"I'll drive you insane, life in the fast lane
So hold on tight, we're never coming back again
And there's no free ride, so won't you get inside?
To play the game, honey, you have got to roll the dice

I could be bad luck, you might be crazy
But I've got 9 lives, you only have 3
You're like my technique, I'm on a winning streak" -GOSSIP SLEEPING WITH SIRENS


Akiza spent the night at the hospital pulling extra shifts and sleeping in cots on her brief breaks. She had called Goodwin and requested the rest of the week off with the excuse for preparing for next week's exams.

"Dr. Izinski please go home you're running on fumes and that doesn't do anyone any good."

Before Akiza could address the unknown nurse, she was gone. For a split second, Akiza thought she knew the voice, but that was impossible. She really must be burned out if she was starting to imagine things. She sighed as she went to change her card from on duty to off duty.

She took off her coat and stethoscope before heading out. She hadn't been outside in the past two days and by the time she took her first steps outside it was already kind of late. As she pondered where to go she noticed a couple of familiar runners go by. Akiza ignored the commotion as she waited her turn to cross the street.

"Hey Akiza!"

Akiza looked up to see Crow waving and calling out to her from his runner.

"You look terrible. So, we all are heading to the racetrack again why don't you come by today?"

Before Akiza could come up with an excuse Crow was already speaking to her.

"You promised you'd come by next time and besides we haven't seen you in days come on!"

Akiza was too tired to argue as she finally relented. To her surprise Crow was handing her an extra helmet.

"You want me to get on that?"

"Yeah totally don't you remember our lessons? You got this!"

Akiza sighed as she put on the helmet and got on the back of his runner.

"That wasn't me Crow, but I appreciate whatever this is."

Akiza concentrated on not falling off as Crow revved his runner and took off. The length of the ride was short mainly because Crow was ignoring the speed limits, but much to her surprise, she was having fun. The rides weren't as scary as she originally thought.

"We're here. If you want to watch from the sidelines it's through that door." Crow pointed to a side door leading to stairs. "If you want to watch from a closer on the field er track come with me."

Akiza climbed off and took off the helmet and tossed it back to Crow. She looked up and noticed the box office.

"How do I get up there?"

"Uhh a there's an elevator-"

"I'll find it."

Akiza walked off leaving Crow behind. She quickly found her way to the elevator and climbed in. when the metal doors opened Akiza entered the room only to see Yusei watching through the windows. Akiza frowned as she tried to sneak away, but the ding of the elevator had given her presence away.

"Aki?"

"Look I simply came because of Crow and I thought you would be down there too. If I had known you would be here… I think I should go."

Akiza moved towards the elevator doors.

"No don't…" Yusei grabbed her wrist stopping her from going anywhere.

"I mean I won't do anything unless you want me to."

"No want here." Akiza snatched back her hand before giving in. "Promise?"

"Promise." He nodded.

"Fine, but in that case, I'll go watch from down there."

Akiza walked out towards the elevator. Before the elevator doors closed, Yusei managed to get in trapping them both in the small space.

"Are you following me Dr. Fudo?"

"I promised I wouldn't touch you."

Akiza situated herself as far away from Yusei as she could.

"Do I really make you that nervous?"

"Of course not."

Akiza crossed her arms in front of her in annoyance. Before Yusei could tease her more the lights in the elevator flickered before totally stopping the elevator. The sudden stop knocked Akiza off balance straight into Yusei's chest. They both landed with a thud. Akiza quickly got up, but Yusei kept still.

"Yusei?"

Akiza got close to his still form and noticed his chest was still rising and falling. Akiza gently touched his face, nothing. Akiza lightly patted his cheeks.

"Yusei get up!"

She looked him over not noticing any bleeding. She placed her ear over his heart and relaxed as the sound of his steady heartbeat. She got up and touched his forehead lightly. Without thinking Akiza placed a light kiss on his forehead. Yusei opened his eyes surprising her.

"Mhmmm Aki?"

