Kiawna: Yaay! I have finally started this chapter. I mean, completed this chapter! does mini circles

Orli: Yea, finally!

Kiawna: throws pillows at Orli you hush! You haven't been giving me much help.

Orli: Humph.

Kiawna: sighs All right people, I won't bother you with boring head notes. All I have to say is "THANK YOU!!!" I have really appreciated your reviews and eagerness for me to continue. TT I feel so happy!! glomps all of the reviewers As a sign of my appreciation, I am hoping to get 2 chapters up next time. So, read on! sits in inflatable chair with Hakumei beside her

CHAPTER 8: A Surprise Party To Plan and A Puppy To Visit

It had been a week since Joey had arrived in the hospital. Everyday Seto had come by. He told Joey that they got perfect on their Astronomy presentation. He was also surprised when Seto said that he didn't lose marks for not being there.

Joey had been told that he wouldn't be released from the hospital until Winter break. So, when he told Seto, he arranged for them to work on their Comparative Civilization project while he was in the hospital. Naturally, the doctors weren't pleased with this, but Seto has his way of making them see things his way.

It was lucky for them that they didn't have to present this project. When Seto handed it in, he was told that the marks wouldn't be given until after break. Today was Wednesday. He would be allowed out Friday when Seto came and got him. He still wasn't sure how his dad would take the news of him moving in with Seto, but he had to tell him. Seto had told him during lunch that he wouldn't be in after school until late. Unfortunately for him, it was only 11:30pm. Yugi and the others said that they would come visit him today after school. That meant that he had about three and half-hours before his friends would be there. 'I might as well take a nap.' Joey thought as he closed his eyes.

About an hour later he felt the end of his bed shift. "Seto?" he asked, as he cracked an eye open to look at the clock. The red numbers read 12:30pm. It was way too early for Seto or even his friends to be there. To adjust his eyes to the light, Joey blinked a few times. When adjusted, he looked to the end of his bed where the figure sat. In his opinion, it was the last person he would expect to see. "Dad!?"

"Hi Joey." His farther replied quietly. "How are you?"

"How am I?" Joey replied, hardly believing his ears. "Dad, you beat me. I have a couple of broken ribs and I was bleeding internally. If Seto hadn't of-" He tried to gain his composure, because his voce had cracked. He took a deep breath, and just remembered what his boyfriend had done. "If Seto hadn't paid for the bill, then I would be dead." He held back the tears.

"Joey, I-I am really, really sorry." His father said, not looking into Joey's eyes. "I don't know what came over me. I went for an interview, didn't get the job and went out to drink. It hurt me when I remembered what I did to you. I couldn't believe myself." He looked up into his son's honey eyes, "You have to believe me Joey. I was taking AA courses for your safety."

"I know." Joey said, interrupting his dad. "I heard the message the day you left. It was right before Serenity's message."

"Serenity? I didn't know she called."

"I never got a chance to tell you. She is coming up for the winter break."

"That is perfect."

"Why?" Joey asked, not understanding.

"While I was thinking over the past week, I was also searching for a place I could get help." Mr. Wheeler explained. "I found one, but it is in the States. They provide a job, and courses to help me stop drinking. The only problem is-"

"You don't have the money to get there and pay for it." Joey finished. His father nodded. "Dad. What can I do? I don't get very much. I would love to help you." He sighed.

"I don't want you to spend your money on me Joey. Besides, even if I did go, who would take care of you and Serenity over the holidays?"

Joey did a halfhearted laugh. "Dad, if I have a place to stay, and a way for you to get there, will you go?" His father nodded. "Okay, come back tomorrow. I should have everything arranged by then."

"Okay. Thank you Joey." His father said, rising from his seat. "For everything, putting up with me all these years. I was surprised your friends didn't try to come after me. I will see you tomorrow Joey."

"All right dad." Joey sighed and wiped the tears from his eyes. Now all he had to do was talk to Seto. He was pretty sure he knew Seto's answer. After all, it was his idea that Joey goes and stays with him, now he will have a good excuse.

Just as he was about to lie down and take a longer nap, his friends arrived. "Hey Joey! How's it going?" Yugi asked as he walked in with Yami and the rest.

