Yu-gi-oh

Disclaimer: I don’t own Yugioh, or the characters there in. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

To Serve and Protect

Chapter 23

~ * ~

Joey woke slowly. He felt fuzzy and confused. He blinked then reached up to rub his eyes with the back of one hand. That was when he realized that he still had an IV. It was also when he realized that his chest didn’t hurt, nor his back. Or anything else.

“Oh fuck. Seto?”

“Joey! How do you feel?” Seto reached over to take Joey’s hand, which Joey gripped gently.

“Better. My chest doesn’t hurt. Neither does my back.”

Seto reached out to brush Joey’s bangs from his eyes. By now his hair was just below his shoulder blades.

“You need your bangs cut again. Are you hungry, thirsty? Need anything?” Seto fought hard not to break down, he didn’t want to upset Joey. He wasn’t completely successful.

“Hey! Don’t do that. I’m gonna be ok. I feel pretty good all things considered. And again hey. I’m not tied down. Things are looking up.”

Seto rubbed his cheek against Joey’s hand. “I was so scared. Joey if you ever do anything like that to me again, I swear I’ll lock you up at The Cedars and never let you out again.”

Joey just shrugged. “One down and one to go. I’m not up to any thing physical just yet but when I find the letter man. . . . I’ll be a lot more careful of myself.” Joey smiled at Seto. “I promise. Ok?”

“Ok. But you’re not doing anything until the doctor says it’s ok. You understand me. I mean not even peeing by yourself.” Seto gave Joey his best pissed look. Joey just sighed and nodded.

“I’m just going to lie here and enjoy not hurting. And I could do with something cold to drink if it’s not too much trouble. But you better kinda hurry. I think I’m already falling back . . . to . . . sleep.” Joey drifted back off almost in the middle of his sentence.

Seto watched for a moment to see if Joey was going to wake back up. He wasn’t so Seto made sure that the bedside pitcher had fresh ice water in it and settled back to watch Joey sleep.

He realized that he’d been doing a lot of that, but the doctor had told him that Joey would sleep a lot and tend to wake up, be perfectly lucid, then drop off again.

Most of the tests had come back good. Joey was low on some micro-nutrients and had just exhausted himself. The doctor had prescribed some special vitamins and a strict diet and exercise regimen, which he said was more to break Joey of the habits he’d developed to survive. He sure wasn’t out of shape.

Seto wondered if he had gray hairs yet. Between yakuza, the Letter Man and Joey collapsing, he thought it was a miracle he wasn’t white headed. Suddenly a cold chill passed down his back.

“Oh, hell. They’re all going to rip me a new one.” Seto reached over and grabbed his laptop. He’d completely forgotten to let anyone know what was going on. He knew Yugi, Tristan, Mai and Tea were out of the country but they’d still want to know. And Joey’s Mother and sister Serenity were down in Hokkaido. He quickly typed up an email and mass mailed it, swore at the spam blocker and closed his computer again.

“Seto? I’m still thirsty. I’ll try to stay awake this time.”

Joey smiled at Seto and started to reach for the glass. He let his hand drop when he realized it was shaking. Seto held the glass and guided the straw to Joey’s lips. Joey drank half the glass and ‘mmm’ed to let Seto know he was done.

“Better? Need anything else?”

“No. I’m good. I feel bad about falling asleep on you all the time. What time is it?”

Seto looked at his watch. “Four in the afternoon.”

Joey gave Seto an arrested look. “Uumm. What day is it?”

“Friday. You passed out on Monday. You’ve been in and out since. Do you remember much?”

“Not really.” Joey shifted uncomfortably. “I got a real bad pain in my chest. I remember the chopper ride . . . sort of. Then it all kind of runs together. I got a catheter . . . I’m gonna . . . going to have trouble. I always do.”

“They took that out early this morning. You’ve eliminated once, don’t you remember?”

Joey rolled his head on the pillow. “Not really. The pain meds make me stupid. I probably won’t remember everything until they stop giving me . . . what is it?”

Seto looked at the chart. “Morphine. The doctor said we could stop that as soon as you were awake for more than an hour without pain. If you really want, I could call the doctor and see if he can’t switch you to something else. Would you like that, or would you rather just let it go?”

Joey considered for a second, felt himself start to drift again and decided. “I’d rather switch if I could. I don’t like this drifty feeling. I hate feeling so out of control. If I get to really hurting again, I’ll let you know. I didn’t realize how bad it was hurting until it stopped.”

Seto rang for the nurse. When she came, he asked her to see if Dr. Kobayashi could see Joey.

“How’s he doing?” She took vitals and smiled at Joey. He wasn’t as bad a patient as they’d been led to believe he’d be. The drugs kept him a little confused, but when he wasn’t being sarcastic he was mostly cooperative, except for nagging about the catheter. He had a real ‘thing’ about that.

“Good. I want the catheter out. Please”

“It is out. Do you feel pressure in your bladder.”

