Disclaimer: I do not own YU GI OH or any of it's characters. However all original storylines are mine. This story has been written purely for entertainment value and no money has or will exchange hands. Thanx.

Thanx also to Sakurazukamori for her continued prodding to get me to write the second part that I never really planned on writing, her grammar help and her suggestions. Thank you's also to those who've read and reviewed the first part.

Harpies lover – part 2.

By Arami Heartilly.

Mai lay on her back sleeping whilst Joey was on his side next to her, his elbow rested on the cushions to prop his head up, his hand smoothing her blonde curls that scattered across the pillow. She'd drifted off a little while ago, having finally eaten the remainder of the pizza.

Outside the sun was setting, sending blazing shades of red across the city skyline. But that didn't matter to Joey, all he cared about, at that moment, was that she was safe and it seemed that she'd almost defeated the cruel illusions she'd been suffering with for the past few months.

Watching her gentle breathing and the flicker of her eyelids every now and then, he wondered how he'd ever managed to let her drive away in the first place… his own stubborn pride had nearly kept him from even running after her. If it wasn't for Tea he knew he'd have more to regret than he did already.

He should have had the gut's to tell her he loved her back then, but in her own way she'd told him not to, probably because she wanted to prove that she could 'survive on her own again.' And she had, in a way, survived… but she hadn't been living life and there was a huge difference - one he knew that she understood again.

Joey yawned, realising that he hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before, not after her phone call. He moved closer to her and knowing that she wouldn't mind, he lay his arm across her waist and the other above her hair, then resting his head on his elbow he drifted off to sleep.

She snuggled up to the sleeping form beside her almost instinctively as she drifted from the deep sleep she had been in, grateful for the lack of dreams that usually tortured her unconscious mind. She didn't know how long she'd slept for, but the morning's light poured in through the gaps in her curtains.

He was so warm and if she got close enough Mai could hear his heart beating.

It occurred to her that she'd never been this close to another human being before, not with her parents never really being around and no maid ever really paying attention to her. She'd just been the politician's daughter, trapped in a beautiful house with no friends and no one to rely on. That, she supposed, was why her life had turned out the way it had.

It was the young man next to her that was beginning to change all of that though, and despite the year and a half age gap between them she knew that something in his past had hardened him making him more… grown up in some ways. Not that he showed it much, but she knew – he'd proved it to her several times, on Kiaba's blimp and the previous day.

"Huh?" he murmured, apparently waking up to find the blonde next to him snuggled as close as she could be, with her arms around him and her head against her chest.

"Relax hun, it's only me." Mai whispered, not needing to look into his chocolate brown eyes to know that it was ok. He had, after all, had his arm around her before she'd woken up.

"Ok." He mumbled again, this time into her hair before glancing over at her bedside clock; it was 10.05am, not that he cared. His father wasn't home so there was no one to worry about where he'd been all night.

He knew better than to tell her he loved her and then leave, not that he'd experienced it before, but he was smart enough to realise that.

"Joey?" Mai asked, moving out of his arms ever so slightly.

"Uh huh."

"Did you skip school to come here?" she asked, leaving him to wonder if she'd started to read his thoughts – maybe her psychic act wasn't completely an act after all…

"Ahh… yeah." He answered her. "I wouldn't have been able te concentrate anyway, once I'd spoken to Yuge and realised dat it was you on the phone, I ran home and tried te find where you were."

She smiled at him again, not knowing exactly that to say to that.

"If you're worried dat I'll get kicked out den don't, Yuge'll tell them dat someone close to me needed my help, they'll be fine about it."

"I really don't know what to say, I didn't realise that you…" but Mai trailed off, she really did know how he felt, but just hadn't accepted it before he's shown up.

He chuckled, knowing that the rest of his friends had – he'd just denied it. He just hadn't wanted the hassle of their constant teasing, now though he didn't care how much of a fuss they made. He loved her and that was that.

"It's ok Mai, it's not as if I made it obvious – despite what da others will say." He told her, brushing the loose curls from his face.

"Me either." she whispered, looking away from his gaze. "And it's not as if I never had a chance to." He immediately knew what she was referring to.

"I understand why you did dat Mai." But he wondered if his words were really of any comfort to her.

"I don't, I just couldn't say it. All I wanted to do was ask if you wanted to come along for the ride, I wanted to tell you how grateful I was and how I felt about you… but I couldn't face the rejection." She explained, still keeping her eyes from him. Her fear may have left her, but her courage seemed to be lacking somewhat.

