Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to the characters of Yugioh. But I will respectfully borrow them to use in my stories, thanks to fan fiction and Kazuki Takahashi.

WOW, I promise an update, so review and let me know you care . . . This has a little Ryou goodness, he beg for a stronger role, plus he has a big part in Joey's future. Enjoy . . . Thanks

Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko ,manganimewolf, SETO-KAIBA-LIFE you guys inspirited this chapter.

Oooooo

Chapter 18: Decisions

"Ah. . ." Joey sighed this was perhaps the most beautiful day in England since he arrived almost one year ago. Gone was the insufferable mist and constant fog. Although he had to admit the lustful rolling hills, fields with heather and green mountain top sprinkled with flowers in brilliant colors always took his breath away. It was a painters dream. Sometimes walking through isolated country towns and the simple life of its people made him forget the worries that plagued his complex life, but today Joey had it all he'd become the top freshman in his class and all honors were to be bestowed on him.

The school gathered in the small town of Ashburton, to celebrate its second year in operation. The town was a breath away from the school. Paintings and sculptures were displayed for local middle and high schooners' to view. These children represented the future and Joey never forgetting his past took this responsibility very seriously. With pride he explained the importance of working hard and never giving up on a goal.

"Where's that guy," Joey voiced to the small crowd gathered around his display. He looked on with dismay at Ryou's empty seat, next to his own booth. Ryou had been his companion for well over one year, was missing. He tried to text the young Brit but his phone was dead. Like Joey the sweet natured boy broke out of his shyness through his sculptures. The beauty behind his work brought tears to your eyes; both boys were tops. Aside from the art they were best buds always sharing.

'Ryou where are you, damn it,' he thought. 'Hope he's not in trouble. He's been acting a little strange.' Although they'd promise to watch out for each other, Joey felt a dark cloud move across his heart. Ryou had been coming home late and he wasn't very talkative. It was like the first few months of the boy's relationship, then a little curious about each other. Joey figured with the presentations, and finals maybe he was a little stressed. 'Oh well, I'll meet him at home, knowing him just didn't want to com.'

Late afternoon . . . .

Each step brought Joey closer to home and Ryou was still missing, but his instinct warned him of danger. He could almost smell the scent of pain; yes pain had a scent; you only had to know those feelings and suddenly he remembered the beatings from his father late at night, the unmistakable smell of alcohol, cheap women and blood. He could see the blinking lights from afar, right in front of the apartment building in which he shared the studio with Ryou.

Getting there was like a slow motion picture, his leg cramped and eventually he dragged the appendage along, his heart hurt ten times more. He step brought more visions of death that clouded his mind. Nightmares turned to day-mares and that snake was after his ass again, "Kaiba," he whispered and clutched the baby dragon around his hip. Yeah students laughed at him for carrying it around but he didn't care.

Feeling a black out coming on from the pain Joey dragged his body upstairs, just before officers started to put yellow tape across the entrance to his apartment. He would have made it past the officers who really didn't care; but a young detective stopped him.

"Hey you can't go in there, it's a crime scene!"

"But this is my apartment, please he needs me." Joey could see Ryou's unmistakable platinum blond hair and a slender arm hidden by the paramedics that worked on him with furious speed.

Joey peaked beyond the officers. Ryou's eyes were swollen from crying. Joey could feel his pain. At the sight of his hazel eyed friend, Ryou tried to move but the paramedics held him down.

"Let him through . . . damn I hate this job sometimes," barked the other guy.

One of the paramedics motioned for him to come through and he talked quickly and quietly to Joey as he shuffled towards his friend.

The quiet paramedic whispered, "We need to stabilize this boy immediately and transport him to the hospital. It's critical this leg is iced now!"

Joey moved closer his eyes moving down Ryou's body. "Aaah . . . no . . . man,"

"No . . . . Don't look down, just focus on keeping him calm, we don't want to use anymore drugs, he's such a little guy and he may have a head injury, plus there's no medical history," shouted the same paramedic.

Joey's eyes moved to a small box, one of the officers dropped something wrapped in a cloth inside. The Box was bright red and had a white x on the outside.

"I'm so sorry mate, I broke my promise," Ryou cried out, eyes trying to focus through all the bloody tears dripping down his face.

"Ryou not now, you can explain it later." Joey held his tears in check and pulled his attention away from the little red box.

Ryou didn't realize the lower half of his body was in a pool of blood. One of the emergency team members had his knee deep in it. Joey held the misty eyed boys hand while they lifted him into the ambulance. Somewhere in the back of his mind Joey remembered the comfort of slender fingers wrapped around his pinky, he applied the same pressure to Ryou's cold hand and squeezed tighter, but with care.

"Don't leave me, mate."

"Never . . ." whispered Joey, close to his ear.

