Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ The Hourglass Turns ( Chapter 25 )

The Hourglass Turns

 

Robbie opened his eyes and saw Aten laying on his side. He yawned and stretched.

“Good morning, handsome,” Robbie said, draping his arm over Aten.

He heard Aten wheezing and panting heavily. He put his hand to Aten's chest and felt Aten's heart beating extremely slow.

“Aten? Aten, are you okay?”

Aten struggled for breath and panted heavily without answering. His lover coughed and his body began to shake.

Robbie crawled over Aten and kneeled beside the bed. Down one corner of Aten's mouth a white froth was dripping slowly.

Robbie grabbed the oxygen mask and carefully placed it over Aten's face. He strapped it behind Aten's head. He turned on the machine and heard it pumping oxygen to the mask.

“Breathe in, Aten.”

Aten's half-closed eyes looked over at Robbie. Robbie held Aten's hand and rubbed Aten's hair with the other. His crystal blue eyes began sparkling with repressed tears.

“Breathe in, baby.”

“Robbie, breakfast is ready!” Miranda called from the downstairs.

Robbie leaned closer to Aten. “I'll be right back.”

Robbie ran out of the room and down the stairs. “Mom, can you go upstairs and stay with Aten?”

“Is he okay?”

“He's having shortness of breath and it looks like he's drooling. I put his oxygen mask on, hoping it would help him, but I don't want to leave him alone.”

Miranda nodded. “Okay. If anything happens, I'll call you.”

Robbie sat down to his breakfast and rubbed his forehead. “Should I go to work today? I can't leave Aten alone. What if he dies and I'm not by his side? He's done this before, though. If Aten gets really bad, I can have mom call me and I'll take him to the hospital.”

He finished his breakfast as quick as he could without making himself nauseous. He ran up the stairs and saw his mom holding Aten's hand.

“We're lucky we got this for him,” she said.

“It's the first thing I could think of when I heard him just struggling for air.”

Miranda checked Aten's pulse. “His pulse is really slow and he sounds like his chest is congested.”

Robbie sat beside Aten and rubbed his back. “Do you think we should see if this passes or take him to the hospital?”

Robbie ran his fingers through his own hair and took a deep breath. “This has happened before and he came out of it in a couple of hours. Maybe we should give him until noon and if he doesn't pull out of it by then, we can take him to the hospital.”

Miranda nodded. “Okay. We'll keep an eye on him while you're at work.”

“I mean it, mom. If he doesn't improve by noon, call me and then call Zira. We'll get him to the hospital.”

“Okay. I'll let you get ready for work,” Miranda said, leaving the room.

Robbie closed the door behind her and turned to the motionless, wheezing body in the bed. He returned to the bed and held out his hand for Aten. Aten slowly uncurled his hand and reached for Robbie's open hand.

“Aten, I'm going to work, but if I can come home early, I will. Mom will be here to keep an eye on you.” Robbie stripped and grabbed his business suit. “I know you're in good hands, Aten. If you need anything, she'll be here for you.” Robbie put on his shirt and his tie, listening to the sound of the puffing oxygen machine. He turned towards Aten. “Are you hungry?”

The Egyptian lifted his head slowly, which fell upon the pillow like a rock.

Robbie kneeled in front of Aten. It appeared that tiny motion had expended all of the Egyptian's energy. “Blink once for no, twice for yes.”

Aten blinked once.

“Okay. If you get hungry, let mom know.” Robbie pulled on a pair of underwear and his pants. He tucked his shirt into his pants and tied the tie around his neck. “Are you thirsty?”

Aten blinked twice.

“Let me get you some water and your pills.”

Robbie left the room and ran down the stairs. He poured Aten a cup of water, grabbed a cracker and Aten's morning pills. He grabbed a straw and hurried up the steps.

He put Aten's pills on the table and turned off the oxygen machine. He removed the mask around Aten's mouth and hung it over the tank.

“Okay, Aten. Let's give you some water first.”

Aten sipped on the straw and coughed. “Can't….”

Robbie held the cup. “Can you swallow?”

Aten lifted his head, but it fell back on the pillow quickly.

