Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter21 ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Stronger Than Before

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, we'd be rich. But we don't, so we're not.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, leave now! Don't bother flaming us, because we'll just laugh at you.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS CHAPTER TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER GONE THROUGH WITHDRAWAL, BE IT FROM STREET DRUGS OR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. IT'S A VERY LONG AND DIFFICULT PROCESS, ONE MADE EASIER BY THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR YOU…IF YOU'LL JUST LET THEM HELP. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thoughts and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

`yak yak' (Artificial Intelligence) Sadie's voice

~*~*~*~*~

DD: Okay, for all of you who were waiting for things to get better…

YD: You're STILL gonna have to wait!

Tris: That's not true! Be nice, Dragon.

YD: I don't HAVE to be nice!

Joey: Someone needs a nap!

YD: Watch your mouth, Blondie, or I'll bring Keith back.

Joey: I'm shutting up now.

Ryou: *throws plushies to readers* Here you go! We love you guys!!

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan tried to stop the tears as he left the clinic, but couldn't.

He got behind the wheel of his car and stared up at the second floor windows of the building. Joey was up there somewhere, but after five days, Tristan still hadn't seen him.

He saw movement in one of the windows and instinctively knew it was Joey, watching him, waiting for him to leave.

/Why won't you talk to me? I miss you, baby. Can't you see I'm only trying to do what's best for you?/

He had taken Seto's advice and was staying at the retreat so he could be a little closer to Joey. Not that it was doing any good. He came twice a day but Joey refused to see him. Everyone else had come, including Mokuba, and they had all told Tristan that Joey didn't want to see him, didn't want to talk to him and changed the subject every time his name was brought up.

It seemed he was blaming Tristan for his residence at the clinic, even though Seto had told him he was the one who had admitted him. He was also refusing to co-operate with the staff on every level. He wasn't eating, wouldn't leave his room and when he did sleep, he had nightmares and could be heard calling out to Tristan.

The figure moved away from the window and Tristan rested his forehead against the steering wheel, closing his eyes.

/Please, Joey…please. Just talk to me./

There was a tap on the window and he opened his eyes to see Seto standing next to the car.

Seto opened the door. "Out. Now."

Tristan stepped out of the vehicle to find three pairs of arms wrapped tightly around him.

"He still won't see you?" Yugi asked.

Tristan shook his head, letting himself be held by the three of them. It felt good to have their arms around him. He hadn't seen much of them in the last week. Bakura and Ryou had spent a night with him, but Ryou was back at the Conservatory and Tristan didn't want him skipping classes.

"What brings you guys out here?" Tristan asked as he untangled himself.

"Good news." Seto's smile was infectious and Tristan had an idea what he was going to say. "The orphanage called. They want to see us tomorrow."

"That's great!" Tristan hugged Seto. "You guys have been waiting so long for this!"

"And it's thanks to you no one knew, or will know, until we're ready."

"Seto…don't start." Tristan sighed. "I'm not ready to come back…if I do at all."

"Leave him be, love." Yami said. "We came here to share our news with Joey, not for you to start harping on Tristan to come back to work."

Tristan sent Yami a grateful look before speaking again. "So, boy or girl?"

"A boy." Yugi grinned. "All we know so far is that his name is Justin and that he has a medical problem. Something about his eyes. They're sending us his profile today."

"I'm so happy for you." Tristan squeezed Yami's shoulder.

"Are you staying at the retreat tonight?"

"Probably." Tristan shrugged and looked over his shoulder toward the clinic. "I guess I'll try again tomorrow."

"I'll try talking to him again." Seto said. "Why don't you head back and go for a ride? You need to relax."

"I was planning on it."

"Do you want me to come out and stay with you tonight?"

"No, that's okay, pal." Tristan smiled. "I know you want to get home and take a look at Justin's profile."

"Yeah, I do." Seto grinned. "Oh, by the way…Master Kiotou wants to see us about what happened the other day."

Tristan raised a questioning eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"He wouldn't talk to me. He wants to see us together."

"Okay. Whatever fits into your schedule."

"I'll let you know, buddy." Seto hugged Tristan again. "And we'll give you a call when we get the information on Justin."

"Sure. I'll talk to you guys later."

Tristan waited until they had entered the building before getting back into his car.