Mai had changed so much since Battle City, and Joey knew it would take a long time to get her back to 'normal' if that ever happened. The only thing he could do was make sure that he was there for her.

"I wouldn't have turned ya down, just asked you to wait a couple of days." His murmur was so quiet that she had to look up so that she could read his lips in order to find out what he'd said.

Her curiosity took over before she understood what he meant. "Wait? What for?"

Joey, surprised that she'd heard him, smiled nervously and reached up to his shoulder to take her hand that rested there. "There was somethin' that I had to settle with Yuge… although I guess dat could have waited. But der was also my sister, I wouldda wanted to say good bye to her first."

Mai smiled. "Hun, I couldn't have asked you to leave your friends – that's why I didn't, I'm the loner – not you." Shaking his head he took tight hold of her hand as he answered her.

"I really wouldda gone with ya Mai; you don't have to be a loner anymore." He tipped her chin up to emphasise his point and moved his fingers over her soft skin.

"But still…" she argued, despite what he was telling her, "giving up time with your friends to come and spent some time with a mentally unstable young woma-"

He cut her off, "You know what?"

"What?" The question had taken her by surprise.

"Ya need to believe in yourself more Mai, people care about ye a lot more that you seem to think." He told her honestly, planting a kiss on her forehead.

She rolled closer to him, so that he lay on his back and she against his chest; lying there she could once again feel his heart beat and prove to her fragile mind that he was still there. It wasn't all just a dream.

"I don't know why it means so much to me to spend so much time alone, but I can't seem to accept the idea that I might need to depend on someone, I feel like I'd lose who I am if I did." For some reason, telling him her inner most fears didn't scare her, in fact, it almost felt like a welcome relief.

"But what's da point of bein' who you are on your own if no one gets te see that?" Joey asked her, confused by her statement. Mai however glanced over at him with a strange look in her eyes – he couldn't work out whether it was amusement or surprise.

"I don't know." She replied, purposely not telling him how much sense his comment had actually made – she didn't want to sound patronising.

Nothing was said between them for along time. Joey began to fiddle with Mai's hair, twirling strands around his fingers and she'd been content to run her fingers over his chest in small circles, listening to his slow and steady heart beat the entire time.

"Mai?" Joey asked her as gently, she mumbled her response and he continued, "When was the last time dat you went outside?" He half wished that he hadn't when her fingers stopped their dance and she stiffened slightly.

"I don't… not for a long time." Mai admitted, knowing what would be coming next.

"How do ya feel about goin for a walk?" He wasn't sure what her response would be – or even if it was the best idea. But she needed to be around other people again instead of hiding, and this was the only way that he could think of to help her get back to herself. "It'll make ya feel better an' we can get somethin' better to eat."

Mai wanted to go, but the very thought of stepping outside her apartment scared her, the people who lived in the building would stare at her – well, they had the couple of times they'd actually seen her. Then there were those who actually knew her and would notice her change in attitude and ask questions that she wasn't ready for. She didn't want to have to hide behind Joey; she didn't want to even feel like she had to.

"Joey I… I can't, I don't want the staring." She told him, not quite sure what he would do.

"But you do need te get some proper food Mai – and some fresh air – it'll make you feel better and I'll be with ya." But she shook her head against him, silently begging him to just let her be.

"Ok, well how bout I go out, der's a shop just around da corner. That way at least you'll get somethin' to eat and dat'll make you feel better." He was trying to be helpful, but the shopping didn't really matter. Whether or not she went with him wasn't really important – being on her own for a short time might give her the proof she needs te believe dat this is all real. But then the same would be true if she went with him.

It was up to her to decide what she was most afraid of, but even though it would mean staying with him the entire time, the thought of being outside again scared her.

"Joey, I… I'd rather I didn't have to leave."

He nodded and lifted himself into a sitting position, taking Mai with him looking her right in the eyes when he went to stand.

"I won't be long, I promise." And he bent down to bring his lips to hers, realising that it was only the second time that he'd kissed her and that he could do so freely, and without fear of rejection. As she looped her arms around his neck he wondered if leaving her was such a good thing to do. Even if it was only for a short time.