Joey smiled at his tiny friend. It's going great Yug! How about you guys?" Everyone murmured his own reply. "Hey, any of you have any leftovers from lunch? The food here stinks. And that is saying something coming from me." He winked at them.

"Here you are Joey." Ryou said as he handed over his lunch. Everyone looked at Ryou and Bakura blinked in surprise. "How come you still have your full lunch?" He asked.

"Well, I was distracted during lunch and wasn't really hungry." Ryou replied.

"You promised me you were going to eat your lunches."

"I'm sorry Kura." He said, purposely sounding guilty and upset. "I'll try to next time."

"Oh Ryou, I'm sorry." Bakura grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. "I didn't mean to get angry." Ryou just winked at everyone behind Bakura. They all smiled and tried not to burst out laughing.

"So Joey, when do you get out?" Yami asked, looking away from the albino haired duo.

Joey lifted his head from the sandwich he was eating.or stuffing down his throat. "Didn't Seto tell you?" He asked confused. They all shook their heads.

"To be honest Joey, we haven't seen him at school for the past week." Malik mentioned.

"Why, where has he been?" Joey asked, concerned.

"Well, I remember him telling us that he was going to-mmmph." Yugi started, but everyone else's hands quickly covered his mouth. Joey looked at them with raised eyebrows. "Was going to what?" He asked, forgetting about the food in his hand.

"Was going to do some extra work at home." Yami quickly put in. "It's nothing to worry about." He said, and bit back a moan as Yugi licked his palm slowly.

"Oh. Okay. Maybe that has been why he hasn't been able to visit me for longer." Joey said, with a bit of hurt in his voice. Yugi sat on his bed. "Don't worry Joey, I am sure it is for a very good reason." He reassured his friend, having finally been released.

"I guess you're right Yug. Thanks." Joey said, although he made it a point to ask Seto later about it. He looked at the clock. "Wow, 5 o'clock already?"

"Five o'clock!" They all exclaimed at once. Then Yugi quickly added, "Sorry Joey. We gotta go. It was nice to see you again. Bye." And before Joey could reply they were all out the door.

"Well that was weird." He said out loud and lay down, for that past hour and a half had given him a headache.

'Okay, I have arranged for Serenity to get picked up at the airport and the others are coming over around five to help me decorate some rooms for Joey's return party.' Seto thinking to himself as he arranged to have all his work at Kaiba Corp to be taken care of over the holidays. He had taken Mokuba's and Joey's advice to take the two weeks off, although he was giving himself a break and taking three weeks.

He had spoken with the teachers on Monday and they allowed him to take the week off, but he was given plenty of homework from those classes he didn't have projects in anymore. He sighed. When he found out that Joey was getting out of the hospital on Friday, he had arranged for his sister, Serenity to come in early because she wasn't suppose to get here until the Monday after. All that was left on his list to do before the others had got there was to call Joey's dad. He picked up the phone and dialed Joey's number.

"Wheeler residence. Jonathan speaking." Kaiba heard Joey's father say into the phone. 'Well, he sounds sober.'

"Hello Mr. Wheeler, this is Seto Kaiba. Joey's." He paused, he wasn't sure if Joey wanted his father knowing about their relationship yet. "Friend from school."

"Hello, what can I do for you. I am afraid Joey can't come to the phone because," His voice sounded as though he was about to cry. He cleared his throat. "Joey is in the hospital."

"I know." Seto said in a quiet voice. "He told me everything." He was sure that Jonathan Wheeler's eyes were the size of saucers. So he quickly finished. "I am not going to do anything. I just want to talk to you."

"All right." His voice was tight. "Where would you like to talk?" Seto looked at the clock. It was 2:30pm. He had two and a half hours before Yami and the rest would be here. "How about we meet in the park by the lake? And I swear it is just to talk, I wouldn't do anything to hurt Joey or his family." 'He is too precious to me to do anything like that.'

"I'll be there." They said their good-byes and hung up the phone. Seto grabbed his car keys and left the house for the park. It took about 5 minutes to get there. Parking within a 2 minute walking distance to the lake, he got out and headed to sit on the bench.

About 5 minutes later, Joey saw a man with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes come up to him. "Mr. Wheeler, I assume?" Seto said getting up to shake Jon's hand. Jonathan took it. "I am Seto Kaiba."

"I have heard a lot about you on the news." Jonathan stated as he sat down. He chuckled a bit. "You sure are being nicer than you are made out on the news."