/Maybe hearing they're finally adopting will bring Joey around. I know we were talking about it before he…left. He'd be such a great father. Maybe…maybe I should go ahead and start the process. It might give him a goal to work toward./ Tristan pulled onto the main road and headed back to the retreat. /I'll give it a couple of days…see if he makes any progress./

Focusing on the road, Tristan forced from his mind the thoughts of another long, lonely night in an empty bed.

~*~*~*~*~

"Excuse me, Joey." Gwen came into the room. "There's someone here to see you."

Joey's eyes narrowed. "I said I don't want to see him."

"It's not Tristan." Gwen said, casting a glance at Seto. "It's Otogi."

"Otogi?" Joey looked surprised. "What's he doing here?"

"I was wondering when he was going to show up." Seto commented, standing up from his chair.

Seto took Yugi's hand, pulling him off the bed, and extended his other hand to Yami.

"Well, we have to get going anyway." Yugi smiled at the blond. "Hopefully by the time we get home we'll have gotten that email."

Joey smiled back, but it didn't reach his red-rimmed eyes. He had spent the better part of the last hour lying with his head in Yami's lap, listening to his friend's happy comments about the child they were planning to adopt.

[Tristan and I wanted to do that. I wonder if he still does?]

"Do you mind Otogi visiting?" Yami asked as he shifted out from under Joey.

"I guess not." Joey sighed. "Will you come back tomorrow?"

"Of course." Seto said. "Do you want us to bring you anything?"

"Could…could I borrow your guitar? The acoustic?"

"Sure." Seto replied, inwardly elated that Joey was showing interest in something. "Anything else?"

"Umm…well…no, forget it." Joey shook his head.

"No. What do you want?"

"Well, I'd really like to have my guitar pick. The one Gramps gave me."

"No problem." Seto reached out and brushed Joey's hair back from his eyes. "Try to get some sleep tonight, okay, pup?"

"I'll try." Joey smiled genuinely at Seto's affectionate gesture. "Thanks for coming to see me."

"We'll see you tomorrow, Joey." Yugi hugged his friend. "Probably in the afternoon."

Joey blinked back tears as he watched them leave. He was lonely. As much as he wouldn't admit it, he really missed Tristan; but he was so mad that he had lied to him when he promised he wouldn't leave him alone. And Seto trying to convince him to see Tristan only made him dig in further and refuse.

His thoughts were interrupted by Gwen coming back into the room with Otogi.

"If you boys need anything, just let me know." She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Otogi's arm going around her waist.

"Thank you, Gwyneth, my sweet angel." Otogi kissed her cheek. "It's nice to see you again."

Gwen deftly removed his arm. "You're far too charming for your own good. But then I've told you that before, haven't I, Otogi?"

"Yes." Otogi smiled. "But you love me and you know it."

Gwen rolled her eyes and left the room, laughing.

Otogi's laughter died on his lips as he turned and looked at Joey. "Holy shit, man. You look like hell."

"Nice to see you too." Joey replied sarcastically.

"Aww, geeze, Joey. I'm sorry." Otogi looked properly contrite. "That wasn't the best way to greet you after all this time."

"Forget it." Joey shifted on the bed, making himself more comfortable. "Grab a seat."

Ignoring the chair, Otogi sat down on the bed next to Joey. "How are you doing?"

"About as good as I look. What brings you here?"

"You. My grandfather sent me hoping I could talk some sense into you."

"You're grandfather?"

"Master Kiotou."

Joey's eyes widened. "Master Kiotou's your grandfather?!"

Otogi nodded. "He's really worried about you, Joey. He thought if I talked to you, maybe you wouldn't feel so alone."

"One more person lecturing me isn't going to help, Otogi."

"I'm not here to lecture you." Otogi looked around. "Funny…these walls were green when I was here."

"When you were…" Joey looked, shocked, at the man sitting next to him.

"When I was sixteen." Otogi said. "I was hooked on crack."

Joey sat in stunned silence as Otogi told him his story.

"But you didn't go through what I went through." Joey said when Otogi was finished. "You didn't get the shit kicked out of you for every little thing. You didn't whore for your next fix."

"No." Otogi said quietly. "I stole to get my drugs…from my grandparents."

"You…you STOLE from the Kiotous?!"

"I did. Money mostly. Sometimes I'd steal aphrodisiacs from the shop. People paid a lot of money for stuff like that."

