Smooth Jazz

You know, I find it interesting in hindsight. The day I met Ben Tennyson, the day he saved my life, was probably the most ironic danger I'd ever been in. Given all the ghost attacks and the fact that there are dangerous laboratories both above and below my house, you think I'd be used to running for cover.

But it's hard to run for cover in a burning building.

Later I learned that it was caused by arson, by a human student with a grudge against some of the school's faculty. Not that it really mattered when I, and three of my classmates were trapped in a burning geology lab, trying to open windows to air the place out. The whole time I kept thinking; where's Danny? Where's my brother? Wondering if he'd come and save me. It's not like he couldn't. Did he even know I was there? I have to believe that if he knew he'd come.

I could see the fire department outside, three floors down, along with tons of other people gathered to watch. Just how much of the building was on fire?

"Hey! Anyone in here?" Called a gravelly voice from behind me. As I turned to look, one of the girls with me shrieked. Not that I could blame her since out of the flames blocking the door stepped a "man" that looked to be made of coals and magma! Not the scariest thing I've ever seen, but I wasn't armed at the moment so…

"G-Ghost! It's a ghost!" The other student screamed.

"What? No!" The creature yelled indignantly, waving his hand so that the flames were absorbed into his palm. "I'm a superhero. I'm here to save you." He said walking up to us. No tact on this guy, as I'd learn soon enough. "Now everyone stand together." Naturally, he got no response out of us, since we were still pretty freaked out. "Um, now please? Before the building collapses on us."

All of us awkwardly bunched up together, still staring at the burning man, who looked only somewhat familiar to me at the time.

"Now try not to freak out." Of course we freaked out. The next thing we know the guy summoned a tornado of flames around us (yes I screamed) like a portal to hades. I clenched my eyes shut as I felt myself being lifted of the ground by a current of warm dry air, and the sound of glass shattering chimed in my ears. Combine that with the shrieking of my classmates and I was sure we were going to die. Till I felt the heat give way to the spring breeze.

When I opened my eyes I was outside, standing in front of a group of paramedics who were running to up to us with oxygen masks and medical kits. "There, see, you're fine." I turned to see the burning man with his hands proudly on his hips, giving us a sly smile. Behind him I could see the fading smoke of the burning building.

"Hey. Mr. Tennyson." Called a fire man, who approached us with the paramedics. "Is that everyone?" The name Tennyson made everything else start making sense.

"I think so, but you may want to look again. I took care of all the fires though." Tennyson nodded, as the emblem I just noticed on his chest started to beep, before a flash of green light overtook his body, and replaced him with a teen with brown hair, green eyes, and a white hoodie.

"Thanks, we owe you one." The fireman smiled, before leading his coworkers into the building.

"Miss? Miss?" I stiffened when a paramedic suddenly stepped in front of me. "Miss are you alright?" He asked me.

"I-I'm fine I just..." I managed to cough out. My throat was dry, and I felt like I had sunburn. "Excuse me I need too…" I tried to step around him. It's kind of embarrassing to admit but I wanted to talk to Ben 10. Ben10! I mean He just saved my life, I may never get this chance again!

"You need to come back with me so we can check your vitals." He said almost pulling me away. He must have thought I was in shock or something and honestly I may have been, but come on. Just before I turned away, I managed to lock eyes with the teen hero, just for a second. He smiled at me in what I can only guess was relief. It was one of the most genuine looks I'd ever see him give.

A few minutes later…

As I sat outside of the ambulance breathing through an oxygen mask my mind kept going back to him. Now before you get the wrong idea, I'm not infatuated. Ben's cute (for a skinny guy) but that's not what interested me. The whole time I was trapped, instead of panicking I kept imagining Danny Phantom phasing through the walls to save me. There was barely a doubt that I would escape in any other way. But then he came.

