***

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh!

***

Author's Notes: Guy is a name, by the way. Thought I'd let you know. It's getting darker. And darker. And darker…well actually, this chapter might not be too dark, but it's quite sinister anyhow. Read please, and review but mainly enjoy. ^-^ (I know, not the type of fic to enjoy…in one way and in another way it is!! But only if you WANT to, of course.)

Chapter Four: I've Been Looking For You

Mai made her way inside the casino and found the nearest table to the stage, where a quiet band was playing. She sat next to a man in his middle years and smiled gently at him before turning back to the stage. She sat silently next to him, knowing she had to get some money. He was clean, sober and looked alright for his age. She did have some money, but she only needed a little bit more to pass Guy's scale of great. She had almost got three hundred dollars, and was quiet proud. But she needed the almost to disappear.

"Can I get you a drink?" The man beside her asked.

Mai smiled and thought to herself, Abut time the bastard bought me a drink. "Yes please, a strong one. You choose."

He smiled at her again and ordered the drinks. There was a longer pause and Mai decided it was time to chat him up and sweet talk him. He was easy on the eyes, his voice was quite level and he didn't seem to be eyeing her up like every other man she'd slept with. "So, are you here alone?"

"Yes," he answered, looking at her, "I'm sure a young lady like you can't be alone here. Are you waiting for someone?"

Only for a buyer, like you…I hope he is anyway. I can't screw up. She shook her head, and thanked the waiter when their drinks came. She took a really long sip and moved her eye to the corner to see if he was looking at her. No. Well, he soon would have to.

"Don't lie; are you just using me to try and make someone jealous?" She asked, turning around and looking through the crowds of people. He grinned his response and shook his head. Mai decided to get right down to the point. "Where do you live?"

"I live near the site that's under construction, near here."

"Oh where they're building a new job centre or something like that," she laughed making him chuckle along, "I'm not really into things like that."

"Oh but I'm sure you are a very intelligent lady." He smiled, taking a drink.

Mai looked at him and finally decided it was the right time. She finished her drink and turned to face him, leaning a little closer, "Are you looking for a date?"

"What?!" The shocked man nearly choked out half of the beer he had in his hand. He slammed it down and his face filled with fury.

"I'm sorry-"

"What are you, a hooker?!" He shouted, Mai hastily telling him to calm down.

"Please sir, could you keep your voice down?" She asked, looking around at some people who were staring at them.

He retrieved his wallet and flipped it open pointing at a family picture, "See, I have a wife, I'm married with two kids!"

Mai averted her gaze, she didn't want to know. It just brought back hard memories and painful ones too. She put her hands up, "Alright I'm sorry."

He chucked some money on the counter and told him it was on him before leaving. Mai groaned and leant her forehead into her hands. Things hadn't gone well there, had they? Why the hell did he have to get the picture of his family out? All it did was give her a massive headache. She didn't need to know, for god's sake, about how well his life was going. Well, it couldn't be going that well---he was at a casino. What more proof did she need that marriage only led right back to where you started? Broke, alone and trashed. The way she'd started was the way she would be forever. But something made her strong enough to carry on and on---the sex. Fuck it, it's all she needed. It was probably the only time she felt good in her life. The sheer pleasure and agonizingly fantastic sensations she received was all she really cared about anymore in life.

So what was the deal with Joey? Damn, he was so hot but she couldn't figure him out. Why had he decided to start drinking and wasting his money on prostitutes? He'd had a bad past like her, and she recalled his wife who left him. Why didn't he just slump back down and forget about the bitch? That's what she'd have done in his position and with his lifestyle; she would have carried on having a normal life. He took it fore granted. But he understood her. He was probably the only one who could relate with her. They were probably both feeling the exact same pain.

Mai made her way outside and tried to hail a cab. All the cabs were occupied, so she had to just try her luck with the nearest vehicle and person who'd take her. She stretched her arm out but all she really could hope in a small way was that somewhere, he would pass by.

***

I looked for him last night. I don't know why---there was this…feeling inside of me. I was scared of it. I tried to find him in hopes he'd be able to help me with it. Was he feeling the same? I had to know. But I couldn't let an infatuation turn into anything more. I can't let it. My job is to…it to go out, get some money and come home. I can't be distracted. It costs and I can't pay up for my mistakes. I'm still scared for so many reasons…I don't really know what's going on.

***

There he was. Slumped on the bench by the road, with a bottle of whisky in his grasp. She walked over to him and just stared down at him shaking her head. He didn't look at her; he just stared at the ground blankly.

"I was looking for you." He said.

"Really?" Mai asked tiredly. "Why would that be?"

There was a silence in which Mai was sorely tempted out to point that his bottle was empty and he was still acting like it was full. She just shook her head and left him. He was drunk, it wouldn't do any good. Just a waste of breath.

His mahogany eyes fixed on hers and Mai gulped. Damn, he was so cute. His eyes were glazed over…and she just wanted to…hug him? Now where the fucking hell did that come from?!

