Killer Fandom

A/N: Thank you to Guest, dragonlady222, manga-animelove, Arlownay1991, CrimsonStrawberry17 and 7midknight7 for reviewing, you are all beautiful and fastastic and I really hope I can continue to live up to your expectations. :D

Random thing I noticed…and felt was pitiful….I looked at my story stats to see how many words were in the last couple of chapters, just to see if the last one was the longest I have ever written. The first thing I noticed, was that five chapters of this story, is about 10,000 words shorter than the entire story of Half a Soul oye, lol. I guess I got expansive on my chapters over the years, hopefully it's a good thing, lol. And, yes, by nearly 2,000 words, the last chapter is my longest chapter to date, . that would explain why my heads been spinning so badly…anyway….WOOT! Now, onward!

Chapter Six

1:34am – Rockyview Hospital, Calgary - July 2

Barrelling up a set of stairs, barely watching or caring if there were obstacles in the way, the group made for the control room, Soren headlong in the rear and Craig and Seto barely keeping up. Waving his apologies at the nurses and doctors he narrowly missed as he went flying down the hall Soren careen into a door, shoulder shoving it open. Catching up rapidly Craig and Seto both noted the sign on the door, CCTV Control Room. Immediately the whir of computers filled their ears, along with the rapid banter between two security guards, the sounds of the loudly playing video diminished within the confined room. It was a basic square windowless room, cramped and badly lacking personality. The LED lights from flashlights brightened the room, making the group squint as they stared around. Along the wall in front and to the left of them was a built in desk, several computer chairs stationed around it. The wall directly in front of them was filled with computer monitors, they all showed static filled screens, clearly having been the security camera views. On the desk to their left was four separate computers, all displaying the video feed. It had finally reached an end point, Seto and Craig could see Paramedics along with Police officers running into the central area amongst the crates. Alphonse could be seen being sat on by Grey with several officers pointing guns at him, while everyone else was either surrounding Yami or draping a tarp over the dead body in the far side of the screen.

The two security guards glanced up from their heated argument, both squabbling in the chairs in front of the computers to the left. Their faces heated up in shame, bright red colour filling their cheeks. Seto shook his head at them and waved them away as if they were obnoxious flies, "Shouldn't you two be out monitoring the hospital like everyone else."

"We were trying to shut down the system," one of the two said, a young man with a shot of thick blonde hair, he had a permanent deer in the headlights expression. "But it won't work, we cannot get the screens to turn back. We were about to just pull the plug."

"Useless," Soren grumbled, stepping up to the desk he glanced back at Seto. "So what are we looking for again?"

Sitting in one of the chairs Seto began furiously typing, hacking into the system, "A wireless jump stick, it will look a lot like a USB port flashdrive. It will be plugged into the main tower, I saw it there on the far side of the desk on the floor."

Kneeling down Soren checked behind the tower, seeing said device in the light of the penlight in his hands he called out, "Found it. Do you want me to remove it?"

"Negative, give me a minute," Seto said, voice and eyes distracted. Craig stood beside him, arms crossed and eyes glaringly giving the two security officers the stern warning to leave the room. Seto barely even registered the door clicking closed. He had minimized the video feed, pulling up the main screen of the computer, "I am going to try and trace this, it's a shitty shot but it's worth it. They used that wireless stick to directly hook into the hospitals wireless internet, allowing them to upload this video. It looks like a website link, set for a repetitious cycle."

"You honestly think you can pull this off?" Craig questioned, expression incredulous.

"Not likely. If they have done what I am guessing, they loaded this up from a public website and from a public wireless connection. It will be damn near impossible to pinpoint anything. But, if I get lucky, I may be able to get the mac number."

Confused Soren sat down cross-legged on the floor, "Mac number?"

"Basically," Seto expounded, still typing rapidly, multiple windows were open on the screen before him, and his eyes were moving fluidly between them all. "It's the specific identifier for the computer used. All devices have their own specific mac number, if I can get that, we may be able to have a way of proving if a specific computer was used if any are confiscated during the investigation."

Craig blinked, impressed, "Sounds logical. Do you think you can also reboot the power to the building, along with the security cameras?" Seeing Seto nod he bobbed his own head. "Good, maybe we will see these little pricks before they do anything."

"Dammit," Seto cursed, sitting back with a loud creak from the chair, one hand scratching the back of his neck in frustration. "They created a fake youtube account, fake address…chief , little bastard is good. They have the video feed uploaded to a blank website set on repeat, so this video would normally restart in a few seconds, but they tracked my movements, the site will be shut down momentarily." Grabbing a piece of paper nearby he rapidly wrote something down. "I have the mac numbers, hopefully. Alright, Soren pull the device out, I need to get the power and security cameras back up and running."

Soren grunted in response, yanking out the device with little gentleness. Immediately the video ceased to play on the screen, and the sound of it out in the hallway stopped as well, the hospital growing eerily quiet. With a few hurried clicks of the keyboard Seto pulled the power back online, the lights in the building flickering once they remaining completely on, cries of joy could be heard out in the hallway. Then, the security cameras immediately turned back on, the screens lighting up beside them. "There, done," the CEO said with finality, swivelling over, barely avoiding Soren's sitting figure on the ground, he stared up at the screens. "Let's see if we can find the little bastards on any of the cameras."

He did not even get a chance to look, Craig pointed at one of the screens, "There, they are in the emergency ward."

"What?!" came the panicked synchronized yell from Soren and Seto.

Craig glared at them, "Really, they are stupid, look."

The screen was displaying both shooters, their guns pointing at hand level at Yami, the EMT was slowly beginning to lower himself to the floor, knees shoulder width apart and steady, body language sturdy and surprisingly calm. Yugi and Jacob were both behind the counter of the desk, seemingly unharmed but tied up, their hands bound in front of them with plastic ties. Soren snarled at Craig, "How are they stupid!"

"Look at Yami's stance," Craig grunted, looking at Soren incredulously, understanding dawning on the young man's face. "He's calm, they are going to get the surprise of their lives."

"Well, I propose not waiting around and watching," Seto scrambled upright, running back out the door, the two EMT's following.

"Why the hell is he so calm?" Yugi quietly whispered, watching his great nephew lift his arms in the air while the other gunman left the desk, his muscles in his entire body were relaxed and steady, all the shaking from earlier gone along with tenseness from fear. Yami's eyes were dark with determination, staring back at him and Jacob.

Jacob smiled, "Enjoy the show."

