A/n: Ah, so this is the last chapter...I got this fic inside my supersubconcious and I can't get it out, so the only way... is to finish it and not go loony. (cries a bit) I had so much fun writing this. This'll be the LONG chapter. It'll have ...Prom NIGHT, Kaiba as a villian :), and Yugi finally finds out -.-;, and a little bit of fluff. I hope nobody minds. It'll be a little confusing, at first, since it seems that J/T are a couple, but they aren't...yet.

Disclaimer: I never owned Yu-gi-oh! Like it muchly.

Domino Senior High School, noon (lunchtime)

Hallway

After their near kiss, Joey and Tea were walking hand in hand, strolling, while talking, both of them unaware that anyone could just see... for the moment. They made a pretty good looking couple, with her in her DSHS cheerleading uniform, coming from just practicing for that big game that afternoon, and him in his soccer uniform, ready for the big game aganist Fushin Senior High, that very same afternoon.

Maybe that was why when Joey stopped for a drink, they weren't aware of being approached. Tea was standing from his a bit, one foot propped up behind her, up to the hem of the blue and gold trim of her uniform. His' was similiar except he had a number (7) in blue and gold trim instead. He was telling her about how he'd picked that number to signify "his lucky number" when a cold, slighty grating voice spoke.

"Oh, look who it is." At the falsely pleasantries, they both spun around, heads first since they recognized it, "Mr. and Mrs. Domino High." Their eyes narrowed dramatically, but not as much as Kaiba's. He sounded cold, colder than usual.

"Don't bug him," Tea said to Joey, who was already drawing up, "He's just jealous..." Kaiba laughed-- "because you're gonna beat him in the-- no, you are ALREADY beating him in the running for Prom King."

"Do you think those stupid little school things bother me?" Kaiba said not unexpectedly. Then in a stunningly rapid change of mood: "What DOES bother me, other than you two standing in front of MY LOCKER--"

They gave a start; then moved aside, scowling all the way from the other side of the locker as Kaiba moved forward to use his locker.

His precious, Joey thought. Aloud, he said loudly, "Shoulda known by the green smoke hissin'." Tea bit her lip and Kaiba muttered something. It made her think of a spell, like from Harry Potter or something, then Joey said, "What'ja CALL me?!"

"Watch out!" Tea said. "If you try to punch him out, you'll be disqualified." Then Kaiba muttered something again (unpleasant about her this time) and she said thoughtfully, "Then again, if you rush him, I'll swear in front of the Supreme Court I didn't see a thing."

But before Joey could, the bell rang and the assistant principal, Mrs. Gong, strolled around the corner. "Miss Gardener, make an appointment at my office. I need to talk to you." She sounded stern, but then she always did. "It's about your math exam with Mr. Testaverdi."

"Yes, ma'am!" Tea was had just finished bowing to her (she walked away) when Kaiba finished his business at his locker and turned towards them, students rushing past.

"--is that you, a mere puppy dog, beat Yugi Motou yesterday," he said imperiously. He wielded his briefcase like if he were going to hit them for it. "A low rate has been like you. At first I thought that Yugi had let you win."

"Yeah, tha's right!" Joey said before he finished the sentence. "I mean no, he didn't LET me win: I beat 'im fair. But I did beat him." His chest puffed up a little. Tea thought, No good can come of this, as she looked from the rich CEO to Joey.

"But then I thought," Kaiba went on lazily like he didn't hear, "it doesn't matter. As long as I reclaim MY title of World's Best Duelist back rightfully. So...mutt..." He paused eyeing him disdainfully: "I challenge you. Course, it's not REALLY a CHALLENGE--" he chuckled mirthlessly and unpleasantly.

Oh no, Tea thought. However Joey beat Yugi, he definitely can't beat Kaiba that way. Joey looked like he was going to say yes. But then, he crossed his arms over his still puffed out chest.

"No."

Tea did a double take, and she wasn't the only one. All the other students, heading to eat, stopped their rushing in their tracks. And watched. If it were any other situation, Tea would have laughed at the expression on Kaiba's face. It turned to mild shock to murderous. "No?!" He looked like he hadn't been told 'no', in a long time if ever. Joey seemed to be thinking among the same lines:

"...ya deaf or somethin'? I said no. N-O. You say Marco, I say 'Po-no.' " People around starting talking in laughing whispers, watching at the ever strange sight. After all, Tea thought, the ever observer, Joey was always the one begging Kaiba for a duel. Why, I remember when--countless times. Around, people were whispering frantically underneath breaths, "Who dares decline Kaiba?!"