“No, but . . . I’m . . .“ Joey turned red. “I need a piss. I feel . . . dammit. I feel all muzzy.”

She nodded. “Your vitals are good. How much have you had to drink?” Joey shook his head. “Don’t know? Well, we need to keep track. Mr. Kaiba will have to just estimate, it’s not vital that we know exactly how much. At least not yet. I’ll get the doctor.”

When the doctor came in, he checked vitals and Joey sighed. “Doc. I still got a heart and lungs, the nurse just checked. You all keep doing that and I’m going to get worried. You people communicate worse than the cops. I need for you to change me off the morphine. It makes me stupid. I can’t remember stuff. I hate drifting off in the middle of a sentence.”

“Well, young man. I think we could do that. As long as you don’t try to tough it out. If you hurt, you don’t heal. Promise me you’ll ask for meds if you need them and I’ll shift you over to oral meds and we’ll try something with codeine in it instead.”

Joey promised and the doctor wrote the changes on the chart. He gave Seto a stern look, and a similar warning, then left.

~ * ~

Seto finally gave up and lay down on the other bed. Joey watched him for a while and wondered when his head was going to clear. He still felt ‘floaty’ and muzzy. He didn’t like the feeling.

As he drowsed in and out Joey wondered idly if Watanabe, or Maeda were still even in Japan and if they were – what they were doing. If they caused any more trouble, he wasn’t going to be so nice about things. He lay planning what he would do if they so much as looked at Seto funny. He wasn’t worried about himself. He could manage just fine.

Seto mumbled, turned over and rubbed his nose. He grumbled himself awake and wished for tea. Evidently he actually said something, because the next thing he knew the door opened and an aid stuck his head in the door. He asked Joey if he was in pain, then smiled as Joey asked for ‘real’ tea for both of them. He went away with an agreeable nod.

“Seto, you wake?”

“Yes, I am. More or less. How do you feel?” Seto dragged his fingers through his hair trying to restore some sort of order.

“Good. I want some tea, and some answers. You up for conversation with an idiot?”

Seto smiled happily. “You’re not an idiot. Fool. Just doped up. I’ve been dealing with you for 36 hours now. But you seem a lot better.”

Joey longed for the tea. “I feel like I’m starting to throw off the drugs. I hate that feeling of being out of control. No more drugs.” Joey gave Seto a stern look. “Seto. I mean it. No more. I’ll manage fine now with non-narcotic Schedule III stuff. But I want to know about Maeda and Watanabe. What’s going on with them? You know, so tell all. And . . . have you heard anything from Yugi and the gang? I thought . . .“

Seto felt his face burn. “I forgot to let them know until just a little while ago. Time got away from me. It’s like a minute seemed like hours, then hours just . . . aren’t there. I’m sorry. I sent out a complete explanation and full information as soon as I realized. You should be hearing from them soon.”

Joey looked startled. “Was I that bad? I know I really felt rough.”

“I thought you were having a heart attack.” Seto shuddered and climbed out of his bed. He leaned over Joey and wrapped shaking arms around his love.

“Hey. Take it easy. Come here.” Joey tugged and poked until Seto was on the bed, laying beside him. He made cooing noises and stroked Seto’s shoulder and arm until he stopped shaking.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you so much. It’s ok. I’m fine. Not up to running any races or doing a club fight, but I’m really ok. I swear.”

They lay on the bed cuddling until their tea came. Then Seto got out his laptop, checked e-mails and did a search on their current ‘interests’.

Joey drank his tea and sighed. It was amazing how a round of antibiotics and some real sleep, drug induced or other wise, could make such a difference. Now that the drugs were working their way out of his system, he felt so good that he couldn’t understand how he’d managed for so long feeling so bad.

He looked at his wrist and grumbled. “Seto, I need my watch and my bracelet.”

“In the bed side table.” Seto replied absently as he was reading some very interesting things at the moment. “Your ring is in there too. If you feel up to it, we could go into the sitting room. I’m tired of hospital furniture. It’s much nicer in there.”

Joey fished his things out of the table and put them back on. He decided he felt well enough to sit in a chair for a while. Seto helped him to walk into the sitting room pulling the IV stand with them.

Seto settled Joey in a comfortable chair and put his laptop on the coffee table. “I think you’ll be interested in this. Watanabe has pled guilty to all charges. Honda has just disappeared and Maeda has gone to Australia. The Japanese government has tried him ‘in absentia’ and found him guilty of all charges. They are starting extradition proceedings. I don’t think Australia will fight it. They’re a very smart people, the Australians, I’m sure they don’t want anything to do with him.”

Joey grinned. “That’s great. I guess they got the message. It was worth it all if they just give up.”

“I think they did. You need anything?”

Seto smirked at Joey, Joey smirked back. “No. At least nothing I’m up for just yet.” Joey got a good look at Seto’s e-mail inbox. “Holy shit! You better get to reading. That’s a lot of mail. Anything good?”