Hands snapped up and gripped the barrel of the guns tightly, small hands wrapping around the silencer portion. Two pairs of eyes widened in shock before the guns were yanked out of their grips, Yami summersaulting forward, both weapons in his hands. While the two men's jaws were still being hinged back in, Yami sprang to his feet with the speed of a cheetah and snapped both of the magazines out of the guns, then with practiced ease popped the bullets out from the chambers. Shoving the magazines in his pockets, Yami quickly gathered up the bullets he popped out and threw them in the nearby garbage can. Seeing his attackers recovering he chucked the two guns over at Jacob and Yugi's unprepared forms. They clattered loudly behind the desk, Yugi and Jacob staring down at them after jumping back to avoid them colliding with their shins, Yugi in shock and Jacob grinning proudly faces illuminated as the lights on the floor flickered on. Exhaling softly Yami felt his heart rate calm, garnet eyes monitoring the two men, they yelled in frustration then gathered their wits and charged him. He grinned, "Idiots."

One lifted a fist to punch him, snarl evident through the hole in his balaclava where his mouth was. The other was reaching out to grab him, neither thinking clearly nor letting their tactical training register in their bloodlust rage of embarrassment. All they could think of, was making the cocky little spiky haired punk pay. If they could have reacted, their jaws would have dropped again.

With minimal and quick motions, Yami discombobulated them. His one hand darted out and knocked away the hand of the man reaching for him with dismissive ease, knee raising and connecting with the man's hip, twisting him sideways and fell in a tangle of limbs to the floor, rolling until he hit the desk with a loud thud head and back connecting with it hard. Yami moved faster than the other assailant could blink, gripping his clenched fist and propelling him forward with his own velocity, a loud pain gasp was forced out as another hard knee rammed into his gut, knocking the air out of his lungs and forcing him to drop to the floor gripping his abdomen. His head met the floor rapidly, Yami cracking his forearm against the back of his neck connecting at the spot where spinal column met skull. Vision going black he toppled to the floor in an undignified heap, face smearing across the floor and through a rapidly growing pool of blood, nose now broken from the fall and bleeding profusely staining the white linoleum.

Dusting his hands off with careless ease Yami cocked his head to the side, seemingly bored while the other assailant unsteadily raised himself to his feet, using the desk to support himself. "You really want to try this again?" That caused the desired effect; the man yelled in anger and ran at him totteringly, a bellow escaping his lips. He learned from the first time, stopping before he got directly in Yami's range, fists rising and at the ready in a boxers stance. Yami shook his head at him, using his hand in the traditional come at me signal, knees bent and ready, other arm at his side and relaxed.

"I'm gunna make you bleed," the man growled out, the sound deepening when Yami rolled his eyes at him. "Fuck you," he raged, not tolerating being mocked, winding up he snapped his fist out in a powerful punch, expecting to meet the young EMT's face and hear bone breaking. It was his own bones that broke. Yami dodged under his fist, leg coming up and dealing out two hard kicks, one to his chest the next high up and into his face. Reeling backwards he felt a leg wrap around his chest, the EMT had moved around him to his other side, yanking him down to the floor. Head connected with the hard linoleum, then the young man's leg hit him hard in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Yami flipped back up to his feet, propelling himself off his back, back to his adversary. Growling the man jumped up, head spinning from the motion, intent on taking advantage of the turned back. He found stars spinning in his vision. Yami heard him rise, right leg snapped up in another high kick, steel toe boot connecting with his jaw. Bone crack, his jaw caving under the force of the blow, he crashed to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the cold linoleum.

Straightening out his uniform Yami knelt down and began ruffling through the pockets of his attackers, not noticing Yugi as he did so. Yugi was staring on in shock, jaw dropped and mind reeling. Jacob laughed at him, moving around him and out from behind the counter. "Did I ever mention to you that Yami is an exceptional mix martial arts fighter?" He laughed, winking at the nurse when Yugi's expression turned sour.

"Jerk," Yugi grumbled, stepping out from behind the desk.

"Get back behind the desk," Yami snapped out, voice still steady and calm. He had found the ties in the one man's pocket, quickly using them to tie both men's arms behind their backs. Ruby orbs were darting around the room, "Hide there for a few minutes, I'm going to check the rest of the floor out, this cannot be all they sent."

Reluctantly Yugi and Jacob both went back behind the desk, kneeling down and hiding. Yami dashed around, snatching up one of the guns and clicked in a magazine from his pocket. Jacob raised his eyes brows in question, Yugi's stunned expression still plastered firmly in place. Yami sighed deeply, "Yes, I know how to use just about every military issued gun in the world. Dad and I spent a lot of time at the gun ranges. Now, stay down," he instructed, rising to his feet with the M16 in hand.

Pressing the butt of the gun into the crook of his shoulder Yami held the gun properly, vision straight down the scope he checked all the corners of the room first before moving. With a few fluid steps he crouched down beside the stairwell where the assailants had come from, hearing nothing he pointed the gun up it from around the corner. Narrowing his eyes he rose up and slowly mounted the stairs, keeping the gun out in front of him and he quickly took a peek around the corner at the top of the stairs. Nothing, just more nurses and doctors. Satisfied, but still on edge, he jogged back down the stairs. Seeing Yugi and Jacob staring at him he nodded to them, "I think it's safe."

"You think," Yugi chocked. "That's just peachy."

Yami scowled at him, hanging the strap of the gun around his shoulders, holding the gun in an eased manner in front of him much like most soldiers do. "I cannot hear anything unusual. Hopefully Seto and the others have figured out the problem upstairs. The fact that the video is no longer playing and the power is on gives me a good hint that they have."

"The video is off?" Jacob asked, finally peering at the television screens in the ward for the first time in a few minutes. They were blank, the glass reflecting the bright room around them. "I guess so."

Standing between the two unconscious men Yami tapped each one with his foot to check that they were still out old. Satisfied he pulled out a Swiss army knife from his pocket and quickly broke the twist ties around Jacob and Yugi's wrists. Moving back between the two men he glared down at them, then glanced back over his shoulder at the doctor and nurse, "Jacob, can you check and see if the doors are opening. Bakura should be here any second."

The doctor nodded and began to disappear around the corner, stopping dead in his tracks. A shaky gun pressed against his temple, and a familiar but anguished filled face stared back at him, "Corey? What the…"

"Get back," Corey ground out, shaking excessively, sweaty hands barely keeping a hold on the berretta in his grip. Jacob moved back without resistance, Corey could see Yami standing in the middle of the ward, gun raised and pointed on him, clear shot evident. He could taste bile in his mouth, panic filling him with the small amount of courage he needed. He guided Jacob to the middle of the room, putting the doctor between him and Yami. In his heart he knew that Yami still had a perfectly clear shot, darkened crimson eyes were watching him warily but with full focus. Swallowing hard he shoved Jacob away, tears now welling in his eyes and cascading down his cheeks, his fate settling heavy on his shoulders. Jacob dashed away, careening back behind the counter, avoiding the bodies of the unconscious men. Gun still raised and satisfied that Jacob was out of harms way, Corey fired off two rapid shots, Yami only blinked in shock as the two shots hit square into the heads of the two unconscious men, their blood and brain matter splattering his entire form, covering his face with small crimson droplets. Now crying excessively, gaze lifting past Yami to see Soren, Seto and Craig run down the stairs Corey shakily stepped back, gun moving to his own head. He stumbled, back hitting the wall he began to sob and wheeze, shaking his head in disbelief at how wrong everything had gone.

