In Between

---Chapter 14---

"Flight 415 to Las Vegas now boarding at gate 4, seats 25 J to 35 K now boarding." a soft feminine voice echoed through the airport. Joey glanced at his ticket and sighed, buying a ticket at the last minute had put him in the back of the plane. Not that getting on the plane first would get him there any faster.

He was anxious; every moment he spent on the plane was a moment Yugi was losing. His leg began to bounce almost spastically as he glared at the clock. His ticket wielding hand fisted around the soft cardboard and his palms began to sweat. And he was actually scared for Yugi now. Before, he always knew Yugi would be fine but now he wasn't sure, anything could happen this time. He could lose his best friend.

"Seats 36K to 46L now boarding, please have your boarding passes ready, thank you." the voice went off into another language as Joey stood up and grabbed his bag and boarded the plane.

Hours later Joey got off the plane with his one piece of carry-on and ran down to the pick-ups and taxi line. His dreams where shot when he saw a line of fifty families waiting for a cab. He glared at no one and got in line to wait even more. But this time he let himself think. Where would Yugi be? And he didn't know the address… he supposed the best place to start would be the newest casino.

"Where to?" asked a heavy-set cab driver he looked as if he were wedged between the steering wheel and his beaded seat cover. His black hair and long black beard made Joey think of a pirate. All the man was missing was a colorful bird and an eye patch. "I haven't got all day, pal."

"Right. Uh, I need to get to the… well what is the newest casino?"

"That would be the Silver Dragon Casino, opening tomorrow. I can take you to it though."

The cab driver finally smiled as Joey got into the cab and moments later he stood before it; a huge silver version of the Tokyo tower. "Duke is so lame." Joey growled and headed for the door and read a small sign. "Grand opening tomorrow, only excusive and distinguished guests. Invite only." he sighed. Damn. There was no way Duke was going to invite Joey to the opening. He needed an in. so he would have to take a ticket from someone. He might not be a bully anymore but he still remembered how to steal and that's what he'd do.

He could only hope Yugi could hold out for him, hope that Yami was alright in the DDC, and that Tristan was trying to help Yami get out. He began to wonder, as he sat on a bench, when life got so real. Before, when they would save the world it was all so science fiction, there was a wrong and a right, but now, this time, there was a right and a wrong but so many wrongs would have to be committed in order for it all to be right again.

­---Domino City---

"What do you mean, Joey went on vacation?" Anzu blinked at Tristan's explanations of the disappearances of her friends. "Okay, where are Yami and Yugi?"

"Went with him."

"Okay. Why weren't we invited?"

"'Cuz…"

"Tristan, tell me the truth." She gave him the look, every woman in the known world had the look and it made him give in.

"Truth is; Yami is in the DDC for kidnapping Yugi. Yugi then was taken back to Las Vegas to marry Duke. Joey went to Vegas to try and stop the wedding and I am in charge of getting Yami out." He sighed.

"Why didn't you tell me before?! You suck! Let's go get Yami out." She grabbed a coat and dragged him out the door. "You know I hate it when you boys leave me out of things. Damn!" She glared at no one and sighed, "Just because I let Yami go so he could be with Yugi doesn't mean I don't want to be a part of his life at all. Don't you understand how important he is to me?"

"I know but that's why we didn't want you to know."

"No, this is my chance to help him."

"Our chance." He corrected softly and took her hand. "I guess our first step is to get you a new outfit."

"Why? People already think I dress like a slut. But hey it's either these short shorts or the long dorky ones. Whatever." she sighed. "Okay, so you want me to use my body to see if we can get him out?"

"Or at least get the cops to let us talk to him."

"I think we'll try talking to them rationally first." They headed down the road in silence as they each thought of a plan B. What would they say to get Yami out? What could they say? Would the cops believe them when they explained about the kidnapping?

"Anzu!" Tristan's voice broke her thoughts and she blinked to notice a tall mellow building of grey bricks and concrete. It looked like an inescapable prison. "Feels like we've seen this before."

"I was about to say the same thing. You know a few staircases and this could be the place inside the puzzle." she said and took a breath, "Let's get him out."

