Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, and apologies for the delay!

The bar that they find themselves in isn't the most salubrious of places. Alexis has already decided that she's not going to risk using the bathroom.

She doesn't think that she's in any real danger. The bar is busy. Although much of clientele seems to be on the slightly rougher side of things, she doesn't get the feeling that they are actually going to give them any trouble. They look like workers, people who have finished their shifts and found their way out here rather than going home. She would have been happier to sit at a table, setting into one of the corners, but of course her companion has to sit himself at the bar.

She sticks close to Zane. There was a time when his presence would have been enough to scare off anyone who would so much as looked at them in an unpleasant way. As it is, he's skinny, gaunt, and at times she feels that a strong gust of wind might be enough to knock him over. Alexis has some doubts about whether or not he could handle an argument, much less a fight. The woman shifts nervously, glancing towards the man whose lead her here. He's still provided her with little to no explanation.

"Fun" is not something that she's ever really associated with Zane. Oh, he's had it in him to give one hell of a duel. She would even be so bold as to say, that he's partaken in some of the best duels ever seen. Unfortunately, she can't think of much other than dueling which would get his pulse racing enough for him to qualify it as "fun".

"Why are we here Zane?" She asks eventually.
"Business." Is is only answer.

Business? She's been wondering where he gets his money from. It's hard to envision him managing to keep a job given his current condition. Once more, she looks around her current surroundings, and wonders just what exactly he means by that. About the only "business" she can really envision him doing here is waiting tables, or serving behind the bar, and given that it's Zane Truesdale, she finds that to be unlikely to say the least.

There's a growing feeling of unease in the pit of her stomach. Her friend has been known to get himself into trouble before, and she knows that his interpretation of legality can be a little bit too loose at terms.

"What sort of business?" She adds a bit more edge to her voice, reminding Zane that she isn't someone to take well to this sort of thing.
"If it bothers you, you can leave."
"It's you I'm worried about." She stresses, pausing to look around once more. "Please tell me that this isn't an underground-"
"It isn't." Zane assures her. "They're much sketchier than this. Do you really think I would take you to a place like that?"

Alexis wants to assure him that she knows that he wouldn't. For some reason, the words catch in the back of her throat. It takes her a moment to realize that she isn't all that sure at all. The Zane she had known as a girl, and then during her first year at Duel Academy would never have even thought about it. The man he had become, at least for a while, she was less certain about. She's still on the fence about just where this older Zane falls.

Something passes across Zane's face. It isn't anger. It's only a flicker. For a moment, he almost looks hurt. As soon as he realizes that there's a crack in his facade, or worse that she might have caught a very brief glimpse of it, the man looks away, sheltering from her by looking across the bar. She feels a little bit guilty then and there. She wants to reassure him, but realizes that it's a little bit too late. Instead, an awkward silence settles in. It's a silent acknowledgment of everything that's happened over the course of the past few years, and a painful reminder that things aren't as they once were.

For once, it's Zane who breaks the silence.

"Do you want a drink, or something?"
"No..." She remembers her manners suddenly. "Thank you. I'm fine."
"Suit yourself..."

Zane doesn't bother with the same restraint. He orders himself a glass of whiskey. Alexis bites her lip to prevent herself from telling him something she's certain that he already knows. He most definitely should not be drinking like that in his current condition. She might have let it slide were it not for the fact that he decides to use the alcohol to wash down a handful of pills. Despite her best efforts, she can't help but stare at him aghast. He catches sight of her look, but pays her no attention.

A man approaches them, it looks like he works here.

"Five minutes Truesdale."

He only gets a grunt for a reply. Initially, Alexis is surprised that he's a known face around here. Then again, she reminds herself that there was a time when he was famous. She waits until the man leaves before speaking in a whisper:

"Five minutes until what?"

Zane lets out sigh. He glances around, as if to ensure that they're alone before pulling something of his pocket. He places it down before her. She knows just what it is before he's even taken his hand away to provide her with a better view. Still, when he does let her see fully. Alexis can't quite contain herself.

"You can't be serious! A duel?! Zane you'll-"
"I know what I'm doing. It's not much of a challenge."
"Then why do it?"
"It pays."

She wants to slap him across the face for that. He knows full-well what he's doing, what it will mean for him. Alexis has always considered herself lucky that she hadn't been there to witness Zane's final moment in the dark world. She'd heard of them from a mixture of Jaden, professor Crowler, and Syrus. How he'd stood tall and proud, and faced his death with dignity, going down in a blaze of glory. It wasn't something she ever wanted to see. Certainly, she doesn't want a repeat. Zane is painfully stubborn, she knows that. Telling him to stop, isn't going to work.

