A/N: New story time! And after FINALLY getting time off for the Christmas holiday, I can sit down and write again! Quicker updates for the duration of the next two or three weeks are now upon us... :)

I've had this idea in the back of my mind for ages, and with minimal writing time, it's been tough. So this is my holiday gift to all my lovely readers!

Also, a note to Eva's Story readers: I'm doing my very best to write as fast as I can. Hopefully, I'll have the next chapter up by Wednesday or Thursday, but I'll do my hardest to have it up earlier! Thanks heaps for sticking with me! I can't tell you how much each and every one of you mean to me!

Please review (comments, criticisms, etc.) and let me know if this story is worth continuing. Enjoy The Battle for Bennett!

Happy Holidays! :)


"What does she have that I don't?"

That was the question always on Sophie Benjamin's mind. And no matter how hard she tried, she could never find the answer.

Sophie sighed, clearing one of the tables at Rikki's Café. Placing a coffee mug on the tray to be returned into the back room for washing, Sophie enviously gazed at Rikki. As Zane came out of his office and greeted Rikki with a kiss on the cheek, Sophie's eyes narrowed, piercing through Rikki like a dagger.

Ever since Zane had confessed his love for Rikki, she realized that she never lost her feelings for him. And as soon as they got back together, life had been miserable for Sophie. Her job was demoted from manageress to waitress, with Rikki taking her place. The café had an unexpected boom in business and it had done its best markings in months. Zane and Rikki wouldn't stop smiling and were now near attached at the hip; that's what annoyed Sophie the most.

With Will spending most of his time with Bella, and Zane only ordering Sophie around, she had no one to talk to. It was quite lonesome, and her anger was beginning to swell into a boiling point. Yet, everything that has happened to her within the past year was because of Rikki. Her chances with Zane, her job, even her downhill relationship with Will, could be traced back to her.

Sophie glanced back over at a smiling Rikki. She scoffed at the sight. That smile on her face made Sophie envious, wanting to smack the happy look from Rikki's face. And she had Zane Bennett. Oh, that Zane Bennett. He was the thing that Sophie truly desired. After all, he was handsome and rich, an absolute match for Sophie. But her eyes narrowed once again towards Rikki. What had she done to deserve him? Nothing! She never worked in her life, never dedicated her life to help pursue her brother's dreams, or be a hard-working student. Zane waits on her hand and foot just by the wag of her petty little finger. Disgusting. At least she would treat him with more respect.

"That crazy little son-of-a-bitch," Sophie bitterly eyed Rikki.

"Excuse me?" An outraged customer asked, looking up at Sophie. He was sitting down at one of the tables, being waited on by Sophie.

She shook her head, finally coming back to realization. Clearing her throat, Sophie distracted herself from her envy and focused on keeping her job. It was the only thing that kept her somewhat attached to Zane. "Oh, no, sir. Not you. Is there anything I can get you?"

The customer grunted in annoyance and snapped back, "My strawberry-mango smoothie for about the fifth time."

Yet, Sophie's attention was once again lost when Zane signaled to Rikki to come into his office. The serious raise of his eyebrows, which Sophie had noted it meant something important, made Rikki immediately follow him. She shuffled after him, her own face puzzled, and they shut the door behind them. Sophie's ears did their best to eavesdrop into the conversation, but the noise of the café was too great. The only thing she could focus on, though, was finding out a way to listen to them.

By the look of Sophie's absentminded expression, the customer sighed loudly and exclaimed, "Did you hear me?"

"What?" was Sophie's first response. Another grunt from the customer indicated to her that she should just pretend like she heard. "Yeh, of course. I'll be right back with your order."

Sophie headed behind the counter, but she was instantly distracted when she saw the closed door. It was calling her, enticing her to come closer. She gave in quickly and went towards the door, giddily anxious to hear what they were saying. Yet, deep down inside, she desperately wanted to be with Zane and could take Rikki's place. Was there any way for her to surpass Rikki in his eyes?

Fiddling with packs of coffee near the door, Sophie pretended to work, instead of spying and invading privacy. Not that that affected Sophie at all. She put all her effort into hearing the conversation, or whatever was left of it, and finally her work had paid off.

"…Realize you can't do that, right?" Zane asked Rikki. The voices were muffled, but Sophie could hear them fine enough.

"Oh, what's the point? Mako and the moonpool are destroyed, so we wouldn't be affected." Rikki countered his argument.

She heard Zane get somewhat frustrated. "Rikki, the full moon could still affect you guys!"

Sophie's expression became puzzled and had no idea what they could be talking about. Her curiosity was bouncing off the walls.

"We'll be fine; we haven't been moonstruck in ages! And we still have plenty of time. I mean, we'll still cover up the windows and be fully prepared if that'll make you feel better."

"I'd feel better if I was there. Spend some more quality time together." Sophie made a disgustful face after Zane had said this. Her breath roared with jealousy.

"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a girls' night?"

"Did I make the mistake of falling in love with a girl who was smarter than me?"

"Yet I'm pretty sure it's the best decision you've ever made." Sophie looked like she was going to be sick.

Zane laughed. "Yeh, it was, wasn't it?"

"Would you mind if I went out with the girls for a swim? Cleo keeps bugging me that the reefs are beautiful lately." Rikki smiled. "I could use a nice swim to Mako anyway. Someone's got to clean up the place."

"Rikki? Cleaning? I didn't think those words went together." Zane couldn't help but laugh.

"They don't. I'll make sure Bella and Cleo do though. So tell Nate that she'll be late to rehearsal later."

"Will do." He paused for a moment and then started again. "Rikki?"

"Yeh?"

"Let's make a pact. Nothing will ever come between us ever again." There was a hope in Zane's voice that Sophie couldn't stand. The thought of him actually loving her was unthinkable.

"I couldn't have said it better myself. You have yourself a deal." Sophie could imagine Rikki smiling with absolute joy.

"I love you." Zane said as the doorknob began to turn. Sophie's alarm system rang with nervousness and quickly went behind the counter to look busy.

"Love you too." A smiling Rikki came out as she shut the door. But, when she saw Sophie, her smile disappeared and headed out the beaded curtains.

Turning her head back towards the office door, Sophie's mind couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about before. Everyone knew that Rikki, Bella, and Cleo were the hardest girls to figure out in the Gold Coast… so was that why? Mako Island, the full moon, and a 'moonpool'. None of it made sense.

It was confusing on the surface, but inside, she was tingling with excitement. Perhaps she had finally found a way to beat Rikki, her way to get back into Zane's life. Whatever Rikki was hiding, she was determined to find out what it is and surpass those standards. But how?

The only thing that Sophie was sure of was that the battle for Zane Bennett was on.