---

A loud Clink followed by a subtle Chink woke Yami from his meditation, the door was opening. his eyes popped open and he smiled kindly at the guard. "Your brother and sister are here to see you."

Yami smirked and nodded, standing up to follow him out and to the visitors' room. He was surprised to see Anzu and Tristan but hid it well until the guard left them to guard the door with his back turned. "Sister and Brother?"

"Only family is aloud." Anzu said and threw her arms around him and held him tight, "I am so sorry this happened to you." Yami let out a laughing sigh and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's not your fault. Is Yugi alright?" he said withdrawing from the hug.

"They sent him back to Las Vegas." Tristan said.

"I was afraid of that…"

"Joey went to find him." Tristan said and Yami made a face that told him that's what he wanted to hear. "So we are going to get you out of here."

"How?"

"There has to be a way."

"I did kidnap him, though it was to save him, they don't see it that way. I need to get out of here. Yugi needs me and I hate this."

"Don't start to panic now, we'll get you out." Anzu said.

"I just need to think," He paused a moment and smiled. "Alright. I have a plan, the guard has a universal key in his left pocket."

"You aren't suggesting that we plan a jail break."

"I am at that." Yami smiled. "Okay, now, Anzu… if you wouldn't mind… um…"

"Of course." She said and pulled her jacket off and pulled her skirt a bit higher. "I'd do anything for you." she whispered hoping he didn't hear it when she knew he did.

"Good, now I have a key press. You need to press the key in it and close the lid and open it to let the key out. Make sure you get a good imprint because we only have one chance." Yami handed her the press and kissed her cheek for luck. Then go make a copy and come back around noon tomorrow. that's when we all get a sort of recess. I'll be in the courtyard under a tree reading. I'll come to the fence and you slide the key in." Yami smiled.

"Too bad you are on the good side; you would make a great enemy."

"Thank you, I guess." He knocked on the door and was lead away by another guard he could only assume that Anzu got the print as he sat in his cell lonely and cold as the darkness came.

"Got a plan?"

"Hey, Tai, hope I didn't wake you."

"Nah, I was up. There is something I want you to give my wife. Come here a moment." he said becoming Yami to come to his cell door. Yami did and held out his hand and felt something slide into his hand. "Tell her I love her."

"I will." he closed his hands around the round object and stuck it in his pocket. "Thank you for all your help."

"Yup. Listen Side Note sent your letter, are you sure about what you sent?"

"Positive. It's bound to buy me some time." Yami smirked for what seemed to be the thousandth time that day. "Good night Tai."

"Night." he whispered and both men crawled back into their cots and fell asleep.

---Dark---

Yugi opened his eyes, and groaned as he felt the cold floor beneath him. Placing his hands on the ground he pushed himself up and sat up slowly. It was then that he noticed where he was. Rather, where it looked like he was. The sky around him was pitch black except for the thousands of twinkling stars around him. The glimmer of their light seemed to bounce off the ground and he looked down. The ground was gold. This looked too familiar.

"It's the puzzled. We are standing on top of it." Yugi closed his eyes at the soothing voice. "That's right. I've been waiting for you to find this place. Yugi, this is where we can be together, here in the dark. No one can take us away from each other, not completely, anyway."

"Yami." Yugi choked out.

"Don't worry little one. I'll be there. I'm coming to save you. Just remember that. Now open your eyes." Yugi's eyes popped open and Yami stood in front of him. "Hey." he tucked a stray hair from his face.

"Yami." Yugi whispered again and wrapped his arms around Yami tightly. "I need you."

"I need you too. And the fact that you found this place proves that. But we need to be strong. I need you to be strong. No matter what Duke says, you will get through this. I'm coming."

"You don't understand. I told Duke I would marry him, I made a deal with him. I'm sorry." Yugi's body began to fade.

"Yugi." Yami growled. "Why are you doing this? He doesn't love you.

"He promised to keep you safe." his body vanished leaving Yami alone.

"Yugi! He's a liar! Dammit!" Yami sank to the ground and the world swirled around him before he woke up with a jolt. "YUGI!"