Joey's head felt like lead. Slowly he began to open his eyes. He could hear muffled voices; voices that seemed to be shouting out. He rolled his neck as the blurriness started to smooth out. He saw shapes, but couldn't quite clear his sight. His ears were humming and his whole body ached.

"Joey!"

Joey's eyes snapped open the rest of the way. It was Seto's voice; he knew the voice. His sight began to clear. He could make out Seto's outline and he called out his name.

"Shut him up, Darious," yelled a female voice, who was struggling to hold back the enraged Kaiba.

Joey tried quickly to get up. The dizziness was overwhelming causing him to learn against the wall. He glanced at Seto, who gave him a worried look. Darious hit him hard in the gut and Joey was on the floor once again.

"You bastard!" yelled Seto, kicking Syrina out of the way. He rushed towards Darious, but Darious was ready for him. He took a swing at Seto; Seto dodged and reached for Joey. Syrina caught him from behind, causing him fall to his knees just a few paces from Joey.

Darious quickly recovered and grabbed the barely conscious Joey. He ran towards the elevator once more.

Seto tired desperately to chase after him, but Syrina pushed him to the side. She ran into the elevator, joining her partner. Seto ran towards them, but Syrina pulled out her handgun, and hit him in the shoulder.

"Be advised Mr. Kaiba," she said, as he fell to the floor in pain, "this is the last you will see of Mr. Wheeler, if you do not do what Mr. Kurama has discussed with you."

"Seto!" yelled out Joey, but Darious silenced him, by clasping a hand over this mouth. The door closed as Joey saw Seto crumpled to the floor; tears streaming down his cheek. How did this happen? What was happening?

His shoulder would not stop throbbing. Being able to remove the small bullet himself, Seto sat back on the bed, pressing the ice as hard as he could against the wound. His legs were still shaking. He had wanted to protect Joey, he had told himself that he would; whatever it took.

But he had failed. Joey was with them, and Seto was once more alone. And as the tear fell, Seto lowered his head in sorrow. How did this happen?

"Kurama," he spat out, clenching his fists, "I swear you will pay."

He quickly reached for his phone on the nightstand. He dialed the one number that he knew Kurama's boys could never intercept. He had designed it for emergencies. This definitely counted. His heart stopped as it started ringing. Please pick up.

"Hello?" came a small voice.

"Mokuba!" cried Seto, letting out a sigh of relief, "Mokuba, listen I need your help."

"I know, it's getting strange around here," whispered Mokuba, "Some thugs came and searched the house. I hid in the safe room, just like you've told me to do."

Seto clenched his teeth; they had been trying to search for Mokuba. He couldn't ask him for help now. He had failed in protecting Joey; perhaps he could protect the other one he cared for.

"You're in danger there. You have to fly to the island," said Seto, trying to calm his voice.

"Why? Seto tell me what's going on, who's behind this?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about Mokuba," Seto closed his eyes. It would be safer if Mokuba knew nothing at the moment, "Please just go straight to the island."

Quickly Seto hung up. He choked back his tears as he flung the phone across the room. He had never felt so alone. But he was a man of action and his determination was just as strong as his love.

Seto froze. His love?

What were they missing?

The question came back to him as he slowly got up from the bed. He sat at the edge and a shiver ran through his body. He had never felt this; this desperate urge to protect someone and to take action in saving them. He had only Mokuba for most of his life, but with Joey…

He shook his head. He had taken a shower to clean his shoulder wound. He stepped into the bathroom and wet a hand towel. He slowly dabbed the wound as he looked into the mirror. His brown hair falling down over his eyes; Seto felt as though he had just broken the huge gap between them. It was strange, because even thought he knew Joey wasn't with him, he was. He had also felt it that night he left Joey, although he hadn't realized it.

I just need to straightened things out.

What had he needed to straighten out? A small blush came to Seto's cheek as he thought about the possibilities. Maybe Joey felt the same way and was scared. Seto was scared as well. But now he knew; he loved Joey.

"And now it's time to destroy Kurama," sneered Seto.

He quickly wrapped his shoulder, got dressed, grabbed his phone, and headed for the door. Yes, he was going to rescue Joey. Whatever it took, either Seto would loose his company, or Kurama would pay, as long as Seto was once again with Joey.

He walked out down to the lobby, and called his chauffeur. He didn't care if Kurama's boys were watching. He knew they would never make a scene in front of the crowded hotel. After all he was Seto Kaiba; he was always one step in front of his opponents.