The rest of the afternoon consisted of doctor after doctor trooping in to poke, prod and question, all with smiles and encouragement. It left Yugi with the strong impression most of them didn't even work there. Just what I need, another reputation for weird things happening when I'm around. At least this will die down when I go home, I hope. When yet another knock on the door sounded, he didn't even bother to look up. "Come in."

"Yuge?" The voice- hesitant, the wrong accent, but so familiar- immediately got Yugi's attention. "Hey!" he said happily, struggling to sit up straighter. The next moment he was sitting up, mostly because a pair of arms were crushing him to a slender chest. "Oof! Ack!"

"Oh man-"

"Jo- Joey, you're squishing me!"

"Huh? Oh yeah. *heh* Sorry 'bout dat." Immediately the grip loosened and Yugi was finally able to look up into his best friend's face. Same fall of dirty blond hair, same hazel eyes, tears glittering, and Yugi gave up and hugged Joey again, starting to cry himself.

"Hey, shrimp, how's it hangin'?" Low in his ear, trying to be casual, and Yugi instantly thumped Joey in the ribs before letting go and swiping at his face. "S'okay," he replied. "Sorry- the cleaning stuff they use in these rooms... gets in your eyes, huh?"

"Yeah, I must be allergic or somethin'." Joey beamed. "But look who I found outside! Dey din't look busy or nothin', so I dragged 'em along. Da whole gang's here. Tristan, Tèa, Bakura, some guy with a dice hangin' from one ear-OW! Quit it." He rubbed the back of his head.

"That's 'Duke', you dog," Devlin groused, retrieving the die he'd hit Joey with.

"Whatever. Aaand- surprise! Dis gorgeous lady here!" Joey stood up to reveal-

Shizuka! No, no, it's Serenity. Hey, but, why is she in a wheelchair? Her eyes aren't bandaged... has she not had the operation yet?

"Hello, Yugi."

"Hi there. What are you doing out of the hospital?"

"Practicing my magic trick."

"Huh?"

With a smile the young girl slowly stood up, leaning on the arms of her brother, and took a few steps. "Look!"

"Ain't she great? Big round of applause, folks, for Serenity Wheeler, next Olympic marathoner!"

"Oh Joey, I am not." Serenity sat back down. "But, see, my legs are already getting stronger. I've been working hard every day getting ready. I wanted to show off for the guy who helped my big brother win the money for my operation."

"The doctors say Serenity will be up and walking full-time in just a few months," Tristan added, "probably with crutches, but she might be able to ditch those by the end of the year."

"That's terrific!" Yugi beamed at the group.

"When ya get outta here, gotta warn ya, Mom and Dad are plannin' the biggest backyard barbeque this side of 'Grillmasters'." Joey grinned and gave Yugi a thumbs-up. "An' yanno my Dad does some pretty impressive steaks, so ya better bring a big appetite.".

"Um... yeah. That might not be for a while." Parents still together. Roll with it. "They haven't even started talking about discharging me. I'm pretty sure they want to run every test in the world plus some they made up before that happens. I'm starting to think my name is 'Lab Rat', not Yugi."

"Just say the word, bro, and we'll stage a daring daylight intervention," Tristan joked.

"Don't tempt me! Out of here would be great. Everyone's been nice to me, but I want to go home and sleep in my own bed so bad. Don't believe what you see on TV- this place is never that quiet. Besides, I know Grandpa's been worrying himself sick, and you guys too." Yugi lowered his head. "I'm so sorry. I never meant any of you to be hurt like this."

"Honestly, we're just fair chuffed to see you awake." Bakura moved forward to take Yugi's hand. The moment he did, Yugi felt an odd coolness run through him. Bakura's grip tightened, and something in his eyes changed; wary, intrigued, a trifle amused. "Yes, very pleased," he continued, and this time Yugi heard the faintest edge in his voice, an edge Ryou Bakura had never possessed.

But the Spirit of the Ring was another matter.

Does HE know? I felt something; I think he did too.

As if in answer, Bakura leaned in, resting his forehead to Yugi's in an affectionate gesture that put him close enough to hide a whisper. "We need to talk. Don't be afraid. I swear I mean no harm."

Oh THAT'S a switch. Or is he trying to play me? No way of knowing. Guess I'll have to wait till we've had that talk.

"Hey, guys, no fair hogging." Tèa playfully shoved Bakura and Joey aside, taking a seat on the edge of the bed and hugging Yugi herself. "So what have they told you? The doctors, I mean."

"Not a lot. I really meant the whole lab rat comment earlier; if I have to tell somebody in a lab coat my name, age, birthday, favorite color and what I had for breakfast this morning one more time, I think I'll scream. But they seem to think I'm making a better recovery than they expected; way better. I'll probably still have to take it easy for a while when I do go home."

