Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line.

A/N: The next chapter probably won't be up for a couple weeks, but there will be another chapter :)

Chapter Seven

Out of Time

Atem

I sighed, shaking my head trying to clear my thoughts, as I pealed my shirt off laying it on the log I was sitting on. I hated the feeling of wet cloths, and tried to keep my mind on the thought of how glad was that I wasn't wearing jeans. But the thought didn't distract me for long, and I went right back to stressing about what happened. I couldn't believe I kissed him! And then ran away! What the hell was wrong with me? What was I thinking? I probably just messed everything up! I began pacing the length of a fallen tree. How could I do something so careless? I knew better, I had for over seven years, so what the hell came over me? But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I already knew the answer. It was Yugi.

He seemed to be the cause of most of the careless slip ups I'd made lately. Most of the stupid things I'd done. It all mostly revolved around him, or somehow was caused by his presence. One of the most dangerous things I started doing thanks to him was letting myself feel. A lot. And it made it harder to deal with what I had to do, every damned day, and what I'd have to deal with when my father came back. I didn't even know if I could deal with any of it anymore. Every day that went on, I started to feel more, which included feeling the horror, and pain, and even shame of doing things with the random people that paid my father.

It just got worse every day, along with the feelings I had for him. I didn't love him, but I did want to be with him. I still needed to come up with a plan to get Marik to a safe place before my father came back. Hell, I should have already thought of something, but I'd been to wrapped up in having people around – having Yugi around – that I hadn't been giving it enough thought. I couldn't afford to be distracted by everyone, and Yugi seemed to be my biggest distraction. I knew what I had to do... I just didn't know how I was going to do it, or if I even could. But I didn't have much of a choice, with only two weeks left to come up with, and execute a perfectly fool proof plan to get Marik out of this place. I sighed, sliding down the log until I was sitting on the ground. I closed my eyes and hit my head against the log, groaning about my stupidity.

"Atem?"

My head snapped up at the mention of my name, There, standing in front me, was something so impossible, I had to blink a couple times for it to register in my brain. "Mahhad?" I asked, still not quit sure.

He was still gaping at me, and I was suddenly over aware of the fact that I had no shirt on.

I stood up, "Uhh… Mahhad?" I asked again, as I got up slowly.

It took him a while, but he finally shook himself out of his trance to ask me, "What happened to you?"

I knew this was coming, but it didn't make it any easier to come up with a plausible excuse. Not knowing what else to do, I rolled my eyes, answering him as if his question was offensive, "You're kidding right? You sound like my dad." I hoped by trying to cart it off as nothing, he would let it go.

He crossed his arms, and looked at me disapprovingly.

I sighed loudly, and rolled my eyes as I said, "I get into a lot fights. Jeez, don't be so over dramatic," trying to act like I was just another trouble making teen.

"A lot of fights huh? With who, exactly?"

"Why does it matter? What are you doing here anyway?" My tone was dripping with acid, though I wasn't really mad at him. But I wasn't going to get rid of Yugi, just so I could be distracted by the fact my best friend came back.

"Just answer the question."

"Why don't you answer my question?"

This made him hesitate, but only for a moment, before he replied slowly. "I…

Well, I'm here for you man. I've been worried about you since… well, you know…" He let his words fade, but I knew exactly what he was talking about.

I hadn't expected that answer. Suddenly I had the urge to punch him. I could understand why he left, but coming back acting like he was worried about me? Hell no. I didn't need him to worry about me, and I sure as hell didn't need him to protect me any more. I hadn't for a long time, so I smiled sarcastically and let him know exactly that. Now, when I spoke, I meant every word, and didn't think twice about my acidic tone. "Yeah? You've been worried about me huh? Poor little defenseless Atem, who can't fend for himself. That was a long time ago. I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me. I can take care of myself. Oh, and to answer your question, anyone who pisses me off, and thinks they can mess with me. You think this is bad?" I motioned to my chest and dropped my voice to a dangerous tone, "You should see them." So much for keeping my lies at a minimum. Whatever.

All he could do was stare at me in shock for a minute. "What's gotten into you?"

I just shrugged lazily. "Seven years is a long time, a lot can change." Unfortunately, I hadn't really changed all that much. I was still some pathetic guy, who couldn't defend himself. But I sure as hell wasn't about to tell him that.

