Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or 'At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum'

Chapter 17

Goodbye

The brunette made his way, deliberately slowly, to Mapleside Manor for the second time that day.

He was dragging his feet along the dirty ground and glaring at everything and everyone he passed. He didn't want to do this.

Jaden was going to leave London. He had to.

Aster was making him, he had to save the baby, he might die if he didn't.

And yet, underneath all those motives to leave, was guilt. Deep and hurtful guilt.

Because he was leaving the one he loved.

It was a sad sight when he at last reached Mapleside Manor and ducked into the back yard, the guard looking mildly surprised that he was back so soon.

The bluenette wasn't at the window.

"Jesse, I need to tell you something!" Jaden called. "Jess, please! It really can't wait. You have to listen to me! Jesse!"

After an hour of calling unsuccessfully, tears were running down Jaden's cheeks, but he wasn't giving up.

Jaden had to leave to make sure the baby was kept safe. That was all he could really do for the sick bluenette. That meant he had to go now, goodbye or no goodbye.

There was no way he could say goodbye to Jesse in person. But there was one thing he could do, for certain.

Jaden handed the piece of paper with the almost neat handwriting to the guard in front of the house. The guard had asked him his name, and when he had sadly told him and, out of habit, asked the guard's name, he learned it was Axel. Strange name, he thought. But Axel seemed to be okay with the idea of handing the note into Jesse the next time he sent up the provisions.

Axel wouldn't let him down. Jaden could only hope for that.

The guard wouldn't know the names of anyone in the house so he had called the baby by her name, knowing that the guard wouldn't know who it was and that Jesse would understand.

Jaden stole one last glance at the house and then called loudly, knowing that everyone would hear and not caring.

"I love you, Jesse!" he shouted, hoping the bluenette might hear, and then he took of running before anyone could say anything to him.

Once the brunette was gone, Axel looked down at the note in his hand.

Dear Jesse,

I hope that you can forgive me. We have Certificates Of Health, and we're leaving. Aster, me and Vicky are going to our home in Chertsey today.

Jesse, I hope that you can recover and come and see us. At the top of the letter I have written my exact address and the house's name. I can only hope that one day I will see you there. I'll be waiting for you.

I wish I could have said goodbye to you properly but there is no time. I hope you get this letter, and I hope you understand.

I will keep her safe. I promise.

I love you, Jesse. Forever and ever.

I'll be waiting in Chertsey for you.

Love, Jaden Yuki.

Axel was a little stunned. Jaden seemed childish and innocent and, to be honest, a little strange. Yet he wrote with passion. And for another man!

But he obviously had strong feelings. That much was evident.

And as Axel went to the back of the house to send the letter up to the person it was intended for, should he still be alive, a cart was moving out of the city gates, taking Aster, Jaden and baby Vicky to safety.

Please R&R