However, the fact that it was Mai who pulled back from him made Joey realise that he'd made the right decision. It didn't stop his heart from going out to her though, he could see the tears welling in her eyes, she was shaking too with her hands clenched tightly in her lap; it was almost as if she was pleading with him to go before she lost her nerve.

The only thing that he could think of to calm the fears that she was obviously fighting, was to remove his blue denim jacket and wrap it around her shoulders, giving her evidence that he had actually been there.

"I'll be back soon Mai." She nodded wordlessly as he left the room; he forced himself to walk down the corridor and out of her apartment as slowly as possible in the hope that she would follow him.

No matter what Mai tried it was impossible to settle herself down or to allay her fears, she just kept telling herself that she could survive on her own there without him, and that she'd be fine until he came back.

Images still haunted her mind, not in as much potent detail as before… but still enough to scare her again. Every time that she closed her eyes or tried to settle she saw Merik's face and when she snapped them open Mai had to pull Joey's jacket around her shoulders, and breath the slightly musky scent of his aftershave to convince herself that she was safe again.

But it still wasn't enough. What's the point of being on my own if I can be with him? It hit her then that she was just doing the same thing all over again – trying to survive on her own despite knowing that there were people who cared about her, who wanted to help her.

It didn't matter about anyone else out there, just as long as there were people she could rely on, who cared about her – even loved her.

Sliding off the bed, she walked over to her wardrobe, changing into a white vest top and knee length flowing purple skirt before grabbing her bag and taking hold of Joey's jacket. She smiled and without hesitation put it on properly, starting to accept that the way out of her acute depression was by letting him get closer to her.

Mai had run down the majority of the stairs in an attempt to catch up with him. He'd been gone for almost ten minutes, and she dreaded him not being there, which was why, when she saw him, Mai couldn't help but stop in her tracks and take in the sight before her.

His dark blonde hair catching the light from the midday sun made it appear golden and his chocolate eyes seemed to be staring ahead of him. But, she could tell that he wasn't looking at anything in particular, he was deep in thought.

"I changed my mind." She told him gently as she approached him, Joey turned to face her and smiled.

"I thought ya might."

"You waited for me?" She couldn't understand why he'd been so sure that she would follow.

He nodded. "I figured dat the shop was just around da corner, so I could just run der an back if ya didn't come down here." He gave her that slightly goofy grin he sometimes had when he was embarrassed about something.

"I guess that I should thank you then." He chuckled at this.

"Nah, it's no problem, ya ready for dis?" He was still smiling at her, but she didn't make any attempt to move.

"Hey, ittle be fine, I'll be der the whole time." Joey told her softly, reaching out his hand and wrapping his warm fingers around hers.

Mai tried to hide her shock but she found herself unable to stop the half open smile that formed on her face, or the slight flush in her cheeks.

"What? Don'tcha want me te?" Joey asked quietly, looking at the floor rather than her face.

But Mai chuckled and squeezed his hand, leaning in and kissing his cheek.

"I just didn't expect it that's all." The shock in her eyes soon turned to a calm, somewhat carefree expression. "Shall we?" And she lead him out of the lobby and into the afternoon sun, leaving him to look and wonder about the change in her and the fact that she was wearing his jacket…

They'd decided against going to the shop first because it was such a beautiful afternoon and instead headed towards the park a few minutes away from Mai's apartment. It had been more of Joey persuading Mai but, knowing that it would do her good; she had gone along with it.

Now they sat on the bank of the large lake that stretched across the park. The children's play area to their right had a few smaller children and their parents playing quietly and enjoying the afternoon. All around the area were couples or groups of teenagers chatting or lazing around.

Mai sat picking petals from the small pink flowers that grew just above the water bank, it wasn't as though she was avoiding conversation, and there was just something she liked about sitting with him in a comfortable silence. Watching him as he gazed over the water and occasionally at her, she wondered if they'd spent the summer travelling like part of her had wanted to, how often they'd have sat like this.

His hand rested just behind her back and his feet lay close to hers, he was making sure that she was safe and relying on his instinct to do so.

"You feelin' better now Mai?" he asked, still gazing at the ripples of water that shone brilliant gold.

"Yeah, it's just been a while." She put the stem of the now petal-less flower back on the ground. "I can't explain it Joey, but I hate feeling like I'm being judged or pitied. Every time I'm outside and people look at me, all I ever want to do is run and hide – but I don't want to be on my own either… I don't know what I'm doing most of the time." Her quiet admittance brought his eyes to hers.

