A/N: Alright, I'm back! Sorry for the wait, I got a little stuck in this chapter. I also went back and reread my chapters and saw numerous of freaking mistakes. So, I apologize and checked then rechecked to make sure it won't happen often. what the hell fanfiction! deciding to change all of a sudden. Messed me up completely.

browneyes730: I won't touch on Rex's reasons for not dueling just yet. As for school; yes, he goes but he doesn't have the best attendance record and had an infamous reputation in behavior. And I promise you'll find out what's truly bothering Tea in two chapters. :)

The Duelist's Heiress: Glad you stayed along for the ride.

ME: Alright, same routine. I don't own shit. There, surprised?

Warning: Strong language from text and you-know-who's mouth.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Four: Hello, Goodbye

"Welcome to Café a la Mode, are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I would like the brunch special with strawberries as a topping, please." Tèa ordered to the redhead waitress.

"Alright, anything else?" the waitress asked. "Drink refill?" She held up the halfway filled coffee pot. Tèa nodded wordlessly and conveyed a 'thank you' after the extra serving. The redhead smiled and left to tend to other waiting customers.

Tèa sipped her drink, content with the French vanilla flavor. She loved this time in the morning. The café had only a handful of people and usually wasn't busy until later that day, which is why she came early. The polished, white marble tiles gleamed under the sunlight pouring through the windows. Stationed in the back was the counter handled by three or four workers due to the slow hour. On either side were the sugar, creamers, and whatever else needed for food or drinks. Various table sets were placed throughout inside and some outside the café.

By the windows, a row of rose-colored booths sat back to back. Tèa herself was sitting in one of them. She wore a yellow honeycomb tank with a cropped short-sleeved grey jacket covering her upper torso, a faded grey skirt with black leggings underneath and silver ballet flats to complete the look. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail with her bangs pinned back as well. She wore little makeup, only the shimmer of gloss on her lips and foundation.

Silver bangles on her left wrist and a watch on her right were the only jewelry she had on. Tèa took in her reflection in the window, satisfied with the results. Her appearance was flawless.

If one didn't know any better, one would've thought she was on a date.

She glanced at her watch.

10:55.

If Rex decided against coming, then it wouldn't actually dampen her day. It may disappoint her, but like always, Tèa would just finish her time up here and head off to the dance studio. Mostly, the reason of her attire was because of that. Though it occurred to her if he did show up, what the hell would they talk about?

It won't help to freak out about it. Start simple and go from there.

The idea sounded easy; she'll be fine as long as she avoided talking about duel monsters… and Joey. Compulsively, she checked the time again.

11:00 on the dot.

No Rex.

Tèa sighed. There is still time that he may get here.

The waitress arrived with Tèa's order, placing the delicious food on the table. Her nose sniffed the mouthwatering aroma. The stacked pancakes, lightly drenched in syrup, had sliced strawberries arranged in a circle on top creating a 'berry' flower. Scrambled eggs with a croissant were the side dish. She declined the strawberry shortcake to eat for later. (A/N: ok, it sounds like breakfast. However, I never really cared about brunch that much. So just bear with me)

11:05.

No show.

While only five freaking minutes passed, Tèa found herself occasionally glancing towards the door. Maybe he didn't take her seriously. In fact, why in the world would he trust her that easily? She saw the hesitance on his face when she suggested that they meet.

Tèa took a somber bite of scrambled eggs.

All of a sudden, she wasn't feeling too hungry any more.

11:10.

Alright, he's not coming.

She couldn't help but feel slightly angry. But at the same time, she really had no right. For one thing, it's not like he could send her a text saying he would be late or not come at all. Second, it was her that arranged it on such short notice. He possibly had something already planned. The anger directed at Rex turned to disgust at her selfish behavior.

He has a life of his own, stupid. Didn't he say he had to work?

She pushed the remaining bits of her meal around with her fork. Sighing, Tèa signaled the waitress back over and asked for her shortcake to be placed in a 'to go' box. The young woman nodded and retrieved the dirty dishes from Tèa. Her coffee was lukewarm, but she didn't care and drank the rest anyway.

One more cup of coffee wouldn't hurt before she heads out.

The bell's ring alerted to the presence of a new customer in the café. In a languor manner, Rex skated past the closing door. He scanned the café, catching Tèa waving him over. Her smile faltered when she took in the exhaustion in his expression and body as he slid in the booth.

"Um, are you okay?" she asked. Concern overrode all of her emotions at that moment. She observed his wet, disheveled hair and half-lidded stare in conclusion that he got up late. Or, at least, didn't sleep at all. Brown eyes were dull and his complexion was so pale that it screamed overworked. Tèa resisted the urge to give him a comforting hug, knowing full well he would not appreciate it. "You don't look so good."

