Twelve
# CW: I'm gonna stick with Joey + Mai until the end now, Ok? Thanks, Weevil's Girl, you made a great character to write about. #
1 msg received ~ Joey.
Hey, Mai! Last nite was gr8. Pity bout eatin out. N eway, thought ud like 2 cum wiv me 2 da pier. I got a surprise 4 u! BTW, is da tournament over?
1 msg received ~ Mai.
Wot r u plannin in dat nasty little mind of urs? Whtvr it is, sounds gud! Yep, asked S.K 2day bout tournament, and its dun wiv. C u, hon!
1 msg received ~ Joey.
Howz bout 2 o'clock? Take enuf stuff 4 a week, Ok? I say no more!
1 msg received ~ Mai.
Wot r u up 2, Joseph? Sounds like ur plannin an abduction! N eway, 2's perfect.
~
Mai stared up at the boat.
'Jesus, Joey! We're going on THAT?!'
'Not good enough for you, huh?' Joey nudged Mai gently with the arm that didn't hold his case.
'No! The opposite, in fact. You spent ALL this money? No offence, but I thought you had a crap job!'
'I did.' Said Joey. 'I quit on the grounds that it was damaging my psychological health! I'm gonna get a better job, even if I have to go to college.'
'Yeah, but - ' Mai gestured speechlessly at the ship.
'So what if I'm a little in debt?' shrugged Joey. 'I wanted to do something special.'
'Joey! Slow down! Do you even REMEMBER Seska?'
Joey turned on Mai.
'Remember her? Hell, she died because of me!'
'This is disgusting! Two days after her funeral and there's you and me cruising off happily into the sunset! How can you think this way?'
Joey hung his head. 'Mai, please don't do this to me again.' He said quietly. 'I understand and I've thought about all this. Look, why did Seska die?'
'Because some psychotic Egyptian chick blasted her one, that's why!'
'No, it was because I wanted you. If we just left each other, she would've died in vain!'
'That's just an excuse!'
Joey's deep brown eyes filled with tears again. His well was brimming now.
'Mai, I loved Seska, Ok? I miss her with every second and I wish she was still here. I just wanted to do her a favour. Damnit, these past two days I've been PRAYING for her. You heard me, Joey Wheeler was PRAYING!'
He rubbed his eyes furiously to rid himself of the tears that had formed there.
'Ok Joey.' Mai sighed. 'I'm not taking it back, but I understand what you're saying. Now let's get on there before the ship sets off, Ok?'
~
Later that day Joey was standing against the cold rails of the boat, looking out over the ocean and feeling the wind caress his features. The only reason he had gotten onto the boat in the first place was because Yugi had leant him money. Joey still felt pretty bad about that.
'Ahem.' Joey heard a young woman's voice from behind him, clearing her throat for attention.
He turned, and he saw her.
She was just a little shorter than him, with a cascade of flowing blonde hair right down her back and two hard purple gemstones for eyes. Her skin was smooth, without a single blemish, and she wore a short white corset top that complimented her perfect figure, a matching purple jacket and skirt and tall, long black boots.
'Hey, Mai.' He smiled.
'Hi, Joey.' She wandered over to stand beside him. 'Penny for your thoughts.'
'You know who I'm thinking about.' Said Joey sadly. 'What you said before, it made me feel real guilty about this whole thing. I wish I wasn't so heartless.'
Mai nodded and looked out at the blue-green ocean. It made her think of the colour of her ex-colleague's eyes.
The sun was setting over the sea, just as it had set over those eyes.
'I'm sorry, Joey.' She said simply.
There was silence for a moment, as the couple simply gazed out over the horizon.
'Joey, where are we going?' Mai asked after a while.
'Crawford Island.' Replied Joey, smiling slightly.
'Crawford Island. Now, why does that name ring a bell?'
'Also known as Duellist Kingdom?' Joey grinned.
'Oh, Joey!' Mai laughed.
Joey's eyes slipped over to the little map near the entrance to the inside area. In a few seconds, the little red blip would move one space forward, indicating their distance from the shore. Then -
The blip moved. Joey reached into his pocket.
This was exactly where he and Mai had first met.
'Mai, I gotta ask you something.' Began Joey. 'This is exactly the place we first met. I know you weren't too keen on me back then, but things have changed. We've risked our lives for each other, and - ' Joey's eyes dropped to the floor for a moment. 'And other peoples' lives too. I ain't one for speeches, but Seska, wherever you are, I hope you're watching and I hope this is what you want.'
