Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the script . . . . Just the insane story. . . . . . . .

Chapter 9: Kaiba's Resolve

Kaiba, a man of limited patience spat on the cold marble-like floor of the underground dungeon. This act would have gone unnoticed in the company of men, but for someone of Kaiba's nature the act was one of violence. He watched the dead-like creature dangling before his eyes; it brought out the worst of his already violent nature. Kaiba's hatred of the other carved a deep wound in his already twisted mind and just for a moment his thoughts drifted to the dark side. Visions of blood dripping in metal pans beneath Pegasus's feet would be a welcome sound. He'd record the recital and measure the liquid in the bucket against his body weight, not a drop would be wasted.

Kaiba smiled and as he circled the offensive body with its perfectly long platinum blond hair blowing in the still liquid, he continued to dream and rant, 'Maybe I'll slice the flesh off his bones and make dragon stew; blue-eyes would glow at such a rare treat. Originally he'd planned to seal his worthless soul in a virtual realm designed to inflict incredible pain for all eternity. Even after Kaiba seize to exist his realm would continue to operate for all time.'

"It's scoundrels like you that infest the earth and turn it into a waste land that men like myself have to clean up so the innocent can live in bliss. Born with the money, wealth, and power, you squander it on tiresome projects you call adventures, and trample on the weak and ignorant. . . . For love!" Kaiba hurled his laptop at a backup console, his anger mounting with each passing minute.

"Oh . . . I know of your story of love and death of one so precious, but in your quest to bring back the dead, you attempted to steal from the living, UNFORGIVABLE! Mokuba, my life, my brother, and my future, I will never forgive you, but I will have my revenge."

Kaiba turned around and pushed a few buttons on a consol uncased in granite and the liquid drained from the crystal cylinder, it stopped half way up and left his body floating in liquid from the waist down. The fine lines on a monitor which registrar pulse, heart rate, brain activity, and blood pressure, moved in a zigzag motion as he watched closely for signs of life to begin. Once a connection was formed between brain activity and physical motion Kaiba made sure the other was conscious and most importantly aware of the pain he had planned. Pegasus's one eye shifted and focused on Kaiba he tried to point a finger in his direction and Kaiba started the pain shocks. He started his own brand of torture, mind control.

"How does it feel to be trapped knowing you can't escape but you can feel and hear everything I do. Listen lowly worm, I would have ended your life, but it appears your luck hasn't run out. You should be dead and buried in hell, yet I still need your existent in this world."

A monster's smile appeared on the thin lips of the other.

"So you do understand what I'm saying, then listen with your life. Millie the daughter of Charles is a friend and you've given her false information concerning the death of her father. The truth lies in your head or Egypt, and I'm sure my search will also end there. Make no mistake I will get the truth, with or without your conscious help. So tell me what will it be; do not temp to betray my kindness or mistake it for weakness. I am neither a fool nor sentimental." Kaiba pushed a button and Pegasus's body convulsed in horror. Just for a moment his eye disappeared into the socket and Kaiba howled in laughter.

A few minutes passed and he continued with the shock treatment; rarely had Kaiba's mind been so entertained. Pegasus refused to acknowledge the CEO with an answer he didn't care one way or another, or so he thought, but everyone had a weakness. Kaiba made a few more calculations on his project called "OEB" (one-Eye-Bastard) he realized the pain threshold wasn't high enough and the fear factor was too low, his subject wasn't suffering he still had a smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, no eye. 'I'm getting soft,' Kaiba fumed.

Other thoughts ran through his mind like how would he explain his involvement in Millie's troubles without revealing the knowledge he had. BrowneyedShamer thought a group of scientist took Pegasus for research, but in reality it was him. He'd been searching for a way to legally trap that bastard. But the biggest question of all was why he didn't connect the dots between the two names and why were they coming up with two sets of information. It appears she had secrets of her own, so long as Joey wasn't hurt he'll help.

"Damn," Kaiba fumed as he thought about his puppy, "This was going to be a long trip."

"Roland," he called out on his consol. "I need you to start gathering information on Charles the archeologist and his daughter. Prepare my personal jet for flight and pack previsions for five or more."

"Five sir . . ." Roland inquired.

"Yes, Joey will not go without that gang of misfits and we must prepare for his nurse as well."

"May I inquire as to the nature of this trip and how long it will be? The winds are especially high this time of year and the deserts are off limited to outside tourist."

"No, you may not!" Kaiba clicked off the monitor. He also restored Pegasus to his dead-like state before he entered another room which led to a private sleeping chamber; the CEO took a rare moment and closed his eyes as he relaxed in a comfortable leather chair. Thoughts of Joey in his arms filled his mind as he drifted into sleep.

Meanwhile at the house . . . .

Ryou, Yugi, and Yami took the opportunity to sneak back into Joey's room, they knew he wasn't asleep and even if he was he wouldn't mind the invasion.

Ryou was the first one to enter or maybe we should say he was pushed in as a sacrificial lamb, just in case Kaiba still lurked inside. Kaiba barked at every one on site but he had a soft spot for those chocolate orbs of Ryou.

"Coast is clear," he whispered, but as he ventured further in the room he stumbled into Joey's nurse who had come to tuck him in.

