CHAPTER 2: Twisted Emotions.

"What did you just say?" asked Ben, shocked beyond comparison. What HAD Gwen said?? That she loved him, BEN, HER COUSIN??

Hearing the shock in Ben's voice Gwen looked up. " I-I just said that I…." her voice trailed off. Hadn't she just admitted that she loved Ben?? Why, she herself hadn't known that she loved her cousin!! Gwen's senses reeled. So had this been the reason for that queasy feeling she'd been having for days?? Maybe…

"Yeah..." muttered Gwen, "I just said that I…I…" she couldn't continue. A blush crept up her cheeks. Did she really love her cousin? Why yes, she did!! And she had just admitted that!!

"Gwen…"began Ben hesitantly, " I too like you… I mean… we're cousins… but love?? I…I…I've never thought of you in this way…but if you really like me…then…" he couldn't continue any more. Yes, he did love her… and now, he could have given almost anything to get her… but… they were COUSINS…. And he dreaded to even THINK of the consequences that such a relationship could put them into. As much as Ben didn't want to hurt Gwen's emotions, he also didn't want to involve Gwen in a relationship that might hurt HER.

"I'm sorry, Gwen," said Ben, trying to make his voice sound as convincing as he could. " I can completely understand your feelings, but… I'm sorry… I never thought of you in that way…"He couldn't complete his sentence. The expression of intense grief on Gwen's face threw him back. He wanted to take her in his arms, tell her that he loved her as much as she loved him, if not more…

Silently wiping a tear from her face, Gwen climbed down, back to her own bunk. As she pulled the covers over her head, she let the tears flow. In two minutes, she was practically howling. She buried her face into the pillow, not wanting Ben to hear that she was crying. But Ben HAD heard. And it pained him more than anything to hear her cry…FOR HIM…He too loved Gwen, and he was aching to go and tell his cousin that he loved her, loved her from the core of his heart… but…….. He couldn't. He could very well imagine what the consequences of their relationship would be. Their Grandpa would probably throw them out of the RV; their parents- when they got to know- would surely disown them… he couldn't bear to think any more. His eyes welled up, and a muffled sob escaped his lips. Immediately he clamped his hand over his mouth. He didn't want Gwen to hear him crying.

"Ben?" he heard Gwen's voice calling him from below. He quickly steadied himself and answered, "Yeah…what?"

" Ben…" she said softly, " you really don't even like me??"

Ben heard the genuine anguish in her voice. He couldn't bear it any more. Screw the consequences, he thought, let the whole world disown us; our love for each other will take us through it all… He jumped down from his bunk and got into Gwen's bunk. He swept her up into one big hug. " I love you, Gwen… more than you can ever imagine…"

Gwen looked up at Ben, startled. Hadn't Ben said that he didn't think of her in any way other than his cousin?? Then what was he saying right now?? That…that…he loved her?? Before she could utter another word, Ben's lips were on hers, drawing her into a warm, passionate kiss. Without protesting, Gwen deepened the kiss, drawing Ben's body closer to hers. They kissed…and kissed…and kissed…. till they had to stop for breath.

As they drew their lips apart, they stared deeply into each other's eyes. Finally, Gwen broke the stare. "So," she said softly, "What happened to all that 'I never thought of you in this way' stuff?"

Ben sighed. "Never mind," he said, caressing Gwen's face with his hand. He didn't want to spoil the moment by bringing up controversial topics… "I love you… and that's all you need to know right now………………"