Please note: I do not condone what Joey and Yami do in this chapter. In fact, I tried to argue with them. But, Joey has a gun…It is not wise to argue with someone who has a gun.
Sage:…..Are you retarded?
No! I am not retarded! I-*stands up*-am a writer!
Sage:…..Get off the counter, you moron.
-0-0-0-0-
It was idiotic. It was beyond stupid. It was suicide. All these things ran through Yami's head as he followed Joey down the road during the early morning hours. The blonde had barely spoken a word since they left the apartment just a little under an hour ago. Yami didn't know why he agreed to this, and more importantly, why he was letting Joey do this. If Joey did find Jack, and if he did…if he did manage to do something to Jack…he'd be throwing his entire life away. He'd go to jail faster than he could blink. Even if Jack deserved nothing less, Joey would've still killed a man. He wouldn't be any better than Jack.
Two wrongs didn't make a right.
But then again, why was he following Joey if he knew this was wrong? If things went how they should, he would go to jail for being an accomplice. He would throw his entire life away as well. He didn't want to send the next thirty years of his life in jail. But yet, he hadn't said anything to Joey to try and stop and convince him not to do it. And he hadn't turned around and gone home. He was just as guilty as Joey right now.
He didn't want to be responsible for a man's death, no matter how deserved it was. But when he closed his eyes all he could see was Yugi's near lifeless body lying on the dirty ground. That image alone sent anger and hatred through his veins so strong he thought it made his blood boil. He wanted, no he had, to do this. He had to do it to avenge Yugi. He had to do it to protect Yugi. Because as long as Jack walked on this earth, Yugi was in danger. The man tried to kill Yugi twice already; there was no question he would continue to try until he succeeded. He was a serial killer.
Yami looked over towards Joey. He could smell the agitation that was radiating off of his body. He could see the outline of every muscle, because Joey was holding himself so tense, they just seemed to pop out of his skin.
He looked like someone who wanted to commit a crime. Yami knew he should be trying to talk Joey out of it. He was supposed to be the adult in this situation. There had to be a better way to deal with this. Why couldn't they just call the police? They could handle this situation, and they could do it in a way that would not put Joey, Yugi, and himself in any foreseeable danger. For all Yami knew, he and Joey were walking into their deaths.
But all he had to do was look into Joey's eyes. He could smell the determination radiating off him, and he knew that it would do no good trying to talk to Joey. He had already made up his mind.
Either he died, or Jack died.
Suddenly, Joey stopped dead in his tracks, and Yami narrowly avoided bumping into him. He looked up and saw a large apartment complex. It was five stories high, and many windows were still dark, indicating that the people inside were still sleeping. But, Yami didn't think they'd be asleep for much longer. Not if he and Joey did what they came here for.
But there was still one question on Yami's mind…
"How do you know if he's here?" Yami asked. Joey tensed up and clenched his fists.
"I just do." Joey said quietly. His voice was snappy and harsh, but Yami was not affected by it. He, for the most part, was still emotionally numb, his mind trailing back to Yugi. Yugi, alone in the hospital. He was alive, but he had almost died.
"How?" Yami whispered. "How do you know he's here?"
"Something in my heart." Joey said. "It just knows. I can't explain it, but there is not a doubt in my mind that Jack is in there." Joey raised a finger and pointed to one of the few windows that had a light shining out of it. "In apartment 5-C. He's in there, probably drunk as hell, laughing his ass off. Because he thinks he's won."
Joey turned to face Yami, and for a moment he looked possessed. His eyes were dark and glazed over. His skin seemed to have turned an ashy color, making him look more like the walking dead than a human being.
"I can't wait to see the look on his face when I tell him he's lost." Joey muttered. Then, he bounded up the stairs and Yami was quick to follow, not thinking clearly anymore. He had to protect Joey. He knew there was no way he'd be able to explain things to Yugi if this went bad. If Joey died, Yugi would be beyond devesated.