Meanwhile...Kaiba had recovered, "We'll see about this, mutt!" then he muttered something under his breath again, something that made Joey rear up again, and walked away. The crowd parted to let him pass.

"What'd he say?" Tea asked, under the impression Kaiba had just put a curse.

Joey started heading for the caferteria, ignoring all the new awed stares. " 'We'll see what your friend Yugi thinks!' I think that's what he said."

Tea followed. "'What Yugi thinks?'" she mulled, finger to her mouth in deep thought. "Oh no! Kaiba's going to tell Yugi, about us!"

Joey stared at her. "Yuge already knows."

"No he doesn't! Remember?! Yami--" Tea blushed briefly-- "He stopped him from knowing!"

"Oh, yeah." Joey scratched his head and looked up to the skies, selecting what to eat."Well."

"'Well?'" We have to think of something! Tea felt that this was it. After all, Kaiba had caught them countless times. The party pooper. "What do you mean, well?!"

"Well...I'll have the chicken caccotorie." Joey didn't seem all that worried. "Thanks!" He said to the lunch lady (she had given him extra sauce.)

Tea, frustrated, continued to nag at him as they wound their way to their friends' table. She gave up, and shot him glares when she thought Tristan and Duke and Yugi and Ryou weren't looking. But Tristan noticed. Ryou was bubbling about the decorations, Yugi was listening, and Duke was smirking. Tea ahad only shut up because Yugi was there.

Joey was eating calmly. Too calmly for Tea's liking; eventually Yugi caught one of her omnious stares. "Um, Tea? Hello. Why are you staring at Joey like that?" Across the green painted square, Tristan cleared his throat and hid his face behind a milk carton. "Ahem...what way, Yugi?" Tea said sweetly, looking at him punctuatedly. Joey stared off into the distance, but he was, really, listening.

"All scary. And how come you two weren't talking to each other?" Yugi went on as Ryou stopped his chatter to look over, too. "Did you two have fight, or something?" he questioned, his violet eyes looking purely at her.

"Ahem," Tea said again, looking over at Joey as if for help, Duke opening his mouth.

"Yes, they did have a fight-- more like a lover's spat," he said, as three pairs of hands shot over his mouth. "mmghmff!"(none too gently).

Tea was first to remove her hand--it had been by instinct, but she knew she had made a mistake; Yugi's big eyes got real big.

"Lover's spat?"

"Um, uh--" Joey had been looking at her with misty interest, but then looked down as she turned her gaze to him. "What...Duke means..." Tea shot a look over at Duke, who was in Tristan's headlock, "...he's talking about the...new dance...at...the Prom night." She winced at her own lie.

Ryou looked surprised.

"New dance?" Yugi shot looked from his two best friends, back and forth. New dance.

"Yeah," said Tea.

Duke pried Tristan off, "Maybe she'd like to show you?" he choked. Tea cast him an alarmed look; Tristan released him; he wanted to see this too. Wouldn't miss it too. "Yeah, Joe, go and help her," Tristan said with a BIG grin, clapping his 'friend' on the back. Ex-best friend, Joey thought. What to do? He wanted to tell Yugi there was no dance, expecially one with such a lame name, but obviously Tea, by the way she was looking at him desperately, didn't."Okay..." He got up, and Tea got up too uncertainly. Ryou's eyes got REAL big, like Yugi's was just before-- I never heard of any new dance! Oh dear, and I'm on the Decorating Committee too...

Duke sniggered madly, so much that even Yugi couldn't mistake, but Tristan was at least disguising his by pretending to sneeze. "Allegries..." All around, students watched their attempt, then clapped when they were done, thought some laughed.

Crimson-faced, Tea slumped down while oppositely, Joey slid back carefully into his seat. Yugi looked very disturbed, but he forced a smile, "Um...that's was gr-reat...very um, new...don't you think, Ryou?"

