Hey Stephen

I can't help it if you look like an angel; can't help it if I want to kiss you in the rain.

Derik grinned as he spotted the approaching figure of one Desiree Swan. It had been almost three months since they'd last met – prior to that they'd been seeing each other almost once a week, though there were plenty of times where Desiree had called up sick or in some other way engaged.

He himself had been away quite often too. Usually it was for his concerts, but there were also times where he had to visit his dad in Sydney. His parents had gotten a divorce several years ago, and at the time it had been very hard on them all, especially his sister Abby who had only been eight at the time and hadn't understood too well what was happening.

Derik waved his arm wildly, trying to get the blonde girl's attention. People walking past shot him some strange looks but he ignored them in favour of grinning broadly at his girlfriend. Desiree, once she spotted him, increased her pace dramatically and within moments she was by Derik's side. Or rather, in his arms.

"Hey Derik," she whispered into his ear, pulling away to give him a wide grin.

"Hello Des," Derik replied, kissing the girl softly on her nose, "How're you doing?"

Desiree sighed. "Much better. Thanks for visiting me in hospital by the way."

Derik chuckled. "What else am I good for?" He teased. "But, are you going to tell me how you got shot?"

"Well, it's kind of embarrassing," Desiree said, rolling her eyes, "I was with Jake at our farm down south, and we were in one of those really old sheds, and Jake just happened to trip over something or other. Anyways, he sort of flailed around for a handhold, and grabbed the gun which we didn't realise was there. And somehow, the idiot managed to pull the trigger."

Derik raised an eyebrow. "Next time I see Jake, I'll break his arm for you."

Dessi grinned. "No need. I saw to that myself."

"I knew there was a reason my sister told me you were a keeper," Derik said, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders, "Now my fair lady, if you would please escort me in this general direction. Our carriage awaits."

Desiree rolled her eyes, but there was still a soft smile on her face. She let Derik guide her through the mass of people. It took him five minutes to remember where he'd parked his car, and another three to make sure they weren't killed crossing the busy road, but at long last they reached the sleek, slightly beaten down car which had taken Derik over a month to fix up.

"And here you go, milady," the boy grinned, holding the passenger seat door open for Dessi, waiting for her to get into the car before he went around to the driver's seat. Once they were all settled in, he started the car up.

"So, where are we going?" Desiree asked as they sped down the street. She didn't even bother telling the boy that he was way over the speed limit – well, she didn't follow the law either, so it would be rather hypocritical.

"You'll see," came the mysterious answer which caused the AIS agent to roll her eyes again.

"I'm seventeen, Derik," Desiree said in exasperation, "You can't keep giving me these surprises."

"But you're never too old for surprises!"

"Until the curiosity kills me," came the dry retort.

"Then I'll be forced to perform DRABC! CPR! Mouth to mouth!"

"Oh, daunting prospect, touching your lips to mine."

Derik burst out laughing. "And this is why I like you so much!" He exclaimed, swerving quickly to avoid a collision.

Desiree raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, I see how it is," she said in miffed voice, though she couldn't keep the amusement out of it. Something Derik noticed.

"Awww, did I hurt your poor feelings?" Derik teased, "How 'bout I kiss it better for you?"

"How 'bout you keep your eyes on the road!" Desiree laughed as the car swerved sharply again, barely avoiding the lamp post which they had been heading for. "Jeez Derik! You drive worse than me!"

"Oh, now that was low!"

Desiree snorted. "Nah, really?"

"Oh how you wound my soul, my heart, my –"

"Hey, we're at the beach!" Desiree cut off the overdramatic boy she called her boyfriend in favour of gazing excitedly at Cottesloe Beach. Honestly, how could she have not realised where they had been headed? Too busy bickering...

Derik chuckled at the girl's obvious excitement. "Of course we're at the beach, where do you think all that water came from?"

"Oh, shut up."

Derik parked the car, getting out just as a passing seagull decided to take a dive at his head. With a surprised yell, the boy fell back into the driver's seat, causing Desiree to erupt into a fit of laughter. Five minutes later, as they walked towards one of the picnic tables, the AIS agent was still in giggles.

Derik sighed. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Nope," came the cheerful reply.

"Great," Derik muttered somewhat gloomily, just as a girl shouted both their names.

"Desiree! Derik!"

The two looked up to see Abby standing on one of the picnic tables, waving madly at them and ignoring her mother who was trying to get her daughter off the table, wave hello to her son and his girlfriend, unpack the contents of the cooler, and cook all at the same time.

"Hey Abby, hey Ms Wilkes," Desiree greeted once they reached the table. The AIS agent had met Derik's mother quite a few times before. Derik's sister leapt off the table, running up to Desiree for a hug while Derik pouted in the background.

"How come I don't get a hug?"

Abby rolled her eyes at him. "Because," she said in an overly patient voice, "You're just not cool like that."

"Oh, shut down by a fourteen year old!" Desiree grinned.

"Why are you never on my side?" Derik whined, gazing pitifully at his girlfriend.

"Sweetie, no-one is ever on your side," Ms Wilkes' grinned at her eldest child, "But some of your band friends are down at the beach. Maybe they'll be on your side."

"Well then, maybe I'll go find them," Derik huffed, before grabbing a croissant off the table and stuffing the whole thing into his mouth at once. Ms Wilkes gazed at her son sadly, while Abby pretended to gag. Desiree rolled her eyes.

"I know I promised you I'd try change that," she said to Ms Wilkes, gesturing to Derik's less than mannered eating habit, "But I'm sorry. It's just too hard."

"Don't worry dear," Ms Wilkes sighed as Derik pretended to ignore them in favour of grabbing another croissant, "It would've been a miracle if you'd managed."

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Thanks for reading!

Love Chariots99