Robbie helped Aten sit up in the bed. Robbie took Aten's smallest pill and put it into Aten's mouth. “Let's try this.”

Aten sipped on the straw and tried to swallow the pill. The pill got lodged in his throat and he started to gag and cough. Robbie put down the cup and pat Aten's throat.

“Come on, Aten, swallow it.”

Aten wheezed and clawed at his throat.

Robbie's eyes widened, realizing his lover was choking. He moved around behind Aten and began giving him the Heimlich. Aten coughed up the pill onto the blanket and fell back against Robbie, exhausted.

Robbie propped Aten against pillows and moved from behind him. “I'll have to crush up your pills. Hold on.” Robbie ran downstairs and grabbed a fork and a plate. He ran back upstairs and began crushing up Aten's pills. He crushed them and put them into the water. “This is the best I can do, Aten.”

Robbie sat beside Aten and held the cup. “Drink this slowly.”

Aten leaned against Robbie and sipped the water slowly.

“Sorry about that, Aten. I didn't realize you were having trouble with swallowing became worse.”

`He was better yesterday,' Robbie thought.

Aten leaned against Robbie when he finished drinking and sighed.

“Let's get you comfortable again.”

Robbie helped Aten lay down in the bed again. Robbie struggled to hold Aten as he helped him lay down. The Egyptian laid in bed and sighed as if exhausted.

Robbie sat beside Aten and ran his fingers through Aten's hair. “Do you want your oxygen?”

Aten slowly nodded.

“Okay,” Robbie said, replacing the mask on Aten's face and turning on the oxygen tank.

“I wish I could do more, Aten,” he said, caressing Aten's face.

Robbie heard the baby cry in the other room. “I have to get her ready, Aten. I'll be in when I'm finished.”

Robbie put his hand on Aten's cheek and looked into the Egyptian's eyes. He gave his lover a tiny smile. Aten looked up at him weakly, exhaustion clear on his face. Robbie leaned close to Aten's face. “I love you….never forget that.” Robbie kissed Aten's forehead gently. “I'll be home as soon as I can.”

Aten closed his eyes and Robbie watched Aten drift into sleep.

He limped into Heaven's room with his cane. “Good morning, baby girl. Come to daddy, sweet pea.”

Robbie picked her up carefully and carried her over to the changing table. “In speaking of pea, it smells like you did a good one.”

Robbie changed her diaper and dressed her in a white and pink dress. Robbie picked her up and carried her downstairs carefully. Miranda prepared her formula and handed the bottle to Robbie.

“Is Aten showing any improvement?”

“Not really. He couldn't swallow his pills. I had to crush his pills so he could take them.”

Robbie began to feed the bottle to the baby. “I have a feeling I'll only be able to put in a half day at work. He's not looking too good up there.”

“I'll keep an eye on him.”

Robbie shook his head. “It's hard seeing him like this. Yesterday, you never would have known anything was wrong, other than that cough of his.”

“He has his good days and his bad days, Robbie. Be grateful for the good days.”

Robbie sighed. “I'm grateful he's made it this far.”

Heaven drank from the bottle keeping her eyes on Robbie.

“Who's my hungry little girl?” Robbie smiled down at her. “You're a good girl, Heaven.”

“Wait until she can move around on her own, Robbie. She won't be so good then.”

Robbie shrugged his shoulders. “She can't even walk with one leg, mom. How can she be naughty?”

Miranda chuckled. “When you were a baby and learned to get around despite your foot, you got into everything! There were times when your actions were very, very naughty.”

“I was a naughty boy?” Robbie asked, laughing.

“Yes, you were, Robert Allen Morgan. You took the toilet paper and pulled it all the way downstairs.”

Robbie laughed. “Me?”

“Naughty boy.”

“Yeah, I guess I was,” Robbie laughed again. He looked up at the clock and handed Heaven to his mother. “I have to say goodbye to Aten and brush my teeth before I go.”

Robbie limped up the steps and brushed his teeth. He walked into his bedroom and saw Aten still laying on the bed.

“Aten, I have to go to work.”