To say he awakened from the dead wouldn't even cover it.

"I'm fine." The answer was automatic. In truth, he felt like shit. Rex ended up working a double-shift because the bastard who was supposed to take over for him decided to call in 'sick' last minute. He didn't get off until six that morning, only to go straight to Domino hospital afterwards. "I had to leave the hospital to get home."

Tèa was on full alarm. "Do you need to go back?"

Rex merely blinked. "There's nothing wrong with me. My grandpa is there."

"Oh. Is it serious?"

"No." He mentally cursed Phoenix, who doesn't know the difference of a life threatening situation to save his skin, for calling him to the hospital saying that gramps had some accident. Rex was there for three hours before finding out that the elderly man simply threw out his back. To prevent Rex from taking his head off, Phoenix tried to persuade him into going on a date with a cute nurse. Thank God for Gardner because she was his excuse to leave while Phoenix pecked for details. Rex told him nothing. By the time he got home, it was already 10:45 which meant no nap and a rushed shower. He said screw it to finding a shirt and just threw on a polar white fleece jacket and dark jeans. "The person who has to worry about something serious will be my uncle if he calls me again."

Tèa bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "I think you should eat something," she said gently.

"Not hungry," he muttered. Forget food; what he wanted was to drop and hibernate. And possibly later, sue his boss for overworking his employees. "You would have to force feed me in order to do that."

Tèa grimaced. Now that was extreme. And she believed Rex would never allow her to feed him. The waitress from earlier returned with Tèa's dessert.

"Okay, here's your cake and the bill," the girl said. Tèa expressed her gratitude and the redhead turned her attention to Rex. She fluttered her eyes. "Is there anything you would like?"

Tèa didn't miss the flirtatious tone and if Rex did, he certainly didn't show it.

"Double shot white chocolate mocha," he responded, not bothering to remove his gaze from the window. The pounding headache was killing him. The waitress' hopeful look deflated but she took his order nonetheless.

Slightly amused, Tèa raised a brow. "I think she was asking for something other than your order."

Raking a hand through his short hair, Rex rested his head on his arm. "I really don't care," he sighed closing his eyes. "Nobody is getting anything from me until I had a nap."

"Then why did you order the mocha?" Tèa questioned.

"Because I can't walk back home half dead looking like death. Falling asleep or passing out in public is a dangerous thing," he said. He opened one eye at her. "This city is filled with crazy people that who will do crazy shit to unconscious people." She shook her head.

"Too much information." He shrugged.

"You asked, I answered." Then he lowered his eyelid shut. After some time, his drink arrived but it was untouched for a while. Tèa savored the bites of her dessert as she took in the sight of her sleeping companion. She wasn't sure at first but the peaceful look on his face told her that Rex was in fact asleep.

She giggled. He looked so adorable, like a little kid. Not that she would admit that aloud, considering it will set off a case of induced rage by said person. Several brown and violet strands fell over the side of his face, his hand still entangled in his hair. Tèa titled her head. If she looked hard enough, with the sun directly on him, she could see a red tinge in those chestnut tresses. (A/N: my hair does that!)

This wasn't exactly what she expected of their meeting, however, it seems a sleep deprived Raptor cooperates easier.

"I'm surprised he came," she whispered.

"That's because I didn't think you'd actually be here," he replied, causing Tèa to jump in place.

I swear he has supersonic hearing.

"No, I don't. I'm sitting right across from you and can still hear what you say even if you're whispering," Rex drawled, not all moving from his resting position.

Whoa. I said that out loud?

"Yes, you did."

Oops.

"I stand by what I said though," Tèa remarked. She straightened in her seat. "When I asked, it seemed you weren't convinced. I wasn't sure if you were going to take me up on my offer."

Finally, he sat up and slumped against the seat. "I didn't think you were serious about getting together," he admitted. Honestly, he thought she lost her mind when she asked him. As crazy as it was, Rex couldn't help but feel slightly curious.

Still, that type of thinking was what usually got him into trouble.

"Well, we're both here now so I believe that proves something," Tèa said pointedly. Rex grunted a reply. To him, it only verified that the cheerleader wasn't lying. That's all. And even still, the reason of his presence was to escape the annoyance of his uncle. Rex did want to know one thing though.

"Why now?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why now?" Rex repeated. "We've been at each other's throats for years. Why are you so interested in getting to know me now?"