So Alexis chooses a different approach, and tries to play to that pride of his:

"You're better than this. For God's sake, you used to be one of the top players of the proleague."
"I know, but it's not as if I'm there now." Zane mutters bitterly, as he takes another gulp of his drink. "Besides, they're not as worried about physicals here as the proleagues are."
"If you wouldn't pass a physical, then maybe you shouldn't be doing it!" She can't help but snap.

He shoots her a warning glare. A sign that his patience with this particular line of discussion. He won't listen. So the only question is what she does now.

In short, she has two options: stay here, with all the distress and frustration that will inevitably entail, or she can walk out. She comes perilously close to doing so. She places her hand down on the counter, ready to push herself up and to put some much needed distance between the two of them. If she were to leave now, she doubts that Zane would care all that much. The better question is: why stay? This isn't the same young man who she had once known. He obviously doesn't care too much if she's with him or not. If anything, he'd probably be happier if he was alone. Who is she to deny him of that much?

Alexis gives Zane another glance. He's paying her no attention whatsoever. If she were to walk off right now, he likely wouldn't do so much as bat an eyelid. He's already almost finished his glass. The cocktail he just took does appear to have perked him up a little. It does make her wonder just what it is that he took. She holds her breath. The tension in her muscles relaxes. She sits herself back down. Her companion takes note of that much, but doesn't comment on it.

A second later, he's the one back on his feet. He straightens himself, dusts of his jacket which is beginning to look as if its seen better days. He takes his deck back. Zane says nothing. In fact, he makes a point of not looking at her as he leaves.

Being alone is oddly harder to bear. She quickly finds herself coming close to regretting her decision not to take Zane up on his offer for a drink. It would have given her something to do, and maybe helped to steady her nerves. As it stands, she contents herself with letting out a sigh. She glances around the room again. Everyone's attention was focused towards the other end of the establishment. Naturally, Alexis allows her own focus to follow where everyone else is looking. She finds a small stage. Her heart sinks a little, knowing exactly what's about to happen.

It's tempting to give chase to Zane, and to try and drag him out physically. She's lost sight of him however. Perhaps she could walk out? Just to make a point. She's not about to just sit here, and watch him kill himself slowly. Just as she's thinking it over, her phone vibrates in her pocket. She pulls it out. It's Atticus, sending her a message:

Atti: How's it going?

She lets out a sigh. Briefly, she contemplates lying, but dismisses the notion quickly enough. It's not going to change anything.

Me: Zane's taken me to a bar.
Atti: Ooh, sounds romantic! ;)
Me: Not exactly. He's drinking, and dueling.
Atti: Where are you?!

She's about to answer, when her phone actually rings. She fumbles with the device for a few seconds, keen to silence it as quickly as possible. She knows better than to hang up, or ghost Atticus. So she answers, hoping that she'll be able to hear him over the noise of the bar.

"Lexi, where are you?!" She can hear the worry in her sibling's voice.
"A bar someplace downtown." The woman answers.
"Where? I'll come and get you."

She can't help but roll her eyes at that one, wondering if he's at all thought through the implications of his offer. At the same time, there's a sense of warm comfort from his words. Her brother has enough broken bones to keep him off of his feet for a month, and he's still ready to come out for her.

"It's okay." She's quick to comfort her sibling. "I'm not in any danger."
"You're sure?" He seems to be breathing a little more easily. "He can get a bit mean if he has too much..I can call Aster if you want some company."
"Yes. It isn't a bad place." Alexis stresses that much to him. "I'll be fine."
"Sis, I'm serious. If you need anything I'll be there in a heartbeat."
"Thanks, Atticus."

She hangs up. There's movement on the stage. A name has already been called out. It rings a vague bell to Alexis. It's from a few years ago, they'd been kicking around the pro-circuit but hadn't made it all that far. She's surprised to hear Zane's name being shouted out loud and clear. She's not too sure why, the man who had approached him earlier had been more than aware of who he was. Surely these people must have known about Kaiser's reputation, and had heard some of the rumors surrounding him… Why is he here?

Her mouth is dry, and she finds herself wondering if she's going to have the courage, and endurance to sit through all of this.