"To be honest, Joey has changed me." Seto said, hiding a smile. "The reason I asked you to come down here is I want to help you."

Jonathan's eyes widened. "But why? I am just a drunken bastard that can't control himself."

"I know. That is why I want to help you. It will be protecting not only Serenity and Joey, but yourself as well."

"I want to protect them. They are my lifelines, but I don't have the money to go to the states. And if I did, there would be no way to go if Joey didn't have a place to stay."

"That has already been arranged." Seto responded. "I was talking to Joey about it last week. I offered for him to come and stay with me. Gods know I have enough room."

"What about Serenity? She is coming for the winter."

"I have arranged that already. Do you know how much it is for that program you were talking about?"

"It is 3000 American, but I don't have that kind of money." Jonathan stated. "It's bad enough that Joey pays the rent and what we need bill wise."

Seto looked at the man beside him. "I'll pay for it."

"I couldn't ask that of you." Then something hit him. Joey said that he could arrange for him to go to the states. "You must be who Joey was going to ask." He said. Seto looked at him confused. "I went to see Joey earlier. I was surprised he didn't kick me out. But he said that I should come back tomorrow and everything should be arranged."

Seto chuckled to himself, 'So the puppy was going to ask me about this, huh? I should let him ask me. I will have to tell Mr. Wheeler not to mention anything about this meeting to Joey.' He looked at Mr. Wheeler. "Now this is a coincidence."

Jonathan laughed. "Why do I have a gut feeling you are more than just a friend to my son?" He saw the blush that crossed Seto's nose. "Come to think of it, that would explain why he said your name when he felt me sit on his bed." Seto looked a bit panicked. "Now don't you worry. I am not a homophobic. I believe that love is love, no matter who or what gender it is with."

Seto's blush grew deeper, even though the panic was gone. "Thank you," he whispered so quietly that Jonathan didn't hear him.

"Just take care of him treat him right. He has been through too much. More than he deserves. He has had his heart broken by his mother, he doesn't deserve another one." Jonathan lectured. "But I don't think I need to worry about that. You seem to be a very loyal person. I feel that he will be safe with you."

"He will be." Seto said, thinking, 'I love him too much to let something he doesn't deserve happen.' "Now, what will be a good time for you to leave?"

"Knowing Joey is safe and Serenity has a place to stay when she gets here, I could leave after I talk to Joey tomorrow."

"I will be seeing him tonight." Seto looked at his watch. It was 4:55. 'Wow, I have been talking to him for nearly 2 and a half hours.' "So, shall we say, 5pm tomorrow?"

"That's sounds fine." He replied as they got up. "And thank you so very much for all you have done. I don't know how to thank you enough." He said as he shook Seto's hand.

"It's no problem Mr. Wheeler." Seto replied. Jonathan said thank you again and left. Once he was gone Seto said, "I would do anything for Joey." He headed towards his car and went home. Yami and the rest would be arriving from the hospital any minute. He was hoping that they hadn't said anything to give his surprise away.

When he walked into the house he was nearly knocked over. "Hello Mokuba. How was your day?" He asked his younger brother affectionately.

"Hi, big brother! It was awesome." Mokuba said as he pulled away. "How is Joey's surprise party going?"

"So far, so good. Now, we just have to wait until the rest get here to decorate." Just when he said that, the doorbell rang. "Okay, now we don't have to wait." He turned around and opened the door. Standing in the doorway was 6 heavily breathing teenage boys. He raised an eyebrow at them, "What did you do? Run a marathon to get here?" He stepped aside to let them in.

"No, we were just at the hospital and we lost track of time, so we ran to get here." Bakura said testily.

"You didn't tell him anything did you?" Seto asked.

"Little Yugi here was about to, but we all covered his mouth before he said anything." Marik said.

"Didn't he get suspicious?" Mokuba asked.

"Yes, but I told him that you had a lot of work to do, so you weren't in school the past week." Yami replied. "He sounded a bit hurt though."

"Yeah, he said 'Maybe that has been why he hasn't been able to visit me for longer.' He sounded hurt when he said that." Ryou explained.

"Oh no. I have been spending so much time this past week on his party that I haven't been able to visit him until late. Then I wasn't able to stay longer because visiting hours were up." Seto said, worried. "Maybe I should go earlier today."

