Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ To Serve and Protect ❯ Chapter 15

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

To Serve 15

Thanks to: LegoBrix, (*snuggles* Sorry you bumped whatever. I'm really glad you're reading
both stories), Kitsune (Sometimes the system removes the asterisks I use to mark thoughts.),
Eturnalpain91 (thanks), Koalared (thanks), Red Eyes White Dragon ( Here you are. ), Hellfire
(They are both 'real' Oriental people tend to choose an English name as well as one in their
language, according to my Chinese friend), Saikki-Dono (I own an obscene number of arms.
Long and hand), Mandy925802002 (thanks), Wheeler Wolf (You don't suck, anything that lets
me know you're reading is gratefully accepted even just 'Hi'), Mother CHOWGoddess (thanks),
Red Rose Yuki (thanks), Nightmare Senshi (Yum cookies), Jasmemini, (Thanks), imbar,
(thanks), Hikari Raine (thanks), Lil Miss Kitty, (*snickers* thanks), dragonlady222(thanks),
aliascatts (thanks), maggiemay (lots of research plus being the gun freak of all time), Lil Miss
Kitty (because it's a surprise party) bwlj (thanks)

Someone offered to beta me in all the confusion I lost the e-mail, thanks; if you see something
really off please mail me.

I have fired most of the weapons I write about. Sad to say I haven't managed to get my hands on
the Berettas (yet). I love guns and shooting. I even shoot black powder so most of the things I say
can be done I've done.

~ * ~

Joey grumbled himself awake. Last night had been really hard on him and he really wanted to
stay in bed. Then his stomach made itself known.

Seto? You awake? You feel ok?

Seto blinked then groaned softly. "Ow! I'm hungry. Joey. You ok? I'll be fine, just bring me one
of those blue pills Roland . . . you'll have to find them I'm not sure where he put them."

Joey was sure, he'd made sure he knew where everything he might need was last night. He
retrieved the pill and got a glass of water, taking it all to Seto he watched as Seto propped
himself up on one elbow and got the pill down his throat

"You wanna stay in bed or get up and . . ."

Seto crawled out of the bed and stood up. He started to stretch then grunted."Bad idea. Joey, I'm
not that bad hurt. I'll heal. Gozaburo used to have the gardener beat me til I passed out. Mokuba.
. . fuck. . . . Mo' is gonna have a fit. I think I'll just hide until he goes home."

"No you won't" Joey put his arms around Seto, careful not to hurt him. "Seto we need to talk
about this. I told Roland to call Doctor Higa last night. I don't know when he'll be here but I
know he'll come. I. . . don't know. . ."

Seto put a finger on Joey's lips. "Hush. I told you last night. I couldn't save us. But I could
provide a distraction while you saved us. Team work. You did good. You know damn good and
well that the next step was getting things cut off. So shut up and kiss me like you mean it."

So Joey did. And after a considerable time standing and convincing each other that they were all
right they went in search of breakfast.

At breakfast Seto turned the chair around and sat in it, straddling the back to keep from forgetting
and leaning back.

Joey ate like he hadn't eaten in days and Seto wasn't far behind him. A door banging in the
distance sent Joey under the table with his gun drawn. He crawled out and sat at the table
shaking, finally calming down enough to snarl 'shit' and pour another cup of coffee.

"Seto . . . I'm . . . fuck. "

Roland walked in just then with a thick envelope in his hand.

"Sir, this just arrived by special messenger. I signed for it but they want confirmation of receipt."

Seto held out his hand for the conformation form

"Um . . . Mr. Kaiba, Sir. It's for Master Joseph . . . from the Department."

Joey eyed the envelope. This couldn't be good. Nothing from the Police Department that had to
be signed for ever was. But he signed the form and took the envelope.

"We cleaned up after the mess last night but I think an informant got hold of something. I'm very
sorry, Master Joseph."

