Chapter Thirty-Eight:

The next two weeks passed by in a blur. Yugi, who was allowed outside of the hospital as long as he didn't go far or do anything too strenuous, was anxious to test whether or not the chip-procedure was a success. He admitted sulkily to Yami that he'd considered trying even against the doctor's orders until he'd found out that the chips weren't even switched 'on' yet and wouldn't be until the doctor gave the OK.

"I don't like that," Joey grumbled to Yami one night when they were back at the hotel. "Switched 'on' like he's some freaking robot. Don't they have any tact?"

"I'm sure the doctor didn't mean it like that."

"Yeah. I guess not. Hey, Yami, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

Yami looked up at him from where he was sitting at the little hotel room table. Joey was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking uncomfortable. He glanced up at Yami, then away, clearing his throat.

"Um... I don't exactly know how to get started on this, but, um...Yug' and me...we--"

Yami smiled. He understood right away what Joey was trying to say. "Yes?"

"We, we kind of...You know I like Yug', right? I mean, a lot."

"Joey, if you're trying to tell me you love Aibou, you can say it."

Joey flushed and fiddled with his fingers. "Yeah, I know. Okay, so I do. I love Yug'. It's like, like I didn't really know it until I saw him lying there in that hospital for the first time, you know? Like, almost losing him made me realize how much it would hurt if I had." Joey looked up.

"I understand."

"But I didn't really say anything because I didn't think Yug' really felt the same way. And even if I thought he did, he just lost his family and I wasn't going to say something like that there in the hospital. And then all that recovery stuff got in the way and a whole year went before I even realized it. And...And I got together with you, and--"

"Joey, you're not hurting my feelings if that is what you are worried about. I think you and Aibou make a terrific couple."

"You do? Really?"

"Yes."

Joey smiled, looking relieved. "Thanks. Look, I haven't told Yug' about me and you. I didn't really think I had the right to, at least not until I talked it over with you. I'm still not sure if I want to bring it up. But now that he's on the mend, you know, I kind of want to try having a relationship with him, you know what I mean? And the real reason I wanted to talk to you about it is that if I am, I want to do it right. And that means...you and me..."

Yami smiled again encouragingly. "I understand what you're trying to say, Joey."

He did. Joey was trying to get out the fact that he wanted to be exclusive to Yugi, but was afraid of hurting Yami's feelings by 'breaking up' with him. He got up and went over, patting Joey on the shoulder.

"I've seen this coming for a little while now, you and Aibou. I would be happy if it happened."

"Good," Joey said in relief. "I just didn't want you thinking, you know, that I thought it was only about sex."

Yami sat down beside him, rubbing his shoulder again. "Joey, that is what it was about. You are a good friend of mine, but we were not lovers."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Joey blinked, then laughed and kissed Yami on the side of the head. "Trust you to tell it like it is. Thanks, man."

"Of course, Joey. We should probably try to get some sleep. You look tired."

Joey nodded, scrubbing a hand across his eyes. "Yeah, you're right. I guess I haven't been sleeping too well with all the things that've been happening to Yug'. I really am beat."

"Then let's call it a night."

Joey gave him a sleepy smile. Maybe it was the fact that he'd rubbed his hand across his eyes just a second ago, but Yami thought he looked exhausted. He really must have been staying awake worrying about Yugi. That would make two of them. He stood and walked over to the dresser the long-stay hotel provided, changing into his pajamas. When he turned around, Joey was already in his own and was lying beneath the covers, watching him through half-closed eyes.

"We should do something for Yug' tomorrow," he said. "I think he's really disappointed he can't try the chips until Monday."

Yami nodded, turning off the main light and walking over to his own bed, climbing in under the covers. Yugi was disappointed about that news; his doctor had left that morning to attend his daughter's baptism, his family coming in from various states for the event, and wouldn't be back until Monday. No one else at the hospital had the clearance to give permission for Yugi to try. He was getting frustrated and a distraction would be a good idea.

The next morning, they got up early and went to the hospital to check on Yugi. He was already awake himself, having just completed his morning check-up and greeted them in his room, dressed and in his wheelchair.

