Disclaimer: I do not own 10 Things I Hate About You or any of the characters, settings, etc.

A/N: I think there's one more chapter after this, but we'll see. :) Thanks for all the reviews and everything so far!

Chapter 4-I Stand Corrected

"What the hell!" Kat asked as she stormed up to Patrick. She had been trying to remain calm and peaceful all day, but mantras and meditation can only get you so far when everyone in your life won't stop meddling.

Patrick didn't even ask what she was talking about. The look on her face told her everything he needed to know. "Kat, calm down. I was just trying to help. I didn't want to see you treated like crap by the whole school.'

"If I needed your help, I would have asked for it."

Patrick let out a short laugh. "Ha! Would you, really, Kat? When have you ever asked for help with anything?"

"I can take care of myself!" she countered.

"Ah yes," Patrick threw his hands up, "Kat the Cactus! Doesn't need anyone or anything."

Kat stopped short. "Where did you hear that name?" she asked quietly.

Patrick gave a small smile. "Your dad and I had a chat before he kicked me out yesterday. He called you his little cactus."

Kat found her indignation again and glared, "I hate when he calls me that, and I think i hate it more when you call me that."

"Then maybe you shouldn't act like it, Kat!" His voice was harsh, but then he sighed. When he spoke again, his voice was calm and soothing. "I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn't mean you have to. I want to help. I mean, you help me out all the time, giving me a place to crash when I'm kicked out of the house, letting me borrow your car, and just listening to me vent when things get to be too much. I guess I just wanted to return the favor, and help you out when you needed it." He shrugged with this last statement, and added quietly, "I love you, you know." Even though they had finally said 'I love you' during spring break, Patrick still had a hard time using those words.

Kat obviously understood the importance of him saying those three little words. She stood for a moment looking at him, in quiet contemplation. She realized how completely and utterly wrong Blank had been. Patrick wasn't "defending his property", he was helping his girlfriend because he loved her. Finally, she took a step closer to him and said, "Just don't call me a cactus again, okay?" He nodded and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss that made her completely forget that she had ever been angry. Screw meditation, she thought, one kiss from Patrick Verona was all Kat needed to find inner peace and harmony.

Kat hopped on the back of Patrick's motorcycle and they sped off down the road. She had no idea where they were going, and she really didn't care. Patrick had asked her before they left why she suddenly wanted to take his bike, and she had answered that her dad was keeping track of the mileage on her car, making sure there were no side-trips between home and school. That was true, but honestly it wasn't the main reason she had suggested it that morning.

She loved being so close to Patrick, her arms wrapped firmly around his waist as he drove, inhaling the scent of him-the combination of gasoline, leather, aftershave, and just a hint of sweat that made her stomach do back flips. She was beginning to see why Bianca still slept in Joey's old football jersey. And why she refused to wash it.

This train of thought, however, brought her mind back to the events of the day. Cameron had said it was Bianca who turned Patrick's vague request for a rumor into the juiciest gossip of the spring. She thought about what Patrick said, and decided she couldn't be mad; after all, her sister was just trying to help. And she had to admit, that between first and third period, the student's hatred of her had shifted quite a bit. She still got dirty glances as she walked down the hall, but the profanity and projectiles had almost ceased. Only a few of the students, who knew Patrick well enough to not be afraid of him, still dared to insult her to her face. But since that was mostly the guys from auto-shop anyway, it didn't bother her too much; they were always offensive.

Kat's inner monologue made the ride go by quickly (a little too quickly, she thought wistfully) and before she knew it, they had parked and Patrick was pulling her down to their destination, which was...

"The beach?" Kat asked with a smile. "I hope you're not planning on catching my lunch, because you know I don't eat fish."

"Nothing with a face," he confirmed. "Just, trust me, huh?"

"I do," she said sincerely. He led her down to where the sand was soft and warm, then motioned for her to turn around. She had been wearing his backpack, and he now took it from her to reveal what he was carrying. He pulled out a tightly rolled-up blanket, which he smoothed out and lay on the ground. Motioning for her to sit, he then pulled out a few plastic baggies containing their lunch and joined her.

"Nothing with a face," he said again, handing her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some fresh fruit. "This was the only thing in my house that fit the description. Well, unless you wanted raw corn on the cob or uncooked ramen noodles."

Kat laughed. "This is perfect," she declared. "When did you have time to do all this?"

Patrick shrugged. He had cut his morning classes, opting instead for sneaking home to prepare lunch for the two of them. But he didn't want to tell Kat that; she hated when he skipped school. "Don't ask so many questions," he smiled, "Just enjoy the nice thing your totally awesome boyfriend did for you today."

Kat nodded in agreement and scooted closer to Patrick as they started eating their meal.