Hey all! I'm stilldetermined to finish this story, don't worry! College season is coming soon though... I'll keep working on this in between assignments (normally I would say "and life" but I don't have one of those)

Lucy flipped to the next station o the television. Yugi called an hour ago and said he'd be right over. Where is he?

It had been a week since she had awoken from her two-month slumber. she could hardly find time for herself; in between staying at the hospital another few days to being smothered with love by her mother. Moreover, her friends had recently heard of her awakening. Yugi was the first to call, but, naturally, the gang had been together when he did, so they shouted their greetings and good wishes to her as well.

Lucy was becoming bored of not doing anything. When Yugi called, she felt elated. Finally! A chance to actually do something! However, that is not the only reason why she was eager to see Yugi. Ever since the day she woke up, she couldn't sleep without dreaming of him and Bakura.

She hadn't heard anything from Bakura yet. If Marik sent us both to the Shadow Realm, Bakura should have woken up around the same time I did...unless something else is going on... Did he know about her condition? He must have. It was even more confusing because she wasn't certain what Marik did to Bakura after he lost. Her chest ached the more she thought about it. Marik must have been stopped. That's probably why I woke up…maybe he just woke up too?

Her thoughts were came to an end when the sound of the doorbell chimed throughout the house. Lucy stood, and was about to answer the door when her mother cut her off. "Allow me," she said. Lucy shot her mother a look of annoyance. She's been babying me since I woke up…

"Just trying to help," her mother said innocently. She moved aside and welcomed Yugi into the home. "It's nice to finally meet you, Yugi." Only it wasn't Yugi. It was the Pharaoh.

He smiled at her, "It's nice to meet you, too." He turned to Lucy and his eyes softened, "You look well," he said.

"Yeah…" her words failed her. She shuffled her feet around, and her eyes darted away from him.

There was silence between the three of them for a moment, neither person knowing how to question or address this situation. Lucy's mother had constantly questioned how this could have happened to her healthy baby girl. No matter how many times Lucy had said she hit her head and fell, she never believed it. When Lucy's scans and reports came back completely normal, she dropped her consistent questioning. She was just happy that Lucy was all right.

"Ahem," the Pharaoh cleared his throat, "Um, I don't mean to be rude," he addressed Lucy's mother, "but may I have a word with Lucy alone?"

Her mother went wide-eyed for a moment, as if she were surprised another boy wanted to be alone with her daughter. She considered it, and remembered how Lucy was complaining of being stuck in the house. Then she smiled and turned to her daughter with soft, blue eyes. "I have some spare change if you guys want to go to the park and get some ice cream?"

Lucy's smile widened, "That would be great, mom!"

Her mother left the room for a moment to get the money. Lucy and the Pharaoh exchanged glances. He gave her a worried look. She offered him a shy smile in reassurance, and she was happy when he smiled back.

"And here I come to ruin the moment!" her mother practically sang as she reentered the room. She handed Lucy the money, kissed her on the forehead, and said, "Have a good time!"

Lucy rolled her eyes at her mother's antics as they left the home. She caught a sight of the blushing Pharaoh, and she giggled a little. "I'm sorry," she said, not completely believing her words.

"It's all right," he said. He smiled and added, "She reminds me of you."

She smiled back, "I get that a lot."

Her smile faltered as she tried to figure out how to ask him… She'd practiced it in her head a number of times. She wanted to know, but there was a terrifying feeling behind her dreams. Whatever the dreams meant, they were nothing good.

"Pharaoh-"

"Lucy, I-"

They both stopped.

"Apologies…" he said, and gestured for her to continue.

"I went unconscious because Marik…?"

"Yes," he answered, knowing her implications.

"And…" she tried to find the words to continue, "while I was…" she chuckled awkwardly, "you know…out?" he smiled, but felt guilt rising within him."I had these dreams. They were horrible…and then of you, and Bakura, too. They may have been memories…they may have been just dreams…where did Marik send me?"

"He sent you to the Shadow Realm. I am not sure if those dreams were memories or not…"

"What happened to Bakura after the duel?"

"Marik cast him to the Shadow Realm as well…" his voice was somber, like he was blaming himself.

"Where is he now?" she asked hesitantly, "Where did he go?"

"I'm not sure. He was in the same hospital you were in… When we heard that you were awake, we checked to see how he was too, but nobody could find him."

Lucy kept walking in silence, looking at the path ahead of her. Her mind was racing with ideas of what could have happened. "How did I wake up?"

He paused, considering how to answer, "It's a bit of a long story…"

"Give me the SparkNotes version?"

His eyebrow rose and his head tilted sideways, "What is SparkNotes?"