"Drop the gun," Yami whispered out to him, voice soothing, letting the gun slip and hang from his shoulder by the strap he extended his hands out to him, a gesture of trust and placation. "Please, you don't want to do this."

"You don't understand," he blubbered, voice barely intelligible through the tears. Yami slowly approached him, hands still out and gun not in his hands but easy to quickly grab, he silently willed the man to back away but he knew he would not. Hearing crashing beside him he glanced towards the ambulance bay doors, three men ran in, detectives clearly, one with long white hair – the detectives that put Alphonse away, he knew them instantly. Trembling increasing he closed his eyes, squeezing the trigger. "They'll kill me regardless. This is their orders, I must follow them."

Yami had felt Yugi run up behind him, knowing what was coming he swivelled around and covered his taller twins eyes. Desperately he tried blocking Yugi's view of the impending carnage, holding the struggling man still as best he could even as blood from the two dead men on the floor smeared across the young nurse's face from his hands. Seto, Soren and Craig felt their mouths go wide in shock, watching Corey pull the trigger, brain matter and blood exploding out the other side leaving a large crater. Knees buckled, the young man slid to the floor, smearing his blood along the wall, eyes glazed over in death. The immense bang of the gun echoed boisterously, almost crippling in magnitude. Bakura's angered yell could be heard, along with the rushed footsteps of the three detectives as they stumbled into the room.

Hands gripping Yami's, Yugi tentatively pulled them away, feeling the trembling in his form he lifted amethyst eyes to lock with tired crimson. With only a few inches added height the two were nearly staring eye to eye, it was distracting him from looking at the carnage. His mind was reeling. Yes, he had seen people lose their souls before, along with lost patients under his hands in the hospital, but never had he actually witness someone dying, and especially not in such a graphic way. Yami sighed deeply, rubbing his arms, recognizing the stages of shock shuffling through Yugi's mind, "Keep your eyes on me, take slow breaths," it was then Yugi realized he had forgotten how to breathe, gasping he did as instructed, keeping his focus on Yami's bloodstained face. "Everything going to be alright, just breathe for me, nice and easy."

"But…they're dead…my God they're dead," mind not handling the shock he gripped Yami's uniform shirt tightly, head resting on his shoulder. "Fuck." He felt Yami sigh, arms tentatively wrapping around him and rubbing his back soothingly, hot tears soaking the EMT's shirt. "This is so wrong…"

Scowling Bakura stared down at the mess at his feet; the young nurse slumped like a broken doll, all uncontrolled limbs. Shaking his head sadly he turned his attention, feeling Grey brush past him along with Anderson, the two men dashing to their group of friends. A deep sigh of relief left him; everyone looked unharmed as he filtered his gaze over each of them. Avoiding the growing pool of blood he strode to the one person in the group that matter the most, gently he gripped Yami's shoulder and swivelled him around, Grey knowingly taking the EMT's place to calm Yugi's obviously racing nerves, stabilizing the stunned violet eyed man. Not caring about the watching eyes of their friends, and the few people that were now poking their heads out from the curtains, Bakura pulled Yami close arms wrapping tightly around him in a near crushing hold. He felt Yami stiffen in shock, before melting, hands lifting and gripping him just as tightly, head burying in his shoulder, "Are you alright?" he whispered, feeling Yami nod he exhaled in relief, still not letting go. "Thank God." Pulling back only a little he peered down into haunted ruby eyes, resisting the urge to comfort and kiss him, Bakura sighed deeply. "Are you lying to me?"

Yami's gaze drifted, unfocused, "Depends on your definition of the word." Gently, and with nothing callous behind it, Yami pulled away from Bakura, shoulders squaring as he unhooked the gun and handed it to the detective, eyes downcast. "The other one is behind the desk; I'd get it secured and away." Uneasily Bakura took the offered gun, then raised a quizzical brow as Yami pulled out the ammunition from his pockets and shoved them into his own. "The other gun is empty, I took out the clip and the rounds in the chamber." Yami could feel more than see Bakura's concerned expression, keeping his head down he shrugged. "I handled them, and was the one that tied them down. Unfortunately that did more harm than good apparently…but, such is my luck."

Shoulders slumping Bakura frowned, "Don't talk like that."

Head finally lifting Yami had a wry smile on his face, eyes still not meeting Bakura's, "Anderson will probably want to talk to Seto, Soren and Craig. They were the ones that shut the video down, they will know how they did everything."

"Yami…"

"I need to take Yugi home, Kura'," came the curt, but more exasperated then angry, retort. Arms crossed stiffly over his chest, and jaw locked, Yami gave Bakura every subtle hint to not argue. "He's not handling this well. Our shift is over anyway and you have work to do, this whole ward of the hospital has to be shut down along with the control room. I'm taking him, Seto, Craig and Soren home after we give you our statements."

Taking the hint, and hating every little bit of it with heavy anger, Bakura stiffly nodded, not withholding the harshness in his tone, "You're right, how could I be so remiss. I will let Grey and Anderson take all of your statements, get all of you out of here faster." He regretted it the moment Yami flinched, the movement so small no one but him probably noticed. He cursed propriety, he knew it was the only reason Yami was pretending to be so distant, and taking it out on him was just cruel. Too many eyes within the building could create problems; one such problem could pull him off the case completely. The Chief of Police was fine with it right now, but as soon as anyone else noticed, he'd be pulled off the case to avoid any media scandals.

Turning from Yugi, Grey stared over at Bakura, whom he could tell was fuming, "Bakura, come with me, we need to clear the rest of this building before we start doing anything. I need the rest of you to stay here….I know you are basically babysitting corpses, but I need someone here so the bodies do not get touched and so that all of you are where I can easily find you." The group nodded, reluctantly playing babysitter, all of them avoiding looking at their lifeless charges. Soren, Craig and Jacob went about covering the three bodies with sheets, respecting them minutely. Satisfied Grey averted to the other detective, communicating with him over the noise in the room. "Anderson, do you mind making the call in to the RTOC and let them know what is transpiring here so we get back up and forensics?"

"You betcha," Anderson grunted, pulling out his cellphone and moving away to make the call, walking backwards as he did so he directed he called out to Yami. "I'll get a unit to sit outside your house until we are off, alright kiddo," Yami gave him a curt nod, head still lowered, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Scowling Anderson curled his finger at the young man, glad he was minutely paying attention, Yami listlessly followed him. He punched in the number on his phone, guiding Yami with a hand into one of the nearby private rooms.