"That would be a good idea." Yugi said. "Why don't you go now? Mokuba is here, and we can get everything decorated while you go visit him. That way you can stay longer."

Seto thought about it for a minute. "You're right Yugi." He grabbed his car keys again. "I will see you later." And he was out the door and heading towards the hospital.

Seto arrived at the hospital 10 minutes later. He didn't need directions to Joey's room, so he just went past the receptionist towards his room. When he arrived, he opened the door quietly just in case Joey was sleeping. Sure enough, there, in the bed, was his golden haired puppy. He smiled, loving how Joey looked when he slept. He could honestly spend hours watching him, but not today.

Seto walked quietly up to the bed and bent over Joey. He got close enough to feel Joey's breath against his lips before capturing Joey's. It wasn't long before Joey woke up. When Seto ran his tongue against Joey's bottom lip, Joey was quick to respond. Seto's tongue explored every bit of Joey's mouth. He let out a small moan when he felt Joey's tongue massages his. The kiss lasted a bit longer before they had to pull away for air. "Good evening." Seto said, not moving away from Joey. Joey smiled and placed a light kiss on Seto's lips. "Good evening to you too. What time is it?"

"6 o'clock." Seto replied, finally sitting beside Joey. "I missed you, so I decided to drop everything and visit you. And I am not leaving until you say so."

"I missed you, too." Joey thought of something, it sounded stupid to ask, but he was going to ask it. "I miss you holding me." Joey smiled. He didn't have to ask the question, because Seto moved so that he could hold Joey. "Thank you." Joey whispered, loving the feel of Seto's arms around him.

"Anything for my pup." Seto whispered back, kissing the top of Joey's head.

"Anything?" Joey asked. Seto smiled, he knew what was going to be asked.

"Yes anything." Seto said. "And there is no reason to ask me about your dad, because everything has been arranged. I talked to him earlier. He is going to leave at about 5 tomorrow. After he visits you."

Joey was speechless. He moved so he was able to look into Seto's eyes. "Really?" He said, sounding breathless. Seto smiled and nodded. The next thing he knew was Joey was kissing him, again. Not that he minded. He smiled into the kiss, and was about to respond when Joey pulled away. "What did you tell him? I mean, about us?"

"I didn't tell him anything. He figured it out on his own." Seto smirked as he felt Joey relax. "He is alright with it." He kissed Joey lightly. "Everything is going to be okay."

Joey smiled, but it soon faded remembering what Malik said. "Seto, why haven't you been at school this past week?" He felt Seto tense.

"Well, umm, you see." Seto, for once in his life, wasn't prepared to answer something. "Well, I have had a lot of Kaiba Corp work to do. So I took the week off from school to finish it before the holidays."

Joey eyed him suspiciously. "Well, won't you have a lot of school work to catch up on then?"

"Yes, but that stuff is easy." Joey seemed to accept that answer because he went back to cuddling close to Seto. Seto let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "What other reason would I have for not coming to see you from the moment I get out of school to the moment visiting hours are over?" He asked, holding Joey tighter.

"I guess I just wasn't thinking." Joey replied, wrapping his arms around Seto's waist. "It's just I have missed you a lot. For once in my life I want to be in school. I have a reason to go." He smiled and hugged Seto.

"Well, you get out of the hospital on Friday. Just one more day." Seto said, loving just being able to hold Joey. "I will come and get you at noon."

Joey sighed. He wished that Seto could stay the night. He didn't want to be alone again. He felt tears escaping his eyes. Seto felt them and gently lifted Joey's head to look at him. "Pup, what's wrong?" He asked, concerned. Joey buried his face in Seto's chest. "I don't want to be alone again tonight." He said. "I want you to stay. I want to stay in your arms for the night. I feel safe when I'm with you. I don't want to lose that feeling."

Seto held him tightly to him. "I won't leave you pup. I love you. I won't let anything bad happen." He kissed the top of his head. "I will see what I can do to stay the night. I don't think they will reject a request from me." He heard Joey laugh and smiled.

Joey sighed again, "I know. I love you, too." He rested his head against Seto's chest and let his eyes shut. They stayed like that for another couple hours. Enjoying the company of the other.

