Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Authors Note: Hey guy's. Sorry I haven't been online all that much recently but the whole year was sort of tough and since my grandpa's death I'm feeling really down. I'm trying to get out of that though and am back with this story. I try to update daily like usual and have the whole thing written down. But please don't ask me how many chapters it will have since I had planned it to be a one shot and send it to my friend (she's usually just doing spell checking) and asked her to see where I could divide it into chapters since it was a little long and she insisted that it was too long for a one shot. (I have to point out here that I agree since it was a little over 33.000 words) She hasn't finished spell checking it though and sends back one chapter at a time. usually she does a chapter a day but if she has something else that needs to be done first you might have to wait a day or two but probably never longer than that.

Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Grieving

Chapter 1

Joey was sitting next to his old man's bed, in the apartment he shared with his father since they moved to New York. That was right after Joey finished high school about 10 years ago. Joey was still in touch with his old friends, mostly over the phone and mails. Mokuba had visited him twice during that time and Yugi had surprised him with a visit once as well, but apart from that he hadn't actually seen any of his old friends. He did have a lot of new friends by now though, some he met through work and others lived in the neighborhood. Unfortunately he didn't see much of them either, since he stopped going to work. He just somehow slowly lost touch with all of them. They had visited at the start and at first Joey had been able to go out for a little while each day but he just saw them less and less over the few month.

His father got sick about a year back. At first he was just feeling a little sick every now and then, accompanied by a slightly sore throat. The first three months it wasn't so bad and he didn't even go to see a doctor but it got more and more often. At some point the pain just varied in intensity but never really left, which is when he went to get it checked.

The doctor just did some blood tests at the start and tried a few drugs with little success. Nothing helped and half a year ago it was getting so bad that he started to have trouble eating. They finally made a gastroscopy and since then Joey knew that his dad had esophageal cancer. It was already so bad that the older Wheeler wouldn't even able to swallow any drugs, never mind solid food very soon. He got energy drinks at first and a little later he had a stomach tube to keep him fed because even the drinks didn't fit past the cancer this past three month. Joeys father was okay with that for a while and tried to deal with the fact that he would die soon but the pain in his throat got worse with nearly every day that passed.

For Joey, the worst part about it all was knowing since the gastroscopy that his father would die and knowing that it would only get worse until then. He had watched his fathers pain grow, unable to help him and tried to behave like everything was all right, because he wanted to make it easier for his dad, who was strong and brave. Even though there were days where Joey could see that his father had to fight the tears very hard and that he was scared to die, Joey never saw him cry and heard him try to sound hopeful that there was something waiting for him after this life ended. All Joey could do during this time was to keep him company and use what little time they had left while watching his father wither away a little more each day.

Joey gave a sigh, he wished his father had never gotten the blasted tube. At first it was fine, he felt a little better after finally getting enough food again, and Joey had been happy and even hoped that it would keep him alive for a few years, that maybe he didn't have to die at all. But by now it had gotten so much worse. His father could hardly breathe and his stomach refused to take the food any longer. Even though his throat was blocked by the cancer, he threw it up, together with a lot of blood. He didn't even want to be fed over it anymore. Joey had tried to talk him into taking the food until a doctor told him that even if he continued, his father would only live for a couple of days longer. Maybe a month instead of a few weeks.

Joey had finally given up to force his father a little over a week ago and was sitting next to him, waiting for him to die and wondering if he really did the right thing or if he should try to feed him again after all. The doc had told them both that once the older Wheeler didn't get any food nor water or medication apart from the pain medication, he would get weaker and eventually fall asleep and just not wake up until he stopped to breathe at some time during his sleep. The doctor also had said that it could take up to two weeks, since Joey's father moved very little and didn't need much nutrition any more. Joey's father was sleeping constantly for two days and Joey was sure that every labored breath could be his last.

It was hard to watch his father die and Joey had never felt this helpless. He couldn't do anything apart from sitting by his side and make sure that he wouldn't die alone. Before he had at least been able to make him a little more comfortable every now and then, to cheer him up or even make him laugh, but now there was nothing at all that he could do.

After a while Joey stood up to get himself a bit of food. He wasn't sure when he last ate. He disliked leaving his father even for a toilet break never mind getting himself food, even though a neighbor was kind enough to go to a shop for him and bring him the grocery. Still the kitchen seemed to far away already, but he knew that it was pointless to starve himself along with his father. He didn't like to think it, but if his father didn't die soon and let Joey get back to work, he wouldn't be able to keep himself fed at all for much longer. His boss had said that he could probably come back once his family problem was solved, one way or another. He had sounded confidant that he would find some position for Joey, even though he wouldn't be able to reserve his old one for god knew how long. Joey was happy about that, at least he wouldn't be standing there with nothing as long as this would end soon. And even though Joey didn't like it, it looked like every day could be the last.