"Oh yes," said the white haired boy, still berating himself for not knowing about 'a new dance' beforehand.

My friends are weird. Yugi watched Tea's red face, finishing his meal. "See ya later guys...late for an exam." They waved, and once around the corner, Tea shouted, "I'LL KILL YOU, DUKE!"

Duke? Yugi thought mildly, checking inside his DSHS uniform for some pencils. I knew it. I knew she wasn't mad at Joey. I mean sure, they are constantly CONSTANTLY fighting, but... He checked his other pocket. They always fight with everyone else, I mean Tea's always yelling at Tristan too, but she never yells...at me... He blushed. Where is my pencils. And Joey's always yelling at Tristan too...along with Kaiba, they definitely both do yell at Kaiba...

As if on cue, a tall lanky figure rounded the corner of the deserted hallways outside the cafeteria. "Yugi..." said a cold drawl.

"Er...h-hey Kaiba," Yugi said nervously.

"I know why they're fighting."

"Uh...Huh?"

"It's because of you, Yugi." He smiled, leaving. "Think about it." Yugi stood, gaping, as he slid away out of sight. Me? Because of me? Nah...hh... He leaned heavily on the lockers. Kaiba's been acting weird...

Later

Evening

Tea had been to the assistant principal's office, and she had wanted to talk about Mr. Testaverdi's gambling aganist them, saying it demoted school spirit. Tea had agreed heartily, but what she had really wanted to know was about her exam grade. Mrs. Gong said not to worry, she was going to be allowed a retake by a completely different teacher. Tea had been relieved.

That afternoon at the big soccer match, she had cheered harder than all her other co captains. Mr. Testaverdi had tried to take Joey out of play--much to the boos of the crowd-- and made him goalie instead. (He was trying to make DSHS lose). But Joey had made a spectacular catch, accepting his position, and thrown it down the field so far, the ball, it landed shock dab in the middle of the other team's goal. When Mr. Testaverdi had revealed himself by shouting that was illegal, Tristan had made sure to touch the ball before it went into the goal. That way it still counted, but Joey got the credit; the fans were madly screaming for him.

It looks like he's gonna win, Tea thought proudly. So there Mai. He IS popular. She felt a little childish for thinking this, but she, Tea, was very competitive. As was Mai. In fact, Tea thought she had caught a glimpse of golden long, curly hair in the stands, but surely it was a mistake. Mai wouldn't bother to come to a "boring little high school game."

DSHS won, for the first time in ten years by a landslide, and everyone had an aftergame party at the local pizza joint. Then, with excited voices, everyone left to get ready for Prom that night. Tea knew that Mai was coming to help her fix her hair and outfit--as per their "agreement," but she, Tea, was going to go help Joey get ready. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach overtake the exhileration earlier. Suppose Mai and Joey were to bump into each other while coming to her house? That would be A-W-K-W-A-R-D.

She forgot about all this once Joey came over (her parents were away) and they chatted animatedly about the game, Mr. Testaverdi losing, and how it felt to score the winning goal. Then their chatter stopped and slowed, when he came back from the bathroom, having put on the clothes she'd got him. The tan suit jacket and pants had been her father's, they fit a little loosely, but it was ok for the "thug" image he was always trying to appeal. The thin cord tie matched his brown eyes perfectly, and formal white shirt was crisp and ironed. The black shoes were his; Tea was very surprised when he'd remember to bring them.

She was buttoning the top button when she turned a little blush out. "What?" he said.

"Nothing...it's just that...you look so handsome." She laughed a little chuckle, a little nervous, looking up at his hair, remembering when she'd given him that stupid haircut. He defintely looked better like he'd always been. "Ahem."

A little silence fell because she couldn't think of anything else to say, she had to think, come on, what was it? But she stood there tongue tied, for the first time in her life, with a duhh expression on her face. "WHat are you thinking?" he murmured finally, softly.

"I'm thinking that...Mai is a very lucky girl," she said with only a little bit of hesistation. He sobered up and an awkward pause overtook them. I shouldn't have said that! Now it probably made him all nervous! He certainly did look nervous, now....one hand kept reaching up to scratch to middle of his chest. "Uh...forget I said that," she said nervously--now she was nervous!--"I probably just made you too nervous just now to do a good job," she winced.