"It's still not the same." Joey insisted stubbornly.

"No, it's not. You're far luckier than I was."

"How do you figure that?"

"You have so many people who love you." Otogi's emerald eyes grew sad for a moment. "Sure I had my grandparents, but you have Tristan. He loves you so much, Joey. You're taking for granted what you have."

"I…"

"Joey…he loves you. He doesn't deserve the way you're treating him." Otogi looked down at his hands. "When you were gone, I practically threw himself at him. He wouldn't have me. And believe me…I tried everything."

Joey looked at Otogi, his eyes serious. "What do you mean by `everything'?"

Otogi blushed slightly. "Everything from seduction to playing him when he was vulnerable."

"What happened?" Joey asked, wondering why he wasn't jealous.

Otogi shrugged. "Nothing much. Like I said…he didn't want me."

Joey thought he saw tears in the jewel colored eyes and he realized Otogi was right. Tristan did love him. Loved him enough that he was willing to risk their relationship to make sure he kicked his habit.

Joey moaned and covered his face with his hands. "I'm such an idiot! Oh, gods…"

"Don't push him away any more, Joey." Otogi cautiously put his arm around the blond's shoulders. "You're so lucky to have someone who loves you that much."

Joey leaned against the dark haired man, grateful for his presence. "I need to see him."

"I know he'll be back tomorrow." Otogi reassured him. "I'm sure he'll be happy to know you've forgiven him."

"How did you know?" Joey looked up.

"Seto told me." Otogi grinned at the surprised look on Joey's face. "How do you think he found out about this place? Besides, I've been keeping in touch with Tristan. You…you don't mind, do you?"

Joey almost laughed. "No, I don't mind. Seto's been really busy lately, and I know he hasn't had much time for him."

Otogi shook his head, a perplexed look on his face. "Their relationship is…weird. If I didn't know better, I'd think they were lovers or something."

Joey didn't say anything. Tristan's relationship with Seto wasn't Otogi's business. That and he didn't think the raven haired man would understand. He was only just beginning to understand himself.

"So, tell me what you've been up to." Joey changed the subject.

They talked for hours, until Gwen came and kicked Otogi out. Otogi tried to cajole her, but it didn't work, so he tried pouting instead. That didn't work either.

He finally left, promising to come back in a few days, and Joey settled down for the night.

[I can't wait to see you tomorrow, Tristan. I do miss you…so much. I love you. I can't wait until you get here so I can tell you that.]

Joey quickly fell asleep, knowing that tonight there would be no nightmares and tomorrow would be better. He was ready to stop fighting the people who were trying to help him. He was ready to begin the journey back. Back to sobriety, back to his life, but most importantly to him, back to Tristan.

~*~*~*~*~

`Seto, the email just arrived from the orphanage.'

"Finally!" Seto got up from his spot on the floor in front of the unlit fireplace where he was playing chess with Yugi. "Open everything and put it up downstairs, Sadie."

`It's already done.' The AI's voice held a note of smugness.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Tell Yami and Mokuba to meet us down there then."

Yami met them outside the control room door. "Where's Mokuba?"

"Here." The youngest Kaiba came running up, more out of breath than he should have been. "I was on the phone."

Seto raised an eyebrow, taking in his brother's flushed and sweating face and his uncomfortable shifting. {On the phone, huh? Either he has a girlfriend I don't know about or…I'd better check his credit card.}

Putting that rather unpleasant thought from his mind, Seto opened the door. They quickly settled down, four pairs of eyes scanning the screens.

"He's cute." Mokuba called their attention to Justin's picture.

Without being asked, Sadie maximized the photo for them.

There were two pictures actually. One was obviously from his official file and the other was more casual, showing the four year old boy sitting on the floor, playing.

"Are those cataracts on his eyes?" Yugi asked, indicating the file photo.

`He's almost blind in his left eye.' Sadie informed them. `And he only has thirty percent vision in his right.'

"Poor kid." Mokuba sighed. "You'd think the orphanage would get him prescription glasses."

"Sadie, does it say anything about those sunglasses?" Seto asked, looking at the casual picture, wondering if the boy was wearing the dark glasses inside for a reason.

`He has light sensitive eyes and requires sunglasses even indoors.'

Seto steepled his fingers under his chin and looked more closely at the images on the screen.