Ooooooo

One hour later Joey still waited outside the emergency room filled with anxiety for his friend; it was torture. Voices drifted in and out of the door and nurses whispered in the hall, 'Damn I hate hospitals,'

"He's such a nice boy . . ."

"I heard it was a lover; yeah know nothing good comes from that . . ."

"He's so young,"

Joey gridded his teeth to keep it together, "They don't know anything."

Finally the doctor emerged and Joey blocked his path before he could move on to the next room.

"Doctor, please talk to me, please," Joey looked from the nurse to the balding man in the white coat, which was stained with blood.

"I know I ain't his blood kin, but I'm all he's got, and nobody wants to tell me a damn thing . . . please fix this. Won't you let me in?"

"Doctor Makubex that's the boy that rode in with the patient. He means a lot to you, young man?" the nurse volunteered, with a gentle smile.

"Yes, and there is no one here for him but me. Doc . . . yeah . . . . Know me I've been treated in here before. I ain't going to cause trouble."

"He's that special case, you know the boy from Kaiba corp." the nurse refreshed Doc's memory. She hinted about the new wing under construction.

"Oh, I remember now," he thought, 'maybe this boy had an answer, but the price would be high.'

"Doctor please give it to me straight." Joey wanted to pull on the doctor's shirt tail but instead he waited hoping the Doc would break the rules and let him be the support Ryou needed.

Dr. Makubex against his better judgment spoke candidly to the blond; besides they had tried to get in touch with some relatives of Ryou's but they didn't exist. Maybe this boy could help.

"Son, it's bad; his leg is severed to within decapitation. Only a few tough muscles and bone are keeping it together. Plus you know the box that was brought in with him contains a finger. We have less than forty-eight hours or reconnection will be too late. There are only two doctors in the world that can save his leg and reconnect his finger."

Joey leaned against the wall, "Go on I'm OK."

The nurse moved close to Joey, she knew the signs of despair.

"One of the doctors, an American is on the other side of the world doing peace work; the other will be arriving here in three days to perform a special surgery on a young man. The top medical community in England and Japan will be present to witness this once in a life time surgical procedure." Doc rubbed his balding head,' this job is a bitch, I hate it . . . all the despair its killing me.'

"Do you mean Dr. Megumi Hayashibara," Joey whispered.

"Oh you're that guy, I'm really sorry to put this burden on you too. You should be resting, preparing for your own." The doctor bowed low.

"Please don't do that . . . it's not important. We were going to celebrate tonight after the presentation. It would be the last operation to straighten out my limbs and restore complete mobility to my muscles," Joey mumbled. "But now . . ."

Joey closed his eyes he could hear voices from a faraway place, a dream gentle clouds, "Follow your heart, you're not alone," his baby sister spoke from heaven.

"Yes, I won't give in to the despair . . . . I won't," the blond vowed to himself.

"Ryou . . . he needs a lot of reconstruction, bone replacement. We don't have the skill or experience or equipment; at best" mildly the doc continued.

"But,"

"Son, there's a sixty percent he'll lose his leg."

Joey slumped down and screamed silently inside. "How much does he know, doc?"

"Well . . . we had to tell him." The nurse spoke, defending the doctor.

"But you left him to bare this alone. What kind of monsters are you?" Joey turned to the door.

"We gave him a sedative, he should be resting and in a little while he'll sleep," the nurse continued to babble. "What else can we do?"

"Dreams, dreams are hell, when they become nightmares," Joey realized he needed to be cool if he stood a chance of getting into that room. Ryou didn't have the strength or passion to face his demons alone.

"Ok, young man, just don't make me regret this decision. You can see him, but let him rest." The doctor and nurse moved on. The boy was history, one of many a nobody with no money. Joey opens the door.

Oooooooo

"Joey, I lied to you," Ryou lifted his head up and tried to reach out with his free arm.

"Hey man, chill, it's ok . . ."

"I love him so much, I'm so pathetic," Ryou turned away.

"Ryou don't push yourself!!"

"Joey will you hold me . . . I'm scared." Ryou trembled with fear.

Joey moved to the head of the bed and cradled Ryou's upper body as best as possible in his arms. All the tears he wanted to cry knotted somewhere deep in his chest. Oddly enough the embraces relaxed the boy and drew deep comfort. Many nights in the past the situation was reverse, they needed each other just to survive.

"I think I can tell you now, mate. I . . . I been seeing my old man. I couldn't help it . . . he called and well told me he was sorry. I knew it was a lie but. . . I wanted to believe it mate. At first it was just the sex . . . . . I missed him doing me . . . . It was always good, even when he hurt me. This time he didn't hurt me. Joey it's been three weeks and he's been so nice. He even gave me a ring. Only hit me one time and it was really my fault. I was so sore from doing it all night and he got mad cause I didn't want to." Ryou paused as if he realizes just how sick this relationship had slipped.