Joey just shook his head at Roland. "You do good. If it got out I'm sure it wasn't your people that
leaked. You can't do stuff like we did last night . . . especially in a neighborhood like that, and
not have repercussions. Just tell me they don't know I left a trail of bodies."

"I'm not sure who knows what. But . . . well. I'll get in touch with my contacts and see what I
can find out."

"Thanks."

Joey turned the envelope in his hands. It was thick and heavy. He wasn't sure he even wanted to
open it. He put it down on the table and eyed it like it was a bomb. Maybe it was.

"Joey . . . staring at it isn't going to make it go away. Open it before my head explodes."

Joey sighed, he didn't want to do this, he knew it was going to change his life. He also felt that it
might not be for the better. He reached out with a hand that trembled slightly. He didn't see the
group that had gathered behind him.

Seto watched as Joey produced a knife from somewhere. *Where the hell does he keep those?*
He used it to slit the envelope open then put it away. He extracted the contents carefully, like
they might explode if he was too rough with them.

As he read, Seto read him. Joey's face told Seto that it wasn't good news. He looked angry.

"Well . . . isn't that just a kick in the head. Roland is that messenger still waiting?"

"Yes Sir. He said he had a pick . . . damn them!"

Joey looked around. "Um . . . . Yukari, go get a tray. Big, fancy and sliver. Change your clothes.
Put on that uniform you have."

"Sir." Yukari bowed and went out.

"Roland go down to the armory and get that piece of trash .380 of Seto's. The department wants
my shield and gun. They don't know what I really own, so that junk might as well make itself
useful."

Seto gave Joey a puzzled look as Roland paled and growled 'damn.'

"What's going on?"

"I'm on suspension until further notice. I guess I made one mess too many."

Seto just blinked for a second. Then he exploded. "I'll have someone's head. This is ridiculous.
You're . . . they . . . I'll get in touch with . . ."

Joey just snuggled up to Seto, silently pleading for support. "Don't. It won't do any good. Guys
like me . . . we get swept under the rug sooner or later. Just be glad they didn't order an arrest as
well."

Seto rumbled deep in his chest. He wasn't going to take this sitting down, or standing up. He
gently held Joey until he quit shaking. Then he gently got him seated at the table again and asked
if he could read the papers. Joey just nodded looking slightly dazed.

Seto finally put the papers down, frowning. "We could fight this. They don't state any incidents
that are that outrageous. The arrest, which was planned to get you in with me. Those incidents in
the station. But . . . nothing really outrageous. And nothing involving the public. They say you're
not attending therapy sessions. But we never got any appointments. And you are in therapy with
Doctor Higa. Granted, he's really unorthodox, but he gets results and any unorthodox treatments
are thoroughly explained and discussed."

Seto prepared to do battle.

"NO! I'll just take it on the chin. I'll have to find a job. But . . . I'm not fightin' it. They don't
want me after all I did? . . . fine. I . . Seto, I'm still findin' that Letter Man and . . . shit . . . I."
Joey just put his head down in his folded arms resting on the table, fighting the keep from
breaking down.

Seto sat beside him and rubbed his back in small soothing circles.

"If you don't want to fight it, that's fine by me. But . . . I just feel that . . . " Seto sighed. "if you
don't, fine. You have a job. I'm hiring you specifically to direct the search for the Letter Man. I
don't care if you're trained or not. You're a great organizer and that's just as important as
anything else. Oh, and you're now Kaiba Corp's liaison between the company and the Police. Let
them chew on that."

Joey sat up, rubbed his face with both hands and ran them through his messy hair. "They left me
with all my benefits. And they enclosed a check for all my earned leave. Vacation, sick and paid.
They . . . well, shit."

Just then Yukari returned, dressed in Kaiba Family livery, with the tray Joey had requested. It
was thick, heavy, and heavily ornamented in a Victorian style. He looked like something out of
Cinderella. A very ornamental foot man or such.

"Sir. What shall I do?"

