Yu-Gi-Oh!

The Return of a King

Chapter 6:

Close Call

As Atem jogged alongside the gurney carrying the injured body of his love, his only thoughts were of her safety and healthy recovery. He prayed that the gods would keep her safe and protect her from further harm. As they reached the examination room that had been designated for her, the nurses and doctors that had brought her in asked that he wait outside until they determined the extent of her injuries, much to his discomfort and displeasure.

Nonetheless, he obliged with a short nod as he sat heavily in a chair opposite the door, his head falling into his hands as he mentally berated himself 'I should have been with her. I could have protected her…' After what seemed an eternity, a doctor emerged from the room, causing Atem to stand abruptly.

"How is she? Is she going to be alright?" Noticing Atem's concern, the doctor asked him, "Are you her boyfriend?" Atem, though confused as to why he would ask that question, nodded in the affirmative. Smiling, the doctor placed a hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"She has at least one broken rib and a definite concussion, as well as several hairline fractures to her spine from the impact of the crash. The broken rib, I am relieved to say, just barely missed piercing her lung. I am glad that we were able to get her here as quickly as we did. However, she is stable and, as soon as we get her injuries taken care of as best we can and give her medication for the pain, you may be able to see her."

"Thank you, sir." Atem bowed in thanks.

"You're very welcome. Though, due to the extent of her injuries, I would recommend that she remain here until we can be sure that her injuries are healing as they should." At this, Atem reined in the urge to deny the doctor's request, but knew it to be for the best. "Very well. Do what you can for her."

After what seemed another eternity had passed, the doctor emerged once more. "Miss Ishtar is sedated and resting comfortably, so you may go in and see her now. Because of the fractures to her spine and ribs, I do ask that you keep her from moving if she should wake."

Nodding, Atem pushed open the door, his heart aching as he saw her laid out on the hospital bed, various monitors assessing her vital signs. Pulling a chair beside her, Atem sat as he took her hand in his own, relieved when the doctor left to give them privacy.

As his eyes fell upon her face, though relatively peaceful in her sleep, Atem could only imagine the pain she must be in. At this thought, his head dropped as he squeezed her hand, a single tear falling onto their entwined hands. "Ishizu… I'm so sorry. I should have been there."

It was then that Atem felt her hand tighten around his briefly.

"Atem? Where am I? What's happened?" Ishizu spoke weakly. Hearing her words, Atem's head shot up as he placed a gentle hand on Ishizu's shoulder. "Do not move, my love. You have sustained quite a few injuries and any movement could make things worse. Just rest now, beloved. I'm here. And I promise, I will explain everything soon."

As Ishizu succumbed to sleep once more, Atem brushed a strand of hair from her face, just as the doctor returned. Standing, Atem bowed respectfully. "I need to tell our friends, as well as Ishizu's work place what has happened. Notify me immediately if there is any change in her condition." With that, Atem pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket, writing down the number for his cell phone.

Nodding, the doctor took the paper. "If there is any change, I assure you, you will be the first to know."

Thanking the doctor, Atem made his way from the hospital and back toward the scene of the crash which, thankfully, was a relatively short distance. Recovering his bike once he'd arrived, he climbed on and sped toward Solomon's shop.

As he reached the shop, Atem parked his bike, pulling off his helmet as he walked up the steps. Opening the door, he was greeted by Yugi, Téa, Joey, Tristan, and Serenity. Noticing the expression on Atem's face, Yugi asked what was wrong.

"Ishizu's been in an accident and is currently in the hospital." At the shocked faces of his friends, Atem sat on the couch as he relayed what he had seen and the events following the discovery of the crash, as well as the extent of her injuries.

"Well, Atem, you should probably tell the museum what happened, if they don't already know. Then, go be with her. She'll need you now more than ever." Surprised at Yugi's words, Atem glanced to him. "How did you find out? About us, I mean."

Chuckling, Yugi shook his head. "Please, we've known each other for how long now? Besides, I know when someone is in love from experience. So, get to the museum and tell them what happened, then get your five thousand year-old ass back to the hospital."

Smiling, Atem shook his head before waving goodbye to the group. "I'll be sure to let you know when she's awake and well enough to talk if you want to stop by." With that, Atem climbed back onto his bike and made his way to the museum.

As he pulled up to the museum, Atem parked and made his way up the steps, stopping at the reception desk. "Hello, I'd like to speak to the director of the museum, please? It's an urgent matter concerning Miss Ishtar." Nodding, the receptionist called for the director, who appeared a few minutes later. "I understand there is some news you have concerning Ishizu, mister…"

"Atem", he smiled as he extended his hand. "Please, call me Atem, sir."

As the director shook his hand, the man smiled. "Very well, Atem. What is it you wished to inform me of? We've been unable to contact Ishizu all day and it is not like her to miss work."

"That is why I'm here. You see…" Atem spent the next few minutes explaining in detail the circumstances of what he had witnessed, as well as the aftermath and Ishizu's current condition. With a heavy sigh, the director nodded. "I see. You wouldn't by chance happen to know the name of the man who was driving at the time of the crash, would you, Atem?"

"No, sir. Though I would certainly recognize his face, were I to see it again." At this, the director moved behind the desk, pulling up a few files and printing them out, the files consisting of pictures and information concerning Ishizu's assistants and security detail. "Recognize any of these men?"

As Atem scanned the pictures, his eyes fell upon the exact picture of the driver, and it was all Atem could do to suppress the rage in his voice. "That's him, sir." He said, pointing out the driver of the limo.

Nodding, the director singled out the picture. "You can rest assured that this man will be found and charged accordingly, Atem. I do not take threats to my colleagues' lives lightly. Once Ishizu is feeling well enough, tell her that she need not worry about her work until she is fully healed and that all of her financial needs will be taken care of until she is fit to return."

Bowing politely in thanks, Atem smiled. "Thank you, sir. I'm sure that will be a weight off of her shoulders, as I know how she hates missing work." With that, he bid the director farewell and made his way back to the hospital.

Arriving at the hospital, Atem made his way to Ishizu's room, finding her to be still sleeping peacefully. Sitting again in the chair beside her bed, he took her hand to let her know that she was not alone and began singing softly in Kemetic. As he sang, he looked down at her peaceful features, hoping that she would recover quickly, but vowing to be by her side through every threat that might present itself. "You spent two lifetimes protecting me, my love. Now, allow me to return the favor."

Soon, a ringing from his phone interrupted his song. Pulling it from his pocket, he answered. "Yes?" It turned out to be Yugi on the other end, informing him that world news headlines had picked up on Ishizu's accident, reporting on a car crash involving the Secretary General of Egyptian Antiquities. Naturally, Marik and Odion had caught one of the broadcasts and had informed him that they would be on the next flight.

"Well, it will be good to see the two of them again, Yugi, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Still, it will be quite amusing to see their faces, as I'm not sure if they know that I've returned."

A slight laugh from Yugi signaled his agreement as Yugi informed him that they would be arriving within 48 hours, to which Atem agreed.

Saying his farewells to Yugi, Atem smiled as he lightly squeezed Ishizu's hand. "Marik and Odion will be here soon, my love. You'll have your family here to support you every step of the way."

A/N: Here's chapter six. As always, feel free to comment and tell me how I'm doing. Ideas for future chapters are appreciated as well.