Hey everyone!

No, I haven't died or lost my computer, and I definitely haven't lost interest in writing fanfiction.

Thank you to all my reviewers! You guys got me going again. I must say, i was a bit unsure how to play this. Finally settled on something I was tossing over whether to do or not-and mostly figured out how to make it work.

So, here we go, chapter three. Now the story takes on an interesting angle...

'Man it's good to see Tea again.'

Mai saw the huge grin on his face and replied in kind.

'I can't believe how long it's been since we were all together here in Domino.'

Mai glanced up at the sky. 'Two years.' She shook her head. 'A lifetime ago. So much has changed.'

'Yeah, but this hasn't.' Joey slipped an arm around her waist and, drawing her to a halt, kissed her softly.

'Well, yes, it has, because I don't hate myself and you for it, and we've both finally admitted it.' Her mouth twitched. 'But barely any of the change is bad. We had bad points in the middle, but the outcome is good-mostly.'

'Yeah...though I don't know whether the pharaoh going was good or bad.'

'...Maybe it was neither.' Mai linked an arm though his as they began to walk again. 'There are bad points, but good points too. It's where he belonged, as much as it hurt to lose him.'

'Yeah, I know.' Joey sighed. 'But it doesn't make it any easier. And I worry for Yuge and Tea. They-' He broke off abruptly. 'You hear that?'

'Yes.' Mai glanced towards the alley up ahead from where the shouts were becoming louder.

'Let's go. I'm not eager to hang around any gangs. Especially...' He trailed off as Mai raised an eyebrow at him. 'Okay, I know you can handle yourself, I saw that in California, but how many of them will it be to two of us? Let's try and avoid a confrontation, I'm not that eager for broken bones. C'mon, we can get a cab from-' He broke off as Mai grabbed his arm.

'Joey...'

He didn't need her to tell him; he'd heard it too; a child's cry. Mai activated her duel disk and Joey did likewise. 'Grab the kid and get out of here?'

'Yep.' Mai drew her top card, as did Joey. They rounded the corner at a run and the holograms of Harpie Lady and Red-eyes Black Dragon gave them enough of an element of surprise for them to knock aside the first couple of black figures and break up their circle. Holograms or not; the monsters still dealt a pretty hefty blow. The five boys ran-not wanting to stick around to get hurt doing something as pathetic as beating a child.

Joey kept an eye on the boys-teenagers by the look of them-as Mai turned to the child. She felt the fire kindle in her heart as she saw the tears, bruises and the way the girl was clutching her left arm to her chest. 'Joey, her arm's broken.' Mai knelt down beside the small girl. She couldn't have been over seven years old.

'D-don't t-t-touch me.' The child stuttered.

Mai reigned in the fury that was boiling up inside her and removed her jacket to lay around the child's shoulders. 'It's alright honey. They're not coming back.' She arranged her jacket around the girl with careful hands even though the child shied away. 'Joey, her arm's broken. Can you get a cab?'

'I'm not leaving you hear.' Joey took a couple of steps towards them, but stopped as the girl pulled back from Mai even further. 'Can she walk? Or can you carry her?'

'I-I can walk. Leave me alone! I want to go back.'

'Where are your parents?' Mai made no move to touch the child.

'They're gone.'

Mai exchanged a glance with Joey. 'Where are you living now?'

'The orphanage.' The girl stuck her chin out defiantly. 'They'll be angry at me when I get back, but I hate it there. The older kids pick on me where the grown-ups can't see.'

'How long have you been there?'

'Since I was three.' The girl shifted and winced at the pain in her arm.

Abandoned or an orphan, Mai thought sadly. A child no-one wanted. She'd never been wanted as a child either. Her heart went out to the small girl. 'Listen, we're going to get you to the hospital where they'll patch you up. And we'll call the orphanage to let them know you're alive and where you are.'

The girl eyed them mistrustfully. 'Can't I go back right now?'

'That arm needs to go in a plaster.'

'How do I know you won't hurt me more?'

Mai closed her eyes momentarily. She was young to be so world-wise. 'You have my word, though it may not mean much to you.'

The girl sniffed as she couldn't stop her tears starting to roll again. 'Who are you?'

'Mai Valentine. This is my boyfriend Joey Wheeler.'

The girl blinked at her. 'You're a duelist.'

Mai blew out slowly in relief. At least the child knew them. It might make things easier. 'Yes, I am. Do you duel?'

'The boys say I'm too little. But I like watching it on TV sometimes when they're not there to see me.'

'You're never too small to duel.' Mai opened her mouth to say she would teach her, then closed it. She didn't know what was going to happen with the girl after tonight. 'Tell you what, you hang on to my favourite card Harpie Lady until we get to the hospital. You can rip her up if we hurt you.'

The child eyed her owlishly. 'Okay.' She agreed reluctantly.

Mai gave her the card and carefully manoeuvred the girl into her arms. She perched on Mai's hip, trying not to wince as her arm jolted as Mai walked, holding onto her t-shirt tightly with her good right hand.

Mai felt her heart clench and she glanced over at Joey. She could see the sadness in his eyes. Mai reached over and took his hand. 'We can't get too attached.'

