Disclaimer: I own Yu-Gi-Oh! Yes, I do! Okay, I was just kidding. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, and that's the sad, sad truth.

Author's note: Earlier than usual update. I have major exams to take next week, so I'll be too busy for an update. (Glares from readers) Oh, c'mon guys. Cut me some slack. I'm making this chapter long to make up for it. Just have patience.

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To The Reviewers:

Lily of the Shadow, Speedy-anime-angel, YumeTakato, Yun Fei, Aa Miw-sher Mutnodjet Kiya, The Six of Hearts, kikoken, FungiFungusRayne, Sakura, LordoftheBloodyHand, Mai, NezumiSohma, eframtheretardedrabbit, Darkhope, Elusia, Yami Fan Girl, Luthien-Anwaman, Jade Wu, Flame Swordswoman, peachy71040, and Mandy.

I appreciate kikoken for her helpful tip. I have changed that sentence. You were right. It was a tad awkward.

As for everyone else: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!

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Title: The Bridesmaid's Best Man

Author: Deena

Rated: PG 13

Genre: Romance

Main Pairing: Joey/Mai

Summary: Serenity is going to get married – to Seto Kaiba! She has invited Mai to be one of the bridesmaids…but the best man is Joey, Serenity's cute yet goofy brother. Mai is determined not to fall for Joey's charms, but when they're stranded overnight on a tiny island, things might change…


:: CHAPTER SEVEN ::

Making Memories

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He kissed her softly and caressed her cheek, still dancing slowly to their rhythm. Her heart melted as she felt his soft, firm lips against hers. She slid her arms around his neck, and the kiss deepened. The firecrackers she had experienced the times Joey's fingers had grazed her bare skin were nothing compared to the sparks zipping through her veins now. She wanted it to last forever…

What the heck am I doing?!

" No!"

Joey heard her cry and quickly took a step backward.

" That…shouldn't have happened," Mai said, face flushed.

Joey rubbed his head in an embarrassed way. " I-I'm sorry, you're right. Umm…take it as a goodbye kiss then. I don't want you to remember me as someone who takes advantage of women."

Mai smirked. " You? Take advantage of me? Of course not." She had done it willingly. And that scared her because she had never had a willing response to a guy's kiss. She always had to force herself to accept, much less enjoy kisses from other men. Why was Joey different?

He smiled. " Good. I hope you enjoyed dinner. Why don't you hit the sack while I clean up? I'll take the couch. You can take the bed. But remember, only this once and then I get dibs on the bed."

Mai nodded. But before she left, she smiled and kissed his cheek. " Thank you, Joey. I'll never forget this. Never."

He blushed, unaware that she had meant so much more.

… … … ………………………………………………………………………… … … …

……………………………………………………………

… … … ………………………………………………………………………… … … …

It was…four o'clock?

Mai blinked, staring at the clock standing on the small table beside the bed. She yawned and sat up. She wasn't usually an early riser, but she had had some weird dreams yesterday. She couldn't remember what, but it had something to do with…

A tall blond guy with a silly grin.

She shook her head. Ugh! It's all in your head, Mai. It's all in your head. Maybe a walk at the beach will get some sanity back into your brain cells.

She changed into jeans and a sleeveless red blouse, then made her way out the room. On the way, she took a peek at the couch and saw…no Joey?

And the door was left ajar.

" What's wrong with that guy's head? Doesn't he know the danger of break-ins?" Mai muttered as shut the door behind her and looked around for him.

It was easy to spot Joey. He was the only one at the beach, lying on the shoreline on his back, the breeze playing with his golden locks and a small smile lingering on his lips. Mai stood there and stared at him, hating to interrupt his peace. She turned to go, but Joey noticed her presence and looked up.

" Mai, what are you doing here?" he asked.

" Nothing. Just taking a walk."

" At four o'clock in the morning? What happened to your beauty sleep?"

Mai shot him a glare. " You don't think I'm pretty enough this morning?"

" Just curious."

" All right, Mr. Curious. I couldn't sleep…" And she certainly wasn't going to tell him why.

Joey grinned. " Oh, can't sleep can you? Then let me tell you a story. Once upon a time…"

Mai scowled at him. " You're making fun of me!"

Joey's grin faded as he stared at her. " No, I'm not. Would you like to listen to it anyway?"

At those words, she felt compelled to sit down beside him on the sand.

Joey lay back and gazed at the sky with a faraway look on his face. " Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived with parents and a sister. He loved his family very much and considered them his greatest treasure. He thought he would be with them forever…which just goes to show how naïve kids were…"

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[Flashback]

The car in the Wheeler's house roared into life. A little boy about five years old who was asleep in his room opened his eyes in surprise. He walked to the window curiously and saw, in horror, that it was his mother and sister leaving. His sister was banging the door of the car with all her might, crying. Something was wrong.

" Mommy! Sis!"

