Disclaimer: Journey Maker doesn't own Yugioh

Chapter Nine

Mokuba had Joey go into the living room, where there was more light and he went to find out where Roland and Seto were. When he found out that Roland was going out, he knew that he had one chance to get this right, so he went back to where Joey was and he said, "Alright where do you want me to sit?"

Joey had Mokuba sit in the chair near the window so that he'd have better light. As he started painting, Joey blanked out everything around him and concentrated on what he was painting, so when Seto came into the room he never noticed.

Seto stood in the doorway and watched what was going on, he never realized just how talented Joey really was. As he stood there watching Joey paint, he knew that he didn't have any right to ask Joey to give up his dreams, so he turned around and went back to his room.

Mokuba didn't see his brother when he came into the room, so he didn't see him leave either. Joey asked Mokie to turn either left or right so that he could get better lightening and when he finally put his brush down he said, "I'm done, why don't you come over here and tell me what you think."

When Mokuba went over he couldn't believe just how lifelike the painting really was and he said, "Joey this is portrait is just beautiful, can I go get Seto and ask him how he likes it?"

Joey shrugged his shoulders and said, "I guess that it'll be alright." Then he started putting away this paints and was cleaning his brushes when Seto and Mokuba came into the room. Seto looked at the painting and he said, "Joey you really are talented, I like how you captured that light in Mokuba's eyes."

Joey blushed when he heard what Seto said, and he thanked him, then he said, "I'd better get going, I still have to carry all these things back into the apartment and then get something to eat."

Mokuba looked at Seto who nodded his head and then Mokuba said, "Joey, why don't you stay and eat lunch here."

Joey really closed up his case and then he said, "Alright, I'd like that."

Seto walked over to the phone and as he picked up the receiver he asked, "Do you still like burgers and fries?"

Joey's stomach growled and Mokuba laughed and said, "I guess you got your answer." They all started laughing as Seto placed their orders and they went over and sat down.

It was kind of awkward at first, but then Seto said, "Can I say something, please."

Joey nodded his head and then Seto said, "I want to apologize for my attitude the other day, I was out of line, will you please forgive me."

Joey looked at Seto and could tell that he was telling the truth and Joey said, "Alright, but you still have to apologize to Jasper."

Seto held out his hand for Joey to shake and at first, he just sat there, then Joey shook it, and he said, "I will forgive you, but I can't forget what has happened. We can't ever go back to the way we were, but maybe in time we can be friends if that's what you want."

It hurt to hear Joey say that, but Seto didn't blame him at all. He said, "I'd like that, and Joey I really am sorry for hurting you, you have to know that I did love you."

Joey nodded that he understood, but he couldn't say anything because he was about to lost it and he didn't want to do that in front of them. Mokuba really had hoped that they could work out their differences, but he also understood how Joey felt and he didn't say anything.

When they food was delivered, they went into the kitchen and as they ate, Mokuba told them about Oxford and how he loved his studies. As Joey listened to what he was saying, he looked at Seto from the corner of his eye, he could see how proud he was of his brother, and Joey smiled.

When they were through eating, Seto asked Joey for one favor, could you please paint a portrait of the three of them before they left? Joey smiled and said, "I'd be glad to, just let me know when you want it done." Then he went into the other room, got his things and left.

When Joey got into the elevator, he put his things down and completely lost it, it hurt to know that he and Seto were through, he took several deep breathes and when the door opened, he went outside, got a taxi and went home.

After Joey left, Seto went over and was looking out the window and a tear ran down his face. They were through and nothing would ever change that, he wiped the tear off, went over and sat down and said, "I wonder how dad's doing?"

Mokuba hated to see Seto this way, but he knew that in time the pain would go away and he'd be back to the old Seto again. Mokuba sat down next to him and he said, "I hope that they can work things out, dad has the right to be happy."

Seto smiled at him and he said, "You're right he does."

When Joey got back to the apartment, he went inside and put his things away, and he went over and looked out the window and as he stood there, he thought back on the good times he and Seto had and a tear ran down his face.

Joey walked over, sat on the floor, opened his case, and started re-stocking it with paints and new brushes and when he was done, he walked over to the couch and that's when he found the note from Jasper. The note said, "I've gone to dinner with Roland, will be back later."

Joey smiled as he picked up the remote and turned on the television and watched some stupid show and waited for Jasper to come home. He laughed when he thought; I'm acting like I'm his mother.

As Roland and Jasper sat down at the table, the waiter handed them each a menu and then he asked, "Would either of you like something to drink?"

Roland looked at Jasper, and then he said, "We'll just have water please."

The waiter smile and left, he gave the cook their orders and brought back their drinks and as he walked away, Roland said, "I'm glad that we have this time to talk."

Jasper looked down at his plate and then he looked at Roland and said, "I know that I hurt you when I left, but I was hurt by you shutting me out of your life when Gozaburo asked you to help him raise his sons."

Roland reached out and took Jasper's hand in his, he said, "I realized what I was doing, but it was too late, you had already gone and well I didn't think that we'd ever have a chance to talk again.

When Mokuba said that Joey had come to New York and was working at Hollander's Gallery, well I nearly passed out, I prayed that it was you when I called and when I heard your voice, I knew that somehow I had to come and tell you that I love you and had never stopped loving you."

Tears filled Jasper's eyes as he listened to Roland and he said, "I know what you were feeling, because when I heard your voice I didn't know what to do or say.

When you asked me to keep an eye on Joseph because he was a close friend of Seto's, I knew that eventually we'd meet and I was scared that you wouldn't feel the same way that I felt.

Then when we met after being apart all those years, and you kissed me, well I knew that we still loved each other and I was so couldn't wait for us to be able to talk, because I was going to tell you that I didn't want to let you go ever again."

The waiter came and placed what they ordered on the table, they started eating and they couldn't take their eyes off each other. From time to time Jasper would blush and Roland would chuckle because he loved how he could still make Jasper turn red.

When they were done eating, Roland said, "Dance with me please."

He stood up and held out his hand and when Jasper took it, they walked over to the area where others were dancing, and as Roland took Jasper into his arms, they were lost in their own little world, and world full of love.

When the song ended, they walked out of the restaurant and got into the waiting limo, Roland took him into his arms and thoroughly kissed Jasper and this time Jasper returned the kiss.

When the driver stopped outside Jasper's apartment, and opened the door, they got out and Roland walked his to the door.

As Jasper was getting out the key, Roland said, "I don't want to leave, but I know that we still have some things to work out, so tomorrow will you come over so that we can talk to all the boys?"

Jasper smiled at Roland and he said, "I'll be there." Then Roland kissed him one more time then he went and got back into the limo and was gone. Jasper unlocked the door and went inside.

Please R&R..

Chapter Ten Coming Up..