And Yami knew he would be too. Joey had become a friend within these last few weeks. He and Joey may not have gotten along earlier, but that was all in the past now. They both were doing this to protect Yugi. But Yami needed to protect Joey as well. He hadn't thought of it earlier, but Joey had become like a brother to him. If he didn't protect Joey, or at least try too, there was no way he would be able to live with himself. There was no way he would ever be able to look Yugi honestly in the eyes again.
Yugi was the love of his life. Of that he had no doubts. Yami knew why they were here. Yami knew why they needed to do this. He had to make sure that for once in his life, Yugi didn't need to be scared. He wanted Yugi to feel loved and protected. He wanted Yugi to be safe and happy and well. And as long as this monster was still roaming the streets, none of that would be possible.
The two men reached the top of the stairs and were right in front of the door. Joey gripped the gun by its holster and motioned for Yami to be quiet.
Yami tensed up and exhaled. 'Be careful', he mouthed, too afraid to speak. Joey nodded then knocked rapidly on the door. Within just a few moments, it opened, and in the door way stood Jack.
….
…
…
"Well," he said, "lookie who it is. Tell me Wheeler, how's your head?"
Joey drew his gun out and pointed it straight at Jack's face, leaving only a few inches of room between them. "Get inside." Joey barked.
Jack raised his hands up in self-defense and took a few steps back so that he was once again inside the apartment. Joey entered and Yami quickly followed, closing and locking the door behind him.
"Eh, you brought him along?" Jack said, smirking. "This is such a nice get together. I wish you would've told me you were coming. I would've bought some nicer wine."
"Shut it, you bastard!" Joey yelled, the gun shaking in his uncertain hands. "You know why we're here."
"I suppose I do, don't I?" Jack said in a cooing voice. "You should be proud. Little Yugi faced his death like a man. He didn't even cry. Much."
Yami could see the struggle Joey was having as he listened to Jack speak. 'Why hasn't he done it yet?' Yami wondered. 'Why hasn't he shot him?' He could've done it already, and the two of them would be all the way down the block by now. What was Joey waiting for? A more opportune moment? Yami didn't think they'd have many.
"Little Yugi did it all for you, too. He died in an attempt to protect his so called friends. Isn't that sweet? He was far more concerned for your safety than his own. Enough that he agreed to meet me knowing he would die. I guess he has more balls than I gave him credit for."
Joey fumed. He wanted to pull the trigger, he desperately wanted too. He couldn't go listening to this mad man talk about Yugi like he was nothing more than a broken toy. He couldn't go on listening to Yugi be insulted and demeaned. He came here to do one thing and one thing only—kill Jack. Kill him so Yugi could be safe. Kill him so the two girls could be avenged. Kill him so no other human being would have to fear him again.
But he found himself frozen. All he could do was stand there as Jack continued to speak. The wording he choose and the tone he used was so distance, so inhumane, Joey thought he would be physically ill.
"You know, I'm glad he didn't die that first night. This one was so much more enjoyable. He had finally given up, just like he was supposed to one year ago. He had given up on everything and embraced death with open arms."
"Shut up…" Joey murmured, trying to find his voice, his authority. Under any normal circumstances, he would've been on this man's throat from the get-go. But now, he was hesitant. Why couldn't he just pull the damn trigger? That's all he had to do. Just one tug with his finger and this would be all over with. Yugi wouldn't have to worry about this creep anymore. Nobody would have to worry about this creep anymore.
"So tell me, Wheeler," Jack said, "when's the funeral?"
Joey felt an ironic smirk form at the corners of his mouth. Finally, Jack had said something Joey could use against him. He wouldn't have to be at a loss for words anymore. He could steal the control and power in this situation. He would be the one in control, and Jack would be the one begging for his life.
He still thought he had won, when in reality, he had the most important game of his life.
"I hope you're talking about your own." Joey said, looking Yugi's near murderer in the eye. "Because that's the only funeral that's going to be held."
"Still in denial, blondie? It's okay; it probably takes a long time to let the fact that your best friend is dead sink in."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. My best friend isn't dead."