“Don’t know yet. I’ll read some of it if you don’t mind.”

Joey amused himself examining the room. It wasn’t your ordinary hospital room. For one thing, he was sure the room they’d been in wasn’t the main bedroom. It was too small, it had two beds in it, and it was white.

This room was more what Joey thought of when he thought of something Seto would approve of. It was papered in silk brocade in a water lily pattern. Furnished in excellent quality reproductions of Japanese Meiji era pieces. And large. It was large enough to contain, with room to spare, half a dozen large easy chairs arranged around a large Korean tea table with their own side tables as well. There was also a desk in one corner and another conversation group identical to the first.

“Seto, this is really nice. I’m thinking we’re not going back to the white room, are we.”

Seto absently shook his head. “No. That room is only for when the patient is really ill. We’ll be settling in the other room when you go back to bed. I think they’re going to take out the IV late this evening and put you on pills. Now that you’re aware enough to swallow them without having them blown down your throat like a cat.”

Joey snorted behind his hand. “I’d like to see someone make me swallow something I don’t want to.”

Seto gave him an affectionate look. “Exactly.”

Joey just rang for more tea.

~ * ~

“Son of a fucking bitch! That dirty cock sucker. I . . . Roland . . . damn!”

Joey nearly yanked his IV out trying to get out of his chair and to Seto before he realized that there was no physical threat. But Seto was still swearing and literally panting in rage. He looked up from his computer and snarled “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Sit down.”

“Yeah? When you start swearing like that, I’m not gonna think somethin’ is blowin’ up in your face? What the hell is it? And don’t tell me nothin’. I’m sick, not retarded.”

Seto just pushed the laptop over to where Joey could read the screen. It was another e-mail from the Letter Man. It was full of vague threats of bad things happening and Seto should do this and that and not endanger himself. Joey clenched his teeth so hard they squeaked.

“Don’t do that. You’ll crack your enamel . . . Dammit! . . . I thought we got him locked out. We haven’t heard from him in . . . “ Seto clicked keys. “ . . . three weeks. I’m calling Roland. We’ll double the security on this room. Read here. See.” Seto quoted. “‘That yakuza boy will die on you sooner or later. Save yourself grief and give him up. Send him back to the gutter he came from.’ That dirty, low down . . .“ Joey put his hand over Seto’s mouth.

“Don’t waste breath on that idiot. I’ll find him. You just wait. I’ll . . .”

Seto interrupted “You’ll do nothing. You’re resting until you’re better. I won’t have you having a relapse. I won’t go through that again. Joey . . .“

Joey gave Seto a soft look. “Seto, I’m already bored. I don’t have to do much to find that prick. I won’t even start for a few days yet. I intend to rest until I’m off the drugs and antibiotics. Then I’m all over that asshole like white on rice. Put that up and come here.”

Seto put the laptop away and settled in the chair next to Joey’s. He poured tea from the thermal carafe on the tea table.

“Now. You’re going to rest. You swear.” Seto glared at Joey who gave him a ‘who me?’ innocent look back. “I mean it. We’re going back to The Cedars and locking ourselves down until you’re better. No damn heroics.”

Joey nodded impressed by Seto’s heated look. “Ok, that’s fine with me. The Letter Man has never carried out any of his threats. They’re all really vague anyway. ‘Something bad will happen.’ Sounds like my Mom. We’ll do it your way until I’m up to another fight.” Joey held up his hand to keep Seto from exploding again. “I’m not fighting anymore, unless I absolutely have to. I’m retired and tired. But I’m not letting anyone get away with threatening us. No matter how vague. And gutter, my ass. Slums, I’ll admit, but I always had a box, at least.”

Seto cringed visibly. He hurt every time he thought of Joey living in a box or on the streets. He felt sick for the contempt he’d shown when he saw Joey leaving for America. And that scene in the mall; all he wanted to do was forget it.

“Joey . . . I . . .” Joey’s soft lips silenced him.

After some concentrated making out (or up) Seto glanced at his watch. It was getting late and he could see that Joey was beginning to droop a little.

“You need to be back in bed. I’ll help you into the good bed and then I’ll see about something to eat. Does that sound good?”

Joey sighed, but nodded. “Yeah. I don’t want to, but I should. I’m beginning to get tired. I’m not gonna get better if I don’t rest. I want out of here as soon as possible.”

Joey let Seto help him into his bed. The bedroom was big and, like the sitting room, opulent came to mind. The furniture included the bed, an armoire, a dressing table, a small ‘lady’ desk, two easy chairs, and a side table for them, as well as several pieces of hospital equipment discreetly concealed behind a folding screen.

Joey settled comfortably, then had to scoot over as his IV pulled because the tubing wasn’t long enough. He grumbled slightly, but Seto laughed

“You don’t think you’re getting all that bed to yourself do you? There’s room for me too, you know. Scoot a little more. You bed hog.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m sick, I get the most of the bed . . . and the covers too.” Joey leaned back against his fluffed pillows and sighed. “When’s supper . . . or lunch . . . whatever. I’m hungry.”