Joey pulled out the little velvet box and dropped to his knees.
'I got just one thing to say.' Joey flicked open the lid of the box. Inside was a glittering ring. 'Pleeeeease crush me!'
Mai stood there, silent, a hand to her mouth.
'Why you little goofball!' she whispered.
Joey just stayed down and looked up at her desperately.
Mai snorted with laughter and grabbed the box from his clutches. She removed the ring and slipped it on.
'Austrian crystal, huh?' she said examining it with a smile.
'I'm really sorry.' Said Joey. 'If it's not-'
'It's perfect!' Mai yanked Joey back to a standing position and embraced him as tight as she could.
'Mai – you're – killing – me!' gasped Joey.
Mai pulled back.
'Joey, after everything I've called you, after everything I've done to you, you just spring back up again like one of those weighted toys. You know when I said I'd only been truly in love once, but I could never be with that guy no matter how much I wanted to? Do you know who I was talking about?'
'I could have a guess.' Joey massaged his ribcage.
~
They sent a postcard from Crawford Island to everyone back at Domino City.
'To the guys, we've got something big to tell you when we get home. You're probably pretty surprised at the picture on the front, but that's where we are. Duellist Kingdom. Guess what? There are tons of tourists here now. They do T-shirts with Yugi's face on! We're gonna buy one for you, Yugi! See ya round, Joey + Mai. PS. I swear to God I'm gonna pay you back for the boat tickets, Yugi. Get a bouquet for Seska for me, huh? I'll pay you back for that too.'
Joey sat back and read it through again.
Yeah, that was alright.
Mai pulled back the flap of the tent (A/N They had brought one this time). 'I got the stamp!' she grinned. 'You're getting stuff from the shop next time. It's, like, a mile away!'
Joey laughed and pulled her down with him.
~
(Months later)
Joey stood before the marble headstone, a bunch of roses in his hands.
'Seska, I'm sorry for what I've done to you.' He said to the wind. 'Please watch over us today. Wherever you are, have a great time. I'll be back, don't worry. Oh yeah, and we'll have a heck of a time when there's three of us up there!'
Joey smiled at the thought of a Seska angel, a Joey angel and a Mai angel battling it out over each other in the clouds. He placed the roses in the little pot next to the grave and hurried back to the church.
'Come on, man!' Tristan and Yugi beckoned him, both looking extremely dapper in their tuxedos with white roses through their button-holes.
'Oh, Joey! Look at you! Your tie's on wrong!' tutted Mrs Téa Motou, fiddling with it until it submitted to her will.
The crowds of his friends and family began wandering into the church.
Joey took a deep breath. This was it.
~
Joey and Mai glided, arm in arm, down the aisle.
Joey peered at the faces that surrounded him. His sister was actually crying, and Téa held up Vicky, who was shrieking 'Dodo!' at the top of her voice because she couldn't pronounce Joey's name properly. Yugi grinned and changed into Yami, who looked very confused, but gave him the thumbs up anyway, as did Tristan and Duke. Bakura sat there, smiling his head off. Weevil, Rex, Mako and Rain were also present.
There was another face. A face in an empty pew. The face was smiling happily, her blue green eyes shining. Fiery hair hung down the back of her neck, and she wore a long white gown, the one Joey had last seen her in.
Seska Chance had heard his plea.
She was watching over him on his wedding day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epilogue:
This isn't part of the story, I'm just gonna tell you what happens to the rest of the characters.
The next year, Mai gives birth to a baby boy, who is named Max Yugi Wheeler. Joey goes to college to study photography and ends up working for Domino Dame's with Mai.
Not much to say about Téa and Yugi, 'cos they're sorted, but Hazel, Kaiba's wife, has her twins, one male and one female. They are named Ruby and James.
Mokuba and Sandra have broken up, but it won't take long for them to find someone else, huh?
Oh yeah, and Serenity is pregnant, but no-one's sure who by!!! (Tristan or Duke – take your pick!) ; )
Also, if you're wondering who married Ryou, it's your very own Ten-kih Ho- shih! READ HER FICS! (Where are you, by the way, Ten-kih?).
# CW: Ok, so it kinda trailed off towards the end, but who gives a shit? I've been writing romance for too long. I can't stand it, personally, but it's the only thing I'm good at. The only romance I like is – you guessed it – JoeyxMai. My next one's a comedy (thank God), but it still stars Joey. It's called 'It's a Kinda Ok Life.' Pleeeeeeeease read it, all those who liked this story! #
# CW: I'm gonna stick with Joey + Mai until the end now, Ok? Thanks, Weevil's Girl, you made a great character to write about. #
1 msg received ~ Joey.
