A/N: Wow. A Joeycentric piece that's not aimed at humor, that's a new one for me. Please let me know how it turned out.

Scared

The suspense is killing me.

I used to think that was just an expression people said. But now I'm not so sure. My knees shake as I try to sit here in this chair. Sweat pours off my palms. I clench my teeth. I've never been so afraid in my life.

What if I can't do this?

I used to think I knew what scared was. I thought I was scared that day when I went into that duel with Mai. First real duel of my life and there was so much riding on it. I thought I was scared that moment when I realized I was in over my head and it finally sunk in that I could lose this thing and my sister would never see again.

Turns out, that was nothing.

I thought I was scared when I faced down Marik back in Battle City. There were shadows all around, messing with my head and sucking my will again. Just one slip and he'd win, and I'd not only lose my soul, but Mai'd be lost in the darkness forever. Yeah, I thought I was terrified.

So, it was a little dark.

I really thought I was scared when I had to duel Mai. Her eyes were so strange and fierce, glowing red. The green light of the Orichalcos flashed around us, waiting to take a soul, mine or hers. And I remember thinking for the very first time, either way I'd have to face life without the woman I loved. I couldn't imagine any greater fear.

Now I can.

I thought I was scared, the day I finally screwed up the courage to put that thought into words. My mouth was so dry; I was sweating buckets. I was so worried she'd laugh at me, or worse, just stare at me. But finally, I bit the bullet. "Mai, I love you." Even her smile couldn't stop my shaking.

But even that seems easy now.

I thought for sure the scariest day of my life was when those wedding bells rang, and I stood up in front of all those people, pledging my life and love to one woman forever. I knew I loved her, but could we really last a lifetime together? We took the plunge. It felt like jumping off a cliff.

Piece of cake.

I can't take it anymore. I get from my chair and pace across the room. Back and forth, back and forth. If anyone so much as touches me, I think I'll die of a heart attack. This is it. This is the big time. I can't screw this up; I just can't. It's about so much more than just me and Mai, now.

But I have no clue what I'm doing.

Just when I think I'm going to completely lose it, the door swings open. I jump three feet into the air. "You can go in," they tell me. Once I land, I do so.

Mai's waiting for me. She looks tired, but more beautiful than I've ever seen her before. Her eyes are glowing. "Joseph Wheeler, there's somebody here I'd like you to meet." She smiles and lifts up a tiny bundle of big eyes and blotchy skin. "Your daddy."

"Mai…" My voice breaks and all I can do is smile as I stare into those enormous dark eyes. They're so innocent and trusting, and here I am, so inexperienced and hapless. How am I ever going to do right by him and raise him like I should?

Mai squeezes my hand and beams up at me. Well, we've got love, that's a start. And we've got each other. As for the rest…well, I guess I'll do what I always do. Trust my gut, have faith; improvise. And a little luck never hurt anyone.