Tèa sat stunned, mentally cursing herself. Of course Rex still harbors some hatred, especially towards Joey most of all, and it was ridiculous of her to think it would disappear suddenly. There was bad blood between them and Rex. Tèa remembered what Weevil had told them during his duel with Yami and how the aftermath of Duelist Kingdom practically destroyed them. Joey told her Rex said the same thing and even went as far as saying that 'it was the lowest part of his life.'

I really didn't think this through, did I?

Get a grip on yourself, that maddening voice in her mind chided. Show him that past issues are not of conflict in this conversation. Divert his attention, Tèa.

Okay.

"I'm just curious. Ever heard of 'keep your friends close but your enemies closer?'" she finally replied, cheeriness in her tone. At the bored look on his face, she added, "Besides, it's not like we have to talk about my friends. I mean, we got off to a bad start, it can't be helped. There's no use in bringing up things nobody wants to hear. I said that it will be only you and me. That was part of the bargain. I'm not trying to fool you or anything."

"That still doesn't answer my question."

"Then what do you want?"

Rex inclined an inch forward. "What it is exactly that you want from me," he countered callously.

"I want us to be friends, Rex."

"Friends?"

"Yes."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Be friends? Her request sounded genuine but Rex didn't know what to believe. It had been a long time since someone had asked for that. He was always alone. Either he voluntarily isolated himself or was shunned and rejected by others. Nobody cared enough, so he only depended on himself. He'd grown used to that. Yet Gardner's words were all too tempting; Rex wasn't sure if he should be happy or prepare to keep himself from losing his fucking mind if it was a lie.

Rex warred with his conscious unknowing that Tèa was watching. Brows furrowed, she watched him glare blankly at the table. She had hoped to win him over with her small speech; however, it might take a little more convincing.

"I understand your hesitance to accept, Rex." Tèa broke him out of his thoughts and continued on, "but believe me when I say there is no catch. Trust me, the main thing we're getting out of this is a strange new friendship," she quipped to lighten the mood.

Already starting with lies before you even start, Tèa? She quickly stomped on that voice.

"I trust nobody," he stated.

"Surely that isn't-"

He cut her off, "No. And having friends has done absolutely nothing for me. I'm perfectly fine being by myself." Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

"Everybody needs a friend, Rex."

Rex sighed, wanting so badly to steer away from this conversation. "Isn't it bad to hang out with a rival?"

"I don't see how that would apply considering the majority of my friends, and even yours, were rivals," Tèa said. She shrugged, "Even Kaiba would be part of that category if he wasn't so pigheaded."

"How exactly does that work out?" Rex asked. "Kaiba has a sworn vendetta against Yugi."

Tèa smirked at the irony in what he said. "He has no choice. We all go to the same high school." She suddenly pointed at him, "Which reminds me, I thought schools in Domino didn't allow students to have part-time jobs."

"I don't go to school here," he clarified. He crossed his arms, "I live outside of Domino City and my high school is located out of town. If I wanted to come here, it would take a thirty minute drive."

"Why so far out?"

It seemed like a pain to go back and forth in the city, school, work and home.

Rex snorted, "I have no control in where my grandfather wants to live. He prefers the suburban life rather than the city. Domino isn't my hometown so I only come here for work or if I'm bored and I have too much time on my hands."

Dueling was the main reason he usually set foot in the metropolis, nevertheless, that's no longer the case.

So he wasn't born here?

"Where is your hometown?" Tèa probed. The admission surprised her greatly.

"Yokohama."(1)

"Yokohama? That is on the far east side from here!" she cried. He shrugged.

"I was sent here when I was a kid. Of all places to go, I ended up in this dump," he expressed with disdain.

Tèa gawked at him. "Jeez, I detect some hostility in the air. You got a problem with our fair city?"

"Yeah. It sucks," he deadpanned. (A/N: if you really think about it, it does.)

"This place has plenty of things that are great. Kaibaland, the Domino museum, and…." She trailed off, not able to remember anything else spectacular. She scowled as he smirked in triumph.

"Stuck are we?" he speculated. "Aside from tournaments and Yugi putting 'our fair city' on the map, there's nothing here."

"If you can't stand it so much, then why not just leave?" Tèa retorted.

"I plan to. I have no desire to stay in this town any longer than I need to. A guy has dreams and I won't get them here," he said confidently.

His comment almost left her speechless. Reaching for your dreams was definitely something she could relate to. She strived for it every day. Deep down, she secretly admired his self-assurance to leave home and go somewhere else without any doubts. New York City was her ideal place to dance but still she was scared about leaving her friends and family behind.

"What about your family?" she voiced.

