A/N: I'm trying a little bit of a writing style so bear with me while I see if it works.
Ben walked through the Square basically in a trance. He couldn't believe that he had lost Ciara. The one person who was always there for him when no one else was, he had lost. When they had almost made love, which would have been their first time together, the commissioner had bursted in at the most inopportune time to inform Ciara that Ben had kidnapped Gabi Hernandez under the orders of Mr. Stefan DiMera. To say Ciara wasn't happy was an understatement. Ben tried to get Ciara to understand that he did not harm Gabi and he was just doing his job; the ONLY job he could get. But Ciara only got more furious when she learned of Ben and Claire's plan thanks to Claire. Ben knew that Claire was selfish but this was on a whole other level. She made it sound like Ben was as responsible for the plan as she was and between that and Abigail getting into Ciara's head about Ben, she had reached her breaking point. Ben couldn't get the way Ciara looked at Ben out of his head. She hadn't looked at him that way since she first woke up in the cabin.
Ben looked down when something hit his foot. Ben bent down and picked the item up. Ben's eyes turned wide when he saw what the item was: the Guardian Bell that he'd given Ciara for Christmas. Ben couldn't help but smile when he thought back to that moment. But his face fell after a moment, remembering where they were now. They were so happy on Christmas Eve. How could things have gone so bad and so wrong so fast? Ben had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was an indescribable feeling but Ben knew something had to be wrong. Ciara NEVER went anywhere without it. Even though Ben had given it to her for her bike, Ciara carried it with her everywhere she went because it was like Ben was with her wherever she went. Ben pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Ciara's number. Of course, it went right to voicemail.
Ben scratched his forehead, he tried to keep his voice calm, "Hey, uh, Ciara. Look I know you're still mad at me. And I get it, I do. I-I, uh, found your guardian bell in the Square and I can't help but think that something is wrong. I know that you don't want to talk to me but if you could just call me or-or text me back so I know you're okay. And Ciara, I-" Ben stopped himself. He knows that Ciara is still pissed at him and after he was the one to pull the plug on them, what can he say, "I'm sorry, I miss you, I love you"? Ben shook his head, "Just let me know you're okay. Bye."
Ben clutched his phone tightly in his hand and fought the tears that threatened to form. Ben sat down at when he called 'their' bench checking his phone every couple of seconds. The more time that passed, the more Ben's panic increased.
After a while, Ben decided he couldn't take it anymore. He was going to the police station to report a possible missing person. Ben got to the station as soon as possible. Ben took a deep breath knowing that basically everyone in the PD would LOVE to have his head on a platter. But that didn't matter, Ciara's life was at stake here. Ben took a few calming breaths before walking into the station.
"I need to see the commissioner." Eli looked at Ben curiously, "Why?" "It's about her daughter."
Eli clicked his teeth, "You want to cause Ciara MORE pain?" Ben inhaled sharply, "You're a Horton." "That's right, so not only am I cop but since Abigail is my family as well as Ciara, I know ALL about what you did."
Ben closed his eyes for a moment, "Look, I care about Ciara, a LOT, more than you know. And it KILLS me that I caused her any sort of pain. All I ever wanted was to make her happy."
Eli was about to read Ben the riot act when Hope walked out of the interrogation room. "What are you doing here Weston?" Ben whipped around, "Commissioner."
Hope crossed her arms and smirked, "I hear Ciara wised up and dumped your murdering and kidnapping ass." Ben swallowed hard, "You don't know anything about me and Ciara, or what went down between us. We have this amazing connection. I love her and I WILL win her love back and I will win her affection back."
Even though Ben was the one to pull the plug on the relationship, Ciara was the one who had checked out. Ben sighed thinking about the all the times that he and Ciara had shared together. Hope arched her eyebrow, "What are you doing here anyway? Here to confess to a certain crime?"
Ben sighed heavily, "I'm need to talk to you about Ciara. I think something bad has happened to her." Hope's face softened slightly. Quietly Hope asked, "Wha-what do you mean?" Ben swallowed hard and pulled the guardian bell out of his pocket "I found this on the ground." Ben held his hand open and Hope looked at the guardian bell.
Hope's eyes turned wide and she started laughing, "THIS?! This is your 'proof' than something has happened to her?!" Ben shook his head violently, "This is what I gave Ciara for Christmas; a guardian bell." Hope shook her head, "This doesn't prove crap except that Ciara got rid of your gift. I mean, why would she keep it? She finally saw the gifter's true colors."
Ben swallowed hard, "No. She wouldn't. I gave her that for protection. She's never been without it. THAT'S how I know something's happened to her." Ben pointed to his heart, "I feel it, HERE. She's in here. Ciara IS my heart, she's my life and I can just tell when something's not right. We have that sort of connection. We-we just GET each other like that."
Hope rolled her eyes, "Please. You HAVE no heart. Ciara did the right thing in leaving you." Ben tried to hide his hurt. Hope started to walk away when Ben grabbed her arm. "Let go of me Weston or I will have you arrested for assault of an officer." Ben let Hope's arm go and put his hands up.
"I have been calling and texting her but no response." Hope let out a laugh, "Why would she?! She is FAR away." Ben looked at Hope in confusion, "Ciara left Salem?!" Hope make a mock concerned face but her voice was dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, did you not know that? But why would you?" Ben swallowed hard, "Wh-where did she go?" Hope crossed her arms, "Well, not that that's any of your business, but she went to see Theo." Ben's eyes widened, "Ciara went to SOUTH AFRICA?!" Hope nodded ever so slightly and there was a twinge of shock in her voice, "You know where Theo is?"
Ben nodded his head, "Ciara and I talk about everything." Hope sucked her teeth. Smugly, Hope said "Obviously not everything."
Ben put his hands in the praying position, "Hope, please. I know you don't like me, hell, you downright hate me, but I CARE so much about your daughter. And it KILLS me to know that I've caused her this pain." Ben spoke calmly, "When was the last time you spoke to Ciara?"
Hope pulled out her phone and put her glasses on. "When she first landed." Ben let out a heavy sigh, "Look, I know that I am in no position to ask you for anything-" Hope scoffed/laughed, "You're damn right." "-but Ciara won't return my messages. If you could just PLEASE call her an-and as soon I know she's safe and okay, I will be out of your hair. I PROMISE."
Hope contemplated for a moment before dialing Ciara's number. It went right to voicemail just like Ben's. "Ciara, it's your mother." Hope looked at Ben before continuing, "I, um, I haven't heard from you since you landed in South Africa. I want to hear how things are going. Call me back sweetie."
Hope pointed to the door, "You can go now." Ben let out a heavy sigh, "I can't. Not until I know Ciara is safe." Hope rolled her eyes, "Give it up, Weston."
Before Hope could finish her remark, her phone pinged. "It's from Ciara. Ben hovered his head over Hope's shoulder as they both read the text message. "Hi Mom. Sorry I've been a little MIA. It's been great being with Theo again. We actually reconnected. :) We're back together. It's been so nice to be with a guy that I know that I can trust. You were so right about everything. I never should have trusted the likes of Ben Weston. I'm so sorry for everything I put you through. I never want to see or hear from Ben again!" Hope took off her glasses and smirked at Ben, "Satisfied?"
Ben shook his head violently, "No, that's not right. That doesn't even sound like Ciara. She wouldn't say something like that. She told me all about her and Theo and made it perfectly clear that they were ancient history. There was nothing left there."
Ben sat down in a nearby chair. To himself he said, "That doesn't make sense. She wouldn't, she couldn't." Hope waved her phone in Ben's face, "Oh she would. Theo is a good, honest guy. The complete opposite of you." Hope started to walk away but turned back for a brief moment. "You can go now. There NOTHING left for you here."
Ben walked back to the DiMera mansion in a trance. He couldn't believe it. Not only were he and Ciara over but she had gone back to her first love. Ben scoffed lightly to himself. At least it wasn't Tripp. If it was Tripp, Ben might have been able to compete. But Theo, the guy was Ciara's first love and as much as he loves her, he could NEVER compete with that. He had to accept that he had lost Ciara. Ben threw his jacket on the chair and plopped onto the couch with a drink in hand. Stefan walked in and took a seat adjacent Ben.