Joey took his badge folder out of his pocket and handed it to Yukari. Roland came in just then
with the .380 wrapped in a greasy rag. He gave it to Joey who unwrapped it and examined it. It
was loaded and ready. Joey smirked evilly.

Just before you get to the Commissioner's Office unwrap that. Put the gun and the badge on the
tray and present them to him. Make as much a show as you are comfortable with. But rub his
nose in it. 'K?"

Yukari nodded and remarked that he had on the wrong clothes and a silver tray wasn't what was
wanted at all.

Joey frowned and asked what he meant.

"You are a samurai. They have insulted you immensely. I shall get out my Hakama, the one's
with the Kaiba seal on them. Very nice, if I do say so myself. And just finished. I'll treat it like a
retirement from service, if that doesn't shame him, I don't know what will."

Yukari went away to take care of business, never mind that the messenger was still waiting for
them to turn over Joey's shield and gun.

Seto blinked for a second, "You're samurai? Um . . ."

"Yeah, so what? It's not that big a deal. Look at me, see how much good it did."

Seto was surprised and let Joey see it.

"Hell, don't look so surprised. Let me see. . . . um . . . " then Joey started naming names. On and
on he went; father to grandfather to great-grandfather, naming ancestors back generations. He
included overlords as well as vassals. Ending, "Jounouchi Sanoski vassal direct of Ieyasu
Tokugawa. That's as far back as I can remember. So from vassal to a mighty lord to poverty.
Blood doesn't amount to much, really; in the end it's all red."

Seto just put his arms around Joey and kissed the top of his head. "I don't care about that either.
You're mine and you've been insulted. That's all I care about. We'll make it better. You'll see."

"How? You gave me a job. I'll do a real job or not at all. I . . . " Joey looked at Seto and got a
totally evil grin on his face.

"What? I don't care what it is, I'll do it."

"I suddenly have the urge to be a kept man."

Seto nearly hurt himself he laughed so hard. Everyone else in the room just wandered away,
satisfied that Master Kaiba would fix it.

~ * ~

Doctor Higa showed up shortly after and immediately took Joey into the library to talk.

"How do you feel about . . . "

Joey held up a hand and snarled, "Do not start on that. You know exactly how I feel. I put my life
on the line for them and they throw me away at the first opportunity. I feel betrayed, fucked over
and pissed off. So. . . . I want revenge. And I'm not putting up with Maeda threatening Seto
either. Now tell me I'm crazy."

"You're not crazy. You have every right to be pissed and want revenge. I'm unorthodox as hell.
Some of my colleges say I'm outrageous. Some of my therapies aren't condoned by the
profession. You can't even use them in some countries. But I get results and I'm in great demand
so. . . . don't tell me anything illegal."

Joey eyed the Doctor for a second, then realized that he was going to help, really help. Not spend
days yapping and charging a fortune too.

"Ok. Question. What's with Seto? He acts like he . . . wants me to take control."

"He does. He's sexually submissive." At Joey's gawking stare he smiled. "Let me explain. Oh,
and this is one of the ways I'm unorthodox in the extreme. I'm not supposed to discuss Seto with
you. But, with his permission, I am going to do more than that, and I'd like your permission to
discuss you with him." Joey nodded, that was a given. "But . . . Seto has to be in charge in
business, and for most of his life he's been the one to make all the decisions, so in bed he just
wants to be told what to do. It's about the only place it's safe for him to do so. And he has
another slight kink. He needs to be . . . er . . . punished from time to time. I made arrangements
for him to do it safely, but I don't really like that relationship. Marie is careful and extremely
professional, but she dosn't love him. And that makes a great deal of difference."

Joey was sitting absorbing this with a stunned expression. Seto visited Marie? He felt his
stomach clench.

"Ok, discuss me with Seto all you want. It'll probably avoid all kinds of problems. I. . . Doc, I'm
about at the end of my rope and the knot is coming undone. I got to get all this shit settled soon.
Then you better bring a straight jacket, cause you're gonna need it."