Zane is on the stage now. At least, he doesn't look as if he's about to collapse. Despite knowing what it must be costing her old friend, just to stand there, it still feels beneath him. She scans her old friend's face. If she's honest, Alexis expects to find her old friend dispassionate, and disconnected. He's a man who has battled demons, and helped over throw tyrants in an alternate dimension, now he's on a stage entertaining a rabble in a dingy bar… To her surprise however, he is stoic. His face giving nothing away. This, he treats, as if it's just another day at the office.

She holds her breath, as the first few cards are drawn. Already, she knows that she won't find any excitement here.

Alexis doesn't care for the duel. It's only Zane that she has eyes for.

Perhaps the other spectators assume that the sweat on his brow is simply a result of his concentration, stress, and the thrill of the moment. The same can be said for the fact that he's panting for breath, before, after, and during calling out his cards. His hands are shaking, both the one which holds his duel disk raised, and his right as he draws. As the duel goes on, his legs begin to tremble too. He shifts round, adapting his stance to try and conceal his weakness. With every minute, every turn, he grows a little bit weaker. He hides it as best as he can. The sight makes his old friend sick in her stomach. She comes close to rushing onto the stage, and demanding that this spectacle cease.

She wishes that she were that brave. Instead, she watches. Staying there until the end. Another victory for the Kaiser, but one which Alexis is most certainly not going to celebrate.

He's shaking as he settles back down into the seat next to her. The bartender congratulates him, serving another glass of spirit without even being asked to. She can't help but wonder how many times he's been here, for them to know his habits this well. Alexis can't contain the worried look that she gives him. He catches sight of it, but still breathless, it takes him longer than it should to answer:

"I just need a minute."

She wants to go, to run away from this place as fast, and as far away as she can. Zane won't follow her though. That traps her. As disgusted as she might be by the situation, she worries for the man. It doesn't matter how often he's done this before, how used he is to it. She has a nightmare image in her mind of her old friend collapsing down an alley somewhere, and nobody being there for him. So she sits there, but makes no attempts to conceal her discomfort with the situation.

"You're sure you don't want a drink?"
"No, I don't want a drink Zane." She can't keep the irritation out of her voice.

He grumbles something which she doesn't quite catch. Maybe that's for the best. Alexis contents herself with folding her arms across her chest, and waiting. She's not entirely sure how much the duel has taken out of her friend, but evidently he's not quite up to leaving just yet. So his companion makes no secret of her displeasure, but doesn't actually move.

Two glasses of whatever Zane's drinking, and half an hour later, he finally gets to his feet.

For a moment, her old friend seems to be somewhat unsteady on his feet. Is it his heart, or the glasses, and pills he's downed? She's about to reach out, and offer him some assistance. He raises a hand, dismissing her over. After a few seconds, he conquers his unease quickly enough, and begins to move. Alexis walks after him. It seems to her that they can't leave the bar quite fast enough. If she were alone, she would run. As it is, Zane is struggling. His heart can scarcely keep his body working, even at the best of times. Something like this must require everything he has got left to give. That's enough to enrage her, not that she can act on it.

They ride home on the bus. It seems to Alexis that her companion's condition is degrading with every passing second. The journey is marked by his labored breathing, intermingled with the occasional coughing fit. So much so, that by the time they arrive at his stop, he can't even stand up straight any more.

He staggers, more than walks off of the bus. She takes the precaution of sticking just a little bit closer. It isn't that she feels particularly threatened. It's Zane that she worries about. He's obviously struggling, and it seems as if at any moment his legs might well buckle underneath him. She knows that in all likelihood, she won't be able to keep him standing. She dares to hope that she might well be able to at the very least ease his fall should he find himself unable to stand. Thankfully, he doesn't need it. Painfully, he makes his way back home.

By the time he's made it to the front door, he can hardly breathe. The few gasps that he does manage to get in, are interspersed with bouts of coughing. Alexis changes up and down the corridor. It's a wonder that none of this has woken any of his neighbors. Maybe they're used to it… Zane is fumbling with his key. He lacks the coordination to slip it into the lock. She doesn't know whether or not to blame the drinks, or his deteriorating health. She takes a few steps closer, ready to offer to help. That's all the incentive that he needs to manage to open the door.

"See… Just fine." It almost sounds like a boast, as he fights his way back into his apartment.
"You're not fine Zane!" She raises her voice, a clear challenge.

He gives her a cold glare, a warning not to continue any further. Alexis stands her ground. Maybe once, there had been a time when he could have intimidated her. Ironically, back then, she wouldn't have worried about it to begin with, because she would have known that he wouldn't have hurt her. Deep down inside, she knows that he won't do so now either. It's all bark, and very little bite. He turns away from her, bracing himself against the counter as best as he can. Zane isn't even in a state to conceal his weakness, so standing is about the best that he can manage.