"Rough day?" Ben grimaced, "You could say that." Stefan chuckled lightly under his breath, "Still about the commissioner's daughter? Ben, I'm saying this not as your boss, but as your fellow pariah and only friend: She left you. You have to move on."
Ben stood up somewhat enraged as his friend-boss. "Move on?! How can I move on?! Ciara is the ONE person, other than you, thank you by the way, who would give me a SHRED of a chance in this town." Ben plopped back down on the couch, "To make matters worse, she went back to her ex."
Stefan leaned forward slightly, "She went back to that Dalton guy? That's gotta suck man. First she basically leaves him for you and then she leaves you and goes back to the guy who tried to get you sent to prison." Ben looked at Stefan, "What? I listen. When ALL you talk about is Ciara. But, that's gotta be a bitter pill to swallow."
Ben shook his head, "Not Tripp, thank GOD. But her other ex. Her first love and your nephew in fact, Theo Carver." Stefan nodded slightly, "Sorry man."
Ben shook his head, "I-I'm not giving up. I'm gonna win Ciara back. I will do WHATEVER it takes to show her just how much I love her and how much she means to me." Stefan swallowed, "Do you know where she is?" Ben licked his lips, "Yeah, she went to see Theo in South Africa." Stefan's eyebrows raised slightly, "That's far. She had to go THAT far just to get away from you?" Ben nodded.
Stefan stood up and scribbled something onto a piece of paper. As he handed it to Ben he mumbled, "I'm gonna regret this." Ben looked at Stefan in confusion, "Wha-what is this?" "Theo's address. If you're going to win the 'woman you love' back, you're going to need this."
Ben's confused look stayed, "Why are you giving me this? And better yet, why do you HAVE this?" Stefan shrugged his shoulders, "I may have lost the woman I love that everyone tried to keep me from and you're my friend, so I want to try to help you with yours. And since you're only working for me LEGALLY, maybe it's best you don't know." Ben stood up and gave Stefan a 'bro-hug' as he took the paper with Theo's address, "Thanks man." Stefan nodded.
Before Ben knew it, he was on a flight to South Africa. He couldn't sleep the whole 17 hour flight. He wrote down on cocktail napkins everything that he wanted to say to Ciara. If she had reconciled with Theo, OBVIOUSLY she wouldn't be exactly thrilled to see him. Ben would have to convince her to at least talk to him. Ben closed his eyes and pictured Ciara's smile when he'd given her her Christmas present. He would give ANYTHING for Ciara to smile at him like that again. The way her eyes lit up. Ben looked down at his phone. His background was a picture of him and Ciara on her bike, "I'm gonna win you back, Bobcat. If it's the last thing I do."
After what felt like an endless flight, Ben found himself in front of Theo's door. Ben took a deep, calming breath before knocking. Theo opened the door and his eyes turned wide.
"Ben Weston. Wha-what are you doing here?" Ben took a deep breath, "I know Ciara doesn't want to see me but I need to talk to her." Theo looks at Ben in confusion, "Ciara's not here, man." Ben returned Theo's confused look, "Okay, that's beyond strange. Can-can I come in? Please."
After a moment of hesitation, Theo nodded slowly. Theo opened the door and Ben walked in. Ben looked Theo dead in the eyes, "Did Ciara leave? When-when did she leave? Did something happen between you two? I mean, I know something HAPPENED, but I mean li-"
Theo interrupted Ben, "'Kay, you're gonna have to back ALL the way up 'cause I LITERALLY have no idea what you're talking about. Ciara never came." Ben panicked and looked at Theo, but was trying to remain calm.
"Ciara texted Hope and said that you and her were back together and she was 'loving being with you' and that it was 'so nice to be with a guy' she could trust again." Those words wounded Ben.
Theo swallowed hard trying not to be intimidated that the Necktie Killer was standing right in front of him but even so, there was a certain vulnerability to Ben's words. "Ciara called me after your fight and she said she wanted to come to see me; get away from Salem for a while. And I was waiting for her at the airport but she never showed. I texted her and it took a while but when she responded she said that she wasn't coming be-because you and her had mended things and were COMPLETELY back together."
Ben's eyes got wide, "N-no, that never happened." Ben's face turned sad, "I haven't seen Ciara since we broke up. I-I wish I had. I just want to make this right."
Ben sighed, "Okay, so your text from Ciara doesn't add up with Hope's text from Ciara. They say two TOTALLY different things. Can-can I see your phone for a moment?" After a moment of contemplation, Theo handed Ben his phone. Ben typed out a quick text to Ciara. "It's been a while since we've spoken. Can we talk? But on the phone. I want to hear your voice". Ben showed it to Theo who nodded slightly and Ben let out a shaky sigh as he pressed 'send'.
Theo read the text that Ben had sent again, "Do-do you think something's wrong? Li-like something's happened to Ciara?" Ben closed his eyes for a moment and pulled the guardian bell out of his pocket, "I don't want to think it, but I do. As soon as I found this on the ground in the Square." Theo squinted looking at the object, "Is that a guardian bell?"
Ben nodded slowly. A slight but sad smile came to Ben's face as he told Theo the story. "I gave it to Ciara for Christmas. For her father's motorcycle. But she always kept it on her. When I found it in the Square, I just knew in my gut that something was wrong." Theo swallowed audibly, "You sound like you really care about her."
Ben couldn't fight the slight but sad smile that came to his face, "I do. But I more than care about her, Theo. I LOVE her. She's the most important person to me. I-I don't know what I'll do if something happened to her." The air was filled with tense silence and then Theo's phone dinged. Theo and Ben looked at the phone together "Sorry, can't right now. Ben and I are basically attached at the hip right now. Making up for lost time if you know what I mean. ;) He's sleeping right now. Text me later?"
Ben felt his heart-rate speed up after he finished reading that text. Theo shook his head, "No, thi-this can't be right." Ben ran his hand through his hair and then down his face. Ben looked up at the ceiling, "God, Ciara. Where are you?" Ben crouched onto the floor. He stood up after a moment, but all of the cocktail napkins that Ben had been holding in his pants pocket spilt out.
Theo reached down and picked them up. As he did, he scanned them. Theo looked at Ben, "What is this?" Ben leaned against the wall, "On the flight over, I wrote down everything I wanted to say to Ciara. I wanted to make sure I didn't forget a single detail." Theo went through the napkins, "You sound like you really love her." Ben nodded slowly, "Yeah, I do. More than anything. I-I have to go. I have to find her."
Ben was halfway out the door when Theo called his name, "Ben. What are you going to do?" Ben shook his head, "I don't know. But I am going to do whatever it takes to find Ciara and save her life, even if she never forgives me." Theo nodded slowly, "If you find out anything…" "You'll be my first call." Ben left Theo without another word.
Meanwhile:
Ciara moaned as she looked around. She was laying on the cold, hard, wooden floor of what looked like a large but empty warehouse building of some type. She pulled her arm forward and felt resistance. She turned back slightly and saw she was chained to the wall. Ciara kept yanking hoping to get loose when she heard a deep voice. "There's no point in trying. Those chains are foolproof." Ciara saw her captor for the first time. "Oh my god."
Ciara looked around some more. Ciara rubbed her forehead slightly, "Wha-what am I doing here? Okay, think Ciara." Ciara grunted as she pulled on her chains again but they wouldn't budge. Ciara's captor crouched down so he was face-to-face with Ciara. He smiled a wicked smile, "We have unfinished business." The man put his hand to Ciara's face and caressed her cheek with his thumb as she shuddered in disgust.
Ciara uttered one syllable in response. "Chase." Chase's smile got even wider.
Ben paced around the living room at the mansion like a madman telling Stefan what had transpired with Theo. Stefan sat in his usual chair digesting all that Ben was spewing at him.
"Be-before I was just worried that I wasn't going to be able to win Ciara's trust a-and love back, but now it's something else entirely." "Did you talk to the commissioner? I mean, I'm sure she would be interested in finding who has her daughter." Ben shook his head sadly, "No, she wouldn't even take my call. If I'm going to find Ciara, I'm going to have to do it alone."