Doctor Higa rubbed his forehead and sighed. "I'm hoping to avoid that. I don't think you'll ever
be violent against those you love. Or anyone you can truly trust. I'm hoping you feel you can
trust me. I . . .let me think a bit. Something just bit me."

Joey waited as the Doctor looked over some papers and made Doctor noises.

"One of their complaints is that you haven't been making Department mandated therapy sessions.
Sessions that you didn't know were scheduled. I'll talk to the Doctor in charge, you were in my
care before they were ordered, so that point is discharged as well . . . .um . . . no good here. . .
fighting in the . . . humm. . . . well, we'll see. I'm going to see about some of this. You have one
of the worst cases of PTSD I've ever seen. I'm surprised you're still . . . .ah uh. . . ."

"Doc, either talk or shut up. Those grunts are making me really nervous. "

"I'm sorry. You're setting yourself up for a thundering fall. You're itching, psychological
reaction. Jumpy, nervous tick. And short tempered. Except with Seto. You have to let down and
soon, or you really will be ready for a rubber room. I'd hate to see that happen. I recommend. . ."

Joey held up a hand. "Don't bother. I'm not lettin' down until I find the Letter Man. He's been
threatening Seto for months. Seto has done everything he knows how to do and hasn't found him.
I've got a team from the Department . . . Well, I guess it's not my team anymore, but they've
done everything they know how to do too. And it's all not working. Mutto Yugi is working on it.
They don't call him the King of Games for nothing. He might actually manage something. But if
I let down and that ass hole actually gets to Seto, I'll . . . follow him."

Doctor Higa made a note. He didn't make a lot of them and, unlike other therapists, his notes
were open to the patient any time. He was really worried about Joey, the man was under
incredible stress and this last bit of foolishness from the Department was truly the last straw in
his opinion. It might not show up for a while, but when it did, it was going to be catastrophic. He
hoped Kaiba-san was willing to put up with an explosion.

"I see. You know, if I wanted to put the right spin on that, you sound suicidal."

"I'm not. I just know what I can stand and what I can't. That's why I'm gonna find this punk and
do him. I don't want to die."

Doctor Higa nodded. "I'm making a report to the Department. You shouldn't lose any benefits
but you really aren't fit for duty."

"I know that, Doc. I just resent being cast aside like a broken sword. Hurts my pride. I've done
good by them, but they can't do good by me. Sucks. Big time." Joey leaned back in the chair and
wished for a cigarette.

"I see. We need to discuss this at a future date. Right now, I need to discuss some things with
you."

Joey just nodded and listened as the Doctor filled him in on things he needed to know.

~*~

Seto shifted uncomfortably, his back hurt, not as much as it could have, but enough that he
couldn't get comfortable. Doctor Higa waited patiently as Seto finally managed to get half way
settled.

Seto sighed. "Joey's in real trouble and I don't know how to help him. Every time I try to . . .
damnit."

"Take your time. I cleared my whole day for you."

"Thank you, Doctor. He's responsive, very much so. And he starts to give me what I want then
pulls back. I don't understand. I've all but begged him."

"Seto, you have to be up front with him. He can't stand any ambivalence. You need to submit.
He can't. Any submission on his part could have been deadly."

"I see. Perhaps a contract?"

Doctor higa thought about that for a moment. "Yes. You both have communication issues. A
contract might be a very good idea. On to other business, I'm afraid."

Seto shuddered. When the Doctor said he was afraid, Seto worried.

"Joseph is, as you said before, in real trouble. You are going to have problems soon, I'm afraid.
He's way too thin; he was putting on weight. Now he's dropped all he gained and is still losing.
You have to make sure he drinks the protein drink and he needs to eat plenty of red meat and
vegetables. Fruit but cut down on rice and other carbohydrates. I'll give you a prescription for a
topical hydrocortisone cream but, since his itching is mostly psychosomatic, all it'll do is treat
the symptoms, not the underlying cause. I still can't make much head way with him, as he needs
to let down and he won't until the Letter Man is caught."

