Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Daze of Paradise ❯ Accidents *Do* Happen... ( Chapter 13 )

Authoress' Notes: Thanks so much for the reviews everyone! I was totally not expecting so many! *runs around glomping reviewers* I really appreciate knowing that this fic hasn't been totally forgotten. Ride the Wave…(see endnotes for details).

 

Disclaimers: *yawns* It'll be another 5,000 years until I own it. Until then I write fanfiction and pretend…

 

Warnings:The usual.

 

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Chapter 13 - Accidents Do Happen

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“Durate, et vosmet relous servate secundis.”

(“Then endure for a while, and live for a happierday!”)

— Virgil, Aeneid, i. 207

 

Yugi had been right. Eventually (through a lot of negotiation, careful explanation, and compromises with the professors, administrators, and even a lawyer or three) they were allowed to return to their classes and finish the semester.

Over the winter break, the group went their separate ways to spend time with family. Joey and Serenity were the exception, having no other family to visit. Instead, they spent their break with Yugi, Yami, and Solomon Motou at the Game Shop.

It was nearing the return to classes that Joey encountered Seto Kaiba once more.

Joey was coming out of the university bookstore carrying a bagful of textbooks and supplies, and a stack of boxes he'd picked up for not only himself, but Ryou, Malik, and Yugi also. The boxes contained materials for one of their archaeology classes, and were stacked so high that the blonde couldn't really see around them well. Since the three hikaris were waiting for him in the quad, it wasn't as if he had far to carry them.

He also trusted people to get out of his path to avoid collision.

Unfortunately, there was one person who didn't move aside for anyone, and that was the CEO of Kaiba Corp. So when the two slammed into one another as Joey was exiting and Kaiba was entering the bookstore, neither could escape fault for the incident.

Joey yelped and dropped his textbooks, by some miracle able to hang onto the boxes. On the downside, he did collapse onto the floor on his knees - hard. Kaiba, on the other hand, barely managed to keep his balance to keep from tumbling over the edge of the handrail into the bushes below that lined the steps up to the bookstore.

“Sorry! I'm sorry! I couldn't see…” Joey babbled, not knowing who he'd run into at first. He winced, trying to stand up again. His knees hurt - a lot - but he still struggled to his feet and looked around his boxes to see if the other person was alright. “Are you okay…well, shit.” He stated flatly upon seeing Kaiba. “Just my luck.”

“I'm fine, Mutt. You should be more careful.” Kaiba advised, frowning as he dusted himself off. He bent and gathered up Joey's texts, replacing them in the bag. “Why are you carrying all that anyway? Oh, correction. Why are you trying to carry it all?”

Joey scowled and snatched the bag back. “Yugi, Ryou, and Malik asked me to pick up their boxes if they were ready, too. I don't think any of us thought they'd be so big.” He turned, getting ready to tackle the steps. “And they're waiting for me in the quad, so if you'll excuse me…”

“Wait a second.” Kaiba made an exasperated sound and plucked half the boxes off the pile to carry himself. “You'll kill yourself going down the steps.”

“What do you acre?” Joey muttered under his breath, flushing at Kaiba's immediate glare of chastisement.

“More than I should.” Kaiba replied cryptically. The blonde stared at him, not sure what that meant, but the brunette ignored him and descended the steps. “No one wants to see a clumsy Mutt fall down the stairs and break his neck.”

Joey, left with no choice, followed him - albeit a bit more slowly and carefully. “I'm not a clumsy anything, Kaiba, least of all a Mutt.”

Kaiba shrugged. “Whatever. Actually, I hoped I'd run into you - though I hadn't expected it too literally happen.”

“I said I was sorry.” Joey grumbled, shifting his burden a bit. Then the rest of the statement sank in. “What do you mean you hoped to run into me? What could you possibly have to say to me?”

“I think we need to talk, Joey.” Kaiba said, his voice quiet and serious - but more confusing to Joey, it was sincere, not to mention the use of his name rather than `Mutt.' “Perhaps over coffee, if you have some time.”

Joey just blinked at him, not knowing what to say.

“It's important.” Kaiba tried again, conscious of the people walking past, some of whom were casting curious glances at them. “Ah…not to be discussed out here, incidentally.”

Shaking his head, Joey started walking. “What about, Kaiba? You and I have nothing but insults to trade.”

The icy-blue-eyed man felt a pang of hurt at that. “That's not true, Joey. We're capable of civilized conversation.” He strode alongside him and cut off the retort he could see forming when Joey opened his mouth. “Look, I want to apologize. I was a jerk - even more so than usual.”