Bakura watched with heavy heart and pursed lips as Anderson directed Yami out of his sight, the detective sending him a knowing reassuring gaze before closing the door. Reluctantly following Grey around the hospital to clear the area he stayed quiet while Grey did all the talking, knowing full well that his mouth was not working properly right now. They directed a few nurses to help transfer the patients that were in that section of the ward into another area, telling them to avoid the specified areas of the ward. They wanted the area clear, and patients and their family or friends would just cause problems.

Yugi, regaining some of his wits, Seto rubbing his back to keep him coherent, he narrowed his eyes as the door to the private room that Anderson and Yami disappeared into closed. Mentally he slapped himself, he was so self-absorbed that he let his emotions and shock overwhelm him, Yami had been trying to keep him calm instead of calming himself. Glancing up at Seto he murmured out, "This is a mess."

Seto grunted, his own mind still reeling, "That's putting it mildly." Quietly he guided Yugi behind the desk, narrowly avoiding the pools of blood on the floor. Soren, Craig and Jacob were already behind the counter, steering clear of the carnage, but still monitoring the surrounding area. Seeing and feeling Yugi shaking Seto rubbed his friends shoulder, "Breathe Yugi, keep going like you are going you will be putty on the floor."

Shakily Yugi tried to slow his breathing, Soren kneeling in front of him and quietly coached him through, green eyes gentle but filled with their own swirling emotions. He could feel tears of shock welling in his eyes, blinking and reclining his head he tried to hold them in. He felt ridiculous, emotions making a mess out of him. In fact, the concept of passing out was rapidly entering his mind, vision beginning to tunnel. "I don't feel so good"

Soren scowled loosely, "You're in shock. First time watching someone die violently I am assuming." Gaining a nod he crossed his arms over his bent knees, analytical and medical mind taking in the swaying of Yugi's body and the rapid paling of his already albino skin. "Well, you're doing better than I did, to put it nicely. Keep breathing Yugi, or you are going to pass out and hurt yourself."

The CEO glanced down at the EMT, brow furrowed in concern, he could feel Yugi becoming cold, "Maybe you should find a chair." Soren gave a dramatic exhale and nodded, shuffling around in the area behind the desk to get to the nearby chair.

His emotions had finally calmed, not disappearing, but subsided enough that he could think clearly. Stepping off the last stair back into the Emergency ward Bakura could see the group behind the counter, all of them clearly shaken, but Yugi clearly in the worst of shape. The nurse looked on the verge of passing out or vomiting, neither option was promising. Shoving his gun back into it holster at his hip Bakura absently watched Grey start checking over the bodies and stepped up to the counter. "Yugi, you should sit down before you fall down."

With a half dazed stare and hands encouraging him down, he sat in the office chair that Soren had rolled over to him behind the crowded desk. Feeling his head still floating he closed his eyes to keep himself from puking, "Can I go home now?"

"Unfortunately not," Bakura murmured, quietly snapping on a pair of latex gloves he averted to helping Grey. Searching one of the bodies he found nothing in any of the pockets, aside from an unused knife in the shoe of the other, Grey holding it up with a queasy glint to him. "I need a group statement from all of you; I need to know what the hell happened here. But, that can wait until the nurses clear out the patients. Back-up should be here momentarily if Anderson made the call right away."

"Is he still in the room with Yami?" Grey questioned the group, gaining a nod he rose to his feet, snapping off blood soaked gloves and slipped them into a plastic ziplock bag he produced from his pocket. "Yami is pretty spooked, can anyone tell me why?"

Soren, jaw tight, ground out, "The fuckers played that tape," catching the stunned expression from Grey and the disbelieving one from Bakura, even though he had told the detective over the phone, he snarled. "Somehow they got a hold of the tape, the one that Alphonse made of what he did to Yami. They played it on every fucking screen in this hospital, and pre-recorded a message for Yami."

"There is no way anyone could get that tape Soren, not without someone notifying us that it was removed from the evidence bay," Bakura said chastely, clearly exasperated and still unbelieving.

Livid beyond belief Soren could not restrain himself, reaching across the desk he gripped Bakura's shirt and yanked on him, bringing their faces inches apart. "I do not give a damn, I know what I saw, and it was obviously real enough that it had Yami almost shutting down. I even recognized the damn thing!"

Grabbing Soren's arm tightly, Bakura kept himself steady, muscles vibrating from being manhandled, "Alright then genius, tell me something that transpired on that tape that you would not know about otherwise." Grey came up beside him, a restraining hand resting on both his and Soren's shoulders. "Prove it Soren."

"He sang…he sang that nursery rhyme, Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes, while he was dissecting Yami's knee. And that scar, on Yami's arm, it was made by a crowbar," Soren snarled, voice faltering, hand beginning to shake. "And the things he said to him…God dammit Bakura it was the tape, just fucking believe me!" He stopped, Bakura and Grey had both gone sheet white and were staring at him in stunned disbelief, their eyes giving everything away. "Someone stole that tape, and the entire hospital just got to watch it. They said, whoever the fucker was on the tape, that Alphonse was free, that they were coming after Yami, giving him to Alphonse as a gift."

Swallowing hard Bakura clenched his free fist tightly, knuckles going white and vision red in fury, "I need to see Yami." Grey and Soren both held him there tightly, he snarled at them both. "Back off, I need to see him!"

"Don't jeopardize the case," Grey hissed out quietly, nerves slightly relieved when his partner stiffened at his words. "Let Anderson calm him, you do not want to give the people still floating in this ward any more hints towards your relationship than you already have."

"Fuck!" Bakura growled, wrenching away from the two men, hands clenching at his sides and chest heaving as he tried to calm himself.

Seto decided to intervene then, hoping to give them good news, holding up the jump stick in front of the detectives seething face he was glad to gain his annoyed and confused attention, "I have the mac number, and the information on exactly how they did this. With luck, I may be able to suggest a way to try and track the computer that uploaded the video. It's not much, but it's something."

Gaze determined, Bakura gave Seto a wicked smile, snapping on a glove he snatched the flashdrive from the CEO's hand and plopped it into a plastic bag. "You, Mr. Kaiba, are a God send. Alright, Grey get the tape recorder ready. I want all of you, in a joint statement, to tell us what happened tonight. I may call you back in tomorrow Seto to give us a more thorough run down about the computer stuff." Pulling out a camera from one of the many expansive pockets in his jacket, Bakura turned the device on. "While we wait for Anderson to come back out, I am going to start taking pictures of the area. Hopefully backup gets here soon and we can get this shit rolling before more evidence gets tampered with."