Seto snarled softly and Doctor Higa noted happily that Seto seemed as enamored of Joey as Joey
was of him. One-sided love at this point would ruin Joey completely.

After further consultation the Doctor told Seto that he thought Joey's plan was good and if Seto
cooperated it would benefit both of them in more ways than one.

~ * ~

Mokuba listened to the last reporter whine about not getting the low down, but he was firm,
explaining for the hundredth time that it would interfere with an ongoing investigation by
combined Departmental and Kaiba Corp personnel if he released any information.

After concluding the last of more than a dozen phone calls, he got one he never thought he
would.

Seto called and told Mokuba about Joey being suspended. "Until further notice, my ass. They've
burned him good. Damnit! Ok, Seto, what do you want me to do about it."

Seto hummed on the phone so that Mokuba would know that they hadn't been cut off. "No
amount of spin control is going to hide this. So . . . Joey has a plan to smoke out the Letter Man,
he hasn't told me all of it yet but what he has, has convinced me that it'll work. And we're going
to rub the Department's nose in the fact that he's been used, abused and discarded."

Seto settled down to fill Mokuba in. When he finished Mokuba got a fit of giggles, which at his
age, sounded pretty silly.

"Big Brother, you're both fiends. I really, really like the whole setup. The Department is going to
have fits. You say that Joey had his shield and gun delivered to the Commissioner? I love that. I
would have loved to be a fly on the wall. Too bad. Well bye."

The next few days were full of activity as Seto squired Joey around to some of the most exclusive
and expensive boutiques in Tokyo. They bought things for Joey, Joey bought things for himself
and Seto, seemingly disregarding the fact that his credit card was issued in Seto's name as
principal signatory.

In one store, Seto bought Joey a seven thousand dollar silk suit. In another, Joey bought a four
hundred dollar shirt to go with it.

Seto bought Guchi loafers, Joey bought silk socks.

They went into ice cream parlors and fed each other sundays. Joey bought Godiva chocolates and
Seto snitched them behind his back.

Seto took Joey into the fanciest sporting goods store in Tokyo and bought an outrageously
expensive set of matched shotguns. Joey bought enough ammunition to start a small war.

They went into a jewelry story and Joey picked out two stones; one topaz, the other sapphire
blue. Both diamonds, both horridly expensive. He had them set into matching earings, bezel set
in platinum.

The media went crazy.

Seto had always been reclusive in the extreme, refusing to be photographed for any reason and
paying prime prices for any that were taken. Now he was 'outed' in more ways than one.

They hung all over each other in private. Seto enjoyed the touching, so did Joey. Servants got
'gun shy,' knocking on every closed door before entering.

This went on for two weeks. With the media swarming them like bees for honey. The papers
were full of pictures and articles, all released through Mokuba, whose control was incredible.
Everything published was complimentary, anything derogatory was quashed with threats, money
or a combination of both.

~ * ~

Joey slid down the banister, hit running and headed for the gym. He was working out as much as
he ever had and had lost another three pounds. That wasn't much in the grand scheme of things
but for him it was a major loss. He was lean and hard and fierce.

Seto made sure he drank the protein shakes never knowing that Joey threw them up almost at
once. Joey knew he needed them but for some reason they wouldn't stay down. He ate everything
he could get his hands on and took vitamin supplements, but they were barely keeping up.

Seto watched Joey as he headed for the gym, he knew what Joey was up to and he didn't like it
one bit. But after considerable argument, in which Joey presented detailed support for his
reasoning, Seto could see that this was their only option. *But I don't have to like it!*

Joey worked out with weapons almost exclusively. This was going to be fast and nasty. Maeda's
man was about Joey's size, several years older; and psychotic. He liked to hurt people. Joey was
going to work him over with interest.

"Seto, I want to give you this now. I . . well, if things don't go good tonight, I want you to have
it."

