This is chapter two of my story. It's titled Departure. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Ben 10 or any of the characters.
"Departure"
Gwen walked up to the oh-so familiar green Camero. She called for the boy working on the underside of the car, Kevin.
"Working here!" Grumbled Kevin. As much as he loved Gwen, there were times when he needed it to be just him and his car.
"Kevin, would you quit it. I actually need to talk to you." Retorted Gwen.
"Fine, but it better be worth my time," he answered as he pulled himself out from under the Camero.
"I'm going to live with Grandma Verdona for a little while. To master my powers."
"You're kidding right?" He said rather sarcastically.
"My decision is final, Kevin."
"What! No Gwen you can't!"
"Kevin, I have to."
"But, Gwen, you'll lose your body."
"I can make a new one."
"Well, what if you lose your humanity."
"It won't happen."
"Kevin, tomorrow morning Grandma Verdona and I leave to start my training as a full Anodite. I'm just asking that you support my decision."
"I don't!" He snapped. "I won't."
"Kevin…" She looked into his hurt eyes and almost broke down, but instead she stood firm and began to speak. "I won't be gone forever."
"So that's it. No discussion?"
She shook her head lethargically.
Kevin just laid there, quietly.
"Look Kevin, the only way we can beat Villian is if I do this!" Gwen screamed. "So please, I can't go without your blessing." She broke down into tears.
Kevin couldn't bear the sight, he stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt. "What's Ben's intake on this?" He said calmly, almost without emotion.
Gwen sniffled as she wiped the tears away. "I-I haven't told him yet. I wanted you to be the first to know."
"Hop in my car, I'll give you a ride to his house."
The two got into the car and Kevin pulled out of his driveway. The car ride was silent. That is until Kevin spoke up.
"I can't lose you Gwen." He said vulnerably.
"I know." She replied.
Those were the only words spoken. The only words that needed to be said, really.
They pulled into Ben's driveway and knocked on his front door. Ben's mother answered.
"Hello Gwen! Kevin. You are welcome to come in. Ben is upstairs."
"Thank you Aunt Sandra." She said as Kevin and her began up the stairs. They knocked on his bedroom door and waited for Ben's approval.
"Come in."
"Ben, I need to talk to you." Gwen sat him down and explained the situation. Ben sat quietly processing the information given to him. He waited for Gwen to finish speaking to speak himself (a first for the trio).
"If that's what you think is best, then I support you."
"What! Not you too." Kevin wasn't prepared for that answer, but he wasn't too surprised either.
"Kevin, we need all the help we can get. If this will make Gwen more powerful, then I trust her," Ben paused, "And so should you."
"Fine. Go Gwen, but I am not happy about it."
"Thank you Kevin!" She said excitedly and then she ran up and hugged him. He couldn't help blushing.
"Why don't you wait in the car? I want to talk to Ben for a little while."
"O-okay." She stuttered as she turned to leave. She was concerned about what Kevin would say or do to Ben that she couldn't hear or see. She closed the door behind her and headed downstairs.
"Really Tennyson? What if she doesn't come back? What if she decides she likes that life better? What if she meets another guy?" He spoke that last part softly and with a little more hesitation.
"That won't happen, Kevin. I meant what I said earlier. I trust her and so should you. She's hasn't done anything for you not to. She loves you." Kevin blushed at the word love. He loved her and he knew she loved him, they just hadn't said it out loud yet.
"Come on Kevin, Gwen is waiting for us. It would mean a lot to her if she could spend her last day here with us."
I'd rather it just be Gwen and me. "Whatever," he answered, regardless of his true thoughts and feelings. He knew that he had to be with Gwen even if it meant that the conceited little runt insisted on tagging along.
The three of them spent the day doing things like spending time at the pier, going to the beach, the occasional butt kicking, and of course drinking plenty of Mr. Smoothies' smoothies. It was almost twelve o'clock at night. Ben went home leaving Gwen and Kevin alone together, finally, at the beach.
"Thank you Kevin. Today was special...in a good way, even if Ben did have to tag along." She said with a smirk while being completely sincere about the first comment.
Kevin let out a smile which promptly faded to a frown. "Things aren't going to be the same from now on, are they?"
She saw his sadness and her smile did the same as his. "Kevin..."
"Are they?" He said reinforcing his previous question.
"Things haven't been what they use to for awhile now."
"What do you mean?" He said looking puzzled.
"We never hang out for fun anymore. Whenever we do hang out it's usually because we're fighting bad guys. And we never ride together in the same car anywhere."
"That's not true."
"Yes it is!"
She might have been exaggerating, but he decided not to push it any further. Arguing with Gwen wouldn't get him anywhere, especially on her last day here.
"Come on, now that we're finally rid of Tennyson, I want to make sure that the rest of tonight is extra special."
"Okay." She let out a breath of relief and smiled, trying to blow past this. Overall, it hadn't gone nearly as bad as it could have.
She leaned in closer to his face and he mimicked the gesture. She could feel the heat radiating off of his face. They moved even closer together, their lips were fully prepared for contact when they were rudely interrupted by the ringing of Gwen's cell phone.
"Hello." Gwen looked directly at Kevin and rolled her eyes. "Hi mom. Yes I know. I'll be home soon. Mom, I know. I'm leaving now. I love you too, mom. Bye."
"You're leaving?"
"I'm sorry, but I have to. She's already mad at me because of the whole living with Grandma, loosing my body thing."
"I understand." Even though he was extremely inwardly aggravated about their moment being ruined and Gwen being taken from him on their last night together.
"Meet me tomorrow morning?"
"I'll be there."
She smiled, pecked him on the cheek, and fled the scene.
Kevin smirked. "What am I going to do without that girl?" He asked himself.
The morning came quickly. Gwen had all her things in a small black bag. Kevin, Ben, and Gwen's parents stood beside her. Gwen's mom held many tissues in her hand and had been sobbing the whole morning. Her father held her mother in his arms. Kevin and Ben kept their tears hidden. Well Kevin did, Ben's a little... softer.
"She should be here any minute now." At that moment, her mom had another brake down.
"Mom, I'm coming back."
"I know dear, but you're gonna become just like-" she was cut off by a flash of purple light followed by the appearance of the elderly lady known as Verdona. "her." she finished.
"Grandma Verdona!" Gwen greeted.
"Kiddo! You ready to go?"
Gwen turned to face Ben. "Good luck with training. And treat Julie well. Tell her I said goodbye and that I'm sorry I didn't get to say it in person. And Ben, take care of Kevin." She gave him a big hug and stepped away.
"I will. Be safe Gwen and good luck to you too." Ben responded with a shaky voice and a face flooding with water.
She then turned toward her parents. "Thank you for letting me go. I'll come home the moment I can. I love you both so much!" She hugged them and backed away.
"We love you too sweet heart. Be careful." Her mom blew her nose and broke down sobbing again.
Finally, she turned to Kevin. "Promise me in five years we will meet back here."
"I promise."
"I love you, Kevin." She kissed him on the lips, gave him one last hug, and pulled away.
"Bye everyone."
"Bye Gwen." They replied in unison. At that moment, she was flashed away, gone.
"I love you too, Gwen," whispered Kevin as he brushed a small tear off his face.
Ben smiled. "Are you crying?" he mocked with a quiver in his voice.
"No!" Kevin quickly redirected his gaze. "What about you 'Waterworks'? You look like you just saw another one of your chick flicks."
So...what did you think? Criticism? Comments? Suggestions? Please comment, rate, review, favorite, and so on.
Thanks for reading my story!