Aten's eyes were closed and he appeared asleep. Robbie put his fingers against Aten's neck and felt a faint pulse.

Robbie leaned down and kissed above Aten's left ear. “I love you, Aten. See you when I get home.”

Robbie approached the door and turned around. He watched Aten sleep, connected to the oxygen machine and he rubbed his teary eye.

He walked downstairs and left for work.

***********************************

Malik drove to KaibaCorp with the Millennium Rod attached to his hip. He stopped at a stop light and sighed. He turned to Robbie and saw the teen looking absently out of the window. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, Aten's having a bad morning. I'm a little preoccupied. How is Marik feeling?”

“Once Bakura sneaked back home in the dark, Marik disappeared into the Rod. He's been there all morning, except to shower and dress.”

Robbie began to rub his left ankle. “This is killing me today.”

“Did you step wrong on it?”

“No, it just bothers me when I'm on it too much.”

Malik continued to drive when the light turned green. “I can't believe those people just kidnapped Marik! Bakura told me he was in bad shape when he was found.”

“At least he's back safe.”

Malik nodded. “I have to send Mako something for helping out.”

“What are you going to do while Marik works?”

Malik shrugged and smiled. “I don't know. I'll think of something. If I can't find anything to do, I'll have more coffee and tea than I'll know what to do with!”

Malik arrived at KaibaCorp and walked to the elevator with Robbie. Robbie said his access code and the elevator began to rise.

Robbie leaned against the side of the elevator and took a deep breath, thinking of Aten laying at the bed at home.

The Millennium Rod glowed and Marik appeared beside his hikari. “Hello, tenshi.”

Marik pulled Malik close to him and pulled him into a heated, desperate kiss. Marik turned to Robbie and pat him on the shoulder. “Hey, Rob! Earth to Robbie!”

Robbie turned his head and waved. “Hi, Marik.”

“How's it hanging?”

Robbie shrugged. “Preoccupied.”

“I can see. Is it Aten?”

Robbie nodded. “Yeah, I might have to leave work early. Aten's having a bad morning.”

“Is he okay?”

“He's having a hard time breathing again. I have him attached to the oxygen machine, but if he gets bad, I'll have to leave early.”

Marik sighed. “Let me know. We can drive you to the hospital if you have to leave early.”

“Okay. I have no transportation otherwise.”

The elevator arrived at the top floor and the group stepped out.

“Keep me updated, Robbie,” Marik said.

“I will.”

Robbie returned to the elevator to get to the floor below.

Marik walked with Malik towards Seto's office. He knocked on the door and entered with his hikari.

Seto looked up from his paperwork and stood up. “How the hell did you get away from the Feds?”

“Bakura busted me out. He came in the knick of time before I would have ended up as their own personal cutting board.”

Malik stood beside Marik and took his hand. “The Feds could still be looking for him, so that's why I'm here. We're trying to keep Marik in the Rod in case the cops are looking for him.”

“I need to keep working,” Marik said. “I'm not going to let this interfere with my job.”

Seto tapped his pen on the desk. “What if people see you here?”

“Nobody will say anything.”

Seto leaned back in his chair. “Malik told me that it would probably be a good idea to pay you in cash. I'm going to reinstate your file, Marik, but I'm going to use Malik's information.”

“Are you getting in deep shit because of the information you set up for me, Kaiba?”

Seto shrugged. “Don't worry about it. That's why I pay my lawyers very well. Besides, I have dirt on certain people that would end the careers of many reputable people should they give me a hard time about this.”

Malik put his arm around Marik's waist. “I'll come to work with him every day if need be. I don't want anyone taking him away again.”

“I don't think that will be a problem for now. But when all of this nonsense with the media is over, then I don't think you'll need to accompany him.”

Marik put his arm around Malik's shoulder. “So, will I be able to get back to work?”

Seto shrugged. “I don't see why not. Talk to Robbie. He'll fill you in on what is going on with your work.”

Marik nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Seto.”

“No problem.”

“Robbie said that he might have to leave early. Aten's not doing too well.”

Seto nodded. “That's fine. Tell him to call me if he has to leave early.”

“I will.”