"A 'good job?'" he said uncharacteristically sharp, coal brown eyes narrowing. It was interesting aganist his tan blond hair, same color as the jacket.

"On your date," she amended, realizing that he still didn't know anything about the 'bet' she and Mai had made, the once from the very beginning, the one that had started this all. Tea didn't know how boys' minds worked, but she was pretty sure that Joey wouldn't be happy if he found out that she had made a bet against him--even thought it WASN'T aganist him, it was for him...

Reaching behind her, she gave him his bouquet of flowers--ten long stemmed roses---and his corsage. "Now make sure you don't poke her with these," she babbled on, not looking into that scruntinizing gaze. "...Goodbye, Joey. Hurry or you'll be late."....

He didn't move right away. "If I didn't know any betta, I'd think you'd be tryin' ta get rid o' me."

"Of course not," Tea let out a flute giggle, totally unlike her regular normal one. "I..er...just don't want you to be late, that's all..." She kept peeking out her curtains.

"Okaay...Thanks for your help...." He hugged her and it wasn't because of the flowers it was awkward-- "See ya there, den." He turned and left, she on bated breath, until he was gone. It was like saying goodbye for good, she was sending him off to the military or something. The 'Mailitary' Tea thought, with a forced chuckle. Then it hit her. What if Mai and Joey really did fall for each other, tonight, but Yugi-Yami-didn't fall for her? She'd be left all alone...

A soft knock on the door. Tea would've thought it was Joey. "Ready, hun?" Mai said with a curving, knowing smile, her white teeth glinting.

DSHS Gym

Later

As Joey arrived, he felt as dumb as a donkey horse. Or was that a mule. It was weird, odd feeling. His heart was beating fast from nervousness. "Why am I nervous?" he murmured chattily to himself among the other early partygoers in gowns and tuxes. Could Tea be right in when she told me that I still have feelings for Mai? I had said no, that's ridiculous...

"H-hey, man," Tristan, in top hat and tails, sailed oer to him. He looked nervous too. "Nervous? He sure do look it."

"M-me? N-no. I-I'm not nervous. I'm sure of it. Why? D-don't I look sure o-of it?" Tristan told him not to stutter like a horse, and relax, his date was sure to be here soon. (It made Joey even more nervous to be told this). Meanwhile Tristan's date was Joey's little sister, although he was hoping Mai would be here soon so Joey would never have to know!

Meanwhile, Tea had arrived, talking beside the refreshments stands to Ryou, who looked very dashing in a pale blue cummerband and frilled white shirt. "You did a really good job... I love the streamers." There were silver, almost fluid like streamers floating in front of the entrance so it felt like you were wading in water. I bet Mai would think it's childish though, Tea bit her lip. Just then, Yugi spoke up.

"Wow...you look very pretty, Tea," he gushed, turning red from his hair to his chin. She was wearing a long cerealuen dress all the way to the floor, with a big glittering pin brooch on her chest. Her hair was piled up on top of her head, with an equally glittering butterfly clip. "Where's your date, Ryou?" he said just to prevent from drooling. (a'n: ha drooling :P ' ' )

"Uh, I don't have one," Ryou said shyly looking down; he was afraid, all the other girls he'd asked were tortued by his yami.

"Oh." Yugi had no more to say. Just then the front doors opened, and Mai Valentine made her entrance. Everybody (it was pretty crowded then, too) turned to look, all dressed the sparkling gowns and black tuxes, except for Joey, of course.

None of the sparkling dresses even matched, though. Tea turned to watch along with the rest of them, Yugi gaping and Ryou too. Joey, the last one to get it, raised his head then.

Mai smiled saucily and strode to him, all curves and swinging hips; even made more punctuated by the sparkling sequined red dress she wore that made her look like some kind of gem, like a ruby. Equally red were her lips, still smiling. Joey felt his mouth open and freeze there, and he wasn't the only one. Girls everywhere were huffing at their dates, but all the guys' eyes were glued to the shimmering butterfly that had just flown in.

Even the girls gave up and stared along too. Tea's was the narrowest eyes of all, as she watched Joey float over to her. Must he look like he'd been struck over the head by a brick? I mean, she soothed her conscience, becuase...he looks like a big dumb dope, gawping at her like that. She won't like that... But that wasn't the only reason why her fists were curling up, sweatily, ready to punch something...anything...

