get over how perfect Seto's reaction was."

"Oh yeah, indifference is a real funny thing." She grumbled.

Mokuba continued to smile, "Oh just you wait."

When they reached the front doors of the school the limo became visible, complete with the stony CEO who stood waiting just outside it for them with his arms crossed.

"I have a feeling I won't have to," Alice sighed quietly to her best friend before they got into the limo. And then the dragon descended.

"When were you going to tell me?" He demanded in monotone, his ice blue eyes drilling into her.

"Eventually, I promise. I just didn't want to ruin Mokuba's graduation with this drama," she reasoned, reaching out her hand to grasp his. He pulled away. Ouch.

"Come on, Seto. Cut her a break," Mokuba said with a scoff.

He narrowed his eyes on his brother, "Headphones. Now."

"Ahh, seriously? I'm seventeen bro, I think I can handle–"

"Now." Seto snarled harshly.

The raven haired teen grumbled, "Fine."

Once the headphones were safely over his ears Seto rounded on Alice again. "When?"

"I was going to tell you about the baby tonight." She admitted to the floor.

"And the fact you want to get married? When were you going to mention that?" He demanded roughly.

Alice bit her lower lip, "Never."

Seto's eyebrows raised infinitesimally, though Alice didn't know it since her eyes were trained on the floor. "Never? You were just going to keep your mouth shut your entire life?"

She nodded solemnly, "That was the plan."

He sighed and turned away from her, "Why?"

"Because I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I want to marry you, but not if it costs us what we already have." She explained gently, trying again to take his hand and this time he allowed it.

Without preamble he took out his cell phone and handed it to her. She stared at it for a minute before looking up at him with curious eyes, "And what is this for?"

Seto coughed, and Alice smiled gently when she noticed that there was a tinge of pink across his cheekbones.

"Call your friend Father David, we'll be needing him." He said simply, his gorgeous blue eyes never leaving their intertwined hands.

The green eyed woman blinked rapidly, her cheeks beginning to heat up as well. "Did you… did you just ask me to marry you?"

"It's more like he told you," Mokuba laughed from his seat, eyeing the pair of them from the corner of his eye as they blushed profusely.

"Mokuba! You aren't supposed to be listening," Alice scolded halfheartedly.

The teen snorted, pulling off the headphones that clearly hadn't been turned on, "And since when have I done what I'm told?"

"Fair point," she said sticking her tongue out at him.

"Right then! Roland," Mokuba yelled to the driver. "Take us to Father David's church! My big brother's finally getting married. Oh! Does this mean I get to be the Best Man and the Maid of Honor?"

Alice laughed lightly, resting her head against Seto's shoulder, "Slow down, Mokie. We still have to get rings and whatnot first."

She felt Seto tense under her and watched as Mokuba grinned wickedly, "Oh Ali, so naïve. He's had the rings for years."

"What?" She asked with a giddy laugh, looking up at the man in question, "Really?"

Seto shrugged nonchalantly, patting his trench coat pocket where the rings were obviously kept. "It was just in case you went insane and decided you wanted to marry me."