"I can see that." He said in a dry tone, "Well, if that's what you think… I'll just go." He turned to leave, and I opened my mouth to tell him not to go, but he stopped and turned his head back towards me, "I'm staying at the super 8 motel, room 140, if you need me…"

I just sighed, as he started walking again. He was staying at a motel? I might have been pissed off, but motels were expensive, and gross. I couldn't let him stay there, so I shouted for him, "Mahad, wait…"

He turned around, but said nothing.

I sighed in frustration, "Motels are expensive… You shouldn't spend all your money on one…"

He just raised is eyebrows at me in question, so I went on, struggling for words.

"What I'm saying is… you can stay at my place… for a couple weeks… if you want."

He grinned, and started walking back to me. "Great! Thanks man."

I shook my head, "It doesn't change anything."

His smile fell just a little. "Why are you so mad at me Atem?"

"I'm not mad at you. I just… Don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"Why you suddenly came back, after seven years!" I asked, exasperated.

"What are you talking about? What did you expect me to do? I tried to call a million times, but he'd never let me talk to you! Hell Atem, sometimes I'd even hear you screaming! And I'll be damned if your gonna try to tell me those are from getting into a bunch of fights!" He was yelling by now. I could see tears forming in his eyes, but he blinked them back and his face turned cold, like he was contemplating murder. Which I knew could very well be the case.

I shook my head at him, telling myself that lying to him was necessary. "That wasn't me. Marik used to scream a lot. He was really noisy when he was younger." I always wondered why I was never aloud to answer the phone. And I knew that when my dad came back, and checked the phone bills, I was going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble. But I couldn't let myself think about that right now. "And I was grounded… A lot."

"For what exactly? What the hell would you get grounded for on a weekly basis?" This time his voice was low, but sarcastic.

I shrugged again, "I told you, I get in a lot of fights. Actions have consequences. You do the math."

He was yelling again. "How long are you gonna go on with these stupid ass lies? All you're doing is letting him get away with it. And what about Marik? What happens when you leave, huh? Do you honestly think he's gonna stop with you, because he wont. Everything he's doing to you is what he'll do to Marik once you're gone, if he hasn't already started. Are you really gonna let your little brother go through that? Atem, think of what your mom would say! She basically sacrificed her life for him!"

My eyes were wide, and blood was pumping rage throughout my body. I would kill him before I'd let my father lay a finger on Marik. It was all I could do just to keep myself from pouncing on him, and breaking his entire face for insinuating I wasn't thinking about Marik. My voice was low and full of threats as I spoke slowly, and clear. "If you think I'd ever let anyone touch my little brother, your more idiotic then I even thought possible. Don't mistake me for who I used to be Mahad. I will kill the first person who tries to hurt him. And I won't think twice about it. I told you, I'm not some helpless little kid anymore"

"So why the hell won't you tell anyone what your dad's doing?"

"Because, who the hell would believe me?" As soon as the words were out, I wished I could take them back. I'd just admitted it. He dangled the bait, and I took it. Now he had me backed up into a corner, I couldn't see an escape from.

His voice was soft when he spoke again. "Atem, is that really what this is about? You don't think anyone would believe you?"

I sighed in frustration-, "Look," I said, pissed again, "Marik's gonna be fine. I've got a plan to get him away from all this."

"What about you?"

I made an irritated noise, and looked away, "It doesn't really matter much, does it?"

His eyes went wide and he stared at me, not believing what I was implying, "You're not planning to get yourself out of it… Are you?" His voice was soft, and disbelieving.

I shrugged, "Like I said, I don't matter." I glanced to my right, thinking I saw something, and froze. Marik and Bakura were standing there, watching us. I hated myself now more than I ever had. Bakura was trying to comfort him as he cried silently. I couldn't take it anymore, I hated seeing him cry, so I grabbed my shirt, slipping it back on, and looked over at the two small boys. My voice and face went soft as I looked at them. "Marik, come here." He did as he was told, slowly walking towards me, and I knelt down to pick him up. "Hey, it's alright. Don't cry, bro." I looked up at Mahad for just long enough to say, "Take Bakura back to Yugi. He knows where he is.:

"Bu-but, Temmy…" His words were cut off as he buried his face in my shoulder, making little sniffle noises as he cried.

I shot a cold glare at Mahad before walking away with Marik in my arms. As soon as we were out of sight, and I knew they couldn't hear us, I put him down, and hugged him for a moment. "I'm so sorry Marik. You shouldn't have had to see that."

He shook his head, still sniffling. "You're not gonna leave me are ya Temmy?"

