Joey's POV

You stared down at the table in the arcade, drumming your fingers. Just across the table, Tea was staring at you and you knew you were beginning to annoy her, but right now you didn't care.

"Joey, would you puh-leese stop that?!" she finally snapped.

"Sorry Tea."

"What's eating at you anyway? You haven't touched your pizza. Are you sick?"

"No."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I dunno. I just don't feel right about Miya taking off and leaving like she is."

"Oh come on Joey. They've been through a lot lately and finally have a chance for a break. Miya and Aaron need this. Maybe getting away from here for a while will help. Did you see her after the tournament? She looked like hell."

"I know, but still. Every time she lets her guard down, something happens."

"That's how our lives seem to always work Joey. Every time we think we have a break, some crazy looney comes to stir the waters. We've just learned to deal with it, and so has Miya."

You let out a heavy sigh. You knew Tea was right, Miya did need to get away for a while. Yet, something about it still didn't seem to sit right with you. Everyone knew you still had some lingering feelings for Miya even though you had recently started seeing Mai in a romantic way, and the fact that she wasn't telling anyone where they were going bothered you even more. You glanced at your cell phone just as it turned 6:00pm.

Miya and the boys would be leaving in about an hour, and you had yet to hear from her.

"Joey, she said she'd call before she left. If she had enough time and felt up to it, she even said she'd stop by. You know how she is. She always plans but still ends up doing things last minute."

"I know, Tea. Would you just drop it?"

"I would but you're my friend. Not to mention, your sulking is making it rather difficult for me to enjoy my dinner." she said plopping the rest of her pizza back down onto her plate. "Why don't you go call her if you're so worried about it?"

"I don't want to bother her."

"Yet you'll sit here and bother us with your love triangle drama?"

"Love triangle?"

"Oh please. We all know about you liking her and her liking you. Plus I know about the night you two spent together in my guest bedroom. I'm not as stupid as I look, no matter what Kaiba says. Also, I've heard stories from Serenity and your mother."

"Gah! Those two can never keep quiet about anything."

"I won't say anything, and Yugi won't either. We both know everyone would be in a lot of trouble if word of that got back to Kaiba."

"Yugi knows too?"

"Of course he does. He was the first to guess what happened. So Joey, just go call her already."

You got up from your seat at the table and fumbled your phone around in your hand, your thumb lingering over Miya's name.

"Hey guys! I figured you'd be here!" came Miya's voice from the front door.

"Hey! We thought you'd forgotten about us and took off into the wild." called Yugi's chipper voice over the numerous video games.

"Of course I wouldn't forget about you guys. Even if I'd wanted to, I doubt that would be humanly possible even with the help of a millennium item." she said with a laugh.

"So are you going to tell us where you're going?" Tea said, placing a hand on her hip.

"I told you, I can't. It's a private location. I'm going on vacation and I don't need anyone else knowing where I'm going. My friend has done everything he can to provide as much security as possible. I wouldn't want to risk his hard work."

"Well, where ever it is...We hope you have fun and find some time to relax. Maybe some of that will finally rub off on Kaiba." Tea said sarcastically.

"Tea, you know as well as I do...that will probably never happen."

You weren't sure what to say to her. Tea had been right. Even after almost 3 weeks, Miya still looked like death warmed over. Her wounds, scrapes and bruises were still visible, although they were beginning to fade. Her naturally tanned skin still seemed to take on a paleness. Hopefully they were going someplace warm and calm. Hopefully she'd be back to Miya when they got back.

"Can I talk to you for a second Joey? Alone?"

"Uh sure." you said following Miya into the empty party room at the back of the arcade. "Everything alright?"

"Oh yeah, everything's great. But, I can't seem to say the same about you. You look terrible Joey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Joey, you can't lie to me. What's wrong?"

"I...I'm just worried. I don't like the fact that Kaiba's taking you away to some unknown place for who knows how long."

Miya sighed and smiled gently, taking your hand in hers.

"Joey, I know. I'm kinda worried too."

"You are? Why?"

"I've never actually had a vacation. I'm constantly worried that something bad in going to happen. That's why I need this trip. I'm hoping it will put but paranoid mind at a little bit of ease. If I don't, I'm going to end up like Seto."

"Hah, god forbid. We can't have that." you said with a smirk.