In the kitchen Joey let the tears, that always stung in his eyes, run down his face silently. He didn't want to cry in front of his old man even now that he was unconscious. Once Joey had managed to gain control over his tears while getting himself some food he returned into his father's bed room. He wasn't in there for long until he left the room to bring the food back into the kitchen. He took a deep breath before he got out his mobile phone and called the doctor to tell him that his father wasn't breathing anymore. After the call Joey cried for over an hour.

Joey wasn't sure what happened next or how he managed to go through that day and get everything organized that he had to do. He just knew that by the time he went to bed that day his father was gone and part of the funeral was organized. He still had a lot to do during the next few days though.

The days until the funeral was due, Joey was busy with paperwork regarding the funeral as well as the insurance his father had and some other stuff that needed to be organized, now that his father was gone. Joey had so much to do that by all rights he shouldn't have had any time to think about his father but he did. No matter what Joey did he always wondered, 'What would dad do?', his father never truly left his mind and Joey just hoped that he had organized the funeral to his father's liking. He was mad at himself that he hadn't been able to ask him about it before, just to find out how he would have liked it. But Joey hadn't been able to talk about his father's death while he was still alive. He simply didn't want to risk starting to cry in front of him.

After the funeral was done and everyone had left again, Joey stood at his father's grave to look at it for a while. He stood there and started to cry again. He missed him and wondered what he should do next. The paperwork was done and all Joey had to do was get back into some sort of normality. But how should he do that when the center of his life during the past months was gone? Every time Joey had done something during the last few months his first thought had been with his father who needed him and now there was nothing left.

Joey knew that he had to start work again soon, since he had used up nearly all of their savings to keep himself fed and pay the rent while he cared for his old man. But should he go back to his old job in the garage fixing cars or should he look for a new job in the area? He had always wanted to try something new. Maybe he should go back to Domino because even though he had new friends, he still missed Yugi and Tristan a lot. They were his best friends growing up and he had been through so much crazy stuff with them that there was no way in hell that anyone could replace either of them. Hell, he even missed moneybags and their fights more often then he liked to admit.

Joey stood there and looked at the grave. If he went back to Domino he probably wouldn't be able to come here again, but he really did miss his friends, now more than ever. He was sure that Yugi would stay by his side right now, a quiet but reassuring presence. And Tristan would have made stupid jokes to take off his mind and make him laugh again. Téa would probably talk about how Joey wasn't alone since he had his friends and that they would help him through anything ending up in one of her endless friendship speeches to give him hope.

A few raindrops started to fall down. After Joey felt them touch his skin he looked at the dark and threatening sky. It would pour down soon Joey was sure of that but he couldn't make himself care about that, even though he had no coat with him. He just stayed and stared at the grave, wondering what his friends in Domino were up to now and what else they might do to cheer him up. He wondered if anyone could really do that?

A lot of things must have changed since he left, maybe they where busy with their own lives, would they be able to really pick up where they left even if he returned? Joey doubted that, he was still sure that they would be there for him. It might not be like before, it can't be since time changes everything and things happened during the last ten years that changed them all, but they were still friends and nothing could change that fact. After a while he was sure that he wanted to go but the fact that his father's grave was still here in New York made him hesitant. The fact that he had no money for a plane ticket actually helped him decide against it at least for the time being, but he wished that he could go all the more, at least for a visit.

The rain started to pour down but Joey didn't feel it. He just stood there and stared at the grave until he noticed that the rain didn't even reach him anymore. He just heard the pounding of the rain drops above and looked up to see a big white umbrella over his head. It was big enough to cover a second person close by, said person must be behind him and holding it. Joey turned around in surprise and looked at the brunet man standing there. For a moment Joey had no idea who it was. His ice blue eyes and the smooth hair did look familiar though. But neither of that helped Joey to recognize the handsome man. It was his gravity defying coat with the KC on his collar that caused Joey's jaw to suddenly meet the ground. "Kaiba?" He mumbled unable to believe that it was really the cold CEO who had shown up out of nowhere and held an umbrella over his head to protect him from the cold rain. It was just too unlikely, "Is that really you?"

"Of course it is." The cold voice answered, "Don't tell me you stupid mutt forgot how I look?"

Joey blushed slightly before he grumbled, "It was ten years and it's not like I wanted to remember your stupid insults moneybags." Joey knew that it wasn't completely true since he had missed him along with the others occasionally.