Ben let out a heavy breath and Stefan stood up and placed his hand on Ben's shoulder. "We're gonna find her." Ben's head whipped around, "'We'?" Stefan nodded, "I'm indifferent to Ciara, but I can see how much she means to you. So, from one pariah to another…" Ben chuckled slightly. "…I'm gonna do whatever I can to help you. Reach out to some of my connections, get Ciara's picture around. If the police aren't going to help, we'll do this our way." Stefan half-smiled, "It's probably easier this way. No police telling us how to or not to do things."
Ben cracked the slightest of smiles. "Thanks, I'm glad to have someone on my side." Stefan smirked slightly, "Someone's gotta stop you from killing whoever did this to Ciara." Ben swallowed, "I know I'm reformed and all, but I'll kill whoever did this to Ciara." Stefan raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded, "I don't doubt that."
Ciara yanked hard on her chains. "Ow!" "Fight as you may, there is no point." Ciara sighed as she rubbed her wrist. Ciara tried pushed the fear that she had seeing her rapist again. "Wha-what do you want from me?"
Chase rubbed Ciara's cheek, "What I've always wanted: YOU. I have loved you for YEARS, but you never wanted me. When we finally were together, like TOGETHER together, you ran and told everyone that I raped you." Tears stung Ciara's eyes as they threatened to fall. "That's because you DID rape me Chase. I never wanted you. What's your endgame here, Chase? Someone is going to find me. Ciara thought about her next words carefully.
Ciara swallowed her fear and smirked, "Like my BOYFRIEND. Y'know., the NECKTIE KILLER." Chase returned Ciara's smirk, "I thought he was 'reformed' or whatever." Ciara smirk got bigger, "Yeah, well we see how 'reformed' he is when he finds out that you kidnapped his girlfriend. Like I said people are going to notice I am gone."
Chase stood up and reached into his pocket. He pulled out Ciara's phone. "Not quite." Ciara looked down and finally noticed that her phone wasn't in her pocket. Ciara shook her head. Panic set in, "Wha-what do you mean?"
Chase smirked, "I know you and your serial killer boyfriend are on the outs. You REALLY shouldn't have made your password your birthday Ciara. So, I sent a few texts. I know you were planning to go to South Africa to visit Theo when I grabbed you in the Square. Your mom thinks you're having the TIME of your life with Theo and you've rekindled that romance. While Theo thinks you and Benny worked everything out and are in some kind of love/sex-crazed bliss. You were going to leave without saying a word to Ben so it's perfectly explainable why you're not returning his calls."
Ciara shook her head as her lips thinned out to a line, "No, someone is going to figure out that something is wrong." Chase leaned down and placed a kiss on Ciara's neck. Ciara shuddered under his touch. Chase put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a syringe. Ciara's eyes went wide, "What is that?"
Chase admired the syringe, "Oh this? This is just a little something to help you relax." Chase pushed the needle and half of what was in the syringe into Ciara's arm and her body went limp. Chase stood up as Ciara drifted into an unconscious state.
Chase admired Ciara's unconscious body like it was a work of art, "Wow, Mike was right. This stuff really does works." Chase smirked slightly to himself as he walked away.
"DAMMIT!" Ben yelled as he threw his phone against wall as Stefan walked in. "Didn't go well?"
Ben rubbed his hand against his mouth "How?! How has no one seen Ciara?! How does she just disappear without a trace?!" Stefan put his hand on Ben's shoulder, "We're gonna find her, man." Tears began to fill Ben's eyes, "How?! I've reached out to all of your contacts and not a one has seen Ciara." Ben collapsed onto the couch and Stefan sat down next to him. "Every hour, every minute that passes by, Ciara gets further and further away."
Tears threaten to fall from Ben's eyes, "I love her man, more than I've ever loved anyone. I would give ANYTHING A-NY-thing just to see Ciara smile at me with those big eyes one more time. For me to be able to wrap my arms around her. Smell her perfume that I love. For her to call me 'Mr. Ozark'. An-and me call her my little Bobcat." Stefan furrowed his eyebrows and cocked his head slightly at Ben in confusion. Ben shook his head and waved his hand, "Don't ask."
Stefan took a deep breath, "Look, you are going to find her. I know that my contacts have been less than helpful, but maybe this one will prove useful." Stefan handed Ben a sheet of paper. Ben glanced at it and looked at Stefan in confusion. Stefan continued, "Look, whoever this is has to be holding Ciara somewhere. This is a list of abandoned buildings and warehouse-type places that have been bought recently. Maybe Ciara's kidnapper bought and took her to one of these. See if any of the owner's names look familiar." Ben wrapped Stefan in a quick hug, "Thanks."
Ben stood up and starting pacing while Stefan began to read off the names on the list. With every name that Stefan crossed off, Ben's frustration grew. "Mike Schwartz?" Ben shook his head, "No." "Aiden Jennings?" Ben sighed, "No." Stefan began to read the next name when Ben's eyes turned wide, "Wait, what was the last name?" Stefan squinted trying to read through his cross-out, "Jennings. Why?"
Ben picked his phone up off the floor, "I think I know who has Ciara." Ben quickly dialed a number. After a few rings, a sleepy male voice rang through, "Hello? Do you have any idea what time it is?" Ben sighed sharply, "Theo. It's Ben Weston. Sorry, time change."
Theo suddenly sounded wide awake, "Did-did you find Ciara?" Ben shook his head, "Not yet, but I think I may have a lead. Does the name Jennings mean anything to you?" Theo panicked slightly, "Um, yeah. Chase Jennings, he… um… he…" Ben finished, "…raped Ciara." Quietly Theo said, "Yeah."
"Does Chase have a relative named Aiden?" Theo sighed, "Yeah, that's-that's his dad. Why?" Ben nodded his head at Stefan, "Aiden is Ciara's rapist's father." Stefan stood up and started walking toward Ben, "Well then maybe Chase is the one holding Ciara and maybe he took her to this warehouse that's his father's name."
Ben heard Theo's voice pour through the phone, "Ben?! You still there?" Ben sighed, "Sorry Theo. I think I just figured out who has Ciara and where." Theo's voice was tense and filled with worry, "You think Chase has Ciara?" "Yeah, it looks like it." Theo let out a shaky breath, "But that's not possible. Chase is locked up."
Ben swallowed hard, "So was I. I managed to get out on MULTIPLE occasions." Theo let out a shaky breath, "Chase has always been obsessed with Ciara. What do you think-" Ben interrupted Theo, "I have to go." As Ben was hanging up he could hear Theo calling his name. Ben started pacing like a mad man.
"Ben, what're you going to do?" Ben ran his hand through his hair nervously, "I-I don't know. Ciara is trapped somewhere with her rapist who is obsessed with her. I-I have to go find her. Can you do me a favor?" Stefan nodded, "Name it." "See if you can get any information on Chase's whereabouts at the facility where he's supposed to be. I'm gonna go find the son of a bitch that took my girlfriend."
Ben was halfway out the door when Stefan called his name. "What?! I gotta go man!" Stefan handed Ben the paper, "Don't you think the address would help?" Ben looked down and realized he was almost out the door without the address. Ben let out a sheepish laugh, "Oh, yeah. Thanks." Ben was out the door without another word.
Stefan let out a light chuckle and shook his head slightly as he began to call the facility.
Ben put the address in the GPS of the car. His hands were shaking but he was trying to stay calm for Ciara. He needed to find her. Ben drove as quickly as he could to the address that Stefan had given him. Ben tried to take calming breaths but all he could picture was Ciara at the hands and at the mercy of her rapist. Ben tightly clutched the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. If Chase even laid a hand on an inch of Ciara's perfect porcelain skin, there would be HELL to pay. Ben would see to it.
Chase walked up to Ciara and Ciara eyes fluttered open slightly. Ciara looked up at Chase and he was blurry. Ciara put her free hand to her forehead, "Wha-what happened?" Chase smirked, "I gave you a little something to relax you." Ciara's eyes got wide and she was suddenly coherent, "You DRUGGED me?!"
Chase bent down, "You see it as something so bad." Ciara's eyes widened even further, "What would YOU call it?!" Chase ran his hand up and down Ciara's arm. "I call it giving you something to take the edge off."
