Chapter 4: Attack

April 2003

Atem was watching TV with Tea leaning against him. They didn't notice a figure sneak into the game shop until Atem went stiff, giving a cry of unendurable pain. "Ah!"

"Atem, hey what's wrong?" Tea asked looking scared.

Atem shook violently with the pain, his back arched. "He is enjoying my little welcome gift." a British voice replied from the doorway, a smile in his voice.

"No way, B-Bakura, what do you want?" Tea growled.

Bakura released the magic he had on Atem and he fell to the side, half conscious. "That is just a taste of my power, Tea. I could have easily killed him."

"Atem, noo, what have you got against Atem that you would want to do this to him." Tea said touching Atem's cheek

"He escaped me when I attacked the palace."

"That's no reason to come back after him now. Please wake up Atem. Atem can you hear me?"

"Step away from him." Bakura ordered. "You know what I can do."

"Ok but please don't hurt him Bakura. I love Atem." she said stepping away from Atem.

Bakura stepped forward and seized Atem by the arm. They disappeared in an instant.

"Noo Atem." Tea moaned. Then she realized something. "Hey he didn't take his sword with him. I need to save him but where would they have gone."

I can find him. Ra's voice said in her head.

I'm scared Ra. Please find him for me. I love Atem and I don't want Bakura to hurt him. Can you lead me to where he is? Tea asked.

Of course. Take me with you and I will sense his presence.

Thank you Ra. Tea nodded carefully picking up the sword.

The blade glowed a bright blue and Ra's voice sounded in her head. I sense him near the pier.

"Take me to him Ra."

Go to the pier and I will have a better sense of exactly where he is.

Getting to the pier, Tea stopped and looked down at the sword in her hand. Which way now, can you sense him?

Yes. He's in the warehouse over there. But I must warn you...

"What? Whats wrong Ra?"

Bakura has resorted to physically hurting him. Ra responded.

"I hope Atem's ok. Can you sense how badly hurt he is?"

It is pertinent that we get him to a doctor or he will not make it.

"That's not good. I'm coming Atem." Tea said as she took off running towards the warehouse where Ra had pointed her.

You will have to use me to defeat Bakura. I will lend you my power.

Thank you but I don't think I can do it. I've never killed anyone before. Tea said sounding nervous.

Let me do the work. I must avenge my handler.

When Tea arrived in the warehouse she found Atem lying on the ground in a pool of blood. "Tea..."

"Atem, what happened to you and where's Bakura." Tea asked helping Atem up.

Ten minutes later a nurse exited the room and found Tea. "Your friend is stable now and we're taking him up to surgery. The labs cannot find any poison in his system, so we don't know what to do."

"Thank you very much for letting me know." Tea nodded.

Now would be the time to make that antidote. Ra reminded her.

Oh of course, what do we need for it Ra?

Ra gave her the ingredients. You will need to go to your home to make it.

I don't want to leave Atem but he's depending on me to make this antidote. Come on Ra lets go.

Ra talked her through the steps and finished the potion. 'You did it exactly how I advised, I just hope that there's enough time.

"We need to get back to the hospital and fast. I don't know how much longer Atem is going to last."

A nurse looked up as Tea hurried into the surgical ward. "May I help you?"

"I know your lab couldn't pick up any poison in Atem's system but I made this special antidote to help get rid of it, someone needs to inject this into him, right now."

"An untested antidote? I doubt the surgeons would approve of that." The nurse frowned.

"I didn't just make it myself. I had help from a very powerful friend, but please you have to trust me. Please give it to the doctor to use, I don't want to lose Atem." Tea pleaded.

The nurse sighed and took the vial. "I'll give it to them but I cannot guarantee." the nurse took it down the hall.

I convinced her. Though she still was not as cooperative.

Thank you for your help Ra, I knew she wasn't going to take it without a bit of persuasion.

Hours later, a nurse approached her. "Are you here for Atem?"

"Yes I am, how is he?" Tea asked nervously.

"He survived surgery but I must warn you before you go in. He's intubated because he had trouble during surgery and can't breathe on his own for now."

"It will be that poison, it would have been in his system for too long." Tea whispered to herself. "Can you take me to him?"

"Of course." the nurse led her to the room.

Atem was lying in bed, a tube coming out of his mouth to a machine.

"Atem, can you hear me?" Tea asked taking his hand.

Atem's hand twitched ever so slightly in hers.

He can hear you. If you want, I can pass along any messages he has for you. He can talk to me.

Im so glad you are ok, how are you feeling?

Thank you, that is greatly apperciated Ra.

He wants to know if he will be okay. Ra repeated. He's too weak to talk telepathically to you, but I can read his mind.

"The nurse said the surgery went well, but he has to have the tube in until he can breath on his own."

He is quiet now because he needs rest. But he wants you to stay with him.

"Of course I'll stay with you Atem. I love you and would never leave your side." she said kissing his cheek.

The next day, a doctor came in while Tea was sitting beside him, holding his hand. He examined Atem and checked he monitors. "Atem, welcome back. I'm going to remove the tube now that you're breathing on your own."

Finally, this tube is a pain because I cannot speak aloud. Atem said into Tea's head and then chuckled quietly in her mind.

The doctor disconnected the tube from his mouth and slowly pulled it out, causing him to cough violently. "Easy, don't try to speak." he advised.

Atem settled back, with a hoarse groan.

"Here have a drink Atem." Tea said offering him a cup of water.

Atem took it and took a careful sip. Thank you.

"It's going to be good to get you home." Tea smiled.

"Don't overexert him. I'll be back to check on you later." the doctor nodded to her and left.

"Of course not, bye doctor."

Atem looked over at Tea. How bad is it?

"You're going to be fine, you just need a lot of rest."

Atem turned his head so she kissed him on the mouth, not content with a chaste kiss.

"You are so naughty, but I love you so much, hey by the way, I've been thinking."

Atem raised an eyebrow as encouragement to continue.

"You know when you asked about us having a child." Tea blushed.

Atem nodded, gazing up at her.

"I think maybe I would like to, only once you are completely better."

Atem nodded and opened his mouth to say something and he managed to say hoarsely, "Thank you."

"Hey the doctor said no talking but I think I'm ready now to start trying." Tea said leaning in to give him a passionate kiss.

The heart rate monitor sped up in response to his heart rate increase as a nurse bustled in. "Excuse me! You are riling up the patient. If you can't control yourself, I will have to ask you to leave!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to but he is my boyfriend after all." Tea smiled sheepishly. "Tattle tail." she whispered.