Sirens, distant and growing louder with shrill intensity, Grey smiled, "Good, my life just got easier. Alright, I need all of you to lay all this out for me as quickly as you can. The fun police work can finally get underway as soon I get your statements," pulling out a tape recorder from his pocket, he clicked it on and placed it on the counter of the desk. "Start from the beginning, don't leave anything out."

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4:14am – The House – Calgary, AB - July 2

Nearly two hours later, Yugi and Yami finally stumbled into the house, Reno and Suka boisterously greeting them, wet tongues licking shaking hands. Yami ushered the dogs back inside from the pouring rain, clicking the sliding door closed with a heavy sigh the sound of Yugi barrelling for the bathroom and retching violently reaching his ears and forced him to leave drying off the dogs to the mercy of the house. The final stage of shock had finally slapped the nurse rather harshly on the drive home; Yami had to pull the jeep over at one point between his and Soren's parent's house to let Yugi vomit on the side of the road. Trudging quietly into the bathroom he found Yugi hunched over the toilet, pale arms shaking to support himself. Sympathy encouraged him to kneel down and rub gentle soothing circles in Yugi's back as the young man continued to vomit up the water he had just drank along with the Tylenol Yami had forced into him.

Yugi felt a tender hand run over his forehead, gathering his bangs together and holding them back for him. Even through his spinning vision and the pain in his stomach Yugi could almost sense the jadedness rolling off Yami in waves. The young EMT had been virtually silent since Anderson had finally let him out of the private hospital room, and immediately his unwavering attention was focused on Yugi and getting everyone home. Well, except for Seto, the CEO had insisted on going to Kaiba Corp. and working off his irritations and hoping that the mind numbing typing and staring at numbers would erase the images imprinted on his mind. He would be coming back to the house to sleep instead of the hotel, though when was still the remaining question.

Chest heaving Yugi collapsed backward, Yami holding his weight and keeping him from rocking hard back against the wall. He laid there propped up against the cool wall, trying to calm his breathing and racing vision. Not even realising that Yami had left he jumped when a cool moist glass was pressed into his hand, Yami's gentle digits enclosing his own around the tall glass of milky water. Catching the off colour he gave Yami a questioning look, "The heck is this?"

"Water, with gastrolyte powder in it, it will help hydrate you fast," said the young man softly, voice quiet as he knelt down onto the cold tile floor. "It's basically like drinking five or more Gatorades, it is full of electrolytes. Even if this comes back up, it's strong enough that your stomach will have absorbed most of it before hand." With slow encouragement Yami slipped two fingers beneath the bottom of the glass and eased it up, watching Yugi's unsteady hands tip it the rest of the way and let the cool liquid fill his mouth. Yugi choked immediately, going green in the face he just about dived forward again for the toilet. "If I told you it tasted bad you never would have drank it. Now, take a deep breath, and then drink it back like a shot." Not affected by the glare Yugi gave him Yami made sure the nurse drank back every drop of the concoction before taking the glass and placing it on the bathroom counter. Delicately he put the back of his hand against Yugi's sweat soaked brow, a sigh of relief slipping through his lips. "Good, you do not have a fever."

Annoyed, lips pursed tightly, Yugi glared hard up at Yami, "How the hell are you not following my example and having a love affair with the toilet?!"

Exhaling deeply Yami rubbed his temple, crimson eyes soft, "Because, I'm desensitized, I've seen this sort of thing enough that it no longer hits me as hard as it is hitting you."

"Are you heartless…three people just died right in front of you!" shaking Yugi clamped a hand over his mouth, regretting what his said, his mind so fuddled that his brain mouth filter was clearly off.

Yami merely gave him a sad gaze and shook his head slowly, "No, far from it thank you. Like I said, I am desensitized, I do not have as violent reactions anymore as you are currently having. Trust me, I've done what you are doing right now several times over. It's part of the job, and it's part of my life." Pulling the face cloth from the counter Yami offered it quietly to Yugi, the nurse tentatively taking it and wiping his face off. Yugi swallowed hard when he realised that Yami's eyes had darkened, emotions whirling within them that he could not pinpoint. "Those three men died because of Alphonse's want to have me. They died because Alphonse's loyal worshippers are so fanatical, that they would die to protect their cause and their master. How the hell do you think that makes me feel?" Dizziness re-entered him viciously, but Yugi quelled it, trying hard to stay still as Yami's hands fisted and the knuckles turned white from the pressure, dark crimson eyes almost black. "Don't you dare call me heartless!"

Vision still whirling Yugi reached out and tentatively placed his hand on one of Yami's clenched fists, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean any of that…I guess my mouth filter is kind of messed up right now."

Relaxing Yami took a deep breath then let it out slowly, calming himself, "Can you stand?" Gaining a nod he stood up and extended his hands down to the nurse, gripping Yugi's hands tightly and pulling him to his feet, supporting him as he swayed. "Come to the couch, I will grab you a bucket and another drink."

Firmly setting Yugi down on the couch and covering his shivering form with a thick blanket Yami trudged into the kitchen, Reno was at his heels fallowing faithfully, while Suka laid down on the floor by Yugi. Relaxing against the plush couch Yugi watched Yami with a wary, and still uneven gaze, "Yami, I'm sorry…I did not mean to offend you. It's the last thing I would ever want to do." Ruby orbs lifted to him from behind the fridge door, lit up by the internal light. It was expression Yugi was all too familiar with, and it gave him chills. Those eyes were so mixed with sadness, forgiveness, and jadedness that he desperately wished he could grow the courage to get up and hug the man as if he truly were the Pharaoh and companion he truly missed. But Yami was not him, and Yami gave off the vibe of being far too guarded to be able to absorb the comfort from anything Yugi would give him. There was not enough of a bond there, not enough trust, for Yami to let him in. Wrenching his gaze away Yugi covered his face with one of the pillows on the couch. "I'm doing a really good job of pissing you off since I got here."

The far end of the couch sunk with the weight of an additional body, peeking his face around the pillow Yugi was astonished to see Yami sitting there, offering his another glass of that vile liquid. Quirking a brow he took the offered glass and chugged it back, spluttering once finished, face scrunched up in offense at the flavour. Yami took the glass from him and placed it on the coffee table. Then, bewildering Yugi more, he curled up on the couch, back against the arm rest and legs drawn up to him, arms wrapped around said legs. It was then that Yugi noticed Yami had at some point while he had been puking had changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. It was a childish stance, the young man's head propped sideways against the back of the couch, crimson eyes steady on Yugi's face. Seeing the scars on Yami's knees Yugi cringed, unable to hold back the repulsive reaction, especially when the images of the video filtered into his mind. Yami instinctively covered them with his hands, though they barely covered them, he sighed deeply. "Well, now you know part of what happened. But, even with that knowledge, they still repulse you."