Justin was tall for his age, and thin. The head full of tight, black curls and mocha colored skin, along with the slanted eyes, marked him as a biracial child. A serious expression adorned his face in both pictures. He didn't look like a child who smiled easily.

{He reminds me of me as a child.}

"What does it say about his parents?" Yami asked.

`His mother was Japanese and his father was African. They were killed approximately eighteen months ago in a car accident.'

"Oh, sweet Isis." There were tears in Yami's eyes. "The poor child."

"Hey!" Mokuba pointed to the screen. "His birthday's the same day as mine! Neat!"

`I took the liberty of scheduling you an appointment tomorrow at ten o'clock.'

"I have a meeting with Otogi tomorrow at ten." Seto said.

`Not any more you don't.'

"Sadie…"

"She's right, big brother." Mokuba spoke up before Seto could comment further.

"Okay, fine." Seto looked up at the screen. "We'll go tomorrow morning."

Yugi sprang up from his chair and threw himself at Seto. "This is going to be so great!"

"Don't get too excited, Aibou." Yami cautioned. "He may not be the child for us."

Seto pried Yugi off him and stood, tracing his fingers over the picture on the screen. "Yes, he is. I know it."

~*~*~*~*~

"Good morning, Gwen." Tristan greeted the woman.

"Good morning, Tristan!"

"How was he last night?"

"Actually," Gwen smiled, glad to be the bearer of good news for once. "Otogi came to see him, and after he left Joey fell right to sleep and slept like a baby. He got up about an hour ago, had breakfast with Will, took a shower and he's upstairs waiting for you."

Her rich laughter echoed through the lobby at the look on Tristan's face. "Close your mouth, Tristan, unless you're trying to catch flies or something."

Tristan blinked, gathering his wits. "He wants to see me?"

"That's what I just said." Gwen retorted fondly. "Go on then. Top of the stairs, second door on the left."

"Gwen…I…thank you."

"Don't thank me," She replied. "Thank Otogi. He's the one who finally managed to get through to that stubborn man of yours."

"I will."

Gwen smiled again at the way Tristan's grin seemed to light up his whole face as he spun around and practically sprinted up the stairs.

Gained the closed door, Tristan reached out and knocked.

"Come in."

Tristan opened the door, going into the room and closing it softly behind him. He found Joey standing next to the bed, dressed in a pair of faded jeans, his hair still damp, struggling to do up the buttons on his shirt with shaking hands.

"Joey? Do you need some help?"

Joey's head snapped up. "Tristan…"

They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, barely breathing.

Tristan's heart clenched as he saw Joey's tired, amber eyes fill with tears and he held out his arms. "Come here, baby."

Joey threw himself into Tristan's waiting embrace with a small sob. "Tris…I'm…I'm sorry. I love you."

"Joey…oh, Joey…" Tristan buried his face in the damp, blond hair, choking back the tears.

Joey heard the hitch in his voice and pulled back to find tears running unchecked down Tristan's face. Tristan turned his head away, embarrassed, and mumbled an apology.

"No, don't be ashamed, Tris." Joey cupped Tristan's chin in his hand, turning the brunet's face back toward him. "It's kinda good to see you cry, ya know? You never did for so long I was beginning to wonder what happened to the sensitive guy I fell in love with."

Joey's hand slid up the angular face of his lover to wrap around his neck. He brought his other arm up and tucked his head under Tristan's chin with a contented sigh.

"I missed you." He whispered.

"I missed you too, love." Tristan's arms tightened around Joey. "So very much."

Joey lifted his head and looked deeply into Tristan's eyes. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you, Tristan."

"Shh…" Tristan leaned in and kissed him gently. "It's okay. I understand. I'm just sorry I lied to you, Joey, but it was the only way to get you in here. I only want you to get better."

"I know. It's just…I want to go home, Tris. I hate it here. I hate sleeping alone. I want to be with you."

"I want you to come home too, Joey. I miss holding you at night…miss waking up next to you." Tristan pulled Joey closer. "I miss making love to you."

"I miss that too." Joey pulled Tristan down, brushing their lips together. "Please kiss me, Tristan."

Tristan sank his hands into Joey's hair as their lips met again. It was slow and sweet, almost chaste, until Joey parted his lips, a small, pleading sound escaping him. He moaned softly as Tristan's tongue tangled with his own, and he pressed closer.

