A new story by moi.

Pairing: SetoxJoey

Summary: As Seto is about to be married, Joey finds himself – yet again - caught up in his whirlwind life – this time - against his wishes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of the characters, nor do I claim to. I do not own any brand name mentioned in the story, nor do I claim to. Thus concluding, I own nothing. Yippee!

AN: 1. I have set this fic quite a while after the anime ended, long enough for Joey to have gone to college and got a qualification in Journalism.

2. I have based the medical system on the NHS, as it is what I am familiar with, hence Joey going to the hospital for his medication and not a Pharmacy.

-Complex Touch-

Part One

It was hard. Yes. That was the word. It was hard to watch the man you love so unconditionally, pledge his heart to another. As Joey would know all too well. But nevertheless, here he stood in a crowded room, tape recorder at the ready at a posh function that he was sure he didn't belong in. When he first received the assignment he was dismayed, trying anything to pass it off to others until he realised he was alone in this and he would have to deal with his demons one day. Just not like this. He stood alone at the side of the hall, beautifully decorated and elaborate, surrounded by corporate businessmen who know their place exactly, journalists mingling and doing what Joey never had the heart to. As he took in the surroundings he was interrupted by a loud voice.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Mr Seto Kaiba." A rapturous applause followed as the CEO of Kaiba Corporation took his place at the microphone, a petite, young but attractive woman on his arm. The sight made Joey manage to press 'Record' on the Dictaphone but he had to look away in disgust, unable to take it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, so nice to see you here. Well I informed of an announcement and for the ease of the press here, I'll make this quick. Needless to say, we all want to party and not waste time on formalities. So without further ado it is my great pleasure to inform you that Anisa Sinuichi has agreed to be my wife. We are both extremely happy with the decision and the ceremony shall be held in four weeks time. Now, go have a good time. Thank you." He finished as Joey still refused to look at him. He turned to his friend and photographer, Cyren Jameson, who had recently joined him, only to find him completely unfazed by the new revelation.

"Bound to happen, eh mate? He's been seeing her for ages now!" Cyren grinned, but he faltered when he caught the look of disgust in return.

"Just get me out of here." Joey responded bitterly as he gathered his Dictaphone, jacket and Cyren's arm. He left the hall determined to get everything over with as fast as he could. Cyren knew better than to argue and packed his camera away as they left.

Unbeknownst to both, someone was unsettled by their appearance at the event but he kept a professional attitude all the same. Seto Kaiba had to keep up appearances. However it was the tearing his eyes and thoughts away from his current topic that was the problem.

"Hey Joey! Wait up!" He heard a distinct American accent call from behind him and he halted in his haste. He turned around to face Cyren, preparing for the onslaught with a tiresome and despairing expression gracing his face.

"What was that, man? C'mon, real swanky party and you throw away a free, fully catered night out!" Cyren inquired when he finally caught up with Joey, buckling over to catch his breath.

"Sometimes there are bigger issues than swanky food all night. It would appear Seto Kaiba is one of them." Joey answered cryptically before he turned and walked to his car, popping a small appetizer in his mouth that he had taken from the buffet on the way out.

Arriving back at the large, but not overly big, house after an evening Seto wished he didn't have to be at, the Mercedes began the long crawl to the front doors as it passed through the extravagant front gates. However, Seto's mood didn't go unnoticed by his bride-to-be.

She had been watching him carefully all the way home in their chauffeur-driven Mercedes, as he stared dejectedly out of the window. Edging closer to him she placed her chin on his shoulder and placed her hand on his knee, rubbing it soothingly.

"Not tonight, Anisa." Seto said in a tiresome manner, pushing her hand away. It took her by surprise. Sensing this, he turned to look at her. "What's wrong?"

"You've just announced our engagement, yet you look like you'd rather be anywhere than with me. You've pushed me away, and Anisa? What happened to Ani? Or Ani-chan? You haven't called me Anisa since our third date, you know I hate it!" She fumed although got the general feeling that Seto wasn't all that interested.

"Hmmmm." Was the only response she received and the rest of the way was one fuelled on silence.

But when they returned home, Anisa stormed to the games room to drink at the bar while Seto found his office very appealing. Finally, alone with his thoughts, he could sort out the questions filling his mind. 'Why was he there? It's his job I guess, but why this assignment? Surely he gets a choice! He's not obligated to do it…I…I…don't know anymore!' Was all he could manage before he realised he really had to sleep to avoid feeling like crap the next morning.

Feeling quite distressed and confused about the evening, Seto made his way to his bedroom before the former memories, which he had tried so hard to block out from Anisa, entered his mind and took over. Mulling on this no more, he upped and left his office to be met with the sight of an unconscious Anisa in the corridor. Rolling his eyes and stepping around her, he caught the distinct smell of alcohol.