She laughed, remembering just how old he was. "Could you shorten the story for me as much as you can?"

"Oh," he said, "um… Marik was actually possessed by his anger and bitterness for his past and his lack of control at choosing his destiny, so-"

"So he basically threw a major tantrum and we all suffered for it?"

"Um…Yeah, kind of…" he said."So, I defeated him. Or, more pointedly, he surrendered after his good side resurfaced. He then set you and all others under his control free. He gave me his Millennium Rod and his God card…and then he went home with his sister and Odion."

Lucy looked bewildered and stupefied. "It was that simple?"

"No, but it is with the shortened version," he joked.

She chuckled, "Guess I'll have to read the book sometime then."

He looked towards the ground, feeling sudden warmth in his face. "Lucy, I actually wanted to ask you…those dreams…were you in ancient Egypt?"

"We were, actually. You and I were. We were running from this booming voice. You were trying to keep me safe. We ran through the desert to this cave; I was able to do some kind of magic or something to light the way; and you…" she froze, wide-eyed, "You pulled me out…" She got deja-vu from her dreams before when she was surrounded by darkness and monsters, only to have someone take her by the waist and pull her out.

"Are you saying I saved you? Was it me?"

"I'm sure it was… It was you when you were the pharaoh."

"Was there anything else? Any other part of your dreams?

"My dad came home… and… really bad stuff started happening…" She didn't realize she was starting to cry. "He hurt my mom, a-and he was going to hurt me, and there was so much blood…" Lucy stopped herself when she thought of her father changing into Bakura. She couldn't tell him that, or of their arguing over her.

"Lucy…" the Pharaoh looked to her as she hid her face behind her hair. He reached for her and slowly began to rub her shoulder. I want to hold her to take away her memories of being in that place… but instead asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Maybe…" she sniffled behind her fallen locks."Maybe," she began again, wiping her tears away, "you could give me a hug and order the cookie dough flavor for me?"

He smiled, "Of course." He held onto her, and she to him. She let more tears fall and buried her face in his shoulder. Her sobs turned to weeps. This was the first time she ever talked about what happened. This was the first time she told someone. Everything was overwhelming to her. He began to stroke her hair and cooed to her, "It's alright now… It's all over. I promise it will never happen again."

Winds chilled the late May afternoon. Lucy grabbed her over-sized black sweatshirt before leaving her apartment and locking the door behind her. She tied the key to her belt loop and put the key in her pocket before starting down the road.

The streets were crowded with people, all bundled up, and some pulling scarves over their faces. Lucy pulled her baggy hood up when a strong wind attacked her from behind. I can't wait another day…

She traced her memories and followed the path she took - what felt like - so long ago. She came to a run-down area of town, and she became more aware of her surroundings. Some windows were broken in some buildings. Some doors had been broken completely down in others. Lucy felt herself shake, but did not know if it was because she was afraid of what may happen should trouble come, or because the winds even reached this part of the city.

"Hey, Luce." Lucy quickly spun around to see Jack. "Whatchya doin' in these parts?"

She breathed out a sigh of relief, "Jack, hey… I'm trying to get to Bakura's place. See what he's up to…I haven't seen him for a while, have you seen him lately?"

"Nah, I haven't been to school lately…" He looked around and then back at her, "Say, uh…d'ya need someone to walk witchya? I ain't much fo' company, but this here place ain't always like Sesame Street."

She smiled, "Yeah, that's really nice of you. I'd really appreciate it."

The two walked on in silence for a while. Lucy looked over at him and was about to make small talk, when she took the time to notice what he was wearing. "How are you wearing shorts? And no jacket? Aren't you cold?"

He laughed a little, "Yeah, but 's all we can afford, ya know?"

Lucy felt her heart sink.

Soon they were not far from Bakura's home. Jack turned to Lucy, "Whelp, I'll see ya."

"Wait. Jack…" she took off her sweatshirt and handed it to him, "Here. It's a little too big for me, anyway."

He looked at her, mouth agape. "Are ya sure? Wontchya be cold later?"

She smiled, "I'm sure. Please take it?"

He took it from her and put it on. "'S a little snug on me, but 's comfy… Thank you."

"Yeah, of course. Thank you for walking me here."

"If ya ever need anything, Luce, just let me know. I owe ya one."

She waved at him, "I'll let you know. See you later, Jack!"

"Bye, Lucy!" He walked away. She watched him, and observed how the coat fit him. The black suited him, and it didn't look too tight. He looked warmer, and she felt warmer just for helping.

She turned to Bakura's home. Running up to the door, she knocked on it vehemently. "Bakura! Ryou! Are you in there?"