Hey, Mai! Last nite was gr8. Pity bout eatin out. N eway, thought ud like 2 cum wiv me 2 da pier. I got a surprise 4 u! BTW, is da tournament over?
1 msg received ~ Mai.
Wot r u plannin in dat nasty little mind of urs? Whtvr it is, sounds gud! Yep, asked S.K 2day bout tournament, and its dun wiv. C u, hon!
1 msg received ~ Joey.
Howz bout 2 o'clock? Take enuf stuff 4 a week, Ok? I say no more!
1 msg received ~ Mai.
Wot r u up 2, Joseph? Sounds like ur plannin an abduction! N eway, 2's perfect.
~
Mai stared up at the boat.
'Jesus, Joey! We're going on THAT?!'
'Not good enough for you, huh?' Joey nudged Mai gently with the arm that didn't hold his case.
'No! The opposite, in fact. You spent ALL this money? No offence, but I thought you had a crap job!'
'I did.' Said Joey. 'I quit on the grounds that it was damaging my psychological health! I'm gonna get a better job, even if I have to go to college.'
'Yeah, but - ' Mai gestured speechlessly at the ship.
'So what if I'm a little in debt?' shrugged Joey. 'I wanted to do something special.'
'Joey! Slow down! Do you even REMEMBER Seska?'
Joey turned on Mai.
'Remember her? Hell, she died because of me!'
'This is disgusting! Two days after her funeral and there's you and me cruising off happily into the sunset! How can you think this way?'
Joey hung his head. 'Mai, please don't do this to me again.' He said quietly. 'I understand and I've thought about all this. Look, why did Seska die?'
'Because some psychotic Egyptian chick blasted her one, that's why!'
'No, it was because I wanted you. If we just left each other, she would've died in vain!'
'That's just an excuse!'
Joey's deep brown eyes filled with tears again. His well was brimming now.
'Mai, I loved Seska, Ok? I miss her with every second and I wish she was still here. I just wanted to do her a favour. Damnit, these past two days I've been PRAYING for her. You heard me, Joey Wheeler was PRAYING!'
He rubbed his eyes furiously to rid himself of the tears that had formed there.
'Ok Joey.' Mai sighed. 'I'm not taking it back, but I understand what you're saying. Now let's get on there before the ship sets off, Ok?'
~
Later that day Joey was standing against the cold rails of the boat, looking out over the ocean and feeling the wind caress his features. The only reason he had gotten onto the boat in the first place was because Yugi had leant him money. Joey still felt pretty bad about that.
'Ahem.' Joey heard a young woman's voice from behind him, clearing her throat for attention.
He turned, and he saw her.
She was just a little shorter than him, with a cascade of flowing blonde hair right down her back and two hard purple gemstones for eyes. Her skin was smooth, without a single blemish, and she wore a short white corset top that complimented her perfect figure, a matching purple jacket and skirt and tall, long black boots.
'Hey, Mai.' He smiled.
'Hi, Joey.' She wandered over to stand beside him. 'Penny for your thoughts.'
'You know who I'm thinking about.' Said Joey sadly. 'What you said before, it made me feel real guilty about this whole thing. I wish I wasn't so heartless.'
Mai nodded and looked out at the blue-green ocean. It made her think of the colour of her ex-colleague's eyes.
The sun was setting over the sea, just as it had set over those eyes.
'I'm sorry, Joey.' She said simply.
There was silence for a moment, as the couple simply gazed out over the horizon.
'Joey, where are we going?' Mai asked after a while.
'Crawford Island.' Replied Joey, smiling slightly.
'Crawford Island. Now, why does that name ring a bell?'
'Also known as Duellist Kingdom?' Joey grinned.
'Oh, Joey!' Mai laughed.
Joey's eyes slipped over to the little map near the entrance to the inside area. In a few seconds, the little red blip would move one space forward, indicating their distance from the shore. Then -
The blip moved. Joey reached into his pocket.
This was exactly where he and Mai had first met.
'Mai, I gotta ask you something.' Began Joey. 'This is exactly the place we first met. I know you weren't too keen on me back then, but things have changed. We've risked our lives for each other, and - ' Joey's eyes dropped to the floor for a moment. 'And other peoples' lives too. I ain't one for speeches, but Seska, wherever you are, I hope you're watching and I hope this is what you want.'
