I ran to the end of the dock just as the sun was setting and stood with my back to the fish processing stations. My eyes gazed forward, scanning the horizon. I had done the same ritual for weeks now. Wondering if today was going to be the day Mako would return. It was nearing the end of the month. As the sky was bathed in gold, I could make out the silhouette of a boat coming into the harbor. I struggled to see the name of the boat. It was the Hammerhead! "Mako's here! Mako's here!" I cried, jumping up and down with joy. Finally, I would see him again.
Then, I stopped and stared at the boat in fear. Something was wrong. The boat wasn't traveling in a straight line like it had always done. It was moving from side to side as if under the guidance of unsteady hands.
"Mako! Are you ok?!" I cried out. "What's wrong?!" Mako usually steered his boat without any problems at all. When he didn't even answer me, I knew something was definitely wrong here. I felt terror grip my heart as the boat barely made it into the harbor and docked. "Mako!" I shouted. I ran over to the Hammerhead and gasped as Mako came staggering out.I gasped, his right arm was swollen and bandaged, and almost purple. He was obviously in a lot of pain, but despite it, he smiled when he saw me.
"You're a sight…for sore…eyes…" Mako wheezed. He was having trouble breathing and almost collapsed, but I caught him and supported his weight.
"Mako, what's wrong, what happened to you!?" I cried out.
"Sea snake…caught in nets…bit me… as I was trying… to get it out." Mako gasped. I knew I had to get him to a hospital and fast. I glanced around briefly and took out my Millennium Key, concentrated on the hospital where Joey and I had visited Serenity, and opened the door. I looked up at Mako. His eyes were glazed and he looked like he didn't know what was going on as I sort of dragged him through the door. As soon as we were inside the hospital, I began screaming my lungs off.
"Help! He's been bitten by a sea snake, get the anti-venom hurry hurry!" I cried out as loud as I could to get attention. Soon a team of doctors got Mako on a stretcher and transported him to the emergency room. I would have to wait for a while, and pray that he got there in time.
I used my Millennium key to transport myself to the Moto apartment. I knelt beside the window and began praying to the Goddess, me being wiccan, and I felt tears drip down from my face onto my hands. "Please…please…let him be ok. Let your guiding hand be upon him." I whispered, praying with all my soul that Mako would make it.
A knock came at my door. "Jade, are u alright? I heard crying and… Yugi said, coming into the room. Tèa was right behind him. Yugi saw my tear splashed face and said, "Oh Jade, what's the matter?"
I sniffed and rubbed my eyes. "I went to the docks today and saw Mako. He had been bitten by a sea snake, which are highly venomous. I got him to the doctor using my key, but I don't know if he's going to make it or not. So I prayed and I hope he's going to be alright…" I sobbed.
"Oh no, poor Mako…" Tèa whispered. "I just know that he's going to be alright though." She said. "He's a strong guy, he'll make it through, don't you worry Jade." Tèa gave me a hug and I felt a little better.
"Want to play a game, to get your mind off of it?" Yugi asked me.
I sniffed and smiled. "Not duel monsters, been beaten at that too many times already." I answered.
Yugi chuckled. "Alright, what game do you want to play?" He asked.
I thought a moment before I answered. "Got checkers?"
"I get to play the winner." Tèa grinned.
Yugi and I began playing checkers. I was the black and he was the red. I smirked, being really good at checkers myself. I had Yugi backed away in a corner with only two kings left while I had four, when Gramps came into the room. "Your mother was just on the phone Tèa, she wants you home right away." He said.
Tèa looked at her watch and cringed. "Oh no! I was supposed to be home an hour ago!" She cried. "See you guys later, gnight!" She yelled running out the door.
"Night Tèa!" Yugi called back to her.
"See you tomorrow." I yelled to her. Tea smiled and winked at Yugi before leaving completely.
We got back to our game. "Make your last pathetic move Yugi and I'll wipe you out!" I sneered, mimicking Kaiba. I laughed right afterward and so did Yugi.
"Actually, I'm a little tired, let's finish this in the morning." Yugi yawned. I nodded and we both said good night to Gramps and went to bed. I lay in my hammock staring at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep for the life of me. I kept worrying about Mako. I tossed and turned, trying to convince myself that he would be fine. I knew that I would never get any sleep unless I knew for sure. I took my Millennium key in my hand and concentrated on going back to the hospital.
