He didn't understand, he couldn't grasp it. Why would Seto leave him at a time like this? Did he also need time away from him, as Joey needed time away from Seto? Joey sighed out loud as he slowly climbed out of the bed. He wrapped the under sheet around his naked body and made his way over to the joined bathroom.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His mind flashed back to the last time he stood there. It was that morning he had realized his feelings for Seto. Had things changed now?

Shaking his head, he traded the sheet for a towel. He washed his face and was just about to through the sheet in the laundry basket, but then stopped. A warm feeling surrounded him as the scent of his lover filled his nose in sweet torture. He clung to the sheet as the thoughts swirled his mind. How could he say those things last night? I just need to straightened things out. He didn't even know where to begin. He hoped he hadn't driven Seto away, for one thing was certain. Joey needed Seto and that would never change.

"Joey, are you in here?" asked a small voice from the other room.

"Yeah," Joey cleared his throat, "I'm in here Mokuba." Joey placed the sheet on top of the basket and walked into the bedroom to find Mokuba sitting on the bed. He smiled at the black haired boy.

"What's up?" he asked.

"You know, I kind of wanted to ask you the same thing. I mean has Seto left yet?" asked Mokuba innocently.

Joey's heart leapt at the sound of his name. The pain caused him to clutch at his chest.

"Are you alright Joey?" asked the younger Kaiba, jumping off the bed towards Joey.

"Yeah, it's…" Joey shook his head, straightening up a bit, "Do you know where he is?"

Mokuba paused to think, "I was pretty sure he would be on his way to the conference."

"What conference?" asked Joey, letting himself fall into the lounge chair that was behind him.

"Seto didn't tell you?" Joey shook his head, "Oh, well it's in New York. I can't believe he didn't tell you."

Shrugging Mokuba strolled over to the door. "I have to get to school, see you after."

Joey waved and Mokuba disappeared. After awhile Joey could hear the sound of the limo pulling out from the garage and driving down the long driveway. It sounded so loud, why hadn't Joey heard it last night?

"A conference…in…" Joey whispered. He brought a hand over his mouth and looked around the room. Light was now coming in from the windows and making dark shadows across the carpet. Joey got up from his chair and walked over to the window. That was when he noticed the note lying on the nightstand.

Instantly Joey scooped it up. It read:

Dear Joey,

I'm sorry, but I had to go. I'm in New York, probably by the time you read this. I wanted to tell you, really, but last night didn't seem like the right time. Please don't be sad, I'll be back in three weeks.

Seto

"No, you idiot," Joey face flared up and he yelled at the paper, "Can't you realize that I need you now?"

Joey crumpled up the paper and through it violently at the garbage can beside the nightstand. He missed, swore and stomped over to the other side of the bed. Finding almost all of his clothes he got dressed. Where were his socks? Joey looked at the clock on the nightstand. He would soon be late for school.

Oh well, he could just borrow a pair from Seto.

"It's not like he'll miss them," muttered Joey, "After all, he just leaves whenever he feels like it; goes off to New York, doesn't tell anyone, would he? No, he's not that mindful."

Joey ranted as he made his way over to Seto's room. He burst through the door and scared the cleaning lady.

"Sorry 'bout that," he nodded, making his way over to the dresser. He pulled open the top drawer which still contained a multitude of socks and other sanitary clothing.

"Leaves for a three week business trip, but still has enough to clothe a third world country," Joey reached for a white pair and slammed the drawer closed. The cleaning lady gave him a stern look as he headed out.

"Sorry," he muttered, entering the hallway. He rushed down the stairs as the chauffeur greeted him.

"Mr. Wheeler, will you be taking the other car to school today? It seems Mokuba Kaiba has already left," he said.

"Ah yeah, I guess I'll will."

"Alright I'll bring the car out front," he said, slightly bowing and headed out the door.

Sighing Joey sat down on the stairs, school didn't really seem real important right now. The pain in his heart was still fresh and if Seto came up in conversation while he was hanging out with his friends he wouldn't know what to do. Three weeks was going to be an internity. Taking a breath Joey began to put the socks on while he thought about the recent situation.

Seto had left; that wasn't too bad, but why did he leave without telling Joey? Sure, they had just been dating for a month, but couldn't Joey go with him?

"Although he did leave Mokuba here," he said to himself, "Ouch!"

Joey looked down at what he was doing. There was something in the sock. Joey reached inside and pulled out a note. His big toe started bleeding slightly from the painful paper cut.

"What in the world? What is this doing in here?" Joey turned the small folded note around in his hands.

"Mr. Wheeler?" interupeted the chauffeur, peeking through the door, "Shall we?"

Nodding Joey quickly put his sock on, stuffed the note into his back pocket. He looked around the empty mansion and sighed again. Holding his head high, as not to tear up, he bravely walked out the door.

One step at a time... comments! :)