Disclaimer: I don't own YuGiOh. But if I did, there would be a WHOLLLEEE lot more making out.

A/N: I'm updating again, yes. I have to cram in as many fanfics as possible between now and when school starts.

XXX

Tea was working at a flower shop, a job that she liked much more than her previous one at the fast food place. It was quiet, and the customers were pleasant.

"Hey Tea!" One of the fellow employees called. "Could you go grab that bouquet up there?"

"Sure thing." Tea brought the stepladder out and climbed up, reaching for the bouquet. She had just grabbed it when she heard a deep voice behind her.

"Tea?"

She knew that voice. But… it couldn't be, could it? "A… Atem…?" she went to turn around and her foot slipped on the stepladder.

Falling…

Expecting to hit the hard floor, she braced herself for the impact. Instead two soft arms caught her. Atem… will it be you?

She opened her eyes, and sure enough, she saw Yugi. Only he was taller, leaner, and his skin was tanned. She blinked for a minute and blushed, not believing her eyes.

Atem's cheeks were becoming slightly pink too, and he offered a smile. "Um… Hi Tea…" He put her down.

Tea's face broke into a wide grin. "Atem! I've missed you so much!" Tea finally squealed. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Atem blushed and when Tea finally let go, she blushed too. Finally, Atem spoke. "It's good to see you again… I'm… really happy…"

"Yeah… me too…"

They were quiet until Tea spoke again. "Oh, hey, the others will want to see you too. I'm assuming you've already spoken to Yugi…"

Atem nodded. "Yes… But I would like to see Joey and Tristan, and Serenity, and Ishizu, and…" He laughed. "Wow, there are so many."

Tea laughed too. "Lets go to Joey's house first. Tristan and Serenity will probably be there. My shift is over anyway."

She took off her apron and took his hand, leading him outside. He looked at their interlocked hands and blushed. He looked up at her and smiled. She seemed to look more beautiful than ever, her short brown hair flowing around her in the breeze, her bright blue eyes mirroring the sky. Oh, how he had missed this.

Tea turned around. "Oh and—what do I have something on my face?" She reached up and touched her cheek self-consciously.

Atem shook his head and smiled, blushing slightly from being caught staring. "No, it's fine. You're perfect."

This time Tea blushed.

Atem realized what he said and stammered. "I mean… Um… That didn't come out quite right did it?" His face reddened.

"Um… no… it was a compliment… thank you…" Tea pushed some hair behind her ear nervously. She looked up and saw Atem giving her his usual intense face. It was really… hot… She blushed and scolded herself for thinking like that, and averted her eyes. "I'm really glad you're back… what made you come back anyway?"

Atem took a step closer and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm not really sure… but I'm here to find out…"

Tea looked up. That intense face again… Suddenly, her body realized how close they were standing, and the presence of his hand on her shoulder. Her face became hot. She couldn't help it. She leaned up, intending to kiss him.

"WHOA! IS THAT YOU ATEM! AND TEA!" Joey's voice interrupted and Atem turned his head, causing Tea's lips to just barely brush his cheek, and she quickly turned away, pretending nothing happened. How embarrassing! She thought to herself as she went to greet Joey, Tristan, and Serenity.

"Hello Joey." Atem smiled.

"HOLY SHIT IT IS YOU!" Joey exclaimed.

"Hey! Dude, welcome back!" Tristan slapped his back. "What brings you into this era?"

Atem shrugged. "I wanted to see… All of you."

"It's good to see you again!" Serenity smiled at Atem. "We've all missed you."

Atem smiled. "I've missed you too."

"Hey, whaddaya say we go over to Yugi's place? I bet he's got lots of snacks waiting for us!" Joey licked his lips.

"Always food…" Tea grumbled.

Atem laughed. "Okay, lets go."

They started back to Yugi's house, Atem and Tea a few steps behind the others.

Tea looked up at Atem. It didn't seem like he had noticed. She sighed. Thank god for that too… Tea thought, looking back at Joey and the others ahead of them.

Atem looked down at Tea, his cheeks turning pink. Did Tea really kiss my cheek? Or did I just imagine it… She seems the same… He shook his head. Must have been my imagination.

XXX

"Atem you're back! And you brought everyone!" Yugi opened the door to them. He looked from Atem to Tea. They weren't holding hands or anything, and nobody else seemed to be acting any different, so Yugi concluded that nothing had happened.

