AU: Hello! So there were a lot of people who wanted me to continue expanding on my Forever and Always one-shot, so I tried taking a stab at it. I'm not going to continue from that story itself as I liked the way that it ended and I want to leave it as such. Instead, I'm bringing you an entirely new story. The prologue is similar to FaA, but I altered a few details to fit with the new plan I have for this story.

I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think!

PS: I'm still writing All is fair…These chapters have been done for a while now and I thought it time to post them

Disclaimer: I do not own Fable or the characters contained in the Fable universe or any of the lyrics used. All rights go to their respective owners.

No one ever told me

it would come to this

What began with such a promise,

would end with such a twist

I lean into the whisper,

but I don't hear a thing.

When a heart breaks – Dave Barnes

Prologue

Erica sat at her mahogany desk working through the never-ending stacks of papers in front of her. She was reading through a particularly boring tax state when there was a loud rap on the door.

"Come in," she called, not bothering to turn around. She heard the door creak open and the footsteps of someone entering the room.

"Please tell me that you're not here to complain yet again, Hobson," she sighed, assuming that the footsteps belonged to her rather annoying aide. What I won't give to get Jasper back, she thought wistfully. "Because if I hear one more suggestion on how closing down the Academy would fill the already overflowing treasury, I might just feed you to a balverine."

"Is that anyway to greet an old friend who so happens to be a devilishly handsome former captain?" said the teasing voice that she never expected to hear again. She jumped up and whirled around, causing a few papers to tumble to the floor.

He looked exactly the same as the day when he left. Blond hair, artfully, yet carelessly tousled, clear blue eyes twinkling with mirth and that roguishly handsome face pulled into an arrogant, yet charming grin that could net him almost anything out of anyone.

"Benjamin," she said simply. Her voice conveyed absolutely no emotion.

"Hey, Princess," he said with that infuriating grin. He was always the only one that she had allowed to call her "Princess", even though she hasn't used that title in about five years.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped.

"Can't I visit my favourite monarch without a cross-examination?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Not since you left for five years without any warning or so much as a letter to let me know that you haven't been killed yet," she replied icily, trying to stop the tears from falling.

You left, you bastard. You left me, she added silently.

He had the decency to look sheepish for a moment. "Yeah, that wasn't my most thought through decision," he said, running a hand through his hair.

"What do you want, Ben? I have a lot of work," she sighed and turned back to her work. She heard the thud of his shoes three times before she felt him slip his arms around her waist and turned her face him. Before she could argue, his lips were crashing against hers as he kissed her with so much passion that she feared that she would faint.

Despite the anger she felt towards him for leaving, she'd missed him. Avo only knew how much she missed him. How many nights had she woken up shivering from the cold, wishing that he was there to comfort her like he'd used to?

She woke up, drenched in cold sweat from yet another nightmare. Since Walter's death she'd been having the same nightmare every night. A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered Walter's face before he passed away.

Silent tears started rolling down her cheeks as she sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. She was in this position for barely a minute before a set of familiar arms closed around her.

"Hey, it's just a dream," Ben whispered as he pulled her toward his chest. "It's alright."

"Why did he have to die, Ben? It's all my fault," she whispered as the tears streamed down her face. "If he hadn't been in that cave with me, if I'd helped him earlier…" She broke off as a wrenching sob tore through her.

"It's not your fault, Rica. You did everything you could," he comforted, gently stroking her back.

She pulled away to look at him. "I saved everyone in Albion, but I couldn't save one of them that meant the most to me."

He kissed her gently. "Rica, Walter knew the risks. It was just like with Swiftie. Sometimes you just have to accept that they're gone and go on with your life, trying to do justice to their memory."

"What did I do to deserve you, Ben?" she asked, snuggling into his arms.

"Well, you happen to be incredibly gorgeous and I had no other immediate offers, what with you acting like a jealous stalker," he joked and she could see the glint of his vexing smile in the dim light.

