Happy New Year?!

Summary: Joey has chosen New Year's Day to die.

He decides to first tell Seto he loves him.

Will not include character death.

Part 1-New Year's Eve

Seto receives a call on his intercom. His secretary says, "Mr. Kaiba, there's a Mr. Wheeler here to see you."

Seto says, "Send him in."

Joey enters Seto's office. He sees Seto typing on his laptop.

Seto asks, "What do you want, Joey?" He doesn't look up from his laptop.

Joey walks over to Seto's desk, pushes down the top, then leans over and presses his lips against Seto's. He's surprised when Seto presses back. The kiss continues until they break apart for air.

Joey says, "Dammit!"

Seto is hurt, but hides it. He says, "You kissed me."

Joey says, "I always thought you'd push me away, not kiss me back."

Seto says, "My insults didn't mean I wasn't attracted to you. Would you like to explore this further?"

Joey says, "I'd like to, but I'm leaving tonight. I came to say goodbye."

Seto asks, "Have you told anyone else you're leaving?"

Joey says, "Not yet. They'd ask too many questions. I've written them letters to read after I'm gone. I figured you probably wouldn't come to Yugi's New Year's Eve party so I decided to visit you. Here's your letter."

Joey hands Seto an envelope. It says, 'Don't read before sunrise tomorrow'.

Seto asks, "Where are you going?"

Joey says, "Its a secret. You'll find out tomorrow."

Seto says, "All right. I need to get back to work."

Joey says, "You should watch the fireworks with Mokuba."

Seto says, "Mokuba is going to Yugi's party."

Joey says, "Do me a favor. Don't work until sunrise."

Seto says, "I promised Mokuba I wouldn't."

Joey says, "Goodbye, Seto", then leaves Seto's office.

Part 2-New Year's Day

6 HOURS LATER...

Seto wakes up at home. He opens the envelope from Joey and starts reading.

'Sorry, Seto. I'm leaving you in charge of finding my body. I'm not sure where it will be.

I'm going to leave Yugi's and walk north until I collapse. You're probably wondering why I'd kill myself. I'm dying. It was only a matter of time. I've had a crush on you since Battle City. You showed you cared about more than just defeating Yugi. Yet, your insults didn't stop. Your insults crushed me. Guess that's why they call it a crush. I figured, if I told you I had a crush on you, you'd avoid me. Getting insulted was better than being ignored. Goodbye. Joey'

Seto immediately contacts Roland and demands that he have all his security start searching for Joey. Less than 10 mins. later, Roland calls Seto back and says, "They found him. He's still breathing. He's being transported to Kaiba Medical Center."

Seto says, "I'll meet you there." Seto gets dressed, leaves the mansion, gets in a non-descript car, and drives to Kaiba Medical Center. Roland is waiting for him at the entrance and leads him to Joey's room.

Seto asks Joey's doctor, "What's wrong with him?"

The doctor says, "It seems to be a mild case of hypothermia."

Seto says, "Look deeper. He told me he was dying."

The doctor says, "I'm waiting on his medical records."

Seto says, "While you're waiting, do a more thorough examination. That's what I'm paying you for."

The doctor says, "Yes, sir. I need you to leave the room while I run the tests."

Seto walks out of the room, then paces in front of the door.

A half hour later, the doctor walks out.

Seto asks, "Did you find anything?"

The doctor says, "An EKG showed he has a heart condition. He needs a new heart."

Seto asks, "Is his name on the transplant list?"

The doctor says, "No. I received his medical records. He refused a transplant. Said he didn't want to know he was living because somebody else died."

Seto calls Mokuba who spent the night at Yugi's.

Mokuba says, "Seto. Why are you calling me at 5 in the morning?"

Seto says, "I'm sending Roland to pick you up and bring you to Kaiba Medical Center."

Mokuba asks, "Who's hurt?"

Seto says, "Joey. He needs a new heart. Do you still have any of your prototypes?"

Mokuba says, "3. I'll have Roland stop by Kaiba Corp. and pick one up on the way."

Seto goes to the desk and gets consent forms for Joey to sign. Then he goes to Joey's room.

Seto says, "Joey, I need you to wake up." Joey's eyes flutter, then open.

Joey asks, "Seto? You found me before my heart gave out?"

Seto says, "I did. I have a new heart for you."

Joey says, "I don't want somebody else's heart."

Seto says, "It won't be somebody else's heart. It will be a robotic heart. Mokuba created it.

He is bringing one of his prototypes. You only need to sign these consent forms and not eat for 24 hours." Seto gives Joey a clipboard with the forms and a pen on it.

Joey tries to read the forms, but they have big words he doesn't know.

Joey asks, "Can you explain to me what they say?"

Seto says, "Mokuba can. I'm good at understanding computer language. Mokuba is good at understanding medical terminology. That's why he chose robotic organs for his project for Kaiba Corp."

Joey asks, "Will this cost me?"

Seto says, "You'll be a test subject, so you will be getting paid for having the heart, as long as you come in for regular checkups and don't do anything stupid, like becoming dangerously overweight or underweight."

Mokuba arrives a few min. later. He explains the consent forms to Joey, who then signs them.

The doctors prepare Joey for surgery. Before the surgery, Yugi arrives.

Yugi says, "Seto told me you were here. Do you need a new heart because of that duel against Marik last year?"

Joey says, "No. Otherwise, you and Seto would probably also need new hearts. I was born with a heart condition. My parents were originally told I probably wouldn't live to see 12. I think that's why my mom didn't take me with her when she divorced my dad. Because I wasn't supposed to live much longer. My dad acted like I don't exist. I joined a gang for attention."

Seto says, "That's why you said you preferred me insulting you to ignoring you." Joey nods.

A doctor comes in and says, "Time for your surgery."

The doctor wheels Joey away.

Part 3-Jan. 2nd

Joey wakes up the next day. Seto and Mokuba are in his room.

Mokuba says, "The surgery was a success! You'll need to come in for monthly checkups."

Seto asks, "Would you like to go on a date?"

Joey asks, "Mokuba, would you have a problem with us dating?"

Mokuba says, "No, as long as you don't kiss in front of me. I'm very surprised, but would like having another big brother, one who has more time to spend with me."

Joey says, "I'd love to go on a date with you, Seto."

Part 4-Jan. 25th

Today is Joey's birthday. Because of school and work, Seto and Joey have gone on only one date a week. They decide to take their relationship further. Seto asks Yugi to let Mokuba spend the night at his house. Yugi agrees.

LEMON

JK! Couldn't decide where to go with a lemon.