He grits his teeth. His hand traveling to grip his chest, where his heart is obviously paining him.

"You can stop babysitting me now Alexis!" He grumbles as much as he can. "Go home. I don't want your help."
"Gladly."

She unfolds her hands from in front of her chest.

There's no way that she can stay in his company any longer, not when he's destroying himself. It's taken every single ounce of patience that she has within her to stay as long as she has, in the company of a man she finds that she no longer recognizes, and who has told her he wants nothing to do with her. Who is she to deny him that much? She spins on her heels, rage still bubbling away underneath. She needs to go home, have a scolding hot shower, and maybe then she might finally indulge in some alcohol of her own. God knows she needs something right now!

It's a clatter, followed by a crash that stops her.

Alexis looks over her shoulder, as much out of instinct as to actually check to make sure that her friend is alright. He's still standing, albeit clearly in some pain. He's managed to knock over a bottle which now lies shattered at his feet. Zane grimaces, he begins to bend down to pick up the shards. A coughing fit causes him to stop. It leaves him almost doubled over, frozen by a mixture of pain, and his own weakness. His legs are shaking. Even from where she's standing, she can see the sweat sticking to his brow.

She lets out a sigh. All of the anger, and resentment fade away quickly enough. They're replaced with a feeling of pity.

Without saying a word, the woman turns back around. She slips back inside of the apartment, closing the door behind her. Zane glances at her of his peripheral vision, but remains unable to do anything more than that. She approaches him cautiously. The pieces of glass crunch underneath her feet. It's clear he wants to push her away, to create some distance between them. After a few tentative seconds, Alexis takes a chance. She reaches out, and slips an arm under his shoulders, offering to bear his weight. Pride causes him to want to shrug her off, but he doesn't even have the strength to do so little.

Reluctantly, Zane abandons the counter that had been supporting him, and allows her to guide him along. They don't go that far, just over to his couch/bed. She helps him slip his heavy jacket off. There's an unpleasant stench of alcohol about his breath which causes her nose to wrinkle in disgust. He resents all of this. She can feel it without even needing to read his facial expressions. Still, Alexis endeavors to be there for him. He practically collapses into his bed, shivering slightly as he does so. She watches, silently wondering if she might not be better off calling an ambulance.

"I didn't think you could be this stupid..." She can't help but mutter as she watches him in his self-inflicted agony.
"I don't want your pity."

It's Hell Kaiser she's speaking with. His voice more of a snarl than the calm, but kind tone which Zane had always used to speak to her when they were younger. She doesn't let it affect her all that much. Instead, she distracts herself by going to fetch a nearby blanket. She practically tosses it onto the man, before heading over towards the sink. It takes her a while to find a towel which looks to be clean enough that she's not actually afraid to touch it. She wets it with some cool water from the sink, before bringing it back over to her old friend.

Zane's eyes are hazy. He'll be asleep shortly, she realizes. Good. Tentatively, and perhaps a little wearier than she would like to be, she places the wet towel against his sweat covered brow. The man lets out a relieved sigh, and some of the tension in his muscles seems to fade away.

"Well, you've got it." She tells him. "And right now, you definitely need my help."

She stays with him for a short while longer. Just until he falls asleep, and she's moderately confident that he's going to be alright. Then, quietly, she leaves, taking the precaution of closing the door behind her.

It's a simple ride home. She doesn't pay much attention to it. Her mind is elsewhere, back with her friend. She worries about him even now.

She goes home. Alexis wastes no time in assuring her big brother that she's safe. She lets him know that Zane is okay, or at least okay as he's going to get. She claims to be tired. If Atticus wants to discuss things in more detail, it will have to wait until the morning. He doesn't argue. Apparently just being certain that she's made it back, is enough for him. It's a relief for his younger sister.

A warm, burning shower soothes some of her nerves. Now she just needs some sleep. She finds it more easily than she would think possible. Zane doesn't haunt her dreams. It's a restful night, and one which leaves her pleasantly refreshed come morning.

She settles down for breakfast. She's determined not to allow anything from yesterday to trouble her. There's only one week of school vacation left. That means classes to prepare, exams to think up, and a teacher-parent evening to have to face. There's more than enough to take her mind off of things, at least for a while. She's just about to head over to her desk when her phone vibrates, informing her of a message. Alexis assumes it's going to be Atticus fretting again, or spam. To her surprise, it's an unknown number.

The message is only one word:

"Sorry."