Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Atem had dragged Tea in his cab he kept outside waiting for them.

"Central Park." He said, his commanding voice never leaving him.

"What the fuck was that?" Tea practically yelled making Atem roll his eyes.

"What? I was saving you. You clearly did not wish to go on this date. A thank you will suffice." Tea couldn't believe the words leaving his mouth. Was this really the Atem who had stood by Yugi's side so long ago? Or was he just a fake that tried to get on everyone's good side for the sake of himself. Tea wondered if this was the true Atem.

"How would you know whether I wanted to be on this date or not? I could have changed my mind? I was actually having a nice time!" She finally yelled crossing her arms, looking away.

She could see Atem's demeanor change out of the corner of her eye. His once relaxed figure now looked tense and rigid. Was he possibly angry that she was actually enjoying herself on her date? She quickly released that thought from her mind, finding it ridiculous. Why would he even care he had Kiya.

"How did you even find me? Were you following us?" she pestered at him again as his silence seemed to fill the whole car. He still didn't answer her leaving Tea to look out her window, frustrated. She tried to create as much room between them as possible as her anger for him left her virtually seething. How dare he try and ruin the one chance of happiness I might have. She furiously thought.

Finally, the long car ride ended and Atem paid the driver and left the car. Tea stayed in her seat as he reached her door peering down at her. She swiftly locked it and went to the driver.

"Sir please drive."

Before he could even reply Atem was at his window. He rolled it down seeming annoyed to be in the middle of their fight.

"Do not even think of moving." His voice was so icy the cab driver looked away not wanting to meet his intense gaze. "Also, kindly unlock her door."

The cab driver did so and before Tea could relock it, Atem had opened the door and grabbed her.

"Let go! I do not want to be near you right now!" She yelled, causing many onlookers to peer at them curiously. Atem ignored their gazes and dragged a furious Tea into the grey pathways of Central Park.

She tried to fight off his tight grip on her wrist but to no avail. He was just as strong as he looked. They continued there walk, Atem as quiet as ever. With every step he dragged her, Tea felt the resentment in her rise to new heights. Why was he doing all this? What was he trying to achieve? She wanted answers from him she wasn't sure she would even receive.

They finally reached a small bench that overlooked a lake. It was under the shade of a tree whose leaves were almost completely gone and to Tea's dread she noticed they were mostly alone.

He sat on the bench with his hands in his pockets and she couldn't help but stand stubbornly behind him. He waited another moment for her before looking back.

"Are you not going to sit?" he asked so frustratingly politely.

"No." Was all she could get out. She could feel the blood reaching her face, most likely turning her whole head red.

"Why not?" he asked so innocently as if he didn't know. As if he didn't just interrupt her date to abduct her to Central Park to sit on a bench in the cold.

"Give me answers. How did you know where I was and why did you even come? Do you know how embarrassing that was? How do you even expect me to face James come Monday?" she was practically yelling again. Thankfully no one was around to hear her.

Atem lost his calm composure at the mention of James. He heatedly got up making his way toward her. Tea couldn't help but be frightened at the deadly look on his face. She had seen it aimed at their enemies from so long ago, but never at her.

She started walking backwards, away from the menacing stare until she felt something stop her. She looked back seeing she hit the tree they were under. She tried to move around it, only to have Atem block her with an arm. She turned to face him and saw just how close he was to her. She couldn't help but feel her heart beat a little fast at their closeness. She could hear the ragged breath coming from his lips, but couldn't look into his eyes. She was sure they were just as penetrating as they felt.

"Why do you care what he thinks?" he finally asked, his voice low and even deeper than usual.

She gulped, words not able to come to her. All she could focus on was Atem, who was so close. A closeness she had craved for so long. His arm was still held firmly against the tree right by her head. She was virtually trapped.

"Well?" he asked again more forcefully moving in even closer. Tea could feel the heat forming between them. She wasn't sure if he felt it as well, but she couldn't deny the pull she felt for him. Her anger was still very imminent and yet she also felt something else. She wanted him so bad, despite the fact she might hate him. Despite the fact he was disrespecting her wishes, she wanted him.

"I- I, he's someone I care for, of course I would care!" she finally defended herself. She tried to get away from his hypnotizing pull but it was proving harder than ever. He only pushed her back against the tree, coming even closer to her.

"Why do you pretend to care for him? Any idiot would know you hold only platonic feelings for him, if any at all." He replied furiously, his lips coming even closer to hers.

She couldn't help but meet his gaze. She knew she would probably regret doing this but her anger for the words he just spoke brought about more courage in her. They were just as piercing as she imagined.