“No, really? I hadn't noticed.” Joey's voice fairly dripped sarcasm. “Just go away and leave me alone, moneybags. We have nothing to discuss.”

Patience began to slip through his fingers. “I'm trying to be a bigger person here, Joey. You know I have a hard time admitting I'm wrong and an even harder time apologizing, so cut me some slack and meet me half way, alright?”

“Why should I?” Joey stopped abruptly, whirling on the brunette. His voice rose, attracting stares and curious glances. “You have never cut me any slack so why the hell should I do so for you? Ra save me from spoiled, overbearing, arrogant assholes like you, Seto Kaiba!”

“Damn it, Wheeler! I know I'm a bastard! That's what I'm trying to say! If you'd just give me a chance to explain instead of barking at me we might work this out somehow!”

“Yeah, well, if you don't quit attaching dog characteristics to me things would probably improve for you - but you can't do that, moneybags. Can you?”

It all went down hill from there.

Since they'd stopped walking not far from the quad, and when the volume of their voices increased - along with their language, switching from English, to Japanese, to ancient Egyptian in their mutual anger - their nearby friends heard about the commotion and hurried over to referee.

“Oh wonderful.” Yugi sighed, taking in the crowd that had gathered around Joey and Seto. “They couldn't argue somewhere private, could they?”

“At least no one else can understand what they're saying.” Malik pointed out, wincing at a particularly colourful epithet. Joey snarled at Kaiba - who snarled right back. “Come to think of it, I wish we didn't understand what they're saying.”

“Let's break up this crowd, guys.” Ryou suggested. “Then we can deal with those two.” He got nods of agreement from his fellow hikaris and they moved into the crowd.

“Okay! Come on, folks, break it up! Nothing to see…nothing to hear…” Malik shouted over Joey and Seto's voices. With Yugi and Ryou's help, the crowd reluctantly dispersed. And hen it fell to Yugi to do something about their feuding friends.

He reached out and grabbed he boxes from Joey, handing them to Ryou. Malik did the same, taking the ones Kaiba held and the two walked off a little to wait at Yugi's wave of dismissal.

“I'll handle it guys. We'll be right there.”

“Okay.” Ryou sighed, leading Malik away.

Yugi planted his hands on his hips and glared at the two combatants. “Excuse me…” he said. When he was summarily ignored, he, too, raised his voice. “I said, excuse me!”

“Stay out of this, Yugi.” Joey growled, not taking his eyes off Kaiba to speak.

“Not this time, Joey. I'm sorry. You both need to calm down, and think.” Yugi returned his firm tone and gaze, despite the warning glares he was given by both of them. “Don't do that! In case you've forgotten where you are…” he gestured around them. “You're out in a very public place. And I'm sure neither of you wants to discuss private matters like this here.”

“Like I said before,” Joey drew himself up as straight and stiff as he could. “We have nothing to discuss.”

“Yes, we do.” Kaiba argued arms folded over his chest. His blue eyes were far from cold now, blazing hotly with electric fire from his emotions. “I tend to deny things that I don't want to happen or be real. I did it again, and I'm sorry.”

“So what? Now you're saying it did happen? Make up your Ra-damned mind! Actually, scratch that. I don't care. It didn't mean anything, obviously, and will never happen again, so just forget it and leave me alone.” Joey hefted his books and turned, stalking away with an angry black cloud hovering overhead. Yugi watched him go, wanting to tear out his hair in frustration.

Kaiba gave a furious snort of sound and walked away, too, determined to pretend Joey didn't even exist from that point on.

It would probably hurt less that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of weeks passed, and Mokuba watched over his older brother in concern. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew it had something to do with Joey, and that Kaiba hadn't been sleeping or eating - existing daily on a meager diet of coffee and the odd pastry he grabbed as he dragged himself to work every morning.

Determined to do something about it, Mokuba hatched a plan to get them together in one room and to lock them in until they fixed whatever it was. To do this, he had to sneaky.

Being second in command to his big brother had its benefits.

“Rachel?” Mokuba walked out of his brother's office and up to Kaiba's secretary at her desk.

“Hello, Mokuba!” The older woman smiled at him, putting aside the papers she'd been working on. “How are you?”

“I'm fine. My brother…has been better.”

“Yes, I'd noticed something's been bothering him for weeks, now. Is there anything I can do to help?” She looked toward her boss' door in concern.

“Maybe. Can you call own to the product testing department and ask the director to have Joey Wheeler sent up to my brother's office immediately when he gets to work today?”