Seto just headed for the door saying over his shoulder. “I’ll just go see if there’s something coming soon. Yukari is here . . . do you remember?” Joey shook his head. “Well, he came up on his own. He’s serving us instead of the hospital staff. There’s a private nurse, but she’s only here at night. We don’t need her during the day. The regular staff is really good. Be back in a minute.”

He was back in just a little while, followed by a beaming Yukari with a lap tray covered with food. He’d managed to find a nearby restaurant that would allow him to carry out food china and all. He’d also managed to obtain most of Joey’s favorite dishes.

Joey reached for his food with an exclamation of delight, hooked his IV and snarled.

“Don’t do that. I’ll take care of it. You’ve caught that damn thing over and over. Here.”

Seto hung the IV over a protrusion in the headboard. That was the worst thing about IV’s, they caught on everything and someone as active as Joey was bound to have problems.

“But how am I supposed to eat with only one hand. I can’t manage. And I’m huuuuunnnnnggryyyy! Seto, dammit, I . . . mmmmm.“ Joey stopped complaining, it was hard to whine around a mouth full of Kobe beef.

Seto sat cross-legged on the bed and fed Joey between kisses. He also ate his fair share. They agreed that Yukari had out done himself in the portions department.

Finally full, Seto took the tray to the door and set it on the floor just outside, in the sitting room.

“Seto what time is it? This watch may be expensive, but I think it’s wrong. I’m too tired for it to be only 9 P.M.”

Seto checked his watch. “It’s right. I think a full stomach and sitting up after being flat for almost three days has taken its toll. Go to sleep. I’ll wake you up if anything important happens.”

“Ok.” Joey scooted down in the bed and was soon asleep. Seto stayed awake just long enough to change from clothes to pajamas. After changing, he slipped between the sheets and snuggled up to Joey, careful of the IV, which he’d taken to thinking of as ‘that damn tube.’ He couldn’t wait until Joey was free of it.

~ * ~

The next morning first thing, Joey grumbled his way into the bathroom, goggled for a moment then went to gingerly try to empty his over-full bladder. He relaxed and managed. When he examined the results, he sighed. Bright yellow, but not cloudy. So he’d managed to dodge the bullet of a bladder infection; due, he decided, to the antibiotics. He looked longingly at the shower, but decided against. He really didn’t need to fall.

He looked around at the brass and marble ‘shrine to cleanliness’ with awe. It was even more elaborate than the ones in Seto’s apartment. The bathtub was big enough for two, or three if they were real friendly. There was a separate shower compartment with enough jets and showerheads to wash a limo and the controls boggled his mind. The sink was blown crystal, diamond cut into a pineapple design. He decided it looked like a punch bowl.

“Joey! What are you doing?”

Joey nearly jumped out of his skin. “Havin’ a heart attack for real. Geez Seto! Scare a guy, why don’t cha.”

“Sorry. I woke up and you were gone. What are you doing?”

Joey made a face at Seto. “Takin’ a piss and boggling. I never saw a bathroom like this one before, not even in your place in the city.”

“Well, what do you expect? It is the Emperors Suite after all.”

Joey choked on his tongue. “The . . . excuse me? I thought that no one could use . . . Seto, I swear. Only you.”

“And only for you. Come back to bed.”

Seto helped Joey back to the bed, pushing the IV stand with one hand and wrapping the other arm around Joey’s waist. He was happy to see that Joey was much steadier on his feet.

“If you’re good, the nurse will take out that damn tube. I’ll call her.”

Seto disappeared and soon came back with the nurse of the day. She took vitals while Joey rolled his eyes and grumbled. Then she consulted the chart.

“Well, we can take the IV out. I’ll just. . .“ She pressed on the point where needle entered skin and plucked the needle from Joey’s arm with one quick motion. “There. Press here. I’ll just put a bandage on it. Then I’ll get your meds. You have to take pills every six hours around the clock for the next two weeks. If you don’t, you risk a relapse. We wouldn’t want that now would we?”

Joey pressed as directed and sighed. “No, we wouldn’t want a relapse. Would we? Geeze Seto, do they take lessons or what?”

“Now, here are your meds. And a bandage.” The nurse put the bandage over the needle hole in Joey’s arm, gave him the pills, and a glass of water. Then insulted him by insisting on inspecting his mouth to make sure he’d swallowed the pills.

Joey watched a little bitterly as she gathered up her mess and bustled out the door, IV stand in tow.

“Joey? What’s wrong?”

“Just . . . I hate that. What . . . never mind. What’s for breakfast?”

“Tell.”

“If we took meds in prison, they’d always check to make sure we swallowed them. It’s . . . humiliating. Never mind.”

Seto just nodded, vowing to have a word with the staff later.

