Author's Notes: This is the final chapter! It's been over year long since I began this story, and what a ride this has been. All things come to an end my friends. I thank you for taking this journey with me, and putting up with my slow updates with a smile (I assume) and a kind word. Last time, Joey contemplated his feelings for Mai and Sarah. He talked with Leila Valentine, and began what could escalate into yet another argument with Mai. Will Joey succeed? Can he have a stable relationship with the women in his life? Can things ever return to the good times once more? Booyah! How quick was this update! This chapter only took two days to write. Whoopie! There will be an epilogue. Thanks to the following for reviewing: Chibi-Pepsi13, Lina567, major-rocket-fan, and pheonix-tabuutz! You guys were loyal to the end! Oh yes... In case I forget... I hate you stupid QuickEdit software! You've ruined my formatting!

Disclaimer: I'll give you my Inuyasha Collection for the full rights to Yugioh. No dice, huh?

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An Exile's Stone Heart

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Chapter Ten: It's a bittersweet symphony. I can change, I can change…

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"I don't know what you thought you could achieve by coming here, but I think that you should leave."

Mai sternly suggested, not daring to look him in the eye. Joey's arrival was a herald of bad things to come wasn't it? Why else would he take so much trouble in coming here? When they had spent that last night together three weeks ago, he had been quite clear that she was to leave him alone. They had fought as usual, and both had been unapologetic in their views. Now, for Mai to see him in her country home, wishing to make amends, she did not know what to think. It was crazy to ponder a relationship with Joey wasn't it? He was the man that broke her heart and abandoned his pregnant lover. Perhaps he sought too much if he believed that there was a way for them to be together. Mai and Joey separate were functional people, with goals and views about changing their lives. When coupled, the Mai and Joey dynamic just didn't work. Both of them were high strung, high maintenance individuals that were not willing to share. There would always be a struggle for power between them. They couldn't even agree on what to eat for dinner, let alone pertinent decision making. Shaking her head, her blond tresses covered violet tear soaked eyes. What was she thinking anyway? This was Joey Wheeler for crying out loud! He was the infamous womanizing, chain smoking, alcohol inhaling, arrogant jerk that was good in bed, but so what? She couldn't raise Sarah on the simple matter of Joey satisfying her sexually. (Truth be told, he was the best she had ever had, but she would never openly admit that.) Joey was going to be in Sarah's life, whether she liked it or not. He could even take the girl from her, but would he be romantically involved with her? Could she accept their past disagreements and embark on a romantic journey with him? This was the same man that could make her knees into putty, but he could set off her ire just as easily.

"I'm not leaving Mai. You can kick me out of this house, you can even place a restraining order on me, but I'll always come back Mai. I'll always come back for you and Sarah. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Mai allowed herself a bitter laugh. Was he kidding? Who did Joey think he was coming into her home all high and mighty? She hated his self assurance on the matter, and she resented herself for questioning her own judgment. Why couldn't he make things easy by being the selfish man she had always known? Why did he have to act is if he had changed in some dramatic way? So what if he had? So just because he decided to become a better man, that meant everyone should accommodate their own lives to suit his needs? His smug arrogance knew no bounds. Picking up her fallen groceries, she headed towards to the kitchen. Without instruction, Joey followed behind her. He glanced around the quaint kitchen, taking a seat at the island bar. Mai stood across from him with her arms crossed under her breasts. Her eyes were locked with his brown orbs, and her mouth was etched in a frown. Taking a knife from the drawer, she began to cut the peppers in front of him, itching to use the knife on the tall man before her. Why couldn't he face reality? Yes, Mai's treachery had been discovered, Joey was fairly upset. Could he be in his daughter's life? Sure? But would she allow him to be in her own? Hell no.

"I have no problems with you wanting to be in Sarah's life, but I will go to the courts if you try to take her from me. I raised her Joey, Sarah is my baby girl. I love her. If you are going to be there for her, you'll have to mean what you say and say what you mean. She's going to be depending on you, and as her father you need to take responsibility. That means no more outrageous drinking, no smoking around Sarah or me, or in this house. No floozies staying at your house when Sarah comes to visit either. Once we set a few ground rules that you agree to abide by, I will be more than happy to share custody."