"My life is my business, not theirs."

"Your grandfather and uncle seem to care." She refrained from mentioning anything more concerning Phoenix. It would raise more questions.

"Those two are a different case." The lightheartedness Rex had earlier suddenly drained from him. Family was a touchy subject.

"And your parents?"

"Look cheerleader," he gritted out. "Understand me when I tell you they have nothing to do with me or whatever the hell I choose to do."

She was treading in dangerous territory that not even Rex wanted to enter.

"How can you say that?" she breathed, eying him with solemn blue orbs.

Rex closed his eyes, hissing under his breath. He hated pity looks. She understood nothing about him or his life.

"Ryuzaki, you realize what has happened, do you not? The reason your mother has done this is all of your doing. Everything you touch dies. Everything that relates to you is annihilated. You are poison. You live only to bear pain and despair onto others without thinking about the consequences of those actions. Your existence leaves nothing but a path of destruction." He laughed coldly, "What have I done to deserve a troublesome, useless child of such monstrosity?"

Chocolate eyes snapped open. It felt as if a bucket of ice was dumped on him, his entire body left frozen. Those words, he thought bitterly. Those same fucking words echoed in his mind. Tèa sensed something was wrong; the drop in temperature around them had her almost shivering. An unreadable expression passed over Rex's face.

He chuckled darkly whilst shaking his head slowly, "This isn't going to work."

Before she could even protest, he placed up his money for his drink and proceeded to leave. She hastened to find her money for the bill, rummaging through her purse. Slipping the bills inside the holder, she rushed out the café to catch him. The sad part was that in order to match his long strides (he wasn't even running) Tèa needed to sprint to catch up.

When she stopped in his path, she had to back up in shock… and fear. He held such an intense glare that it looked like his irises had turned red. There she stood staring at crimson orbs. For a brief agonizing moment, she was reminded of Atem.

It may be best to maintain some distance.

Swallowing, she said, "What's wrong with you?"

His lips curled (whoa, where'd he get fangs?) into a malicious smile, "This won't work out, Gardner."

"You said that already. Why wouldn't it work?"

"It's simple, we can't be friends. I work solo, get it? Friendship is only for people who can't stand on their own and need others to pick them up," he hissed in a low, dangerous tone.

She gulped. Two words she thought she would never associate with Rex: menacing and demonic.

"We were having a fine time just a few moments ago," she pushed stubbornly.

"You caught me in a rare moment. Don't expect it later," he snapped. She winced.

"I don't believe that. You enjoyed our little talk as much as I did," Tèa barked at him. "We didn't jump over the table arguing over stupid duel monsters or what one person did to another. We had an actual conversation. We acted civil. Are you so damn adamant of not even bothering to try this out?"

A gasp escaped her when he leaned down, towering over her in a nonthreatening way.

"You already have a group to look after, cheerleader. Go play mother hen with them. I'm not interested." He gazed blankly before narrowing his eyes and snarled, "So. Fuck. Off."

A pain shot through her chest and Tèa had no idea why it was so hurtful.

She felt like crying on the inside.

A voice called out in the distance, "Hey, Tèa!"

Rex lifted his eyes over her head as she turned. It was Yugi carrying groceries with his grandpa. Solomon, who had only one bag to hold, waved enthusiastically her way.

"That's my cue to leave."

She snapped her head back. "No, Rex, wait."

He said nothing and Tèa made the mistake of taking her own eyes off him to watch the Mutous approach. When she turned back, he was gone.

No trace. Once again, she was confused, lost and alone.

"Good afternoon, Tèa," Solomon greeted.

"Who was that you were talking to?" Yugi asked curiously.

She hesitated. "Someone… I used to know."

A/N: Aw, so close and they were doing so well. Also, to understand Rex's height now (since I said it nearly matches Kaiba's) he's at six foot (reason for that too). Tea's height (by series) was 5'6" but I'm pushing to 5'7" (including Yugi who was 5'0" in the series).

(1): I'm not making this up. I read in yugioh wiki that in the Japanese anime, Rex has an Yokohama accent. So guess what? He's from there in this story (I heard the accent in a commercial on youtube. Sounded hot.)

About his eyes suddenly turning red, I have a reason for that in the next chapter. On that, can you figure out whose words Rex was remembering? It's not Phoenix. In fact, expect a fast update in the next day or two. The next chapter is Phoenix/Rex centric so you know and we get a glimpse of their life and they interact.

So, look out for the next chapter - I Become Shinigami (originally I Become Death).

Ominous, I know... and it's a little dark somewhat.

So, review! And love life!

IBD