Joey leaned back in the bed and grumbled, “I’m already bored. I need something to do. Can I have my computer? I’ll just stay right here and do something useful; like catch up on my e-mail.”

“As soon as you eat a decent breakfast, or in your case enough food to founder a mule. Come on. Now that we’ve gotten rid of all those tubes, I don’t have to be so careful helping you. We’ll go into the other room and have a decent meal, with enough tea to float the Queen.”

Joey rumbled softly deep in his chest, a soft sound of contentment.

“Can I have okonomiaki for breakfast? With shrimp? And those little dumplings with the red bean paste in them? Only they have to come from Changs, not the Dragon Garden. Theirs are soggy. And brown rice, and eggs and bacon, and ham, fried. Oh, and lots of tea. I’m giving up coffee. It makes me hyper. I don’t need it anymore.” Joey looked up at Seto who was trying very hard not to laugh. “Yeah? You jerk. What’s so funny.”

“Nothing. Everything. I’m happy. I want to laugh.” Seto managed to calm himself down to a few random chuckles while he helped Joey into the sitting room.

“Um Seto? I know this is probably a stupid question. But shouldn’t there be a throne if this is the Imperial Suite?”

Seto nuzzled Joey’s neck. “No, silly. It just means it’s usually reserved for the Emperor. If he gets ill, we have to leave. But he’s very healthy.”

“Yeah, like you get daily updates on his health.”

“I do.”

“Seto, you’ve got to be . . .“ Joey trailed off as Seto just turned on his laptop and turned it around so he could show Joey the update on the screen. “I swear. I didn’t think you could still surprise me. Damn.”

Seto smirked. Joey didn’t realize that the state of the Emperor’s health could effect everything from the price of rice to the price of certain stocks.

“It’s important. Joey, lets let explanations go for now. I don’t feel like discussing business. Yukari will be coming soon and I need to catch him if you’re to have everything you want.”

Seto made his call and then got Joey’s computer for him. “It’s going to be a little while before he gets here. You could start on your email and I’m going to take another stab at getting caught up myself. I gave up after that little number from the Letter Man. Oh, and Joey. No heroics. I don’t want you taking on that freak by yourself. If we have to get physical you take Roland and as many of his men as you need with you. Got me?” Seto gave Joey a hard look.

“If I have to get physical with some stalkeratizi I’m not doing it right. All we have to do is find him, connect him with the e-mails and turn all the evidence over to the proper authorities. They’ll handle the rest. But I want this guy. Real bad. It’d be nice to live a normal life. Just wake up in the morning and do a job. You know . . . work out because I want to not because I know I’m going to have to go to a club. Maybe do more yoga and Tai Chi than kick boxing. Run more than lift weights. Like that. I don’t think that’s asking too much from life. Do you?”

Seto stroked Joey’s hair gently. “No I don’t thing it’s asking too much. I understand exactly what you mean. And it’s going to happen. I swear it will. Even if we have to move out of the country. I can afford it. We’ll move to . . . where would you like to move?”

Joey trapped Seto’s hand in his. “I’m not letting that ass force us out of Japan. If we move it’ll be because we want to, not because that prick has driven us out. I’ll catch him. I’m not sure how yet, but I will. Now . . . breakfast. I hear Yukari’s voice and that cart he uses.”

After consuming a breakfast that would, indeed, founder a mule, they both settled down with their computers to catch up on e-mails and as Joey referred to it. ‘What not’

Joey was delighted to find an e-mail from each of his friends. Yugi wanted to know what he needed, Tea left some babbling mess that Joey skimmed and snickered over. Mai just sent a short command to get better before she came back and nursed him herself. That made him groan remembering a cold he’d had, she wasn’t a very patient nurse. Tristan sent best wishes and a threat to dismember Seto if Joey wasn’t treated like a king.

He also got mail from the Department informing him that it wouldn’t be necessary for him to go to a trial to testify. Also that he was being put on the permanently inactive list, due to mental instability and physical something, he quit trying to understand and forwarded it to Seto with the comment. “I don’t want to go back on duty. I just want to do something else.”

Seto eyed the mail, translated the legal jargon into, “You’re too fucked up to work and we’re too afraid to just fire you, so you get paid to do nothing as long as you don’t sue us.”

Joey snorted. “I got money from them already but what the hell. Just invest it will you?”

Seto considered for a few moments. “I’ve invested every penny you got from them already, sure I’ll invest the rest. And the money you got from that computer game. You write great games. You have another in mind?”

Joey nodded absently. “Yeah, nothing to talk about yet but something’s cooking.” Joey yawned and scratched. “Seto if I don’t take a shower or bath soon, I’m gonna start molding. Come shower with me.”

Seto shut down his computer and followed Joey into the bathroom. They agreed that Joey was still a little too unsteady on his feet to stand long enough to take a shower. So they wound up in the big tub, laughing and splashing, and washing each other’s hair. When they settled down to soak for a while Seto took Joey’s hand in his and examined the tattoo, or tried to.