There was no answer. The winds were nipping at her arms, now that she had no coat. She banged a few more times, and called them both again.

She heard a ruffle in the home. A clatter. The sound of a voice. She knocked politely once more. "It's me…can you let me in, please?"

The door opened. It was dark inside. The light the boy let in from the outdoors shone on his brilliantly white hair. His brown eyes looked scared. "L-Lucy?"

"Yeah, Ryou, it's me… May I come in?" She noticed his fear and wondered why he would be so afraid of her.

He opened the door and stepped back to let her in. She rushed in from the cold and shut the door.

"Do you have any lights…?" She questioned whoever lay in the darkness with her.

Ryou flicked on the lights. They both winced at the sudden change. "How are you?" he asked.

"I'm alright… Well, better, now that I'm awake… What happened to you?"

He picked up the Millennium Ring and held it in his hand. He sighed and looked at her with eyes that looked like they had aged years since they had last met. "We got sent to the Shadow Realm too… I guess I'm still recovering."

"Oh… Yeah, that was quite the trip."

"Yeah…" He continued to fiddle with the artifact around his neck. Lucy watched him, wondering if something had happened to Bakura.

They stood across the room from each other, silence raging around them. Occasionally the winds would break through, and Lucy would feel chills as if she were back outside.

"Here," Ryou wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. I didn't even notice him coming…

"Thank you. Would you mind if I sit down?" she gestured to the couch.

"Yeah, come on," he guided her over and sat down next to her.

The silence followed them to the couch. Lucy pulled the blankets tight around her, and sleep threatened to take her. Ryou noticed this and moved closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her, and she moved her head to rest on his shoulder.

A brief flash of light snapped her awake for a moment. The arms around her tightened their grip on her. She looked up to see Bakura's eyes, the darker ones she remembered. "Hey…" she whispered, her voice hoarse with sleep.

He watched her for another moment before he looked away. He wasn't afraid, like Ryou was, but he seemed distant, even if he was so close.

"Look," she continued, "if this is about what happened at Battle City," he flinched at the name, "I'm not angry. Win some, lose some. We're all alright now. Marik was stopped, and you and I are both back here and out of…there…" Lucy still hated mentioning the Shadow Realm, and thought it was best forgotten. But there was something that made her shy away from Bakura now… She felt afraid of what she remembered.

"Yes…" the first word he heard him say since her dreams, "All because of the Pharaoh. I know…" He removed his arms and moved away from her.

Why is he always so jealous of him? She sat up and looked at him. "Where have you been?"

"Here, mostly."

"I was told that you were in the same hospital that I was in."

"I was."

So simple… How can it be so simple? "What happened after you woke up? You didn't come looking for me…"

"No, I didn't. I came back here. I needed to take care of some things…" he looked distant again.

Lucy looked around the room and noticed some bags that were packed. "Are you going somewhere, Bakura?"

"Yes… Would you come with me?"

"Go with you? Where?"

"Egypt. I know you've wanted to go…"

She stared at him, hoping the longer she did, the higher chance she'd have of figuring him out. "This is awfully sudden, and if I told my mom I want to travel out of the country with a boy, she'd give me an earful."

"Just a thought."

"Okay, what is with you?!" she shouted at him. He turned to her in response, eyes narrowed. "Why are you so quiet? So jealous that the Pharaoh was the one to beat Marik? At least we are out of the Shadow Realm!"

"That bastard is always the one to save the bloody day! I would have beaten him if-"

"If you hadn't been scheming with Marik in the first place! I don't care if you wanted the Items together. I don't care if you wanted to figure out our past. I did too, but working with the bad is not the way to do it."

He stared at her through thin slits. His eyes snaked up and down her body. Did my spell even work on her? "What did you see in the Shadow Realm?"

She looked stunned for a moment, and then her expression melted away at the sad remembrance. She told him all, sparing no detail: the never-ending dream with her nightmare mother and the return of her father; the transformation of her father to Bakura; the argument between him and the Pharaoh; and her experience with the Pharaoh, running away from that terrifying voice.

He let out a sigh, and leaned his head into his hand. She remembers him… That shouldn't surprise me. "Lucy, you must come to Egypt with me."

"Why? And I told you: even if I wanted to - which I do - my mother would never let me."

He groaned in frustration. Why does she tie herself down like this? "Fine."

"Fine… "

"I'll walk you home."

Lucy felt her chest tighten at his words, "Oh…Okay."

Bakura got up and left the room. Lucy heard shuffling and movement from the other side of the wall. Bakura came back and handed something to her. "Here." She took it and looked up at him curiously. "It's a coat. I noticed you were cold…"

"Thank you," she whispered.

