"I really can't stand you."

"Then why are you still listening to me?"

"Because I love you!" Derek shouted, hands running through his hair in agitation. "I love you, and I hate that I do. I hate that you smile and I get weak. I hate that all I think about is you. I hate that all you have to do is say the word, and I'll follow you to the gates of Hell."

Ana stared at him, her mouth hanging open. "You...what?"

"I've loved you from the beginning. Even before all this happened, before your parents destroyed everything. And you want to know why?" A tear ran down his cheek and he swiped it away angrily. "Because I thought you were different from them. And now, when it turns out your not, I can't get the image of you, the way you used to be, out of my head. For the sake of you back then, I can't walk away from this, from you."

Ana closed her mouth, her eyebrows furrowing with concern. "I'm the same person I've always been," she said slowly.

Derek laughed hysterically. "Really? You didn't use to kill innocent people just because it saves time. That's not what we do."

"Then why are you still following me? If you're so against me, why don't you stop me yourself?"

"I just told you! I can't walk away from you, I love you too much. It would actually kill me if I tried."

She watched him for a moment, letting him calm down before she continued. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

He let his head drop, all the fight leaving him. "I don't know," he whispered.