A/n: The last chapter confused people. It looks like I'll have to rewrite some parts.Eventually, Okay? Okay. I'll answer some reviews just to make sure though. Keep in mind this is my first fic with this couple! I hope it doesn't get kicked off.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or the movie 'She's All That.'

"talking"

thoughts, emphasis

# scene change #

Friends Till the End

"We-ell, hello, you young whippersnapper," Mr. Moto said teasingly to a slightly wet Joey, since it was drizzling outside. "This reminds me of another time when you came in from the rain," he said, going over.

"Hey dere Mr. M," Joey stamped his feet on the mat of the Game Shop, "yeah, I know whatcher talkin' 'bout." He forced a smile at the kindly old man's face. "Is Yuge home?"

"Yes, he just got home from the library," answered Mr. Moto. "Nothing to buy?" he asked, waving over the cards all the their glass display cases hopefully, the ever-salesman.

"Ummmm," said Joey, bending over dutifully. He only had the $20 he had skivved from Tristan earlier that school day. An' I wanted ta use dat ta buy somethin' ta eat fer dinner! But looking at the grandfatherly old guy, he couldn't say no. "Dat one over there looks good."

Mr. Moto was aware Joey already had that card. Thinking he'd lost it, he said, "Why don't you give me just $20 for it, half-price."

"Thanks!" Just then the blonde's stomach growled as he took the card.

"Hungry again, eh?" the kind old man winked. "Yugi's just eating his dinner in the living room, why don't you go join him and I'll bring you some too."

Joy was amiable to any food and eating with Yugi was better any day than eating with his mean,drunken olddad, so he said thanks again and pushed through the door that swung between the shop and the rest of the house. Yugi was watching the TV set.

His pure violet eyes lit up. "Hey, Joey! Look, a new tournament," he said, holding a bowl of noodles and some long wood chopsticks over it.

"Hey, Yuge." Joey looked over at the TV; indeed, there was an ad for a new tournament. "Sounds interestin'. You busy?"

"No. I just got home." Yugi gestured for Joey to sit. "So, are you going? Do you think?" Joey shrugged, thoughtful. "I know. I don't think I'll go either. It sounds boring."

I didn't say dat! . . . Joey played with the string of his blue-gray jacket he wore with a long white T-shirt and his good old Levi's. "So, Yuge, what were ya doin' in da library? Researchin' fer a term paper?"

"Yeah. Something like that." Yugi paused to gulp down his noodles; he didn't want Joey to see a mouthful of food while he talked; it was impolite. "Tea and me have final project together for English. Hey, lookit that!"

Again, Joey looked towards the TV automatically, but his thoughts were on Yugi's recent words. Tea an' him? "Yeah . . . very nice. Say, Yuge-- "

"Hey! You wanna play cards? We-haven't-played-in-a-bit-- oh sorry, you were saying . . . something . . .?"

"Um. Neva mind. Yeah, let's play some cards!" Joey said, reaching into his back pocket of his jeans and leaning over on the couch to reach them.

Sensitive Yugi said, "Joey, are you ok?"

"Hm? Me? Yeah, I'm fine. W-- " Just then, Mr. Moto came in.

"Sorry, Joey," he said, "there aren't any leftovers left. But, I can whip up something like . . . brownies? In a jiff," he added when Joey looked sad.

"'Brownies?' Grrrreaaat, Gramps!" Joey said, sounding like Tony the Tiger while Yugi smiled.

"You should know Joey by now, Grandpa!"

"True, true," the old man chuckled and went to the kitchen.

Shuffling their cards, Yugi went to the wicker, unsteady chair across from Joey and they both set their decks down on the coffee table at the same time with their right hand. They skipped the part of shuffling each other's decks; they trusted each other.

Drawing five cards in unison as the TV droned softly in the background, Joey studied the friend he'd had for over a year, as if for the first time. Though he'd known him that long, Yugi didn't look much different than when they met: same ol' strange hair, blond bangs with red an' black hair in da back, short and scrawny. Well, it's true! He IS short . . . and kinda scrawny. He thought to soothe his conscience. But he's da best friend dat a guy could ask fer. Even if he doesn't change from his school uniform ever. What did she see in him? (He couldn't help thinking this.)

Joey groaned and grabbed the side of his head suddenly; Yugi said, "All right with you if I go first, Joey? -- Joey? You look like you have a headache; do you need some aspirin . . .?"

"No, I'll be alright." Joey pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, you c'n go 'head."

"Okay," Yugi said, still looking concerned, but enthusiastic about the game. "I set two cards face down and play my Pot of Greed which allows me to draw two more. Then, I set, um, hmm, this monster out in defense. Your turn."

