Aria was surprised at how much fun she was having. One bonus of going to a prestigious private school was that they had a big budget to spend on the prom. The dance was held in a ballroom at one of the luxury hotels in the city. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, with golden streamers wrapped around the marble pillars. And while most of the female students had on elegant ball gowns or dresses made of the finest silk, Aria had never been happier in her second-hand dress. She felt like herself and she got to enjoy it all with the people who loved her most.

While standing on the sidelines during a slow dance, Aria drank her punch and happily watched Téa and Yugi circle together, her arms resting on his shoulders. It seemed it was Pharaoh's turn this time as he appeared slightly taller. Aria shook her head in bewilderment at how anyone could not notice that Yugi grew two inches whenever his alter ego came out. Aria chuckled to herself that Kaiba has always denied such claims, despite being around the Pharaoh so much.

Aria's heart suddenly clenched at the thought of Kaiba. She kept finding herself glancing around the room, seeing if on the off chance he had decided to come. Even if he did appear, Aria knew that he wouldn't come within ten feet of her. She also needed to put any dreams involving Kaiba aside. That part of her life was over now.

"C'mon Aria, you can't sit out for all of the slow dances."

Aria looked up to see Joey standing with his hand stretched out towards her, his boyish smirk on his face. Aria couldn't help but smile at his offering. Knowing Joey, he probably saw her feeling sorry for herself and couldn't help but come over to change it.

Setting down her drink, Aria put her hand in his and let him lead her onto the dance floor. Joey gently rested his hand on the middle of her back while she set her other hand on his shoulder. Soon they were softly swaying to the music, allowing Aria to relax in a way that she hadn't realized she needed.

"Thanks for this Joey," Aria said looking up at him. "I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Joey casually shrugged, but Aria could see that her words caused a slight flush to creep up his neck.

"Where's your date tonight?" Aria asked. "I didn't think Joey Wheeler flew solo," she teased.

Joey smirked but it didn't reach his eyes. "None of these ladies can handle Joey Wheeler."

"Oh really?" Aria said playfully. "There must be someone who can meet your high standards."

Joey smiled and shook his head but he had a faraway look in his eyes. "Maybe one day."

Aria paused, puzzled at his sudden somberness, but decided not to push it. Maybe she wasn't the only one struggling with a lost love. She slowly rested her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence. But also showing that she understood his sadness, of the feeling of not being able to be with the one you wanted most.

+++

Kaiba stood back in the shadows of the ballroom, watching as Aria danced and laughed with the dweebs she called "friends". How badly he had wanted to run over to her the minute he stepped into the room. Wrapping her into his arms and begging for forgiveness. Well, maybe not so much begging, but a little groveling wouldn't hurt. He had to save some face after all. But when he saw her smiling and acting so carefree, not like her life had just ended, Kaiba couldn't bring himself to interrupt it.

So for the past hour, Kaiba sat back in the shadows, a dark scowl on his face to warn anyone who saw him to leave him alone. Heaven forbid if someone actually came and asked him to dance. Kaiba had eyes for only one girl in the room.

Just when Kaiba thought he couldn't stay away from Aria a minute longer, he saw Wheeler approach her for a dance. If Kaiba had a scowl on his face before, watching Wheeler place his hands on Aria made his face transform into an almost ferocious snarl. But Kaiba held his place. Deep down he knew they were just friends, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

Kaiba watched for a few more moments, wondering when they would stop and end this torture. But then he saw Aria slowly place her head on Wheeler's shoulder. Kaiba abruptly pushed off the wall he had been leaning against. Issuing a low growl from his throat, Kaiba stalked towards the dancing couple. There was no way he was going to let a dog like Wheeler move in on his girl.

Moving through the crowd of people, Kaiba was oblivious to their puzzled look and wide-eyed stares. His attention was completely focused on Wheeler's back. Once he reached the swaying pair, Kaiba stopped and put on his most icy glare.

"Beat it Wheeler, the lady needs a real dance partner."

+++

Aria felt content. Yes there was still sadness lurking in the dark corners of her heart, but for once she felt that her life didn't have to be over. There was still so much that it had to offer. That is until a shockingly familiar voice spoke behind Joey. Only one person could put that much contempt and assertiveness into one sentence.

