AN: It's the morning after…no wonder no one's happy…

Many thanks as always to everyone who is reading my story, particularly those who take the trouble to review as it's such an encouragement (and often very funny), getting them just sends me off for the day in a good mood :)

This week, my especial gratitude goes to: Deck Divination, SmellyBelly69 (loads – always), Obi Wan Guestobi (Lol – don't think stifling it would be possible – glad you're enjoying), Ashley, Bella (he just might pick you), Jackie, Bill (lol – Harris has been a conversation point all week!), Acirederf, and guest…particularly to my 'regulars', looking forward to hearing from you.

"There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense." Jane Austen, P&P.

Chapter Seven

The next morning Joey was haggard with lack of sleep. Yami (who was not much better) explained to him the sequence of events which he had observed the night before and the interpretation which he felt may have been put upon them by Kaiba. Joey immediately went to the KaibaCorp building in an attempt to see Mai, but returned very quickly with the news that only more menial staff were now on the premises.

He had been refused entrance, but the doorman (the same who had rescued him weeks earlier) had told him that the beta testing was complete, all those involved had now departed and Kaiba had returned to his mansion outside the city. Further enquiry (and his sympathy for Joey's worn-down expression) led him to divulge that Mai had returned to collect her things the previous evening and then left immediately – having been taken to the KaibaCorp jet by one of the company chauffeurs.

As he conveyed these tidings to Yami, Joey seemed almost numb, his brother was alarmed by this apathy and attempted to lessen his despair.

"We don't know what's behind this Joey, perhaps she was called away by urgent family business…," he tried.

Joey burst into speech; he seemed to need to unburden himself of all he had been thinking so Yami just listened.

"Yet Vivian did not leave with her?" he almost yelled. "Face it Yami, she's left me…whether Kaiba told her…who knows what…or I pushed too far, too fast. She didn't trust me, didn't come to talk about it…and that's what hurts the most. Where is a future for us if she can't even talk to me? I know more of her history than you Yami, she's told me things - that when I read between the lines make me realise she's run from being hurt or exposed before. I thought we had more than that. I know it hasn't been long, but we had such a connection…or at least I thought we had. Who knows…perhaps I was wrong…maybe I was the only one feeling that way…it didn't seem so last night…it seemed so right…" He broke off, voice wholly suspended by emotion, and turned away. He didn't want to break down (again) before his brother and besides, what good would it do?

Yami looked at his back, his own throat tight with emotion and searched for something to say.

"Perhaps she just needs time Joey, give her some space, when she thinks about who you are inside, she'll realise you'll be there for her and not push her if she's not ready to commit. Mai is an honest woman; surely she'll see the honour in you."

Joey laughed bitterly, "I don't have any choice, she flew somewhere Yami, and she's blocked my calls. I wouldn't even know where to start looking…perhaps it's just as well…I don't think I could stop myself from going after her."

He lapsed into silence and the brothers sat like this for a while, Yami was determined to give 'moral support', even if he could think of nothing else to offer.

Eventually Joey roused himself from abstraction, "don't say anything to dad and Arthur about what you heard," he asked, "it would only upset them and there's nothing they can do. Who knows what 'rich-boy' may have told her, he sure wouldn't give me any credit, he's been looking down his nose at me for weeks. If she thought I had ulterior motives…she's been hurt before…but it's all speculation anyway…," he finished impatiently.

"What are you going to do now?" Yami enquired anxiously.

"What can I do? Just wait…and hope, and keep going. There's nothing else I can do! Don't worry Yami, I won't do anything stupid."

Joey looked at his brother; half-beseeching, half-defiant and Yami caught him in a rough hug. "I'm here for you Joey, anything you need - just tell me."

"Just speak to the family…I can't…for the rest…we'll just have to see."

The brothers parted. Joey clearly wanted some time to himself and said he was going for a walk. It was not an invitation so Yami went to speak on his behalf to the worried Arthur and Solomon, merely saying that Joey and Mai were having problems and needed to be left to sort them out. The rest of the family, sensitive to their brother's unhappiness reacted with solidarity, they were conspicuously (initially at any rate) thoughtful to Joey but respected his desire for privacy. On the surface Yami behaved in identical fashion but inside he seethed, sure that Kaiba was the author of his brother's misery.

In his mansion outside of the city, Kaiba was completing a similar conversation on the telephone.

"…I understand what you're telling me Mai, but you have to concentrate on the positives. Better to find out before it was too late and you were tied to someone corrupt, who just wanted to use you…ok, I'll be in touch, don't make me have to hunt for you."

As he hung up, he sighed and swung his chair around to gaze sightlessly through the window.