Marik turned and lead Malik to Robbie's office. Malik looked around as he followed his yami.

“I've never been to this floor.”

“This is where Seto's top people have their offices. My office is right next to Robbie.”

Marik knocked on Robbie's office door. “Robbie? You in there?”

Malik heard a noise coming from inside Robbie's room. “Robbie?”

Robbie unlocked the door. “Come in, guys.”

Marik entered the room and saw Robbie's suit jacket laying across the back of his chair. “Is everything okay, Rob?”

Robbie nodded, rubbing his eye. “Yeah, I'm okay. What's up?”

“Seto told me you handled my job. What did you do on my projects?”

Robbie grabbed a box of file folders and put them in front of Marik. “I reviewed the specs for the security system. Everything seemed to check out, but I think we need to upgrade the system in the parking garage.”

Marik sat on the chair in front of Robbie's desk. “I know it was proposed that we look into a heat-sensor system. What do you think about that?”

Malik sat beside Marik and looked around the office. Robbie's office was well-organized. One window stood behind him and a box of bottled water sat beside him. Robbie's desk was clean with two pictures of Aten sitting on the desk. One picture was he and Aten standing at the altar on their wedding day. Aten was giving Robbie's cheek a kiss. The other picture was of Aten sitting on a park bench, painting with his easel in front of him.

Robbie sat behind his desk. “It could work. It would be very expensive, though. Installing it would require that we eliminate the current system and install all new equipment.”

“I don't think we should completely trash the old system. To do so would be kind of foolish. A heat-sensor system would be good after hours. It could be possible that we could use these sensor scans like a retina scan. Anybody who is not placed in the system, the Security office will be immediately notified.”

Robbie ran his fingers through his curly hair. “That would be a good idea.”

“We need something that will outsmart any thief trying to get into KaibaCorp.”

“Oh, then all we need to do is design a system to keep Bakura out of here, huh?” Malik asked. “That won't be easy.”

Malik nodded. “Who else is a qualified to try to design an impenetrable security system other than an experienced thief?”

“Very true,” Malik said.

Robbie's phone rang and he picked up the receiver. “Robert Morgan……..yes?........You got Finley's report?.....Did you look it over?........No, don't even call her……..What about the Rockle account?.........It what?.......Oh boy, alright….yeah, I'll take care of it………..Did GameTech Inc call us back yet either?......Kaiba is waiting for them to respond…..alright, I'll call them later. Goodbye.” Robbie hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “That's all there is on your work. I didn't get to anything else.”

“You holding up, Rob?”

Robbie nodded. “I have to, Marik. I don't really have a choice. Today I have to make a bunch of phone calls and I have to get some support for Heaven.”

“What kind of support?”

Robbie shrugged. “She needs some kind of assistance from Social Security. She won't be able to walk at all until we can get her some kind of prosthesis to help her out. I'm glad that it seems that the drugs her mother took are out of her system. She's not crying as she once had.”

Marik and Malik stood up. “At least she is doing better. By the way, Seto said that if you need to leave early, call him up.”

“Okay, Marik. Thanks. I better check my email.”

Marik and Malik left the room as Robbie turned on his computer. He rubbed his forehead, thinking about his obligations. He had to call the people to handled the Rockle account and ask why the money didn't go through the electronic transfer. The Finley report had to be reviewed with Seto to confirm that the Finley Corporation could build a large gaming stadium and that the specs of the plans were to his liking. GameTech Inc had to finalize their plans for their joint venture with KaibaCorp in producing a new gaming technology.

Robbie checked his email, his mind wandering to Aten laying on the bed, breathless. His eye wandered to the picture of Aten painting in the park. Aten was staring at the canvas intently, concentrating hard on his subject in the distance.

Robbie finished responding to his email. He picked up his phone and returned any phone calls on his answering machine. He made the phone calls to GameTech and the other people in question. When he finished the calls, he placed his phone on the receiver.

He rubbed his forehead as his phone rang. Robbie picked up the phone.

“Robert Morgan here.”

[Robbie, this is mom. I just called the ambulance. Aten's not improving and the oxygen isn't doing anything. Aten hasn't moved a muscle and his heart rate is falling fast.]