Next thing she knew Yusei's hand was behind her head holding her in place as their lips met. Their kiss was short lived as a voice was heard over the intercom.

"There's been an unfortunate incident at the race track. Someone will be out to get you as soon as possible."

Akiza pushed herself away from Yusei and hugged her knees to her chest.

"No this- this is all my fault. I shouldn't have come."

Yusei approached her slowly before grabbing her and cradling her to his chest as Akiza tried to keep it together. He held her until she finally fell silent. The doors to the elevator opened quickly before Yusei could ask her anything Akiza bolted. Yusei followed.

They ran outside to the race track where Sherry and Crow were being hauled away in an ambulance. Akiza shoved past the crowd of people and inserted herself in the middle of the commotion. She got on the ambulance with the paramedics and Sherry. While Crow was hauled into another ambulance.


At the hospital….

Akiza was working on Sherry in intensive care, Crow was already in recovery. Sherry had gotten the worst of the crash while Crow had managed to soften his landing, but he was still rendered unconscious. Akiza spent the next six hours with her team working on Sherry.

After the surgery, Akiza was exhausted, but Sherry would be alright. She avoided the waiting area leaving another doctor to announce the good news. Akiza ran into Mina as she was leaving the hospital.

"Akiza may I have a word with you please?"

"Can it wait I'm exhausted-"

"It's about the test."

"Oh sure um…"

"The results were negative you aren't Aki Izayoi after all." Mina shook her head disappointed.

Akiza relaxed and shook her head.

"I know I'm not Aki."

"Sorry, but I had to make sure."

"I understand. Now if you'll excuse me I want to go to sleep in my own bed tonight."

Akiza went home ignoring the pangs she felt upon hearing what Mina had to say to her. She knew she wasn't Aki, but it still hurt knowing she really was alone in the world. She didn't want to feel hopeful, but in the end, she had felt a glimmer of it. She wasn't going to be a replacement for this Aki. She wasn't willing to live another's life. Akiza entered her apartment and went to bed to sleep a dreamless sleep.

XXxxXX

It was Saturday morning when Akiza finally decided to leave her apartment. Only to run into Sherry and Yusei working on a runner at the front of the building.

"Sherry? When were you released?"

"Last night cher thanks to you I feel like I was reborn."

"You should be resting."

"Non, I need to work on my runner, which I have a part I need to pick up. Do you mind keeping Yusei company?"

"I-I dunno…"

"He won't mind I promise."

"Fine." Akiza sat on the stairs and watched as Yusei silently worked on the runner. Sherry smiled and left her alone with a quiet Yusei.

"You don't have to stay." Yusei spoke up.

"I-I know."

Akiza stayed silently thoughts going through her head. Sherry arrived an hour later and Akiza was off in her own head and Yusei was still silently working on her runner. Sherry was annoyed, so she decided to make a drastic move.

Sherry took off her shirt leaving her in a sports bra. She pulled up her hair in a ponytail and made her way over to Yusei. Sherry pulled Yusei aside and made it a point to make him take off his shirt he annoyingly did what he was told and went back to work.

When Akiza finally pulled herself away from her own thoughts she noticed Sherry had returned. They both were half naked and Sherry was real close to Yusei. Akiza noticed how well they worked together and how in sync they were with each other.

Akiza felt something tug at her heart and she silently got up and walked back into the building. Sherry noticed as Akiza sulked back into her apartment and sighed. Her plan had backfired and Yusei hadn't cared to notice.

"Dammit Yusei what's wrong with you? Don't you want to be with Akiza?"

"I'm done pushing her, all it seems to do is drive her away from me."

"And this isn't?"

"This is your mess I expect you to fix it."

Sherry sighed, but quickly got an idea.

"Uh Yusei I'm going to go see Jack and Carly. You better clean yourself up it's in your best interest mon ami."

"B-but uh."

Sherry was gone. Yusei sighed knowing it was pointless to argue with thin air.


Akiza refused to be jealous as she rummaged around her apartment. A knock on her door caught her attention. Akiza opened her door to reveal a very pregnant Carly.

