Téa stared at the docks as the sun set. They had been here before. She remembered the "date" Yugi had set them up on long ago. She was gravitated to the very spot that Atem and her had gone to. She quickly walked there as Atem followed her closely behind, surprised at her actions.

Téa looked out to the water, finding the courage to speak. "Do you remember when we were here last?"

Atem gently covered her hand with his. "I don't think I can ever forget it."

Téa didn't look at him. "You were so scared of the future, finding out who you were… and well now we do." She turned at finally smiled at him. "I told you about my dream of dancing and going to New York too, but…" Atem looked at her curiously. "I don't think that's what I want anymore."

Atem looked at her surprised. "It's not?"

She gave a shy smile. "No, it's not." She sighed. "Dancing makes me happy, but to be honest, it doesn't have that spark for me anymore. After, everything that happened, it was hard for me to envision that life in New York City anymore. I tried to force myself to continue it." She paused. "I thought… I was letting myself down, giving up my dream…" Téa sighed, biting her lip. "But the truth was, my dream just changed." She said softly.

Atem squeezed her hand. "What is your new dream?" He asked softly.

"I'm not entirely sure…" She frowned, and then smiled. "But all I know it has you in it."

Atem smiled warmly at her, his eyes shining as he drew her in for a kiss.

"I think…" She started, once again after they withdrew from the kiss, "that maybe I don't want to do a gap year anymore. I'd like to enroll in Domino Community College instead." Atem looked at her, and furrowed his eyebrows as if thinking. "I'd like to minor in dance. But I'm not sure what I want to major in. It'd give me a change to save money and stay at home while I try to figure that out." She laughed and Atem grinned back at her. "Maybe we could both go? That way you wouldn't have to uproot yourself…?" Her voice was hopeful.

Atem brought her close. "Well, I'd have to do that eventually, don't you think? I'll be wherever you are." He had long ago told her he was going to follow her wherever she went. Originally the idea had been New York.

"Hm."

"Well, I'm sure Grandpa would appreciate an extra hand in the shop for two more years instead of one." He grinned, tightening his grip on her waist. "I think… I think I want to start dueling again. For real this time!" He looked up at the sunset. "We can also see what's in store for us after that." Her let out a deep breath and removed his arm form her waist. "And well…" he stuttered, and Téa looked at him curiously as he fiddled in his pockets. "As long as it's with you, and you're happy, I'll be happy…" He proceeded to take out a box from his pocket as Téa gasped, as she tried not to freak out.

"It's not an engagement ring…" Atem began nervously. "Err," he scratched the back of his head. "I don't think my wages and allowance from Grandpa allot enough for a real ring." He chuckled trying to ease the air. "But I'll still kneel." He joked as he went on one knee. He opened the box as Téa peered puzzled at him and then the box. It was a golden ring with a costume diamond in the middle encrusted with crimson baguettes gems. The color reminded her of the blazen fire that took everything. But it also reminded her of Atem's eyes when passion raged rampantly though him, sometimes like when he kissed her or when he was determined to win in Duel Monsters match. It was crimson like their love-deep, intense, true, and unconditional.

"It's a promise ring." He explained. "A promise that wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll be there for you always and love you always." Téa just stared at him at shock.

"And I promise that I'll get you a real ring and do a real proposal someday, but this is just for the time being…" He paused as if trying to figure out what to say. "And to be quite honest, I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to say know, considering I'm not technically asking for your hand in marriage right now…" He slightly fiddled with box. "But uh, I guess, will you accept my promise and… uh the ring?"

Téa giggled, her hand covering her mouth, and then nodded, tears coming out her eyes, as Atem gave a sigh of relief and put the finger on her ring. He swiftly swooped up and kissed Téa hard, her arms wrapping around his neck.

In that moment, both felt that even after everything they had been through, they would be ok.

They made love for the first time that night.

It was the first time the two of them felt whole since the accident, not because of the act, but because they both finally felt they had moved past the sorrows that had been plaguing them for so long. As Téa and Atem started drifting off to sleep, Téa tucked at one of Atem's bangs, as he opened his dreary eyes and smiled at her.

"I love you." He whispered, starring into her eyes. Téa smiled, starring back at his amethyst eyes, glazed with a hint of red.

"I love you too." She leaned in, pressing her lips to his, as he pulled her closer to them. In each other's arms, they slept soundly, and peacefully.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I've basically completed a draft of what's left of this story (with some minor editing needing here and there needed). So for that reason, my update schedule will be based on the amount of reviews I've gotten. They've always been what propel me to write and in this case propel me to polish and publish. In this case I'm also doing this case I want to make sure a decent number of my loyal readers have a chance to read in-between publishing.

**TLDR: How quickly I update will be based on the amount of reviews I get.

This was a sweet chapter. Let me know what you're thinking and what you're expecting next. Something *BIG* will happen next chapter. Any ideas on what will happen? Will it be related to Atem and Téa's growing relationship, possibly something good, or maybe an obstacle? Something about Yugi or their friends? Perhaps Téa's parents? Or perhaps a twist with their other friends? So many possibilities!

Thanks for reading everyone!
~Startistica