His question stunned me into silence for a moment. I wasn't sure what to say. "Marik, I-"

"You said th-that you don't m-matter. But y-you do!" He cut me off.

I took a deep breath, readying myself for this talk. "Marik, I have to get you away from dad. It's my job to make sure your safe."

"B-but what about y-you?"

I shook my head sadly, "I don't think I'll be able to."

"No!" He yelled, "You have to Temy! You have to!"

I put my hand on his shoulders, "I'm sorry, but it won't work."

"But you promised! You said you'd be okay! But you won't be! You lied!"

I felt tears well up in the rim of my eyes, and I tried to blink them back, "I know, I'm sorry, but sometimes.." My voice broke, letting a tear escape. I cleared my throat and wiped it away, "Sometimes, things like this happen. You'll understand when you're older, I promise."

He spoke low, through his tears, "But I don't wanna leave you." Then he was yelling again. "I won't! You can't make me!"

"Marik, listen to me. You have to. I need you to be safe."

He glared at me as he yelled, "I hate you Temy!" And ran away.

"Marik! Come back!" I yelled, as I tried to run after him, once my shock wore off.

He was too far ahead of me, and I ended up loosing him. Running frantically around the forest area for him, I prayed to whoever could here me he wouldn't hurt himself. But, of course, my fear was realized. I heard a high pitched scream sound from somewhere to the left of me, and quickly ran that way.

It felt like it took a life time to find him, but when I did, my heart sank. He was lying on the ground, face smudged with dirt, and tears. But what caught my attention was his ankle, twisted in an unnatural direction. I kneeled down beside him, setting my hand on his arm. "Marik, I'm gonna pick you up, okay? And its gonna hurt."

He just whimpered softly, as I positioned my arms under him. As I lifted him off the ground, he screamed loudly.

"I'm sorry, I know it hurts, but it'll be over soon. Just hang in there." I repeated this the whole way back to the rest of our group. They all came running when they saw me walking with a hurt and crying Marik in my arms. I looked between Mahad and Yugi, panicking. "Please tell me one of you has a cell phone with you. I can't carry him all the way to a hospital like this."

Yugi shook his head. "I think I left mine at home."

I looked to Mahad, silently pleading him to tell me he had one. And for once in my life, I actually heard some good news. He nodded, and took his cell phone out of his pocket.

"But there's probably no service out here." Yugi spoke up again.

"They'll still get the call. We can't talk, but they'll be able to find us." Mahad explained.

I couldn't even talk. I just stood there, waiting for something to happen. Everything I learned to do in this situation seemed to have abandoned me. Mahad gave his phone to Yugi, instructing him to make the call, turned toward me to tell me to set him on the blanket, walked over to Bakura, and -to my utter horror- walked away with him.

Instead of following him like I wanted to, I set Marik on the blanket, as instructed. I sat by his side, letting him hold my hand, and trying not to think about the fact that the paramedics would have to call my father. After about three minutes, Yugi plopped down beside me, and put a hand on my shoulder.

"He'll be alright. It's just his ankle Atem." He tried, unsuccessfully, to comfort me.

I sighed softly, and looked at him. "I know but…This shouldn't have happened. It wouldn't have if I would have just…" I looked away from him, staring at the trees.

"Just what?" He asked me, confused.

I sighed again, trying to think of what exactly I was trying to say. "I don't know."

We sat in silence until the ambulance got there. They told us that only one person could go with them, so I looked at Yugi before I climbed in with the EMTs, "Meet me there? Please."

He just nodded.

It took about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital. They rushed Marik down the hall, through some double doors, and someone told me to wait in the waiting room. I sat there for what felt like hours, before a doctor finally came out, to tell me he fractured his leg, sprained his ankle, and had a minor concussion.

"So, can I take him home?"

"Well, normally, I'd say yes, but since he's so young, I think it would be better to keep him here over night, just to keep an eye on his concussion."

I nodded, "Alright…"

"There's just one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"We contacted your father to let him know what happened, he said to tell you he was coming back early to check on your brother."

Shit. I just nodded, and asked what room Marik was in, trying to keep calm. The doctor directed me to room 213, before he ran off, with his pager in his hand. I stood outside the room for a couple minutes, just staring in at my sleeping brother. This day was supposed to be fun for him, but instead it turned into complete shit, because I couldn't keep my feelings to my damned self. And on top of everything, our dad was coming home two weeks early. I wondered idly how close he would come to killing me this time, and how long I'd have to spend in the hospital, if he even decided to take me to one. I hit my head against the door as I thought. I stood like that for about five minutes, until suddenly my head hit a hand instead of the door, and I heard a small yelp of pain. I looked over to see Yugi standing there, nursing his hand, and raised my eyebrows at him, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What are you doing?"