Joey snatched a pepper from the neat little pile in front of him, silently regarding the woman before him. She wanted to play hardball, did she? Scowling at the tangy spice of the pepper, he sat back fanning his mouth. Mai allowed herself a small smirk, before returning to the task at hand. Joey grabbed her hand as she was in mid chop. Taking the knife from her, he gently set it aside. He held her hand for a moment, before Mai came to her senses and snatched it back. He sighed softly, before hopping over the bar, and hovering over her. She stood her ground, but as he drew closer, Mai stepped back until she was up against the wall. Smirking, he dipped his head, lowering his lips to her warm, inviting mouth. Before she could protest, he was kissing her passionately, with all the fervor and love that he had kept put up inside since he had last saw her. She beat on his back, doing anything to get Joey to release her. Finally, she managed to push him off by kneeing him in the groin. As Joey lay hunched on the ground in pain, Mai stepped over Joey's twitching body sneering down at him.

"Do not ever do that again! You have no right to do such a thing. Honestly, have you no self restraint?"

Joey who had managed to stand to his feet once more, during Mai's diatribe, leaned against the counter. He chuckled softly at her anger, somewhat pleased that he had such an effect on her. Mai huffed, blowing her bands up with her escalated breath. The man could be so childish and annoying. Reaching out to her, he cupped her chin gently. She tried to squirm from his grasp, but Joey held her firmly. Forced to look into his dark brown eyes, she bit her lip willing him to release her. Joey shook his head, as if silently refusing to do no such thing.

"What's it going to take for you to realize that I love you? I am in love with you. I want to be with you. I know that you love me, and it's not hidden somewhere deep down in your heart either. You want to punish me, you want to hate, but honestly you don't. We love each other, and though you may be uncertain and unaware of your feelings, eventually you'll have to face them like an adult. I'm not sorry that I kissed you."

Noticing Mai's incredulous face at the words Joey had just spoken he released her chin.

"I am sorry for grabbing you like that however. We're too old for games Mai. We're almost in our mid twenties, and now we have a child to think about. I am asking you to give us a chance because Sarah deserves that much. We deserve that much. Don't ruin us without even giving us a chance Mai. We could be a family. We are a family, just not a united one. Not yet anyway."

Mai resumed her chopping, shaking her head in exasperation. She couldn't pretend that she was not hurt by the past. She couldn't set it aside so easily. The things that had happened helped to shape the woman that she as now. Joey was a heartbreaker, and they both knew that she addicted to him. She had tried to forget it, but she had been addicted to the man, but she wanted it. Damn it all, she needed it! How long had she been waiting for him to turn around, and reciprocate those feelings only to have them thrown in her face? She wanted to flip the script when she had gotten he chance. They both had attended rival universities, both majoring in the same fields. When she realized that they would be running in the same social circles, she felt it would be the perfect opportunity to get revenge on the man that had nearly ruined her life. She finished the peppers, and began on the beef. Throwing it all into a pan to simmer, Mai left the kitchen with Joey following close behind her. Pouring herself a glass of lemonade, she sat out on the porch swing of her wraparound porch. Joey sat down next to her in companionable silence, while sipping a glass of Leila's homemade lemonade. Mai sighed softly, stirring her straw lazily.

"I like the quiet life Joey. I'm only twenty three and I have lived through enough of the fast life to last a lifetime. I want to break free of that world. Sarah loves the country life, and we get along famously with our neighbors. We enjoy this life Joey. We like knowing that we can leave our doors unlocked in the summer, and park our cars on the street at night. Are you willing to leave that hustle and bustle life Joey? Because being with us would mean doing just that."

Joey took her hand in his own, smiling to himself when she didn't pull away. They swayed on the swing, watching the sun set through the trees. Joey massaged her hands in his own mulling over her words mutely. Could he do as she asked? Was he willing to leave his job, and his career, a career he would be able to pursue in the country for Mai and Sarah? That meant selling his seaside home, a residence that he loved immensely. Could he do all of these things as she asked? If he did in fact sell his home and quit his job, would he feel as if he gave it all up so that he could provide for Sarah? Or was that just Mai's requirement for being with him? Why couldn't he have it all? Why couldn't he have the cars, the money, and the glamour and still have his two girls? Were there rules against doing that? His released his grip on her hand and let it fall to her side. Still facing forward, he spoke into the quiet of the night.

"I don't know if I can Mai."

Did this admission make him a bad person? It was wrong to place his happiness above others wasn't it? He cursed himself. How stupid could he possibly be? He just openly admitted to the fact that he was uncertain about his willingness to make sacrifices for the three of them. Mai obviously wasn't going to leave the countryside, and Sarah had friends and family there so there was no other viable option. Mai's soft laugh pulled Joey from his reverie. Turning to face him, she smiled her first smile between them in a long while.