"Oops,"

"Come on in, before you attract the wrong attention," she offered with her hands on hips and a wide smile on her face.

"Hey guys did you hear the good news," Joey mumbled between having the swabs changed in his mouth, he sort of backslid on his treatment which brought on the fever and other problems. But BrowneyedShamer knew she'd have him on the right road in no time at all, sometimes medicine along is not enough.

"No that's why we're sneaking in," Ryou answered. "What's shaking?"

"Besides you wouldn't talk to us, without your wet nurse, remember," Yami teased the blond.

"Shut it Yami," Joey answered.

"He didn't mean it Joey, but you were being an ass," Ryou winked and smiled at the nurse. "He's really a big baby, except when he's with Kaiba." Now everybody laughed.

"Well, Brownie-chan is looking for her father and that monster Pegasus is involved . . . . And the clues lead to Egypt . . . and I promise to help."

"You know that white haired toon master, he's dangerous," Ryou added.

"Nii-sama can handle him any day and anywhere," Mokuba was listening at the door.

"You said it Mokie," Joey gave him a high five and smiled at Brownie who had a tear in her eye.

"Hey whats wrong, did I say something wrong," Joey sat up in the middle of the bed worried.

"No it's just that no one has ever called me Brownie-chan before. . ." she blushed and wiped the tear away.

"Oh . . . that," Yugi looked at his friend and then turned to the nurse. "Well its official . . . he always does that to people he loves, so you're special."

"Yeah," everyone chanted, "BROWNIE-CHAN . . . BROWNIE CHAN." They formed a little circle around her and Yami bow to his waist after they fell out on Joey's bed.

"You are now a part of the gang," Yami laughed and gave Yugi a little peck on the cheek to celebrate.

"Geez guys, I don't think she's going to be hanging out with you idiots," Joey had to hold on to a little dignity, sense the blush on his face had turned fire engine red.

"Oh now that he's Kaiba's boy he's too good," Ryou continued to tease.

"Nii-sama is good and only wants to make Joey happy," Mokuba fenced.

"We know," everyone chanted again and continued to laugh.

"So are you sure about this Joey, I don't want to cause any trouble," Brownie-chan asked.

"Nah . . . it's not like that, but you gotta tell Kaiba everything, before he finds out on his own. Because he'll be pissed if you don't tell him the truth."

"Yeah you outta' know." Ryou was on his game and loving it. It wasn't often his jokes were so well received. Joey frowns thinking about some of the shit he'd gotten into with boyfriend.

"Kaiba is a control freak, but he's efficient and he's like a dog and bone, won't let it go!" The blond glared at the gang daring them to comment.

"Beside somebody gotta spend some of that money and I need a vacation."

"But what about us?" Yugi asked.

"It's a package deal, right Mokie," Joey turned over he'd played out.

"Yeah," Mokuba smiled; having Joey as another brother was going to be fun.

"Brownie-chan he's really ok, Joey's right. Don't hold anything back."Mokuba left. "Night . . . hey you guys wanta' have an all nighters,"

"Yeah," the chant was on again.

"No way!" Brownie-chan answered, "I'll lock you up in separate rooms. Now go to bed. It's almost morning."

"AHHHHHHHHHhh . . . . Man."

Everyone left to the sweet music of Joey's snoring, yet he derived little comfort from his deep sleep only deep nightmares. Joey started to toss and turn about thirty minutes after the gang left. He started to have visions of popcorn, candy, pudding, and worst of all jell-o dancing around his bed. But worst of all the Jell-o man had arms and legs; he woke up screaming.

"Puppy . . . its ok," a soothing voice drifted over his head and arms surrounded his shaking body, he'd stop screaming but the moaning had reached a feverous pitch. He sounded like a wounded pup. The monsters kept coming and they were having a conference over who was going to eat him first. Kaiba decided to silence his moaning with the firm pressure of his lips. Stars burst into little arrows and destroyed the food monsters in his head. Joey slid down on a rainbow made of good skittles and landed on a cloud fluffy cotton candy. All around the sweet smells of candy assaulted his senses and he calmed down. Kaiba's kiss defied the boundaries between what was real and what wasn't.

Joey opened his eyes slowly . . . slowly . . . and closed them tight; what if the monsters were real.

"We can play hide and seek. . . I don't mine. Or kiss and tell," Kaiba whispered.

"Get off my neck," Joey could feel the heat rise. 'Why did Kaiba always catch him so defenseless, sleeping?'

"Fine. . . . Just wanted to help," Kaiba turned away. "Good Night"

"Kaiba, don't go."Joey whispered reaching out to grab the tail of his long night shirt. He must have come in after everyone left to watch over him.

"Will you sleep with me?" Joey closed his eyes so tightly it hurt. If Kaiba made fun of him he'd die. But instead of laughter he felt the bed dip and a warm arm once again circle his chest. Slowly Joey turned into the embrace and nestled just under Kaiba chin. Kaiba intertwined his long legs with Joey's but left body contact to a minimum, safe.

"Thank you,"

"Good night, baby"

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo Next stops Egypt…. See ya there…..Thanks to those following this story I know you're reading it so drop a review . . . Enjoy and remember Life Happens. . . . . .