"Stop trying to say how I feel. You don't know me nor do you know my relationship with James! Why do you come when you're not wanted? Can't you tell I was perfectly fine before you came!" She said with so much anger she even caught herself off guard.

Before she could even think, Atem agitatedly closed the little space left between them. His lips sought hers hungrily and all she could do was comply. The little voice in her head was screaming at her to stop, but she shoved her back.

Atem deepened the kiss, licking her bottom lip to let him in. She hastily obeyed allowing his tongue to roam her mouth. Their tongues danced and Tea heard a deep moan leave his throat. She kissed him even more feverishly, wanting to hear him moan again. The sound was ecstasy to her ears. The continued their heated embrace, Tea's hands now engulfed in his hair and Atem's hands roaming her body. He felt something deep stir inside him as he touched her soft curves accentuated by the sensual dress she wore. His hand went over her breast allowing a moan to leave Tea's mouth. He never wanted someone so badly in his life. The kiss was something he never wanted to leave. He felt himself start to get hard and further pushed himself closer to Tea who let out another moan at his hasty actions.

Eventually the two broke apart for air, both breathing heavy. Their heads were close to each other, foreheads practically touching and neither said a word. The wind blew behind them ominously, as the frigid night air bit at their backs but neither felt a thing.

They just stared at each other breathing heavy, reminiscing on their previous actions. Tea instantly wanted his lips back on hers the moment he let go. Atem wanted to take Tea back to his apartment but his legs weren't complying at the moment.

"Atem" Tea finally said in barely a whisper. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I wanted too." Was all Atem could give her. In truth, he really did want too. His connection to her was magnetic and he wanted more.

"Fuck Tea…" he whispered to her this time, his hot peppermint breath hitting Tea. She wanted his mouth on hers now more than ever. "What are you doing to me."

Had she not been so close to him, Tea would have never heard the words leave his mouth.

She stared at him in disbelief and his eyes lowered. What did that even mean?

She refused to allow the small amounts of hope swell in her heart. He was probably out of his mind, he probably missed Kiya and was frustrated she wasn't here so he was just using Tea.

Kiya.

Just the thought of her made Tea push Atem back hard. He looked at her wildly.

"Get away from me!" She cried the tears reaching her eyes once more. "You have a girlfriend that you love, don't use me because you miss her!" she could feel the salty water falling from her cheeks. He has Kiya. Spoke in her mind on an endless loop. Her legs decided to work once more and she ran away from him. She didn't care for his yells. She didn't care to turn back and run into his arms once more, although she wanted to. She held too much respect for herself to run back to a taken man. His feelings for her might be a joke, but hers for him were just as intense as she imagined. She could feel the wall she created crashing down within her allowing another sob to escape her lips. New York City never felt so ruthless.

Atem watched in alarm the girl he wanted running from his arms. Just as suddenly as she was there, she was gone. He couldn't stop the impending loneliness that ensued him once more. It created a hole deep within his chest. He couldn't grapple with it.

The kiss was something he had never felt with Kiya. It was almost electric. He wanted more, he wasn't sure how he could live without it. Although the guilt soon washed over him, it couldn't overpower the need he had for Tea. How has it come to this? He thought.

He always knew Tea and him held a connection, he never understood it and once she left he decided there was no point in trying to understand it. But now that he finally acted upon that connection he couldn't deny it any longer. He realized he held strong feelings for the ballet dancer. Something he couldn't just shove back and forget. His feelings for Kiya still remained and he wondered if they were only there because of her familiarity. Or perhaps the guilt of leaving someone who was there for him for so long.

Regardless he now could not deny the affection he felt for Tea. He wanted her, he needed her and he wasn't sure what he was going to do.

Tea continued running, as fast as she could just to get away from him, from the park, from her feelings. Maybe if she ran fast and far enough she could leave it all behind. Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy and she found herself on her knees trying to breath in the cold night air in big gulps. She was so tired, tired from James, tired from ballet, and tired from him. All she wanted to do was crawl somewhere warm and sleep. The tears wouldn't stop trickling down her face and she knew she couldn't be left alone. She soon started walking toward the one person she felt comfortable going too in this stony city.

Finally reaching the entrance of her apartment building, Tea made her way up the elevators to the twelfth floor. She quickly walked past many doors until reaching the letter G. She knocked quietly and waited.

"Tea?" Mary looked at the dancer in utter surprise slowly taking in her unruly appearance.