When they finally parted, Tristan opened his eyes to see a small smile gracing Joey's kiss swollen mouth.

"I can't believe I went for the better part of a week without that." Joey said.

Tristan smiled and began combing his fingers through Joey's long hair. Joey purred, letting his head fall back, enjoying the feeling.

"You look exhausted, love." Tristan commented as he ran his hands up under Joey's shirt to rub his back.

"I am. I slept good last night, but I have a lot of catching up to do."

"Why don't you lie down and have a nap?"

"Will you stay with me? Please?"

"Of course I will, baby." Tristan led Joey over to the bed and lay down, drawing Joey against him.

"I really missed that too." Joey said, cuddling in close, trying to find a position that would minimize his twitching.

"Missed what?"

"I missed hearing you call me `baby'." Joey finally settled down, laying his head on Tristan's chest and sighing as the brunet's arms came around him. "Know what else I missed?"

"What's that?"

"I missed listening to you sing." Joey burrowed closer. "Will you sing something for me, Tristan? Maybe it'll help me sleep."

Tristan thought for a moment and then began to sing softly. Joey smiled. The song was, of all things, a lullaby. It was Egyptian, sung in that language, something that Yami had taught to them years ago.

Joey closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, soothed by the voice of his lover, feeling safe in the strong arms that held him.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto, Yami and Yugi stood watching the children play.

There were eight or nine of them, ranging in age from infants to preteens.

Seto viciously blocked out the memories of his own stay here in this very orphanage. IF it hadn't been for Mokuba, he would surely have died of loneliness.

"This must be quite the homecoming for you, Mr. Kaiba. You've done very well for yourself and your brother since your days here." A woman of indeterminate age approached them and held out her hand to Seto. "I'm Gladys Knowles, the director here."

Yugi glared at the woman. He and Yami knew all about how Seto's time here, how lonely their husband had been, separated from the other children because of his intelligence.

Seto ignored the proffered hand and gestured to the two men with him. "My husbands Yami Kaiba and Yugi Motou-Kaiba."

"Yes…um…I'm happy to meet you."

//Yeah, right. She looks like she does…the bitch.//

[[Calm yourself, Aibou. Marriages such as ours are difficult for some people to accept.]]

"We came to meet Justin." Seto stated in a business like tone, realizing that his husbands were not going to greet the woman.

"Of course. I received your email this morning." She was suddenly all business. "Perhaps we should talk first. Justin has some…issues that need to be discussed."

"I am aware of Justin's medical problems, Ms. Knowles. Rest assured he will receive the treatment he needs if he chooses to come live with us."

//Seto's going all CEO on her.// Yugi chuckled mentally. //She doesn't stand a chance.//

[[I agree, my light. This should be entertaining.]]

"It's not an issue of his choice, Mr. Kaiba…"

"We will not take him unless the choice is left up to him."

"Very well." She said.

Seto raised an eyebrow. He saw right through this woman. He knew that the minute they left, she would pressure Justin into going along with what she wanted. He'd have to make sure that didn't happen.

She led them further into the room, cutting nervous glances at Yami, who stared back at her, his face expressionless.

//She's scared of you, Yami.//

[[So she should be. I don't like this woman, Aibou. There's something…wrong about her.]]

Seto was completely aware of the silent conversation going on between the other two. And he knew they were talking about the Knowles woman.

{Gods! These kids are playing with some of the toys Mokuba played with when we were here! I know we donate money to this place…Mokuba oversees it. Where the hell is it going?}

"That's Justin over there." The woman pointed him out to the three men, watching their reaction.

Yami's eyes immediately softened. "May we talk to him?"

"Of course." She turned to where Justin was playing on the floor with a little girl with brown hair. "Justin, there are some people here to meet you. Please come here."

Justin looked up, his face serious. The little girl sitting next to him stood, and turned toward the group, smiling.

"Dear Ra!" Yami exclaimed. "She looks just like…"

"She looks like Tristan!" Yugi finished.

Seto stared at the girl. Long, curly brown hair hung around an angular face and large hazel eyes smiled at him. She did look just like Tristan.

"Umm…Seto?" Yugi took his hand. "Does Tristan have any kids he doesn't know about?"