He just waltzed into the room like it was no big deal and casually saved everyone. Another superhero entirely came out of nowhere. Not an ounce of urgency in his voice, or panic, or fear. The way he spoke was not how I'd imagine a world-famous hero would speak. So laid back, almost smug. And when he smiled at me…seriously don't misread this…he looked normal. Like any other kid his age. Like there was nothing special about him at all. I couldn't quite place my finger on it, but for some reason I just wanted to know what was really up with him.

"Jazz!" "Jazzy!" I jumped when two voices cried out from behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts. My parents. I barely had time to stand up before my dad, who's a pretty big guy (he wears an orange jumpsuit, can't miss him) ran up and lifted me in his arms. "Oh man are we glad you're okay! We came over as soon as we heard."

"We were so worried! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" My mom. Blue jumpsuit, red goggles, can't miss her. "Oh my poor baby."

I almost laughed as I hugged my dad back. My parents are weird, but they wear their emotions on their sleeves. Dad was practically blubbering already. "I'm fine dad. I just got a little overheated. Also I breathed in some smoke, so I need my masked back." I said tapping him on the back.

"Right, sorry. Sorry I just…" His lip quivered. Poor guy. "I was so worried. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you or your brother." He said putting me down.

My eyes widened a bit. I hadn't even thought about… "Where is Danny?"

Mom put a hand on my shoulder. "He's fine. He got out with Tucker and Sam. He's actually looking for you too. Oh I should call him!" She pulled out her cell phone.

"Well don't worry about me." I smiled, putting my mask back on. "I'm fine. And as long as Danny's fine I can rest a bit."

"Atta girl." Dad said cheerfully, his eyes still wet with tears. "See Maddie? She gets that from my side of the family!" He said pounding his chest.

"Sure sweetie." Mom rubbed his arm as he struggled not to cry. "How about you get the car so we can all head home?"

Maybe I was being a little insensitive, since they did worry so much about me. But I needed to try something. "Actually, I still need to get my car. You two can head home with Danny." Evidently they did not want to hear that because they both looked pretty shocked.

"But.."

"Are you sure sweetie? I mean are you in condition to…"

"I'm fine mom." I replied cheerfully. I have to talk to Ben Tennyson. I have to at least ask him. Sorry mom and dad but this is for the greater good.

"Jazzy-pants I don't think you should. We can get your car tomorrow." Dad said worriedly.

"I promise I'll be okay dad. I feel better already, I just need a minute."

They gave each other unsure looks, but ultimately I was able to convince them. By the time they were out of sight I practically jumped up and ran back to the building, hoping he was still there. Let me save you the trouble, he wasn't. In fact he wasn't anywhere in sight. I practically fell into another coughing fit just jogging back and forth hoping to get a glimpse of his white hoodie, with the green highlights. Honestly, I was worried that he'd left already. I can only imagine how different the next week of my life would have been if I hadn't stopped and bent over to catch my breath.

"Hey, are you okay?"

When I looked up there he was. Seriously, I'd be amazed if I wasn't emberrased. He gave me the kind of concerned look you give a stranger who's coughing in a restaurant. Worried, but too awkward to know what to do. As I stood up I locked eyes with him again, and I must have been staring pretty hard because he gave me a really confused look. I realized he was barely an inch taller than me.

"Um. Can you understand me?"

"Y-yeah. Yeah sorry." I shuddered. Darn it. Now I look like an idiot. "I was just, um looking for you." Good job Jazz. So smooth.

"Seriously?" He scrunched his eyebrows. "What for?"

"Well to thank you, naturally." I put on my best smile, but I must have be tired because it didn't feel right. I can only imagine what my face looked like to him.

"Oh. Well you're welcome. All in a day's work for this guy." He said pointing to himself. "As long as you're alright."

"I also wanted to ask how long you were going to be in town." So smooth.

He shrugged, as if he didn't even notice the implications of that sentence. "Um. Not sure. A few days, maybe a week. My partner and I are doing a case here."

"Great!" The smoothest. "Then if you don't mind I was hoping that maybe I could interview you."