"Stupid drunk." He muttered under his breath. Yes, he loved Anisa, but her drinking when the going got tough was unbearable. Seto had long decided to ignore her when she was in that state, hoping a harsh punishment would help her. The reality was that he couldn't be bothered with it and hated it, but covered this with tired excuses that were wearing very thin.

Joey had a similar stance on the drive back to his house which he shared with Cyren and a college student, Duke Devlin.

'I bet he's laughing about me right now.' Joey thought pessimistically, as he turned to look at Cyren. He returned Joey's glance briefly, showing him he was concerned. To him it was very out of character for Joey to act the way he did back at the party, but left it as no questions asked, hoping he would tell him when he was ready.

Pulling up to a reasonable house, much better than Joey had grown up in, Cyren cut the engine and shook Joey gently to see if he was awake.

"Wanna go to a bar?" Joey asked suddenly, the first thing he had uttered since leaving the venue.

"Sure." Cyren answered, not really in the mood for 'winding down', starting the engine once more and pulling away from the pavement.

The journey to the nearest bar was one met with silence , Joey lost in his thoughts and Cyren full of curiosity.

Upon arrival and ordering a couple of Budweiser's, they sat at a nearby table in silence.

"How…" Cyren began as Joey also started speaking. Abandoning his chain of thought he listened intently.

"You know I have no preference over girls or guys right?" Joey asked, pleased with Cyren nodding in response. "I was with him once upon a time. Well, until he said – and I quote: Joey, you're a guy. Then he laughed and walked off. Now he's engaged to a girl. Isn't that funny?"

If Cyren was confused at first, he soon caught on to who Joey was talking about, disgusted that anyone could speak to his friend like that.

"Did you love him?"

"Oh yeah! With all I had, man. But the really sick, vomit-inducing thing? I still do. I'm a sick weirdo, Cy." He stated simply, not caring who heard him, it was his chance to vent all his pent up anger for once. Something he felt strongly compelled to do.

"Joey, man. I dunno what to say. But I will say that if there's even the tiniest ray of hope in a cloud of despair, reach for it…you might get lucky and it'll work out or you'll always wonder what could have been. Life's a game of chance, mate. Play it or don't complain." Cyren answered seriously as he downed the dregs of his beer.

Joey appeared deep in thought after listening to Cyren before his face broke out in a grin.

"Where'd that bullshit come from?" He laughed properly for the first time that night as he also finished his beer and they left for home, forgetting about the looming assignment deadline for one night.

Seto Kaiba awoke the following morning with a headache after the amount of champagne he consumed the previous night. He hit of the alarm before it went off and clambered out of bed, walking groggily to the shower. Allowing the water to heat up, Seto returned to his room to pick out his outfit for the day. It was all one big routine. A routine he needed. Until it was broken by his private line ringing, used only by the house staff if necessary.

"Kaiba." He answered immediately, not welcoming the interruption graciously.

"Mr Kaiba…Miss Sinuichi is unconscious atop the staircase, sir. What shall we do?"

He couldn't believe it, this was a new one on him. Anisa was no angel, but he liked the wild streak. However the drinking was out of control. Nearly every night she would drink herself to sleep peacefully, as Seto had believed she was last night, but never into a comatose state before. What had she drunk? He found himself asking internally.

"Mr Kaiba, sir?" The maid's meek voice interrupted.

"Ah, ask Roland if he so wishes to commit her to the hospital. If he finds the task unnecessary he may leave Miss Sinuichi out on the sidewalk. Thank you, Shizi-chan." Seto finished politely, knowing he had made the young maid's day with a simple honorific. Yes, it was flattering, but Shizi was a genuinely lovely being, even Seto couldn't say otherwise.

As he thought back to Anisa's drinking problem, he realised he was probably going about it all the wrong way. In previous relationships he didn't have these issues to deal with. He knew that if he carried on treating her the way he was, she wouldn't stick around for much longer. There was only so much one person can take, Seto thought, still amazed by how easy it was to manipulate people into anything.

But then he remembered Joey. All the time he had known Joey, he hadn't been able to make him do anything he didn't want to, or wasn't taken with. However, even with the 'control-freak' persona, Seto found Joey refreshing and welcomed his ability not to be influenced.

As he continued to awaken properly and prepare himself for the day ahead, his second line rang loudly and clearly throughout the room. Unlike the first line, this was for external uses. It was extremely private to Seto, hence why only three people ever used it; himself, his publicist and Joey. Mokuba never got the number and Seto really didn't want to give it to Anisa. He instead opted for an intercom and mobile phones between them. So, for the first time since he got together with Anisa, the phone rang.