“Don’t. I hate that thing. Don’t look at it.”

Seto covered Joey’s hand with his, entwining his fingers with Joey’s. “I don’t like it much either. If you hate it that much why don’t you have it removed.”

“Can’t remove a tattoo. Where’s your head?”

Seto nipped Joey’s shoulder. “Where’s yours? Of course you can. It’s . . . I’m not sure exactly how, but I saw it on TV. Let’s get out and dry off. Then I’ll see what I can find out for sure.”

Joey gulped, choking down a lump. “Seto, if you can get that tattoo off me. I’ll . . . well, I already love you forever. But does the phrase grovelingly grateful seem an understatement?”

“I’ll settle for a hug and a kiss. Followed by a back rub. Come on. Oh, and I need to work on your hair. It’s all tangled.”

They both dressed in silk pajamas and matching robes. Seto had brought Joey’s favorite bronze colored set and his own favorite dark royal blue one.

Seto sat Joey between his knees on the floor in the sitting room and produced a brush, comb and elastic from the pockets of his robe. He’d just finished combing the last of the tangles out and was starting to brush the golden locks to silky smoothness when Dr. Kobayashi came in.

“Oh. Hello. Joey, I need to take your vitals and then we need to go over your meds so I’m sure you take them right.”

Joey bulled up. “No.”

“Excuse me?” The doctor gave Joey a startled look.

“No vitals. You people poke me, write all that down and the very next minute someone else is doing the same thing. I’m fine. All I want to do is go home. And I’m gonna . . .“

“Joey, hush. We’ll go home in a little while. Just stop fussing or he’ll keep you longer.”

Dr. Kobayashi realized that they’d gotten on Joey’s nerves with their obsession. He was a VIP ‘very important patient’ and no one wanted to be accused of neglecting him in any way, so they had instead, pushed him a little too far. Now he was rebelling. The doctor decided to let it drop before it got hot.

“Ok. No more vitals. I want to send one of my better private nurses home with you. She’ll make sure you take your meds and see that you don’t over do. This is not negotiable; no nurse, you stay here, or check yourself out without my approval. Ok”

Joey nodded rather sullenly.

Seto spoke up into the lengthening silence. “Doctor? Before you go . . . Joey has this tattoo. It causes us both some . . . irritation. I’d like to have it removed. Do you know anything about the procedure?”

“No. But we have a clinic here that specializes in tattoo removal. I’ll just send one of the technicians up to look at it.”

“Technicians? I want to see the doctor in charge. Joey gets the best.”

Dr. Kobayashi smiled. “There is only one doctor and he’s extremely busy. But the tech only examines the tattoo, asks a few questions, and takes notes. Then, after evaluation, they decide how many treatments will be needed and set up a schedule. Don’t worry. A tattoo that small shouldn’t take much.”

Seto grumbled but the doctor was firm Joey finally intervened. “Seto, let’s just go with the flow. If we don’t like the tech or whatever, we’ll just find another place to do the damn thing. Ok?”

“Ok, but I don’t have to like it.” Seto settled back in his chair, sulking a little. “Let me finish your hair or it’ll be tangled again.” Seto did finish with Joey’s hair.

After they’d changed into street clothing, they sat conversing idly until the tech was announced.

He examined the tattoo and asked a few questions, like what kind of ink was used, how long had Joey had it, that sort of thing.

Joey answered easily and the tech checked boxes and flipped papers. “Well, I’ll set . . . shit. You’re that Wheeler.”

Joey stiffened “Yeah? If by that Wheeler, you mean the cop. Yeah, that’s me, wanna make somethin’ of it?”

“Yes, but no. . . .I mean, we have orders from the Head Administrator. If you’ll come down stairs in about an hour, we can do your first treatment. If there’s any residual shadow it will take another treatment. But this kind of red is usually fairly easy to eradicate.” He flipped his book shut, stood up and announced. “I know I’m nobody, but I thank you for everything you’ve done to make my life safer.” He bowed deeply to Joey, leaving him open mouthed, then left.

Joey tipped his head to gaze at Seto. “Well, I’ll be.”

Seto just kissed him until he gasped for breath.

~ * ~

Seto wondered about the advisability of Joey having the removal done while he was still in such bad shape but Joey wanted it even more than he did. The doctor assured him that it wasn’t that big a deal, in fact, since he was already on antibiotics he would be better off.

When they got in to see the doctor, which only took a few minutes, he asked some more questions. Like who did the tattoo, how long had Joey had it. Did he know what kind of red pigment was used? Joey patiently answered all the questions.

“Well, young man. It’s going to take several treatments, I’m afraid. Red is hard to remove.” Joey gave Seto a disgusted look. “And new tattoos are harder than old ones. This one was done by an expert. Why you would have something like this done is beyond me. As an officer you know tattoos are not allowed.”

