CoffeeBreakShipping

Stephanie's POV

Jack was here tonight and I was breaking my brain to come up with an idea of how I could enter the building of the WRGP closing ceremony without being invited.

"Think, think!" I pushed myself.

I dared say luck was on my side of the field. There, one of the back doors was a guard short. Sure, not by accident. One must have been there before, but he might be away for awhile. So this is my chance! I ran inside as fast as I could, trying to find my way to the main ceremony room. I stopped a couple of times to take a breath, but I kept running. Jack was in this building. I didn't care if I actually ran out of air. After a few minutes, I finally found the way, gasping as I scanned the whole area to spot him. It wasn't hard. Jack could catch my gaze in an instant, even if he was far away. He had his back to me. Smiling, I started to march closer.

That was until he moved a bit…and what I saw filled me with terror. My eyes widened in shock and my heart stopped beating. I swallowed, shaking my head, refusing to believe it. But I couldn't refuse. He was there! Jack was there but he wasn't alone. He had her in his arms—he kissed her, he held her, and I was there, feeling his actions like hot poison in my veins.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to erase the images from my mind. But in my thoughts, the whole picture was even more alive than the real one. I took a deep breath, finding the courage to open my eyes and face the awful truth. Thinking it would be harder, I was surprised to find it easier than I expected.

For some reason, I wasn't that hurt. Well, actually I still kind of was, I wasn't a robot—I had feelings, yet I did not feel that wounded. I possessed a heart and seeing the man I loved kissing another woman wasn't the best thing ever. However, I wasn't as hurt as I first believed I would be.

Maybe it was because, deep down in my heart, I knew I had no chance with him. He was famous, handsome, a turbo duelist…he was the king and for me, he still was. But I wasn't a queen. I never was and never would be. I was nobody; a little girl who served coffees to support myself. What could I give him?

I shook my head, feeling a strong wave of sadness and disappointment ready to hit me. I blinked, taking a step backward. I had to go, had to leave this place. I didn't belong here anyway. I came only for Jack, but since he was busy with the girl he had chosen, my presence wasn't necessary.

"Goodbye, Jack," I murmured bitterly.

A single tear slipped, rolling down my cheek. Keeping all other feelings inside, I headed for the exit. As I marched out of the main entrance to the big room, I peered over my shoulder. Carly was in his arms and he was kissing the top of her head. I shut my eyes to keep my tears back and hastily turned to leave. I didn't want to see anything els-…

SLAM!

I thought I had crashed into a wall or something. I stepped back, trying to keep my balance. However, a strong hand grabbed mine and saved me from falling.

"Are you OK?" a deep, calm voice, full of worry, reached my ears.

I blinked a couple of times to clear my eyes and my thoughts, trying to understand what had just happened. Before me was a man—a handsome man I dare say and not only a man, but a police officer judging by his uniform. He was looking at me with his piercing, dark brown-red eyes. Great! In my attempt to run away, I had bumped into him.

"I-I'm sorry," I mumbled, lowering my gaze.

Only then did I see a duel monster card on the floor. It was 'Chaos King Archfiend' and for an unknown reason, I was sure it was his card. I had knocked it out of his hand.

"I'm so sorry!" I rushed to pick it up. "I'm so clumsy sometimes," I held out the card, blushing at the same time.

He didn't make a move to take his card back. He stared at me, puzzled, like he didn't understand what I was saying. Then, he smiled.

"It wasn't your fault. I wasn't pay attention," he responded and took his card. "Thank you."

"I wasn't pay attention either. I was thinking of… s-something else." I bit my lip.

"Let's say it was our fault then," he suggested. I nodded awkwardly.

Then he frowned, taking a closer look at me.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked uneasily.

"You're Stephanie, right?" he inquired. His eyes were still on me.

"How do you know my name?"

"You're the cute waitress from the la Geen Café."

Did a stranger I just met call me 'cute'? I blushed and my heart kicked in my chest. I tried to form a slight smile. "Um, I guess that's me."

"Forgive me, I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I couldn't help it," he rushed to say, probably seeing my shy reaction.

"Oh, it's OK," I assured, lifting my gaze to him. "You didn't say anything bad after all. I suppose I should thank you for complimenting me."

"I'm Kazama Soichi by the way," he held out a hand and I shook it lightly.

"You already know my name, but wait! Did you say Kazama?" I asked suddenly. "I've heard that name before… are you the same police officer Jack was talking about?"

He smiled. "That's me. Since you mention him, did you happen to see him? I want to talk with him."

"Is he having problems with the law again?" I asked immediately.

"Oh no, I'm here tonight as a friend," Kazama chuckled.

I lifted an eyebrow.