"Don't bet on it. Physical therapy is now your bestie." Serenity nodded wisely. "I'm an expert. They'll probably put you into an exercise program for a couple of months, and you are so going to hate your therapist."

"Don't worry about a thing." Tèa smoothed Yugi's bangs out of his face. "Remember, we're all right here, and anything you or your Grandpa needs, you just ask."

"Thanks, guys..." Yugi shook his head. "I don't know how to say how much I appreciate you all."

"Hey, no prob, man." Tristan held up one hand. "The ink may fade..."

"But our friendship never will."

"You got it!"

Later that evening Solomon brought Yugi several things; some books, two of his favorite hand-held games, a handful of get-well cards from his other classmates... and a carefully wrapped bundle, passed over with a wink and a nod.

It was hard to wait until things grew quiet (or as quiet as they ever did on this floor) but Yugi bided his time. Partly due to caution- the last thing he wanted any of the staff to see was him talking (apparently) to himself, and partly...

If the Spirit of the Ring noticed something's different about me, the Pharaoh will too. I'm not so sure how that'll go over. Let's hope he's not in the mood for a Game of Darkness.

Taking a deep breath, Yugi unwrapped the bundle. He let his fingers wander over the familiar golden shape. At first it was cold, heavy, unyielding, like any other piece of metal, and his heart sank. It didn't ever feel like this before. Please don't tell me I'm going to have to break it apart and reassemble it.

C'mon, Puzzle, don't you know me? Am... Am I not the one you want? Am I not worthy any more? That's going to be a huge problem if I'm supposed to-

The faintest wink of light shimmered into being, ran over the surface of the Puzzle like water, centering on the Eye symbol. In an instant it grew warmer, lighter in his grasp, and the softest vibration brushed his palms.

Like it's powering up, or... purring? Weird.

Somewhere deep inside him, a door long closed opened.

Yes!

Lying back, Yugi rested the Puzzle on his chest and closed his eyes, letting himself fall into that place that wasn't a place within him. Cool darkness met his bare feet as he stood between two rooms, two doorways, one showing a reflection of his room at the Game Shop. He stepped in, looking around, feeling reassured as he did. Everything in its place, old and new alike; his toys, his games, his models, his posters, bright and welcoming.

But there was no sense of anyone else there. He might've been the only being here, the first to ever be here. That worried him. Squaring his shoulders, the walked back out and stood looking at the other door, this one set in a grim grey stone wall, the Wdjat Eye symbol bold in its center seeming to glare at him.

The Pharaoh's room.

What do I call him? Does he even know he's a Pharaoh right now? Yugi racked his brain. It was after the hospital when we visited the museum and saw the Tablet of Memories... better just call him 'other me' for now. Or 'Spirit'. That should be safe enough.

"Um, hello?" Yugi pushed lightly at the banded door. It didn't budge. "Other me, are you there?"

Silence. A shiver ran through Yugi and he stepped back. Silence, yes, but all at once the air around him held a sense of tension. It felt like a tomb now, the walls closing about him, crushing out the light.

No, you don't scare me. I refuse to be afraid.

"Spirit-"

"Who are you." Not a question, a demand. Directly behind him, angry and not bothering to hide it. Turning, Yugi kept his hands at his side, trying not to look threatening, to face the speaker.

So well-known; so alien. That expression of barely repressed rage, of indignation and contempt, had never been leveled at him. Yugi understood why Mai had teased once about 'killer's eyes'. The young man staring at him could and would strike him down just for being there, if it suited him. His eyes were crimson (red eyes? Since when?) and deadly, every inch the King he didn't even know he was.

Those eyes widened for a second in surprise when the other got a good look at him, then narrowed as the anger returned tenfold. "Answer! What madness is this? You dare come here in that facade?"

"Wait, please, let me explain-"

"A delusion explain itself? What a novel idea. Or if not a delusion, an intruder with poor judgement, if you believe that shape will offer you protection from me." Gold light flared on the Spirit's forehead. "Begone, whatever you are."

"I'm not a 'whatever'," Yugi answered carefully. "I'm Yugi."

"Impossible. Partner is..." the Spirit stopped. "Yugi is dead," he continued in a low tone. "I felt his soul, his light, wink out. So you, whomever you are, are a liar."

"I'm not lying, and I can prove it. Come out of the Puzzle into the real world and see for yourself."

"I'm under no obligation to do anything you ask. You are not welcome here. Go now, or I will destroy you."

"In a Game of Darkness? Fine. I agree."