"My nurse says my stitches can come out tomorrow," he said. "And my X-rays look perfect."

"That's great, Yug!" Joey exclaimed.

"Yeah. So as soon as Dr. Cole gets back on Monday, I'll be walking."

Yugi started rolling forward to go out the door and Yami took the opportunity to exchange a worried look with Joey. He wished Yugi wasn't quite this intense, but he couldn't bring himself to be the doomsayer. There was a good chance the chips wouldn't work, and an even greater one--most likely--that he would never have the capacity for movement he'd had before the accident. Dr. Ashford had already explained that to them, but Yugi didn't seem to be thinking about that. Yami prayed he wasn't becoming illusioned.

"What are we going to do today?" Yugi asked as they went down the hall.

Joey grinned. "Well, you know I don't like to learn things, but I was looking through Chicago brochures and I found something you two might like to do. The Adler Planetarium, what do you think?"

"What is it?"

"This big sky museum that has scale models of the solar system, displays of ancient astronomy instruments, sculptures, and a big theater that shows movements of the sky and a video called SkyWatchers of Africa." He looked at Yami. "Shows how ancient civilizations mapped the stars. I'll bet Egypt's in there."

"If you wanted to know how we mapped the gods' heavens, all you have to do is ask."

Joey laughed and patted Yami on the back. "Yeah, but this is a big dome over our heads."

"That sounds like fun," Yugi admitted.

"Yep. And guess what I've got planned for dinner?" He hurried forward and turned around so that he could face Yugi. "There's a restaurant here called Moto's! Do you have a distant relative in the Chicago food business?"

Yugi giggled. "Not that I'm aware of. Is it really called Moto's?"

"Yeah. It's run by a famous chef named Cantu Homaro. Five-course meal and--"

"Oh, Joey, that sounds expensive."

"It is, but so what? We're celebrating. We've got the money for it, Yug', or I wouldn't have brought it up. Come on, let's have a nice time out on the town and then Dr. Cole will be back."

Yami looked at Yugi, leaving it up for him to decide. He agreed with Joey that Yugi needed to get away from the hospital and spend a day outside, hopefully not brooding about his chances. A smile spread over Yugi's face and he nodded.

"Well, okay. It does sound like fun."

"Great!"

The day passed pleasantly. The planetarium was extremely interesting and Yami enjoyed it. Thanks to his link with Yugi, he knew everything his hikari did about the modern world, but this museum had a lot of facts neither of them knew about. The SkyWatchers of Africa exhibit surprised him by how accurately his people's astrology was portrayed. Joey amused himself and them by making new names for the alternative art scultpures outside.

Finally it was time for their reservation at the restaurant. It was indeed named Moto and was a very classy place. The five-course meal was nothing like they'd ever had. Bacon and maple merluzzo, which Yami was surprised to discover was a fish; a hash brown-and-beef dish; a strange carbonated fruit dish; chocolate-and-raspberry biscotti; and gourmet coffee.

"That was good," Yugi said as they headed back. "Strange, but good. Thanks, Joey."

"You're welcome, Yug'."

"Aibou, are ready for Monday?" Yami asked.

"Oh, yes. I really am."

"Well, we do still have tomorrow to get through," Joey said. "But don't worry, Monday'll get here."

They made it back to the hospital. Up in Yugi's room, Joey excused himself for the bathroom and Yami sat on the edge of Yugi's bed, watching as he lifted himself up onto it from his wheelchair. He arranged himself comfortably and then grinned sunnily at Yami.

/Look at this,/ Yugi said, leaning forward over his legs, pulling up the cuff of one leg of his pants. /The chips might not be on, but ever since the surgery to repair my spine, I can feel my feet more and more. The sensations are still kinda dull, but they're really there!/

Yami smiled back. //That's wonderful, Yugi. But...I am concerned. Aibou, you do know the chances--//

Yugi's smile faded and he nodded, looking down at his lap. /I know, Yami./

//I just don't want you to get your hopes up too high.//

/I know./ Yugi offered a shadow of his former smile. /I know the risks, Yami. I know it's likely it won't work like it's supposed to. But...I can't give up hope, you know?/

//No, don't give up hope. You are doing so well, Aibou.//

Yugi smiled again and it was once again bright and cheery. He looked up as Joey rejoined them, sitting down on the other edge of the bed. He gestured towards Yugi's revealed feet.