Around 9:30 he could feel the light breathing of Joey. 'Silly pup must have fell asleep.' Seto thought. 'I better call the others and tell them I won't be back tonight.' He took out his cell phone and dialed his home number.

"Hello?" He heard his brothers voice answer.

"Hi Mokuba."

"Big Brother! Where are you? Isn't visiting hours over?" Mokuba asked.

"Yes, but I am staying with Joey. He asked me to and the doctors have allowed me to stay."

"Okay Seto. Oh, just a second." Seto heard muffled voices on the other end. 'What are you up to now kid?' He thought to himself before Mokuba came on the line. "Seto?" He said in the voice he only used when he wanted something.

"Yes Mokuba?" He replied.

"Can Yugi and the others stay the night since you aren't coming home? I don't want to be in the mansion by myself."

Seto sighed, he saw this coming. "All right, but no staying up late and you are to go to school tomorrow."

"Yaay! Thank you!"

"You're welcome, now put Yami on." He didn't know why, but he and Yami had developed an unspoken friendship. He would have asked Yugi, but Yami had more power than Yugi did over some things.

"Okay. Bye Seto."

Seto waited while Mokuba got Yami and handed the phone to him. "Seto?" Yami's deep voice answered.

"Yami, can you watch them. Make sure they don't burn down anything?" He assumed Yami knew which 'them' he was talking about.

Yami chuckled. "Of course. I will also make sure Mokuba gets to school on time."

Seto smiled, he knew he could count on Yami. Suddenly he felt Joey shiver and cry out. "Yami, I gotta go. I'll talk to you later."

"Why, what's wrong?" Yami asked, concern obvious in his voice.

"I think Joey is having a nightmare."

"Okay, talk to you tomorrow." They both hung up the phone. Seto put his hand on Joey's head "Joey." He said quietly while petting his hair. "Joey, pup." He heard Joey whimper and reach out. He was calling Seto's name. "Shhh, pup. It's okay, I am right here." He said in a soothing voice, trying to calm him down. He held Joey tightly. "I'm not going to leave you." He felt Joey grip a handful of his shirt in each fist, before finally calming down and falling into more pleasant dreams. Seto kissed the top of Joey's head and whispered, "I love you." It wasn't long before Seto joined Joey in his slumber.

Kiawna: Yaay!! I finished it! Finally! I hope you liked it.

Orli: I thought it was one of your best.

Kiawna: blushes You're just saying that.

Orli: turns to Shisou What do you think?

Shisou: blinks

Orli: Never mind. Yami, what about you?

Yami: is looking at his palm

Orli, Kiawna and Shisou: sweatdrop

Kiawna: I don't believe you Yami! Sheesh!

Yami: looks away from his hand What?

Kiawna: Never mind. looks at readers I hate to say this, but I probably won't get the next chapters up until around Spring Break since I am starting a new semester on Monday and probably won't have time until then to work on it. However, I am hoping to get two chapters done to reward your patience with me on this chapter. hands everyone a plushie

Orli: I am willing to help you finish this story. If you only want to have 10 chapters, then you will have to do a sequel.or really long chapters 9 and 10.

Kiawna: I have decided that, when I finish, I finish.

Yami: Good for you.

Kiawna: Although it means waiting longer for yours and Yugi's story that Orli has given me a brilliant idea for.

Yami: looks at Orli

Orli: grins I have given her more than that.

Kiawna: starts counting the number of ideas Yami/Yugi and Yami/Joey for YGO and counts at least 4 other ideas for different stories. tries to avoid fainting I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Orli: I'm sorry. I had sugar and my mind just went wild.

Yami: blinks at the second idea Me and Joey????

Kiawna: Yeah, but we will go talk about that later. Read.

Yami: No. Talk now.

Kiawna: holds a life sized Yugi Plushie in front of her Then whoever am I going to give this to?

Yami: really big eyes and jumping up and down MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME!!!!

Kiawna: But you don't want to read.

Yami: I'LL READ!!! I'LL READ!!!!

Kiawna: winks at Orli Okay, here you go. hands script

Yami: distractedly reads Review. She absolutely loves hearing your opinions, good and bad. So please press that button down on the left. turns to Kiawna Now can I have him?

Kiawna: Yes. hands over life sized Yugi There you are. turns to readers as Yami cuddles the plushie Bye for now!