Seto shook his head, waiting until the director's attention was captured by another child before he answered. "No. I know for a fact that Tristan's never been with a woman. Besides, she's younger than Justin. She can't be more than three."

"Wow. That's incredible how much she looks like him."

They watched as the little girl held out her hand to Justin. He reached for it, managing to grasp it on the second try.

He was led toward them by the girl, who carefully steered him around the other children and odd toys littering the floor.

"Ah, here he is." Ms. Knowles turned her attention back to her guests. "Thank you, Alexis, you can go play now."

"Tay!" The child looked up at Seto with a smile and waved at him. "Bye, misser!"

Seto smiled at her, noticing that the hand she held up, her right hand, was maimed. Her middle, ring and pinky fingers looked fused together.

"Justin, this is Mr. Kaiba." Ms. Knowles introduced the boy.

Justin looked up at Seto over the tops of his dark glasses. He squinted a little, trying to see clearly the face of the man standing in front of him.

"Hello, Justin." Seto sank down on one knee. "How are you?"

"Fine, thank you." Justin replied, his voice as serious as his face. "Do you want to adopt me?"

"Well," Seto began, taken aback by the blunt question. "We've been talking about it."

"No one wants to adopt me. I've been here a long time. The other kids say nobody wants me because I can't see good."

[[He's very serious for his age, isn't he?]]

//He sure is, Yami.//

"We don't mind that, Justin." Yami said.

"Who are you?" Justin turned his attention to Yami and Yugi.

"I am Yami, and this is Yugi. We're Seto's husbands."

Justin blinked and turned back to Seto. "You have two husbands?"

"I do." Seto watched the boys face to see how he'd take the news.

"Oh…okay."

"Justin," Ms. Knowles interrupted. "These gentlemen are interested in adopting you. What do you think about that?"

"I don't know." Justin looked at his feet. "I don't want to leave Lexi. She helps me, and I'm the only one who can understand her."

"Is Lexi the little girl who brought you over?" Yugi asked, curious about the child who looked so much like his friend.

"Yes. She's three, but she doesn't talk very good."

"Justin," Seto captured his attention again. "If you choose to come live with us, I'll make sure you can see Lexi as much as you want."

"You'd…you'd do that for me?"

Seto frowned. "Of course I would."

Yugi turned immediately to Ms. Knowles. "We'd like to speak to Justin alone, please."

"But…sir. It's against policy to leave prospective parents alone with the children on their first visit."

"Now." Yami said, glaring at her.

The woman backed away from the Yami, noticing for the first time that his eyes were red…and they were cold as ice. "Very well. I'll be in the next room."

They waited until she had left and then Yugi sat down on the floor next to the boy. Yami kneeled next to Seto so none of them would be towering over at the child.

"Justin," Yugi said. "Do you like it here?"

"No…not really. I don't have any friends. They make fun of me because I can't see and sometimes I trip over things. Except Lexi. She's my best friend. We stick together. The other kids make fun of her too."

Yami saw the memories flickering in Seto's eyes and reached for his hand. "Justin, we would like it if you came to live with us. But we want the decision to be yours. Will you think about it?"

Justin moved closer to Seto and looked up at him. "Do you really want to be my father?"

It was all Seto could do not to break down at the hope he saw in the clouded brown eyes. "Yes, Justin. We all do."

"And you'll let me come back to see Lexi?"

"Yes. Whenever you want."

"Well," Justin looked at his feet again for a moment before looking back up at Seto. "Then I think I'd be the luckiest kid in the world."

Seto reached out and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. Tears filled his eyes when Justin moved toward him and, reaching up, put his small arms around Seto's neck.

"I think we're the lucky ones, Justin."

~*~*~*~*~

DD: FINALLY! I've been waiting, like, EIGHT chapters to introduce Justin!!

Tris: Please don't tell me I have a kid I don't know about.

YD: *evil grin*

Joey: Better not.

Yugi: I'm gonna be a great dad!

DD: *huggles Yugi* Yes you are!

Bakura: So, review or else…I wanna see if that kid is Tristan's or not.

~*~*~*~*~

Note from DD: Speaking of withdrawal…going thru it myself, from a prescription I've been on for the last two years. Having said that, I'm coming completely off it on Sunday, so I don't know when I'll be updating again. I may get another chappie done b4 then…maybe not. It could be up to two weeks. Just wanted to let you guys know. Love you all! *hugs*