"What's going on?"

"I was just telling Yami that I can feel my feet more every day."

"That's great. Hey, close your eyes and don't peek."

Yugi obediently closed his eyes. Joey looked at his face as if to check that he wasn't peeking, then reached down and lightly pinched the second toe on Yugi's left foot between his fingers. Yugi giggled and correctly identified that. Joey pinched the pinkie toe on the right foot and Yugi declared right again. Joey then tapped the heel of Yugi's right foot and then the ball of his left foot. Yugi opened his eyes again, expression radiant.

"See?"

"Awesome," Joey said. He yawned, then grinned again. "What do you want to do tomorrow, Yug'?"

"Nothing expensive. Actually, you know what I want to do? Duel. I haven't even seen my cards since..." He trailed off, looking briefly brooding. He would never get fully over the accident.

"I have your deck," Yami said quickly. "But it's at home."

The cards had survived the collapse of the Game Shop. Yami had not mentioned this before, thinking it rather bittersweet news. He had saved all of the Moto possessions that had not been damaged, keeping them at the apartment, waiting to give them back when he was sure Yugi was more stable. The collection was depressingly small: Yugi's deck and holster, the Puzzle, his mother's jewelry box, his father's watch and wallet, and Grandpa's bandana. There was also a poster promoting the Game Shop, the open sign from the front door, a couple of board games, and, amazingly, the Kame turtle sign that had stood out front. It was a meager assortment he could offer him, but he hoped it would help.

"Oh."

"That doesn't have to stop us," Joey said. "I have my deck. We'll just cut it in half and play."

Yugi smiled again. "Then let's duel," he said. "I would really like to."

"Then we will," Joey said. He yawned again and frowned. "Sorry. I've been kind of tired lately."

"It's been a long day," Yugi said. "I'm beat, too."

Yami and Joey got up to leave the hospital and head for their hotel. Yami knew Yugi was lonely and hated for them to leave, he could sense it, and he was eager for the day when they wouldn't have to leave Yugi in a

hospital anymore.

"We'll be back tomorrow morning and duel until you're tired of seeing the Dark Magician," Joey promised.

Yugi smiled, hugging them each in turn. They said goodnight and Joey returned to the hotel with Yami. He stretched himself out with another yawn before changing into his pajamas.

"Man, I don't get it, Shadow," he said. "I've been really tired lately."

"You've been worried about Yugi," Yami said, getting into his pajamas before climbing into bed. "Just try to get a good night's sleep. You'll need it if you're going to go head-to-head with Aibou. A year is not long enough to tarnish his skills any."

Joey laughed, putting his hand behind his head, the other resting on his stomach. "Yeah. After all this time, Yug' is probably going to be ferocious."

Yami smiled teasingly. "I'm sure you won't mind."

Joey's cheeks turned red. "I don't know how to get it started between us. Honestly, I don't even know how Yug' feels."

"Do you want me to ask?"

"No!" Joey looked embarrassed by his outburst. "I mean, I do know how he feels. I'm just afraid of messing it up. I mean, right now's about him, not me. He doesn't need to think about stuff like that."

Yami frowned slightly as he watched Joey study the ceiling. He didn't know what to say about that. There was truth in the statement, but he was afraid Joey would let it go too long. Yugi was recovering, but Yami thought Joey thought Yugi was still in danger. He was in danger of nothing but the disappointment that would follow any possible problems with the chips. Joey would have to realize that, if he wanted a relationship with Yugi, he would have to make the first move.

He didn't say that, however. Joey would have to come to that conclusion himself. Instead he just said goodnight and turned off the light, looking forward to tomorrow when they could play Duel Monsters like they had before, but more than anything looking forward to Monday and the moment of truth.

tbc…