A/N – Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! You guys are great! Spiritshipping, and I say that as opposed to 'slight spiritshipping' because it is more than implied in this chapter.

Despite the fact that it was mid morning, the first thing the group did when they arrived back at the Truesdales' house, was to go straight to bed. The last they'd slept was on the boat, and that hadn't been particularly restful. Also, it seemed everyone was too afraid of what might get said if they all stayed together for too long.

Alexis got the guest bedroom, and the Truesdales' offered Aster their room, which he gratefully accepted. Everybody else was forced to squeeze into Zane and Syrus's rooms.

"Where does everyone want to go?" Zane asked, as they stood in a wordless cluster at the top of the stairs. Now that Aster was out of commission, and they were in his house, Zane had taken on the role of leader.

The replies he got were only really half-shrugs. Everyone was feeling far too guilty and worried and confused to care about things like that.

Atticus in particular, who had spent nearly an entire summer there a few years ago, felt particularly strange. Although he didn't know Aster well, and couldn't help but dislike Sartorious for the goings-on of the year before, the sadness was contagious. He wasn't sure he wanted that feeling connected with this house.

Wordlessly, they split into the two bedrooms. It did not go unnoticed how odd it was that Atticus went into Syrus's room, and Jesse and Jaden into Zane's.

Syrus could not help but be embarrassed, as he lay on his bed with his friends in sleeping bags below him. Something about it was unreal, especially under the circumstances. He tried to shrug it aside, however, until Atticus voiced a worry that they'd all been thinking of.

"The funeral," He said quietly, "Won't it be weird? Sartorious almost ruined our lives." They all tried to sneak looks at Chazz, who had of course been one of the Society's lead members. His pillow covered his head though, in a lame attempt at feigning sleep.

"I don't think it'll be so much a funeral, though. I think just a burial," Syrus said.

"Maybe," Atticus replied. He didn't say that he hoped this was the case, since it would take away some of the awkwardness. He didn't want to seem cold hearted.

"I feel badly for Aster," Syrus said softly, as he thought of the duelist, alone in his parents' room, "He lost his best friend and his deck in only a couple of days."

The murmured agreements were the last words they spoke, for now everyone's thoughts had traveled back to their cards.

Zane's room was a lot quieter. Axel and Jim had both fallen nearly instantly asleep, and Zane had drifted off soon after. It was only Jesse and Jaden who lay awake, hands linked somewhere between the sleeping bags.

"Jay?" Jesse whispered, as he noticed that the other's eyes were open.

"Yeah?" Jaden replied.

"Are you okay?" Jesse asked.

Jaden felt his heart warm as he saw Jesse's expression full of warmth and concern. He wondered if the other boy knew how much he loved to be around him. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking."

"What about?"

"Just," Jaden hesitated, wanting to phrase it just right, "I'm worried that I've been acting the wrong way."

"How so?" Jesse said.

"In caring about my cards so much. They're only cards aren't they? It's not like I lost you or anything." Jaden blushed, worrying about that sounding too intense.

"Aw, that's okay Jay. You had a right to be upset," Jesse said, trying to hide his smile at Jaden's words.

"I know. But… I think it's been enough now. We've got to help Aster get back at these ICO guys for what they did."

"Sure."

"And Jess, you'll be with me, won't you?"

Jesse's grin spread, "Always." And before he could think about it, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Jaden's lips.

A/N – Sorry the chapter is a bit of a filler, but I hope the JesseXJaden stuff makes up for it. The next big action isn't going to be for a couple of chapters, but don't worry, it'll be worth the wait!