YUGIOH

MP: Aftermath

Chapter 33.

"Hey, Joey!" Tristan said, as they came into Burger Land. "I didn't know you were back. I wish you told us you were leaving."

"Yeah well, there were some things I had to take care of." Joey answered, finishing off his burger.

Duke grinned, saying, "So when do you hang out with Kaiba, of all people??"

Joey quickly got a napkin, shoving it to his mouth to wipe it, not exactly sure how to explain that one. His eyes looked like he was caught in the headlights. Yugi also looked worried, since he immediately took this as a possible date, then Tea and Tristan simply watched, being as curious as Duke was.

Kaiba knew it would have to be him to save their asses, this time. Joey was quick-thinking on the street, but obviously had no clue what to say to his own friends.

"Relax Devlin." Kaiba sneered, getting up from his seat. "I am not here to socialize with the Mutt. For some reason, Mokuba felt sorry for this stray dog and decided to hire him overseas....without my knowledge. I can't imagine how much my company must have suffered with a loser like him working there. So, I dragged him back here, to offer him his final pay." Kaiba pulled out an already written paycheck and slapped it down next to Joey's face.

Joey looked up at him, saying, "Wait a minute....does that mean I'm fired?"

"You just figured that out, now?" Kaiba smirked. "Don't worry....maybe Burger Land will take you."

He then gave harsh biting laugh, that made everyone shiver from it, as he shoved through the crowd leaving the restaurant.

"Man....what a jerk!" Tristan snapped.

"Yeah...." Joey said, trying to hide the respect in his voice, as well as keep the smile off his face. 'How the hell does he do it?' He wondered in admiration of how quickly Kaiba turned that whole thing around. 'Then again, I guess it's just second nature for him to piss people off, like that. So, why am I so happy about it, instead of pissed off as well? I know....cuz I know he didn't mean it, for once. He's just playing the bad guy again.' "Don't worry about it, Tristan....you know how Kaiba is. Besides, I got money! Let's blow it!"

"Great, you buying us lunch, Joey?" Tristan asked.

Joey smiled over at them, as they took a seat at Joey's booth. "Well, I just ate, but I'm sure I got room for another burger here!"

"Knowing you Joey, you could probably eat every burger here, if you could afford it." Duke answered.

Joey laughed, "Yeah, you're probably right. Hey waitress, we need some more food over here!"

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Joey enjoyed his time with his friends, once again....as Kaiba returned home. But neither lives would be quite the same again, now that they had officially come together. Joey continued to live the double life for now, as he allowed himself to become closer to Kaiba....atleast as close as the CEO would allow.

END