Ciara was about to retort when she heard a man's voice. She recognized the voice instantly. "CIARA! Chase!" Ciara yanked on her chains. Ciara yelled out as loud as her lungs would let her, "BEN!" Ciara turned to Chase and smirked, "See, I told you. I KNEW Ben would find me. You pissed of the WRONG serial killer." Chase let out a nervous chuckle, "Reformed?" Ciara thinned out her lips to a line a raised her eyebrows for a moment, "Yeah, we'll see." Ciara didn't believe that Ben was still the same person he was when he was the 'Necktie Killer' but Chase didn't need to know that.
Ben yelled out again, "Chase! Chase Jennings! I know you're in there!" Ciara yelled out, "Ben! Ben I'm in here! Ozark, you found me!" Chase looked around nervously. Chase sighed trying to calm himself, "It's okay. We planned for this. You know what you have to do."
Ciara furrowed her eyebrows, "'We'? Who's we?! Did someone help you?! Chase!" Chase whipped the syringe out of his pocket and quickly injected Ciara. "If he wants you, then he's going to find a dead girl in here." Ciara looked around but everything was getting fuzzy, "Cha- Chase! Ben! What are you-" Ciara was cut off by her body going limp and collapsing. Chase reached over and gave her a sloppy kiss. "I love you, I LOVED you Ciara. All you had to do is love me back and it wouldn't have come to this."
Chase's eyes turned dark, "If I can't have you, NO one can." Chase stood up and made his way through the warehouse.
Chase snaked his way out the door until he was in Ben's line of sight. Ben attacked Chase and threw him to the ground. Chase let out a groan in pain. Ben put his hand to Chase's throat and started the squeeze. Chase's eyes widened as he realized what Ben was doing. After a few seconds, Ben let go of Chase. Ben stood up and Chase started coughing. As much as Chase deserved to be chocked to death, it wasn't who Ben was anymore. He needed to put all of his focus and attention on saving the woman that he loved.
Chase stood up and started laughing. "I guess you really are reformed. You couldn't even kill the person who TOOK your girlfriend's virginity." Ben's face turned cold and hard, "You raped her and you damn well know it you sadistic son of a bitch." Chase let out a chuckle, "So I've heard. Well, if you're here to play hero and save your girlfriend, you're too late for that."
Ben's eyes widened, "What do you mean?" Chase smirked, "Well… I gave Ciara a lethal dose of something and if that doesn't kill her, which it should… THIS will." Chase pulled a remote out of his pocket. When he pressed the button the warehouse which was cobblestone on the outside blew to smithereens. Ben ducked as cobblestone and wood flew from all directions. Once the pieces seemed to stop flying, Ben looked up. What was a tall warehouse was now a pile of stone and wood with barely any structure still hanging on.
Ben dropped to his knees. Quietly he uttered "Ciara". Tears began to fill Ben's eyes. After a moment, Ben stood up and shook his head, "No, no. CIARA!"
Ben took off for the warehouse door as Chase started laughing. As soon as Ben entered the warehouse, Chase took off.
Ben didn't know how but he was moving all of the debris but he was. "CIARA! Ciara, I'm here! Baby, call out to me." Ben's voice dropped, "Ciara?" Ben finally found Ciara who was surrounded by debris and lying in a limp position. "CIARA!"
Ciara's chain had disconnected from the wall because the wall was now a pile of rubble. Ben moved the debris out of the way gently put his arm under Ciara's neck to support her, but her body was like a rag doll. Ben carefully caressed Ciara's cheek, "Ciara, baby, I'm here. Just open your eyes. Please Bobcat. Open those beautiful eyes." Tears began to fall from Ben's eyes. "Ci… C'mon. You're in there. I know it. Please. Ciara!"
Ben placed a kiss on Ciara's dry and lifeless lips, "Ciara, please wake up. I-I just want to see you smile at me. PLEASE. I love you so much Bobcat. I will give you every damn kind of flower that exists until I find one that you love. Just-just open your eyes."
Ben carefully laid Ciara down onto the ground and put his head on her chest. He couldn't stop sobbing. The woman that he loved most in the world was counting on him, and he couldn't save her. He had failed Ciara. Ben reached into his pocket and grabbed the guardian bell. He gently placed it in Ciara's hand and closed her hand around it. Ben rested his fingertips on Ciara's wrist. Ben picked up his head after a moment, he couldn't possibly be feeling it right? It felt like Ciara had a pulse. Ben shook his head. No, he just wanted to believe that. He WANTED to believe that his girlfriend was still alive. But the truth was Chase gave Ciara a fatal dose of whatever the hell he had gave her. Before Ben could think any further, more rubble threatened to fall. Ben picked Ciara up and carried her out of the warehouse.
Ben gently placed Ciara on the ground. Ben caressed Ciara's cheek, Ben tried to smile through the tears. "Bobcat, I know you're in there." Ben put his fingers on Ciara's wrist. He must have been losing it, he could SWEAR that Ciara had a pulse. Ben began giving Ciara mouth-to-mouth, trying to breathe life back into his girlfriend.
After a few attempts, Ben let out a heavy and defeated sigh. "I'm so sorry I failed you Bobcat. I love you. I love you so damn much. You needed me and I couldn't save you. I wish it was me and not you." Ben supported Ciara's neck and touched her forehead to his. She still smelt the same. That perfume that he loved mixed with her vanilla shampoo.
Ben looked at Ciara's eyes and thought he saw her eyes fluttering. Ben shook his head. No, that wasn't possible she wasn't breathing. A ragged and raspy breath let out one syllable, "Ben?" Ben turned and saw Ciara's eyes were opened a sliver.
"CIARA!" Ciara reached a hand up and caressed Ben's cheek ever so gingerly. Ben turned his head and kissed the inside of Ciara's palm. In a raspy voice, Ciara said "I knew you would find me Ben. I knew you would save me." Before Ben could respond, Ciara's arm dropped and her body fell limp. She began seizing on the ground. "Ci!"
Ben held Ciara's body as it flailed. Fresh tears fell down Ben's cheeks. "I've got you babe. I'm here. Keep fighting. It's okay, everything is going to be just fine. You keep fighting."
After a few moments, Ciara's body fell eerily still. Ben clutched Ciara close. Ben feared Ciara was gone. He put his hand to Ciara's wrist and knew he would find no pulse. To Ben's shock, Ciara still had a pulse. It was weaker than before, and not steady, but it was there.
Ben reached down to pull his phone out of his pocket when he realized it wasn't there. Ben mentally slapped himself: he must have left it in the car. Ben gently wrapped his arm under Ciara's neck and picked her up and quickly carried her to his car. "Hold on baby. I'm gonna get you help." He had borrowed one of Stefan's bulletproof vehicles which thankfully had a place where he could lay Ciara down. Before Ben closed the door, he gave Ciara several kisses on the forehead. "Keep fighting baby. I'm right here with you."
Ben let out a heavy and emotional sigh as he sat down in the driver's seat. He found his phone and when he looked he had several missed calls and texts from Stefan. The first one only had 2 words in all caps: CHASE ESCAPED. Ben chuckled bitterly. Yeah, he got that. Ben let out a sigh as he began drive less than carefully. Every few seconds, Ben would look to the back and see that Ciara was still in the same position. "C'mon." Ben couldn't get to the hospital quickly enough. Ben talked to Ciara the whole drive just hoping, praying that she would wake up and respond to him.
As soon as Ben pulled in front of the hospital, he didn't even turn off the engine before he was running to grab Ciara. Ben carried Ciara's lifeless body into the ER. "I NEED SOME HELP!"
Ben was met by Rex Brady whose eyes got wide upon seeing Ben was holding Ciara. Rex yelled out, "I need a gurney!" Kayla ran up and took Ciara from Ben and gently placed her on a gurney. Kayla rushed into an exam room without another word. Rex got in Ben's face, "What did you do to her?!"
Ben kept staring at the closed door where Kayla had Ciara. Rex shoved Ben's shoulder, "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Ben let out a heavy sigh and stared off into the distance, "I failed her. She needed me and I failed her." Ben slid to the floor and hugged his knees in his chest. Rex scoffed and shook his head as he walked away.