Mai was clearly not doing well; she sounded a shadow of her usual confident, sometimes brash self and there had been too many long pauses in the conversation where her emotions were obviously overwhelming her. Kaiba cursed under his breath, a whisper of angry sound in the quiet room, "that damn family…what a bunch of pathetic losers."

He continued the diatribe internally, 'why the hell did we have to stumble across them? Miserable scavengers out for all they can get, typical low-bred mongrels – no wonder they are so keen on Devlin.'

Abruptly the wrath left him and he just felt deflated and depressed, Mai was a casualty of this encounter and he felt that perhaps he had let her down. No-one knew better than he how little most people could be trusted or how venal they could become in pursuit of money or influence. He had not kept a close enough eye on her and she had ended up being used by unprincipled scum, he knew only too well how that felt.

He felt exhausted by it all and closed his eyes; unbidden - an image of Yami rose before him and Kaiba felt confused and dismayed at the inconsistency of his feelings. Part of the problem was that for some reason he didn't understand, he had thought Yami might be different. He wasn't sure why, but something within him had yearned for it to be so. It just confirmed what he already knew – emotions were not to be trusted. What a fool he was, as part of that awful family he was bound to bear the same taint and be just as ready to grab for all he could get. He needed to forget about Yami…longed to be able to dismiss him from his thoughts. Yet even in the face of all that had happened with Mai, he had not been able to do it. He disgusted himself.

It was Yami's usual practice when troubled in mind or spirit to unburden his heart to his best friend. Yugi possessed calmness, deep-seated kindness and an inner certainty that Yami knew he sometimes lacked, he himself could be both quick to anger and intolerant of other's weaknesses. It was rare that his chief companion was unable to offer him solace and advice.

Joey's current distress was no exception, a few days later Yami told him of the unfortunate occurrences and of his own speculations regarding the probable role of Kaiba in causing such wretchedness. Yugi was full of compassion and sincerely condoled with all concerned but was unable to offer any suggestions for encouraging a happy outcome and irritated Yami when he hesitantly pointed out that perhaps Kaiba could not be entirely blamed if he had misinterpreted the conversation he had overheard.

Once his initial ire was past, Yami considered Yugi's words and realised (despite a fierce desire not to) that there was some truth to them. Family loyalty - and knowledge of the facts and those concerned enabled him to see the real picture. Kaiba had none of these things and on the contrary seemed to have some attachment to Mai - from the little Yami had seen of them together. When he recalled his own sensations of that evening, he was aware that his family had not behaved well and felt shamed. However, his righteousness rekindled somewhat as he declared to Yugi that whatever Kaiba had heard, with his utter disdain so evident, he would not have hesitated to put the worst possible inference upon it and had probably reported in this manner also. With this interpretation, Yugi was in full agreement.

Despite the fact that Yugi had (as ever) been there for him when needed, Yami was aware that his friend had concerns of his own. Along with Solomon and Arthur, Tea had been a keen observer of Yugi's duel on that infamous evening and the two had spent the rest of the event together. They had been virtually inseparable ever since…either Tea was out with Yugi (or at his home – she got on well with his family) or he was with her at the shop. They too were clearly becoming seriously involved with one another and Yami thought wistfully of Duke Devlin on more than one occasion. Yugi had confided to him how very much he liked Tea and about his concern at her imminent return to her apartment and contract with Pegasus. He was going to miss her dreadfully and wondered whether the separation would mean the end of their involvement. Yami was as equally unable to help his friend with this issue, as Yugi had been with his own problems and Yugi determined to make the most of the days remaining in her company.

Joey was grateful for his brother's support but declared that he needed time alone. Thus it was that Yami found himself for some days bereft of the company of both his friend and closest brother and agreed instead to attend a dicing evening with Tristan and Ryou. Marik was invited to accompany them but was currently absorbed in playing an online game about world domination and waved them away with his rod in response to the offer.

Whether or not he acknowledged it to himself, Yami had an ulterior motive for attending the dicing event with his brothers, he anticipated that it might be the means of gaining news of Duke Devlin, nor was he disappointed. Upon entry he was immediately confronted by the sight of him, Duke was leaning lazily against an opposite wall, eyes heavy-lidded as he observed the play at a table nearby. An immediate gleam was apparent in those eyes as he observed the entrance of Yami and a small smile played about his lips as he detached himself from the wall and made his way over.

"Care for a drink?" He asked, inclining his head towards the bar, and as Yami agreed, he led the way and procured two stools.

After some initial desultory talk concerning mutual acquaintances, Duke admitted that he had decided not to attend the KaibaCorp event due to a disinclination to see Kaiba.

"I found," said he, "as the time drew near that I had better not meet him; that to be in the same room, the same party - with Kaiba for so many hours together, might be more than I could bear, and that scenes might arise unpleasant to more than myself."