It was dark there as I snuck about the corridors, searching desperately for Mako's room. I ducked to the side and hid behind a medical cart as I heard two doctors walking by.
"He would have died if she had brought him in any later." I heard one of the doctors, a female, answer.
"That sea snake venom was neutralized, he's just got a heavy fever now, and he's delirious to boot. All we can do now is let him rest and recuperate." The other answered.
"Still, I wonder how that young woman got him here so fast; his hair was still wet from the ocean."
"I know, but I guess it doesn't matter, he's safe and recovering in room 122. It's a nice room to recover in, no one around to bother you." I listened to all this and sighed quietly with relief. Now I knew that Mako was going to be alright, and that he was in room 122. I walked a little ways away until I found his room. I placed my Millennium key inside the keyhole and turned the knob, entering the room.
There I saw him. Mako was extremely pale and he was perspiring as if a heat lamp were turned on high right near his face. His eyes were squeezed shut and he gripped the sheets fiercely, as if clinging to life itself. I slowly walked over to the right side of his bed and pulled up a nearby chair. I sat down and gently placed my cool hand against his forehead. It was burning hot to the touch, but I kept my hand there. It seemed to make Mako relax a bit, so I placed my other hand against his cheek.
I started to speak softly to him. "You're going to be fine Mako." I whispered.
Suddenly, Mako jerked upright and started breathing heavily and clawing at the air, as if some invisible assassin was trying to get him.
"Ok, apparently not…" I commented. It must be the delirium. I quickly crept into his bathroom and wet some paper towels with cold water. He was lying back down, but muttering in a low tone to himself about demons. I took his good hand in my own and with the paper towels in the other hand, wiped his for-head and face. He gripped my hand tightly and I winced in pain but otherwise made no sound. After a few moments, he started tossing and turning again.
That's when I began singing softly to him. (Disclaimer, I do not own the song)
"I'm standing on the bridge,
I'm waiting in the dark,
I thought you'd be here, by now,
There's nothing but the rain,
No footsteps on the ground,
I'm listening but there's no sound,
Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out his life
Won't you, take me by the hand,
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I…
I'm with you…"
Mako slowly opened his eyes and blinked, and he turned his head toward me and smiled. "You chase the demons away." He murmured, releasing my hand and placing his own against the side of my face.
"Demons..?" I questioned.
Mako nodded. "Please… continue singing for me… like you did before." He asked.
"You got it Mako." I said and smiled, so relieved that he was alright.
"I'm looking for a place,
I'm searching for a face,
Is anybody here I know?
Cause nothing's going right,
And everything's a mess,
And no one likes to be alone,
Isn't anyone trying to find me,
Won't somebody come take me home?
It's a damn cold night,
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
Don't know who you are but I'm…
I'm with you…"
"As beautiful as the whale songs themselves." Mako commented and closed his eyes. "How I've missed you so."
"I missed you too Mako." I smiled. "I'm glad your back."
"Me too my angel of the mighty sea." Mako sighed and answered. He gently drifted off to sleep. It was the refreshing sleep of recovery. I planted a soft kiss on his forehead before turning to leave.
"Come visit me again soon…" He murmured.
"I promise." I whispered, before placing my Millennium key inside the keyhole and concentrating on being back at the Moto apartment. I was glad to see that Mako was alright. Yet, my heart felt heavy too. Mako still kept his old feelings for me. But I was happy with Joey, and still… I love them both so much. I shook my head. Mako is just a close friend of mine. I told myself. Sure he loved me, and I cared deeply for him, but I was with Joey, with whom I was cared very deeply about. So why couldn't I stop my heart from beating faster when I was around Mako, or my knees from getting weaker?
I knew that tonight was one of those sleepless nights that would last forever unless I got my mind off of Mako. "Maybe some Joey torturing will clear my head." I said to myself and grinned. I concentrated on Joey's room and a door appeared before me. I placed the key inside, turned it, and opened the door a crack, so that I could see inside, yet no one could see me.
I was shocked at what I witnessed. Joey ducked as a bottle of vodka came whipping past his head. Slurred curses came from the darkened hallway. I couldn't see where his father was, but I knew that Joey's father was on one of his drunken rampages again.