Joey stroked his hair, "I got you, go on."

Ryou coughed and out popped two small oval pills. "I didn't want to dream anymore, I know I'm acting like a little bitch."

Joey took the pills and placed them underneath Ryou's tongue. He then took a mouth filled with water and he kissed the boy deeply forcing the pills and water down his throat.

Ryou pouted and accepted Joey's treatment; maybe the dreams wouldn't be so bad with Joey in the room.

"He kept asking about you and where we stayed, finally I let him come over . . . . Just to take me to the show this morning, but he wanted to come in for a minute. We had sex and never left. That's all he wanted just a little sex, but the evil one came out!!! I thought he was going to kill me, and then I saw the knife in his hand."

Joey covered his lips again just to stifle the words and images he could sense; he didn't have to hear the horror that dwelled in the boy's mind. He'd been there before.

"Joey I don't want to lose my leg!! What am I going to do? I'd rather die . . . my work . . . my life it's all over." Ryou buried his head deeper inside the warmth of the blond's shoulder.

"I promise, you're not going to die," Joey whispered against his soft head of hair.

"But my leg, Doc told me, didn't care . . . just said it like . . . reading a damn story."

The nurse walked in and attempted to usher Joey out. "He needs to rest."

"Joey please don't go. I know they'll cut me if you leave!"

"Ryou ain't goin' happen. I swore it to you, not while I'm alive." He kissed the boy's pale forehead and gave him another sip of water just like before. The nurse turned away.

"Sleep, I'll be close, got it."Joey smiled all the way out of the room. He wanted to think about the gentle friend that had been by his side for the past year, laughing and causing mischief. Joey had his little dragon, but Ryou had nothing but rotten luck and a psycho for a boyfriend. How could he judge or abandon him.

Oooooooo

There was only one thing Joey could do, he picked up the phone and dialed a number he'd never thought he would have to use.

"Damn it!! Answer the phone, Kaiba."

Pegasus looked at the beeping signal on Seto's mini phone, which was attached to the lapel of his Italian silk suit jacket. Carefully he removed the phone and recognized the caller, 'that damn mutt.' Pegasus hit delete and smirked. Next he called the brat after making sure Seto was out of hearing range; still in his private shower.

Seto had his own way of getting over Joey. After that last phone call he promised that he'd stay away from his puppy; it was just too hard to be the cause of his suffering. So Seto sunk deeper into his work, if possible and drank a little more than usual.

This weekend Pegasus held a grand event at his castle and between Mokuba's whining and the toon master's harassment he decided to go. Big mistake because just walking around a pool in a three piece expensive suit after drinking a Max cocktail was the wrong thing to do. Kaiba was pushed into the pool and drenched from head to toe, or course his drink was spiked and that was no accident, falling into the pool.

Pegasus dialed Joey up, "Hey I know you are there! Cat got your tongue," Pegasus cooed.

"Ok, we'll play it your way, you just called Seto and he's busy in my shower; perhaps I could go and knock on the door, but he's all wet and yummy,"

Joey's heart stopped, "Damn you . . . . I . . . Pegasus I don't have time for games."

"Ohh . . . little warm are we." Pegasus snickered.

"Pegasus, I'm serious . . . I need your help." Joey's right hand went to heart; he felt sick. "Will you help, it's for a friend."

"Oh, puppy wants a hug," The toon master wasn't a fool; he could hear the stress in Joey's voice. But he couldn't help gloating.

Joey slams the phone down, 'I'll find another way, I promise Ryou.'

"Shit. . . . That didn't go to well." Pegasus though. 'He's an irritating bore. What could Seto see in such a waste? I'll deal with that annoyance later.'

Max walked to his large suite with the adjourning bath room and spa, "Hey Kaiba-boy, here's your coffee and a fresh suit of clothes . . . . Custom made to fit your gorgeous body." Pegasus glazed at the handsome man; he had a fluffy Calvin Klein bath robe draped over his thin body, it was his favorite maker. Seto didn't bother to close the robe; he was so use to being alone.

"Cut the crap," Seto knew he'd been set up. But secretly he needed a relief, a way out. 'Maybe Pegasus could offer some amusement. "I shouldn't be here; you know I don't like crowds."

"So cold, these are very impressive business associates." Pegasus walked up closer, his breath on Seto's neck. "I hope these fit."

"Ass wipes that's what they are . . . and you can't expect me to wear this shit," Seto fingered the black silk boxers, he knew from the feel they were woven from the special collection he used. 'Shit he went to a lot of trouble,' Seto warmed up to the game, two can play.