Just that. Oh. "Oh." Joey said. He shook his head a few times to clear it. And then he knew. He saw Yugi as a rival now for . . . Tea's heart.

He loved her.

No, I don't wanna win her dis way, I mean, seeing Yuge as a rival. And besides, how could he be in love with her? All of the sudden just like that? It was impossible. And I don't b'lieve in love at first sight!It wasn't the case anyway; he'd known Tea for two years already and this feeling was something new.

So . . . maybe, it was just a crush. Yeah. The thought made him feel better, but it didn't soothe his conscience. Or state of mind. I don't know what's right and what's up and down anymore. Briefly, Joey thought back to a conversation he'd had with Tristan.

# Flashback #

"Look, dude, you'll have to pick from one of them; no matter what Duke says: you can't have your cake and eat it too. I mean, man, look, you've got two girls, both of them with FIERCE tempers, and . . . I don't think they'll be too happy to find out about the other. They'll be fightin'. Fightin' mad."

"So, you'll have to pick . . . so, which one do you want to be with the most? Right now."

" . . . Tea . . . "

"Ergh . . . It's too much of a risk; since Yugi likes Tea. I say, you go with the blonde, Blondie."

# End Flashback #

I don't dink Yuge likes Tea. I mean, Tea likes him, but he doesn't like her back. Right? Right. Anyhoo, dat's what I'm gonna find out. By askin' 'im flat out!

"Joey? Joey?" Yugi was waving his hand and his little fist, the one that was holding his cards, in front of Joey's face. "Grandpa came and left a plate of brownies for you, and it's your turn still."

"Eh? Oh, sorry 'bout dat, Yuge," Joey was still in La-la land, "I didn't see 'im. Did I tell 'im danks?" That was an understatement. "Lessee, uh . . ." He glanced at Yugi's hand and the field, feeling the old dueling spirit rise within him. "Summon Alligata Sword in attack," -- Yugi 'Hm!'ed-- "and plus, two cards face down! Blammo! Take dat, Yuge."

"Wow, Joey . . . you've destroyed my monster, good strategy!" Yugi cheered as he set his monster card aside and let his Waboku stay face down. Joey seemed down in the dumps.

"Huh? Aw, danks Yuge." Joey bit into a brownie, the sugar giving his energy and grin back. Ah, sugar. "Wow, dese are good! Have some, Yuge."

"Thanks Joey," Yuge said automatically. "Are you okay?" he said for the fifth time. "I . . . noticed you were on 'Mars' just then."

His bright violet eyes were so full of concern. Welp. Since he brought it up. "Um . . . I, ah, heard datcha . . . were goin' to da prom with Tea."

"Oh!" Yugi raised his eyebrows. "Oh . . . yeah . . . "

Joey watched-- like a hawk-- at the sudden shy way Yugi drew from his deck, studying his friend's expression. He looked . . . noncommittal. Like . . . so what. He narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.

Yugi looked up interestedly, "You're going with Mai, right?" he said casually, taking a bite from his plate of noodles with his chopsticks.

"Uh. Yeah." Joey leaned forward, "Soo-o . . . did you ask her, or did Tea ask you?"

"Um," Yugi was slightly startled at the way Joey was looking at him with a stare-- like at an interrogation. "Lemme think . . . " He thought for a minute, "She asked me."

"Oh" was all Joey said, nodding, but inside he was like, Oh, reeeally? He felt that that said a lot. If she had asked him, that meant she liked him, but he didn't necessarily like her. And . . . vice versa… I dink I jest confused myself…

"Actually, wait, I think I asked her." Yugi corrected himself.

. . .oh.

"No, no, I mean, " Yugi laughed a little, "we both asked each other. Kinda at the same time." He remembered Tea was looking at a poster for the dance and asking him about it.

Joey decided to just ask. Straightforward, out-and-out ask. "Yuge, pal, d'ya like her? I mean, like a crush on 'er." He held his breath and tried to look casual.

Yugi looked embarrassed to be asked that; he turned a bit red. "…Yeah." Of course! He frowned, down at his hand. Maybe Joey wants to talk about girls. I guess that's what boys do with each other. "Let's see, place another card face down and use my Monster Reborn to bring back my Beaver Warrior, in attack mode." He grinned, friendly. "Your turn."

"Okayers, I summon my Rocket Warrior and attack and use it's special ability to attack yer lifepoints. So, would you call it a little crush or a big one?"

Yugi blinked and felt Yami stir-- the spirit was sleeping inside the Millenium Puzzle and woke when there was anxiety in the air.

/Yugi? What's-- yawn-- going on?/ His host's uncertainty had awoken him. /Who is that? Joey? What's wrong with him? He looks ill./I don't know. He won't tell me. Girl problems: that's what I'm thinking, Yami. Feeling it was his duty to help, Yugi ventured, "Um, a big one. Everything going all right with Mai, Joey?"