Joey watched with pleasure as the smirk fell from Jack's face into a serious frown. His eyes darkened even more than they had before and he unconsciously took a step backwards. "What the hell are you talking about, kid?"
"You heard me." Joey said, his volume increasing as his confidence rose. "Yugi isn't dead." For some reason, Joey heard himself laugh. "He's still alive. You failed again, Jack! You failed!"
"The brat is still alive? How?"
Yami could see the veins in Jack's temples throb, and he knew that things were about to get ugly. But he wasn't going to stand in the background. He had the change to confront the man who had ruined Yugi's life; he wasn't going to let this opportunity slip.
"Because of me." Yami interjected, earning Jack's attention. "I found Yugi and I called the ambulance."
Jack scoffed. "I should've known. I should've done more than slash your tires. I should've killed you."
Yami gritted his teeth. He wasn't surprised to learn that Jack had been the one to sabotage his car. He should've known from the beginning that it was Jack who did it, especially considering everything that had happened to Joey and Anzu within the last few days.
"I'd seen you with him. At the restaurant, on the side of the road. You've done nothing but undo all the damage I spent a year inflicting! All of you!"
"Why?" Yami hissed. "Why do you want to hurt him in the first place? He did nothing to you!"
Jack smirked and his eyes seemed to relax. "Does anyone need a reason for anything?" Then, he turned his attention back to Joey. "So blondie. Are you going to kill me, or are you just going to stand there gawking?"
'Damn it,' Joey thought to himself. 'Just do it! Pull the trigger! Pull the damn trigger and kill this bastard, kill him and send him to hell, send him to hell where he belongs!'
But Joey still found himself trembling, the gun starting to feel very heavy in his hands. Why couldn't he do it? It was just one flick of his finger and it would be all over. Yugi would be safe. The two girls would be avenged. Nobody would ever have to worry or be afraid of him again. There would only be positive outcomes as far as Joey was concerned. He didn't care if he went to jail. As long as Yugi was safe, it would all be worth it. Nothing bad would come out of it.
So why couldn't he do it?
Joey swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat, and he found his arms growing tired. They fell some, and the gun ended up pointed towards the ground. Joey looked away in disgust.
"I can't do it." He said.
"Excuse me?" Jack said, in a mocking tone. "What did you say?"
"I can't do it." Joey repeated, louder and more aggressive. "I can't kill you. You deserve nothing less and you know it. But I can't kill you."
Jack smirked. "Of course you can't. It takes a strong person to take another life. I wouldn't expect someone as pathetic as you to be able to commit murder."
Yami watched carefully, and suddenly, and idea came to him. With Jack being too preoccupied with Joey, Yami discretely reached into his pocket for his cell phone. Without pulling it out, Yami was able to dial 9-1-1. All he had to do was wait and hope that the operator on the other line could hear what was being said; they could get a confession out of Jack. And then all he and Joey would have to do is wait for help to come. Everything would be okay. Joey didn't have to kill Jack. But that didn't necessarily mean Jack wouldn't kill Joey.
Yami could faintly hear a soft voice say, '9-1-1, what's your emergency?', but he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination or not. Either way, it didn't matter. Yami knew he needed to stall Jack long enough for him to say the right words, and for police to come.
"So," Yami said, raising his volume slightly, "you're saying you enjoy killing people?"
Say the right words, say the right words, say the right words and you'll get the right answers
Jack gave a Joker grin. "Enjoy is a strong word to use. The killing is nothing. I enjoy what leads up to that."
"You torture them!" Joey spat. "You tortured Yugi, and you tortured Amanda and Jackie! I know all about those cases. I've read everything on them!" Joey was nearly forming at the mouth by now, and Yami could feel himself tensing up. Jack would shoot him a look every now and then. Did he know he had called the police? Yami tried to be as relaxed as possible, but it was getting harder and harder with each passing moment.
"You mean you can actually read?" Jack said, "Wow. I guess it's not true what they say, then. Looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks."