Seto took the little black box from Joey and opened it. Inside was the earing Joey had
commissioned. It was that diamond the same color as his new copper penny eyes. Seto couldn't
help it. He started to cry.

"Seto, Love. If you don't like it; you don't have to wear it. I'll . . ."

"No. . . I like it. . . Joey . . .I . . . don't do this. I don't want you to. . . we'll figure out something
else."

"Nothing else is going to work. You don't understand these people. They don't understand
anything short of a punch in the nuts. If we want them to leave us alone, we have to make them
understand that we're even more ruthless than they are."

Seto wiped his eyes. He knew Joey was right, but he was going to argue right down to the wire.

"Joey . . . "

Joey heaved a ragged sigh. "Seto, please don't argue with me anymore. I don't like it. . . ." Joey
pressed his finger against Seto's lips. "No! Nushi, I can't do this if you keep arguing with me. I . .
. I have to keep you safe. You're my life. My soul. My very existence depends on . . . keeping my
family safe. Please, it's so hard. And you're only making it harder."

Seto capitulated instantly. The pain in Joey's voice nearly tore him apart. "Joey, I'm . . . Sorry. I
didn't understand. I'll do whatever you tell me to. Just . . . don't get yourself killed. Please,
please don't . . . I couldn't go on without you. I managed for years for Mo', but he's grownup . . .
and."

They both broke down at that point holding each other and fighting to control emotions that had
been building up for years. After what amounted to a mini breakdown they both felt better

"Joey, you can't hide anything from me. Please. I . . . we need to sit down and have a real talk. I
know you don't like it but I need it. And . . . please?"

Seto got them settled on a fainting couch and rang for tea. Joey was surprised and gratified to
realize that Seto had settled them with Joey behind Set with his arms around the somewhat larger
man. Joey remembered what Doctor Higa had said and realized that the Doctor was right.

"Ok, Seto, have your say; then I'll have mine. But first. . . I'm not puttin' up with any more
arguments about this. I'm doing what I have to do. You. . . you're good in the board room. But
I'm good on the streets. There's no negotiating with these people. Not without being on equal
footing. That's what I'm doing, putting us on equal footing."

Seto nodded. He was getting the feeling of this quite quickly. No one had ever said that Kaiba
Seto wasn't ruthless when he had to be, in fact; he'd been called cold blooded, ruthless, and
cruel. Not necessarily bad things, when you thought about it.

"Ok, equal footing. I understand that. What are we really into. Is this a hostile takeover or a trade
sanction? I need to put this in terms I can understand."

"It's a partial embargo. We want them to understand that messing with us has repercussions that
they don't want to deal with. I'd really like to get into Maeda's money if I could. But. . . .Seto. .
.can you find out where he has money stashed. Numbered accounts in the . . . where ever."

Seto leaned his head back on Joey's shoulder, just enjoying the contact. He thought for a few
moments and realized that he was absently sucking on Joey's finger. Not that Joey was objecting
any.

"Joey, what you're asking me to do is illegal. Sort of. " Seto was astonished when Joey snorted
against his neck.

"I'm not a cop anymore. I don't have to fool with regulations that shackle me now. We do what
is necessary to protect ourselves and those we care for. We need to hurt Maeda bad and often.
He'll leave us alone when he finds out that it's way too expensive to mess with us. I'll keep
hurtin' him in the personnel department. Every time he messes up, take . . . oh . . . say a hundred
thousand American from him. Make sure he knows where it went, but . . . don't leave any tracks
that he can prove. I don't know. You're the expert in this, just hurt him."

Seto nodded, rubbing his cheek against Joey's chest. "Ok, I know what to do. I'll find an account
that's one of his personal accounts. We don't want to make his boss angry. Then I'll just transfer
the funds into my personal accounts like he bought something from me. Memo the transfer . . . "
Seto trailed off thinking.