Mai's dress came up nearly to her hips; realing long slim perfect legs, on top of high high heels, they looked even longer, like mile long; it had a slit on top of that. It was much too slutty for Tea's liking, but she quickly acknoweldged that as intial jealousy. Not because of Joey or anything...but because...really, this was a high school dance...

Tea also acknoweldged that she was demoting her school's dance because Mai looked so...so much better...than her. She felt low because of this, even lower still...

"Tea? Tea? Would you like some punch?" Yugi was waving his hands in front of her face, trying to get her attention.

"Uh....yes...yes, I would." Tea came back from Mars. "But after...we dance." She ushered him towards the dance floor, where a fast beat was playing. She tried to see Mai's face, but it was hard, all the otherr guys wanted to dance next to her too. Tea felt another stab of jealousy.

Meanwhile, Mai had noticed the look on Tea's face, trying to get a glimpse of her, Mai--and it was priceless. Jealousy was written all over her face. Mai, suppressing a smile said to Joey (they were slow dancing even though it was a fast song), "Doesn't Tea look nice over there with Yugi?"

It took him a minute to realize she was talking. "Hm? Oh yeah," he said before he looked. "Yeah..." much slower, when he did look, a little resentfully. She looked like she was HAVING the TIME of her LIFE.

"I helped her get ready," Mai confided in a whisper, leaning close while noticing all the other boys' eyes were still on her discreetly. "I think she looks a lot better, don't you?"

"Mm."

Tea saw her lean closer, and rushed forward to hear what they were saying as the music began playing a slow song. Yugi blushed at this; she had suddenly and automatically grabbed him along the shoulders and pushed her at him. Being very short, he clumsily wrapped his arms around her waist. It's a good thing I learned from Grandpa beforehand.... (He didn't notice Tea was practically dragging him along, not paying attention.)

Joey was saying something; if only a little more closer..."Ouch!" Tea suddenly yelped, as Yugi apologized for stepping on her foot. "That's okay...Yugi...it was probably some jock," she said listlessly, finally giving up. She saw Joey look up at her yelp, blushed and hurried pretended to be immersed in converstion with Yugi. "So...Yugi..."

"You like Joey," Yugi gasped in sudden realization. His tiny finger pointed at her, seemingly accusingly, to her. Tea gulped.

"No--no I don't...what're you talking about Yugi?" Tea said nervously as all eyes wavered over to them. Most were pointing and laughing. Tea decided to let go of him. "I...don't" she went on unconvincingly.

"So that's what Kaiba meant."

"Look, Yugi please don't be mad and cause a scene!" Tea blurted, her heart pumping jittery, steering him over to the side. "It's not what you think!"

"Why would I cause a scene?" Yugi said without blinking. In his matching violet cummerbund he looked very cute and innocent-like. Tea stared at him for a lengthy while, then noticed something. He wasn't wearing his Puzzle.

"W-where's Yami?!" she suddenly shrieked.

"He didn't want to come..." Yugi was shocked. "But I can get him if you want--" Tea didn't head the last part; she ran out.

"I'm sorry Yugi!" she called as she promptly bumped into Joey. And Mai. Broke them clear apart. "Excuse me..." she mumbled, hurrying out.

"And now for the announcement of this year's Prom King!" the principal shouted over the microphone, making her stop in her tracks.

Mai said, "Don't go Tea hun, they're announcing the finals! We'll see if you've won the bet!"

Tea froze even harder.

"...Bet? What bet?" Joey looked from girl to girl. Mai was wearing a buoyant expression; Tea looked stricken. Mai frowned and then--

"Let's call the three finalists up here!" Among the cheering, shouting, and stomping, Tea relucantly lingered: this was what she had worked for and with Joey, she couldn't help listening. She felt really tired momentarily.

"Kaiba Seto, Motou Yugi and--" The principal frowned, checking to see if all three had their dates--" Joey Wheeler!" The crowd, darkening as the spotlight hit them three face on. Tea noticed Ishizu Ishtar up there, she must be Kaiba's date. She had to get up herself.