“Crap! Okay, mom, I'll call Seto and let him know what's going on.”

[See you at the hospital.]

Robbie quickly turned off his computer and grabbed his jacket. He quickly dialed Seto and told him about Aten's rush to the hospital. Seto allowed him to leave and he ran next door to Marik's office.

`Hold on, Aten….don't leave me yet.'

**************************

Marik and Malik followed Robbie down the hall of the hospital. They ran to the door marked `Emergency Room.'

Robbie ran to the desk. “I'm Robert Morgan. I heard that my husband was here?”

Miranda walked up to Robbie and gave him a hug. “The doctors are working on him now.”

“How is he?” Robbie asked, turning to the nurse.

“How is my boy? Is he okay?” Marik asked, his whole body shaking.

“What is his name?”

“Aten Bakari Ishtar,” Marik said quickly.

“We'll let you know when there is an update on his condition, Mr. Ishtar.”

Marik and Robbie reluctantly retreated to chairs. Marik held onto Malik's hand tightly.

/Marik, don't you think you should go into the Millennium Rod? There are police here./

//If anyone tries to fuck with me while my kid is in the Emergency Room, I'll give them a fight they won't forget for a very long time.//

Malik put his hand over Marik's. /It's okay, Marik….I'll stay here with you./

//Please, gods in the heavens, don't let my son die….not yet…..I don't want my boy to die.//

Robbie held his mother's hand tightly, biting his lip nervously. “What did the paramedics say when they came in?”

“They said that Aten's heart is failing. He actually fainted as the doctors were putting him on the stretcher.”

“Fainted?”

Miranda nodded. “He fainted and they began treating him for severe heart failure.”

Robbie released Miranda's hand and clenched his fists angrily. “I know he has that! What are they doing about it?!” Robbie slammed his fists furiously against the desk in front of him.

His mother stood back at the rare display of fury by her son.

“They gave him a couple of injections and began forcing air into his lungs.”

Robbie covered his eyes with his free hand to hide the flood of tears threatening to burst through his eye sockets. “Mom, is he going to die?”

Miranda pet Robbie's hair. “If it's his time, Robbie, it's his time. It's all what God wants. If God wants him home, he'll take him.”

“I don't want him to die,” Robbie sniffled. “I'm not there with him.”

“Prayer is the best option right now, Robbie.”

Robbie sat quietly on his chair, praying that Aten wouldn't die. Robbie reached over and took Marik's other hand. Marik squeezed the two hands holding his own.

One doctor came out holding a file. “Morgan?”

Robbie stood up. “I'm Morgan.”

“This way,” the doctor said, holding the door open.

Marik and Robbie followed the doctor with Malik and Miranda behind them. The doctor lead them to a bed behind a curtain. Robbie and Marik walked to Aten's bedside.

Aten opened a weak eye and saw his father and his husband standing beside him.

Robbie leaned over and kissed Aten's cheek. “Hello, beautiful.”

Marik reached up and pet Aten's hair. “Hello, son.”

“What is wrong with him?” Miranda asked.

The doctor sat on the other side of Aten. “Aten is in the last stages of heart failure. His chart indicates that his arrhythmia is worsening.”

Robbie looked down at Aten as he caressed Aten's cheek. “How long does he have?”

The doctor looked at the patient in the bed and up at Robbie and Marik. “I would estimate that Aten has about one week left to live. Do you have any final arrangements made, Mr. Morgan?”

Robbie's bottom lip trembled and he started to cry. Miranda put her arms around Robbie's waist.

Marik squeezed Malik's hand tightly. Malik swayed as a torrent of emotion charged through his mindlink with Marik: Anger, Fury, Despair, Sadness, Helplessness, Denial.

Robbie took Aten's hand and kissed it. “Aten, I'm sorry.”

Aten opened up his mouth. “Don't cry…..please don't cry. I hate to see you cry.”

“We have made some final arrangements,” Robbie said.

“I know this is a very difficult time for you, Mr. Morgan. I know what you are feeling right now, Mr. Ishtar. I'm sorry.”