"I can understand dat Mai. Ya feel like the whole world's against ya, an' can see what's goin' on inside yer head, and they're judging you because of it." Her eyes widened in shock as he managed to spell out her inner fears.

"Joey, how can you know that?" she turned to him properly, curling her knees up to her as she gave him her full attention.

"Cause I've been der." He sighed, "When Seren and mom left, my dad… he became kinda violent – nothin' too serious an' it only lasted for a few months… but it felt like everyone around me knew what was happenin' to me." He looked at her sadly; he didn't want to have to bring this up in front of her. It was a pain that had long since ceased and that he pretended had never existed.

"I didn't realise." Mai told him quietly, placing her hand on his shoulder and rubbing up and down his arm in a slow and reassuring manner. "… But how did you deal with it?"

"Err, I sorta lashed out at anyone who came near me sniggerin' or askin' questions I didn't want te answer, it gave me a feelin of control." He hid his face from her, but she leaned in closer so that she could still see his eyes.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault, your mother shouldn't have left you with your father and he certainly shouldn't have beaten you up. No kid deserves that." Her eyes were as kind and reassuring as her words.

Smiling weakly he told her, "No one deserves dat Mai an' what you suffered with is no different. Dat's why I feel as though I shudda realised sooner, I…"

"There's no way for you to have known – or how to find me and you came as soon as you knew there was something wrong. I couldn't have asked for anything more." He realised then that she'd started shaking again, but he didn't sense the same fear in her as he had before, she seemed to me more nervous than anything.

"Joey, you can act so damn stupid, clueless and childish sometimes." He sent her an amused glare, to which she smiled and continued. "But you can be so sweet, thoughtful and kind…"

Pausing Mai gathered the strength to tell him what she'd been putting off and hiding from. "I love you Joey Wheeler… I just don't know why it took me so long to tell you." Tears glistened in her violet eyes and he smiled at her, warm and genuine.

"Come here." He told her gently, bringing her lips to his and sliding his arm around her waist. It was her that deepened the kiss though, renewing the feeling of closeness between them and allowing herself to be surrounded by him and the feelings she'd been pushing away.

If any part of her had doubted his existence it had now given in and accepted the truth. No illusion in her mind could ever feel this real, only Joey could hold her that close and kiss her with that much feeling. He was the only one capable of saving her.

The sun had started to set over the park, sending ripples of brilliant red and orange over the sky. They still sat by the lake, Mai with her head on Joeys shoulder and he with his arms around her, leaning against one of the large rocks placed around the area.

"Hey, is that Yugi?" Mai asked, sitting up and pointing at the spiky haired boy heading in their direction. He waved when he saw them and quickened his pace.

"Yep." Joey waved back, leaving his other arm around Mai's shoulders.

The smaller boy seemed to be carrying a bag of groceries in one hand and Mai guessed that he was cutting through the park on his way home. He smiled warmly when he saw her, looking relieved that she was safe.

"Hey guys." He greeted, slightly out of breath as he approached them. "Are you alright now Mai? Because when Joey told me about the phone call I was really worried, I'm glad that he managed to find you." She nodded her head, grateful and touched by his concern for her and his uncanny directness.

"I heard that you gave him a little help though; thank you Yugi and yeah, I'm doing ok now." The boy smiled again, noticing the change in her but not commenting on it. By the looks of things Joey had finally gotten around to telling her how he felt. Took him long enough he heard Yami tell him and he inwardly nodded.

"Anything to help out one of my friends… we've all missed you Mai – you should come to my Grandpa's game shop sometime, I'm sure everyone will love to see you." He sounded enthusiastic and she smiled, once again moved by the kindness that she'd spent the past few months over looking.

"Sure, I guess it would be nice to pop round sometime." And unlike some of the 'promises' she made this would be one that she kept. Especially now that Joey and I –

"Well I have to go, Grandpa's probably wondering where I am, see you soon guys." He told them and walked towards the edge of the park, waving every few metres until he was out of sight.

"He's a good kid." Mai commented, leaning back and settling into Joeys arms once again.

He laughed, earning a glare from her.

"What?"

"Yugi's my age Mai." Joey explained, despite the all too familiar look she was sending him.