"Cmon pops, you know yah don't want ta hurt yer own son right…?" Joey asked, nervously trying to get his father to stop his violent behavior.
I knew I had to get Joey out of there. I'd seen bruises on him before. I never asked where they were from. I never had to. I couldn't watch him get beaten and do nothing. I quickly and quietly, crawled out of the door and approached Joey on my hands and knees. His father was staggering into the room now, smelling like booze and vomit.
"Cmon pops, don't do this ta me… not again…" Joey begged from his place behind the bed.
"Joey!" I whispered. I was on the other side of the bed and was looking at him from underneath.
Joey looked all around in dazed confusion. "Who's there? Who's in here?" He asked, looking all around.
"Joey it's me Jade, come on, I'll get you out of here." I told him.
Joey looked under the bed and stared at me. "Jade! Whattayou doin here? Get out now!" he almost hissed at me.
I was taken aback. "But Joey, we could use my key and get out of here." I told him.
Joey glared at me as his father was coming closer to the bed. "This is somethin I gotta handle on my own Jade. I can't run from it and I don't want ta see you hurt. So go now!" He whispered sternly.
"But Joey, you know you don't have to face things alone like this, please come with me, I can't stand the thought of you being..." I began answering before Joey cut me off.
"Listen ta me Jade. If yah care about me at all, then you'll leave. I'd neva forgive myself if anythin eva happened to yah. I can handle this on my own."
"Are you sure Joey?" I asked.
Joey nodded and gave me the thumbs up sign. I reached under the bed and gave his hand a squeeze. "Be safe." I whispered to him.
"Don't worry, I'll see yah tommorra. I promise." Joey answered me and cracked a smile. His father stumbled over a chair and began ripping apart various magazines. "I'll be ok, just… you gotta go right now." Joey told me. I knew that he was just watching out for me, but I still wished he would just get away from an abusive situation like that.
"I love you." I said to him, grasping my Millennium key.
"Love you too." Was the last thing I heard before transporting myself back to my room at the Moto apartment. The scene I had just witnessed disturbed me to no end.
I wondered if Joey would ever try to get help. I felt bad about interfering with something that wasn't my business, but I felt worst at the fact that I did nothing to help Joey. I had tried… but he would probably end up being beaten tonight anyway. I snuggled into my hammock and put the blankets over me. The stress from the hectic day I had was getting to me. I closed my eyes and fell into a nightmare plagued sleep, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day. I had planned to bake a cake for Mako and swing by the hospital to give it to him. It would be a nice surprise for him. And maybe I would even bring in my cd player and play a few songs for him. Nightmares turned into pleasant dreams of Mako and I, out on the ocean, swimming with our dolphin friends…
Hey peeps, JadeThedolphinqueen here. Anyone see the new episode aired January 11th? I was positively screaming at the tv!!
Jade: Ohmygods!!! Look its Mako! Mako! Mako!!! (points to the screen) And he's putting Weevil in a head lock!! Yeaaaaaaaaaaah go Mako go Mako!!! Mako I loooooooooove you!
Yami Jade: Oh shut up and get a grip!
Jade: (whirls around) Huh, who said that? I thought I didn't have a Yami!
Yami Jade: Wrong again, your little theory about not having a Yami is proved false.
Jade: (shrugs) Ok, so now I've got a Yami. Did you see the episode! It was soo cool! It even had the Tristan/Serenity thing going on! And Joey looked so cool in his new outfit and Mako too!! The bandana!!
Yami Jade: Joey positively flipped out on Tristan that was funny. Tristan wasn't even the one who taught Joey about Duel Monsters. Grandpa and Yugi did.
Jade: (sigh) Mako was in the episode that was a scream fest in itself. And Joey, he's just so kawaii! cute (Puts in tape I made of the episode and drools)
Yami Jade: (glances over at Jade) Well since someone is too busy drooling over Mako and Joey, I'll have to make the end announcements. Stay tuned for Chapter three. And anyone who wants to use the authors ideas on any of their fics is welcome to, for instance the Kaiba friendship thing in "Torturing Joey" That someone in one review asked to use. Just say you got if from the author. See you peeps later…
Jade: Mako and Joey are so awesome…
Yami Jade: Sigh…This is going to be a long day…