"I wanted to ask ya, ya…if you wanted to have dinner with me…" Joey stared at her a while, obviously waiting for her reply.

Mai sighed and actually wanted to say yes, but her ego was telling her to just forget him. So what if she felt jittery when he was about, so what if she felt happy when he was close, so what? It was just an infatuation, some sexual intensity. That's all. She hadn't bedded him that was it. Her mind was just wondering what it would feel like to have sex with him, that's all.

"No." She finally answered. He didn't seem fazed at all. "No I can't have dinner with you."

To anyone else, that would have cut them like a knife, but to Joey it was just a simple answer to a question he'd asked. Nothing more, nothing less. He didn't have to respond to it.

Instead, he stood up; the bottle tumbled onto the ground. He approached her until he was face to face with her. His hand reached up for her cheek, he touched it gently with the tips of his fingers and kept it there, looking into her eyes.

Mai was scared now. She wanted to faint in his arms. She was going insane. It felt like a mist had developed around them and the only thing she could see was him. The feeling of security was there; the feeling of warmth just engulfed her. It was so new to her and she didn't know what to do.

"…That's a really nice dress you're wearing…" he whispered, however she still wondered if he was drunk. The next thing he said, told her he wasn't drunk at all. "I wish you hadn't left me so early."

She gulped and tried to turn away but couldn't. It was the same look he had given her the night she'd found him. He wasn't drunk; his breath didn't smell of whisky. So what was going on with him? He had an empty bottle of whisky in his hand, and he was acting like he was drunk…but he wasn't? Something wasn't right. This wasn't how he usually was.

"I'm glad I did…" Mai answered back, silently.

"Why?"

Joey leaned in closer. So close, she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. She looked down at his lips which were almost touching hers. She shook her head, she couldn't let this happen. Her heart was pounding, and she was aching for his touch, but she couldn't bring herself to kiss him.

"…Because something like this would have happened." She replied, moving her head back, but he continued to close in on her.

"Why would this be such a bad thing?"

"I didn't say it would be a bad thing…" She answered.

Joey looked at her, before realizing she was uncomfortable. But he wanted to kiss her like he had wanted to do for a long time. He wanted to taste her lips, to ravish her body and make her scream his name over and over again until she got a soar throat. He wanted her badly, he wanted her now. He knew she wanted him, he could see the lust in her eyes. But she wasn't going easy on him. What was she waiting for? They both wanted--no--needed each other! He knew it!

"If it isn't a bad thing, then why are you resisting now?" he asked, narrowing his eyes on her.

Mai suddenly felt a surge of anger throughout her. What right did Joey have to question her?! If Mai Valentine couldn't do something, if she didn't want to do something, she would not be forced into it. But somehow she always was and she lost all her control. She became vulnerable. Besides, when was the last time, someone like Joey had made her feel so insecure about herself? Plenty. She didn't need this right now, when she could be at home with Guy, who would be as equally persistent on her. But Joey also made her feel like nothing was going to be wrong anymore. Everything would be ok and she would be safe with him. Damn him. She wished she'd never met him.

Suddenly, her hand came up and slapped him hard. It was so hard; he went flying to the ground. Mai's hand became red and sore, while Joey's cheek almost bled.

Shaken, Mai hailed a cab and got in without another word to him. She was shaking like hell as she was driven home. Tears came down her reddened cheeks from her also reddened eyes. She stared at her shaking hands, in disbelief at what she'd done. She wished she hadn't. Her mind wondered back to the event where she'd mistaken a lonely married guy for a lonely married guy who wanted someone to fuck for the night. Why in that picture could she see herself and…Joey? Her and Joey having a family?! Being married?! She groaned and put her hands on her head, ducking her head low. She did not want to even think about it.

***

Meanwhile, Joey had got up off the ground and stood, in pure and utter shock. She'd slapped him. She had snapped so violently, he had been caught off guard and…she'd slapped him. He stared ahead blankly, wondering just why he could never have any of the things he really wanted. Sure, he had alcohol and plenty of money to spend, but it didn't mean shit now. He just wanted Mai. That's all. Mai to stay with him, to talk to him, to love him.

He felt like giving up all the alcohol and money would somehow make her come to him. So then, he'd just have to do that. Give up all the alcohol and get some decent proper job whatever that may be. Then, she'd see a good thing. She'd see something worth while and it would give Joey a purpose for living.

He walked to his car, slamming the door shut. He gripped his hands on the steering wheel, staring ahead absent-mindedly. The first thing he had to do was get rid of all his alcohol. He knew just how. Then, he had to invest whatever money he had in the bank. Then, he noted, he'd have to do something about his hellhole of an apartment. It looked like nothing. And he liked to be classy.

"And then," he sighed to himself, whole staring up the car, "I'll have to get a damn, fucking job."

***

Author's Notes: That wasn't…dark was it? Don't worry; I've got very dark things happening in future chapters. And more lemons. Possibly one in the next chapter. Maybe…Well, keep the reviews coming in! I need to know what you think of this fic…and…thanks to those of you that are supporting and helping me out! ^-^