The dumbfounded look that came onto the Spirit's features would've been funny any other time. Now it only meant he was off-guard, and Yugi braced for retaliation. Instead, the other folded his arms and gave Yugi a long, thoughtful stare, measuring him. At last he nodded. "As you wish. We'll make it simple. A riddle game. If I win, your soul will be devoured by your greatest fears. If you win, which I doubt-"

"If I win," Yugi interjected, "you'l do as I ask: come out of the Puzzle and see what's going on in the mortal world. Agreed?"

"Agreed. I'll go first." The Spirit smiled, thin and mocking. "Be warned, I will give you only three minutes to answer. Here is my question: I am free for the taking through all your life, though given but once at birth. I am less than nothing in weight, but will fell the strongest if held. What am I?"

"That's it? No hint?!"

"You're lucky I consented to this at all. You're also wasting time."

"Okay, okay." Think, Yugi. Something you take freely all your life, but it's given to you only once, when you're born. A name? No... a name doesn't have weight, but nothing happens if you hold it.

"Two minutes."

"Thanks for the countdown. No pressure, huh?" Gotta concentrate. He's trying to rattle me... and it's working. Argh, I hate riddles!

"One minute, thirty seconds."

"Come on! How can you tell time here? You don't even have an hourglass or a clock!" Come ON, ignore him, go over it again. Freely taken in life, given at birth, no weight, beats the strongest when held...

"Thirty seconds to live, imposter. Any last words? A plea for mercy, perhaps?"

I'm not gonna waste my breath arguing- WAIT!

"Breath! The answer is breath! You take your first breath when you're born, you breathe all your life, a breath is just air so it doesn't weigh anything, but if you hold it too long you pass out!"

"Hmph. All right, you have some wit about you. Of course, if you're only a figment of my imagination, you would naturally know the answer, since I know it."

"You are really hard to debate with, aren't you. Is it my turn?"

"Yes. Ask, if you dare."

"Okay. Here goes. Lighter than what I'm made of, more of me's hidden than seen. I'm the bane of mariners, a dagger within the sea. Who am I?"

The Spirit's brow creased. "Lighter, hidden... mariner's bane..."

"Not to interrupt, but how am I supposed to know when your three minutes are up?"

The other young man smirked. "Did I mention anything about how long I have to guess?"

"Wha-" Yugi scowled. "You're not playing fair!"

"And why should that matter to you, indignant little phantom? This is my game you're playing, and my rules."

For a moment Yugi wanted to slap him. Frustration and anger banished any hesitation. "Then this game is over. If you're not brave enough to face me in an even contest, then you're not worth my time. Stay in here and rot for all I care. Maybe in a few hundred years you'll remember your sense of pride and honor." He spun on his heels.

"You're going nowhere." A hand fell on Yugi's shoulder, fingers digging in hard enough to bruise. "No one accuses me of such things. No one."

"Really?" Yugi shot a glare back at the Spirit. "Ice."

"What?"

"The answer is ice. And you didn't know it. So how could I be just a figment of your imagination? By your own logic, what you know, I know, and vice versa. That means I'm a real person. And as for not leaving, you can't keep me here if I don't want to be kept." Closing his eyes, Yugi concentrated, reopened them to his hospital room's ceiling. He sat up and let the Puzzle slide off into the sheets. "It's my Puzzle too, you know," he whispered, "and it's my body."

A flicker of motion at the edge of his vision. Startled, Yugi looked up to find the Spirit's translucent form at the bedside. Not looking at him; looking all around the room, taking in everything, incredulous, then slowly, slowly accepting. "You're... real."

"Yes. I am."

"Who are you?" Puzzlement this time.

"My name is Yugi. Yugi Mutou. I'm eighteen years old and I come from Domino City, Tokyo Prefecture, on the island of Honshu in Japan."

"Mutou..."

"Yeah. Not Moto. But I guess I have to get used to that. I'm kind of here to stay."

"Stay? Unacceptable."

"Ah, you don't have anything to say about it, sorry. Neither do I, any more. It was a one time decision- no reset, no call backs, no do overs."

The Spirit snarled. "You are an interloper in the body of my partner! I won't allow it!"

"Listen, I'm sorry, like I said, but being mad at me is not going to change this. Unless you want me to jump off a building or something, I can't leave. This is my life now. I was given a choice, I chose this."

"A choice? Who gave you that choice?"

"Shadi."

"The man who holds the Millennium Key?"

"That's him."

"So I am to welcome you with open arms, forgetting all about my Yugi? Is that the intention?"

"I didn't say that!"

"You didn't have to. It seems Shadi has decided for himself what is best for me, and he will find that was an unfortunate decision." The Spirit turned his back. "You are not my partner, and I want nothing to do with you. Stay out of our Soul Rooms." He faded from view, leaving Yugi alone.