Aria lifted her head from Joey's shoulder as they both stopped dancing to face Kaiba. She gave a soft intake of breath as she took in the sight of him. At first glance, it looked like he was wearing a simple black tux and bowtie. But on closer inspection one could see how perfectly the jacket rested on his shoulders, like it was made to mold onto his body, which Aria was sure it was. He looked absolutely gorgeous and it made her heart squeeze a bit. She realized then how much she had missed him. Missed their easy banter and the way he made her stomach flutter when he looked at her like she was the only person in the room.

At the moment, Kaiba's gaze was firmly set on Joey, making it obvious that he was waiting for him to leave. When Aria saw the deep scowl on his face, she remembered that it was that scowl he gave her when he accused her of stealing.

Hardening herself against him, Aria shot him a scowl of her own. "Excuse me, but my dance partner is more than adequate. And I don't see anyone who could offer better."

Kaiba finally looked over at her, the scowl vanished and sadness crept into his eyes. Aria didn't think he was capable of the emotion.

"Aria, I-" Kaiba began. But Joey silenced him by facing Aria, standing between her and Kaiba.

"Ari, it's okay. I'll go," Joey said.

Aria looked at Joey in shock. But then it quickly turned into anger. "Why do you keep sticking up for him? Especially after everything he's said and done. I thought you were supposed to watch out for me Joey."

Joey flinched as if she just slapped him. "We all make mistakes Aria, even Kaiba. You don't think I haven't seen you looking around the ballroom all night hoping he's going to appear? I think you owe it to yourself to hear him out."

Aria flushed at Joey's words, regretting taking her anger out on him. And since when did Joey become so perceptive?

Joey turned back to Kaiba. Neither said a word as they both stared long and hard at each other. Aria felt that some hidden message was being communicated between them, but she had no idea what.

Once it seemed that enough unsaid words had been spoken, Joey sauntered off leaving Aria and Kaiba alone together. Staring at Kaiba, the last time they were together came to the forefront of her mind. His biting words, her slap across his face. But tiny butterflies could still be felt in the pit of her stomach at the thought of why he was here. Was he coming to apologize? Did he figure out that it was her who had given Langley the data stick? Instead of answering her unspoken questions, Kaiba simply offered her his hand.

Aria bristled. The last thing she wanted to do right then was dance with Kaiba. To be in such close proximity to him...she didn't want to think of what it would do to her. She knew she ought to yell at him for coming to see her like this, then walk away like he didn't still own her heart.

Indecisiveness clawing at her, Aria was ready to just simply walk away. Until she spied Pharaoh and Téa dancing together behind Kaiba's shoulder. Pharaoh caught her eye and seeing her with Kaiba, he gave one small nod. With that nod, some of Aria's objections deflated. Obviously Yugi and Joey knew something that she didn't in order for them to vouch for Kaiba. She looked back at Kaiba and his outstretched hand. One thing Aria knew for sure, was that she trusted her friends with her life. And with that thought in mind, Aria placed her hand in his.

+++

Kaiba hid his astonishment as Aria accepted his hand. He expected her to run away, or at least give another scathing remark. But what surprised him the most was how good it felt when her hand slid into his. When he pulled her towards him and rested his hand on the lower part of her back, Kaiba didn't think he would be able to ever let her go. The scent of lavender wafted around him and he breathed it in deeply.

As they started to slowly circle on the dance floor, Kaiba looked down at Aria, trying to catch her eye. But she was blatantly averting her gaze, looking anywhere but at him. He would have to change that.

"You attend one of the most prestigious private schools in Japan, and yet you show up to its prom in a second-hand dress that's a size too small."

Aria's eyes flashed to his, shock evident on her face.

That's better. "And yet you outshine every woman in the room," Kaiba said softly, his eyes drinking in the pools of green that were now transfixed on him.

Aria let out a snort and glanced away. "It will take more than flattery to undo the damage you've done Kaiba."

Kaiba squeezed her hand, drawing her eyes back to his. "You have no idea how much that night has haunted me, Aria."

