Author's Note: Thanks to all my new readers for the favorites and follows, and always appreciate the reviews!

Sliding back inside, Strife shifted towards Derek, a cup extended. "Wasn't sure what you liked so I got something more sweet and less bitter," Strife explained, lips quirking slightly at Derek's narrowed eyes. "Come on, it's just coffee. I left all my date rape drugs at home, promise."

"Nick told you." Annoyed, Derek grabbed the cup, turning away and glaring down at it. "Little traitor."

"You really think I'm that bad?" Strife asked, pausing to sip his coffee. "Comparing me to a Hannible Lector movie. Sheesh, that can seriously do some damage to a guy's ego."

"Lucky that you have plenty to go around then, huh?"

"Maybe. You gonna taste your coffee?"

"Why? Are you sure you slip something in it?" Tilting his head to the side, Derek's eyes passed over Strife's face. "You seem out of character tonight. Something else to thank Nick for?"

"Maybe I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not."

"Or perhaps you decided pretending to be someone you're obviously not is the only way to soften my resolve to hate you?" Derek offered, raising the cup to his lips and breathing in its aroma. "That actually sounds more likely, if you ask me."

"But I didn't, did I, Derek? Is it so hard to believe I might be really trying here?"

"Considering that right after you said had changed you groped me and tried to shove your tongue down my throat? Yeah, I find it difficult to believe anything you say. I mean really, gonna treat me like I'm some random whore for your amusement?"

"That was wrong… well it… I shouldn't have been an ass. You make me nervous, and I do stupid shit when I'm nervous. I don't know how to…. You're different, Derek."

"Different?"

Reaching out hesitantly, Strife slowly lowered his hand onto Derek's gripping the cup, his thumb stroking over Derek's knuckles. "Yes, different. You make me feel stupid and clumsy. I mean even after you moved, I thought about you all the time. I screwed everything up before, and I'm doing that now. I'm just stupid. You know how I get, Derek. I mean look at how we met. Remember how this all started?"

"You talking about how you got me sentenced to detention? What about it?" Derek asked, lifting his gaze to Strife's.

"I had the biggest crush on you, and what did I do about it, Derek? I freaking bullied you."

"Tried to bully me. I fought back." Smirk spreading across Derek's lips, he shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Pity, too, because I ended up in just as much trouble as you did for fighting back. I should have let them expel your ass."

"Right, and then in detention you blacked my eye…."

"Which you deserved for, once again, trying to strangle me with your tongue. You need to learn some tact, Strife."

"You were always a good influence on me, Derek. You could be that now. Let's start over."

"Again? Nothing will change. This, whatever this is, always ends up a disaster. Just move on and forget about me, Strife."

Strife's hand tightened over Derek's as he leaned closer, eyes locking with his. "You forgot me? Did you? You haven't thought about me at all since back then? Not at all during these last few years? Tell me you forgot me, and I'll take you home and you'll never have to deal with me again. You'll finally be rid of me like you say you want. Just tell me, Derek. Say it."

It was so easy, just a few simple, easily spoken words, and Strife would be gone for good. So simple and problem solving but for reasons unknown to Derek, his own surprise mirroring Strife's, his hand shot out, fingers fisting in Strife's hair, and suddenly his lips forcefully crushing down onto Strife's. As quickly as it happened, Derek jerked back, chest heaving and face flushing. "Fuck me," he swore, turning and tapping his head against the passenger window.

"Is that an invitation?" Strife joked, licking his lips.

"One more word, Tristian, and I will black both your eyes," Derek hissed, shifting to glare at Strife, eyes narrowing at the amused smile curving his lips.

Making a zipping motion across his lips, Strife leaned forward, winking, his face hovering just inches from Derek's. Slowly his hand lifted, fingers trailing over Derek's jaw and slipping through his hair to cup the back of his and draw his face forward. Closing the distance between them, his lips brushed over Derek's, lightly, just a caress. Eyes darting back to Derek's, he applied pressure, urged on by the lack of flying fists, his tongue flicking out to slide across Derek's lower lip.

Feeling Derek's hand lift to his shoulder, Strife's body tensed, expecting pain, but instead of punching him, Derek's fingers tightened against his shirt, pulling him closer as his lips parted. Delving into his mouth, Strife's control slipped, his gentle hesitation giving way to urgency. Pushing forward, his body stretching over the gear shift and console, he pressed Derek against the door, his lips dropping to Derek's throat. "Shit," Derek whispered, shoving Strife back before attacking his lips. Another curse slipping from him, Derek pulled free, shifting out of reach. "This is not happening."

"Derek, you don't want me to go away. You may be angry and hurt, but you haven't forgotten me. Let's try," Strife murmured, fingers slipping back into Derek's hair. "It's always been like this."

"Screwed up, you mean?"

"Intense. You can't keep hating me for something I did as a stupid, cowardly teenager. If I could go back and change it, I would. I would change everything."

"You're a freaking asshole, Strife. Stalking me, molesting me…."

"I'm an idiot. You know how I get. I'll be better. And, just for future reference, don't try to blame this on me because you kissed me this time. Just saying."

Derek stiffened, a frown creasing his face. Glaring down at the forgotten cup of coffee in his hand, he sighed. "Whatever. I kissed you. At least I didn't attempt to shove my tongue down your throat."

"No, you've always had more tact than me."

"Take me home, Strife. I'm wet and this car is suffocating," Derek muttered, shifting towards the window. His forehead dropped, pressing against the cool glass. "And we can talk there," he added, words nearly to faint to hear.

"You're inviting me into your apartment?"

"If you can behave yourself."

"Well, then, let's get you home so we can talk."

Hearing the too happy note in Strife's voice, Derek glanced over his shoulder, frown returning. "You do know I mean actually talk, right? Not anything else that you might interrupt talk to mean?"

"Of course. Talk. I love talking."

"Shit," Derek whispered, eyes closing. What the Hell was he thinking taking Strife to his apartment? Inviting him inside?