Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ An Exile's Stone Heart ❯ An Exile's Stone Heart: V ( Chapter 5 )

Author's Notes: Where did everyone get the idea that Seto Kaiba was the father of Mai's child? Kaiba is NOT in this story, although I like him a lot. This is a complete AU, with the only people from the show in this is Mai and Joey, although Pegasus may make a cameo. He can however be found in my other M/J story, The Cause Of Original Sin. (Ah yes a shameless plug I know.)

An Exile's Stone Heart

Chapter Five: I need so, to stay in your arms see you smile and hold you close!

There were very few people that knew much, if anything about Joey Wheeler's private life. He always was looked upon as a sophisticated Adonis; with unmarred flesh, beautiful locks, and the brownest eyes imaginable. He was sexy, manly, and there was something innocent about his face. Most couldn't see the recently removed baby fat, of a young man. It had been replaced with a chiseled chin, and fine bone structure. Joey was everything men wanted to be, and women wanted to be with. He was a god among these common mo9rtals. His narcissism had landed him in hot water before, but now, in the privacy of his own dwelling he could be the man he was truly destined to be. Just like any great hero he had suffered immensely before his rise to power.

His life held many secrets. His hands were bloodied, stained by the innocent lives he had held a part in destroying. He was a predator, a man with the drive to take what he wanted no questions asked. He was not a common criminal. His hands were supple, yet firm. A gentleman must always be the epitome of sophistication. He must exude an air about him that made men jealous and women soon. He did this successfully, although he knew he was no gentleman. It was a game to him. How many people could he toy with today? Occasionally, he'd go out a pick out the most beautiful ladies, taking them back to his ocean front cottage. He knew they were after his money, and he was just hungry for sex. Everything worked out evenly with every party walking away satisfied.

Sometimes though, sometimes he got tired. No one could meet his needs, and when he couldn't find perfection in the body of a young woman, he called on Mai, and if she, feeling the same need for physical contact acquiesced the game was on again. She had left quickly out of the city to god knows where. He knew she wasn't seeing another man, not that it would bother him too much, but yet, where did she run off to? What place did she turn to when the need to escape the rat race, the city so full of pollution, crime, and violence overwhelmed her? Perhaps she was with the new client she had…

"Damn you Mai. You aren't even here and you're on my mind!"

Joey said throwing the bottle of Seagram's Dry he had been drinking from across the room. He watched, as if dazed as the bottle fell to the floor breaking into millions of tiny shards. Joey staggered to his sofa, plopping down on with little coordination. He was drunk and he knew it. He wasn't an alcoholic, but at one time, he was damn near close to it. That was his problem now- he couldn't get attached, or addicted to anything. He was getting angry with himself now, setting up impossible standards to live by with no escape from such a hectic life. Mai was supposed to be that solid rock. She was supposed to represent that solidarity he lacked in his life. He smoked, but not daily, not even weekly. He drank, but only occasionally at a few parties, and even then it was usually something like a white wine.

"Stupid bitch isn't even here when I need her!"

Joey slumped to the floor, tears stinging his eyes. He damn near hated Mai. He hated her, and yet he wanted her at the same time. Why couldn't his life be simple? He reached for the phone and dialed and called a cab. He did not want to drive his car to the place he was headed. It would most likely be stolen, or he could be spotted by someone from the old gang. Joey went upstairs and showered, cleaning himself up. Since he was on the ocean front, headed to the north quad of the city, he had at least two hours before a taxi appeared. Once of the benefits of living on the coast as solitude, but it could also be a curse.

Joey went outside to his garden, and cut the roses, both yellow, and red, and gathered six of each, he went inside and wrapped them, pleased with his ability to do something domestic. He was never one for horticulture, but after high school, everything changed. He dressed in one of his cheaper suits. Joey was sober by the time the cab, came. The said nothing, and Joey's bowler hat hid his eyes, and from view. He didn't want to talk anyway. He sighed softly, as his mind drifted back to his younger years. He was only 24. Not even 25 and already so many things in his life had changed dramatically. Most men hadn't gone through some of things he had. Hell, most people hadn't gone through what he had.

He cursed himself for such thoughts. How could he even think like this? He was supposed to be feeling regret, self loathing, something about him should feel the need to rebuke his way of life. Yet, despite its flaws, he loved his life. He loved the money, the women, and the glamour. Fuck, he thrived in it. A thin line formed on his mouth. She wouldn't ever get such a chance again would she? No! And it was his entire fault. He gripped the flowers tightly, getting angry again. Today wasn't supposed to be about him, it was about her, everything today was for her. The cab came to a abrupt stop at his desired address. He instructed the cabbie to wait ten minutes. Joey stepped out, paying the man, looking at the dilapidated houses, and worn down buildings. He walked passed all of them, his head hung down in shame, and his eyes covered.

