It's been awhile but here is the next chapter to this growing story. Have written this in record time and is happy with how it has turned out :)

Chapter 6

A friend in Need

Her world was black, the aching in her legs hurt and her mind was tired but somewhere she heard a voice calling out to her, she didn't know who it was and refused to fully waken from her darkened slumber, but then a high pitch voice cried out her name and pleaded for her to wake up.

Seto sat on the floor beside Tea's head, as silent tears rolled down his face. "I'm sorry, please wake Tea, I'll – I'll be a really good boy… Don't die," he wasn't sure what Joey was doing but he didn't want to leave her alone in case she woke.

On the other side of the room, Joey stood talking on the phone; as soon as Tea had collapsed he had lifted her into the house and placed her on the sofa, making sure she had no injuries before moving on and looking at Seto's knees that were bleeding from the collision on the ground. He had to keep his anger in check for the young CEO's sake; the poor boy was devastated with what happened to his new friend, and blamed himself for what had happened. It had taken a few minutes to get the story out of Seto, and while he was being told Joey's anger intensified. He knew that the boy would be in danger, but he never expected the results to be this, he promised himself there and then that he would protect both Tea and Seto.

"So they were attacked once leaving Kaiba Corp? How are they now?"

"Yep that's right. Seto is a little banged it looks as though he has tripped, and Tea well she out cold I think the fear and the adrenaline worn her out and she just collapsed. Seto is blaming himself for what has happened because they wanted him."

"I'm so sorry I didn't want this to happen, I don't know what to do,"

"Listen don't worry I'm gonna move in with Tea and Seto and keep them safe. I aint going to let them get hurt anymore,"

"Okay, did you get much on the details of the two men?"

"Nar only, thing Seto said was they were really big, one was black and one was white that's all he could remember, he did however mention something about them telling Tea their names. I'll get her to ring you once she has recovered."

"Alright thanks Joey, I won't forget it."

"It's alright kid don't mention it. I'll talk to you soon Mokuba cya."

"Bye Joey."

Joey placed the phone down on the retriever before walking over to Tea and Seto, who was still calling out to her.

"She'll be okay mate; she's just in a deep sleep. She won't die."

"How you know Joey?" sniffed the toddler placing a chubby hand on her cheek.

"Because I know Tea and she is the strongest girl I know and she'll overcome this," Seto seemed to believe him as he nodded his head and removed his had from her cheek.

"Joey I need a wee-wee," Joey blinked a few times before realising what had been said.

"Can you go by yourself or do you need me to come," it wasn't something he had prepared for him to say, but luckily for him Seto nodded and told him he didn't need no help. "Right, go up the stairs and it's the first door you'll see once you're at the top," Seto nodded once more before racing off towards the stairs.

"Come on Tea, you need to wake up Seto needs you right now, please!" he took hold of her cold hand and squeezed it tight closing his eyes. If he was being truly honest with himself he didn't have any idea what to do. He had jumped into the deep end unable to swim and without arm bands.

His eyes opened wide when he heard his name whispered he looked toward Tea to see her slowly opening her ,blinking a few times before smiling up at him.

"Joey," she whispered.

"Yep good old Joey Wheeler here ma'am," she smiled and squeezed his hand as all the memories from what had happened sunk back in. When she didn't see a mop of brown hair she sat alert.

"Where is Seto, is he okay?"

"Seto is fine he's at the toilet; trust me you don't know how grateful I was when he said he could go on his own. The boy has some scraped knees from falling but other than that he is perfectly fine."

"I tried to keep him safe but when they said he wanted him, I panicked yours was the first place I could think of I'm sorry for doing this to you."

"I'm glad you came here, once I got you inside and checked you and Seto were fine I looked out of the window whoever chased you have gone. I've rang Mokuba he knows what's happened, but I said you'd ring him later to give him more information on the two men I only got from Seto that they were big, one was white and one was black."

