Next try:) Thanks for the reviews. I hope you don't stop.

I guess Kaiba is sleeping too often. Sorry for that.

In the evening Kaiba was thinking about Mokuba and his behaviour during the afternoon. The bedroom was dark and silent now. Kaiba reminded himself that Mokuba was starting to grow up. He became aware of his skills. Kaiba stared into the dark and smiled. Of course Mokuba would be able to entertain the mob. The mob was Kaiba's secret way of describing the various business men he had to face too often. There were all the same. A grey faceless mass which was needed to control.

Mokuba liked people to laugh. He adored the colours in life. Would the mob mutate into a crowd of smiling tennis players during his absence? Kaiba didn't fear loosing the deal. Their plan was maybe unusual but it would work. So he didn't worry about it. Yet he recalled the meeting again and again. Kaiba disliked that Mokuba wanted to take action. He was so eager to prove himself as a full member of their company. It seemed that Mokuba longed for throwing away his childhood. Why, Kaiba asked himself. It must be so precious to be without responsibility and to have someone who takes care in everything. In his own life he couldn't remember such safety.

Lost in thoughts Kaiba did not notice the person standing in the doorframe. When he finally did the person stepped back into the floor and a door opened and closed quickly. Kaiba was startled by this. Could it have been Joey? But a few moments later Joey walked in putting on the ceiling lights. He carried a laundry- basket.

"How are you doing?", he asked. Kaiba was blinded and nodded to the door "Who was this?". "My father", Joey replied toneless "Don't worry. I observed him from the kitchen. The room was dark, so he couldn't see you. The lights in the floor are not bright enough to illuminate my room properly and you are well hidden in the blankets." He opened the cupboard and put the laundry into it. Kaiba stretched the blanket more to his face and watched Joey. Suddenly a voice sounded from the room entrance. "Still some visit?", a deep and bored tenor asked. Joey turned around. "Hmm", he made and looked to his father. Kaiba tried to catch a glimpse of him but Joey stepped between them.

"I'm leaving", the deep voice said without any emotion.

"Okay."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Kaiba could hear Joey's father leaving the flat. "Lovely scene" he commented. Joey put the rest of his laundry into the board. Without looking up he said "Well, we don't talk much." Kaiba felt about commenting this as well but Joey was faster: "You didn't answer. How do you feel? Is your throat still aching?" Kaiba nodded. "I get you some tea. And for the night you should wear a scarf. Wait, here", Joey put a blue one out of the board and walked to Kaiba. There he tried to wrap the scarf around Kaiba's neck. "I'm not a little child. I can do this alone", Kaiba snapped. Joey dropped the scarf on the pillow. "A child would be easier to handle", Joey sighed angrily and left to the kitchen. Kaiba wrapped the scarf around his neck even it was exhausting to do so. All the blankets and sheets around him made it difficult to move freely. After drinking the tea which Joey brought in after a while he slowly swept into strange dreams. The last thing he noticed was the cool wet towel back on his forehead.

The next morning Kaiba awoke because his mouth was dry. He remembered a glass of water at the bed table. Tired he reached out for it but missed it and the glass fell to the ground. With a curse he climbed slowly out of the bed. No water was left in the glass. The thirst was killing him, so he staggered to the kitchen to get some water. When he stepped into the floor he asked himself where Joey was. He didn't want to meet him in a state like this. Laying in the bed differed from shaking in the floor. Maybe in his father's room? But what about the first night? Mr Wheeler must has been in the flat. Kaiba didn't believe Joey sharing a room with his father. Kaiba shivered in exhaustion. Even crossing the floor was arduous. He pushed the kitchen door open and stood still in the frame. Down on the ground Joey was sleeping on an air mattress. Kaiba placed a palm against the frame and watched him closely. Joey's face was peaceful and his regular deep breathing was the only sound in the room. Some fresh wind made Kaiba aware of an open kitchen window. He could see a fireman's ladder and a forgotten mug. Kaiba suspected Joey sitting on the ladder from time to time. That must be nice.

Kaiba turned around and walked to the bathroom. There he filled the glass and returned to the floor. In the same moment Joey stepped out of the kitchen. He looked sleepy. His hair was ruffled and his eyes were a bit puffy. "Morning", he said "I heard some noise." "Needed Water", Kaiba croaked. His voice was still hoarse.

"You shouldn't walk around. Call if you need something. Are you hungry?" Kaiba shook his head and went back to bed. He would have never even thought about calling for Joey. "I got a text message on my mobile last night. Mokuba will come over in half an hour", Joey said and shuffled to the bathroom.

During Mokuba's visit, Joey left for some buying. Mokuba informed Kaiba about the situation in the mansion. Everyone accepted Kaiba's absence because of the excuse Mokuba gave them. His voice was excited when telling. Kaiba nodded approvingly. After his report Mokuba asked if Kaiba feel comfortable with everything. "I accept it", was all he said. Kaiba enjoyed his little brother but soon his head was aching again and he longed for silence. When Joey came back Mokuba said goodbye.

"Little sunshine your brother", Joey laughed and held a thermometer in his hand. "Sorry, I had none yesterday. The last one broke when I was ill. Now let's see what your temperature is about." He put it in Kaiba's mouth.

"What a surprise. You have fever. But the good news are: You will survive. Hmm, good is just an interpretation from a certain point of view. But like I said, I can't afford myself to let you go down", Joey grinned.

Kaiba answered "Your medical statements don't make me feel better. Shouldn't I get some medicine?"

"No need to. You have a flu but not a really heavy one. Trust me. Your fever is high but not threatening. I gave you some necessary painkillers solved in your water."

"Why didn't you tell me about the painkillers? What crap did you give me?"

"Just to avoid discussion. You are not fit enough to run around but you are fit enough to argue. And your medication are just harmless painkillers you can buy everywhere. Mokuba knows about it." Kaiba glanced aggressively past Joey's blond hair. He hated being a prisoner in this flat. Joey spoke again and emphasized every word " I am not going to harm you."

The rest of the day passed by. Kaiba fell asleep every few hours. When he was awake he just stared at the ceiling and enjoyed the relaxing silence. His anger was absorbed by feverish dreams. Sometimes the radio in the kitchen was playing. Joey watched after Kaiba in regular turns, cooled Kaiba' s forehead when necessary and made him drink.

In the evening Kaiba's lips became rough and he had difficulties to swallow. "You are a fucking senseless doc", he hissed at Joey when he took the temperature. "Shut up", Joey replied and left. Great, Kaiba thought, he is leaving and calling for a real doctor. The whole plan would fail. Just because of Joey's stupidity. Kaiba got angry and frustrated. His skin felt sore and he wanted to throw the blankets away. "Hey, stay calm", he could hear Joey's annoyed voice and something ice-cold touched his lips. Joey stroked with an ice cube over his face. "Open you mouth. This will ease your pain." Kaiba opened his mouth and could feel Joey's fingers between his lips. The cool melting water running down his throat made him shiver. Again a wet towel was pressed on his forehead and even his calves were wrapped into cold cloths. Kaiba felt into an uneasy sleep.