"Enough of that!" Yami snapped. He had to keep the bickering going, but it would look odd if he didn't join in as well. He didn't need Jack to get suspicious. The police should already be arriving. They should have been able to trace the signal coming from his phone. Where were they?
Jack then dug into his pocket and pulled out a knife. It didn't take Joey or Yami long to realize that that had been the knife he used on Yugi. Seeing the weapon still red with his blood, Yami struggled to keep himself put. His thoughts were becoming animalistic. He wanted to charge at Jack and kill him.
But he couldn't. He just had to wait, and continue to keep Jack talking. It took every ounce of will power he had, but Yami was able to keep himself put.
"Now," Jack said, looking over at Joey, "I can see that you two know what this is. How does it feel, Wheeler, to see the weapon that almost killed Yugi? You don't want me to use this on you, do you? I don't think so. Now, put the gun down, and no one has to get hurt."
Joey wasn't sure what Jack was planning. A gun against a knife? Was there any question which would win? But, it wouldn't do any good if he couldn't get himself to pull the trigger. Then it'd be a matter of a knife against a blunt object…..Was there any question which would win?
Joey debated with himself for several moments, but it to him it seemed like eternity. Finally, he dropped the gun. If he died, at least he died trying. But even he knew that was zero consolation.
"Now, kick it over."
Joey felt like a robot as he did what was ordered. The gun slide across the floor and Jack bent down to pick it up. It was all over now. Jack was going to shoot the both of them. Joey felt guilty at having drug Yami into this. There was no reason for him to have to die too. This had been all his idea, anyways. Yami had even tried to talk him out of it.
And what about Yugi? He hadn't just failed Yugi. He had abandoned Yugi to go on a suicide mission.
'At least he'll have Anzu,' Joey thought, seeing that as his only silver lining. But even that was dull because then he realized he'd left Anzu too. He'd left her. He wished she was here right now, just so he could hear her voice one more time. He knew she'd be screaming at him, but it wouldn't matter because at least she would be there and he could tell her he loved her.
Joey swallowed and said a small prayer inside his head. He prayed that Yugi be okay. He prayed that Yugi didn't have to hurt anymore. And then he looked towards Jack, and saw the Grim Reaper.
"Say good night, boys." Jack said and pointed the gun towards Joey. Joey clamped his eyes shut and prepared for the pain. He never thought he'd die like this.
Just as Jack was about to pull the trigger, there was a loud slam.
"This is the police!" A voice called from behind the door as it knocked harshly once more. "Open up!"
The police? Jack seemed just as confused as Joey, but Yami didn't. Joey felt relief flood through him. Somehow, Yami had done it.
"I have hostages!" Jack shouted, which instantly brought back all the worry to Joey. "Come in and I shoot!"
Joey and Yami looked right at each other and they knew they were screwed. The police wouldn't risk their lives. But, they couldn't just stay in here forever. They needed to get the police in. And Yami knew just what he had to do. He had to make the police think they had already been shot. If they thought he and Joey were already hurt, then they wouldn't hesitate to break down the door.
"Come out with your hands up." The officer said, slowly and calmly this time. "Come out and nobody gets hurt."
"Oh, but people are going to get hurt." Jack said bitterly. "And there's nothing you can do about it!"
"And there's nothing you can do about it!" Yami said. Jack turned his head towards him.
"What do you mean?"
Yami took a step back. "You can't hurt us." Yami tempted. "You think you're all big and mighty, but in reality you're weak and spineless! You're a cockroach among men! I could take you!"
"Yami!" Joey hissed. "What are you doing?"
Yami ignored Joey and continued on with his plan. "You kill because you're weak. You can't handle the fact that you're nothing but a coward! You say you went after Yugi because he was weak, but that's a lie. Yugi's twice the man you'll ever be. He's Hercules compared to you! You're Narcissus. You like to hear yourself talk, but that's it. You. Are. Weak."