"I quite understand your feelings," Yami replied, violet eyes kindling with anger as he brooded upon the likelihood that his family too was now suffering from interaction with Kaiba.

"Do tell?" Duke drawled lazily, but he was closely watching the animated face opposite as Yami related some of the events of the fateful evening which Duke had avoided. He felt an undoubted interest in this intense and vibrant gamer and looked with appreciation at the lithe figure, sharply chiselled jaw and sensuously curved lips. Duke could sense hidden fire in him, outward reserve concealing an unrelenting and challenging nature. He was an enticing combination and Duke was tempted.

Yami was only conscious of feeling relief at unburdening himself to such a partisan audience. Unsurprisingly Duke was very ready to believe that Kaiba was the villain of this piece and to abuse him accordingly. If Yami's conscience perhaps whispered that Duke was too prejudiced to give a balanced opinion, he resolutely squashed it.

The two enjoyed a mutually satisfying conversation and Yami felt the benefit of having vented his pent-up anger. At length they passed on to other, less personal topics, eventually returning to their shared interest in duelling. Yami mentioned several rare cards held by his father and Duke expressed an interest in seeing them, he thus accompanied Yami back to the shop and was introduced to the rest of the family.

Over the next weeks, the society of Duke Devlin was a significant benefit, helping to dispel the gloom which the recent difficult occurrences had thrown on many of the family (although Yami was still unsure of his feelings regarding any deeper relationship with him). They saw Duke often, and to his other recommendations was now added that of candour. The whole of what Yami had already heard, his claims on Kaiba, and all that he had suffered from him was now openly acknowledged and talked about. Everyone in the area heard about it and many were pleased to feel how much they had disliked Kaiba before they had known anything of the matter.

Tea had returned to her home as scheduled after a fairly long visit with her father's family, she had commitments to Pegasus and so was unable to remain longer. She and Yugi had decided they felt strongly enough to continue their relationship, albeit at a distance and Yugi had gone to spend the weekend with her on two occasions. He confided to Yami that time and distance had only served to strengthen the bonds between them. Christmas was now approaching and Tea was intending to spend some of the vacation with her uncle's family after visiting her mother and step-father, Yugi was counting the days until she arrived.

Solomon's family were expecting additional visitors, Arthur's nephew Rafael and his wife Ishizu were to stay for several days, bringing with them their young and lively daughter Rebecca. Rafael was an intelligent and thoughtful businessman who was very protective of his family; Ishizu was elegant, kind and also very clever. All three shared the family interest in duelling which always led to spirited conversations on such subjects as 'guardian and fairy decks versus spellcaster' or 'dragon based versus gambling'. Marik was particularly delighted, Ishizu had an amazing collection of Egyptian jewellery (even finer than his), she loved it as much as he did and he looked forward to the fun they would have comparing their accessories (and trying them on).

These 'cousins' were particular favourites with Joey and Yami who had stayed with them several times in their home outside the city, Yami was doubly glad they were coming as he hoped it would divert his brother and give him something to look forward to.

Joey's nature was not naturally desponding, and he gradually began to hope, though sometimes despair overcame the hope, that Mai would return to him and answer every wish of his heart. His anxiety under this suspense was, of course, painful but he wanted to conceal his feelings and between himself and Yami therefore, the subject was rarely alluded to. When others spoke of her he found it difficult but tried his best to bear the pain without letting it be seen.

Whilst they seldom spoke of it, (for Yami was particularly sensitive to his brother's anguish) Yami felt very differently about Mai's behaviour. That she was really fond of Joey, he doubted no more than he had ever done; but as much as he had always liked her, he could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on the apparent easiness with which she had surrendered to the opinions of others. It showed a want of courage and a lack of self-belief, to just accept the charges he was sure had been levelled against them by Kaiba. Had her own happiness been the only sacrifice, Yami would have been sorry to witness Mai's failure to trust her own judgement. It showed a lack of nerve (he thought) for her to run, but it also harmed Joey. It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing. He thought about it often; and yet whether Mai's regard had really died away, or was suppressed by her friends' interference; whatever was the case, his brother's situation remained the same, his peace equally wounded.

On one occasion he broached his feeling's to Joey, "I am far from thinking any part of Mai's conduct deliberate," he said, "but without meaning to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error, and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, mistrust and a lack of regard for other people's feelings has caused this. I shall not go on; I would displease you by saying what I think of someone you admire so much."

"Please don't say any more Yami," Joey had replied quietly. "I am not ashamed of having been wrong in how I dealt with Mai – at least, it is nothing compared with how I would feel to be thinking ill of her, let me try to view it in the best light I can."