Ben managed to find his way to a chair in the waiting room and just kept staring at the room where Kayla had taken Ciara into. After what felt like an eternity, Kayla walked out of Ciara's room. As soon as Ben saw her he stood up feeling hopeful, but his face fell once he saw Kayla's body. It looked like she had aged 10 years since she went in.
Ben collapsed back into the chair. Kayla sat on the edge of the table in front of Ben. "I need you to tell me EXACTLY what happened tonight." Ben sighed and sniffed, "Ciara was kidnapped. By Chase Jennings." Kayla's eyes got wide and tense upon hearing Chase's name. Kayla started to get upset and went back into doctor mode. Unemotionally Kayla asked, "What happened?"
Ben let out an emotional sigh, "I found the warehouse where Chase was holding her. Chase came out and told me that he gave Ciara a lethal injection of some type. Then… then he made the building explode. I thought for sure Ciara was dead. When I found her…" Ben choked back a sob, "She was so lifeless, so pale. She looked like a rag doll. I-I kept begging her to wake up and I put her guardian bell in her hand and that was when I felt it." Kayla looked at Ben confused, "Felt what?"
Ben sighed, "Her pulse. I-it was weak but it was there. I carried her outside and gave her mouth-to-mouth." Ben could no longer fight the tears, "She-she wasn't responding. I said I wished it was ME. I should be the one dead, not HER!" Kayla nodded getting emotional herself and gently rubbed her hand on Ben's knee.
"That's when it happened, she opened her eyes ever so slightly. She put her hand on my cheek and said-" Ben choked back a sob, "She said that she knew I would find her, that I would save her. Then… then she had a seizure. She started convulsing on the ground and she never regained consciousness."
Ben let out a sob and looked up at Kayla, "She's going to be okay, right?!" Kayla's lips thinned out to a line and she shrugged her shoulders. Kayla looked at Ben sadly, "I-I honestly don't know Ben. Did Chase give you any idea of what he drugged Ciara with?"
Ben shook his head, "No, all he said is that it was a lethal dose." Kayla stood up, "Okay." Kayla started to walk away when Ben called her name, "Dr. Brady. Can I go be with Ciara?" Kayla looked back to the room where Ciara was and then to Ben. "Please. I-I just want to sit by her side. I've failed her so bad. PLEASE." Kayla let out a heavy sigh. "Okay." Ben put his hands in the praying position in front of his mouth and silently said, "Thank you." Ben walked into Ciara's room without another word.
Ben sat down on a doctor's chair next to Ciara. Ben glanced at Ciara's vitals before running his hand through Ciara's hair. "Hey, baby. I'm here. I know you're in there. I know you've been fighting for god knows how long, but I need you to keep fighting. PLEASE, for me, for US. I love you, Bobcat. I love you so damn much. I know that you are tired, but please, PLEASE baby, don't give up." Ben lifted up Ciara's hand and kissed the back of it. Ben gave Ciara's hand a gently squeeze.
He let out a heavy sigh when his phone rang. Ben let out a cough, "He-hello."
Stefan's voice poured through, "FINALLY, I was started to worry that Jennings had gotten you or worse you had killed him." Ben let out a choked back sob. Stefan heard it though, "Ben… what happened?"
Ben ran a hand through his hair nervously, "I-I'm at the hospital, with Ciara. It's bad, it's really bad." "I'm on my way." Ben shook his head, "Stefan…" Stefan interrupted Ben, "I'm already out the door." Stefan hung up the phone without another word.
Ben ran his hand tenderly up and down Ciara's arm, "I know that Stefan isn't exactly your favorite person babe, but…" Before Ben could finish his thought, Kayla walked in. She looked exhausted.
"What-" Ben coughed, "What did you find out?" Kayla sighed heavily, "We ran a blood test on Ciara and we know what Chase was drugging her with…" Ben gave Kayla a look to go on. "It was Ketamine. An extremely powerful sedative; especially in the form that he gave it to Ciara. You see all of the dots on Ciara's arms?"
Ben looked down at Ciara's arms and then back at Kayla and nodded. "He was injecting her with the drug, that makes the drug take effect that much quicker. The overdose seems to be what caused her seizure." Ben looked at Ciara for a moment and then back at Kayla, "But-but you can fix her right? You can reverse whatever damage the drug did. Right? RIGHT?!"
Kayla saw the concern that Ben had for her niece and started to see a different side of Ben. She gently put her hand on Ben's lower arm, "Ben… I-I don't know. We won't know the extent of the damage until Ciara wakes up. If she…" Kayla stopped herself in her tracks and shook her head.
Kayla forced a small smile to her face, "We're keeping an eye on her blood pressure. But be warned, she could…" Ben shook his head ever so slightly, "Could what?" Kayla closed her eyes and quietly said, "She could be paralyzed."
Ben's body fell slightly. He sat back down. Paralyzed? No, not Ciara. Kayla put her hand on Ben's shoulder for a moment, "I'll give you some time to digest the news." Kayla left the room without another word.
Ben put his hand in Ciara's, "You have to wake up, you just have to." Ben sniffed, "Remember our make-up date? When I told you you were a speed demon because you wanted me to hold on tighter? I would give anything to go back to that moment. We were so happy."
Ben saw Ciara moved ever so slightly, "Ciara?" Ben could barely make out Ciara's mumbles. "Ciara, baby, talk to me. Yell, scream at me. I don't care. Jus-just say something." "It worked didn't it?" Ben let out a shocked laugh as he stood up and kissed Ciara's forehead, "You're back."
Ciara tried to look around, "Chase?!" Ben gently pushed on Ciara's shoulder, "It's okay. You're in the hospital. You're okay. I-I'm gonna go get the doctor." Ben opened the door, "I-I need a doctor. Ciara's awake." Ben let out a relieved laugh.
Sarah Horton rushed into the room. She gave Ben a look, "We need some room to examine her." Ben closed his eyes for a moment, "Can I stay please? I-I don't want to be away from her. Not right now." Sarah looked down at Ciara, "Do you want Ben to stay?" Ciara nodded slightly, "Yes."
Ben held Ciara's hand as Dr. Horton ran a full battery of tests. "I'm sure Dr. Brady will want to do her own exam but from my findings you're extremely lucky. You don't seem to be suffering any effects of the seizure or the Ketamine."
Ciara swallowed and groaned as she sat up. Ciara looked at Ben and Sarah in confusion, "Wait, Ketamine?" Ben started to answer when Ciara closed her eyes and nodded in realization, "So that's what Chase was drugging me with."
Ciara turned her head to face Sarah, "So, I'm okay?" Sarah smiled a small smile, "Seems to be." Sarah left the exam room without another word. Ben clapped his hands together and looked at Ciara awkwardly, "So…" Ciara chuckled slightly, "Don't go getting all awkward on me now."
Ben sat back down, "We-we left things in a not great place to say the least and-and then I-" Ciara finished, "-was my knight in shining armor? Yeah." Ben tried to fight the slight blush that came to his cheeks. "Ciara, I know that I was the one who walked away but when I found your guardian bell on the ground…" Ciara nodded her head slightly, "That's how you knew? I-I must've dropped it when Chase grabbed me."
Ben swallowed, "I just knew, in my gut, in my heart that something was wrong. I-I went to your mom and of course she didn't believe me. I guess Chase must've been texting from your phone." Ciara let out a light laugh, "Yeah, that'll teach me not to make my passcode my birthday."
"When 'you' said that you had reconciled with Theo, it was like someone took my heart an-and just ripped it out of my chest. Stefan convinced me to go to South Africa and have a talk with you. Face-to-face. I spent that entire 17 hour flight…" Ben let out a light chuckle, "…writing what I wanted to say to you on cocktail napkins." Ciara let out a light laugh, "You're such a dork." Ben's blush turned darker. He wanted more than anything to be Ciara's dork again.