"I just finished my patrol and stopped by," he added, pointing to his uniform. "You know where he is?"

"Umm," I hummed. "I think…you've just missed him. Jack is… well he's actually… I mean I don't think you'll be able to talk to him right now," I scratched the back of my head.

He frowned. "Why? Is he OK?"

"He is more than OK," I assured him, trying to ignore the bitter taste at the tip of my tongue.

"Is he busy then?"

I bit my lower lip. "Busy? Yeah, that's one way to put it."

He gave me a confused look. I avoided looking in his eyes, trying to point in Jack's direction with my head.

"Aw!" he reacted when he saw Jack. "Umm, I think you are right."

I nodded, saying nothing. I knew I was right, even though I didn't want to be.

"Unlucky then. I suppose I should stop by another time."

"I suppose," I didn't know what else to say. "Excuse me, but I must go," I was ready to turn when he stopped me.

"You're leaving? You want me to drive you somewhere?" he offered.

"What? Aw, that's all right. I-I don't want to be a b-burden," I stammered.

He raised his eyebrows in astonishment. "Burden? Since when is a pretty young lady a burden to a man?"

Heat spread all over my face. Did he just call me 'pretty'? It was the second compliment I'd received tonight from the same man.

"Umm… thanks but…"

"I don't bite," he laughed.

I wasn't sure if it was wise, but something about him inspired my trust. Plus, there was the fact that it was late and I was afraid to walk the streets alone. But he had offered to drive me home and he was a cop too. I couldn't ask for better protection.

"Sure then," I decided and he gave me a warm smile.

He was even more handsome when he smiled. We left the building together, taking the road to my apartment.

"So, Stephanie, what else do you do besides serving coffee?" Kazama started the conversation.

I felt his gaze on me. For a moment, I wanted to apologize and run away. Something held me in my seat.

"Umm," I hummed skeptically. "Nothing else. Unfortunately my job leaves me with no free time on my hands, even though I would like to do many things."

"Like?"

His interest along with the fact that we would be together for the next half hour, made me feel strange—awkward but comfortable at the same time. We continued talking casually about our jobs and interests and I found myself enjoying his company. Kazama seemed like a really nice man. The strangest thing, however, was that Jack didn't cross my thoughts… not even once.

"It was nice to meet you, Stephanie," he smiled when we arrived at my small apartment.

"You too and thank you for driving me home."

"It was my pleasure," he replied calmly. Then, he moved closer giving me a rather intense glance.

I shifted my weight from one leg to another as we were left in an awkward silence with him staring at me and me staring at my shoes. When I finally lifted my gaze, he did something that left me without a heartbeat.

He bent down his head, touching my lips in a light kiss. I froze. My eyes widened in shock.

"Goodnight," he said to me, dropping his voice to a whisper. "Until our next meeting." With a wink, he drove off, leaving me breathless and speechless

I needed several minutes to regain my self control and start breathing again. With clumsy movements, I unlocked the door. I placed a hand over my heart, surprised and confused.

First I had bumped into him and then he had complimented me, offering to drive me home and now this. I tried to think, to translate his action into words. Suddenly my mind was blank. My heart was dancing in my chest, ready to jump out of my body. I wasn't in a position to think straight. About only one thing I was positive—he liked me. He had to, otherwise why would he have done all this? And he said we would meet again, but how? We hadn't shared our numbers, but he knew where I lived. He said as if he knew certainly.

I shook my head and tried to push him away from my thoughts. He knew where I lived, but I wouldn't like it if I saw him at my front door, asking if he could come in.

I fell into my bed to get some sleep, thinking about my job tomorrow. But the next day was no better. I found it hard to focus my attention, since I couldn't get his kiss out of my head. His calm voice, his piercing gaze, his soft lips…

"Can I get a coffee?" a calm, gentle voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I gasped, dropping my tray accidentally as my eyes fell at the same man I was thinking about. He was in his uniform again. His police officer duel runner was parked nearby. My cheeks grew crimson red and my heart skipped a beat. I nodded clumsily and smiled sheepishly when I heard him chuckle at my awkward reaction.

Something told he hadn't come only for a coffee break.

Aw! I love Kazama x Stephanie together, and I hope you can love it too. Also this ship is named by me ;) but you're all free to use it if you like. There were no "I love you" in this chapter but I think Kazama and Stephanie need more time. But he told her some really nice words and his actions said a lot too…

I think this story is over because I run out of ideas. I have 1-2 ships but since this isn't a collection I have no idea what to write. BUT if you do you can inform me, not with just a couple you want me to write about, but with the main idea of the chapter too.

My special thanks to RedShoeParade for the ideas. ^_^ And my special thanks to my lovely betas PrincessWindNight and BlackRoseDragonCK!

Please review!