Joey pulled out the little velvet box and dropped to his knees.
'I got just one thing to say.' Joey flicked open the lid of the box. Inside was a glittering ring. 'Pleeeeease crush me!'
Mai stood there, silent, a hand to her mouth.
'Why you little goofball!' she whispered.
Joey just stayed down and looked up at her desperately.
Mai snorted with laughter and grabbed the box from his clutches. She removed the ring and slipped it on.
'Austrian crystal, huh?' she said examining it with a smile.
'I'm really sorry.' Said Joey. 'If it's not-'
'It's perfect!' Mai yanked Joey back to a standing position and embraced him as tight as she could.
'Mai – you're – killing – me!' gasped Joey.
Mai pulled back.
'Joey, after everything I've called you, after everything I've done to you, you just spring back up again like one of those weighted toys. You know when I said I'd only been truly in love once, but I could never be with that guy no matter how much I wanted to? Do you know who I was talking about?'
'I could have a guess.' Joey massaged his ribcage.
~
They sent a postcard from Crawford Island to everyone back at Domino City.
'To the guys, we've got something big to tell you when we get home. You're probably pretty surprised at the picture on the front, but that's where we are. Duellist Kingdom. Guess what? There are tons of tourists here now. They do T-shirts with Yugi's face on! We're gonna buy one for you, Yugi! See ya round, Joey + Mai. PS. I swear to God I'm gonna pay you back for the boat tickets, Yugi. Get a bouquet for Seska for me, huh? I'll pay you back for that too.'
Joey sat back and read it through again.
Yeah, that was alright.
Mai pulled back the flap of the tent (A/N They had brought one this time). 'I got the stamp!' she grinned. 'You're getting stuff from the shop next time. It's, like, a mile away!'
Joey laughed and pulled her down with him.
~
(Months later)
Joey stood before the marble headstone, a bunch of roses in his hands.
'Seska, I'm sorry for what I've done to you.' He said to the wind. 'Please watch over us today. Wherever you are, have a great time. I'll be back, don't worry. Oh yeah, and we'll have a heck of a time when there's three of us up there!'
Joey smiled at the thought of a Seska angel, a Joey angel and a Mai angel battling it out over each other in the clouds. He placed the roses in the little pot next to the grave and hurried back to the church.
'Come on, man!' Tristan and Yugi beckoned him, both looking extremely dapper in their tuxedos with white roses through their button-holes.
'Oh, Joey! Look at you! Your tie's on wrong!' tutted Mrs Téa Motou, fiddling with it until it submitted to her will.
The crowds of his friends and family began wandering into the church.
Joey took a deep breath. This was it.
~
Joey and Mai glided, arm in arm, down the aisle.
Joey peered at the faces that surrounded him. His sister was actually crying, and Téa held up Vicky, who was shrieking 'Dodo!' at the top of her voice because she couldn't pronounce Joey's name properly. Yugi grinned and changed into Yami, who looked very confused, but gave him the thumbs up anyway, as did Tristan and Duke. Bakura sat there, smiling his head off. Weevil, Rex, Mako and Rain were also present.
There was another face. A face in an empty pew. The face was smiling happily, her blue green eyes shining. Fiery hair hung down the back of her neck, and she wore a long white gown, the one Joey had last seen her in.
Seska Chance had heard his plea.
She was watching over him on his wedding day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Epilogue:
This isn't part of the story, I'm just gonna tell you what happens to the rest of the characters.
The next year, Mai gives birth to a baby boy, who is named Max Yugi Wheeler. Joey goes to college to study photography and ends up working for Domino Dame's with Mai.
Not much to say about Téa and Yugi, 'cos they're sorted, but Hazel, Kaiba's wife, has her twins, one male and one female. They are named Ruby and James.
Mokuba and Sandra have broken up, but it won't take long for them to find someone else, huh?
Oh yeah, and Serenity is pregnant, but no-one's sure who by!!! (Tristan or Duke – take your pick!) ; )
Also, if you're wondering who married Ryou, it's your very own Ten-kih Ho- shih! READ HER FICS! (Where are you, by the way, Ten-kih?).
# CW: Ok, so it kinda trailed off towards the end, but who gives a shit? I've been writing romance for too long. I can't stand it, personally, but it's the only thing I'm good at. The only romance I like is – you guessed it – JoeyxMai. My next one's a comedy (thank God), but it still stars Joey. It's called 'It's a Kinda Ok Life.' Pleeeeeeeease read it, all those who liked this story! #