He kissed her gently on her head before holding her even closer. "And it just so happens that I love you."

"I love you, too."

Finally, Ben broke away and looked at her with that same smile. "I want you, simple as that," he stated and shot her a wink.

She pushed him away. "You can't, Ben. You ended what we had the day you left."

The faint sunlight streamed into her windows, causing her to wake up. She rolled over and was surprised that Ben's comforting weight was missing. With a start, she sat up and glanced around the room. His soldier uniform was still on the floor after their more…amorous…activities the previous night.

Now that she thought about it, it was strange that Ben had slept with her the previous night. She'd been having the feeling that they were drifting apart. One day he'd stopped being the chatty, optimistic man he'd always been and started avoiding her. When he'd shown up at her door the previous night, she'd been so happy to see him that she didn't question it at the time.

Suddenly, it hit her. "That bastard," she hissed and threw on her nightgown. It must have been quite a sight as the queen of Albion, wearing nothing but a satin nightgown, ran through the castle to the barracks, her hair in disarray and a scowl on her face.

Her fears were confirmed the moment she broke open the door. Ignoring the lack of clothes, the proof that he was really gone was things like that his Auroran beads that she'd given him were missing as well.

Uttering another stream of curses, she teleported to the Sanctuary and after throwing on a set of clothing, she teleported to the Bowerstone docks.

She scanned the still quiet dock. Sure enough, she spotted his blond head near the benches where people were waiting for the next boat.

"Ben!" she cried, trying to keep her voice from breaking. He whirled around and looked at her, his eyes widening.

"Princess! What are you doing here on this dreary morning?" he asked lightly, coming closer. Despite his tone, she could see the panic and shame in getting caught in his eyes.

"I could ask you the same thing," she retorted, crossing her arms.

He looked to the ground. "I'm not cut out to be a general, Rica. I want to see the world," he muttered, dropping his cocky attitude for once.

"Is this about what we talked about the other night?" she asked, her blood chilling. Had she scared him off?

He shifted his gaze to her face and gave a shrug. "Partly."

"Are you running because I told you that the advisors are expecting me to marry soon?"

"You deserve someone better. You deserve someone better than a two-bit scoundrel," he replied.

She grasped his hand, pleading with her eyes. "I want you, Ben. I love you." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "You promised you wouldn't leave."

"I'm sorry. I guess…that's just another promise I can't live up to."

"When did this go wrong, Ben? When did you stop loving me?" she asked quietly.

His calloused hand cupped her chin gently and his blue eyes were burning with intensity. "I still love you, more than anything."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"Because I…I need to go see the world. I can't stay here any longer. I've already overstayed my welcome." The boat signal rang through the dock, sounding the five minutes before its departure. "I have to go." He pulled her against him and kissed her softly.

It was over much too soon.

"Please…don't leave me alone…" she pled, grasping his hand even tighter. As she said those words, the skies opened up and a torrential downpour started.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, the rain almost drowning out his voice. Then, he was gone.

She stood in the rain for hours. After the rain had started to slow down, she returned to the castle, shut the door and fell against it, streams of tears flowing over her cheeks.

"Ben, I thought I knew you. I thought you loved me, but you left…" she started, catching her breath.

"Erica…" Ben began, but she cut him off.

"I waited for a letter, a package, anything, just so that I knew that you were alright, but none came. You said that you loved me, but it's clear that you didn't mean it. And ignoring that, I thought that we were at least good enough friends that you would give me a sign that you were still alive." She was steadily becoming more and more angry with his presence.

How dare he come back! After everything I went through…After everything he put me through…How dare he come back and ruin everything!

"You cut your hair," he remarked suddenly.

She looked at him, startled. "What?!"

"You cut your hair. Why?" he asked quietly.

She fingered her chin-length strands of dark hair. "You said that you liked my hair long and when you left…I didn't want to be reminded of anything about you, so I cut it. Cutting it also made me feel like I was giving you a reason to leave because there sure as hell wasn't anything else I did wrong. Besides, I like it more this way."