"Gambling loss to you." Joey snickered in Seto's ear. "Transfer it through the White Dragon
accounts. It'll look like he lost money on a Duel Monsters battle. He'll hate that. He bets on
everything, so no one will question it much, and I like the synchronicity. Some of the bosses
were using card games to pass info. That's why no one but me would ever have caught them."
Joey went on to tell Seto about it.

"Well lover, that's something. I . . .oh, Joey, I want. I need. And . . . we'll discuss this later. I just
can't, not yet."

"Why? You know I love you, what could you possibly be hiding. Seto, talk to me."

"You'll be disgusted. I need . . . things. I don't want to talk about it"

"Ok, don't. You'll tell me when you're ready. I'll wait. But I need to talk to you. About. . .
.things. Don't interrupt me and don't ask questions. I can't do this if you do. " Seto put Joey's
finger back in his mouth and tonged it, making Joey mutter 'shit' "I got a kink. Not a really bad
one, so the Doctor said. I gotta top. I . . . can't be penetrated. It hurts. They gave me a prostate
exam at The Farm and I nearly . . . well, it was 'unpleasant' to say the least. The med tec said
some guys are like that. So, I . . . if you want to drop this whole thing, I'll understand. I really
will. I . . . fuck."

Seto squirmed around in Joey's arms until he was face to face with him. "Joey . . . don't . . . love
. . . I'll fess up too. I'm the opposite. I . . . I'm . . . I need to be able to lose control. . .not. . .
damnit, I . . ." Seto gave up and just kissed Joey. "Talk to Doctor Higa."

"Ok, but you're having trouble with this. I won't force you to do anything. But . . . why don't
you just write it down. Get your thoughts in order, take your time, and just put it on paper. That
way there's no misunderstanding. I'm not in any big hurry. Things happen when they happen. We
get all this mess settled and we have the rest of our lives to figure things out. I'm happy with, as
Yugi would say, kissing and canoodling, for now."

Seto sighed. This was going to be easier than he'd thought. He already had a good idea from the
Doctor, and Joey had more or less suggested the same thing. He felt better already.

Joey settled Seto back against his chest and suggested that they drink the tea before it went cold.
It was a bit awkward at first but they managed to pour tea into cups instead of laps and just
reclined on the couch, drinking tea and plotting mischief.

Yukari brought Joey his drink and watched as Joey made a face but downed it anyway. He kept
hoping that he could keep it down. But as usual it wanted out again. He plunked Seto on the
couch and headed for the wash room in the back of the library.

When he was finished Seto just handed his a wet wash cloth and waited while he wiped his
mouth. Then he tugged Joey to his feet and washed his face with a clean cloth.

"How often does that happen?"

"Every time. I try to keep it down, but . . . I don't know what's wrong. I got to keep some
weight on or I'm in major trouble. I don't fancy trying to fight that creep of Maeda's in this shape
but I don't have any choice. Damnit!"

Seto thought while he was helping Joey get settled on the couch. "There's something going on
here. I .. . wonder. Does it taste funny? Bad? What's in it?"

Joey settled back and got comfortable, Seto handed him a cup of tea to take the bad taste out of
his mouth. Then he rang for Yukari.

When Yukari came in Seto questioned him closely. He hadn't added anything to the drink and
was slightly indignant that Seto would suggest such a thing until Seto explained that it was
making Joey sick. If he was adding some folk remedy to it, he could be unwittingly making him
sick. But he swore he wasn't, so they went on to the next thought and called Miss. Sakura.

When she came in, Joey was laying back, trying to keep the tea down. His stomach was upset
badly, again. Each time this happened it was worse. Joey wondered if he might not be getting an
ulcer

Miss Sakura answered their questions unhappily. She gave Seto the recipe. Neither Seto nor Joey
could see anything that might be causing the problem. There wasn't anything unusual in it.
Everything was something that Joey had consumed before without problems

"I even add a little extra of the powder. To make sure he gets good nourishment. I don't
understand."