Because Ben is a mostly rational person he was confused by this. "Interview? Like for a blog or something?"

"No, not that. It's just I'm a psychology major and I thought I'd be cool if I could just, ask you a few questions for a project." God, I sounded stupid. Thanks a lot adolescence. "If it's not too much trouble."

He scratched his head and looked away. "I don't know. I mean I'm not sure if I have time." Come on Ben, just let me have this.

"I won't take up too much time I swear. You can just come by when you're free." I help up my hands. "It's just a project."

"Where you interview me?"

"Yep. Just a few questions."

I was actually surprised when he smiled. A little smug for my taste but reassuring. "Yeah okay. I can do that. Where should I meet you?"

"That's great! Um, let me give you my number." Like sandpaper. He handed me his phone and let me put it in.

"Jazz huh?" He said taking it back. "Like the music?"

Hopefully my smile looked less weird by now. "Short for Jasmine actually. I prefer Jazz."

"Cool. Well I'll keep an ear out." He started to turn away. "Let me know what times good for you." He grinned and waved.

"Okay. See you tomorrow." Really Jazz!? See you tomorrow? He just said… Actually I think he chuckled a bit at that before he started walking away. Not in a condescending way mind you, although for me it hardly made a difference. That was embarrassing. But did get an interview, cuz I always get what I want.

That's why they call me Smooth Jazz….like the music.

That night…

"You did what?" Danny asked me. "Why? Is this because I said no?" I told Danny immediately, like as soon as I got home. Of course we had to talk in private so we were in his room.

"Yes Danny that's exactly the reason." I shrugged. "I saw an opportunity and I took it."

"Why him though?" He crossed his arms, like he was disappointed in me or something.

"Why not? What about him bothers you? You don't even know him." And then it hit me. "Or do you?"

"No, and I honestly hope it stays that way." So much for that theory. "Jazz, the last time a bunch of "heroes" came to town it was to solve Amity Park's ghost problem. A problem that included me."

"So you're just being paranoid."

"I'm being realistic."

"Danny he saved me and a bunch of other people from a fire today. He seems like a nice guy." My brother has his reasons for being cautious, so I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. But I'm not sure why he's upset now of all times.

"Do you even watch the news? He's a glory hog. He likes the attention. The guy's so full of himself claims he saved the entire Universe."

"Is this the same news that tells everyone you're a menace to society?"

Danny put his hands on his face. "Jazz, something big is happening in Amity Park right now and I'd bet that guy's probably just here to cash in on it. He may fight aliens, but ghosts are a whole different animal."

I sighed, pretty hard in fact just for emphasis. "Danny, that's really not a good enough reason for me not to talk to him. If anything I can find out why he's really here. Besides, I just want to interview him. I already gave him my phone number."

Danny got a…weird look on his face. "Hey." He grinned. You won't believe this. "You could keep him out of the way for us."

"Us?" I frowned.

"Yeah, me, Tucker and Sam." He smiled. "I deal with this new ghost problem before Ben even has a chance to get involved, and we can avoid the whole Super hero fight thing."

"No. Won't work." He looked surprised. "He told me to call him when I had time, but he also made it clear that he was here to work. Sorry bro." I walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Danny, I know you're worried. But I'm sure this will all work out. For all you know Ben might be a pretty decent guy."

Danny sighed. Thankfully some of the worry left his face. "Yeah alright." He grumbled. "But I'm not looking forward to this."

Later on when I was in my own room, I couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. Would he even show up? And more importantly how far would he let me pry into his personal life? If I'm really going to psychoanalyze a Superhero like Ben 10, what kind of questions should I ask him?

A/N: What kind of questions do you think Jazz should ask Ben? Don't be superficial now, and don't be afraid to get personal.

Also, please don't ask about my other story.

I didn't forget about it and I am still working on it, but I'm also an English major. I write almost every day. Sometime I have to break the monotony. Unlike my other stories, every chapter of this one is short and pre-planned. Please be patient, and honest and your critique.