Aria ignored his words. "Why are you here?" she asked bluntly,. "Did Langley say something to you?"

Kaiba shook his head. "No, but it wasn't too hard to figure out that you were the one to give him the data stick." He gave her a grin. "Thanks for that by the way."

"Don't think I did it for you," she said softly. "I couldn't let my stepfather and Pegasus get away with thievery. It wasn't right."

Kaiba couldn't believe that she willingly endangered herself to the wrath of her stepfather in order to simply do what was right. "Either way, I owe you a great deal."

"You owe me nothing," Aria replied curtly.

Kaiba inwardly huffed but he let the matter drop. Tired of getting nowhere with the conversation, Kaiba pressed his hand more firmly into the small of her back, bringing her a few inches closer to him. Aria let out a gasp at the sudden contact but before she could protest Kaiba began to lead her in a waltz around the room.

Aria's eyes now no longer left his. As Kaiba led her through the steps, it felt like they were the only ones left in the entire ballroom. How could he ever think that she would betray him? How could he make her see how wrong he was and that he would never hurt her that way again? What Kaiba couldn't put into words, he hoped she was seeing it in how he looked at her. For what could be more obvious?

+++

What was Aria doing? She shouldn't be waltzing around the room with a man she was supposed to despise. She didn't even know how to waltz! Yet the fact did not seem to matter as Kaiba effortlessly guided her around the ballroom. When he had tugged her body closer to his, Aria couldn't help but gasp at the sudden closeness. The room suddenly felt ten degrees warmer with his body heat so near. Then she made the mistake of breathing in to try and calm her nerves for instead she breathed in the smell of his aftershave and cologne.

Aria couldn't tear her eyes from him. With their attention now riveted to one another, sparks were flying everywhere. She always knew her and Kaiba had chemistry, some unknown force seeming to always draw them together. But was it enough? Could she really trust him with her heart again?

"What are you thinking about?" Kaiba asked, his expression impassive as always.

Aria wasn't sure how to answer. She definitely wasn't going to tell him that she thought he smelled amazing or that she wasn't sure if she wanted to slap him or kiss him. Maybe both. She decided to settle with a more simple response. "You still haven't said why you're here."

Kaiba's eyes roamed her face, as if he was taking in every detail. "Isn't it obvious?" he finally said softly.

"Not to me," Aria responded. And to her it really wasn't. Was he actually sorry for the way he treated her? And she was unsure about what he was looking to get out of this evening. Did he want to get back together? She almost laughed out loud at the thought. She wasn't even sure they were ever together to begin with.

"I made a huge mistake Aria," Kaiba said wistfully. "Even before I discovered that you had nothing to do with the breach, I regretted my words and actions."

Aria stayed quiet, contemplating Kaiba's words. "Okay, so you've apologized, is that all you came to do?" Outside Aria tried to appear stoic, but inside she was a bundle of nerves as she waited to hear his next words.

"No Ari," Kaiba spoke softly. "I came to see if there was any hope for a second chance."

Tears began to form at Kaiba's words. Aria's heart was leaping with joy, but her head was filled with fear. Fear of trusting him. Fear of getting hurt again. "I don't know if I can do that Seto," she whispered.

Kaiba stopped dancing, his eyes boring into hers. He let go of her hand to tuck a small tendril of hair behind her ear. "I promise Aria, to never hurt you like that again." He took back her hand and placed it over his chest. "You have my heart Ari. You've always had it. I used to think that Kaiba Corp was all I would ever need, but then you came along and proved me wrong."

Aria stood frozen on the dance floor, oblivious to the other dancers moving around them. She couldn't make herself remove her hand, so she just stood there with her heart hammering in her chest, trying to make sense of what Kaiba was saying.

Just when she thought she couldn't handle the tension anymore, Kaiba took a small step closer. Aria's breath was now coming faster, unsure of how she should react. Then he slowly lowered his face to hers. Aria's eyes began to close, secretly yearning for his lips to touch hers. When Kaiba softly brushed them with his own, Aria's eyes flew open. She stumbled backwards to try and get some space between them, tears now flowing freely down her face.

"I'm sorry Seto, I can't," was all she was able to say before she ran towards the exit.