Yami felt himself breathing heavily, hoping his plan had worked. He would have to be fast, but he could do it. He knew he could. He had to do it for Yugi. He had to make it out alive for Yugi.
Jack scoffed and began to shake his head. "I'm going to make you eat those words." Then he raised his gun and pulled the trigger.
The booming sound echoed throughout the apartment and Yami dodged before he even heard it. He heard a lamp behind him shatter as the bullet collided into it and then he was back standing.
The knocking on the door was more rampant. "Open up!"
"I'll shoot them!" Jack shouted, his face turning blood red with anger, "I'll shoot them and kill them both!"
"You can try." Joey said, realizing Yami's plan. "But if you couldn't kill Yugi—"
He didn't even get to finish his sentence before he had to duck to avoid another bullet. This one hit the door, going through it completely. He could hear the gasps of surprise from the officers and hoped they would come in soon. Jack still had plenty more bullets, and Joey didn't know if he could dodge them all.
He heard the police beginning to kick at the door. They would be here any minute, Joey tried to tell himself. He just had to wait long enough. Jack aimed the gun at him again and Joey darted to his left, feeling the bullet graze his forearm. Joey let out a hiss out pain as blood began to drip down from the wound. But he would be okay. He hadn't gotten shot.
Three down, three to go.
The police began to pound on the door even harder. Joey could hear the hinges rattle. They were getting closer. They just had to wait only a few more minutes.
Jack shot another bullet aimed at Yami this time. Yami dropped to the ground , but never found out where the bullet went because he had to roll to avoid the next one Jack shot at him.
Then, the door busted open and four police officers were standing in the doorway.
"Freeze!" One of them yelled, but then swayed to avoid the bullet Jack shot at him.
"You won't take me!" Jack hissed. Then he pulled the trigger.
Click.
He pulled again.
Click.
Jack looked at the gun to try and figure out what happened, not realizing he had run out of bullets, when the officers charged and tackled him to the ground. Jack fought against them, but in the end, it was four against one and he was no match. They flipped him onto his stomach and managed to cuff him.
Yami looked over at Joey and their eyes locked. Each nodded. It was over. It was all over. Jack was going to go to jail. Yugi would never have to worry about him again. He would be safe. No one was ever going to hurt him again. Yami was going to make sure of that. He knew he loved Yugi. He had risked his life just to protect them. There was no doubt in his heart that he and Yugi were meant to be together. And now they could.
There would be nothing standing in their way now. Now that Jack was out of the way, Joey wouldn't see him as a threat anymore. Joey wouldn't have to feel protective over Yugi. They could all be together now, as friends, and maybe even family.
Three of the officers managed to wrestle Jack onto his feet and lead him out of the apartment and down the stairs.
The fourth officer came over the question Yami and Joey about what exactly had just happened.
It really was all over.
-Three Days Later-
Yugi was in the beginning stages of waking up. The doctor had said he could go home in a few hours, just as long as he was careful with his stitches.
The part Yami and Joey had been most stressed about was in progress. The two were talking with the CPS agent, Mrs. Sawyers. She certainly hadn't been too happy after learning that Yami and Joey had almost been murdered. She lectured them about being 'impulsive,' and 'reckless' of 'not thinking at all about the consequences of going after a serial murderer'.
Yami and Joey listened without interrupting. They didn't want to do anything to make her mad; she didn't need any more reason to take Yugi away and put him in an orphanage.
Yami had been too caught up in the heat with Jack to even remember that Yugi was at risk for getting taken away. Now he didn't know what to do. If Yugi got taken away, he'd die inside. And he couldn't even begin to think of how it would affect Joey. Joey had spent a good part of his life protecting Yugi and making sure he didn't get put in a home.
"And furthermore," Mrs. Sawyers continued on, "what if Yugi hadn't been in the hospital? What if you had taken him with you?"
"I would never do that." Joey said, and Yami could see the struggle Joey fought to keep his temper in control. It really hurt that he was being judged on his abilities as not just a guardian, but as a friend. "Yugi's safety has always been my primary concern! That's why I went after that bastard. I did it to protect Yugi."