Wildly shaking his hands Yugi stammered, "No no…it just…the video it…damn my articulation is crappy right now." Slapping his own forehead, Yugi forced the words to work. "They don't themselves repulse me, what repulses me is that someone could do that to another person. It's so wrong."

Feeling shame filter through him Yami closed his eyes, he needed some diversion. "How are you feeling?"

Yugi glared at him, his own courage shocking him, "Do not divert this conversation Yami."

"I will if I so choose. I do not want to talk about this, especially not with someone I barely know," Yami lashed back, voice dark and quiet, composure calm to the naked eye. "Why can you people not accept that just thinking about this is hard enough, why do I have to go through the torture of talking about it as well! It would be all for your gratification, not my sanity!"

Vision blurring again Yugi covered his eyes with his hands, an exasperated sigh leaving him, "Talking helps! But since you have never tried it you would have no idea what the gratification for yourself would be from it. You would greatly benefit getting this off your shoulders. But you are too stubborn, stupid, and prideful to realise that!" Again, his mouth ran away on him, but this time he did not care how sharp the sting was that he caused in Yami. Violet eyes focused and lifted to see Yami giving him a seething expression, dark eyes dangerous.

"I have tried it before Yugi, and it got me fuck all," Yami snarled, rising stiffly to his feet, he stood with arms tight at his sides, head aloof and ruby eyes aglow in the moonlight filtering through the window. "I lost my father the moment I decided to open my mouth about the hell I went through finding my mother with her face full of bullet holes dead in her bed. The time before that, where I finally opened up about my bottled up problems, I left my Father an angered crying mess and nearly destroyed our relationship. I hurt my father more that night with my words than any severe injury he has had in his entire life, than any type of betrayal he endure through his years of working in the police force. So don't you dare preach to me about its benefits!"

Jaw dropping Yugi shook his head in bewilderment and shock, before mentally slapping himself, amethyst clashing hard with blood red. "And bottling it all up is helping you so much isn't it. It's the best remedy in the world. A caged animal growing with rage and self-loathing in a very small cell. What are you going to do when that glass containment breaks and all that built up emotion pours out and hurts someone you care about. Clearly you've done it once, what is stopping you from doing it again!?" Harsh, yes, but the benefits of the words rolling from his lips were immediate. Yami's face remained stoic, but his eyes were like that of a wounded animal, struck by its trusted master. Shuffling around, narrowly avoiding Suka as he placed his feet on the group, Yugi reached out and tightly gripped Yami's clenched fists. When Yami tried to yank away he held on tighter, probably bruising the tanned wrists with his own brutality. "Yami, you need to stop this. I have barely been here and I can see how badly you are letting this destroy yourself and the relationships you have with the people around you. Just let go, please, before you drag yourself and everyone else down to an early grave. Especially Bakura, you are drowning him with you. He is so desperate to make you open up, to let your head rise above the water, but you refuse to see the light above the surface. It's destroying you Yami." The hands he was gripping became limp, all anger dissipating from Yami as if he had bled it out, replaced with thick melancholy. With gentle encouragement Yugi pulled Yami back to the couch, fighting off a wave of nausea as he did so and waited until Yami as settled back in his previous position before he sat back himself. "I'm not saying this to hurt you; I'm trying to help you."

"And what if I do not want it," Yami said quietly, voice lacking emotion, crimson eyes pale and hollow. "What if I was perfectly content with just destroying myself, as you so delicately put it?"

Jaw tightening Yugi leaned forward, getting close enough that Yami leaned away from him, trying to keep some distance between them, "Then all I can say to that is you are a selfish fool."

Comfort boundaries breached Yami flicked his hand out and gently shoved Yugi back, the young man clearly bemused by the lack of pain inflicted. He was beginning to feel ill, being ruthlessly slapped in the face with what he had been whole heartedly in denial of, and mind still reeling from what had transpired earlier. Suppressing the churning of his stomach he stared across at Yugi, expression as composed as he could keep it, "You are very good at breaching boundaries aren't you."

Not sensing any malice Yugi furrowed his brow in confusion, "You're not mad..." hands lifting to his throat he double checked that he was still alive, stunned even further when Yami gave out a weak but nonetheless amused chuckle. "What, you looked like the spawn of the devil for a minute there."

Reno's head snaked up and slithered across his chest, the dog staring up at him Yami smiled loosely and gently stroked the dog's head, "If I could not kill Alphonse, there is no way I could kill you."

"Come again?"

"You heard me," the EMT said softly, knowing that Yugi wanted an elaboration, a ghost of a smile crossing his features at Yugi's pout. "How are you feeling? Any better?"

Deciding not to press Yugi relaxed and assessed himself. He was still having dizzy spells, but he had yet to run back to the washroom to continue his rather scandalous affair. Stomach in mind it had stopped churning, his innards no longer deciding to continue their experiment to find out if they could curdle water. "Still dizzy, still cold, but I do not feel like puking any more. I think my stomach muscles are at such an advanced stage of pissed off that they have created a cease fire with my organs."

Grin widening Yami pointed at the fridge, "There is some juice made. When you are feeling up to it, I will get you some juice with the gastrolyte in it. That should be enough to rehydrate you and settle everything."

"Thanks," he murmured, a smile gracing his own features before returning to concerned. "Yami, I…" He was silenced by the EMT holding up his hand, expression serious. "You're really not mad are you?"

"Why would I be mad at you for stating what I already know, but am just in denial of? Trust me Yugi; it will take a lot more than that to piss me off enough to actually be angry with you. I have a vile temper, and controlling it of late has been rather tedious and difficult. I am sorry for snapping off at you, you were underserving of such cruelty, especially after the hell I put you through tonight."

'Now where have I heard that before,' grunted Yugi mentally, a scowl appeared and his forehead creased with annoyance. Leaning forward he slapped Yami's knee, though a quick dizzy spell lessened its intensity and he fell back against the arm rest of the couch. Yami, if dignity was not such a necessity, would have let his jaw drop, instead his eyes were wide and he gave Yugi a rather adorable expression of perplexity. "You did not put me through it, idiot. If you had, trust me I would have found some way to get around your ninja skills and kicked your ass."

Eyebrows raising in astonishment Yami scratched his neck, "But…they would not…"

"Yami, you need to learn when to take a hint. Shut up, you did not cause this, it's not your fault this psycho decided he hated you for bursting his ego and that his minion army is just as sick as he is." His glare spoke volumes, and a small –actually rather large- burst of pride left him when Yami clamped his mouth and shrunk into himself. Oh this is a moment he so wished he could be smug. "It's not, and you know it. None of this is your fault. Say another word and I will slap you again, and this time it will actually hurt."