"Hello?" He answered reluctantly, praying it wasn't Joey, hoping for Inishoka, his publicist.

"Seto! Long time no speak!" A friendly but warming, female voice rang out through the speaker.

"Indeed, Ini-chan. How can I help you today?" He answered in the same manner. Seto had never had a problem with Inishoka, she had always been a loyal employee and did her job well, never slacking off. However she also had a more personal relationship with Seto, having advised him and got him through a lot for many years. Her current qualm was Anisa.

"Well, I see you're still with that…thing." She said bitterly.

"I'd prefer if you…"

"Yes, don't talk about Ani-chan like that…whatever. Well, since you decided to marry the trollop, magazines are sending offers. The best one we have is a…erm…hang on while I find it…ah yes, Rage. It's a cool little magazine actually. Well they want a five-page interview and a shoot, scheduled for next week about how 'Japan's Greatest Bachelor Is Off The Market' or something. How you were a bachelor being shacked up with Mokuba for most of your life is beyond me, but whatever their creative minds can muster, eh?" She finally finished, laughing at her final comment.

Even Seto couldn't resist a small chuckle at the idea. It didn't sound like a bad interview, but he would only be photographed by a pro, not just anyone who could create a disaster.

"Who's the…" He began before being cut off.

"Cyren Jameson, jeez you're so vain Seto! Interviewer is Joey Wheeler in case you're worried about derogatory comments or bad portrayal. I did checks and they both seem clean and professional." She added as a final afterthought.

But as if on reflex, as soon as Joey was mentioned;

"Yes. Fine, book it." He said hastily.

He didn't know why he did that, but Inishoka only took first answers, it was too late to back out now. 'What have I done?' he thought frantically. But before he could dwell any longer, he was cut off.

"So, I'll see you next week then. Make sure you look gorgeous, sexy! I'm sure Anisa can assist!" She sniggered.

"Goodbye Ini-chan!" Seto laughed hanging up before he began to agree with her about his future wife.

But he couldn't banish the thoughts from his mind that were always there. Why was Anisa so willing to tolerate him? She certainly indulged in her lifestyle, but even Joey couldn't handle his cruelty and had 'taken a break' from him many times. Was Anisa only in it for his money, despite the fact that her brother owned Japan's second largest corporation, Sinchi? Seto had at first found potential investment in the pretty, young girl he was never attracted to. Her brother would be a good name on his list of clients and 'friends'. So he gave the idea consideration, a few days before he was due to go public with Joey, he realised a female would do better in his place, instead courting a younger, sober Anisa. However, despite the initial heartbreak at his split with Joey, he found himself in love with his little investment, something not to happen. But despite the bliss at first and the imminent proposal, Anisa had begun drinking, Seto began insulting and avoiding and they were crumbling, not that he would admit to it, no, he wouldn't admit to his error because he did love Anisa, but her lifestyle was draining on everyone involved.

However, this never bothered him until now, when he noticed it draining Joey in the same manner. The boy he loved so and was willing to destroy everything for once upon a time. No, his burdens wouldn't be bestowed on him, he wouldn't allow it, Seto thought as he prepared to go to the hospital to see how Anisa was, almost in a chore-like mode.

Joey awoke early to the sound of his alarm, the empty bottle next to his head on the bedside table reminding him of his wake-up call. Switching the shower on and quickly washing his hair, he pulled on his jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt, buttons partially undone. Mixing with a trendy pair of Converse shoes, he fixed his hair, grabbed his essentials and headed to the car. It was a short drive to Domino Hospital where he was due to collect his next prescription for Prozac, a drug he had been on since his near suicide attempt.

Clinically depressed, Joey had been in a mess. The one person he gave everything to had just discarded him as though he meant nothing and through word of mouth had discovered that he had a girlfriend. He had a girlfriend after being openly gay, well not to the public and press, but to close friends and family. Not only had he got himself a girlfriend, but Mokuba had left him and come to Joey for help. After realising there was nothing he could do for Mokuba he was in the frame of mind that there was nothing he could do for anyone. He couldn't console Yugi after he locked Yami away in the past. He couldn't save Tristan from going back to a gang and so he tried to kill himself, with an overdose. It wasn't anything much, just a few too many paracetamols that winded him up having his stomach pumped and being in hospital unconscious for two weeks under careful psychiatric watch. Mokuba had come to visit him through guilt, apparently trying to convince Seto to, but it never happened.

That was when Joey decided that he wasn't worth being depressed over, he could get through it and he could go back to normal if harbouring a few more bitter feelings towards his ex. But he couldn't do it alone, hence where the drugs came in. The doctors had put him on small doses of Prozac. He had been taking it religiously everyday, but today was the day when, like so many months previous, he had to collect yet another round.