“Certainly. But why can't you request that? You have the authority, Mokuba.” Rachel pointed out. Then the name sunk in. “Wait…runner up at Duelist Kingdom? That Joey Wheeler?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my…is that the problem, then?” Understanding washed over her expression and she smiled reassuringly. “I had no idea Mr. Kaiba had…inclinations that way, but I'm happy to hear he's finally taken interest in someone.”

Mokuba blinked at her. “Oh, I don't know if that's...”

“Certainly, dear. I've worked for your bother for many years now, and I know of heir rivalry quite well. It doesn't really surprise me that much.” She reached out and patted Mokuba's hand. “I want to help, Mokuba. What did you have in mind?”

Still not sure about the exact nature of the relationship Rachel seemed to be so positive about between Kaiba and Joey, Mokuba took a deep breath and outlined his plan quickly. “So you see, I can't call for Joey because he'll know it's a set up and he'll refuse to come.”

“You know him best, so I'll believe you on that. Alright, I will phone down right now.” Rachel reached for the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joey punched buttons on his control pad, watching the screen avidly. The door to the testing room he was in opened, drawing his attention away from his game, as a tech struck his head around the door frame.

“Hey, Joey, there's a phone call from on high for you. Line five.”

Joey scowled. “If it's Kaiba, I'm not here.”

Shocked into a nervous sweat - out of fear of the CEO - the tech coughed nervously. “Um…dude, it isn't, but even so, you really shouldn't say…”

“Believe me, I know. Fine.” Joey stood up and stretched. “Lead on, Will.”

Will-the-tech-guy led him out to the area known as the bullpen where the techs and designers had their little cubicles of space to work at. “You can use my phone, Joey. Oh! And when you're done, John wants you in the VR testing room.”

“Thanks. Tell him I'll be right there.” Joey picked up the phone and pushed the button for Line five as Will hurried away.

“Mr. Wheeler?” A woman's voice inquired.

“Yes, ma'am.” He replied.

“My name is Rachel, and I'm Mr. Kaiba's secretary. He requires your presence in his office as soon as possible.”

Rolling his eyes, Joey fought off the urge to slam down the phone. It wasn't the secretary's fault her boss was a total jerk, after all.

“I'm sorry, Rachel, but I can't do that. If it was about work then he can get my manager to deal with me. Otherwise, I'm not about to ask `how high?' when he says `jump.'” Joey stated in as polite a voice as he could manage.

“Oh, but Mr. Wheeler…”

“I'm sorry, and thank you for trying.” Joey hung up, ignoring the guilt his conscience was beating him with. He headed for the VR room to continue to do his job.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“No luck, huh?” Mokuba sighed, glancing anxiously at the door to his brother's office. “Plan B, I guess. Seto won't be much longer at that conference call.”

Rachel gave him an apologetic smile. “I'm sorry, Mokuba. He was adamant.”

“I'm okay. I should have known Joey would refuse. He's almost as stubborn as Seto sometimes.” Mokuba shook his head wryly.

“What was plan B?”

A mischievous, wicked smirk played over his features - one that would have made the yamis proud. “The `adorable, worried little brother' plan.”

“Ah. Good luck.”

Mokuba headed for the elevator. “Thanks, Rachel. After I get them in there together, you'll have to go home for the day. I hope you don't mind.”

“Not at all. Go on now.” She waved him onto the elevator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One thing about video games and the like - they were excellent, safe methods of releasing frustration, anger, tension, and all those negative emotions people tended to hoard. And that's exactly what sort of side benefit Joey was getting from doing his job right now.

The controller in his hands vibrated as his character in the game swung a mighty hammer to bash in a wall. Through his VR glasses - which looked very much like a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses - he was walking through the halls of a dank, dirty, dark dungeon, taking on monsters and trying to create a path of his own through labyrinth-like passageways.

“Right here there's an anomaly on the visual, on the left upper-hand side.” He reported, speaking into the microphone attached to his glasses. Through his head set, he heard a reply of acknowledgement and continued on through the game. At this stage of the game's development, he was simply looking for bugs that needed to be worked out before the final product was released for sale.

“Okay, Joey. That's enough for that set. We'll take this data over to George and then we'll get started on the new holo-discs, alright?” The voice in his ear said as the game disappeared from around him and he was back in the VR room.

“Sure thing, John. Oh, and tell Ren he needs to fix that ghostly wailing ,too. It just sounds like a baby crying and that's not spooky.”

“Again? Yeah, I'll tell him.”