Yami could not oppose such a wish; and from this time Mai's name was scarcely ever mentioned between them. That Joey still thought of her and wished she would return however, did not need saying – Yami knew it.

Rafael and Ishizu arrived as expected much to the relief of the rest of the family. Marik had been in an absolute frenzy of activity as the visit drew close, cleaning and polishing - earrings, bangles, arm-cuffs and necklaces - nothing escaped his attention (he'd be damned if that necklace would outshine the rod this visit), and as their car drew up he smugly waved it at his cousins. "Wow my dear, you're looking really fantastic," laughed Ishizu as she stepped out to greet them.

"You too Ishizu," Marik replied, unable to hide his slightly envious glance at her emeralds, he sighed, "I wish I could carry off stones, but it would just make me too tacky."

The greetings were affectionate between the two families and quickly moved inside to swap presents ("an Eye of Wdjat belly ring…cool Ishizu!") and chat companionably for several hours. Rebecca was delighted with the selection of cards which Yami had specially chosen for her and rifled through them happily, "Diamond Head Dragon and Ties of Friendship, thanks guys," she beamed. "Look at all these new cards Teddy," she murmured to her bear sitting down to examine them further. All enjoyed their first night together in some time.

Ishizu kept in regular contact with Joey and Yami via e-mail and was therefore aware of the unhappy events concerning the outcome of Joey's relationship with Mai. Having observed Joey covertly over the course of that evening she took the first available opportunity of speaking privately to Yami the following day.

"I was so sorry to hear of Joey's troubles," she began, her face filled with concern, "do you think she was as committed to him as he clearly was to her?"

"I have rarely seen such an immediate rapport as they had, and it certainly seemed to deepen into serious intent on both sides, to all of us she appeared besotted by him." Yami replied.

"I wonder why she left without a word?" She sighed, "Poor Joey, "I am afraid with his disposition, it may take some time for him to recover. I observed last night how quickly his normal high spirits deserted him when he thought no-one was would notice. Do you think he would like to come and stay with us for a few weeks when we go home? Perhaps a change of scene would do him good."

Yami thought this was an excellent idea and when it was put to him, Joey agreed thankfully. At present he spent all his time at home half-hoping that Mai would appear (without really believing it would occur) and was feeling worn out by the tension.

The Christmas holiday was busy, with several parties to which both families went. Ishizu had noticed the name of Duke Devlin appearing with some regularity in Yami's recent e-mails and was keen to both meet him and see them together. She was slightly disappointed. Duke was certainly a handsome young man and entertaining company but from what she observed of Yami's behaviour, her cousin was certainly not in love with him. Attracted and intrigued…yes, but she could not see any signs of real affection on either side. Duke certainly looked at Yami with speculation and some desire but she did not perceive any warmth. This made her a little uneasy and before leaving she decided to talk to Yami about it.

"I know that I'm interfering Yami," she began, "but I'm very fond of you and would hate to see you get hurt or used. I have nothing to say against Duke, he seems a very interesting man but I want you to search your heart before getting too involved and be sure it's what you want. Don't be cross with me for poking my nose into your affairs."

Yami's lips had tightened a little as she spoke, but they relaxed at her last entreaty and he gave his cousin a hug. "I love that you care so much about me, so I'll forgive you," he murmured, "and I promise to be careful, I'm in no danger of rushing in at the moment, I assure you."

In fact Yami was still holding back from getting more deeply involved with Duke, alluring as he undoubtedly was…something was missing.

It seemed that no sooner had Arthur's cousins departed (Joey leaving with them to stay for a few weeks), than Tea arrived. All were pleased to see her and she was clearly delighted to see her family in return but Yugi was overjoyed and the two spent large portions of her stay in each other's company. As her visit reached its final few days Yugi confided to Yami that Tea had asked him to return with her, he would get temporary work and they would see how they found living together. Yami was not really surprised and congratulated his friend, but he was saddened that Yugi would be moving away and knew how much he would miss him. He had no need to say this aloud, the two knew each other so well that almost before he had recognised the thought, Yugi voiced it - and invited him to visit in a few months' time.

"I shall be back before that for some week-ends of course, but I want you to visit me too Yami," he asked earnestly, "You will come, won't you?"

"Of course I'll visit you and Tea," Yami assured him gladly, "I'll look forward to it."

Eventually the two parted cheerfully, each knowing that whatever the physical distance between them they would always be close to one another.

AN: Two more new characters next chapter and one's another 'hottie', well…I think so anyway ;)

Btw can someone please convince Marik that - no…sapphires would not be just the thing to bring out his eyes…lol.

Hope you continue to read/follow/review, if so – see you next Friday :)