"There was so much I wanted to say to you. You-well I guess not you but I thought you said that it was so nice to be with someone who you knew could trust and that just about killed me. When I arrived at Theo's, he said he'd never heard from you and 'you' texted him and said you and I had reconciled and were attached at the hip in a sex-crazed bliss." Ciara blushed and stifled a light laugh, "Okay, number one, I would NEVER talk like that. And number two, I would never tell Theo that we were in some kind of 'sex-crazed bliss' EVEN if that was true." Ciara spoke the next part serious and quieter, "That would be between you and I and no one else." Ben continued, "I collapsed onto the floor hearing that. I had suspected but that confirmed that something was horribly wrong. I just kept thinking about our last conversation. That's not how I wanted our last conversation to be. To say that…" Ben couldn't go on, he leaned forward and broke down.
Ciara put a hand on Ben's shoulder. "Ben, I know we left things bad, but one thing has never changed." Ben looked up at Ciara with his tear-stained face and Ciara wiped away a few of Ben's tears. "I love you, Ozark." Ben choked back a sob. "You do?" Ciara nodded, "The whole time that Chase had me, I just kept picturing you bursting through the door to-to save me and give Chase what he deserved."
Ben swallowed hard and nodded, "And I almost did. But even after he said he 'took' your virginity, I couldn't do it. Even though I wanted to end him. Right then and there." Ciara looked at Ben in confusion. "As soon as I had Chase in my sights, I slammed him onto the ground and I had my hands around his throat, but… as much as Chase deserved it, I couldn't do it. And when Chase said you were dead, I just broke down. I'm not that person anymore., I know my line. The truth is, I wanted Chase to pay for what he did, but I couldn't take his life… even if deserved it." Ciara nodded emotionally. "I know. I see that now. I wouldn't say I exactly handled the situation perfectly either." Ben looked at Ciara in confusion and she continued, "I, uh, I tried to intimidate Chase with your past." Ben looked at Ciara confused. Ciara let out a light chuckle, "I told him that my boyfriend was the Necktie Killer and how did he think you would react when you found out that he took me." Ciara looked down at her hands, "I said that you killed those people for no reason, so imagine what you would do if you HAD a reason. It was wrong and stupid, but I jus-" Ben put his hand over Ciara's, "You were just trying to save yourself. You were in self-preservation mode. I get it. I'd seen it enough with my Mom and Jordan with my father."
Realization hit Ben as he bit his lip as he looked at Ciara, "You said boyfriend." Ciara smiled a small smile and a light blush came to her cheeks, "Yeah, I did." "The-the way we left things, I know you…" Ciara closed her eyes for a moment, "My feelings for you haven't changed, Ben. In fact, they've only gotten stronger. When I was terrified that Chase was going to do something, I-I just wanted your arms around me." Fresh tears threatened to fall, "I wanted you… I wanted you kissing my forehead telling me everything would be okay." Ben looked up at Ciara and saw her tear-stained face. Ben reached up and kissed Ciara's forehead, then the side of her face. Ben paused for a moment before tenderly kissing Ciara on her lips. Ciara slowly raised her arm until she caressed Ben's cheek with her hand. After a moment Ben pulled away and rested his forehead on Ciara's. "I love you, Ciara. I-I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you."
Ciara couldn't fight the smile that came to her lips. "I love you too. And this isn't going to be easy, but it sure as hell is worth it. Ben… I would rather have a difficult day with you, than an easy day with anyone else. Look, I choose you Ben. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of our lives." Ben couldn't fight the smile that came to his face. "Yesterday, today, and tomorrow."
Ciara's smile faded as she furrowed her eyebrows. "Ho-how did you know where to find me? You didn't put a tracking device on my phone, did you?" Ben's face fell slightly. Ciara saw Ben's face change, "Bad joke. Sorry." Ben shook his head, "No, it's just-I did that to Abigail. So…" Ciara nodded, "Sore subject. Got it. But how DID you?"
Ben sighed deeply, "It was Stefan actually." Ciara looked at Ben in shock, "STEFAN knew where to find me?" Ben nodded. "I was freaking out and Stefan figured that whoever had you had to be holding you in a warehouse or abandoned building of some type. He was able to get a list from his real estate guy and he and I went through the list. Every name that Stefan crossed off, my heart broke more and more because I knew the chances of finding you were getting slimmer and slimmer." Ciara nodded slowly.
"Then we came across the name Aiden Jennings." Ciara tensed up upon hearing her rapist's father's name. Ciara deadpanned, "Chase's father." Ben nodded, "I got the confirmation from Theo, but I thought Jennings sounded familiar. Next thing I knew, I was out the door." Ben chuckled slightly to himself, "Without the address. Needless to say, I wasn't thinking clearly. When I got to the warehouse, I just started screaming; your name and Chase's." Ciara nodded as her lips curled into a slight smile, "Yeah I heard you. I tried yelling for you, but I guess you didn't hear me. Chase was freaked out when he heard your voice. I don't know what happened next. That's when Chase drugged me again."
Ben swallowed hard, "Yeah, he tried to give you a fatal dose. Guess he didn't realize how resilient you would be." Ciara chuckled slightly. "You said that you almost killed Chase. What happened next?" Ben looked at his hands for a moment, "He-he pulled this remote-type thing out of his pocket said that if the injection didn't kill you 'this' would. And next thing I know, the outside of the warehouse which was cobblestone started flying everywhere. I ducked for a moment and when I looked up, the warehouse was just a pile of cobblestone and wood. I fell to the ground and let myself think you were gone for only a brief moment. Then, I took off running toward you. I HAD to find you. You were surrounded by debris. When I got over to you, you just looked so lifeless. I just held you and rocked you. Begging you to open your eyes. I put the guardian bell in your hand when I felt it: your pulse. It was like my heart stopped and re-started at the same time. Before I could think any further, more debris starting falling. I-I just grabbed you and carried you out of the warehouse before it came down entirely, with us in it."
Ciara nodded slowly trying to absorb everything that Ben had told her. "Y-you risked your life… to-to try to save mine?" Ben grasped Ciara's hand, "Ciara, you ARE my life. My life-or the life that I'm trying to make, it means NOTHING without you in it. I-I want to be worthy of your love and give you everything you deserve." A small smile came to Ciara's lips. She leaned forward slightly and kissed the corner of Ben's mouth. In a soft voice, Ciara said "I love you, Ben. I love you if you are Ben Rogers, Oliver Weston, or some combination of the two that makes Ben Weston. I love you for YOU, Ozark. You don't have to prove anything, not to me." Ben couldn't fight the smile that came to his face upon hearing Ciara's declaration.
"So… when I got you outside, I started giving you mouth-to-mouth. Not exactly the way I'd hoped my lips would meet yours again." Ciara chuckled lightly. "I started to give up hope that you would open your eyes, but that was when you did. You opened your eyes ever so slightly and said that you knew that I would find you. You knew that-" Shock was written all over Ciara's face, "I knew that you would save me."
Ben looked up at Ciara, "Yeah. You remember?" Ciara squinted and shrugged her shoulders, "Kind of. I thought that it was a dream. I figured if I was dying, I would see the person that I love. Telling me that it was okay to cross over or whatever." Ben chuckled slightly and bit his lip, "I'm really glad you didn't." Ciara leaned toward Ben, "You wanna know a secret?" Ben nodded slightly. "Me neither." Ciara began squirming in the bed and Ben got concerned. He was worried that she was having another seizure.
"Ciara? I-I'm gonna get the doctor!" Ciara reached her arm out, "I'm okay, Ben. I-I was just making room so my BOYFRIEND could lay with me." Ben couldn't help but relax and smile as Ciara called him her boyfriend. Ben gently got into the bed and wrapped an arm around Ciara. Ciara let out a relaxed sigh as she rested her head in the crook of Ben's neck. Ciara felt at ease, at peace. Ciara picked her head up and smiled at Ben. Ben couldn't help but smile back. Ciara leaned toward Ben and kissed him. Ben returned the kiss. Ben caressed Ciara's cheek as he gently pulled on her hair. Ciara smiled and deepened the kiss. Ciara placed her hand on Ben's neck and tightened her grip slightly as their tongues began to fight for dominance.
Their kiss was interrupted by Kayla walking in, "I hear someone is awake-WHOA!" Kayla covered her eyes and Ciara covered her mouth. Ciara looked at Ben who was started to resemble crimson and started chuckling.