"That's just his excuse," Mokuba laughed. "Secretly he's always wanted to get married, and have a million kids, and live in a small house in the woods, and make toys for a living; it says so on his interest page on Facebook… then again I made that page."

~~~DFAD~~~

"Are you sure it's okay? Getting married like this without telling anyone?" Alice asked again for the hundredth time as they stood at the altar.

Seto smirked at her, "Didn't I hear you tell Téa a year ago that if you got married you'd want a small wedding?"

She smiled slightly, "I knew you were eavesdropping. Small weddings are one thing, having Mokie as our only witness is another."

"There's Father David too," the raven haired teen chimed in from one of the pews where he was stretched out leisurely, waiting for the priest to arrive.

"Yeah, when he gets here. But I feel like it won't be official unless the gang's here too." she muttered quietly.

"Come on, Seto. We could at least put it off a little longer. She's already agreed to marry you, and I can keep her from running away in the meantime." Mokuba laughed with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Seto groaned deeply, "If we wait any longer the blonde diva Wheeler married is going to force Alice to do this wedding her way; white dress, tuxedos, thousands of people, reporters, cake; traditions and all."

Alice grimaced slightly, "Maybe we should just do it as soon as Father David gets here."

"Come on guys, not all the traditions are bad! What about the something old, something new thing? We could do that," Mokuba declared happily.

Alice mouthed "We?" to Seto who openly rolled his eyes.

The raven haired teen looked between the two brunettes, "It'll be fun! I know," he exclaimed as he began taking off his school blazer. "Here, Ali. This can be your borrowed and blue thing; you can wear it like a cape!"

Seto rolled his eyes again; even though his brother was technically an adult he still had the same mannerism as when he was thirteen. They'd discussed this already, countless times. If Alice wanted to have a small wedding then that was what she'd get. None of the silly traditions, and something as childish as a cape wouldn't appeal to…

Or not, Seto thought with an amused smirk as the brunette in question reached out and took the offered jacket.

She smiled gently, "I have always wanted a cape."

"Exactly!" Mokuba exclaimed. "Take off your coat and we'll start from there."

The billionaire shook his head as he watched Alice replace her black pea coat with Mokuba's blue blazer on her shoulders, neglecting the arm holes. "I feel ridiculous."

"It looks great though, it's a good thing you didn't change into jeans for my graduation," Mokuba said kindly as he looked over her gray pencil skirt, white blouse, and black ankle boots. "The blue cape just completes it. Now we just need your something old and new."

Father David walked in then, "I'm here. I got your message! I always hoped I'd get to perform your ceremony. Oh… are you wearing a cape?"

Alice grinned shyly, "Mokuba's idea. I need something old and new still since this is my borrowed and blue."

"How appropriate, well I hope you can come up with something soon." He laughed gently.

"We don't have to come up with something," Seto said with an evil grin.

"Eh? Why's that?" The bride asked with a curious tilt of her head.

The groom continued to grin malevolently as he turned to face his suddenly blushing little brother.

"No, absolutely not." Mokuba nearly growled.

"You'll have to give it to her eventually." Seto mocked openly.

Even after all these years Alice still didn't like being left out of their cryptic we're-brother-and-instantly-know-what-bizarre-thing-the-other-is-talking-about thing. She crossed her arms, "Explain."

Both Kaiba brothers turned to face her and she was hit by the irony of the situation. It seemed that they had switched facial expressions for the day; Seto was looking beyond amused with himself while Mokuba was scowling deeply.

"It's supposed to be her birthday present, Seto." The teen complained while he eyed his best friend uneasily.

"You also said it would be perfect for a wedding tradition, didn't you? As I recall from all the bragging, your exact words were 'The gift I'm making for her is both old and new. If only it were borrowed and blue, then it'd make the perfect wedding accessory.'" The CEO pressed smugly.

When the younger Kaiba didn't respond Alice asked softly, "Mokie, would this present work for the tradition?"

He flushed again, "Yeah… I suppose I could give it to you as wedding gift instead, but you'd have to wait while I go get it."

Alice turned to Seto and the couple shared a look, not a word spoken, and then the former Shadow smiled brightly, "We'll wait for you to come back with it."

Mokuba didn't need to be told twice, he hurried from the church and presumably to get the last piece for the wedding tradition. Seto sighed heavily and sat down in the front pew, gesturing that Alice should do the same.

"Is this tradition really that important?" He questioned curiously, looking at both his bride to be and the priest.

It was the holy man who answered, "It's more of a superstition, meant to bring luck to the couple."

Alice shook her head, "In other words, no, but Mokuba was so thrilled about it that I couldn't reject it."

Seto frowned, "It's our wedding not his. You're spoiling him."

"Like I don't spoil you," she countered with a wink. "Besides, it's not like I'm demanding a sixpence to put in my shoe."

Both men proceeded to look a bit baffled at her words, looking at each other and then back to her.

"A what?" Seto finally asked.

She rolled her eyes, "I guess it shouldn't be surprising, it's really more of a British custom anyway. The whole saying is 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe'. It's a coin that the bride would put in her shoe before the ceremony for extra luck."

"Wouldn't that be uncomfortable?" Seto asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.

She grinned, "Yeah probably, guess it's a good thing I don't have one."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence before Alice muttered, "I still can't believe we're doing this."

"We've been having sex and living together for four years, it doesn't change much." The CEO commented nonchalantly.

"Seto!" She exclaimed quietly, "Not in front of Father David."

He grinned wickedly, slipping his arm around her waist and placing his lips to her ear. Gently he brushed said lips along the shell of her ear, before whispering gruffly, "You know, I've never done it in a church before. Wanna be my first?"

Instead of scolding him she giggled almost silently, grasping his hand that was slowly drawing circles on her stomach. "Behave. We have to set a good example for the baby."

Seto pulled away instantly without argument or complaint, straightening out his trench coat as a strange look crossed his face. "How long have you been pregnant?"

"A little over a month… why?" She asked cautiously.

He shook his head, "It's nothing. I'm just surprised I didn't notice any of the signs."

Alice frowned, "You noticed I'd gained weight."

Seto smirked wickedly, "So I did."

"Listen, Seto I need to know; are you just marrying me because of the baby?" She asked nervously.

"No." He responded shortly.

Alice looked up at him with her wide emerald eyes, "Then why are you marrying me?"

Seto glared at her with his sapphire eyes in return, "I'm not going to spell it out for you."

"You never do." She huffed as Mokuba came bustling back into the room.

"Got it!" He exclaimed, his hands cupped in front of him.

"Good." Seto said as he rose from the pew and helped Alice to her feet. "Give it to her so we can get this thing done."

The green eyed woman worried her lower lip. It didn't seem like Seto was really all that keen on getting married, maybe she should just stop "this thing" before it progressed any further. That was what she thought until she saw what was cupped in Mokuba's hands.

"Oh sweet Slifer, it's gorgeous!" She gasped, reaching out to take the object. "You made this!?"

It was a necklace made of the thin, old red ribbon she wore in her hair during high school. She'd given the ribbon to Seto when she'd returned his deck and somehow it had wound up in Mokuba's possession. Attached to the red choker like necklace was a pair of small, delicate wings. The wings were silver with streaks of gold and when the light caught it just right Alice thought she could see a hint of blue as well.

"Well I came up with the idea, but the jeweler did the real work." Mokuba admitted shyly as he rubbed his neck. "After you told me all about Aeris I thought you could use something to remember her by. Do you like it?"

"I adore it. Thank you," she said happily, a watery smile on her lips at the thought of her old friend.

"I'm glad," the teen gushed as he helped her put it on.

"Now that all the traditions are out of the way, can we start?" Seto asked with a theatrical sigh.

His sharp tone brought Alice's worries back to the surface, but she suppressed them as she caressed the angel wings and made her way toward the altar. She stood next to Seto, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye and observing how tense he was. Nervously she clenched her hands together behind her back. Should she really force him to do this? Was it really fair to expect so much from someone who's asked for so little?

Since this wasn't a typical wedding and they hadn't prepared vows the ceremony was going by quickly, but with each second that passed Alice's anxiety increased exponentially. By the time she and Seto exchanged rings she was sweating metaphorical bullets and her hands were literally trembling as he placed the ring on her finger.

She risked looking up into his eyes and found uncertainty dominating his glacier blue irises. Panic filled her instantly. Was he going to run? Was she going to run for him? How could they go through with this when they were both clearly having doubts? Alice was so completely terrified that she almost missed Father David's question.

"Do you, Seto Kaiba, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

His eyes didn't leave hers as he said calmly, "Ask her first."

Alice stared at him incredulously as Father David cleared his throat uncomfortably, feeling the tension between the couple.

"Alright. Do you, Alice Pegasus Porter, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

The former Shadow took the time to think simply because he'd forced her to go first. Did that mean he was trying to get out of this situation? Was that his way of telling her? Of course she'd take him but would he do the same when it was his turn again? All she could do at this point was hope that he really did love her.

"I do." She answered decisively.

The priest smiled at her gently but she hardly noticed as she watched the eyes of the man in front of her as the next question was asked.

"And do you, Mister Kaiba, take Alice to be your wife?"

She held her breath as Seto's devilishly handsome smirk made an appearance and he said, "I…"