"Carly? How are doing?"

"Akiza what are you doing today?! Nothing? Great Jack and I wanted to show a place we think would be good for a field trip! Bring your bathing suit, towels and extra clothes. Meet us up front in 5 minutes!"

Before Akiza could argue Carly was gone. Akiza realized there was no use moping around, so she changed and gathered her things. She was out front in five minutes like promised. Jack was loading up a jeep while Carly sat in the passenger seat. Carly's baby bump was starting to show. Akiza made her way over and Jack grabbed her bags loading them up.

"Room for one more?"

Akiza wore a deep red two-piece bathing suit with a sheer white beach dress for cover. She wore dark sunglasses and black beach sandals with her hair tied up in a messy bun. She slung a mini backpack with a change of clothes over her shoulders.

"Jack help Akiza up."

"No, that's ok. I'll just climb up."

Akiza stepped on one of the jeeps tires and grabbed onto the jeep swinging herself into the back of the jeep. Both Carly and Jack gaped at her and Akiza simply shrugged.

"I'm not some damsel in distress that's totally defenseless. I can take care of myself."

"Akiza I didn't know you could do that Akiza." Carly said.

"Do what? Climb into a jeep?"

"No it's just you just scaled the side of the jeep and I just assumed..."

"You assumed a stuck up woman who demands to be called doctor at work, wouldn't know how to climb into a jeep? Carly let me tell you a little secret, I can scale fences and climb trees too."

Jack let out a loud chuckle quickly covering it with a cough. Carly glared at Jack before looking at Akiza.

"Sorry I didn't mean to be rude." Jack said.

"I guess I deserve it , I'm not that open with any of you."

"Maybe you could be." Carly suggested.

Akiza didn't respond turning her attention to her surroundings.

"Akiza-"

"Carly don't." Jack whispered.

"It's ok. Carly, I've been doing a lot of thinking . All the facts I thought I knew are hazy. All I know is that ever since I showed up at the school tragedies and freak accidents have occurred. I believe the farther away I am from anyone the better. I don't know how else to explain it." Akiza said.

"..."

Akiza put on her sunglasses and began to lather on sunscreen under her see through beach dress. Jack finished packing the jeep up and they were off. Akiza was silent as Carly excitedly pointed out anything and everything. She watched as Jack pretended to be annoyed, but silently chuckled at his wife's antics. She smiled at their relationship. They were both of very different dynamics.

Soon they arrived at a beach that Akiza distinctly remembered. It was the beach she had her breakdown after the carnival. Akiza ignored her conflicting thoughts as Carly and Jack climbed off the jeep. Akiza got off the jeep and gathered her things as Jack pulled down a cooler.

Akiza smiled as a breeze played with her hair. She walked off leaving Carly and Jack arguing. Akiza was surprised that the beach was so empty, but she didn't mind having the beach all to themselves. Akiza laid out a beach towel and put her bag down. She took off the sheer dress and began to lather herself in sunscreen.

She thought about asking Carly to get her back, but when she looked over to where they had parked they were gone. Akiza looked to the other side and didn't see them. Instead she saw a bright red runner drive up and Akiza sighed. Carly and her devious plans. She had no choice but to stay since they had been her ride.

She watched as Yusei took off his helmet and made his way towards her. When he was an arm length away he stopped. They just stood neither of them speaking. Akiza finally gave in and held out her sunscreen bottle.

"Can you get my back?"

Yusei took the bottle and took off his riding gloves letting them drop on her towel. Akiza noticed a mark on his forearm as he kicked off his boots and socks. He took off his jacket and his shirt followed. He got behind her and Akiza sighed when she finally felt his skin on hers.

"I got your back. The question is, do you have mine?" He whispered in her ear.

She leaned back into him and nodded lost in the sensation of his closeness. His hands went to her waist as he hugged her from behind. Akiza's mind was foggy as she grabbed onto his arm. Yusei placed a kiss on her neck and Akiza's knees buckled. He caught her in his arms and carried her bridal style.

