Disclaimer: It's probably obvious, but I don't own any of the HSM characters or their related elements.

Author's Note: The oneshot previously here was about a HSM reunion, but I've gotten really into it and want to turn it into a full length story. So I've moved it off to a new story called Once and Again which you can find under my profile. There's a new chapter added to it already. The whole thing is rated M and thus won't necessarily show up on the HSM directory. And I seriously hope it doesn't get deleted for content. I've been through that. It's very sad when it happens.

And just so I don't violate the FF terms of service, I'm posting a new oneshot up here to go with the author note. I'm not entirely pleased with it but I have to put something content-ish up. Then everybody can feel free to go read the other story – I probably won't be back to the oneshots until that one is done. So sorry!

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HSM Romance Challenge

Theme: Lie to Me

"Ahhhh…."

Sitting in the driver's seat, Gabriella let out a soft shout as the car shuddered and died. Beside her, Troy put his arm out over the steering wheel and stopped her.

"OK. I think that's enough for today."

"Noooo," she said, turning to look at him pleadingly. "Seriously. I want to drive my mom's car. I can learn standard. I want to keep going."

He laughed. "Well, I don't want you to keep going. I think you're going to destroy my transmission."

But suddenly his hand hit the dashboard as they took off again. She started, trying to lift her foot off the clutch at the right rate. They moved forward smoothly, and then the car began to jerk again, shaking them both in their seats before it died.

Gabriella put her head on the steering wheel and let out her breath. "I suck."

"Well," said Troy carefully. "You're doing better than earlier. We did glide along there for a good five seconds before things went downhill."

He laughed as she hit him on the shoulder. "Don't lie to me," she said dejectedly. "I suck. It's annoying. I can pick up everything else so easily."

"Ahhh…" He elbowed her. "Quit being so impatient. Sometimes it's not always that quick. Come on, let's switch. I'll take you home."

He got out of the passenger side and went around the front. And as she trudged defeatedly to the other side, he scooped her up in a bear hug.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "It's tough. But you're up to it. Just give it a little time and you'll be racing through the streets of Albuquerque."

"Yeah, in my mom's Ford Contour." She rolled her eyes.

He put his forehead to hers, hugging her tighter. "Then think of it this way. Every time you have to learn to drive standard, you get to spend more time with your devastatingly attractive boyfriend."

She hit him again and he laughed. "Did I mention he's also fully tenderized, thanks to a certain brainiac?" he said, rubbing his arm.

She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "He brings it completely on himself." But she softened, kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for teaching me, though."

"That's more like it," he said. "OK, now get back in the car. I'll take you somewhere special before we call it a night."

In the car, she buckled her seatbelt. "Don't tell me that it's Makeout City again." She looked at him teasingly. "Because I know that's just your room with the lights turned on halfway."

"Hey, don't knock Makeout City," he said, starting the car and taking them out onto the road. "Only a chosen few ever get to visit. And they always leave with a smile."

She groaned. "You're right. I don't suck. You suck."

He parked. "That wounds me deeply, Gabi. Maybe you don't want any ice cream after all."

"Ice cream?"

And outside the window, she saw the bright colours of Albuquerque's finest ice cream parlour. She looked over at him, grinning. "Well... maybe you don't suck as much as I first thought."

He kissed her on the cheek then opened the car door. "Apology accepted."