He ran down the stairs and chased the car as fast as his legs could carry him. He reached out his hand; as if he thought if he tried hard enough he could reach the car. His sister wailed loud enough that he could hear her yell, " Mommy, let me out! I want to be with big brother! Mommy!"

At last, tired and weak, he slumped to the ground, watching his family fall apart before his very eyes.

When he finally made his way home, he saw his father drinking a bottle of wine. " Daddy! Where's Mommy and Sis going?" he asked.

His father looked away. " They're just going for a ride, son. It'll be a long ride, so they won't be home for…some time."

" But why can't they bring me? Will I ever see them again?" the boy asked tearfully.

His father didn't answer.

[End of Flashback]

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" Their marriage didn't work out. His father was always drinking because he got kicked out of his job and couldn't find another one. His mother couldn't handle it, so she bailed out." There was slightly bitter tone in Joey's voice as the breeze rustled his hair.

" Was that boy…you?" Mai asked softly.

Joey smiled sadly. " Yeah, it was me. But at least in the end I found Serenity and I visit Mom sometimes." He stretched his back and sat up, a large smile spread on his face. " Plus, I have friends like Tristan, Téa, Yugi…and you. Everyone showed me how important it was to value your friends and family while you still have them. What about you?"

" Me?" Mai echoed. " What's so interesting about me?"

" C'mon, I told you my story. Now you tell me yours."

" Well…since you put it that way…" She sighed and stared at the water. " My father and mother were travelers who could never sit still. They met on a cruise, got married and accidentally had me. I say accidentally because they never actually wanted me. I was only an annoying baggage who got in their way when they wanted to have fun. I didn't want to travel. I only wanted to stay in a permanent house, make friends with kids my age, and go to school like everybody else. When I was fifteen, my parents boarded a plane to Jamaica. For once, I was determined not to go with them. And then their plane crashed…

" I had to make my own living. But I was young and uneducated. So I worked here and there, moving around until I discovered the world of dueling. I used my dueling skills to get money to pay the bills. Life taught me that power and money were the only things that really mattered in this world. Then I met your friends…and you…" She turned to look at him; her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. " You all changed me. I don't know how but you did. And for that, I thank you."

Joey cocked his head. " So that's why you don't like to stay in one place. Why you like being independent and uncaring." He pulled her up and his eyes glinted mischievously. " Want to play a game? It's called tag you're it. And you're it!" He laughed as he poked her nose and raced down the shore.

Mai narrowed her eyes. " Why you… That's not fair! You cheated! Come back here, Joseph Wheeler!" Mai ran after him, shaking her fist in exaggerated anger.

They ran down the shore together, playing tag for what seemed like hours. When Mai finally caught him, Joey suddenly stopped and stared fixedly at something beyond her shoulders. His smile broadened. " All right! This is the moment I've been waiting for since I got here."

" What is it?" she asked curiously.

He chuckled. " Turn around."

Mai slowly turned around and her eyes widened in awe.

A magnificent golden orb rose to greet a new dawn, its rays creating a kaleidoscope of orange and red, painting the once dark sky into an orchestra of different arrays of bright colors. Mai's breath caught in her throat.

" It's beautiful…"

Joey smiled. " People say the sunset has the nicest view. But to me the sunrise is the best. When I wake up to greet a new day, I feel lucky to be alive and cherish those precious moments with the people I love whenever I can." He turned to look at her tenderly. " Just like what we're doing now…"

There was a long and pregnant pause, with nothing to disturb their moment except the lapping of the waves. Then Mai sighed and turned away. " I…should pack my bags. It's almost time for us to leave and I – AH!" She gasped when she tripped over her own two feet. She fought back an embarrassed blush and stood up indignantly. Joey frowned when he noticed she was limping though she tried not to show it.

Mai's face turned crimson red as Joey scooped her into his arms. " I'm perfectly fine. You don't have to carry me!" she protested.

Joey rolled his eyes. " Don't be so stubborn. You can't walk with that injured ankle. I know you like being independent and everything, but don't bite off your nose just to spite your face." He grinned playfully. " Besides you're not that heavy. At least, not as heavy as the last time back when I saved you from Magnum's lackeys. Are you sure you're not on a diet?"

She punched his shoulder lightly. " Stop making fun of me, Wheeler!"

" Okay, okay." He laughed and walked up the beach to their room. Mai took the opportunity to relax in his arms and closed her eyes. It was strange. But she fit right into his arms, as if like she was made just for him. It was heavenly…

As Joey abruptly looked down to smile his goofball smile at her, a bolt of lightning struck her.

She was falling in love with him.

No, she was in love with him.

And the worst part was, she could do nothing to stop herself from loving him. Even with the knowledge that she could never be with him, never share his life because he didn't feel the same way about her. How could he? Except maybe for her looks, she wasn't special in a way that could truly attract him.

But if I can't be with Joey, she thought as she laid her head back against his chest, at least I could have these memories to fall back to…

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TO BE CONTINUED…


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