"Yeah they knew who Seto was and the white man was called Marshal the dark skinned one was named Israel. They were huge do you remember Raphael when you face Dartz? They were as big him and much scarier. Marshal had large green eyes and brown hair, he was dressed all in black, so was Israel, he had brown eyes and cropped hair, the thing I remember about him mostly was this snake tattoo that spiralled down his arm. I gave the one named Marshal a left hook in the face before we took off." Tea told him.

"Atta girl Tea. I'm glad you came here but listen I'm not leaving you on your own, they may already know where you live and I'm not letting you stay there on your own I'm coming to stay with you, no arguments," the steel look in Joey's eyes told Tea that she wouldn't be able to stop him.

The sound of someone walking down the stairs alerted both Tea and Joey. They waited patiently for Seto to walk around the door, as soon as he saw Tea his entire face lit up.

"Tea you not dead!" Tea laughed and shuck her head taking hold of the young boy who had ran towards her.

"Joey is going to come and live with us for some time okay?" Seto nodded and asked when they were leaving.

As Joey packed his case Tea rang Mokuba informing him of everything that had happened. He made sure that the two men would be caught, testified and would admit to what their plans were. But they now knew that it was no accident that Seto was turned into a three year old, the brown haired boy was in serious danger.

"Right then, we'll take my car and we'll drive to yours," said Joey.

Tea fastened Seto safely into the car he wasn't so sure about this but he'd rather be in the car then left to walk the streets again where those scary men were. As soon as Joey and Tea were strapped in he set off. It didn't take long to get to Tea's house and before long they were in the living room; the suitcase on the floor.

"You know I don't know where you can sleep Joey, Seto has my room and I'm in my mum and dads, I guess you can sleep in the same room as me, but that would mean we'd have to share a bed." Tea explained to him.

"That's fine and don't worry I'll keep my hands to myself." Tea smiled and looked towards Seto who was playing with some toy cars; Joey took his case up to the room. Looking at the clock she was surprised to see it was 5 pm, she didn't know how long she had been out cold but they hadn't been at Kaiba Corp no longer than an hour. Her stomach rumbled reminding her that she hadn't eaten since breakfast this morning. Walking into the kitchen she began to prepare a meal that the three of them could eat.

An hour later the trio were sat at the table eating the homemade Spaghetti Bolognese she had made.

"Tea this is yummy," Seto said with the spaghetti dribbling down his chin. She smiled kindly at him as she looked over to Joey stuffing his face with hot food. Tea laughed causing Joey to look at her.

"Glad to know you're enjoying my food so much Joey Wheeler," he smiled sheepishly and Seto burst into giggles from the scene.

Soon enough it was time for Seto to go to sleep she would have given him a bath but after the ordeal of today he got out of it; which he was very happy about. They placed him into his bed and within second the toddler was asleep.

"I'm thinking about…" she didn't finish her sentence as the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hello Tea love, its mum and dad, we're ringing to let you know that we won't be home for another month unfortunately. A crisis with the deal has cropped up and there is no way we can leave Australia until it's sorted out. We're really sorry hunny but we have placed some money into you fund so you should be alright."

"Oh alright, well I hope it's nothing too serious and I'll see you when you get back I guess."

"I know you're disappointed Hun, but we'll be home before you know it. I have to be going now hunny, your dad sends his love and as do I. We'll see you soon bye."

"Love you both too, bye." She placed the phone back on the receiver and sighed.

"Everythin' alright Tea?"

"Yeah Mum and Dad are staying in Australia for another month something came up that they can't get away from. I mean I guess that's better because I wouldn't know how to explain to them that Seto Kaiba is a child. But I'm just a little disappointed they're never at home." Joey said nothing wrapped his arms around his friend rubbing her back.

"Chin up Tea, you aint alone at the moment now are you?"

"I guess not, but I think I'll get an early night I just want the day to be over."

"Same, look forward to the next day and keep smiling," Tea nodded her head at Joey's words as the two walked up the stairs to bed. It was going to be awkward to sleep next to her friend but it could be no worse than having to bath Seto Kaiba in the morning.

As they settled under the covers, they whispered good night to one another before Joey turned out the light.

Quite a sweet ending if I so. Hopefully the next chapter has quite a few laughs in. Please review :)
Lottie