"I told you that it wasn't your fault. It was mine," Ben countered.

"Was it really, Ben? There had to be a reason that you forgot your promise to stay with me and go gallivanting around the world," she said, crossing her arms.

"It was getting too serious for me…I've never known how to handle being in a long-term relationship and then you…you were so damn perfect and amazing." His blue eyes avoided hers. "It was too much for me to handle…My feelings…What I felt for you scared me witless. I had to get out before I hurt you."

"You did hurt me, Ben. More than anyone else ever has. But…if your feelings scared you, why did you say that you loved me in the first place?"

"I knew I loved you and that I always would. Deep down, I always did, but when you started talking about marriage…I realised that I would never feel this way about anyone else and that scared me…" He trailed off and sighed. "I was scared that I couldn't be the man that you needed or deserved. I didn't know if love would be enough."

She took a deep breath to calm her shaking body. "I know that was part of it, Ben, but I'm going to need a better explanation than that. For Avo's sake, you left me like some cheap whore in the middle of the night, you arse!"

"I didn't deserve you, Erica!" he exclaimed and threw his arms into the air. "Do you know how it felt watching those nobles staring at you as you walked past them, knowing full well that they were ten times more perfect for you than me? I thought that if I left, I could get back to my adventuring and you could find a man to settle down with. We'd both be happy."

His ice blue eyes bored into hers. "But I was wrong….so incredibly and unbelievably wrong. It took me five years of soul-searching and wandering around to realise exactly what I'd left behind and that I would never be happy without you."

"So did you come back expecting that everything would go back to it was? Did you really think that I would allow you another chance after what you did to me!?"

A sheepish smile spread over his lips. "Sort of. I was an idiot for leaving-"

She looked at him, disbelief flooding her features. "I loved you, Ben! You were all I ever needed! I told you that you were all I wanted and I meant it. But for you to come back here, after I finally pulled myself together and got over you…Avo, Ben! I knew you were bloody selfish after the way you left, but this? This is too much even for you!"

He took her hands in his, his piercing gaze never leaving hers. "I know what I'm asking is insane, but could we try again?"

At his words, she couldn't hold back her anger anymore. Her fist flew out and connected with his chin with a loud crack. With a startled cry, he took a step backward and gripped his rapidly swelling chin, shock crossing his face.

"What was that for?!" Ben cried in indignation. Erica merely crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in irritation. "Fine, don't answer that. I got it," he muttered. "What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?"

"Do you really think I can forgive you?" she asked sarcastically. "No one is that good a person."

"Can you at least try?" His blue eyes were filled with an uncharacteristic seriousness.

It took all of her willpower to look away from him. She hadn't realised exactly how much she'd wanted him to come back until he was standing in front of her and asking for the very thing she'd prayed for. Avo only knew how much she wanted to say yes, but five years of heartache was too much to ignore. A part of her still loved him and probably always will, but what he was asking for was too much. "Even if I managed forgave you and wanted to take you back, it's too late."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm engaged," she stated coldly, still looking away. He had wanted for me to move on, didn't he?

The hope on his face quickly changed to horror. "Wha….What?" he stammered.

"It happened a month ago. Though I hated you, I secretly kept waiting for you to come back, but…I couldn't wait anymore. The people wanted me to marry, considering the…circumstances," she whispered and took her hands out of his. "It seems everything worked out like you wanted it to."

"What do you mean?" he asked hesitantly. "By circumstances?"

She opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted by two flashes of brown hair tumbling into the room, followed by a harrowed looking nanny.

"Mommy, Daniel says that girls can't be Heroes!" her little girl exclaimed, clutching her leg.

"Not true. I said that boys make the bestest Heroes!" the boy interrupted quickly, clearly trying to backpedal.

"I apologize, your Majesty. I didn't realize they could run so fast," the nanny apologized, looking embarrassed. "I didn't mean for them to interrupt."