Joey just groaned. The extra powder was the problem. It made the drink so rich that his system
was rejecting the mixture. Miss Sakura was horrified to realize that her good intentions had such
a bad outcome.

They took some time to comfort her and, during the process, Set realized that Joey depended on
him just as much as he depended on Joey.

~ * ~

Mokuba had settled into his new job. Seto had unknowingly hired him to work for Kaiba Corp.
Now he had two jobs with the company. He was an SVP but he'd always considered that job
nepotism and nothing else, now he was also Senior Media Representative. This job, he'd gotten
on his own, and he was proud of it. Spin control had always been his speciality.

So now he had a bunch to do.

But Seto had told him or rather his boss that he didn't want too much interference in the media
frenzy. Only enough to keep them from following him, and Joey, all over Tokyo. So Mokuba set
up a way to get releases to the press and got a cover warrant issued so that anyone who got too
pushy could be stopped.

That meant that there were regular press releases and Mokuba had been given a complete dossier
on Joey that included everything that he'd been doing for the last few years. On top of the one
that Seto had sent him earlier he had enough information that he could embarrass the department
and he intended to as soon as Seto let him off the leash.

He was ready to go to war. Mokuba spent the better part of the day cutting footage and writing
press releases that he had to lock up in a safe. If they got out before Seto was ready for them to,
everything would go down the tubes. But, Mokuba gave a nasty little smile, when the time was
right the department was going to look like shit. *go, me*

~ * ~

Seto shrugged his shoulders experimentally, the new suit fit well and he was aware how well it
looked on him. Joey had finally forbidden him to carry any type of fire arm. He had no skill at all
with small arms and was, in fact, somewhat dangerous to those around him. He was good with
long guns and could, in a pinch, take care of himself; as long as they wanted someone shot. But
as an all round handler; he left something to be desired, having no sense of point at all. But for
some reason he was a veritable fiend with a blade; any blade, and this suit was tailored to hide
some.

Joey walked up behind Seto and draped his arms over seto's shoulders. "MMMmmm. Smell
good."

"I am good"

Joey laughed into Seto's neck then turned him around for a punishing kiss that left him feeling
ravished, nicely so.

"We ready?" Seto examined Joey. He looked strained. This was going to be hard on both of
them. Seto didn't want to do it, but Joey insisted it was the only way and after some argument
Seto knew he was right.

"As we'll ever be. Let's get on the stick " Joey twined fingers with Seto and lead him downstairs
and into the car.

In the car, Seto gathered Joey into his arms and thought what a strange pair they were. He took
charge in everyday life, but he needed Joey to take charge in the bedroom. Bed room, board
room. What a mess.

Joey snuggled into Seto's arms and sighed, he like it when Seto cuddled him, but he liked being
in charge too. Things were going to have to be worked out, just not right now.

"Seto, please don't bet on me. "

"Ok, I won't. I promise, but why not? I don't understand."

"I . . . just. I can't explain it, it doesn't make sense even to me. You don't need the money."

"It's not about money. I feel like . . . by betting, I'm showing my support. But if you don't want
me to, I won't."

Joey sighed, when Seto explained it that way it made sense. But he just couldn't stand the
thought of Seto betting on him.

"I feel like it demeans me. I'm out there fighting for my life and they're betting on whether I get
killed; or kill someone. Probably sounds stupid."

Seto held Joey even tighter. "No! I never thought of it that way. I surly won't bet on you. And . . .
can't we change our minds and do something else?"

"No. We've been over and over this." Joey shook his head, rubbing his cheek against Seto's
chest. "We're committed. If we mess around, this is going to take more time, and more blood.
This way it's all over in one night."

They rode in silence for a while, then Seto tugged Joey off his chest and sat him up. "You know
this puts me in your debt."

"Shut up."

"Ok."

xxxx

Short chapter, but I had to stop here or I'd be having another cliffie. Neither FF nor MM likes it
when I post gigantic chapters.

* ~ () [] {}