Episode: #36
Setting: Carley's apartment
Couple(s): Carley x Jack
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's

What if Carley listened to Jack?

'Don't venture any deeper into this affair.'

Carley lifted her head slightly, staring dully at the computer screen, listening to it's nearly-silent hum. She sighed and rested her head on the table, the bags under eyes evident from her sleepless night, heartbroken that her love had left her to attend his own business. . .but what hurt the most was that he was with that secretary of his, Mikage

'I. . .want you to be safe.'

Suddenly, his image appeared before her eyes, an illusion created by her lack of sleep. She grumbled slightly and faced the other direction, where he only appeared again. He was everywhere and everything to her. Carley moaned and sat up, her eyes filling with tears. She tightened her fists, her knuckles turning pale from the pressure. She suddenly stood, pushing her chair down and running to the sofa with a cry.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" she screamed into the cushions, banging them violently as hot tears spilled from eyes and soaked the fabric. "Why did you have to go!? Pay me back for all the meals I treated you to! You opened the black tea I was saving for special occasions! And, as embarrassed as I was, went to have men's clothing cleaned! Give it all back to me, Jack Atlas!"

She shuddered, sniffling and trying to hold back further flow of tears.

"Give me back my heart. . ." she whispered, lifting her head and looking out the window where the early morning sunlight poured in. "I don't want to give up on this story. . .I want to keep contact with you. i don't want to lose you."

'Don't venture any deeper into this affair.' His words rang in her head once again. His voice was gentle, but serious at the same time. She knew in her heart he was only doing this to protect her. . .

She shut her eyes tightly, shaking slightly.

But she didn't want to be protected. She wanted to be with him, and only him. To face the danger together, to uncover the hidden secrets of the Dark Signers. Not only would it save her career as a reporter, but she would get at least one more precious moment to be by his side.

'When it's all over, I promise to tell you everything. . .'

No. . .

She sighed and pulled herself up onto the sofa, taking in a deep breath. She wanted to be by him, but she couldn't. She wasn't destined to be a part of the fate of the Signers. She'd have to wait; she's have to hope that he would return.

"I pray you'll keep your promise, Jack Atlas."

Carley would have either died in another manner, or would have never died at all. If such were the case, there wpuld be a different person in her place and Jack would've never dueled. He also may not have gained his full drive to defeat the Dark Signers without the knowledge of her disappearance.

Comments: Request for Blueorange99. I have to be honest, I'm kind of irked that they brought back the Dark Signers. I mean, I liked most of them as characters, and I was sad to see them go, but. . .It really ruined the Dark Signer arc for me. Really.

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