He was right in front of the graveyard now. The Kobayashi Cemetery was where she was laid to rest. Joey went to her grave site, satisfied to see the groundskeeper hadn't let the site turn to dust and weeds. At least he was paying him for something. He knelt down and placed the flowers in front of the smooth marble, running his fingers along the carvings. His eyes watered as he read the words. Rachel Sarah Mitchell-Mayizaki. There was a small smile on his face as eh remembered the woman he once called friend. She had been the mother of his child, but like a fool he did the most despicable thing eh could have done to her. He hated himself for that, and he couldn't ever forgive himself.

They were never a couple. They had slept together once, and she had gotten pregnant. She was Mai's best friend, and they had a rift between them ever since. The three of them were once inseparable. All three were eager to get out of the north part of the city. Away from the crime, the booze, the drugs, the gang wars. Rachel wanted to be a model, Mai wanted to be a writer, and he just wanted to get the hell out of this part of the city. They were looked down upon. They were supposed to always be best friends, inseparable, and always there for one another.

Rachel had been incensed when he hadn't claim paternity, but by then it was too late. Rachel had left Japan, and he never saw her again, until he had been called with the horrible message that she had died. He was told the baby hadn't survived. He could not be consoled then, he was heartbroken. Mai was nowhere to be found, but it wasn't really surprising he had cheated on her with Mai's best friend. There was nothing left for him to do now, but leave that damned city where all of his dreams had been dashed. He worked hard, graduated form college, and moved to the coast as part of his healing/punishment. He was self-exile, content to be left alone, and unhappy. But even then, his unhappiness was soon replaced by the power of McNair International. What those people had offered him was an escape from everything, and he'd always appreciate that. In return, he had worked diligently, earning more rewards and making more money.

Joey snapped out of his thoughts, and kissed his fingertips, placing them on the cold stone. He positioned the flowers, neatly in a heart shaped pattern, the same pattern he had done since visiting her gravesite. He looked one last time at her headstone and left. He entered the taxi, not even bothering to look back at the cemetery. There was too much pain in his life today.

*****

"Mommy?"

Mia's eyes fluttered open, staring into the eyes of her six year old daughter. She smiled, and pulled the young girl to her, hugging her gently. Sarah giggled and kissed her mother's cheek lightly. Mai released her, stretching her limbs gracefully. She got out of bed and padded over the bathroom. After a quick shower she changed clothes, forgetting her daughter was still in her room playing with everything. Sarah turned to look at her mother, and odd smile on her face, and instantly, Mai knew something was up.

"Sarah, what have you got behind your back?"

The girl gave her mother a shy smile, her braids shading her eyes from view. She clutched the trinket, but the look Mai gave her assured her whatever it was she would be okay. Sarah showed the item to her mother a clay hand print she had made in class. It was a paperweight, and she had even carved her name into the print. There was even a lovely message in the center of the palm. 'To my Mommy- the prettiest, smartest, mommy in the word.' Mai felt her eyes water as she read the inscription. How was she ever going to be able to tell her about her parents now? It wasn't fair!

Rachel had Sarah for two moths! Mai had her for six years! Sarah was her daughter. She had raised her, she fed her, and she loved her. When Joey had been the fool he was, denying the parentage, Rachel went berserk. She didn't want to take care of a 'bastard' baby. She allowed herself to fall into the abyss of drugs, and prostitution, and it ended up getting her killed! How someone could care so little for their own child was appalling to Mai. Never would she allow Sarah to be exposed to the man who was partially responsible for her mother's biological death.

In the beginning she couldn't believe one of her oldest friends would do something so callous, so irresponsible. How could she allow this to happen? Even if they hadn't been on speaking terms, she still should have checked up on her. Rachel had been known as an attention seeker. Regardless of the betrayal she felt from both Joey and Rachel, she should have been the better person and looked out for her. It was then Mai wondered how far she was willing to go to exact revenge upon him. Was it worthy losing her baby girl's trust in the end? Or would complete disassociation from him benefit them both in the end? Mai went downstairs with her daughter, and made them breakfast. She and her mother would definitely be having a long talk today.

She couldn't afford to risk everything she had built up for her family dashed when Joey decided that he now wanted to be apart of his child's life when he had already been given the chance years ago. She was working so hard for them, and she didn't want anything to happen to either her mother or daughter. If allowing him to ruin their family's happiness was the price of him seeing Sarah it wasn't going to happen. There was so much she could allow to happen, and what her mother had suggested went over the line.

FN: It's hard writing angst, at least for me. With anything Mai/Joey I am innately going to make things pleasant for them. But life isn't sunshine and daises, and there will be suffering. I am working with the characters here twisting, bending, and shaping them into something I haven't seen before. I know everyone wants this story to be happy; I do as well… sort of. Please bear with me as I find my voice. Sorry if this was confusing, but it is an angst triangle. Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think. I promise though, the next chapter will be a little longer, maybe another lemon chapter. Anyone want lemon next chapter or what?