"Hm? Oh. Yeah." Joey saw Yugi's face move slightly to the left. "Is-- is he out?" he asked, monitoring towards the Puzzle.

"Yeah. He's a little grumpy. Our duel woke him up." Yugi grinned.

/Very funny aibou./ The spirit came forward to look at Joey a bit closer, as Joey leaned back. He couldn't see him, of course, but knowing that he was there was all he needed to know. It gave him the creeps to know that a 5000-year-old ghost was watching him.

"Where is he?" Joey said, waving his hands all around as if trying to feel him out.

"You just put your hand right through his-- " Yugi widened his eyes a bit.

"Oh!" The blonde quickly got up, spilling his deck onto the floor. "Sheez . . . lookit dat!"

Despite himself, Yugi felt gladder. He didn't like it when Joey got too quiet. It made him worry. Worrywart. "I was just kidding, Joey, sorry." He bent to help.

"Oh." Joey felt grateful to his bud for breaking his thoughts. "Ya know, Yuge, maybe dere is somethin' botherin' me dat you could help me with." Behind him, Mr. Moto came out fron the swinging door to watch the two with crossed arms. Jeez, everthin' keeps interruptin' us!

"Anything Joey."

"Welp. See, it's like dis: I bin thinkin' 'bout it real good an' long, an' . . . I don't think . . . dat Tea likes you." At least, as much as she likes me.

"Really?"

"Yeah. But . . . it's okay, right?" Joey made a scoffing sound, "I mean . . . yer a hotshot duelist, the top of the world. Girls would be flockin' to you, if . . . you two weren't togetha."

"Do you . . . think?" Yugi said dubiously, as Yami gave a suspicious frown right beside him. "I mean . . . I know I'm not as good looking as you."

"Who, me? Aw . . . "

"Yeah, you're tall, really good in sports, athletic, and everyone at school's talking about you and going to vote for you," Yugi said earnestly. Maybe he was just fishing for compliments. Yugi knew that Tristan and sometimes Tea liked to rag on him, and his friend was just feeling down about himself, probably.

"Gee, thanks, Yuge . . . dat's really nice 'o ya ta say." Too bad she doesn't feel da same way as he.

"And plus, you're loyal, and honest, and trustworthy, and an all around good friend." Yugi went on, as Yami narrowed his eyes at the blonde, smelling something fishy. "It's no wonder the girls flock to YOU, like they already have." Of course, he was talking about Mai.

Joey felt a stab of guilt needle him. He looked down at his hand studiously, "Do… you like Mai, Yuge?"

"Who, me? Oh definitely. Don't you? She's a great duelist and also… very pretty . . . " Yugi blushed suddenly. He raised his bowl of noodles to cover it and swallowed, chewing.

"Oh, so?" Joey smiled teasingly.

"I didn't mean it that way!" Yugi set his chopsticks down, his eyes shining withinnocence,"I mean . . . I wouldn't EVER show any interest in any girl that YOU were interested, Joey. That's what friends are for."

Urk.

. . . Joey felt like Yugi had just grabbed his eating utensils and stabbed him through the gut, shouting, "You traitor!"He swallowed, pulling at the collar of his T-shirt, hoping Yugi wouldn't notice that he was sweating bullets. But the more perceptive soul, Yami, noticed.

What was I thinkin'? Of only myself, dat's fer sure. Yuge's right, he's 100, absolutely perfectly tootin' right. Glancing to his left, Joey saw Mr. Moto staring at him, curious. Even Mr. M suspects somethin.' He looked at Yugi's cheerful face. It was obvious Yugi was oblivious.

Glancing to his left, Joey saw Mr. Moto staring at him, curious. He looked at Yugi's cheerful face. It was obvious Yugi was oblivious.

And plus, after all the nice things Yugi just said . . . But dat's how he is. He's always tryin' ta make me feel betta, and how do I repay him? By going out with his girlfriend. At least, the girl he likes. I'm a scummy friend ta him. No, I'm worse dan scum. I'm da ding scum thinks is scum. I'm pond scum.

"It's . . . not fair . . . " Joey groaned aloud. "Yuge . . . I--I haven't bin a good friend to ya at all…" He buried his head in his hands…

To Be Continued

A/n: Well, I decided to give you all an update so there it is. I think I'll keep Yugi oblivious for a while. He'll eventually know, of course, and then he'll-- oops, save that for later!Ha ha! Anyway, like I said, this'll be eventual Joey/Tea. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since so many questioned it, I might as well reveal. Okay, please review now !Thanks !