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*Rated M for Mature

Chapter 21 – Saturday

Yubel stared at Joey's sleeping form on the hospital bed in thought. She wasn't contemplating whether she could help the blond; she was debating whether she should. All she'd ever done in his life was take the pain away. In a sense, Yubel had crippled him…and not in the physical sense. If Joey was every going to grow, he had to face his demons.

She sighed, not knowing what to do. Looking back, Yubel realized that Joey had never once asked for her help; she'd always offered…and after much consideration, the blond had often conceded. But not always.

Not once had Joey ever asked to take away any physical pain. His injuries were something he could hide. The emotional pain that came with it, however, he could not. And with how the blond's life had once been, maintaining an indestructible persona was key for his survival.

But now…his life was different. He had people who cared for him, loved him, and he was throwing it all away because he couldn't bear the fact that someone would be there for him no matter what. Life had taught him to not depend on others. It had been a miracle that he'd even chosen to stay with Seto in the first place.

Never again would she take away his bad memories just because she could. And never again would she be able to help him after she…did what needed to be done.

Everyone had slept in the waiting room that night. No one wanted to leave, especially if something changed with Joey's condition.

When the others had heard the news of what happened to Joey, most had broken down in tears. Bakura told them that the blond didn't need their pity, but their strength and support. If they couldn't hold it together, how was Joey supposed to? That had virtually shut them up, astounded that the former thief could give such…valuable advice.

Seto stared at the sleeping forms of…his friends. They'd stayed with him and comforted him throughout the entire night while Joey had been in a heavily sedated state. And now…he desperately hoped that Joey's condition would be better…at least mentally.

Walking down the hall, Seto quietly entered the blond's hospital room. The sunrise was peeking through the open blinds as he marched over to the bed and sat down in the chair next to him. His eyes roamed Joey's body, pleased that there seemed to be a bit more color on his face and his breathing even.

Joey took a deep breath, his hospital gown sliding down his chest some. At this, Seto frowned. Yesterday he had inspected nearly every inch of the blond. He knew the damage that had been done inside and out, but something was different. Lifting the gown just a little bit, he peeked down at what should have been his Puppy's horribly scarred chest.

But it wasn't. Simply put, the scars weren't there. And there was no indication that there had been any wounds in the first place. How had he healed?

His curiosity getting the best of him, Seto tentatively reached down and ran his hand along Joey's leg.

He twitched. Joey's leg had twitched.

And now he couldn't take it anymore.

"Puppy?" Seto called hopefully, wishing this wasn't just some twisted dream. He had to know if what he was seeing was real.

Joey opened his eyes and saw Seto. He smiled gently and lifted his hand, lightly touching the brunet's cheek with his fingers.

"Seto," he whispered.

Taking Joey's hand in his, he kissed it. "Puppy, I want you to do me a little favor, okay?"

"Okay," replied the blond, puzzled. He still seemed out of it from the sedatives they'd given him.

"I want you to try to wiggle your toes."

"Seto," said Joey helplessly.

"Just try," the brunet begged. "Please."

His Puppy turned his eyes to his feet. Since his lower half was covered in a blanket, he couldn't really see the condition his body was in. He was hesitant to try wiggling his toes because he was afraid that if he did so…he wouldn't be able to.

"Puppy."

Swallowing convulsively, Joey stared at his toes, his brain telling them to move. And they did. His eyes lit up and his gaze shot to Seto.

"I moved them!" he cried. "B-But how?"

"I don't know, Puppy. I don't know. Can…you move your legs any?" inquired Seto.

"I-I'll try, but…my legs feel kind of heavy," the blond replied. He attempted drawing his legs to himself, and after much effort, he succeeded. "I regained the use of my legs."

"Yes, but we're probably not out of the woods yet. Let me go get the doctor," Seto exclaimed excitedly, giving his Puppy a kiss before racing off.

Joey smiled. He'd been given a second chance…and he wasn't going to waste it.

Yubel looked over Joey's smiling face lovingly. He couldn't see her anymore…and would never see her again. Healing his body had literally severed her soul from his. She'd left his memories alone this time, too. The only thing she'd done was remove the physical scars and given him the potential to use his legs again.

However, Joey was going to have to work very hard to bring his body back to the way it used to be. And she couldn't wait to see him try. It would be like a mother watching her child take his first steps. Yubel would be there to see it and be proud.

Even though she was no longer Joey's guardian, she didn't have the heart to leave completely. So, by making herself Jaden's guardian, she could watch over her beloved blond, but never interfere again.

At least with his life. Jaden was another story entirely.

"I…I don't know how to explain this," exclaimed the doctor, wide-eyed as he stared at Joey. "I've run tests…and everything! I can't explain what happened!"

"All I can say is that I'm glad it did happen. But now, what can we do about it?" inquired Seto in a business-like manner.

"W-Well…even though Mr. Wheeler had regained feeling and function in his legs, he's still a bit too weak to support himself. He'll still need to undergo some physical therapy. A wheelchair for a few days, perhaps. Then we'll move onto crutches. In a matter of weeks, he should be walking normally again," informed the doctor, who was still quite stunned.

"When…can I go home?" interceded Joey, looking at both the doctor and Seto anxiously. "Is there any chance I can go home today?"

The doctor sighed and stared at his patient for a full minute. "Mr. Kaiba, it is my understanding that you have a personal doctor, correct?"

"That is correct," replied the brunet.

"I would like to monitor Mr. Wheeler through him. And I suppose…since he's currently stable…that you may take him home today."

Seto turned and looked to his Puppy. "Are you ready to go home?"

"You know I am."

They were finally home. And after many hugs and kisses from Jaden, Mokuba, and Serenity, Seto and Joey were finally left alone in their bedroom.

The blond lay on the bed with Seto curled behind him. He was planting featherlike kisses all along his neck. "I love you, Joey," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Seto."

Seto paused in his ministrations in order to have a serious conversation with him. Ever so gently, he turned his Puppy so that he was now facing him. "You do know that no matter what happens to you, I'll take care you…don't you?" inquired the brunet.

"I…I know. It's just that—"

"—you were afraid," Seto finished for him. The look Joey had in his eyes was all he needed to know the answer to that question. "Puppy, had the roles been reversed and it was me who'd been in your condition…what would you have done?"

"I would have taken care of you," Joey said, his eyebrows knitting in confusion. "I love you. I wouldn't…oh." It was then that he realized what Seto had been trying to tell him this whole time. Howhe would feel about Seto if this had happened to him was the brunet's exact reaction to what he himself had undergone.

"Do you get it now?" asked Seto.

Joey smiled. "I get it now."

"Good…because I would never abandon you. Not for any reason in the world."

"Same here," replied the blond sleepily. "Goodnight, Dragon."

"Goodnight, Puppy. Sweet dreams."

End Chapter