You watched as Miya slid into a chair and slighting hung her head. You bit your lip lightly as you slid into the chair across from her.

"What else is going on in that head of yours Miya?"

"I'm sorry Joey. About everything."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry about what happened between us at Tea's and..."

"Hey, it's alright."

"No, Joey. It's not. I caused you a lot of heartache, and I feel terrible for it."

"Miya, I'm not sorry for it. I'm just sorry you didn't leave Money Bags for me, but that's not my choice. If you're...happy with him, then I'm happy. Besides, I've kinda got Mai."

"Kinda?"

"Yeah, she's not much of one for commitment. But maybe that's what I need right now."

"Oh Joey. Don worry. You found love in our past, and I'm sure it's waiting for you in your future. Who knows, it may not be that far off."

"Sometime I wonder if that item of yours shows you more than you let on." you said with a raised eyebrow.

"If I did, I doubt we'd get into half the trouble we do. I just have to piece together things from our pasts and see how they might relate to us now, and for the most part it's hell."

You both looked out the window as the limo honked its horn.

"Well, Seto and the boys are waiting for you."

"Well they can wait another moment. The plane's not leaving til 7, and he promised I'd have at least 20 minutes in here before we left. He knows how important you guys are to me and that you'll be around, no matter how much he hates you."

"Good to know. You know how much I love tormenting him."

"I honestly think you guys enjoy each others company, even if it is just to belittle each other down to nothing. If so, you guys really need your heads examined."

"Eh, we'll be alright. We haven't killed each other yet."

"Yet, being the key word. But you know as long as I'm in the middle, I won't let that happen."

"Awe, you're so thoughtful."

"Shut it Joey, or I might have to let some blackmail slip."

"Psst. What blackmail could you possibly have on me?"

"I do speak with Serenity frequently, and your mother messages me at least once a week."

"Does she really?" you asked, some of the color draining from your face.

Your POV

You couldn't help but giggle at the look on Joey's face. He really did mean the world to you, just as Yugi, Tea, Tristan, and the others all did. They may not have been blood family, but they were family none the less. In truth, this vacation was really your chance to sort things out and maybe be able to start fresh when you returned after the New Year.

"I'll try and keep in touch as best I can while we're gone. But I'm not going to be breaking my own rule."

"What rule?

"I told the boys and Seto that we're going to try and stay away from electronics and modern technology as much as possible."

"Sounds like a decent idea. Not sure how Rich boy's gonna handle that one though."

"Well he's a little different. We'll be keeping tabs on the company, but I won't let him be glued to it 24/7 like he is now. He hasn't left his office in a week, trying to get everything settled before we leave."

"Speaking on which, it's getting close to your take off time and I'm sure everyone else wants to say bye. Can't hog you all to myself."

As Joey turned to walk back and join the others, you grabbed his hand. You weren't sure why, but you felt the sudden urge to hug him, but before you could he pulled you close and wrapped you tightly in his arms.

"Be careful Miya. We all expect you back home in one piece, and in better condition than you are now okay?"

"Of course Mother." you snorted at him as you backed away.

Back in the main Arcade, they all scattered from the door as you opened it trying to make it seem like they hadn't been eavesdropping. Duke, Bakura and Tristan were all sitting at the nearest table while Tea and Yugi were on the floor.

"I'm sure Joey will fill all of you in on the details of our conversation, so don't strain yourselves too much." you giggled as you held out hands to both Yugi and Tea.

"You know I have to be involved in everything that happens in our little group." Tea laughed.

"I know. Well guys, sorry to cut things short but I've got to be heading out. If we miss our scheduled flight time, we might cause the Japanese government to go into chaos."

They all got up and made their rounds to hug you good bye, Joey again at the end of the line.

"Be sure to tell Mom and Serenity I said Good bye as well? I know she's out of town for school and Mom was at work, so I wasn't able to see them."

"Sure thing Miya. Go have fun."

Waving one last time to everyone, you made your way back out to the awaiting limo.

"How'd your talk with Joey go?" Seto asked, his arms folded across his chest.

"I think it went well. Much better than I had expected."

"Did you tell him I know about everything?"

"No. I don't think he needs that hanging over his head right now. But I'll tell him when we get back. In fact, I'm surprised you took it as well as you did."

"I can't say I liked hearing that you and Wheeler were...that close. But I can't say I didn't have it coming. I'm not the easiest person to get close to, or be around."