"What happened?" she quickly asked, bringing Tea into her warm apartment. Tea sniffled and couldn't stop the small smile from entering her lips at the smell of Mary's delicious cooking.

"It's a long story." She exclaimed warily. Mary nodded taking Tea's coat. Tea took off her shoes and placed them by the door before making herself comfortable on her friend's couch.

"I'll make us some tea and then you tell me what happened." Mary decided. Tea nodded laying her head upon a pillow. She closed her eyes and before she knew it sleep overcame her. Mary came back noticing Tea's exhausted state and carefully placed her legs up while placing a blanket over her body. She looked down at her despairing friend and wanted nothing more than to take the pain that has been eating at her heart away.

Tea awoke suddenly taking in her surroundings. She noticed a dim lamp lit and her body was tucked into something comfortable. She slowly positioned herself up grabbing her head which began to ache. Memories of what happened overcame her and she groaned out loud. So it all wasn't a dream.

She looked over at Mary who was sitting upon her kitchen counter doing something on her laptop. She looked lost in her work.

"Mary?" Tea called out weakly. Instantly the blonde turned around noticing Tea.

"You're finally awake sleepy head." She smiled.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep; I didn't even realize I did." Tea told her self-consciously.

"Nonsense, you were exhausted and I'm glad you had some time to recover from whatever happened." She told Tea gently but firmly.

"How long have I been out?" Tea asked with a yawn.

"A couple of hours, its three A.M." Mary replied looking at her laptop clock.

"What! Why are you awake then, you must be exhausted?" Tea exclaimed throwing the blanket off herself.

"Oh I couldn't sleep, trust me I tried." Mary replied, shutting her laptop off. "Now are you ready to talk about whatever happened?" she asked softly.

Tea nodded and took in a deep breath before beginning her tale of finding out Atem might be coming to New York City for school and finding out her answer when she ran into him for the first time on the subway. She explained James asking her out on that subway ride, to which Mary contorted her face in disgust, and how she had said yes much to Mary's surprise. She continued on with her sort of date with Atem and all the events that lead to today's disaster date with James. Mary listened intently, never interrupting Tea's story.

"And he kissed me Mary." Tea finalized quietly.

"What!" Mary exclaimed in shock. "Why did he kiss you if he loves that other girl?"

"That's what I'm wondering. I figured it's because he's been away from her for too long so he's using me to appease his needs." Tea said with aversion.

Mary looked away thoughtfully.

"What?" Tea asked looking at Mary questionably.

"Nothing, I just I don't understand why he would take the time to first figure out where you are and then decide to actually go there just to drag you out and then kiss you. It just doesn't seem like someone who is in love with someone else would do."

"So what are you suggesting?"

"I don't know, maybe he has feelings for you Tea. I don't want to bring your hopes up just to have them crashing down again because I hate to see you hurt but his actions just don't make sense with his feelings." She looked at Tea warily. "I can see why you're so confused."

Tea looked at Mary her mind reeling in the words she just spoke. Could it be possible Atem actually cares for me in ways that I care for him? No, Kiya has him wrapped around her little finger, there's just no way. She decided the latter made more sense. Atem had made himself clear about his feelings for her long ago by virtually ignoring her. His feelings couldn't have changed just from spending some time with her.

"I doubt he holds any sort of romantic feelings for me Mary. It was one kiss, a measly one at that." No it wasn't, it was one of the greatest kisses she ever had. It was electrifying, it was passionate, it was almost desperate. She could almost feel his hot breath fanning her face once more but quickly snapped out of her thoughts.

Mary gave her a doubtful look, but quickly got up from their comfortable spot.

"I'm going to make a fresh batch of tea and I know I have some pastries lying around."

"Thank you so much Mary, for listening and for being there for me." Tea told her as she watched her friend at work. Mary waved her hand at Tea as if shooing her gratitude away.

"Stop thanking me for something I should have done a long time ago."

Tea couldn't help but smile. "I love you too." She stated quietly.

By the time Mary left for her own bed it was five A.M. With much convincing Tea told her she was content on the couch, with Mary insisting she sleep with her in her bed. Although Tea had done so before, she just wanted to be alone tonight.

As much as she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about the kiss she shared with Atem. Her mind was analyzing every aspect of what had happened just hours before.

Could it be possible he might actually hold some feelings?

She didn't want to think about something so impossible. Life was cruel and harsh; it never gives you what you really want unless you give something up of your own. Tea wasn't really ready to sacrifice herself for something that might not be true.

Slowly, sleep wove its way to her and she slept into a dreamless slumber.