Title- Birthday Wish (4/?)

Author- Cristal

Rating- PG13- Yep, they're still cursing a lot. :D

Pairing- Gwen/Kevin

Disclaimer-Ben 10 and all it's lovely characters do not belong to me. They're just being borrowed. ;)

Summary- Ben and Gwen's 18th birthday party with all the drama and romantic in between! PS- This is when some of the mush starts leaking out my ears. Lol...love it! :D

Gwen leaned over the window sill, chin propped in her hand. Julie had left when she heard of the visit, expecting a full report when she called back later. The redhead sighed, wondering what was going on now...hopefully nothing bad. She wrinkled her nose as that thought came unbidden to her mind. Maybe about the party coming up? That was a possibility as Ben hadn't informed Kevin he was invited until a day or two ago. She rolled her eyes slightly before hearing a deep rumble down the road, her eyes drawn to the bright green as it rounded the corner smoothly.

A smile touched her lips as Kevin hesitated a long moment before finally stepping out of the car. She always liked these little moments...ones to appreciate his stance and look. He was tall and slim with broad shoulders. The blue jeans looked great with the black boots and t shirt he wore, topped off with the black leather jacket. His black hair was on the long side and unruly to the nth degree but she loved to watch it tousled at his shoulders by the breeze. And his eyes...without a doubt in her mind, the best physical feature of his many nice ones...you can tell a person by their eyes. It is the window to the soul after all. His eyes were a rich chocolate brown- troubled by his past but hopeful of the future.

The doorbell rand brightly as she stood, smoothing the pleated skirt she wore before gliding down the stairs, hearing the bell again- patience wasn't one of those prominent features of his. She opened the door with a smile, once hand still on the door knob. "Hi Kevin! Would you like to come in?"

He hesitated a moment, tucking his hands into his jean pockets nervously as he met her bright gaze. "Actually...would you mind heading out for a few? Unless you're busy or what-"

"Actually, that would be nice." her smile softened as she grabbed her purse, tucking the keys inside before locking the door. Gwen felt his unease as they walked back to the car, folding her hands behind her back as she glanced over at her handsome friend. "Are we doing something fun or just going for a ride?"

"Just going for a ride I guess..."

She started just a moment as he got the door for her, shutting it securely behind her before stepping over to the driver's side. "Well that sounds nice." she paused a moment before leveling her gaze back at him. "Did you make sure Ben didn't collapse before he went in?"

He gave half a grin. "He made it into the house if that's what you're asking."

Gwen rolled her eyes as they started out, watching as he gracefully moved the older, larger muscle car. "Not exactly, but that's probably the best I'll be getting."

He chuckled slightly as she made a face. "Probably..." he paused a moment undecided on how to broach the topic he really wanted. "Gwen..." she glanced over, cocking her head as the red locks tumbled over her shoulder. "You know I suck at this sorta thing, so I need some help."

She arched an eyebrow. "What do you need help with?"

"I-I'm not sure what to get you for your birthday."

"Well that's not the end of the world Kevin." she giggled as his ears flushed, leveling a strong gaze back at her amusement at his discomfort and making him blush.

"Not funny." she just laughed again as he rolled his eyes. "Or maybe it is. Anyway, seriously, what would you like?"

She paused a moment, watching his hands maneuver the steering wheel. Gwen glanced over, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You wouldn't give it to me..."

Kevin glanced over, barely hearing the statement as she looked out the passenger window. "What do you mean Gwen? You should know by now...I'd give you the world."

He smiled as she blushed brightly, a small smile touching her lips. They pulled into a park with many large green trees, swings and picnic tables. The smile on her lips turned just a little sad. "That's very sweet of you..."

She stepped out of the car as soon as he cut the engine, her fingers trailing over the nearest tree, the bark rough against her finger tips. He came up behind her, worried look on his face. "What's wrong?"

A shrug was his only response before she turned, leaning back against the tree. "You offer me the world, but that isn't what I want."

"Then what do you want?" he cocked his head, black locks falling in his eyes, that troubled look still on his serious face.

"Something a little closer than the world." she smiled sweetly a moment as she looked into his dark eyes, fingers brushing his hair back, tucking the unruly locks behind his ear. He was silent, wishing for her to continue. "You."

Dark eyes widened in surprise a moment as he shrugged his shoulders. "M-me?"

"Yes, you." She laughed brightly, placing her hands back between her back and the tree. "Don't act so surprised Kevin. I've made no secret of wanting you and only you for a very long time. But like I said, you keep saying no, despite my getting my hopes up every time, I still open myself up to the disappoint of being told no...I know its coming so, why don't we just get it out of the way before-"

Gwen looked up, green eyes wide as he thoroughly invaded her personal space. His broad hands spread on each side of her against the tree at her back, his eyes serious and upset. "Just stop. You wanna know why I kept saying no? Wanna know why I held you back? Because I KNEW, if I said YES, I would NOT be able to stay away from you! You already take up every bit of my thoughts as it is, imagine if we were any closer? It scares the hell out of me, because there's NO way in hell you want me more than I want YOU."

She heard the tree bark snapping under his grip behind her, hearing a passion in his voice she had never had the pleasure of hearing before. Her fingers came up over his own as she leaned towards him, slight smile of wonder on her face, pulling his hands to her shoulders as she stopped centimeters from his lips. "I want to prove you're wrong. You offer me the world- wanna offer me something better? Something more important to me than anything? Then offer yourself, just like I have."

He felt a small shudder run through her as he leaned in, nose just brushing her slim neck, smelling that light floral perfume she liked to wear, that drove him crazy when she walked by. A smile touched his lips as his fingertips brought her chin up to look him in the eye. "You're beautiful, brilliant and so far out of my league it isn't even funny babe. You sure you want me?"

"I've not been so sure of anything else." she smiled sweetly at him as he shook his head slightly, smile finally touching his own lips.

"You amaze me."

She grinned, stepping a little closer into his embrace. "As you do me."

He made a sound of disbelief before she pulled his chin back towards herself. "Don't be so silly and hard on yourself. You are, without a doubt...perfect for me Kevin."

He finally pulled her fully into his arms, hugging her close as he rested his cheek on her head, smelling her perfume again. A sigh left his lips as she cuddled closer into his embrace, so pleased to be in his strong arms, she couldn't help but smile as her arms snuggled under his jacket. "You're making me ridiculously happy right now...I'll be upset if you change your mind on me now."

"Then you shouldn't worry Gwen...I don't think ANYONE could change my mind now." he chuckled as they started walking back to his car. "And I have a great idea for your gift, so we should be good all the way around."

She nodded, happy to feel his fingers twinning together with her own. "Does it involve you wrapped in a bow?"

A loud laughed boomed out as he hugged her close a moment, opening her door. "I'm not gonna give out the surprise now babe."

"So there's a chance? Awesome!"

He just laughed in response. "You'll have to wait and see on your birthday."

End Chapter 4

Author's Notes- He again everyone! I appreciate your reading along with me as I discover this story. :) I had a great time writing this part- I love mushy goodness, so needless to say, you haven't seen anything yet. :D To those of you reading, reviewing and enjoying, many thanks, I hope you liked this part! Also, as an aside, I need to make a note- I've gotten some notes about how often I update. Please keep in mind, this is a hobby. I work full time as a flight attendant, so I'm kinda busy with the flying around the USA business. ^_^;; I work on fanfic as a stress reliever, and usually do it when I'm out working away from home. So, please keep that in mind! :) Many thanks again to everyone reading,I appreciate it very much! :)