"Glad someone else agrees with me," grunted a voice from the front entry way, startling Yugi and Yami both out of their skin. It was in that instant that they both realised the dogs were no longer with them and were enthusiastically greeting Seto whom had just strode in. Shaking out his wet jacket from the copious amount of rain he hung it up in the closet at the front and kicked off his loafers. Realising that his pants were soaking wet he was grateful that he had checked out from the hotel and had brought his clothes with him. Grabbing the suitcase from the door he waved at them and disappeared into the office nearby to change. Satisfied that he was dry Seto came back out, seeing Yami had moved from the couch and was making tea in the kitchen, along with adding an odd white powder to a glass of orange juice. "Are you feeding Yugi cocaine?"

Yami sent him a mild glare, "Gastrolyte, but nice try."

"Sounds close enough to me," Seto shrugged, seeing that Yugi was comfy on the couch and had clearly regained some colour he sauntered up to the fireplace. "Is this gas, electric or wood?"

"Wood," Yami murmured from the kitchen, pulling the now screeching kettle from its holder and poured the steaming hot liquid into a tea pot. "Mike threatened Bakura life when he wanted to replace it. Apparently it was the main reason he bought this place. The wood should be piled up beside it, along with the kindle, matches and newspaper."

Finding said items Seto went about setting a fire to warm and light up the house, while Yami let the tea steep and quickly lit a few candles throughout the living room, the soft light transcending on the group and filling them with warmth. Seto sat down on the far end of the sectional just as Yami came back in carrying a tray laden with tea pot, three tea cups, and small containers of milk and sugar. Resisting the urge to make any housewife comments Seto gratefully took one of the offered tea cups and leaned back against the plush cushions. Yugi was by far the warmest, with a thick blanket and Suka's still small and cute puppy form laying in his lap he looked positively cozy. With a quizzical stare Seto realised Yami was still in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, feet completely bare. "How the hell are you not cold?"

Cradling his tea Yami shrugged, curling back in his previous position on the section couch. "I'm Alberta boy, I've very accustomed to the cold." Seto gave him a sceptical expression. "It's true; you should see this place in the winter. This is nothing."

"Yami, it is piss pouring rain outside, the temperature on the thermostat is almost ten degrees Celsius. It's fucking cold!" the CEO stated loudly, perturbed by the fact that Yami shrugged and simply sipped his tea, still showing no sign to being chilled. "That's just not natural."

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9:56am – 7 District Office - July 2

Scrubbing his face with somnolent hands Bakura haphazardly dumped himself in his desk chair, blurry eyes trying to focus screen in front of him, snarling when he could not even make out the screensaver. "Alright boys, I think it's bed time, my brains shut off and said fuck you I need a vacation."

"That took way longer than it should have," Grey grumbled, yawning loudly, leaning his weight against the wall behind his desk, cringing as his back popped in protest. "That was a shit show."

"Are we taxi-ing it back?" Anderson questioned from the doorway, cross-eyed in his delirious state.

Bakura opened his mouth to answer, only for a boisterous ringing noise to give them all a splitting headache. Snarling with great fervour Bakura lifted the offending phone off the receiver, not even bothering to check the call display to see who it was. "What?"

"Um, is this Detective Rai Bakura?" asked a timid voice on the other end of the phone, a voice Bakura immediately recognized as the detective they had been dealing with from Kingston.

"Yes, sorry, it's been a long night. What do you need Detective Regnal?"

"Are you sitting down?"

"Yes," immediately putting the call on speaker phone Bakura felt alert, brow furrowing in concern. "Anderson and Grey are here, you are on speaker phone. What do you need to tell us?"

"I have some bad news…" as the detective continued to explain, the three men felt themselves shut down.

Clinking the receiver at the end of the call with lethargic fingers Grey felt himself sink down to the floor, using the wall as a support. He could see Bakura, fists tightly clenched at either side of his head, which was resting against the cold wood of the desk. The tremor in the man was obvious, swallowing hard Grey found his voice, "Oh my god…"

Swaying in the doorway Anderson covered his sweat damp face with a shaking hand, "You could say that again…how the hell did this happen. How are they this sophisticated? This is fucked!"

Rolling forward onto his hunches Grey reached out and gripped Bakura's arm, he could see his partners eyes were wide open and blazing, "Kura', you have to tell him."

"I promised him that the son of a bitch would never come near him again," snarled out a deep voice, a sharp edge to it, forcing Grey to retract his hand. Russet eyes lifted, the level of fury and extreme worry filling them to the brim and increasing the intensity of the stare. "I fucking promised him! How the hell am I supposed to tell him this!"

"You are going to have to be a man and just tell him," Anderson snapped out, fully prepared when Bakura snapped up to his feet, crossed the room in a few steps, and viciously gripped his shirt. Unperturbed Anderson locked his jaw, preparing for the detectives wild temper. "This is something you cannot hide from him. It would only hurt him in the end. So, you need to man up and tell him, or I will."

Growling Bakura raised his fist about to strike, but as fast as his hand rose was as fast as it dropped. Relinquishing Anderson he stumbled back, his hand now covering his face, "Fuck…"

"They have a Canada wide warrant out for his arrest…we can hope that he doesn't make it out of Ontario," Grey piped up, his attempt at hope weak but it was something. Standing up he tightly gripped Bakura's shoulder. "Do you want us to come with you? Moral support?"

Shaking his head Bakura uncovered his downcast face, "No, but thank you. I know him, he will not want anyone to see him react badly if he cannot control himself. I'll tell him on my own. Let's get a cab, I need to get home."

Pulling out his cellphone from his pocket Anderson, with a deep sigh, waiting for the taxi company to pick up.

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10:42am – The House - July 2

He had disturbed no one when he stepped into the house, not even the opening of the garage door or the dogs scurrying to meet him and stirred anyone. Bakura was really glad that there was police outside, a squad vehicle had been parked in the driveway all morning since Yami and the others had been sent home. Already he had put the dogs outside through the basement, dried them off, and had come back upstairs. The sight he gazed upon now he desperately wanted to leave alone, but he knew he could not procrastinate. Yami, Yugi and Seto were all curled up on various areas of the large sectional, covered in thick warm blankets. He could smell the remnants of tea and a once burning wood fire, something he could tell had smouldered itself out with how deeply the three men were asleep. Kneeling down Bakura sadly stared at Yami's serene face as he slept; golden bangs covering his soft yet aquiline features fluttered with each quiet breath the young man took. Reaching out he delicately linked one of the bangs in his fingers and brushed it aside, the back of his digits brushing against warm bronze skin. Yami had tanned well this summer, though one would wonder how with all the rain, especially today considering the sky was still grey with storm clouds and water still descended on the earth in sheets.