"Aunt Kayla, you can look now." Kayla slowly removed her hands from her eyes. "I guess that answers my 'how are you feeling?' question." Ciara chuckled as she laid her head on Ben's shoulder for a moment, "Yeah, I'm good." Ciara sat up, "In fact, I'm happier than ever."
Kayla's smile faded, "Well, I hate to damper the mood, but there's something we need to discuss." Ben started to get up, "I should-" and motioned for the door. Ciara gently pulled Ben's arm back, "No, I want you to stay." Kayla took a deep breath and starting walking toward the couple, "Okay, if you're sure." Ciara nodded.
"I'm sure you're aware that a lot of testing was done while you were unconscious, but now that you're awake, there's one test that still needs to be done." Ciara looked at Kayla confused. "Since you were kidnapped and drugged by your… your rapist, there's a chance that…" Ciara got what Kayla was implying and tears began to fall down her face, "Y-you think there's a chance that Chase raped me again?"
Kayla swallowed hard, "Sweetie, the only way to know is to do a rape kit." Ciara couldn't stop the tears from falling this time. Ben got up and crouched down so he and Ciara were face to face. Ben gently caressed Ciara's face, "Baby, it's going to be okay." Ben's hand didn't leave Ciara. Ciara turned to Ben, "Chase was drugging me almost the entire time. Wha-what am I going to do if he DID rape me again? I-I can't possibly be that broken. I just can't!" Ciara started bawling and Ben cradled her head. Ben turned to Kayla, "Ca-can you give us a few minutes alone?" Kayla nodded and left without saying another word.
Ben picked Ciara's head up, "Baby, listen to me. You are the STRONGEST person I know." Ben sniffed, "YOU are my Bobcat. My love who has more fight in her than a bag full of bobcats. You survived a lethal overdose of ketamine and an explosion. Plus, a seizure from the overdose. And if it turns out that Chase DID rape you again, I will be by your side every second; reminding you of how strong and amazing and absolutely gorgeous you are." Ciara picked her head up and sniffed. Ben wiped Ciara's eyes. "I love you, Ben. I don't know what I would do without you." Ben held the side of Ciara's face, "You never have to find out. I won't leave your side. I told you before, YOU are my life and my number one priority. Nothing else matters."
Ciara swallowed hard and smiled the smallest of smiles. Ciara leaned forward and rested her forehead on Ben's. Ciara gave Ben a chaste kiss.
Kayla walked into Ciara's room. "We are ready when you are." Ben stood up and pointed to the door. "I will be right out there, babe. Okay." Ben gave Ciara a kiss on the top of her head as he rustled her hair slightly. Ciara put her hand over Ben's and nodded, "Okay."
Ben leaned against the door and put his hand over his heart, "Yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Ciara managed a small smile through her tears. "I love you too, Ozark."
Ben smiled a small smile and nodded as he exited Ciara's room and closed the door behind him.
Ben sighed as he leaned against the closed door. Stefan was standing by the nurse's station. He took one look at Ben's face and knew that it was bad. "Ben."
Ben looked up and saw Stefan, "Hey man." Stefan walked up to Ben and gave him a hug. "How is she?" Ben sighed, "It was bad, then it got good, then bad again." Stefan looked at Ben in confusion. He and Ben sat down.
"You want to explain that a little more?" Ben sighed, "The doctors were talking about possible paralysis. I was so terrified. Then I was talking to her about our last date how I called her a speed demon for the way she hit the curves on her motorcycle. Then... man it was like a miracle. She mumbled what she said that day. 'It worked, didn't it?'" Stefan let out a light chuckle.
"I was so happy that she was okay, we talked, then we started kissing and it seemed like everything would be okay." Stefan raised his eyebrows, "Then...?" Ben sighed, "Then Kayla walked in. Told Ciara that because she was drugged and by her obsessed rapist of all people, there was a chance that he could have done it again. When she found out, the look on her face…" Ben's hand went down his face, "Ciara's the toughest person I know, but I've never seen her look so broken, so defeated. I told her that I would be by her side every minute, but if that son of a bitch took advantage of her again… there won't be a secure enough facility to protect him from me."
Stefan put a hand on Ben's shoulder when Kayla walked up. Kayla's face turned hard upon seeing Stefan. Kayla crossed her arms, "Stefan…" Kayla turned to Ben. "Ben, we're done. Ciara's asking for you." Ben nodded and stood up, "I-I should get back to her. Thanks for coming, man." Stefan smiled a small smile, "Anytime."
Kayla was giving Stefan daggers as he stood up, "Always good to see you too. I came to see my friend, and now that I know they're okay, I'll be going."
Ben walked back into Ciara's room. Ciara had a glassed-over look in her eyes and was staring off into the distance. Ben shut the door behind him and placed a kiss on the top of Ciara's forehead. As Ben sat back down in the doctor's chair. As Ben caressed Ciara's cheek, he softly said, "Hey baby. How are you?"
Ciara turned slightly to face Ben and shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. Numb I guess. I-I've been through this already. I don't know if that makes this better or worse. At least I won't have the memory of it this time."
Ciara looked at the door, "Oh my god! Chase!" Ben whipped around and saw no one standing there. "Honey, Chase is not here." Ciara kept squirming, "Y-you stay AWAY from me!" Ben grasped Ciara's face in his hands, "Ciara, look at me. Chase is not here." Ciara shook her head violently, "Y-yes he is. I-I see him." Ben looked in the direction that Ciara was and saw no one standing there.
Ben squeezed Ciara's hands, "It is just you and me in this room, Ciara. No one else is here." Ciara shook her head and looked at the door again. This time, she didn't see Chase, "No, he was standing RIGHT there!" Ciara laid back and put her hand to her forehead. Fresh tears started to form. "Oh my god, what's happening to me?"
Ben kissed Ciara's forehead, "I'm gonna go get Kayla. I'll be right… back." Ciara let out a sigh as Ben walked over to the nurse's station. "Dr. Brady?" Kayla looked up, "What is it Ben?" Ben sighed, "Ciara swore that she saw Chase but he wasn't there. I-I don't know if it's from the seizure or…"
Kayla looked down and sighed heavily. "I was afraid this would happen." Ben looked at Kayla in confusion and she continued, "One of the side effects of a Ketamine overdose is hallucinations. With how coherent Ciara seemed when she came to, I-I thought she was out of the woods. Thanks for letting me know, Ben. I'll be in shortly." Ben nodded before he headed back to Ciara's room.
Ciara perked up when Kayla walked into her room. "D-did you find Chase?" Kayla looked at Ben and his face dropped. Kayla sat on the edge of Ciara's bed and squeezed her leg slightly, "Honey, listen to me. I-I know that it FELT real, but you were having a hallucination." Ciara looked at Ben and then at Kayla, "N-no, he was there. I SAW him." Kayla swallowed hard, "It's a side effect from the ketamine. I know that it feels real to you, but Chase is not here. He wouldn't dare come back to Salem."
Ciara covered her face with her hands, "Wh-why is this happening to me?" Kayla looked at Ciara with soft eyes, "You just need to give the drugs some time to work their way out." Kayla stood up, "I-I'll be back soon with your test results." Ciara nodded and Kayla left without another word.
As soon as Kayla closed the door to Ciara's room, she leaned against it and let a few tears fall. "Damn you Chase. You should rot in hell for this." Kayla sniffed and walked back to the nurse's desk.
Ciara and Ben were talking about nothing of significance when Kayla walked in. "Your results are in." Ciara rubbed her sweaty hands together in anxiety. Ben took one of Ciara's hands in his own and gave it a gently squeeze. "Whatever happens, we're in this together Ciara."
Ciara sighed deeply, "Okay, Aunt Kayla. Hit me." Kayla kept a serious face. "Your physical examination showed no signs of trauma… but I wanted to wait until the DNA tests from the swabs we took came back…" Ciara sighed, "Just spit it out Aunt Kayla." Kayla's serious face turned into a small but sad smile. "There is no indication that Chase raped you again, Ciara." Ciara laughed and laid back on the bed. Ciara put her hands over her mouth. "Thank god."