Marik crossed his arms. “No you're not. You don't know anything about how it feels! I bet you've never watched your son die! Have you?!”

The nurse stood frozen where she stood, her eyes widening with anger in the father's voice.

Malik leaned closer to Marik. “Marik, this isn't her fault.”

“Father….no.”

Marik looked down at Aten and saw his son's brown and purple eyes filling with tears.

“Please don't, daddy,” Aten said softly.

Marik turned to Malik, who could feel the yami's heart breaking. //He hasn't called me `daddy' since he was a baby.//

/He's not feeling well, Marik. He may know that we are here to see him, but he may not realize where he is./

“Are you sure there's nothing more you can do for him?” Robbie asked desperately.

“We have him connected to an Inotropic Therapy machine. It forces his heart muscle to contract.”

Robbie looked at Aten and rubbed the soft white and blond hair. “I wish I could do more.”

Aten closed his eyes and opened them slowly. “I don't want to stay here.”

“Mr. Ishtar, we have to keep you on observation to make certain that this works.”

Aten shook his head. “I want to…….go home.”

“Aten, the doctors here can keep a better eye on you,” Malik said.

“I don't want to die in the hospital…..hooked to machines. I want home.”

Marik put his hand on his son's shoulders. “What if they just keep you overnight, boy? This way they can keep an eye on you and see if this can help you.”

Aten nodded weakly. “Okay….”

“I think it's a good idea that we keep you here in the ICU for the night, Aten.”

Robbie pet Aten's hair and kissed his cheek. “I'm not going to leave you.”

“You need rest,” Aten protested. “Besides…Heaven needs you.”

“I'll take care of the baby, Robbie.”

Robbie stood up. “I'll be right back, Aten. I'll walk mom to her car. Mom, can I see you outside?”

Marik sat beside his son and held his hand lightly as the Morgans left. Robbie walked Miranda out of the ICU and through the hospital hallway. Miranda could see Robbie's face turning red, his blue eyes struggling to hold back.

When they reached Miranda's car, she turned to her son. “Okay, Robbie. Talk to me.”

Robbie immediately hugged her and started sobbing wildly on her shoulder. She hugged him tightly and ran her fingers through his curly, black hair. “Robbie, it's going to be okay.”

“It feels like someone is holding my heart and squeezing it. Aten's not going to live through the week, mom! I don't want to lose him so soon!”

Miranda gave Robbie a kiss on the cheek. “Oh, baby, I'm sorry. Robbie, he's been sick for a long time. He's been fighting this for years. Aten needs you now more than ever. He needs you to be strong.”

“It's so hard to be strong with something like this.”

“I know, baby, but you have to be. Don't worry about the baby. If you want to come home, just give me a call.” Miranda opened her purse and handed Robbie some money. “There's money for dinner and if you need to call me and talk, okay?”

Robbie nodded. “Thanks, mom.”

“No problem, Little Soldier. Call if you need anything,” she said, getting into her car.

Robbie watched his mother pull away and walked slowly towards Aten's bed in the ICU. When he arrived at the Emergency Room, he saw Malik standing in the waiting room. “Marik said he wanted some time alone with Aten. He asked me to come out and wait for him.”

Robbie sniffled and wiped his eye. “This is hard, Malik.”

“I know,” Malik said, hugging Robbie. “This is difficult for all involved.”

“Why isn't Ryou here?”

Malik leaned against the wall. “Ryou was sleeping. I figured it was best to let Ry sleep and get him when they figured out what was wrong with Aten. Ryou will definitely be here.”

Malik and Robbie sat on the chairs in the waiting room, waiting for Marik to finish with Aten.

Marik continued to hold Aten's hand as the monitors around them beeped.

“Father, I hope you aren't mad.”

“Mad? Why would I be angry with you, Aten?”

Aten took a fluid-filled breath. “Because…I'm not like Aria.”

“What do you mean?”

Aten took another congested breath. “I'm not healthy like her. I'm not strong.”

Marik struggled to let out a chuckle. “You're my boy, Aten. I love you the way you are. You're…..my son. I wouldn't change that for all the gold in the pharaoh's coffers.”

