AN- Meep! I'm so sorry this took me so long to write! o.o; My excuses are simply that I'm rather behind in copying up my History courseowkr and I have an English Lit essay to write. XD

Thankyou so much to everyone who has reviewed, and to those who read without reviewing, please tell me what you think.:3 It would be so appreciated. I'll have more of an incentive to continue...

Many special thanks to:

PunkerPrincess
A lilmatchgirl
Leftovercrack
T.Lei
Flame Swordswoman
Santurian3
Lilrubydevil

DISCLAIMER: Yu-gi-oh and its characters belonging to me is like trying to convince cows that dogs are made of cheese. Or more simply; I don't own it.

The first thing that Joey noticed when he woke up was a distinct lack of a shirt... But more importantly than that, there was an equally noticeable lack of the usual stink that floated around the place, brought about by his father's oh so wonderful drinking and smoking habits. Were those bandages wrapped around his wounds? To put it bluntly, the blond teenager was rather confused. Slowly, he allowed his amber eyes to flicker open, blinking against the seemingly harsh light.

"Joseph?" A soft, musical voice enquired from just to the right of him. Blinking again to try and clear his foggy mind, he turned his head slightly... and promptly blinked again. This certainly wasn't someone he expected to see sitting in his apartment!

"I-Isis?" He croaked, his voice dry from his earlier episode and from the lack of water he had been able to drink recently, "Where am I?" Considering the factors he had already noticed, he had finally deduced that he wasn't at his own place. It just served to confuse him all the more though. Why had Malik dragged him over here? The Egyptian didn't really have any reason to, especially not after the events of Battle City. He knew that Joey didn't either like nor trust him, not yet, anyway.

Isis couldn't help a gentle smile as she answered, for all her worry about what her often rebellious little brother was up to, "You're at my house. Malik brought you." She paused for a second and sighed, shaking her head slightly. She was clearly rather perplexed. Then again, who would have blamed her? She had no idea as to what was happening, and indeed... what would soon happen, "I enquired as to why, but he left without answering me."

"R-really? He didn't say a thing?" Joey stammered, pushing himself up slowly on his elbowed. His head was swimming and he ached all over... All he longed for was a nice, peaceful rest. Rest would be nice... Eternally, maybe? Then he wouldn't have to worry about anything anymore. Not his father, nothing. But then... What about his sister? What about Yug' and Tristan? Heck, what about Kaiba! It still sounded nice though... To escape all the pain that he had gone through... Never before would he have thought such things, but it would soon be clear to everyone involved how much his home life had affected the boy.

Vaguely he noticed a steadily growing concern in Isis' eyes. Why was she looking at him like that! He wasn't an animal in a zoo! Mumbling a soft curse to himself, he winced as he sat up properly on the plush leather sofa. His head... Spinning again... He could feel the tidal wave of emotions creeping up again, threatening to overwhelm him as they had done hours before. Damnit! He couldn't... not again. The madness wouldn't be beaten back a second time, not easily... And he couldn't hurt Isis, subconsciously he knew this. Heh... Malik would probably tear him apart.

"Joseph?" She asked softly, watching him with her usual steady gaze. How could she remain so calm when she could clearly see the growing turmoil in his eyes she didn't know, but that was her way... It always had been, and she doubted it would change, "What is wrong? I can't help you if you don't tell me."

Taking a deep breath, Joey tried desperately to quench the feelings of annoyance and loathing (both of himself and others) that was trying to drown his rationality. He had suddenly found himself with another irk... People asking too many questions about things that don't concern them! Rationality having been thrown out of the closest window, he dragged himself to his feet and stared down at the young woman, swaying uncertainly on his weak legs.

"Oh, I can tell you how to help me all right..." he muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. If he had been completely with it, he would have noticed the weary slur in his still hoarse voice.

"Tell me how, then," Isis prodded calmly, standing up also. Worry was starting to build up even more now, but also there was concern for what would happen when Malik came back home from wherever he had wandered off to... She knew that she could have used his help in this, for all his impatience.

"Let me go to the toilet." It was a strange request, but it wasn't so strange to the one who had uttered it. He just hoped that she wouldn't ask anymore questions and would just give him an answer... He didn't have long before he collapsed again, he could tell that. His brain felt like mush and his legs were worse, barely strong enough to keep him upright.

He watched as she seemed to ponder over whether or not she should let him go. She hoped she would... before it was too late and he either snapped or passed out. If he did either, he would never be able to finish it all! He swayed again and winced, the pounding in his head intensifying.

He almost sighed with relief when she finally gave her response, helping him towards the door, "It is the first on the left at the top of the stairs," she directed, watching as the teenager- so similar to her brother and yet so different, stumbled out of the room and down the hallway.

She was giving away none of her doubts, having noticed how her questions from earlier had bothered him. In his state, she decided that she would rather not cause him anymore distress, for all the good it would do.

Repeating the directions to himself in his head, First left top of stairs..., Joey used the wall for support as he slowly stumbled his way along, pausing momentarily every few minutes or so in order to get a short rest. His numb legs were burning with pain that was acute enough for him to actually feel it, and this alerted what was left of his consciousness that he was going to have to move fast if he wanted to complete what he had set out to do... But he couldn't do it, could he..? No.. He had to do it!

Finally he reached his destination and pushed the door open, dragging himself inside the small room and locking it behind him. He paid no attention to the features of the place; its baby blue walls and white marble surfaces, instead homing in on the cupboard that he had been looking for. Hopefully what he needed would be in there... Hopefully. Gripping the handle of the cupboards handle, Joey pulled it open and fumbled around inside, swaying once again. The pain was intensifying steadily...

"Got ya.." he mumbled weakly, grasping a small box as he limped over to the large bath. He sat down heavily, not really having enough strength left to lower himself down gently or the likes. I don't have any more time... He realized, taking a shallow, rasping breath as he pulled the box open, his long, very lightly tanned fingers trembling.

This is it... he thought to himself, This is for my friends... So they don't haveta worry about babying me anymore... This is for me, so I don't haveta deal with him anymore... His trembling increasing, he pulled out one of the smaller, slimmer objects, gripping it tightly between his fingers, Heh... I hope Isis doesn't get blamed for this... Its nothin' to do with her. For a few brief seconds, his mind clearing for the first time in ages, he found himself grateful for the young woman's help.

And the rest of my friends... You've all helped me so much. Just wish I could say bye. Ah well...

AN- Once again, my apologies for the lateness, and indeed the shortness!