Yugi was only allowed to have one of his friends on his visitors list, so Soloman had picked Joey. Joey walked into the hospital and signed in, he hadn't seen Yugi since that night. " , you can come back now." A nurse said. Joey followed her to the main living area, Yugi was sitting by the window with his knees to his chest. "He's been pretty quiet so I hope you can get something out of him." The nurse said and walked away. Joey went and sat across from Yugi, almost cautiously.

"Hey Yug…" Joey said softly.
"Hi Joey." Yugi whispered.
There was a long pause before Joey reached over to Yugi and hugged him tight.
"Damnit Yug…why did you do that?" Joey said, starting to cry.
"I know grandpa told you the reason." Yugi said, monotone.
Joey grabbed Yugi by the shoulders and looked into his eyes, they were dull and lifeless.
"I'm really glad you're okay Joey." Yugi smiled lightly.
"He wouldn't have wanted this…" Joey said, looking at Yugi.
"Yeah, well, he isn't here, now is he?" Yugi spat. Joey had never heard Yugi speak in such a tone.
"Yugi…" Joey began.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap, I'm just so sick of hearing that. I know this isn't what he would have wanted for me, but this is how it is." Yugi said, finally looking up at Joey.
"When you get outta here-" Joey began before Yugi chuckled and shook his head.
"What's so funny, Yug?" Joey said, getting angry.
"If I even manage to get out of here, I won't be out long." Yugi said.
"What do you mean?" Joey asked.
"If I get out of here, I'm just going to end up back in her for trying again or I'm going to be successful." Yugi stated.
"Yugi…" Joey didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry that you got hurt by saving me, but you shouldn't have…I wanted to die. I still do." Yugi said, blankly staring out the window.
As tears streamed down Joey's face, he stormed out of the hospital, he couldn't handle what Yugi had told him.

/~***~\\\\\

Kaiba was in his office, waiting for Joey to return from seeing Yugi. He knew it would either go incredibly good or incredibly bad. Joey burst into his office and ran into his arms. Seto could hear Joey's loud sobs. "Joey…" Seto whispered, stroking his blonde hair when he sobbed into his chest. "We gotta do something Seto…" Joey cried. Seto sat them both down on the couch in his office and tried to calm Joey down. "He said…he said when he gets out…he's going to try again, he wants to die…" Joey began, sniffing. Seto had his hand gently on Joey's shoulder, just listening. "His eyes, Seto…I've never seen his eyes look so empty…like he has no will to live!" Joey cried hysterically. Seto embraced him tightly and held him close. Part of him was incredibly angry that Yugi could be that selfish, but he was beginning to understand. Atem was Yugi's dark side, therefore, being a part of him. Yugi was in love with his dark.

"We gotta get Atem back." Joey said, looking up at Kaiba. "How?" Seto asked. "You know how." Joey said. "No! Absolutely not, it hasn't even been tested yet!" Seto yelled. "I don't care! I'll do anything at this point!" Joey yelled back. "It's only been in development for a week, puppy." Seto whispered, knowing Joey was desperate. "Because you're just as desperate as the rest of us." Joey stated. Seto just looked at him, he knew that he was right. "The day Yugi got admitted you started working on that virtual transporter into the past." Joey said. "It's just a virtual reality Joey, it's not a time machine!" Seto exclaimed. "We have to try…" Joey's voice shook.

/~***~\\\\\

Yugi went into the bathroom to splash some water on his face, his conversation with Joey made him incredibly anxious. Yugi looked at himself in the mirror, he didn't recognize himself. His cheeks were starting to sink in, his hair had become flat, and his eyes were empty. He yanked a paper towel from the dispenser and heard metal hit the floor. He paused and looked around until he found the source of the noise, a small screw. When Yugi yanked the paper towel out, a screw had come loose from the dispenser. Yugi picked up the screw and examined it between his thumb and forefinger. He tested the sharp end and smiled with sick pleasure. 'Thank Ra for sending me some relief.' Yugi thought and slid down to the floor. 'Atem…why do you keep haunting my dreams?' Yugi thought to himself as he rolled up his sleeve. The screw was small, but if Yugi pressed hard enough, it could get the job done. 'Please Ra…take me away…' Yugi thought as he ripped his skin open. Through tears, he looked at the blood dripping down his arm, pressing the screw into his skin again, wishing for something more permanent. 'Who knew that blood could be so pretty…' Yugi thought as his vision blurred.

'take me away…' Atem heard Yugi's voice again, then he felt a sharp pain in his chest. "Yugi…" Atem called as he fell to his knees. Atem was panicking, the tone is Yugi's voice…he was in pain, his voice was pleading for relief. Atem knew that Yugi was in danger and he couldn't help him.

/~***~\\\\\

Joey and Seto had argued for hours over the use of the transporter to try and bring Atem back. Joey was sitting on the couch now, looking out the window, he had accepted that Seto wasn't going to let him use it. Kaiba's office phone rang and he picked it up.

"Hello?" Seto inquired. "Tea, calm down, what do you mean?" he was frantic. Joey stood up and walked over to Seto, worry stricken. "Oh my God…" Seto whispered. Kaiba hung up the phone and looked up at Joey, his eyes were sad. "Yugi just tried again…" Kaiba said slowly, watching Joey's face. Joey collapsed to the ground in a heap, Seto embraced him tight, he knew that they had to get Atem back, they didn't have any time to wait. If they didn't get Atem back, Yugi was going to die.