Joey shrugged. “As an under cover I got away with a lot. I’d rather have a tattoo than get my finger cut off. So, just to change the subject. Can you take it off?”

“I see. Umm. It’ll probably take two or even three treatments but I’m sure we can get rid of it. You do understand that the skin will always look different. But with a little attention and some special cream it won’t be noticeable, except to tattoo artists or other people who know exactly what they are looking at.”

Seto sighed. If he could get rid of the tattoo, he felt Joey would feel a lot better about himself. Carrying around such a noticeable reminder of the things he’d done couldn’t be good for Joey.

Joey just settled back in the dentist style chair, stuck out his hand and remarked ‘soonest begun soonest ended.”

Seto held Joey’s other hand as the man worked guiding the laser over the tattoo. The machine made a slight popping sound. Joey was soon grinding his teeth.

“Does it hurt a lot? Would you like something?” Seto stroked Joey’s arm gently.

“Naw. Just feels like someone’s snapping me with a rubber band. Kind of irritating. I don’t need anything. I just . . . it almost feels like I’m getting it all over again. I . . . Doc. How much longer will it be?”

The doctor realized that Joey was having some kind of problem that wasn’t related to the pain. He examined the work he’d done and decided to let the rest go for now.

“I’m done. I didn’t get all the way around but the remainder of the tattoo is on the palm side. So why don’t we call it a day. You can come back next week and I’ll work on the part I haven’t touched yet. Then you’ll have to wait a month before I can give you another treatment.”

“Sounds good. Thanks Doc. I’ll be back next week.”

“Ok, see you then. Be sure to stop by the Nurses Desk and pick up your care sheets.”

Joey examined his hand as Seto got the sheets from the nurse, as well as a jar of cream, and a few stern words about after care.

~ * ~

“Seto, it didn’t fade at all. It’s not going to work. Shit.” Joey had been looking at his hand every few seconds since they’d gotten back to their rooms.

Seto settled down in one of the easy chairs and carefully read over the care sheets and the FAQ.
“Joey, calm down. It says here that you probably won’t see much change for several days. The body’s immune system takes that long to start removing the dye. If treatments here don’t work, I’ll take you to America. There are several clinics there that specialize in tattoo removal. Now sit down before you worry yourself into a relapse.”

“I thought we were going to go home. I want to go home. Can we leave now? Please.” Joey paced, he was working himself up again and Seto decided to humor him. He wanted to leave as well.

“Yes, we’re going to go home. All I need to do is sign some papers, then we can leave. Come and sit down before you wear yourself out and fall over.”

“Ok. But I want to go home. I hate hospitals. I hate the way they smell like disinfectant and old blood and . . .” Joey shuddered. “Ugh! Come on. I know I’m nagging, but I just want to go home. I’ll be good, I swear I will. I’ll do every thing the doctor says I should. I don’t want a relapse. I feel better than I have in months, I don’t want to mess that up now. So can we go, please. I’ll even pay for the taxi.”

Seto grabbed Joey by the hand and pushed him into a chair. “Sit down! You’re driving me to distraction. We’ll leave as soon as I get the signal that the car is here. We’re not leaving until all the security protocols are in place. You designed them yourself, for me. But if it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for you.”

Joey sat and quit fussing, if Seto was waiting for security he’d shut up. He wasn’t going to argue about things he’d put in place himself.

The soft beep of Seto’s cell phone signaling that there was a text message made both of them jump. The message was from Roland, telling them that the car was waiting at the Royal entrance. Joey marveled that Seto could set things like this up so easily, or at all. He still hadn’t gotten it through his head exactly how wealthy and powerful Seto really was.

They entered the car and Joey flopped gracelessly onto the soft leather seat. He grabbed Seto and hauled him against his chest. Seto didn’t resist, instead he practically attacked Joey. Roland quietly ran the partition window up and told the driver to take his time.

In the back Joey and Seto reassured each other that everything was all right. All the way home, loudly.

~ * ~

When they got back to The Cedars, Seto insisted that Joey go back to bed immediately. Joey didn’t do more than give a small and very token protest. He didn’t feel as well as he’d thought. He got tired easily. The doctor had said that he would tire easily for a while still and told him he had to ease off on his exercise routines. And their time in the car had definitely been energetic.

Joey lay in bed and examined all the papers the various doctors, nurses and physical therapists had sent home with them. The gist of the whole pile was; relax, don’t do anything strenuous and you’ll recover in two to four months. So Joey resigned himself to doing light tai chi and yoga, he realized that he felt a strange sense of relief. He’d like to stay in real good shape but he was glad he didn’t have to stay in shape to club fight at a moment’s notice anymore.

He allowed himself to drift off wondering where Seto was.

Seto was in his office, hiring people. He called Yukari in and explained to the man that he was hiring a valet for Joey. One that would make sure that he didn’t overdo it first thing. He asked Yukari if he had any ideas as to who might fill the job.

Yukari beamed, it was a very great honor for him that Seto trusted him enough that he would ask his advice.

