(A/N) Hello everyone This one is based off a scene in the dub in episode 44(please, don't kill me! I did watch the original version as well, but I found for this particular circumstance the dub was better and easier to write about). The scene will be replayed briefly so you guys will see what I'm talking about :P

By the way, Carly and Jack are my two favorite characters in all of Yu-Gi-Oh (and of course, I love Kaiba) so if I'm portraying them as cooler and epic-er than they are, my apologies!

The sun was disturbingly bright to Jack Atlas. He was lounging on the roof not to become more frustrated and annoyed, but to become more relaxed. He always had a habit of seeking out higher places when he was feeling down.

What brought on this particular bout of despair? Not the former self-pity, but surprisingly enough, concern for another human being. Scowling lightly, he pulled the frames out of his pocket. The left lens was cracked in some places with small fragments of glass missing. But still, they reminded him of her, and the young blonde man winced, hoping she was in better shape than her familiar glasses.

Carly… The name echoed in his head and he could sense his brow crinkle like it always did when feeling pensive. I'm gonna find you. It was a silent vow, one that he meant with all his heart and soul. He wouldn't rest if he didn't know that she was alright. And if it turned out she wasn't -

"Jack?" The man fought to keep a glare off his face as he heard Mikage's heels click up the steps. The blue-haired woman let out a sigh of relief as she continued, "What are you doing all the way up here?"

Although it was evident that she was merely concerned about who she thought was the love of her life, she was more than a tad annoying. So naturally, Jack snapped at her, "Is it too much to ask for some alone time?"

The woman's gaze fell upon the object lying in Jack's hand. She tried her best not to be overwhelmed with jealousy as she realized what they were. Carly's glasses… She'd known Jack far longer than that reporter and he never expressed the slightest amount of affection for the golden eyed female.

But Mikage couldn't even insult her. Carly didn't do anything wrong. Something about the way she tripped and stumbled was endearing, even to the woman who could be considered her competition.

Jack stared at the woman, wishing he could wipe the disdain and hurt off her face. Not thinking, Jack angrily shot at her, "What's the matter? Can't I have someone to duel for?"

She then proceeded to tell Jack that something very important was happening, and he tried to shake his annoyance and focus on the matter at hand.


As Jack sped along, he couldn't help but recall his earlier words exchanged with Mikage. He realized that's what Carly was to him, someone to duel for.

Was he dueling for her simply to find her, dead or alive? Or was he dueling for her because she was… something to him? He tried not to think about it, but the same questions kept reforming in his brain, pestering him like an irritated mosquito bite; just when you think it's gone away, it starts itching again.

He couldn't help but recall the day when they went to the amusement park. Truth being told, he thought they were highly overrated. Then he overheard Carly talking with another reporter and he smirked. She thought it was her fault that he was upset, as if the Jack Atlas could be offended by some silly girl. His sardonic smile broadened. She was rather stupid, but in a Carly sort of way.

To the normal person, Carly wouldn't be considered pretty. Most people would think she was odd just by looking at those… things that covered her eyes. But Jack found that after awhile, the glasses grew on him, and he realized that they really characterized who she was as a person. If Carly didn't wear her glasses, she'd be quite beautiful but not herself, attractive yes, but she wouldn't be the girl Jack respected.

Jack thought about the way girls had a tendency to chase after him. Girls he didn't even know had proposed to him before. He remembered when he went out in public with Carly the way she stiffened slightly whenever a girl would giggle at him when he walked by. She'd frown and mutter something with flushed cheeks.

Would he be jealous if some guy ever hit on Carly? Jack chuckled. That wouldn't happen; she wasn't the type that'd attract that much attention from men. But if she did get hit on… Jack's jaw twitched.

Somehow he managed to convince himself he'd only be mad if the guy was a real jerk. And if the guy was too happy with his hands… Jack felt anger surge through him as he gripped the wheel tightly, trying to calm down. He couldn't help but acknowledge how pathetic it was that he let himself get worked up over something that never even happened.

She was so… kind. Why did she have to be so innocent? Why did it have to be her that was taken away?

Or was she taken away?

Was Carly dead?

The question haunted him and he tried not to let it bother him too much. After all, he didn't need anyone. People would only tie you down and being with other people didn't do anything for you.

At least, that used to be Jack's life philosophy. No one can help you, so live for yourself. But now he had someone that he was fighting for. Jack found himself pushing to the very limits of his abilities to save Carly.

Why was she so important to him? She had faith in him at his lowest point. He was all banged up, lying in the hospital, and she cheered him on and helped him duel. Not that he needed help; it was just kinda nice that someone would give him a hand when he was in a rut.

Even when he treated her poorly, she encouraged him and told him he could change and make a difference in this world. She believed in him in every sense of the word.

But Jack would still be Jack. He's still make fun of her once he found her, and he'd always be prideful and he'd always want to put himself first. However, despite what he might want, he knew that he'd do everything in his power as a Signer to protect Carly because she deserved to be safe.

Carly, I swear on my life that I will find you. I won't rest until I do. With newfound determination, Jack grimly stared ahead, bracing himself for the worst.

(A/N) I'd love it if I could get some reviews ;)