"I thought that I was supposed to be the uncertain one."

"No, it's not that… It's just what if you're right? What if we give it a try and only end up hurting each other even more? What if by agreeing to give the relationship thing a shot, we not only screw up our lives but Sarah's as well? I don't want that to happen to her. Perhaps she'd be better off if she didn't even—"

"Joey I can't believe you! You come here, all gung ho about how you're going to change, and that we should put the past behind us. You talk about how we can have this wonderful future together, and then you chicken out? I know you're not a coward so don't act like one."

Mai said with frustration. If anyone had told her a month ago that she would be trying to convince Joey to consider a possible relationship with her, she would have laughed in their faces. But now, she was about to do the unthinkable. Standing up suddenly, she watched as Joey nearly fell from the swing. Stifling a giggle, she helped him up and escorted him towards the bedrooms. They stopped at the third door on the second floor. Opening the door, she ushered him into a very pastel blue bedroom. Joey's eyes traveled around the room, admiring the finger paint collages, and tiny little toys. Everything was frilly and colorful. Lace was everywhere, and pictures of Sarah were lined up on her work desk. Mai went to a photo album that was on the child sized bookshelf. Flipping through the pages, she showed him various stages of Sarah's life. Joey skimmed through photos of Sarah's friends, her Pre-K teachers, and other notable events in her life. Tears began to well in his eyes as he saw so much of the young girl's life that he had missed out on. Mai snapped the book closed, looking him in the eye.

"Now you tell me that sweet girl doesn't deserve your sacrifices. Look into my eyes and tell me that you still don't know."

He wiped away the few tears that had fallen. Nodding his head earnestly, he wiped his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it Mai. I was just—"

Before he could answer, a small voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mommy? What are you doing? Who are you?"

The girl asked, cocking her head to the side in an adorable fashion. Joey stood suddenly, shock evident in his eyes. What was he going to say to her? 'Hi, I'm your absentee father here to enter your life and that of you mother and grandfather, now get over here and hug me!' Mai smiled, reaching out to hug the young girl before her. Pulling back, she kissed the girl's cherub like cheeks. Pulling Sarah on her lap, she gestured for Joey to take a seat on the already creaking bed.

"What are you doing home baby?"

The girl stared at the man sitting with her mother on her bed.

"Makoto got sick, and we had to go home because Makoto's mommy said that we could get sick too. Grandma let me in."

Joey nodded assimilating the information. Did Sarah go to many sleepovers? He desperately wanted to barrage the girl with questions.

"Remember when we talked about your daddy, Sarah? You said you wanted to meet him?"

The girl fiddled with her peach colored dress, her red hair complimented the ensemble quiet nicely.

"Uh huh. You said that I could meet him one day. Is that him?"

Sarah asked pointing a finger at Joey. He coughed nervously, and before he could say anything Sarah had hopped off Mai's lap unto his. She looked into his eyes, and he was amazed to find that they were as chocolate brown as his. Mai quirked an eyebrow at her daughter's forwardness, but remember that her mother had probably shown Sarah pictures of Joey. It was no wonder the girl could be so comfortable with him. She made a mental note to talk with her mother about that in the morning. How her mother could intuitively know that this would happen was beyond her.

"Daddy, now that you're here does this mean that we're gonna be a family?"

Joey blushed at the girl. His face became the color of a lovely shade of maroon red, likening him to a ripe tomato. Not knowing how to answer the question, Mai saved him from embarrassment.

"Yes honey. Yes, I believe that we are."

Looking into his eyes, Mai somehow knew in her heart of hearts that there was a future for them all. Hate and revenge may have taken them both on a path of self destruction and hate, but somewhere in between all of that, loved saved them both. There would be trials and tribulations that they would need to overcome, but as a family they could do it all in stride. This time, this place, these people—Mai wanted to capture the moment for the rest of her life. It was in this moment, she knew that they were destined for great things together. Taking his hands into her own tiny palms, Mai knew that things would be alright in the end.

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Footnotes: That's all she wrote folks. Actually there is the epilogue, but you'll have to wait until next time for that. So what did you all think? The story completely ends with the epilogue, but I hope that you enjoyed my story. I really tried to convey all that I promised, and I hope that I have sated your need for this story. I hope that you thought that my story was up to par. I thank you again for reading this, and for putting up with me. May the blessings of fan fiction always be with you. See you in the epilogue! Peace!

-Shanni