Joey removed the gear and carefully set them on a table against one wall. He glanced up at the control booth that was suspended several feet above his head, thinking he'd heard someone call his name. Oh crap… He groaned silently , feeling his whole body tense up when he spotted the familiar mane of black hair belonging to Mokuba Kaiba. I should have known Kaiba would sink so low as to send his kid brother after me.

At the head of the stairs, the control room door opened and Mokuba started down the steps. Joey pretended to be busy looking over the equipment in an effort to compose himself and not yell at the teen. It wasn't his fault his older brother was a lowlife.

“Joey? Hey, can I talk to you for a bit?” Mokuba asked tentatively, noticing the stiffness in the blonde's shoulders and wanting to hug Joey like the older brother he had come to think of him as over the years.

“`Kuba…what are you doing down here.” Joey finally responded, though it was a statement and not a question. He turned and regarded a statement and not a question. He turned and regarded the teen wearily. “Your brother has no business dragging you into the situation like this. What part of `leave me alone' does he not understand?”

“I didn't come down here because Seto asked me to, Joey,” Mokuba frowned a little, stopping to stand in the middle of the room. “In fact he'll probably get mad at me for it when he finds out - which he will. He always knows what's going on in the building.”

Joey laughed, though not like it was funny. “Yes. So true.”

“I came to ask you to please go talk to him.” Mokuba put on his puppy-dog eyes and pleading-chibi expression. “I'm really worried about him, Joey. He doesn't sleep, he barely eats anything except to drink way too much coffee, and he looks like a zombie these days. Whatever you two are feuding over, it's hurting him physically.” He paused. “And now that I take a good look at you, I'm thinking you're suffering just as he is. I love you both too much to see you guys like this, so please talk to him?”

“It's not that simple, Mokuba…” Joey sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted beyond all reason. “It's very complicated, and…I can't even explain it anymore. I'm just sick and tired of Kaiba pulling my strings like a puppet and toying with me.”

“He doesn't mean to!” Mokuba felt something heavy form in his chest at Joey's lost, confused expression. “I know he's been really mean to you in the past, but you've been getting along so well for months - even years - now, haven't you? Maybe you're not close friends but you can still talk to each other now, can't you?”

Joey pushed away from the table, opening his mouth to say, “Not this time.” He was interrupted by John, who stuck his head around the door at the top of the steps and called down, “We're ready to go, Joey! Oh! Mokuba! Are you helping us out today?”

“If you don't mind.” Mokuba called back. John gave him a thumbs up and disappeared back into the control room. His voice came out through the loudspeakers this time.

“Alright. We're booting up the system and the opening menu should appear in…5…4…3…2…”

Before he could finish the countdown, there was suddenly a bright flash from the control room. Joey moved so fast he didn't even realize he was moving, leaping toward Mokuba and shoving him to the floor as the resounding crash of sound, glass shattering and splintering, resounding crash of sound, glass shattering and splintering echoed from above. The blonde somehow managed to cover Mokuba's body with his own, protecting him from the explosion of glass shards that rained down on them.

There were shouts and panicked screams, and Joey pushed himself upward off of the teen under him, wincing at the glass digging into his palms.

“`Kuba! You okay? You're not hurt, are you?” He demanded, looking him over carefully for any sign of injury. “Don't move, alright? I don't want you to get cut up by the glass…”

“I'm fine, Joey.” Mokuba's brown eyes were wide and he was trembling a little, though he remained still as he was told. “Are you? You've gone very pale…”

“Sure. I'm…fine…” Joey shook his head against his suddenly blurring vision and his pulse pounding in his ears. He felt cold, so cold, and clammy-like he'd broken out in a cold sweat. As adrenaline dissipated from his bloodstream, he could now feel not just the ache of his hands, but the beginnings of real pain from all over his back and shoulders. “I…damn it…”

“Joey?” Mokuba sat up in time to catch the blonde as he collapsed, passing out. “Joey?! What…Oh my god…” Mokuba stared at Joey's back and the bloody, shredded mess it had become.

“JOEY!”

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Authoress' Notes: This chapter is a part of the mass update I am doing of all my WIPs (aka the Chaos Wave), except Endure…which I pretend doesn't exist anyway. The other fics that have been updated are Mnemosyne (my 1st Saiyuki fic), Written in the Stars (my one-shot birthday gift to Jen), Haunted (my newest Beyblade fic which is a late Halloween one), and Once A Thief. All of these can be found by following the links in my bios on any of the fic sites. For more info, also see my bios, or email me, or message me, or whatever works for you. You will get a response as soon as I possibly can come up with one. For now, enjoy this chapter and check out the other updates as well! Thanks for reading! Please R/R!!!!