They had all gathered in Yugi's living room, talking happily.

"So… what happens after death?" Serenity asked.

Atem paused before answering. "I can't quite remember… I think the Gods made it that way so I couldn't tell you… but heaven is… just like reality, I think…" He spaced out for a moment, thinking.

"It's okay." Serenity interrupted his thought. "Don't sweat it. I think it's something we shouldn't know…"

Atem gave her a smile. "Thank you."

Serenity suddenly got up. "Hey Tea, I'm thirsty, lets go bring something to drink for everyone."

Tea stood too, puzzled. "Sure…" After taking everyone's orders, the two girls went into the kitchen.

"Okay," Serenity turned to Tea as soon as they were out of earshot of the others. "I'm here to apologize on behalf of my brother."

Tea looked confused. "What? Why?"

"Oh, don't play dumb!" Serenity giggled. "Something was going on between you and Atem, wasn't there?"

Tea immediately blushed. "Well… not really…" When Serenity gave her a knowing look, Tea added. "Well, not yet… but there might've been…" She turned redder and redder with every word.

"So… you like him, and he likes you?" Serenity asked, hopping up to sit on the counter.

Tea did the same, and she stared into the closed door, swinging her legs. "I'm not sure… but being around him… is like… falling… just a little bit more, every time I see him and think, 'I might never see him again'. Falling…"

"…In love?" Serenity finished her sentence, cocking her head to the side.

Tea got down from the counter. "Like I said, I'm not quite sure." She quickly changed the subject. "Come on, let's get these drinks to those monsters before they come looking for us."

XXX

The two returned to the living rooms and set the drinks on the table.

"Hey guess what?" Joey called to the girls. "We're throwing a party to welcome Atem back. Everyone's coming!"

"Cool!" Tea flipped her wrist to check her watch. "Oh! My dance class is starting soon. I'd better go." She got up and waved, walking out the door.

"Gone like the wind…" Joey blinked. She left so quick, none of them got the chance to say anything.

Yugi nudged Atem and jerked his head towards the door. Atem nodded and stood. "I… I'll be right back…"

Atem walked out the door and faced the cold breeze. Winter was coming. He was glad to be wearing the blue jacket that had been too big for Yugi. Tea wasn't too far ahead of him. As he walked up to her, he mentally kicked himself. Great, he was out here, but why? What was he going to say to her?

Too late, Tea noticed the footsteps behind her and turned around. "Atem?"

Tea was hugging her arms, and Atem noticed the thin long-sleeved shirt she was wearing. It might have been appropriate for fall, but with winter coming fast, and she looked like she was cold.

Atem quickly slipped off his coat. "I… thought you might be cold." Good, found a reason.

"Oh… um… thanks… You didn't have to come after me, though, my dance class isn't far." She took the coat and gratefully put it on. It was slightly big, covering her fingers, but to her, it was perfect.

"No… it wouldn't be good if you caught a cold… I was… worried…" Atem shrugged, averting his eyes.

Tea smiled. "Well thank you…"

She started walking away when Atem called. "Wait!"

She turned around.

Atem turned red. "I… I wanted to say," he paused and looked up into her wide sapphire eyes blinking up at him. "Uh… I wanted to say… bye."

Tea smiled, a little confused. "Um, okay. Bye. I'll see you at the party. When is it again?"

"Uh, it's this Thursday evening, around six?" He said nervously.

"Cool. I'll see you then!" She waved and began walking away.

Atem sighed and turned around, returning to Yugi's house.

XXX

That night Yugi looked down at Atem, who was sleeping on his bedroom floor. "So, how'd it go? Did anything happen between you and Tea?" When he didn't get an answer from Atem he sighed. "Lost your nerve?"

Atem shook his head. "It's just… I don't really know how I feel… But when I'm around her, when I'm not around her, when I think of her… I feel like… I'm falling."

Yugi paused, thinking of what to say next. "Is that how you feel when you're in love?"

Atem looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "I… don't know…"

XXX

A/N: Yay, I finished the second chapter. Before, I wasn't sure where this was going, but now I've planned it out. I'm starting to like this one… But—just to keep your imaginations going, I'll leave you with one word—Snow.