"Oh… I guess I always forget about that. You've always seemed much older than he is – unless the pharaoh's here in Yugi's place of course." She mentally kicked herself for saying what she had; she only hoped her recovery made up for it. The last thing I want him to do is think I see him as a child.

"I know what ya mean." And inwardly Mai breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey Mai, can I ask you somethin'?" he placed his chin on top of her head and looped his arms around her waist.

"I'm eighteen months older than you Joey." She told him, guessing that his question would be along those lines.

"Err great, but dat wasn't what I was goin' to ask." It did answer one of his questions though; it meant that she probably hadn't graduated from high school. Or at least not when she was supposed to, otherwise she would have just graduated when they first met her and he knew, due to her duelling reputation, that she hadn't.

"What happened to you when you were younger?" There was silence for a few moments until Mai broke it with a heavy sigh and moved out of Joey's arms, turning to face him and taking his hand before he took back the question in fear he shouldn't have asked it.

"Do you want me to show you?" she asked, standing and pulling him carefully with her.

He didn't know what he should say to that, but she looked willing enough and her eyes held a smile that warmed his heart.

"Mmmm, yeah ok." He couldn't help but wonder how she was going to do it though.

They'd picked up the basic food supplies on their way back, meaning that her kitchen wasn't so devoid of food as it had been. It turned out that Mai was actually a good cook, not that she'd really attempted anything other than microwaved meals in the past few months.

She'd managed to throw together a chicken stir-fry – granted not the most difficult of meals to prepare, but she'd blended spices and sauces that Joey didn't know existed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a proper home cooked meal. Not since mom and Seren left anyway.

"Dis is good Mai." He told her, wolfing down yet another mouthful; she smiled appreciatively at him before taking her own plate to the sink and making her way into the lounge area.

She started sifting through the content of one of the cupboards, knowing what she was looking for just not where it actually was; her memory still seemed to be a little clouded about those kind of things.

"Whatcha doin'?" Mai looked up, slightly taken back by the comment and the person in the doorway that seemed to come out of nowhere.

"Looking for my old photo album." He nodded and dropped to his haunches on the floor besides her, grinning to himself as he realised that she still wore his jacket.

"Need any help?"

"Nope, I've got it." And she pulled out a large, leather bound, photo album with embossed silver letters on the front that read, 'Mai Valentine,' there were also tiny gemstones dotted around the outside.

Joey couldn't help the whisper, "Wow, your parent's musta been pretty well off to afford dat."

Mai just shrugged, placing everything else in the cupboard before shifting over to sit next to Joey who had now decided to sit down properly. She opened the album across their legs, but nodded her head to give him permission to look through the pages himself.

He went through the album carefully, looking at the way the little happy blonde girl in the picture changed into an older, yet lonelier child. The last few pages though showed him what he wanted to know though, the once smiling blonde girl who'd looked to her parents with awe now looked prim, proper and although she smiled still…. He could tell by the expression in her eyes that she'd become cold and hardened.

Joey noticed also that Mai's fists were clenched tightly at her side; he knew then that she was fighting to be free of that world and, therefore, gave him the reason why she clung so strongly to her independence since he'd met her – and in the years before.

On the very last page a newspaper clipping had been attached with a paper clip. Mai watched as he removed it and started to read. She didn't know why it made her feel so sad, but the memories that went with that article had made her the person Joey had first met… it defined her.

'The only child of Alexander Valentine, prominent politician and his wife, Sylvia Valentine has been reported missing this morning. As yet there have been no confirmed sightings of the 14 year Mai Valentine who has been described as 5ft 6" with long curly blonde hair and lavender eyes. A huge reward has been offered for her safe return.'

Joey turned to her, his eyes slightly misty as his heart went out to her.

"You left didn'tcha." Her nod was the only reply that she gave. "What happened to ya after dat? Where did ya go durin all those years before I met ya?" he hoped that he wasn't pushing her too hard, too fast…. He knew himself how hard it was to let someone else in.

"I got a job as a duellist in a casino aboard a cruise ship – despite my age they took me on because I had a talent… I made enough money out of that to start out by myself. Just me and my cards." He put the photo album down at his side and took hold of her hand. Her voice had seemed distant and sorrowful and he hated seeing her in any form of pain.

"It's ok Mai." She nodded her head slowly, her hair falling in front of her face.

"I guess we both had pretty messed up childhoods then." Her comment was neither sombre nor cheerful, stating it as a simple fact seemed to ease some of the pain.

