Chapter 5

I'm glad everyone likes my story so far. If you have any story suggestions or requests, please don't hesitate to let me know. ^^

Yusei sat by Aki and held the feverish girl's hand all through the night. Even though Doctor Smith had assured him that cases of relapse weren't uncommon, the raven haired signer wasn't able to fall asleep. As it began to grow light outside, he called Jack.

"Blimey, Yusei, why did you have to call so early? You'd better be glad you didn't wake Carly. She has to work today." Hr growled.

"Sorry. Aki had a relapse and I thought I should tell you." The young man told his friend.

"Oh, look, I'm sorry. Is she all right?" Jack demanded in kinder tone.

"She hasn't woken up yet. She was just getting better. Then, all of a sudden, she passed out. Doctor Smith says it's only a relapse and not to worry too much."

"Like hell. I know if it were Carly, I'd be pulling my hair out. I don't think I'd leave her side, if I were in your shoes."

Yusei grinned as he replied. "I haven't. I can't bring myself to leave her like this. I haven't worked in days and I didn't sleep at all last night."

"You need to try and sleep. It won't do her any good, if you're exhausted and useless." As Jack gave the advise, Yusei knew he was right.

"I want her to wake up. I was starting to relax a little when she was up and about yesterday."

"Not sleeping won't make her wake up any faster. I'll come over and give you a day off. Just let me tell Carly first, so she won't worry."

"You don't have to do that." He replied insistently.

"Just shut it. You already got me up. Besides, if I take time out of my day, you'd better just do as I tell you and say thank you." Jack snapped as he hung up.

Damn, he sounds really worried. The young man sighed and turned his attention back to the slumbering young, woman. He squeezed her hand with a disappointed sigh. "For not liking attention, you sure know how to get it."

"Yusei … ." She sighed in her sleep. "Yusei, are you … ?"

Yusei stared at her as he realized she was dreaming. She's dreaming about me again?Maybe I should ask her about it when she wakes up. Yusei heard Jack as he arrived and went to unlock the door.

"Go get some sleep. You look terrible, you dolt." Were the first words out of the blond signer's mouth as he stepped inside. "And if you dare argue with me, I'll kick your ass."

Yusei grinned and nodded as he went towards the couch. "Of all the stupid things to do. There really are times That I wonder about your sanity."

"You would've done the same thing, if it were Carly." The azure eyed young man pointed out.

Jack said nothing at first, then as he headed upstairs, he replied. "So would you."

Yusei sighed at the truth of that statement and tried to relax. He hadn't realized how tired he was until that moment. The young man yawned and drifted off to sleep.

Jack scowled as he sat by Yusei's bed to keep watch over Aki. Hesitantly, he put his hand on her forehead. He wasn't kidding. She has a fever. He quickly took his hand away from her and tried to shake the anxiety he felt for his fiancee's friend.

Aki stirred after another hour. "Yusei? What happened?" She grumbled.

"For starters, I'm not Yusei. And you had a relapse and passed out." Jack replied in a slightly irate voice.

"Jack, why are you here? And where's Yusei? Has something happened?" The girl's amber eyes filled with concern.

"I'm here because Yusei didn't sleep at all last night. I thought he might need a break." The young man replied in a low voice.

Aki smiled at the stubborn, young man's way of caring. "Thanks. I'm sorry to drag you over here so early."

"Don't worry about it. You two just owe me one. How do you feel?"

"I think I'm okay. I feel a little hungry, though."

"If I fix you something, you'd better not barf on me." Jack mumbled as he stood up.

Aki stared after him and chuckled. How does Carly deal with him? She thought about the differences between Jack and Yusei for a moment. Yusei showed how he felt and was sweet. Jack hid his feelings and tended to snap or growl when he worried.

The violet eyed, duelist returned with a bowl of oatmeal and some orange juice after a few minutes. He watched her eat and took the dishes after she'd finished. Aki leaned back and closed her eyes. I feel so bad. Yusei's probably so worried.

She went to get up and immediately heard Jack bark. "Don't even think about getting out of that bed until your fever goes down. I'll tie you down, if I have to."

The willful girl frowned at being ordered around, but remained where she was. At times he can be a real asshole. Jack returned and handed her a book.

"If you're so bored, try reading or something so you can stay here." He grumbled. "And be careful with that book, it's Carly's."

"Thanks. I guess I can give this a try. I don't want to worry Yusei anymore." Aki replied as she opened the book.

"In that case, hurry up and get better. Some people don't like it when you are sick." Jack informed her and started flipping through a magazine.

"I didn't know Carly liked romances." Aki noted as she read.

"I wouldn't know. It is her book, after all."

Yusei woke around noon and looked around. He spotted Jack in the kitchen, washing what few dishes there were. "How's Aki?"

"She's fine. She's reading right now. Apparently, she likes Carly's taste in books. She's been in bed reading since she woke up."

"You mean she actually stayed in the bed? She kept trying to get up with me."

"Hmph, I have ways to get people to do as I say. So, do you feel better after sleeping?"

Yusei scratched his head and nodded. "Yeah, thanks for doing all this for me. I guess I owe you one."

The violet eyed, young man shrugged. "Whatever. It was no big deal. Go see her, I know you want to."

"Am I really that easy to read?" He inquired after Jack read his mind.

"Man, you're bloody transparent. Now go see your girlfriend and quit pestering me." Jack replied and shoved his friend toward the stairs.

Aki put her book aside as she heard Yusei's voice. "Aki, you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry that I worried you. Did you sleep well?"

Yusei sat beside her and took the girl's hand. "That's what a boyfriend is for. Your fever seems to be fading. Maybe you just tried to do too much yesterday."

"Don't start. Jack already lectured me. Although, he was a bit more blunt than you are and not nearly as nice about it."

"We both know that Carly's the only one that guy's ever nice to. Besides, that's just how he is. I'm not really concerned about him right now, anyway."

"In that case," Jack announced from the doorway, "I'll head home. I do have my own life to attend to today. You can call me, when Aki's feeling better."

Yusei grinned as his friend left them alone. "See? He really wants to be nice, he's just not really sure how. I guess you could say he's clumsy."

"Heh, heh. Maybe you're right. Carly tells me the same thing when I ask how she can put up with him."

Yusei smiled. "I'm glad you're awake. You really scared me last night."

"So I heard. It's really not good to stay up all night like that. I mean, it was sweet of you, but I don't want you to push yourself on my account. I'd feel like I'm being a burden." She was about to continue when Yusei kissed her.

"You talk too much when you feel guilty. I love you, I don't need any other reason to take care of you. I want you to be happy and okay and to love me. Is that okay?"

"But then I feel lazy. You are so easy to love and just being with you makes me happy."

The young man kissed her again and Aki smiled at how tender he was. "Is there anything you want me to do for you?"

The girl's amber eyes held a thoughtful and slightly mischievous gleam. "Pick up where we left off last night?"

Yusei stared at her and grinned. The smiling girl scooted over as he joined her in the bed. Aki felt safe and content as her azure eyed caretaker wrapped his arm around her.

I hope I'm doing better about posting the chapters. Please, continue to let me know what you think. All of your comments are appreciated.