Ben leaned down and started giving Ciara kisses all over still holding Ciara's hand. First her forehead, then the sides of her face, her cheek before placing a few chaste kisses on Ciara's neck. Ben rested his head in the crook of Ciara's neck. Kayla let out a light chuckle, "I'll leave you lovebirds alone to celebrate."
Ciara picked her head up, "Aunt Kayla?" Kayla stopped in her tracks and turned around to face the young couple. "Thank you." Kayla smiled at her niece, "Anytime… though I hope not to have to do this again." Ciara raised her eyebrows slightly and shook her head sadly, "Yeah me too."
As soon as Kayla shut the door, Ben stood up and leaned over wrapping his girlfriend in a tight hug. Ben rested his forehead on Ciara's. "I love you." Ciara rested her hand on Ben's cheek, "Thank you for being here for me." Ben looked right into Ciara's eyes, "There is NO place I would rather be. Yesterday, today, tomorrow." Ciara chuckled slightly and repeated Ben's words.
Ciara woke up and saw Ben leaning over onto her legs in the doctor's chair. Ciara rustled Ben's hair slightly. Softly she said, "I love you, babe." Ben picked his head up a few moments later. "Hey, you're up. Did you sleep okay?" Ciara nodded, "Yeah, as well as can be expected."
Ciara looked over to the time. "Why don't you go home and get some sleep in an actual bed?" Ben shook his head, "N-no, I'm not leaving you." Ciara smiled slightly, "You have been here since you brought me in. Have you or have you not?" Ben nodded slightly. "Then you must be BEYOND exhaustion. Go home, get some sleep. I will be here tomorrow." Ben hesitated for a moment, "Only if you're sure." Ciara nodded, "Yes."
Ben stood up and gave Ciara a kiss on the cheek and then the lips. "I love you Bobcat." Ciara smiled as Ben walked out the door.
Ciara sat up in the bed and looked around for a moment. She cranked her neck thinking back to what had transpired over the last 24 hours. Ben risking his own life rescuing her, wanting to give them another chance. Ciara couldn't have been happier. She looked up and saw Chase walking into her room.
Chase put his index finger to his mouth signaling Ciara to be quiet. Ciara shook her head, "You're not here, you're not real. You're just in my mind from all the drugs." Chase smirked, "Oh I'm here, sweetie. When I heard that you had survived, I HAD to come see for myself. Now I did, I'm FINALLY going to have my way with you." Ciara looked down at her hands for a moment, trying to come up with a retort. Ciara heard a loud clang and when she looked up, she saw Stefan holding a clipboard and standing behind Chase while Chase was unconscious.
Rex came running in. "What happened?!" Stefan pointed to Chase, "This little freak tried to get to Ciara. I knocked him out with this." Stefan handed Rex the clipboard and he nodded his head slowly, "I'll call security. Can you stay here for a minute?" Stefan nodded.
Stefan stepped over Chase and over to Ciara. When he got close to Ciara, she flinched slightly. In a soft voice, or at least for Stefan, he said, "Are you okay?" Ciara just nodded silently. "Ho-how did you know he was here?" Stefan sat down. "I didn't; I came here to get an update on how you were doing. I saw Chase and grabbed a clipboard off of the nurse's station. Next thing I know, I'm smacking him." Stefan turned around and Chase was still lying on the floor, unconscious. Stefan cocked his head to the side slightly, "I guess I hit him harder than I thought. I know you don't exactly like me, but-" Stefan stopped in his tracks when Ciara hugged him. She tightly wrapped her arms around Stefan's neck, "Thank you. I-it's true I don't exactly like you. I don't like what you do or what you made Ben do, but you just saved my life. I'm not saying that we're going to become BFFs or even friends, but you saved me from my rapist and captor. Ben told me that you helped him figure out who had me. And that counts for something." Stefan nodded slightly, "I'll take it."
Stefan and Ciara turned around and saw security grabbing Chase's unconscious body. A security guard said to Kayla, "We're going to stay with him while he gets checked out and then we'll call the police and have him taken into custody."
Kayla nodded and walked up to Ciara, "Are you okay?" Ciara nodded and pointed to Stefan. "Yeah. STEFAN actually saved me. He's the one who knocked Chase out." Ciara turned to Stefan, "Co-could you call Ben?" Stefan nodded, "You got it." Stefan stepped outside Ciara's room and dialed Ben's number. It went to voicemail. "Ben, it's Stefan. You should get back to the hospital. I-I don't want to tell you this over your voicemail, but just now that Ciara's okay… NOW."
Stefan sighed deeply. He knew his friend. When he found out that Chase tried to attack Ciara, he would flip out, and understandably so.
Kayla walked out to the nurse's desk and called Hope. "Brady." "Hope, it's Kayla. You should get to the hospital. Chase just tried to attack Ciara."
Hope's voice got higher, "Wha-what are you talking about?!" Kayla silently gasped, "Oh, you don't know? Ciara was brought in yesterday, by Ben. She was kidnapped and drugged by Chase. Ben apparently saved her life."
Hope shook her head, "I-I'm sorry, Ben WESTON?!" Kayla sighed, "Yeah, Ciara seems to be out of the woods, but you should get down here."
Hope ran into the hospital with two officers behind her. "Where is she?!" Kayla pointed Hope to her daughter's room. Hope stopped when she was in front of Ciara's room. She turned to the guards, "Do not let Chase Jennings in this room under ANY circumstances. Is that understood?" Both officers nodded.
Hope walked into Ciara's room. "Baby!" Hope wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. Ciara groaned, "Ugh. Mom, I'm okay, just a little sore."
Hope sat down on the edge of Ciara's bed. "What happened?" Ciara sighed, "Ben saved me. And then Stefan saved me." Hope looked at her incredulously. "First Ben Weston saves you, then Stefan DiMera? What is this world coming to?"
Ciara chuckled slightly under her breath. "Mom, Ben risked his life to save me. He could have died. He…" Ciara and Hope were interrupted by a man's voice, "Hey! Let me in! Ciara's my girlfriend!" Ciara smirked slightly at her boyfriend's antics and chuckled under her breath, "Mom, let Ben in." Hope rolled her eyes and went to the door, "He's good guys."
The cops stepped to the side and Ben ran right up to Ciara. He crouched down and rested his hand on the side of Ciara's head, "Ar-are you okay?! What happened?!" Ciara rested a hand on Ben's shoulder and brought her forehead to his, "I'm okay, now. Thanks to Stefan of all people."
Ben looked at Ciara in confusion. "Stefan didn't tell me what happened; he just left me a voicemail saying I needed to get to the hospital. What happened, baby?" Ciara sighed, "Chase happened. He came into my room and said he was found out I survived and was going to have his way with me. I-I thought it was just in my head again, but next thing I know Stefan hit him over the head with a clipboard." Ben sighed deeply, "Thank god for Stefan." Ciara chuckled slightly, "I never thought I would say this, but I agree. Maybe you're right Ben. MAYBE there's a good part of Stefan."
Ben kissed Ciara's forehead, "I'm just glad he was there." Ben clenched his fists and turned to Hope, "Where's Jennings now?" Hope rested her hand on her forehead, "He was checked out by Kayla and now he's at the station. You're not going anywhere near him." Hope mumbled, "Even if he DOES deserve a necktie." Ciara glared at her mother, "MOM."
Hope sat back down where she was before. "Why didn't you call me when this happened?" Ciara shrugged, "I was a little busy y'know, being unconscious and all." Hope and Ben both glared at Ciara and both said at the same time, "Ciara…"
Ciara chuckled, "It's true. But Mom, even if Ben HAD called, you wouldn't have taken his call." "Well I-if I-ugh! Fine." Ciara smirked slightly.
"Does this mean you'll give Ben a chance? A REAL chance?" Hope put her hands on her hips, "Well I still don't like you, or trust you for that matter. But you DID save my daughter's life and that means something."
Ben looked at Ciara and then to Hope, "If this means you'll stop trying to get me sent to prison, I'll take it!" Ben opened his arms, "Come here MOM." Hope jumped out of the way before Ben could hug her. "Nope too far."
Ciara couldn't help but laugh at her boyfriend and mother. It was a step in the right direction.