No, I don't. I have to get out of here, Tea thought. All this night had been a disaster. Everything was all confused up in her head. And then she knew that Joey had been right. She had bitten off more than she could handle.

"--Joey Wheeler!" The crowd roared with, "No surprise there!" and clapped, and Tea felt like a fraud clapping along. He had a stunned expression on, then a look of dawning realization. But not because a gowned girl was placing the elaborate crown on his head. Tea felt a strange disconnection, then all her feelings of resentment faded away as Mai was placed the Queen's crown. I'm really happy for them...look at me, I'm crying; I'm so happy...

Yugi was patting her arm sympathetically. No, it wasn't Yugi... he had the puzzle back on...

"And now let's have the King and Queen have the traditional first dance!" The principal cast a dark scowl at Kaiba, who had had the title for four years except now.

"This not over yet, mutt..." Ignoring the principal, he slipped into the shadows....(a/n: ooh spooky)

"What were you talking about a bet earlier?" Joey said immediately as loud, long music started playing over the loudspeaker as they twirled a circle. He had a funny, almost desperate look on. Other couple joined the King and Queen.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Mai said offhandedly, taking a drink as they passed by. "Me and Tea made....some stupid silly bet?"

"What about?" His fingers pressed into her arm, but she didn't appear to notice.

"Oh...you know...about whether you'll be elected King or not." Mai stopped as she realized that he didn't know; a look of fury passed his eyes. "YOU DIDN'T KNOW?!" she laughed.

He left her then.

Tea looked hopefully at Yugi, who shook his head. "I'm sorry...he's doesn't want to dance with you...I'm sorry." Tea felt her heart shatter.

"That-that's okay," she stuttered, as the principal called for the Prom King Speech. "I'm uh, really tired...I'm going home. Yawn..."

She rushed off just as she bumped into someone again. She threw away her used plastic punch cup aas she fled into the doorway trashcan. Joey stared after her, having heard her what Yugi had said. So, she likes Yami, eh? After all she had said about not hurting Yugi! But that was expected, thought Joey. Girls. All the same.

"Hey, Joey." Yugi said shyly, "They're calling you up."

"Huh? Oh, thanks...Yuge." He paused and looked down at his friend. Longtime best friend. YUgi wouldn't even look up at him. "Yuge...I'm sorry." Even if she isn't!

Yugi obviously thought he'd meant about Tea liking him, Joey. "Oh, it's okay. I suspected...I just wish you wouldn't keep a secret from me Joey. I'm kind of mad at you for that."

Joey blinked. "Oh...tha'... oh. Well, I'm not sure about that anymore," he growled, staring after her.

Yugi frowned. "What?"

"Never mind. See ya Yuge." He ran off after Tea to shout at her, leaving him blinking rapidly and in wonder.

"But Joey...what about your speech?"

Damn, thought Kaiba. After all I did, went through...the stupid mutt decides to run off! Well, I've had enough of this 'party.' He slithered off with Ishizu (a/n: corny i Know)

Meanwhile, Ryou was quietly obsevring in one corner, out of sight. Let's see, he thought, Joey just dumped Mai because Tea and Mai had made a bet, Yugi was just dumped, poor chap by Tea who really liked YamI from the start, and Tea had just run away because Yami doesn't like her because he didn't "show"--

/The pharoah? Hmph. But then, I will show.../

The Millenium Ring glinted.

Oh no oh no, Ryou thought, clutching his chest. Not now! Please yami...

Silence fool! Yami Bakura emerged, smirking at the scene. Time to have fun and liven this party...

/No, please!/

Ignoringly, Bakura pulled out the Change of Heart card from his pants pocket; Really Hikari, such lousy taste in clothes you have, thought the evil theif. /Not to mention in cards./

No not my favorite card! pleaded Ryou from insde. /Please I beg of you...not while everyone is so much in love here...I like watching people in love.../

"Do you?!" chuckled Bakura cackling. He drew his arm back, as if drawing back a string on a bow. "I will play what you mortals call, 'Cupid' then!" He released his fingers, holding them in knobs as the card shot forward....

Meanwhile, Mai stood flabbergasted on the dance floor. I can't believe he just left me there! The IDIOT! she fumed, trying to think, think of a way out of this mess. Well, it is obvious that he likes her more than me, so...fine then! And I hope they get married and have ugly babies. She finally decided to just leave. As per her agreement to Tea, in friendship, she was going to back off.