"Y-yusei." She sighed

"I got you Aki."

He carried her to the shore and stepped into the water with Akiza in his arms. When he was waist deep into the water Akiza climbed off. Gasping a little when she felt the cold water hit her very hot skin. Akiza playfully splashed water at him causing him to chuckle and splash her back.

Akiza got a devious idea as he splashed water at her. Without him noticing, she went underwater and swam up and grabbed his leg causing him to fall into the water with her. They both resurfaced and Yusei brushed away her hair from her face. His fingers lingered on her face and he traced her lips with his thumb. As his face got closer to hers, Akiza smirked before she turned and tried to splash away.

"Catch me if you can!"

She laughed as she could hear him splashing after her. Akiza managed to get close to the shore before she felt two large hands on her waist. She laughed as she bent down, caught in Yusei's grip. He picked her laughing form up and took her to the shore where he laid her down. Akiza was still laughing as Yusei laid beside her. Yusei laid on his side and leaned on his elbow watching Akiza's laughing form.

He traced her face lightly as Akiza finally calmed herself down. Akiza leaned into his touch before Yusei bent down and took her lips with his. Akiza sat up and kissed him back. Finally, she could forget for just one day. When they broke apart Yusei chuckled.

"Looks like the sun is setting."

Akiza looked around and noticed he was right. She felt like they had just arrived a bit ago.

"When did it get so late?"

"Dunno. Ever spent the night at the beach?"

"Mhmm not that I remember."

"There's a first time for everything."

"With you by my side…I'd do anything."

"Come with me then." Yusei smiled.

Yusei got up and held out his hand, which Akiza took. They grabbed their things and Akiza followed Yusei down the beach until they reached a cove. Akiza laughed as she saw a giant blanket laid out under a few trees with a makeshift fort. There was a pile of wood near the fort and a few tiki sticks around the area.

Yusei guided Akiza to the campsite and sat her down on the blanket. Akiza put her towel over her shoulders as she watched Yusei start the fire. When he did he jogged up to her and sat next to her. He rubbed his hands together and Akiza squeezed the towel tighter.

"Hey you should share."

"You should have brought your own."

"Come on." He tugged at her towel.

"It is all wet it'll just make everything worse."

"Well I'll just find another way to warm myself up then."

"How-"

Yusei interrupted her argument with a passionate kiss. Akiza kissed him back with the same fervor. Yusei broke off the kiss only to kiss her neck. Akiza roamed his body with her fingertips. Yusei lightly bit into her neck and Akiza moaned. Yusei moved his hands up her leg and thigh. Yusei kissed her again. Akiza wrapped her arms around his neck bringing her closer to his body.

Yusei's hand roamed up her midriff to lightly graze her breast. Akiza moaned feeling sensitive. Yusei broke the kiss to trail small kisses down to her chest. Akiza felt lost in his ministrations and overall happy she was finally giving herself mind, heart, and body to Yusei Fudo.


The next day…

Akiza and Yusei were arriving to the teacher's building when they noticed Mina and Trudge speaking to Crow and Sherry at the front of the building. They watched as Trudge wrote on a notepad as Crow and Sherry argued.

Trudge noticed them first and made a snarky comment.

"Day at the beach huh?"

"Something like that, so what's going on?" Yusei asked.

"We found traces of sabotage in our runners." Crow said.

Akiza zoned as Sherry and Crow talked to Yusei about what they found in their runners. Akiza let go of Yusei's hand and went into her apartment to change. She was in the shower thinking over things when she felt a new resolve she hadn't felt before. She was going to protect those she loved even at the cost of her life.

Akiza turned off the shower and quickly got dressed before heading out. She knew exactly who she had to talk to. Goodwin.


TBC…. So I think I have one last chapter and the epilogue left… drama is gonna go down next chappie. It's so close to the end and TBH I already have two short stories I'm working on 1- 5 chapters max with min drama and one long chapter with drama so HAKUNA MATATA don't be mad at me…