~~~DFAD~~~

Alice awoke with a start, her hand clutching her chest where her heart was hammering away. It took her a moment to acquire her bearings but when she did she saw Seto in the doorway looking like the smug bastard that he was.

"I was wondering if you ever planned on getting out of bed," he said lightly as his eyes devoured her disheveled state. "Claves needs to get the sheets to do the laundry."

"Yeah," she muttered as she ran both hands through her hair, trying to calm herself down and get a grasp on reality. It was just a dream, you stupid woman. I should have known since everything was so perfect and then it took a nosedive… then again that's how my life normally is. Stupid. Get a grip or he'll notice. She berated herself mentally.

"Someone looks like they had a hell of a dream." Seto commented placidly, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe.

"It was nothing." She assured him with a shake of her head.

"Alright. Well Sofia made breakfast again, meet me in the kitchen once you're decent." He said with his trademark smirk.

Alice's heart ached; he'd smirked at her like that during their wedding.

"I'm always decent," she tried to tease lightly, but he had already left the room.

With a heavy sigh the brunette got out of bed and began walking for the bathroom as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. And then she felt the pressure in her stomach, like butterflies or a severe case of gas. She started to place her left hand over the spot where it was most intense, but froze. Because she realized she was still very much pregnant and that there was a delicate ring on her finger.

[A/N: Eep! It's finished! Sorry it took forever, I'm not very good with cheesy happily ever aftery things so I had to get LOTS of help. Now time for a mass editing spree! Wee! Thanks for reading 3]