I sighed sadly, "Yugi, I need to talk to you…"

I saw him look down at his hands sadly, from the corner of my eye. "It's alright, I get it."

I furrowed my brow in confusion, and looked back at him. "What do you mean?"

"You don't have to let me down easy Atem. I know you regret... you know."

My eyes went wide at his accusation. "No! I mean yeah, but- It's not like that. I shouldn't have… but not because.. I just… that's not what I wanted to talk to you about"

"Oh… Then what did you want to talk to me about?"

I looked around for a second, noticing Mahad for the first time since they got there. "We should go outside…" I looked up at my friend, "Do you mind staying with Marik for a while?"

He shook his head, "Not a problem."

"Thanks," And with that, I took Yugi's hand, and led him outside where we could talk without anyone hearing us. We sat on a bench, and I sighed looking anywhere but at Yugi.

Yugi just sat next to me, waiting patiently.

Finally, I looked into his eyes, "This was a mistake. We shouldn't hang out anymore."

"What? Why?" He got to his feet, eyes wide, and full of hurt.

"Because, it's just… it's better this way, trust me."

"No, tell me why."

"Why does it matter? It's not going to change anything."

"Because I want you to admit it."

"Admit what?"

"Admit that you wish you didn't kiss me."

"Wha- No… I already told you, that's not what this is about!" I didn't understand why he kept coming to that conclusion, but it was starting to piss me off.

"Then tell me why."

I wanted to tell him the truth more than anything, but I knew it was a bad idea. Unfortunately, I also knew there was no other explanation, so I gave up, and told him the one thing I never wanted to tell him, "Fine, you're right. I regret it. Happy?"

"Sure, I'm freaking ecstatic. Whatever, I guess I'll leave you alone then." Without another word, he turned on his heal, and stalked off.

I sighed, trying to clear my thoughts. At least that part was over. Now I just had to get rid of Mahad, and hope, I would survive whatever my dad decided to do to me. It was too late to try to get Marik away from all this, but he'd eventually go on another business trip. Or, if I was lucky, he'd go back to finish whatever business he was attending to now. Either way, I'd get my little brother to a safe place.

I had been sitting there for about fifteen minutes lost in thought, when Mahad walked out.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you. What are you doing out here?" He looked around for a second, confusion clear on his face, "Where's Yugi?"

I shrugged, "Not here anymore. Look, I shouldn't have told you that you could stay with us."

He looked taken aback, "Why?"

"Because you can't. You should just go back."

"Oh yeah? Is this you talking, or your dad?"

I rolled my eyes, "Shut the hell up. You don't know what you're talking about."

"Really, because I think I'm talking about the fact that you're letting your dad control you and you're gonna end up getting yourself, and Marik killed."

I shook my head. "My dad's not coming back for a couple more weeks. By that time, we'll be long gone."

"So, why don't you come back with me? I have a place to stay, and I don't really think he'd come looking for you there."

That gave me an idea. I wasn't sure if it would work, but I had to try, so I acted like I was thinking for a moment, before I said, "Okay, but we have to leave as soon as Marik gets out of the hospital."

He seemed surprised at how easy it was to talk me into leaving with him. "Alright, cool. Well, the doctor said Marik won't be awake for a while cuz of the pain meds they gave him, so did you want to go find Yugi, and tell him goodbye?"

I just shook my head, "Nah, he's gonna call me later tonight, I'll tell him then."

He shrugged lightly, "Alright then. Hey, what'd you guys come out here to talk about anyway?"

"Ehh, I don't think you really want to know."

This made him laugh, as he elbowed me in the side lightly, "C'mon, just tell me."

"Alright, but I'm telling you, you really don't want to know."

"I think I can handle it."

I shrugged. "If you think so. Right before you found me sitting on that log, I kissed him, and then ran away. Which is why you found me on that log."

"Whoa… didn't know you swung that way man." He joked.

"Nether did I actually."

"Well that's confusing."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"So…?"

"So, what?"

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing. We're just friends"

"Seriously?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Nope, not when it's you."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh please. Do you remember Rebecca?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "That girl I had a crush on in third grade?"