He watched her put it on, taking in each gentle movement she made, memorizing every one…

She finished, and he cleared his throat, "Alright. Let's go."

She stood and started to follow him to the door. Her foot caught on something. She screamed as she fell forward. Bakura immediately turned around when he heard her scream. She fell right on top of him, and he fell beneath her.

He groaned from the fall, and the force that fell on him. Lucy started bracing herself and pushed on the floor to take her weight off him. "I'm sorry! I'm really so sorry…"

She paused as she noticed how he was looking at her. Deep brown eyes had softened as he moved his hand to brush her hair away from her face. She felt her face flush at his touch.

She took his hand in her own and moved off him completely. "What's wrong?"

Such a simple question with a complex answer… "I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because if I told you now, you would probably never look at me the same way again. You need to experience it… That's why I need you to come with me to Egypt."

Lucy felt her breath hitch. She let go of the hand she was holding and realized her own started to shake. "W-what is going on?"

Bakura sat up and looked at Lucy with sunken eyes that broke her heart. He looked away from her when she noticed. Her eyes had a second of shock-filled horror when an idea popped into her head. "What happened to you when you lost the duel?"

He paused, considering carefully what to tell her. "I lost…and I went to the Shadow Realm…which was different for me than it was for you…"

He faded away. He was sitting right in front of her, and he faded away from her. He cowered back into his own mind.

"I remembered," he said suddenly. "I got my memories of us - of everything - back."

He walked her home. They didn't talk. He walked her to her door, wished her a goodnight, and walked away into the empty, dimly lit streets. She was still wearing his jacket.

She went inside and heard her mother on the phone. "Oh, I think she just came in." Her mother came to her, phone in hand, "Lucy, it's Yugi. He just called and wants to talk to you." She handed her the phone.

"Hey, Yugi, what's up?"

"Lucy, would you be interested in coming to Egypt with us? We've finally collected the Items and with the God cards, we'll be able to set the Pharaoh free! He's going to regain his memories!"

"I'd have to ask my mom…"

"You can tell her my grandpa is coming with us. And she's more than welcome to come along too."

"Yeah, one second…" Lucy's head was spinning, "Mom?" she yelled, "Can we talk?" She turned her attention back to the phone, "Yugi, I may have to hang up for a while to talk to her. Can I call you back?"

"Of course."

"Thanks. Talk soon." She hung up just as her mother approached her.

"Hi, honey, what do you want to talk about?"

Lucy knew this would be difficult for her, seeing as how the last time she went on a trip with her friends, she found herself waking up in a hospital with a worried mother… "Mom, Yugi invited me and our other friends to go with him to Egypt…His grandfather will be going as well!" She added that last part quickly, hoping it would calm her that there would be adult supervision.

"I… I don't know, Lucy…"

"You're welcome to come too. And there won't be any dueling or anything… It's just a trip. We'll be completely safe. You know I've always wanted to go to Egypt…"

"Yeah, I know…"

"And I finished my schoolwork! And I'll be really good, you know I won't go anywhere without using the buddy system!"

Her mother sighed in exasperation. She knew she would never win this argument. "Let me talk to Mr. Muto."

"Really?! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She leapt to her mother in a hug.

She hugged her daughter back, "You owe me!"

"Yep yep!"

The doorbell rang and Lucy ran to open it. The gang was all there welcoming her and smiling bright.

"You ready to go?" Téa asked excitedly.

"Oh yeah!" Lucy was just as excited, maybe more. She turned to the Pharaoh, "Are you ready?"

He smiled, "I've waited so long…"

"You're nervous?"

"A little," he admitted. "Let me help you with your bags."

The rest of the gang waited in the car. Mr. Muto was driving them.

Hope Devereaux grabbed another bag, "So, Yugi, what are your intentions with my daughter?"

"Mom!" Lucy gasped in horror. The Pharaoh was stunned still.

"I'm just kidding. Just treat her like a princess, and we'll all be happy." She smiled at him.

He smiled back, "And nothing less, I promise." He picked up one of her bags and went out to the car. Lucy took another bag and followed in suit.

"Bye mom! I'll see you in a couple of weeks!"

"Bye, sweetie! Have a good time!"

She grabbed the coat Bakura gave her and followed the Pharaoh out the door. Something like that…she thought. I'm going to regain my memories too. Finally…

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review! Sometimes I feel like I'm just walking into the dark when I write. Let me know if you all have an opinion or an idea! I'd be more than happy to try to mix up the story a bit. :)

~Mina