“Well, I have a friend. He’s . . . scarred, and he’s afraid that his current employer is going to let him go. The employer and his lover aren’t using the apartment like they used to. He’s been told he has a home there as long as he wants, but he needs to be useful and you know yourself that rich people can be contradictory. Tell you one thing then do another. So, if you’d interview him, I’d appreciate it. But . . . he’s rather badly scarred, so he’s shy. Do you think you and Master Joey would like to have him?”

Seto sat stunned. “Is his name Torrance by any chance?”

“Yes, it is. He’s a very good man. Very organized and genteel. He was burned saving his former employer’s son. The man cast him off. Do you think you would like to hire him?”

Seto smiled. “I already did. I’m not closing that apartment, I’ll be needing it rather often in a while. But if you think Torrance can keep Joey in hand, I’ll hire someone you recommend to take care of the apartment and transfer Torrance here.”

Yukari smiled back. “He was a commander in the Singapore Police department when he was younger. I think he can manage you just have to reassure him that he won’t lose his job.”

“He won’t lose his job for making Joey do what he’s supposed to, just the opposite . . . thank you Yukari, that will be all.”

Yukari stood and bowed, he was happy that he could not only help his employer but also his friend.

Seto called Torrance at once. After talking to him for a few moments Seto just said. “I don’t remember ever seeing you full on or in good light. Why don’t you just let me make up my own mind? I swear I won’t fire you just because you have some scars. And you know I never break my word. Joey has seen you and he doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Come tomorrow.”

Torrance just said, “Very well, sir.” and hung up.

~ * ~

Joey woke, wondered sleepily what time it was, and decided his stomach said it was lunch time. He realized that he hadn’t undressed, only taken off his shoes and shirt. So he found a t-shirt and tugged it on over his head while walking toward the door. This wasn’t such a good idea as he ran right into Seto, who was coming to wake him for a late lunch.

“Hungry? I hope so. Sakura has outdone herself. And I want you to eat. You’re still way too thin. And she will be bringing you your drink twice a day. Here let me. You’ve gotten yourself tangled up something awful.”

Seto reached out to help Joey get the t-shirt untangled. He’d managed to get one arm through an armhole, but the other was through the neck and he was trying to put his head through the other arm. He’d also managed to get his braid caught in the mix. Seto efficiently straightened the offending garment and stuffed Joey into it.

“There! I don’t know how you managed to do that. And I don’t really care. You’ve messed up your braid and I don’t have time to fool with it now. Sakura will be upset if we let the food go cold. Come on. I’m hungry.”

“Me too. What all has Sakura made. Did she make udon noodles with beef? I’ve acquired a taste for it. And I’d like some shrimp tempura. I like shrimp. The fresher the better.” Joey finished straightening his shirt and tucked it into his trousers as he followed Seto to the door

Seto shuddered slightly. “Yes, I remember. We could go back to that restaurant if you like. As long as I don’t have to watch you kill your dinner.”

Joey laughed and leaned on Seto. “My legs are still a little shaky. But . . . You’re such a city boy. I suppose you think beef comes neatly cut up and packaged on those plastic trays.”

Seto put his nose in the air and wrapped his arm around Joey’s waist. “I certainly know better. It comes from a truck, frozen. . . .” At Joey’s gape-jawed look, he laughed. “Joey! I know exactly where beef comes from. I own a farm in Kobe. And another in Australia. And land here and there all over the world. I diversified Kaiba Corp. and my own investments years ago. Here. Sit.”

He helped Joey settle in his favorite chair at the kitchen table. The massive butcher-block top was scrubbed to a special luster and decorated with small mats made of twigs, which bore the various platters of foods.

Joey dug in with a will and ate his way through everything offered with a cheerful determination to, as he put it, ‘join the clean plate club.’ Sakura beamed from her place in front of the stove, happily planning supper.

Seto pulled Joey after him and went back to his office. He made Joey lay down on the ‘fainting’ couch there and told him that Torrance would be coming to serve him. Joey rolled his eyes, he didn’t need a servant.

“Seto, I don’t need him. I can take care of myself. Whadya wanna do somethin’ dumb like that fur?”

Seto decided he wasn’t going to put up with Joey whining this was too important.

“Joey!“ Joey snapped his mouth shut when, Seto used that tone of voice it was important. “One, Torrance is afraid I’m going to let him go. Two, you need someone to make sure you take your meds and follow the schedules the doctor and therapist made out. I’m not good at prolonged nursemaiding, I have too much work of my own to do. I’ll forget something important. I won’t have you having a relapse. So Torrance comes here and you let him valet you. Ok?”

Joey grumbled a little but finally agreed snarking. “And if I don’t you’ll probably figure out something I’ll like even less.”

Seto smirked. “I will nurse you myself and you’ve already seen how bad a nurse I make. Wrong equipment.”

Joey flopped back on the couch with a dramatic groan.