Still, her womanly pride was hurt...she slithered off when (a/n: more corniness i know) she was stopped...

/AUGH! You got MAI VALENTINE?!/

Meanwhile...

Tea stopped and swayed unsteadily on a park bench. Her head was spinning, she felt like she was going to throw up. Maybe my punch was spiked? She giggled, as cars swooshed by, nearly missing her with a spray from the uplift of puddles.

"Hey! Tea!"

Ugh, not Joey, anybody but Joey... Tea turned her head, the clip started to become uneven. It was Joey. She pushed off the bench. He's probably come to taunt me on how right he was, she thought, trying to hide. That was hard to do when she only covered her head with her arms to. I must be drunk, she hiccuped again. Cause...I see after him...she's grabbing him...and giving him a kiss...on the lips....Tea straightened again, shooting up and squinting. "Did I just see that?" It had to be true; he was looking dazed-- "Well!" Tea shouted. "I hope you're happy!" she said loudly before walking off in a fast pace down the street lighted street, cars roared by.

Meanwhile...

Tristan, who had seen it all, (among all of the events he'd been enjoying time with his date) came up with Serenity, who was also wide-eyed. By then, Yami Bakura spell had passed and Mai had come to her senses; she gave her a fericious slap and stalked off. "Man, what are you doing?!" Tristan hissed as Serenity bent over. "Tea was right over there watching! Are you crazy?!" At first, Tristan had been a little leery at the thought of Joey and Tea thing, since Tea was like a sister to them, but now he was rooting from them: "Are you drunk?"

"I know...she was watching..." Joey mumbled as Serenity fussed over him. "You would be mad, if you knew what she had done, too Tris!"

"What did she do?"

"Made a BET about me..." Joey got up and swung the flowers Mai had thrown at him at the building-- "Like I'm some sorta livestock--"

"Oh," said Serenity. They both looked at her. "I knew...she made me promise big brother!" she said as Joey looked angry, then deflated.

"Whateva. I'm sick of women," he declared, as Tristan muttered something and Serenity looked atricken. "And...whatta ya doin' with my baby sis, Tristan!" he said all of the sudden, not one to be deterred. Meanwhile Duke Delvin decided it was a best time to steal her while Tristan was getting beat up. "come on, Serenity; You better stay here with me where you won't get hurt." Duke grabbed her arm,"I'll take you home sweetie."

"Oh...thank you Duke."

Tristan cast damning looks over at Duke, while Joey shouted, then interuptted once Duke and Serenity were gone. "HEY! LOOK man, you can't worry about that right now! Someone told me that Kaiba had spiked your punch and Tea drank it instead--and now she's drunk out there, walking between traffic---"

"Say WHA?" Joey looked at him mid rant, with a hint of suspicion. Maybe he was trying to get out of the fact of Serenity?

"I saw her swaying. She might be in trouble, man."

"Why--? WHy would that creep do that?"

"I dunno, man I dunno...I guess to trip you up in your speech."

Joey took off.

Little later

"How am I supposeda find her? It's a maze up here," Joey thought, looking amid the beeping traffic. That stupid Kaiba! I wouldn't be surprised...Wouldn't put it past him...

It's impossible.

He realized he still had the crown on--the girl had pinned it on him-- and, reliving the night, wanted to go home and possibly mope. But first he had to make sure Tea was ok. He was still furious at her, but...

"Aiee!"

The scream took him down a winding, dark alley. Man I haven't been here in a long time...this place is bad news. He gave the crown to a hobo to pawn and proceeded down past garbage cans and rusted fire escapes. His house, apartment whatever, was only a block away.

"Tea! I bet you're da thugs who spiked her drink, eh?" Joey yelled as he threw himself into the middle of the battle, where they were attempting to drag her off someplace.

Spiked? I was right. Huh. Tea, still drunk had one slipper on and one off. Wonder how Mai's doing...the image of them together kissing burned through her mind. "Take your paws off me!" She snapped at one thug, who scattered away along with the rest of them.

"Man...you sure c'n scattered up a guy," Joey murmured, looking on after them. "Hey!" Tea had been slinking drunkeningly off---"Get back HERE!"