"Yeah, the only difference is dat I was too scared te leave – you were brave enough… I could never have done dat."

Mai stood up at that, returning the album to its home and walking to the window, watching as the sun sent crimson waves blazing across the sky as they gave way to the encroaching night.

"I had no real choice, I couldn't live in that world anymore – I didn't want to listen to how I should behave and what the 'proper' activities a girl like me should have been taking part in… I saw what it had done to my mother and I didn't want that to happen to me." She sighed and let the memory that begged to resurface enter her mind once again.

The little girl sat on her mother's bed, watching as the woman sorted through her wardrobe.

"Mommy, what are you doing? Are you going out with daddy again, because you promised that we could do something fun together tonight." She asked as her mother chose a deep violet suit to wear and sorted the rest away.

"Not tonight Mai, your father and I have to go out." Sylvia Valentine paid no other attention to her daughter as she dressed and readied herself for the night's events.

"Mommy you never want to play with me, why can't you just stay at home – just this once!" there were tears in the small girls eyes, but her mother didn't even turn around or offer any words of comfort.

"Because your father is a very important person and I have to support him at everything that he does." Was the reply Mai received instead. "Now if you don't mind I have to finish getting ready, I'm sure you can find one of the servants who will 'play' with you."

The blonde girl didn't say anything more, leaving the room and heading for her own. Tears streamed down her face, matching the violent storm that raged outside. Walking to the long windows of her room she stared past the mass of tiny streams that covered the windowpane and onto the world outside. The world she wanted to be part of, a world so very far from the place she lived in.

A place where she could be free.

"Dat's why you're always so distant, why you wouldn't get close – if you're on your own den ders no one there to hurt you. De ones who you loved failed you once…. Mai it doesn't mean that everyone else is like dat, I'm not like dat." He stood behind her, concerned that he'd finally gotten to the root of all her problems

Merik had just seemed to highlight and prey on the fears that she already help deep within her heart and mind, a problem that would have continued to eat away at her even if all of this hadn't happened.

"When did you get so damn smart Joey?" she asked, turning around and casting her teary gaze on him.

"Ahhhh, since I don't have to play dumb anymore." He was scratching his head, something he always seems to do when he's nervous. "I do pass all my classes ya know." Mai laughed slightly at this, marvelling at the young man in front of her.

"I know you're not Joey, but sometimes… I'm scared that you'll change if I get too close – or I'll loose who I am because of you. On Kiaba's blimp before that duel… I thought you didn't care about me – I thought that I'd misjudged you…" he took her hand, squeezing it tightly before the tears that welled in her eyes spilled over again.

"I was an idiot back den, I was scared dat if you thought I'd been dreamin' about you den you'd make fun of me, I'm sorry Mai." He told her lifting his free hand to her cheek and brushing away the loose stands of hair that covered her eyes.

"It's ok; I guess I just need time to get used to this." With that, she stepped towards him, wrapping her arms around him, her head coming to rest on his shoulder. But then she added, knowing that she didn't want the mood to become too dark, "So, do you actually dream about me?"

He froze and she lifted her head up to stare him straight in the eyes with humour in her gaze; he however didn't seem to notice.

"Ahhhh, kinda… but not in the way I think you mean…. I ahhhh." He stammered, then noticing her mouth start to curve into a grin, "…Yeah, I dream aboutcha all da time Mai." And before she could protest he kissed her.

"Really?" she breathed against his lips, momentarily denying his request to deepen it.

"Uh huh." He murmured back, sliding his arms around her and pulling her closer to him, she eventually gave in, the pleading, yet teasing, look in his eyes was too much for her and his warm breath on her lips made it hard for her to resist any longer.

Mai inwardly smiled as his lips met hers properly, enjoying the subtle movements and sensations that accompanied them. She hadn't realised until that moment how great that sort of contact was – and that Joey Wheeler was the one kissing her….

Sprawled on the couch in Mai's front room, the pair of them had fallen into a comfortable silence. She dozed on his chest, happy just to be lying there with him, whilst he held her in his arms, reminding himself that he was really there with her; every few seconds he felt his eyes glance down just to check again.

"Hey Mai?" he asked sleepily, aware that it was past ten in the evening.

"Mm hum." She replied, not moving her head from his chest.

"Do ya mind if I sit up for a sec 'cause my deck's kinda diggin' into my side here?" He asked and she sat up, chuckling as she watched him attempt to pull the cards from his pocket.