"Let's just forget about all of that. We'll go pick up the boys and hop on our plane and be on our way."

"Still not telling me where we're going are you?"

"Nope. Told you it would be a surprise."

"You're a little bit evil you know."

"Evil? What makes you say that?"

"Well, you won't let me plan surprises for you, yet here you are planning a pretty big one. So I consider that to be a little evil, not to mention a little unfair."

"At least with my surprise I'm not spending a whole lot of money."

"How?"

"I have my connections. Sam isn't letting me pay for anything. Our trip is really a gift from him."

"Oh? So you'll let this Sam guy buy you gifts."

"Oh stop it. Sm's almost like a Step-dad to me."

"How can you trust anyone who you knew through Lex?"

"Sam's got nothing to do with Lex. I simply ran into him on a mission. He is in no way affiliated with Lex. Matter of fact, Sam's been telling me to kill the bastard for years."

"Maybe you should have listened to him. It would have saved us a lot of trouble."

"I know. I still don't think you understand the grip Lex has his...employees."

"No Miya, I don't know. Honestly, I don't want to know. I already want to kill him, I don't need anything making that urge worse."

"That's enough talk about Lex. Let's just forget the world and enjoy our vacation. I'm sure the boys are getting anxious and I'm sure they are driving Rene crazy."

The two of you spent the rest of the car ride in silence, your head on Seto's shoulder. As you pulled up to the mansion, the boys came bolting out of the front door.

"Are we leaving now?! It's almost 7!"

"Yes we're leaving. Let's go!"

About 6 hours into your flight, the boys were beginning to wear down and so were you. Seto looked over at you as you yawned, rather loudly.

"I think you need to go to sleep. Can't have you worn out for our first day on vacation."

"I know. I'll go to bed after I get the boys down, including you."

"You know I don't sleep, least not until later."

"Seto...We're all going to bed. By the time we wake up, we'll be landing."

"Fine. I'll at least try to get some sleep. You go get the boys ready, and I'll finish up my work here. Then we can go to bed."

"Good, because I'm exhausted and I don't want you to be all cranky tomorrow."

"When am I ever cranky?"

You rolled your eyes and headed towards the back cabin where you could faintly here the boys' TV.

"Alright boys, time for bed. We've got a big day ahead of us, and we all need a decent night's sleep."

Oddly, the boys didn't protest. Slowly, they got up off the floor and crawled into their bunk beds, already in their pajamas. You tucked both of them into bed, then turned off their TV. As you went to shut the door behind you, Mokuba asked you to come back.

"Something wrong Mokuba?"

"No. I just wanted to say thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"For giving us a family again, and for giving me my brother back."

"Mokuba, I could say the same thing to you."

"What?"

"You and Seto gave Aaron and I a home. You gave us back our family too. I was scared that Aaron would never be happy, and that I'd never be able to provide him a family again. Thanks to you and Seto...We're both happy again."

"I love you Miya." he whispered as he hugged you tightly, half way hanging out of bed.

"I love you too, Mokuba. Now get some sleep okay? I'll see you in the morning." you whispered, kissing his black mop covered head. Moments later, he drifted off to sleep following Aaron into the best sleep they'd probably had in the last few months.

Letting out a sigh behind your slight smile, you quietly closed the door behind you. Hearing Seto still typing away on the laptop, you headed for the cabin's master bathroom. You pulled the hair tie from your hair, letting it fall down past your shoulders and almost to the middle of your back.

"It's been a while since I've seen your hair down. I hadn't realized it'd gotten so long." you heard Seto say from the doorway, causing you to slightly flinch.

"Me neither. I don't think it's been this long in close to 10 years, if not longer."

"I like it." he said twirling a piece of it around his fingers.

"Really? Don't want me to cut it?"

"No. I like it. I think you should wear it down more often. You don't look so...stressed. It looks more like the real you."

"Well, I'll keep it long for now. We'll see how it goes okay?" you said with a playful giggle. "But for now, good night Seto."

"I'll be in shortly."

You perked up on your tip toes and kissed him lightly before heading into the dimly lit bedroom. Finally crawling onto your side of the bed after tossing off your jeans and t-shirt, your head hit the pillow heavily. Moments later, the whirl of the engines lulled you to sleep.