"Don't hide it Kaiba-boy, I know your taste, your size, and what you need." Max backed away, "I'll give you a chance to change. Those pants are quite the rage and the shirt is Indian Cotton, only the finest. You don't have to wear the boxes, but I would so enjoy taking them off."

"Hai,"

"The guests have all retired to the north wing. We can enjoy a coffee and discuss a little business or otherwise", Max winked, at least Seto hadn't flicked him off.

"What I want, you don't have, Max. How childish of you, first you spike my drink; next you push me into that cold ass pool. But my clothes you can be very clever. Is this what you're looking for?" Seto turned around and like a high class stripper he dropped the robe. The CEO radiated sensuality, even though he was a little thin, he was still tone beyond believe and he knew it.

"Shit," Pegasus tripped over the small antique night stand and spilled the coffee over his white Persian rug. Seto chucked deep in his throat. "FOOL!"

Max left before Seto could smart off at him.

In the privacy of his study, the toon master called Joey back, his hands were still shaking, "Joey, it appears we were disconnected, let's get down to business." 'I'll be damn if he interrupts us again.'

Joey was near tears he'd just walked out of Ryou's room, his temperate was rising. "Kaiba is that you, Kaiba . . . ." He cried out. It was instinctive be it in dreams or not, Kaiba would always be in his heart, he needed his dragon so much it hurt.

"Kaiba he's in so much pain . . . . And I can't help him . . . I know you hate me . . . but please," Joey started to sob.

"Joey . . . Kaiba is not here, let me in . . . Pull you sorry ass together," Pegasus barked, he didn't have time for this.

"He's goin' die . . . It's his leg . . . Ryou needs that Doctor; the one who's going to do my leg. Please you got to fix it Pegasus . . . Kaiba," Joey couldn't think straight, his heart started to break in two.

"Joey, calm down . . . are you alone." Pegasus lowered his voice. 'This is all I need; he's in trouble, Seto will be there in a minute if he gets wind of this shit. ' "Ok listen, where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital," Joey crocked.

"Shit, are you hurt?"

"No!! Its Ryou, he's been cut and his leg it's gone . . . . It broke! You gotta help him." Joey's outburst brought a nurse to his side. He dropped the phone. 'Ok, I have to calm down; breathe.'

"Joey . . ."

The nurse picked up the phone and spoke to the Toon Master; she explained everything.

"Joey, I'll make the arrangements, but you must understand only one surgery can be preformed. If the doc does this one she can't do yours. You'll always be a cripple." You could almost see the white haired devil smiling.

"I don't care . . . just do it?" Seto was lost to him.

"Everything has a price, everything" Pegasus whispered into the phone.

"I'll do anything . . . anything . . . just save his leg." Joey fully awake waited for his world to come crashing down; he'd didn't know just how high it would be. "I'll pay you back, I swear it!"

"Oh, I intent to collect starting right now!!" Pegasus spoke, victory on his lips.

"Now,"

"I want your promise to stay away from him," his voice dripped venom.

"Him!!"

"Ah . . . little puppy . . . Is that what you are to him? Find another master, I've just cut the collar and burn the doggie tags." Pegasus howled with laughter.

The nurse rushed into Ryou's room followed by a team of doctors.

"You are to stay in that dreary country town and finish school. Stay away from Japan and him, he's mine!" Joey jumped he could hear the toon master's teeth grind together.

Joey watched as doctors and nurses moved rapidly in and out and within moments Ryou was wheeled out into the hall, his leg was covered in a huge metal tent, and an additional box was attached to the side of the bed on wheels.

"This can't be happening . . . It can't be happening, not again." Joey wiped his eyes, maybe his vision just needed to be cleared.

"Joey, I'm waiting." Pegasus purred his dream of possessing Seto felt good. With each moment it grew closer and closer. 'Now only the little Kaiba remained his boy toy,' he trembled with desire at the things he wanted to do with Seto and smiled at the lessons he'd given Mokuba. 'Back to the present,' "Joey I'm waiting."

"But my family . . . my friends," Joey watched as the bed with his companion turned the corner.

"Fine . . . one or two legs I don't care," spoken from the man with one eye.

"Ok," the young artist sighed.

"What . . . speak up?"

"YES . . . I'll do it." Joey drops the phone and watched as tears pooled around his feet. The little dragon strapped to his waist was his only salvation. He squeezed it tightly and followed the rolling bed around the corner.

Oooooooo

Hey, thanks, bows low,

R/r is much needed and appreciated.

A/N: Sorry I gave a preview of Joey getting off a plane, but it was too early. Ignore that and let's move on. Gosh I hope you like this little twist. Sherabo

Ok folks, It's your story . . . Who will have the surgery? Joey/Ryou Will Pegasus get caught or be allowed to continue his devilish ways? Should Joey be allowed to return to Japan? IT'S YOUR STORY, have fun!!!!