"Do you take them everywhere with you?" she asked when he'd finally retrieved them and reattached the elastic band that held them together.

"Yeah, me and Yuge normally duel durin' lunch an' I like havin' them with me, dey remind me of everythin that I've been through and all the trouble they've gotten me out of." He noticed that the gentle smile had left her face and she'd lowered her head, staring intently at her fingernails that were fiddling with the sleeves of his jacket.

"Mai? You ok?" he asked her, concerned by her recent change in mood.

She looked up, nodding her head ever so slightly, "Yeah, it's just… I haven't duelled since that time with…" she took a deep breath before speaking his name. "Merik."

Joey's hand was on hers as soon as she spoke. "But dat shouldn't really count Mai, the guy didn't play fair." He told her and she couldn't help the grin that spread on her face. He always knows how to cheer someone up…

"I've really missed you Joey." The comment seemed to come out of nowhere, but it just seemed appropriate.

"I've missed you too; der has been so much dat I wanted to tell you… like how I beat Yuge in a duel and won back my Red-eyes black dragon card back."

She smiled, "Always knew you had it in you." Letting go of his hand and fiddling with his jacket again.

"Dat jacket really suits ya, you know." He told her, meeting her violet eyes as she tipped her head up to face him, her cheeks flushed at the complement. It was something she rarely did… but he knew he was seeing her with her guard down.

"Ahh thanks." Then for some reason a thought occurred to her, occupied by a memory of the first time she'd felt safe in her childhood… the same feeling she got around him, although accompanied by love… he held an aura of security. He kept her safe when she couldn't protect herself - something she once saw as a weakness was now becoming her greatest strength.

"Joey, there's something else I want you to see." She slid off of the sofa, his hand still in hers. He looked at her questioningly, but followed her lead all the way to her bedroom. She'd gone straight for the small bedside cabinet and started to move books and other items from her top drawer.

He watched her silently, hoping that she wasn't uncovering another painful secret – he didn't want her to hurt anymore.

But when she turned to him again she looked she didn't look as sombre as she had done with the photo album – she looked happy and she held something in her hand, sitting at his side, Mai explained what it was before she handed it to him.

"Shortly before I left home I started collecting Duel Monster cards… it's how my 'talent' got noticed." He watched her intently and she couldn't help but smile warmly at the look in is chocolate brown eyes as she spoke. "This was in my first pack of cards and I want you to have it."

Joey took the card from her gentle hold, "Your Harpie lady card Mai?" he asked, not feeling as though he deserved it and, in the same way, not wanting her to be without it.

She nodded, her blonde hair moving with her "Yeah, at least it's my first Harpie lady card, it's a little worn around the edges though which is why I duel with my newer one…" her words trailed off at the look on his face. He'd never looked at her like that before; his eyes held a softness and a thousand flickers of emotion…

"I don't know what to say Mai, I can't believe dat you would give me one of yer Harpie lady cards… I know how much they mean to ya." Leaning in closer he placed a warm kiss on her cheek. "Thank you." He whispered, pulling her into a warm embrace.

It was as he held her that his eyes caught sight of the clock at her bedside ... it was quarter to eleven and he knew no buses ran at that time of night. I can't exactly ask her if I can stay though… she might get the wrong idea.

"It's gettin' kinda late… and I'm pretty sure dat you're not goin' to want me around here so I should um…." But her soft giggling and her slightly firmer hold kept him where he was.

"Joey, you can stay here." She pulled back slightly so that she could see his face.

"You sure Mai?" he asked, not wanting to be over stepping 'the line'.

"You stayed last night; I don't see why it's a problem." She noticed his cheeks redden at this and realised that he was probably a little nervous. He hadn't meant to stay the night before, it hadn't been planned…. If he stayed because she asked him to it would be different.

"Okay, well umm, do you want me to sleep on the couch? The floor?" he asked, clearly nervous.

Mai shook her head, bringing her lips to his for a moment before focusing her gaze deep into his eyes.

"You can stay here, with me." And without another word of protest he took her further into his arms as she kissed him again, knowing he couldn't and wouldn't leave her.

They'd become too close to break apart again.

The flash back was encluded especially for Lucy.

Please let me know what you think of this story – I always welcome constructive criticism and positive feedback as it helps to improve my writing skills. Thanx.