Upon arrival at the hospital he went straight up to the medication area and waited for his appointment. His appointment was scheduled for half past ten, so he was not happy when at ten forty-five, no one had called him in yet. Walking up to the receptionist with his head hung slightly, he paused in his movements just before as he saw a very familiar swish of a coat.

'It can't be! Please, no!' Joey thought frantically, not daring to look up to see the person who had joined him at the counter ready to collect a prescription.

But soon enough he was forced to when the receptionist addressed him.

"Mr Wheeler? How can I help you?" She asked chirpily.

From next to him he heard someone take a deep breath and was sure he heard a small whisper of 'Joey', but he couldn't be sure.

"Erm…yeah…I…err…I need to collect my prescription…please." He gulped through nerves, wishing to be anywhere than where he was. He couldn't remain like this, he had to know. So hatching a carefully formed plan in his head, he decided to turn slightly to lean his back against the counter giving him a full view of the waiting room and everyone in it, barring the receptionist while she hunted for his file.

And he did.

And he panicked. Because right next to him, confirming his fears, was the man that drove him to the edge. Seto Kaiba. Almost as if on reflex he looked up at him in fear, and sadness to find that Seto was looking down at him, a prescription sheet in his hand.

At the sudden eye contact Joey whipped right around and leaned side-on to the counter with his back to the tall, man next to him. He would not go through this again!

"Ahh, Joey? I'm sorry…your file says that your last batch was to be your last. Do you want to schedule an appointment with the doctor?" The receptionist asked nervously.

"What do you mean? I need them!" He hissed, leaning closer to the woman so that Seto was unable to hear the conversation. However the receptionist never caught the hint of wanted privacy.

"I'm sorry Joey, but there is only so much Prozac one person can be prescribed for one condition. People get addicted to the stuff, if you want to see the doctor you can, discuss whether you should carry on treatment. But you must be getting somewhere with your problems now, yeah?" She tried to ask nicely as Joey winced in frustration, sensing Seto frowning in confusion at him, he couldn't see it, but with the connection they shared, he just knew.

"Aww man…what am I going to do? I haven't worked through them. Not one bit. I think I'm getting worse. I have this big article to write and then a big interview to do and I can't handle it without the medication…" Joey checked her name badge. "Laura." He finished quietly, again trying to hint that a lower volume was preferred.

"That's great though, Joey! Maybe this will enable you to face the problem head-on and finally confront the issues!" She smiled back at him, seemingly happy at her idea, but with the scowl in response she stopped. "Well…I'm no psychiatrist, but it's a thought."

"Laura…sweetie…I am facing my problem head-on right this minute." He said, loudly this time so that Seto would get the right idea. He was dismayed that he hadn't tried to strike up a conversation yet, or even say a quick hi, but he figured it was for the best. However the look on Laura's face pulled him away from his dismay immediately. "Oh, no. Not you Laura. You're not my problem. You see the big fella next to me? So you see, I really, really need to get more medication or I'm not going to be doing so hot at my next appointment. Can't you just give me a trial amount, like they give to see if you respond? Anything?" He asked as he became desperate but also quite embarrassed about his situation.

"Excuse me. While this…man…here is deciding his options can I please pick up the prescription for Anisa Sinuichi." Seto interrupted, only to be met with a glare from Joey as he looked up at him in disbelief. First he didn't even acknowledge him and then he practically went back to the way things were in High School after all they had been through. He had spent many days wishing and hoping that Seto hadn't just given up on him, that he would come back claiming to have never stopped loving him, but he was convinced that it really was all just dreams and wishes now. There was no way that the man stood in front of him, caring for his fiancée in such a manner was still in love with him.

"Mr Kaiba…congratulations!" Laura grinned, in awe at the man stood before her while she passed over the required medication to get his partner back to full health.

"Hmm…wish I could be so happy about it." He muttered, glancing sideways briefly at Joey as he turned swiftly and left the waiting room, making his way down the corridor to the elevator.

Joey watched him leave in utter confusion but also felt a need to run after him, ask him what was going on, tell him everything and pray that everything he needed to vent was requited. So he ran…he ran out of the waiting room, down the corridor and as he neared Seto he stopped. He was a good few metres away. Just a few more steps. But as he caught his breath he looked up at Seto who was watching him, watching him like a hawk. It was as if he was waiting for something in deep anticipation, something Joey couldn't put his finger on. But in the moment they were staring, the elevator doors opened slowly and Seto was gone as quick as he was there. Forgetting all about his medication, Joey was about to follow but knew he shouldn't. He knew he would only end up the worse for it, so he climbed down the stairs and made his way to the car to go back home.

-To Be Continued -