"It's no trouble, Wendy. I'm always glad to see my two little darlings." Erica crouched to look her two children in their startling clear blue eyes. "Daniel, don't forget that Grandmother Sparrow was the greatest Hero in the history of Albion. And Elizabeth, sometimes you need to ignore your brother or at least realize that he's trying to rile you up." She shot a glance at Ben. "Believe me, I know how it feels when someone is trying to get a reaction out of you."

"Hey, it was fun to rile you up," Ben cut in, a huge smile on his face. Only Erica knew him well enough to recognize the realisation and shock in his eyes.

"Yes, well, I made my point. Why don't you two go play outside? I'll be right down," she said to her children, getting to her feet.

"Alright!" they cried in unison and ran out the door. She closed the door carefully, trying to postpone the inevitable storm. Finally she had to turn around and she saw that Ben's entire face was filled with shock.

"Why…why didn't you tell me?" he whispered.

"How could I have told you? I had no idea where you were. Ignoring that fact, I didn't expect you to drop your little adventure to settle down and help me raise our children," she replied, wringing her hands. She couldn't stop an accusatory note from creeping into her tone. "You certainly didn't seem eager to stay."

"When did you find out? How far were…" he trailed off.

"I was already four weeks late when you left." She walked to the window, turning away from him. "Do you understand now? Despite allowing prostitutes on the streets, the child labourers and exuberant taxes during Logan's reign, people were appalled by an unmarried queen with two children out of wedlock. I tried to postpone it, but eventually, I gave in. Besides, Beth and Dan deserve a father."

She heard Ben coming to stand behind her. "Just like I deserved to know, Erica. I deserved to know that I fathered twins. Where do they think their father is? Did you tell them that I abandoned them?" he said quietly, the anger evident in his voice.

She turned around and looked him in the eye. "They've never asked. They're still too young to understand that everyone has a father and a mother. However, it's only a matter of time."

"So you thought it a good idea to get engaged to some noble?" Ben accused.

"What did you expect me to do for five years? I didn't know when you were going to come back, or if you were ever going to come back," she retorted. "Don't you dare pin the blame on me, Ben. Don't dare imply me that I'm the one who is in the wrong!"

Ben gripped her hand and looked at her earnestly. "Can you at least tell me who it is?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Sebastian Wilkins. You don't know him," she replied coldly

"Do you love him?" he asked suddenly, still not releasing her hand.

She looked away from his piercing gaze. "He's good to me."

A calloused hand gripped her chin as he forced her to look at him. "Do you love him?" he asked again, his eyes searching for something in hers.

"No," she said evenly. "Not in the way I loved you. But looking at the way that ended, that might not be such a horrible thing."

Suddenly, he went limp. His hand dropped uselessly to his side and he sagged against the huge desk. It was disconcerting to see the usually cocksure captain so utterly defeated. Erica couldn't remember ever seeing him so downtrodden. Even after Major Swift's death he'd retained some semblance of determination, even if it was only rage towards those that did it to him.

She could barely hear his next words. "I threw all of this away because of my stupid insecurities and my stupid pride." He looked at her and she could see that his eyes were filled with grief. "I realised that leaving you was a big mistake…but I'd hoped…"

"Ben…" She had no idea what to tell him. Should she tell him that she dreamt of the moment he would come back for every night since he left? No, the tiny voice in the back of her mind said. He made his decision and you made yours. It's time to move on. Besides, I'm furious with him.

"I have to go," he said suddenly and got to his feet. "It'll be better for you if I just disappear again."

"I think it'll be for the best," she replied quietly. "For what it's worth, Ben, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But…if you want to stay, I'm sure the army would be glad to have you back."

He flashed her a sad semblance of his usual smile over his shoulder. "I don't think that's going to happen. I'm going to go say hello to Page and the others and then I'll be out of your way."

She started to stop him from leaving through the door, but she stopped herself. That was a chapter of her life that was over.

"Goodbye, Ben," she whispered as he walked out of her life for the second time.