"Get off of me," she muttered, with half the force she'd used at the thug. "Go back to your--to your date!"

She slumped on a park bench, dirtying her dress. There was a smudge on her cheek and her hair looked lopsided. She didn't look at him, but stared off into the middle of the park. It was getting dark.

"Come on," Joey said through gritted teeth--after all she didn't know what she was saying-- "Let's go call a taxi--"

"Don't wanna!" Tea murmured, looking sick. She hicupped violently. Jeez, he musta given her 100 proof vodka or something, Joey thought as she began to be sick all over the bushes.

"Uh, yeah, just stay there..." he said as she continued being sick. He came back after a while. "Taxi'll be here soon."

"No, no," Tea said, suddenly looking fearful. "my parents....they can't see me like this!"

"Well, whatta ya wanna do?!"

"I Don't Know. You'll have to walk me home...it'll at least be better than coming in a taxi." Tea paused. "Oh, but Mai...she probably WAITING."

He laughed mirthlessly. "Not fer me, though."

"What happened?!"

"I have no idea."

"You sound disappointed."

"I am."

Tea looked suspicious. "I'm sorry."

"Ah, it's okay." They began to walk.

"I guess...she must've been mad about...the bet...her losing." Tea suddenly clapped her hand to her mouth, but she wasn't about to throw up.

"About THAT." He looked furious again. "How could you bet aganist me? Your friend?! And not tell me about it?! That's low, Tea. Just low."

"I'm sorry," she said squeakily, and she really did sound it. "It didn't mean anything. I mean it just started off as something between friends...and then...it got out of hand..." She sighed deeply, "I guess it's all my fault."

"Definitely."

"Well, Joey, you don't have to say it that way." She paused in front of her house. "How do I look?" She was still green, but wasn't hiccupping anymore at least. Her hair was a mess.

"Great."

"I'm sure."

"No really."

"I'm sure...that I'll have a hangover tommorrow." There was an awkward silence with the only light fron the lamppost. Suddenly Tea said, "Omigod, Joey you were right! When I saw you-- when Yugi said---"

"That he didn't care if we were together?"

"Yeah, and---" Tea didn't want to say that Yami had dumped her.

"And you really liked that Yami of his?"

"How--"

"I got my resources," he said so smugly that a giggle escaped her. Why was he being so nice? She had been a total witch.

"It's just as well...." Tea murmured thoughtfully. "Why would he want to be with ME--"

"When he could have Mai instead?"

She laughed a watery laugh, remembering what she had said. Now it sounded so pathetic. "You know, you're a good guy, Joey Wheeler."

"Yup." He hadn't been joking; Tristan had told him he had seen Mai with Yami. Surprisingly, he'd only felt a little twinge of jealousy. "But I'm signing off girls forever."

"Forever?" She peered up at him, cocking her head. "That's a long time. Mind if you dance with me like you said?" she said quickly.

He smiled benigningly. "Sure."

They danced in silence on her front porch step, and then he said, "I wonder if Yugi is doing that dance we showed him?" His eyes danced, even though she noticed a cut on his cheek.

Tea laughed. "It was pretty stupid, wasn't it?"

"Yep...pretty...stupid." He touched her cheek, smiling, and she felt herself fall into his brown eyes that looked like two dark cocoa Hershey's Kisses. She blushed and said:

"I thought you were signing off girls forever."

"You're right about one thing tonight...forever is too long."

"Oh...Joey...I was...so jealous..." Tea whispered. "Congratulations, but I admit it, I was jealous."

"Me too." He gave her a kiss on the cheek, one that made her heart do a little flutter. She returned it, right on the cut, and they stared at each other. Then he waved and sauntered down the road, whistling. It wasn't such a bad night after all. "Of you and Yugi, o course."

"Good night Joey!" Tea called. "Good night..."

My Prom King.

She slumped against the door frame, then smiling, closed the front door....He's so forgiving.

He really IS 'all that.'

End

A/n: Woot ! What a ride I know. Um...there might be a tentative epilogue. But not for a LONG time if at all. Or maybe a real short one, depends. I dunno. I already said my goodbyes so...this is me, signing off...

Until next time...

-AllDay