The teen smiled. “Really?”

Marik reached up and stroked Aten's cold cheek lightly. “You are an Ishtar. Ishtars are strong. I admit that there's no way I could have ever gone through as much bullshit as you have with that heart of yours. You're the strongest person I know, Aten. You've taught me a lot of things….things I never would have known had I never brought you into this world.” Marik smiled at his son. “You are my world, Aten. Everything I have done, I have done to try to give you what you needed. I love you so much, Aten. I couldn't have wished for a better son.”

Aten sniffled. “Father, come here.”

Aten opened his arms and Marik leaned over to hug him. Marik buried his face in his son's neck and bit his lip to keep from sobbing into Aten's cold skin. The yami continued holding onto his son, clinging, not wanting to let him go. He knew that if he let Aten go, this could be their last embrace. He could hear Aten's congested breathing, he could feel the machines forcing Aten's heart to contract and the heart resisting the push to keep beating.

Marik very reluctantly released Aten from the hug. “I'm going to go home and get your mother. Do you want him to come see you?”

Aten nodded slowly. “I do.”

“Okay, I'll bring him here, then. I'll send Robbie in again.” Marik leaned down and kissed his son's forehead. “May the gods protect you.”

Aten watched his father leave and reached out to him as Marik left. “Father….”

Aten lowered his head and started to cry silently. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed.

Robbie entered the room several minutes later and saw Aten crying. “What's wrong?”

Aten reached out for Robbie. Robbie stood beside Aten and hugged him. The Egyptian buried his face in Robbie's chest, his own heaving and making the alarms on the machines beep and squeal.

“Aten, it's okay, calm down,” Robbie said.

Nurses and doctors ran towards his bed and Robbie held up a hand.

“He's upset, that's it. I'll take care of it.”

Robbie pet Aten's hair and leaned down to his lover. “Aten, take a deep breath.”

Aten whimpered and began breathing heavy.

“You're going to make this harder on yourself, Aten. You'll be okay. Here, lay back and relax.”

Robbie helped Aten lay back on the bed and tucked him under the blanket. Aten began to shiver.

“C-Cold.”

Robbie retrieved some more blankets from a nurse nearby and tucked Aten under them. Aten continued to shiver as Robbie sat by his side.

Robbie pet Aten's cheek lightly. “Try and get some sleep, Aten.”

Aten turned his head towards Robbie and slowly closed his eyes. Robbie leaned back against the back of his chair and watched the monitors show Aten's heartbeat.

Aten breathed very shallow and irregularly. His body twitched as he slept.

Robbie watched every move his sleeping lover made: the rising and falling of his lover's chest, the twitching of an eyelid, the quiet, gentle repose of his closest friend he had ever known.

**************************

Malik walked into the room and leaned against the door. He took a deep breath and sighed.

Ryou looked over him and saw the worry on his face. “Malik, are you okay?”

The Millennium Rod glowed and Marik appeared beside Malik.

“Today was a rough day,” Malik said.

“Where's Itemri?” Marik asked.

Ryou pointed up to the ceiling. “He's in my bedroom, thinking.”

Marik walked up the stairs with a stern look on his face.

“How was your day rough?”

Malik walked beside Ryou and sat down. He took Ryou's hand. “Aten was rushed to the hospital this morning.”

Ryou looked Malik in the eye and gasped. “Is he---?”

“No, he's at the hospital. They're gonna keep him overnight, but he should be home tomorrow.”

Ryou sighed. “Thank goodness. At least he's alive.”

“The doctors had him hooked up to machines all day. Aten wanted to go home. He didn't want to stay in the hospital.”

“I was praying for him last night. I hope he's okay.”

Malik nodded. “So do I. I'll take you to go see him whenever you are ready. That is, if you want to go.”

Ryou nodded. “I'd like to go over there for an hour or so. I don't want to exhaust him with a long visit.”

There was a knock on the door and Malik and Ryou raised their heads. Ryou stood up and walked to the door.

Ryou opened the door and his eyes widened in disbelief as he saw an Egyptian woman standing on his front step. “Isis?”

 

Updates: 7/14