Disclaimer - I don't own Yu-gi-oh

Just a small note (as I have previously mentioned " JOEY IS NOT DEAD YET " so don't be to upset with me)

= Author interruptions =

Joey: Hooray, the fans love me

Authoress: thanks very much for the reviews * smiles broadly* (offers senshichan14 Joey plushie for upsetting her)

Who has found Yugi? * Mystery music*

Onwards

Joey looked more puzzled than never " What, How, huh "

" Two excellent questions just watch and learn "

" Seto " Mokuba's sweet childish voice called out, he approached the unusual group, made out of Triston, Tea, Kaiba and a spirit otherwise known as Joey and his guardian angel Alora with a two bodyguards in tow.

" Mokuba, I thought that I told you to stay at home," Kaiba said admonishing him gently finally hanging up the phone.

" I wanted to see how Joey is " Mokuba replied starting to give Kaiba puppy eyes, his lower lip trembling just a little, Kaiba relented =who could say no to that face= and they sat down slightly away for from the others. Triston and Tea gave him weak smiles of hello, before returning to silently wait and wait. After a while Mokuba turns to Kaiba and whispers with the innocence of a child

" Seto, I don't want Joey to die " as if Kaiba could wave a magic wand and make it all better, Kaiba swallows hard unable to say anything and the only thing he is able to do comfort his brother as he begins to cry.

" This is the Seto, you need to get in touch with, the one hidden behind the walls. The lonely boy who needs friends "

" Don't let him hear you call him that, " Joey grumbled but continued listening

" The shooting gave him one heck of a wake up call, having your life, your blood on his hands scattered his shell for just a second " She gave him a strange proud smile

" It was then it was decided to get you to help him, in his own way he has reached out to you, he wouldn't taunt you or put you down if you didn't affect him in some way"

" Ok, Yugi couldn't get though to him, what makes you think I can do any better "

" I know you, at the very least you can knock some sense into that thick head of his "

" Joy " Joey said flatly and suddenly something clicked " How can I help him if I'm DEAD "

" Your not dead yet Joey " Alora looks at the ceiling " They decide whether its best for you to stay or go on "

" Joy "

" Heavens not so bad Joey, among other things there these wonderful all you can eat, buffets " = Hey, she does know how to cheer him up, she his guardian angel = Joey brightened monetarily, but a sharp sob from Mokuba brought him back down to earth.

" But I would have to give up everything and everyone " = an insightful moment, we all have them = He rubbed his face, collecting his thoughts

" Now what "

" We wait, and watch "

" Again with the waiting "

But he didn't have to wait long, from around the corner walked Serenity and Mai. Tears where running freely down Serenity face, Mai was her normal self.

" You affected their life's " Alora suddenly spoke, she waved her hand and suddenly Joey heard Mai's voice

" You stupid big Lug, How could you get shot like that "?

" HEY " Joey was outraged, forgetting that she couldn't hear him, he jumped in front of her " I was saving moneybags life "

" Don't listen to the words, listen to the tone " Alora spoke in a wise knowing voice Joey thought back, Mai had sounded mournful and upset.

" You promised that you would never leave me, and you never break a promise " Alora waved her hand again and this time he heard his sister

" Joey, big brother, please don't die, I need you"

" I'm right here sis, I'm right here" Joey whispered

" Kaiba and you, both love your siblings more than anyone else in the world, if not for Kaiba, do this for Mokuba, he wants nothing more than for his brother to be happy " Joey was about to say something, when the doctor from the operating room approached the group. Everyone held his or her breaths

" We've got him stabilized but he still has a long way to go, if he survives the night we will know more " ((Just hold on Joey)) everyone thought words to that effect. ((Kaiba's thought, Stupid Puppy)) = he doesn't mean it the way it sounds =

" Hey, does this mean I'm going to live " Joeys hope rose

" Not necessary, as I said, it still can go either way "

*******

Yugi sighed with relief at the familiar voice, someone still loved and cared about him. He turned to face his long time pen pal Cassandra Huntington

= Ha Ha, fooled you, I Bet that you thought it was someone from the show, don't worry someone will arrive very shortly = She hugged him tightly for a second and looked at him with a reproachful look

" That Yami guy, has called at least five times " Her voice and expression soften " He's really worried about you "

A nasty voice popped up in the back of yugi's mind

" Now, he's worried, where was he when you needed him " Reading the conflict of emotions running though Yugis face, Cassandra sighed

" At least call him and let him know your ok " Yugi finally nodded, and they proceeded to the phone booths. With shaking hands he dialled the number of his former home.

" Hello, Kame Game shop "

It was Yami voice, Yugi tried to speak but his throat closed off.

" Hello, are you there "

Silence

" Hel.. Yugi " Yami's voice sounded both questioning and hopeful

Again Yugi tried to speak but was unable

" Yugi, tell me where you are " This time Yami voice had the commanding tone of a pharaoh with an undernote of desperation.

Tears began streaming down Yugi face,

" I'm Sorry, " he whispered and ignoring Yami's shouts he hung up

****

" Yugi, YUGI " Yami was still shouting long after the dial tone sounded in his ears.

****

" Lets go " Yugi turned resolve filling his heart, no more tears, from this moment on he was a new Yugi. Cassandra had a sporty little convertible, since it was a nice day; she put the top down as they drove away from the airport. Yugi closed his eyes and let the wind whip every thought from his head.

***

Use me, uuuuussssseee mmmmeeee

The phone was calling to him, not literally. Yugi could hear the voice that sounded so much like Yami's. His resolved crumbled for a moment, digging though his possessions he took out a group picture taken shortly after battle city, before it all went so wrong. They all looked so happy and carefree, He and Yami were standing next to each other and yami had one arm wrapped friendly around Yugi shoulder, bitterness filled his heart, lies all lies. He threw the picture against the wall were it shattered onto the ground. He stared at the spot his resolve renewing, he didn't need them, and he didn't need anyone.

" YUGI, you better come see this " Cassandra shouted from downstairs, Yugi left his hiding place, thankful that her parents weren't around. He found Cassandra watching the news

" Sources say that Joey Wheeler is in critical condition, after being shot in the stomach, while saving the life of billionaire Seto Kaiba, " They flashed a picture of Joey taken after Duellist kingdom,

" In other news ..

" Joey "

*****

Sorry for the late update, I have had exams, one more to go, will get the next bit up as soon as possible

Thanks for reading and keep reviewing

Teaser

" Its time " Alora spoke as a bright white light appeared around her

" Code Blue " The shout came from Joey's room The doctors and nurses ran in with a crash cart and began desperately trying to restart Joey's heart

" Clear "

Zap

" Clear"

Zap

Flatline