The brunet smiled a little, "At least you remember how you called me."

"Whatever," Joey replied simply, "Why on earth are you here?"

"Why are you?" Kaiba questioned. Instead of answering Joey pointed to the grave behind him with a sad look on his face. "I know that," Kaiba pointed out, "But you still shouldn't be here in the rain without even wearing a coat. You're going to freeze to death and catch a cold."

"It's kind of hard to catch a cold after freezing to death." Joey pointed out sarcastically.

"This isn't funny." Kaiba chided in a strict voice, "And you know perfectly well what I mean. You need to take better care of yourself."

"And since when do you care?" Joey asked irritated. He still had no idea why on earth this guy had to show up. After all it wasn't very likely that he would fly from Domino to New York just because Joey was standing here in the rain without a coat. It's not like he could even know about that before he came.

Joey noticed the intense look in Seto's eyes but had no idea what it meant. It could be expected that Yugi or Tristan might show up soon to help Joey through his grieve, maybe even Mokuba since he had the finances to afford such a trip any time and Joey had informed his friends that his father was dying and also called Yugi during the last few days after his father's death, but why on earth did Kaiba show up? He had been the last person Joey had expected to show any sign that he cared about his loss. "Whatever, lets go." Kaiba said.

"Excuse me?" Joey asked confused, "Do you mean that ya want me to go with you, like in leave together?"

"Obviously." Kaiba replied dryly.

Joey stared at the blue eyes in front of him and then wanted to know, "Who are you and what did ya do to Kaiba?"

"Very funny." Kaiba said just as dry and then simply grabbed Joey's arm and pulled him along, "It's cold, so start moving."

Joey was so surprised that he let himself being dragged along until they reached the limousine Kaiba obviously had arrived in. The driver already opened a door for them. "Okay, stop this nonsense, I'm so not in the mood for your freaking games." Joey ordered angrily. "I'm not going anywhere unless ya tell me why you're here? What do ya want from me? And where the hell do ya want to take me?"

Kaiba glared at Joey for a moment before he stated, "I'm taking you to my hotel to talk about the other two topics in a more comfortable way than standing in the rain on a graveyard. Unless you'd rather freeze to death?"

"Don't forget that I might catch a cold after that." Joey grumbled upset but got into the limousine. He wasn't keen on spending much time with Kaiba, but he was curious and wanted to know why on earth that stuck up guy had shown up out of nowhere and came to see him. Joey just couldn't think of any rational explanation for that. Or rather, he couldn't think of any reason at all rational or not. At least Kaiba did have a point stating that a hotel might be a little more comfortable then the graveyard even if it wasn't raining.

The ride to the hotel was quiet. Joey looked over to Kaiba a few times, wondering what could possibly be going on in his head while Kaiba himself simply stared ahead like there was some really interesting movie playing there. They where nearly at the hotel when Joey noticed that Kaiba had, due to his strange antics, efficiently distracted him from his melancholy thoughts and the grief for his father. Once that thought occured to him, Joey just felt worse though. To be distracted from missing his father this soon after his death felt like a betrayal to the bond they shared.

Joey moved his legs closer and his arms around himself while looking sadly towards the floor. After just starting to wonder, what his dad would think about him getting sidetracked from his loss this easily he heard Kaiba say, "He'd be happy that you could think of something else for a moment."

Joey looked up to the other who somehow always sounded much too certain for his taste and grumbled sarcastically, "Sure you would know my old man good enough to know what he would do or think since ya met him just about never."

"I don't need to know him to know that." Kaiba pointed out. "He cared for you and loved you, which is proven by the fact that you do in return. And I'm sure you'd agree that no one who loves someone would want said person to be upset about anything and most of all not be the cause for the sadness. I'm sure that even though he would appreciate the fact that you miss him and think of him lovingly, he wouldn't want you to be sad all the time. He'd want you to be happy."

Joey stared at him and once his own head had worked through Kaiba's word he mumbled, "Ya might have a point." A moment later the limousine came to a stop which happened to be the same moment Joey realized something and asked, "Hold on, how did ya know? I mean that I was thinking about that."

"I might not have had the pleasure to meet your father," Kaiba pointed out while the door was opened, "But I do know you." After that he got out of the vehicle and Joey followed, curious what other miracle would happen on this day. First Kaiba went out of his way to see him on a graveyard while it rained and then he even showed some empathy and said something to cheer him up. This definitely could be the day that pigs learned to fly, since that was much more likely than what already happened. It might even start to rain money, it definitely wouldn't surprise Joey since it at least would prove to him that this craziness wasn't anything but the weirdest dream he ever had.