"Mr. Wheeler, the evidence stacked against you is exceptional. I found in my records that you used to be a gang banger!"
Joey's eyes fell.
"You're a high school dropout and work as a bellhop. You're gone for sometimes two days at a time! You get drunk, even though you're under-aged, while Yugi roams around the city at night getting into knife fights. And then you go after his assailant!"
Having his sins being place out in front of him so blatantly was making Joey hate himself. Maybe they were right. Maybe he was unfit to be taking care of Yugi.
"I believe it is in Yugi's best interest that he be placed in a foster home. However,"
Joey's ears perked up. However? However was good right?
"My supervisor is convinced that your dedication to Yugi is enough for you to keep your guardianship. And, it appears that there is a statute of limitations."
"So," Joey said, "Yugi gets to stay with me?"
"Mr. Motou gets to stay with you."
Joey wanted to cheer and scream, but he did his best to remain calm. "Th-thank you." He said, as calmly as he could.
"I shall be checking up on your periodically, unannounced, until he comes of age to make sure you're doing as good a job as we think you're doing."
Joey nodded. "Yes, of course. Anything!"
Mrs. Sawyers smiled. "Have a good day, you two. Remember, I'll be keeping my eye on you."
-0-0-0-0-
By the time they returned to Yugi's room, he had woken up, and Anzu was sitting by his bedside, trying to engage him in conversation.
"You want anything to eat or drink?" She asked.
Yugi shook his head. "No thanks." His voice was hoarse and his skin was a little pale, but he appeared fine.
"You know what the doctor said. You have to eat something before they'll let you go home."
"But I'm not hungry."
"Just try to force something down. Even some soup is better than nothing."
"You're not going to let this drop until I say yes, are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine." Yugi sighed, though a smile came to his lips. "Get me some soup, please?"
Anzu ruffled his hair. "Sure thing, Yugi." She got up and left the room, stopping to say hi to Yami and Joey.
Joey walked up to Yugi's bed. "You ready to go home?"
Yugi nodded.
"Just so you know, I'm putting you under house arrest. Even if I have to handcuff you to the bed, you're not leaving."
"You don't trust me?" Yugi said, mimicking Joey's tone.
"I have to make sure you don't do anything stupid again. You almost gave me a heart attack."
"This is the thanks I get for trying to protect my friends?"
"This is the thanks you get for almost getting yourself killed."
Yami was amazed at the way the two communicated. Yami knew Joey was still upset at Yugi about keeping Jack texting him a secret, yet he was able to keep his cool and joke around with Yugi, who seemed not to be fazed by what Joey was saying. Yami thought some of it could be considered hurtful.
But that had to be the friendship the two had.
Yami wished that one day, his and Yugi's relationship would be that strong. Maybe even stronger. He was in love with Yugi. And he wanted Yugi to know that every day for the rest of his life. He wanted Yugi to wake up knowing that there was someone—several people—who loved him, and only wanted the best for him.
He wanted Yugi to know that there was no reason to be afraid of the World. He wanted Yugi to know that nobody was going to hurt him ever again. As long as Yami lived, he would do whatever it took to protect Yugi. If anyone even thought of hurting him, Yami would not hesitate to do whatever it took to protect Yugi.
Or Joey.
Or Anzu.
He cared about them just as much as he cared about Yugi. They had become his friends in this long process as well.
Yami knew Yugi loved him too. The doctors did an MRI of his brain during the three days he was unconscious. His hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory, was almost completely healed.
Yami knew his memory problems had gotten better over the last few weeks, but now they were almost gone.
He smiled. Yugi's life had finally gotten better.
-0-0-0-0-
Well, all that's left is the epilogue, which you shall see tomorrow! Does posting four days in a row make up for the inconsistent posting these last two months?
Sage: No.
Damn!...Well, at least this story is finally coming to a close. It's been hard.
Sage: Stop whining and make me a sandwich.
But—
Sage: Sandwich, wench!
….