Hearing stirring he lifted his gaze to see Seto and Yugi both cautiously sitting up and stretching. He flashed a smile at them, though it was strained. With the concerned expressions they received he knew they could tell something was wrong, whispering quietly he hinted to the kitchen, "You two need to hear this as well, but I need a second to wake Yami up." They both did not argue, though they exchanged concerned looks as they untangled from the blankets and went into the kitchen to make coffee and get something started for breakfast. Feeling his body begin to tremble again he felt his courage faltering, exhaling stiffly he returned his gaze to Yami only to find deep ruby eyes staring at him blankly, clearly still tired but not completely lucid. With a weak smile he leaned forward and kissed Yami softly, hands cupping the young man's face, ignoring the audience they had he pulled back from the lip lock and eased Yami into a sitting position. His voice failed him when Yami reached out and cupped his face with his hands, caressing the flesh there lovingly, his deep eyes concerned.

"Love, what is the matter?"

Feeling himself trembling he launched forward, holding Yami tightly, almost suffocating him, hands roaming over him everywhere he could reach as if assuring that he was alright. Yami had tensed up, uncertain what was wrong, letting Bakura do whatever it was he needed and waited patiently for an explanation. Hands fisting in Bakura's shirt Yami held in pleasured sighs, especially when Bakura kissed him with an intense fervency and his hands tightly held his hips, forcing his legs apart and allowing them to embrace fully, the blanket having been discarded by the detectives wandering hands. Panicking Yami pulled back, heart tightening; he recognized this behaviour and hollowness formed in the pit of his stomach. "Rai….Bakura….tell me what is going on, you're scaring me."

Still trembling Bakura again cupped Yami's face with his hands, seeing the pleading in Yami's eyes and hearing the panic in his voice he gasped out, voice failing him. "It's Alphonse…he…"

Yami froze, breath leaving him as his body went cold, his hands began to tremble. "What about Alphonse."

From the kitchen, Seto shook his head, realization dawning on him, "That tape…they were no lying were they..."

Hanging his head Bakura nodded, "The Prison was raided last night, Alphonse is loose."

Denial over took him, overwhelming panic and fear filled the void in his stomach, "No," Yami stammered, voice loud as he shoved Bakura's hands away. "He's in a maximum security prison, there is no way he is out. This is not funny…this is a sick joke." Bakura snatched his hands, stopping them from flailing and held them tightly, russet eyes pleading with him. "No God dammit this is not possible!"

Without a second thought Bakura held Yami tight, keeping the young man still as he struggled, emotions barely in check, "Yami, I would not say this to you unless it was true. Dammit love, stop struggling!"

It was if the strings were tightened around every joint in Yami's body. He went rigid in Bakura's arms, breathing stopped along with the trembling. The detective whispered softly to him, loosening his hold only enough to rub his back comfortingly, encouraging him to breathe. Tears welled in his eyes and he tried to force them not to fall, hands tightly gripping Bakura shirt to the point of ripping the fabric Yami gasped out, breath returning but ragged, "Bakura…"

"Yugi, go grab Yami's puffer, it should be in the nightstand in the bedroom," Bakura barked out, sitting back just enough to stare into freaked crimson eyes. "Breathe love, breathe for me please." Rapidly Yugi shoved said medication in his face, taking it he forced it into Yami's mouth, watched for him to exhale then squeezed it on the inhale releasing the steroids. The effects were nearly instant, Yami's breathing leveled out, but his consciousness waned, as per normal with the medication. Yami's head flopped forward and rested against his sternum, sighing deeply Bakura caressed his arms gently, giving Yugi a nod to signal everything was alright. "Let's get you to bed love, can you stand?" Feeling Yami weakly nod he stood up then hefted Yami into the same position, sending an apologetic look at Yugi and Seto before disappearing into his room, Yami tightly in his arms barely stable on his own two feet.

Yami with a boneless flop collapsed onto the bed after Bakura eased him into the bedroom and onto the edge of the mattress. A soft wheeze escaped him, he lay still with his eyes closed, completely out of it as Bakura stripped and then crawled onto the bed, pulling him close and covering them with the comforter. Blearily he opened his eyes, clinging to the strong warm body that enveloped him he barely murmured out, "Love…"

"Shhh," Bakura soothed, caressing his face with one hand, lips descending on him and kissing him all over his face in soft soothing gestures. "You're terrified, and its normal, it's not weak either. Alphonse scares me Yami, and he barely touched me, I can only imagine how fearful of him you are. Sleep love, I'm here and I will not let go. There is police still stationary outside, and Yugi and Seto are here along with the dogs. We'll protect you…I'll protect you…sleep, get some rest, we will figure out what to do about all this after that. Right now, we are both exhausted." Shifting so he could look down he felt his heart tighten painfully, the tears Yami had been trying to hide were slowly trickling down his face, one finally soaking his hand. "I love you, Yami, I promise I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

"It's not just me I am worried about…I can't lose you Bakura, or anyone else, my sanity cannot handle it." Clinging tighter Yami buried his face against Bakura's bare chest, not caring about the weakness he was showing, his vulnerability. "I cannot survive without you…you have been my rock, my everything. Alphonse will want to destroy everything that put him behind bars and everything that will stop him from getting to me this time. I cannot lose you…I can't…."

Holding Yami flush against him Bakura ghosted his one hand down Yami's trembling side, trying to soothe him. Yes, he had seen Yami like this before over the past few years, but it was still a sight that tore at his heart and sanity. This strong beautiful man reduced to a terrified crying heap of vulnerability, it shredded every piece of his resolve. Taking a cleansing breath, he slipped his hand beneath the t-shirt and softly caressed the quivering skin there, the skin to skin contact making Yami gasp at the mixed sensation of pleasure and comfort. "I will never leave you Yami, hell can kiss my ass until I am damn good and ready to enter those gates. Now, sleep love, we will talk when we wake up."

Still quaking like a fall leaf in the wicked wind Yami made a small noise of agreement, curling into Bakura more and shivering at the mixed sensation the man's questing hand was causing. It was soothing, and at the moment it was making him forget about his body image insecurities. Gentle yet strong hands drifted in soft patterns over the scars on his chest and stomach, almost as if soothing the old wounds through tender caresses. It relaxed him back to the edges of sleep, lips questing out he captured Bakura's in a deep kiss before whispering against them as he drifted to sleep, "I love you."

Unable to hold in a smile, fingers still questing, Bakura kissed Yami's brow, "I love you too, sleep Yami."

"Kay…" Yami's breathing evened out in slumber, and in that moment Bakura let himself go. Holding Yami tightly he felt hot tears of anger and worry soak his face, taking solace with Yami safe in his arms he drifted off to sleep, dreams fitful and painful.

A/N: Well, hopefully this is alright…I feel better about this chapter than the last. Dunno…definitely have been feeling like my mind is in a permanent fog lately…