"Yup, that's the one."

"Yeah… what about her?"

"Remember, you gave her a card you made, telling her you liked her? She hugged you; you blushed and ran away, and never spoke to her again!"

"Hey! That was totally different. She talked to her freaking teddy bear like it was a real person. She creeped me out."

"That's just an excuse. Just admit you have relationship issues."

"I do not have relationship issues."

"You make the first move, and then run away when they go for it. If that's not issues, I don't know what is."

"Two people don't count as issues. Especially when one was in third grade."

"They do when they're the only two times you've gotten close to having a relationship. Especially sense you're sixteen."

"I've had relationships before…"

"Yeah? With who?"

I thought for a second, trying to come up with someone, but I couldn't think of anyone.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

We laughed for a minute, before I got off the bench to go inside, Mahad following close behind me.

Mahad said he had some things to take care of, so we decided to meet at the hospital in a couple hours.

I knew it wouldn't be long before my dad was back, so I went home to pack Marik's things, and get ready for my plan. I grabbed a small duffle bag out of a hall closet, stuffed his clothes in there with a note pinned to one of his shirts, explaining why I had to do what I was going to do, and asking Mahad to take care of Marik. I wrote a letter to Yugi, telling him I was sorry, and that I lied. I was glad I got to kiss him. I explained that there was no other way I could think of to keep him from getting mixed up in this. When I was done addressing the letter, I left it on the table on top of the blanket I had told him he could have, searched my dad's room for his video cameras, set them up all over the house, grabbed the duffle bag of Marik's stuff, and left to the hospital once again.

I sighed in relief when I was Marik sitting up, talking to a nurse. He beamed the second I walked through the door, but his smile faded quickly and he glared at me. The nurse noticed the tension, and left us alone.

"Marik, listen-"

"No." He shook his head, and looked away.

I set the bag down next to his bed, and kept talking like he hadn't interrupted me, "Mahad's gonna be here in about an hour. I need you to tell him I'm taking care of some things, and I won't be able to be here tomorrow, when they discharge you. He needs to take you with him anyway, and I'll catch up as soon as I can."

He looked confused but nodded anyway, knowing that what I was saying was important even though he didn't understand it. "Kay."

I hugged him tightly, as I said, "I love you kid. Remember that."

He sniffed, and I could tell he was crying when he said, "I love you too Temy."

I straightened up, and started to the door, "I have to go now. Bye Marik."

"Bye Temy…" He waved slightly, as tears fell freely down his face.

I looked at my watch as I walked out the doors of the hospital. I had fifteen minutes before my dad would be back. I knew he'd stop at home first, so I ran all the way back. I left the front door open, and started throwing things around, braking whatever I could. I ran upstairs and kicked his bedroom door in, thrashing everything in sight. When things were as bad as they could get, I turned on all the cameras I had set up, and waited.

About ten minutes later, I heard my dad pull up in the driveway, and took a long, steadying breath as I stood in the entrence between the living room and kitchen. This was it. No matter what happened in the next fifteen minutes, it would all be over. I would be dead and he would be in prison, or he would be dead, and I would be in prison. I didn't care either way.

His eyes were wide with rage as he walked in the door. "What the hell happened here boy?" He asked, voice low and menacing.

I just shrugged, "What does it look like?" I replied sarcastically.

That was all it took. Suddenly he was next to me, throwing me down to the ground. I jumped back up and swung my fist at his face. I heard a crack and knew I had broken his nose. This stunned him, I had never retaliated before. He only paused for a moment, but it was enough time for me to gain a small advantage. I swung at him again, this time hitting him in the gut. He oomphed, and swung back full force, hitting me in the chest and knocking the air out of my lungs. I coughed and slid to the floor. He continued, kicking me in the stomach as I doubled over, trying to catch my breath. Suddenly I was being pulled to my feet by my hair, and he through me across the room. I felt a sharp pain in my lower back when I landed. He didn't advance at me again, like I thought he would. The bastard just stood there with a blank face, watching me as I tried in vain to stand up. Finally, I understood when I felt the blood. I felt my back where the sharp pain was, and gasped at what I felt. A stake knife was protruding out of my lower back. All I could do was sit there in wonder, as I went light headed and everything started going black. The last thing I remember before the blackness completely swallowed me was laughing. The sound was raspy, and foreign, but filled with joy. It was finally over.

A/N: The story isn't over, so keep in tune :) Review please!