'Yeah, I know.' Joey looked at the girl who was falling asleep against Mai. 'We travel too much. But...'

'Yeah, I know, but...' Mai sighed. 'Let's just get her to the hospital.'

***

Her name was Freya.

Mai stroked her hair gently as she slept curled in Mai's arms in the waiting room. Mai knew hospitals could make you wait for hours, but Freya was bordering on a minor emergency, so she believed the nurse when she'd said they would be seen in no more than twenty minutes. Ten had already passed.

Mai glanced over to Joey, who was still talking on the phone to the orphanage. He'd whispered her name to Mai before going into what had happened. Someone was on their way over for Freya now. Mai glanced down at her again. Her eyes were screwed shut and her hair fell in wisps over her face. Red hair. It hadn't been easily visible in the dark, but in the bright hospital light it was clear. Her skin was a little more tanned than a normal red-head's, but she had the scattering of freckles on her face. It wasn't that obvious though. It wasn't copper or orange-red hair; it was a beautiful pure red.

Mai saw the doctor motioning to her and she carefully shifted Freya and slowly began to get up. Freya's eyes popped open and she began to struggle. 'Shhh. It's okay Freya, nothing's going to happen.'

Freya looked up, startled. 'How do you know my name?'

Mai's mouth dropped slightly; Freya's eyes were as purple as her own. She recovered quickly; after all, she wasn't the only one with purple eyes. Yugi had them too, as did a few others Mai had met. It wasn't extraordinary, but it wasn't common either. 'Joey called the orphanage. Someone's on their way over now. They told us your name. They were really worried about you.'

'I knew they would be...' Freya trailed off. 'Here.' She held out Mai's Harpie Lady that she had fallen asleep clutching.

'Thanks.' Mai took the card as Joey came over. 'Shall we?'

They treated Freya's bruises and checked her for a concussion. The x-rays that had been taken of Freya's arms when they first came in were shown and Freya's arm was set and put in plaster. She chose a pink cast.

The person from the orphanage was waiting for them as they came out. Freya had been discharged, having nothing more than a few bumps, bruises and a broken arm; no concussion or shock.

A nurse pointed the lady out to them and she stood up as they walked over. 'Freya! Where were you?!'

'I'm sorry.' Freya hung her head, but kept a grip on Mai's hand, hoping she would protect her from a bad scolding.

'Did you mean to stay out so late?' She knelt in front of Freya.

'Well, no. But the park was pretty and so was the fountain. And I liked it there so much I thought maybe I could stay there longer, away from the boys and then it got dark and these other boys came out and began to pick on me.' Freya's lip trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

The lady sighed and drew Freya into a hug. 'You're safe, and that's the most important thing.' She took Freya's hand in hers and stood up. 'Thank you so much for what you've done for her. I'm Charlotte, one of the matrons at the orphanage.'

Joey and Mai introduced themselves, and Charlotte asked one of the nurses if she could take Freya to get an icecream from the kitchen. It was an excuse to talk properly to Freya's rescuers. 'I very much appreciate it. She's...often bullied. And I'm aware alot of it happens where we can't see, but she doesn't come to us if they do push her around or insult her. It's gotten way out of control.'

'What are you gonna do about it?' Joey asked politely. 'No kid should have to go through that.'

Charlotte sighed. 'I understand you don't think much of me, and you don't have to. I haven't done my job properly if this is the result. What I will do is try to get her adopted out to a good family.'

Mai nodded. 'Would we be able to come and check up on her tomorrow? To see how she's going?'

Charlotte sighed. 'Tomorrow, yes. But try not to get too attached to her. It will be harder for her when you leave.'

'You think we'd just break off all contact?' Mai held back a scowl and settled on frowning. 'I was orphaned at six. I know what it's like.'

Charlotte blinked. 'I beg your pardon...but...it works both ways too.'

'I know. We can't adopt her because we're too young. We travel too much, which wouldn't be good for her.' Joey held up his hands.

Charlotte shook her head. 'I was more thinking of absence of permanence or money-'

'That's not a problem.' Mai's mouth twitched up into a slightly scornful smile. 'It's travelling that's the problem with us. Look, we're not looking to adopt her. We just want to make sure she's okay.'

Charlotte sighed and glanced over as Freya came back licking her icecream. 'Alright. Come by around midday tomorrow. C'mon Freya, let's get you to bed. You can eat that on the way.'

Freya glanced up at Mai and Joey. 'Are you going?' Her eyes were huge and pleading.

'They'll be by tomorrow at lunch to see you.' Charlotte took Freya's hand again.

Mai sighed as they walked away, Freya glancing occasionally behind her.

'Yeah, I know.' Joey slipped an arm around her waist. 'I'm sunk too...but...'

'We can at least make sure she gets a good home.'

'Yeah. Yeah, we can.' They glanced at eachother. Mai rolled her eyes and laughed quietly while Joey shook his head.

'Let's go home. Before we start getting any ideas.'

'Too late.' Joey murmured.

What do you think? Poor girl! I know, I wrote it, but I feel bad for hurting her. Still, it may be a turning point for eveyone...

Note to self; no giving people too many hints!

Please review! I'd like to see what you think will happen...