Disclaimer- I don't own Ben 10: Alien Force.

This is my first attempt at some Gwevin. This is really just some practice, so sorry if it's OOC, I'm trying my best, I'm not totally used to writing characters like Kevin.

Title: I Care

Genre: Romance/General

Rating: K+

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Kevin was still pissed.

It had been hours since the incident...since that rat had stolen his car, but he was still seething. That little rodent had gone one step too far this time; he wouldn't be forgiven. From now on, he was an enemy, and Kevin would kick butt and ask questions later.

Kevin's face was covered in grease and transmission fluid. He'd been hours fixing up the wrecked vehicle. Gwen had joined him as first, sitting in the chair she so often occupied, but after awhile had grown weary of sitting and left. He didn't even know why she took her valuable time away sitting in the musty garage with him, as more often than not, she would have a book in her lap or a very bored expression.

Gwen.

She'd stopped him from murdering that pathetic Argit. He'd nearly beaten the cowering figure lying on the asphalt before him, and he would have had she not intervened.

"You'll regret it later!" she'd told him, standing in his path. With her between him and his intended target, there was no question whether he would fight Argit or not. He'd stared into her eyes for a long time, having a silent argument with her before he'd turned from her and the whimpering vermin.

"He's not worth my time" he'd spat and slammed the car door on both their faces.

Kevin grit his teeth as he wiped his greasy hands on a handkerchief. He shouldn't have slammed the door in her face like that, regardless of how angry he'd been.

Sighing, he dropped the kerchief on the table and opened the driver's side door, getting in and closing it behind him. He wrapped his fingers around the steering wheel and just sat there for a long time, thinking.

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice Gwen come into the garage, and nearly jumped out of his skin when she bent down next to his window.

"Are you still here?" she asked in exasperation, ignoring his glare of reproach. He grunted in response and she sighed, making her way to the other side of the car. She got in and closed the door behind her.

Silence.

"Why are you here, Gwen?" he asked, hands dropping into his lap as he stared out the windshield.

"I came to check on you."

He glanced at the clock

"At 10:30 p.m.?", he asked curiously, peering over at her. She seemed embarrassed and looked away from him.

"You've been so...obsessive and angry today. I wanted to see if you were okay." she murmured, fingers fiddling in her lap.

"M'fine." he mumbled, eyebrows furrowing together."But I can't say the same for Argit. Next time I see that little rat, I'm gonna--".

"Kevin, please, don't!" Gwen suddenly raised her voice, turning to him with wide green eyes. "Don't do something stupid. Something you'll regret, I know you will....".

He sighed frustratedly and ran a hand through his hair before clutching at the steering wheel again. When he spoke, it was through gritted teeth.

"He stole my car, Gwen!".

"Is that all you care about!?"

Kevin was taken aback by her sudden outburst. He frowned and turned his wide brown eyes in her direction. There were no tears sparkling in her eyes, but it looked as though there should have been. He vaguely noted that he'd never actually seen her cry, and wondered if she would.

"Well?" she demanded, turning her whole body toward him in her seat.

"I--" he stammered out.

"Is that all you care about? Your car?" she continued. Her voice was back to it's normal, calm level, but it still had an air of sterness and anger to it.

"No, Gwen, I--".

"Oh right. Yourself. That's something you care about." she added, crossing her arms over her chest. Kevin felt anger bubbling in his stomach. How could she sit here and accuse him of such selfishness? He cared about more than just the car and himself. He cared about--

"I have to go." she said in same frustratingly calm voice, reaching for the door handle.

"Gwen, wait!" he said desperately, grabbing her arm before she could move. She turned back towards him with a frown on her face and her brows unknitted. He released her arm, then looked down nervously.

I can't believe I'm gonna say this...

"Gwen, I....care about more than just my car....or myself.", he added, looking slightly hurt. She looked like she felt bad for accusing him of that last part, but he continued before she could apologize. "I care about my car so much because...well, it's something I never had to steal. I bought it myself, and I got my liscense myself. It's mine, you know?".

"I'm sorry, Kevin, I--" she began, reaching a hand up for his face, but he grabbed the hand before it reached it's destination.

"But I care about other things too. Including me. If I didn't I wouldn't exactly be sitting her talking to you, would I?" he asked, trying to ease some of the tension. She smiled at him, and he suddenly lost his courage and turned away from her, dropping her hand.

"Look, Gwen, I'm not so great at expressing the feelings so....".

"Oh...".

Silence.

"Goodnight, Kevin" she whispered to him, and quite unexpectedly leaned over and kissed his cheek. His hand involuntarily came up to touch the area before he replied, as if in a trance.

"Goodnight, Gwen..." he managed to get out before she'd shut the car door. He watched her retreating form from the rearview mirror, and once he was sure she was gone, he brought his head down forcefully on the steering wheel.

"I care about you, Gwen! I care about you. UGH! Why can't I say it to her face?" he yelled out.

His forehead slipped down and landed on the horn.

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Please RxR...I guess.