Chapter 3: Nightfall

I Don't Own Ben 10 Or Any Of The Characters

Author's Note:

* Hello and welcome to chapter three! In this chapter, we'll see the night of Christmas Eve fully flesh out.

* In this chapter, the awkward tension between Ben and Gwen will be very noticeable. I can say that for sure. The scenes in this chapter will range from Christmas Eve dinner to opening presents and then to just the end of the night.

* A lot of you might be wondering why this story is called "Cold Winter's Night" and so if you are, I'll tell you now. It's called "Cold Winter's Night", because for reasons that you will find out in this chapter, Ben and Gwen are stuck in his house for the entire night. And it is a cold night. So, there. That's it. If any of you wondered what the title meant, now you know.

* Anyway, on with the chapter!

Ben

Why had I kissed her?

I don't know. I had no idea why kissed her. I guess it just felt right. Although to Gwen, it obviously didn't feel right. And now she was off to go tattle on me.

What are we, five? We're way over tattling on each other. I was hoping that she wouldn't mention anything to her parents. I don't see why she would, she's practically an adult, like me.

I headed up the stairs to the dining room to get ready to eat. Gwen was the only one in there when I got in. As soon as she saw me, her face went pale and she quickly walked out of the room.

I let out a sigh as she left. I stood there for a while, until mom came up to me.

"You can set the table while you're waiting, Ben." she said. "That would be quite nice."

I wanted to object, but I had no choice. I went around the table, setting down all of the plates, followed by silverware, cups and napkins. Next I was tasked with moving the bowls of side dishes onto the table.

About five to ten minutes later, everyone was in the room and getting slices of ham from the platter and putting it on their plate. Gwen had already sat down at the table with her plate. I wanted to test just how uncomfortable she was around me now.

So, I took my plate and sat across the table from her. Her faced reddened, but she didn't do anything. Eventually, just as her mother sat down, she got up to move to a different spot of the table, I assumed.

"Hey, where are you going?" her mom asked.

"Um, nowhere." she said, before sitting back down.

Dinner was as awkward as one could imagine. Every time I looked up at Gwen or she looked at me, the other would quickly look back down at their plate.

Jesus, I have got some explaining to do, haven't I? I must have really messed up this time. But there was no way that she'd tell her parents, right? We're nearly adults, now! No, she has to keep it to herself.

I ate in silence and so did Gwen. The rest of the table was much more lively. Fathers talked about work. Mothers talked about the upcoming New Years party, what to cook, if we should have a theme, blah, blah, blah. And Ken chimed in every now and again. For the most part, I tuned them all out.

Dinner was over in fifteen to twenty minutes. Gwen volunteered for dish duty. And I volunteered to help her. I knew she didn't like standing with me after what I had done. Kissing her. But we were silent. No interaction was between us, except when I passed her a dish that had been rinsed and needed to be sat with the other clean dishes.

After we were done, we just stood in the kitchen, having time left over. She stood with her back to the counter. She tapped her foot on the tile floor with impatience. She looked at me with a look of intent in her eyes, as she tapped her finger on her chin.

"What?" I asked.

She finally let out a sigh of anger. She stepped forward and angrily grabbed me by my shirt, pulling me along as she walked towards the hallway to the basement stairs.

"Ow, ow! Gwen! Hang on!" I said, as she dragged me down the stairs.

Once we were downstairs, she plopped me down on the floor and stared down at me.

"Why the hell did you kiss me?!" she asked with anger.

I stood up and she cautiously backed up.

"Gwen, please." I said, as I gently placed my hands on her shoulders. "Listen to yourself. Is it really not obvious? You are beautiful! Possibly the most beautiful girl that I've ever seen."

She looked at me with surprise. She didn't blush. She didn't smile. She didn't take it as a compliment, which didn't surprise me.

"I mean, look at you." I said, as I gently touched her face. "Your amazing green eyes, your luscious fiery red hair, your-"

"Ben, snap out of it!" she exclaimed, as she smacked my cheek, causing me to let go of her.

I felt my face, as I snapped out of whatever phase I was in. I looked at her and she looked back at me, with a bit of a concerned look.

"I'm so sorry, Gwen! I have no idea what I was thinking!" I exclaimed, as I put my hands over my eyes. "Oh my God, what the hell was I thinking?! I have a girlfriend!"

"Ben! Gwen! What are you doing down there?!" I heard my mother call. "It's present time!"

Gwen put her hand on my shoulder and I turned to face her.

"We never speak of this to anyone? You hear me?" she asked.

No she didn't ask, she just basically told me.

"Yeah. Okay." I said, as she walked past me.

"Good. I better not hear of this again." she said.

I watched her go, before following a few seconds later.

Forty Five Minutes Later

I sat in the spot that I usually sat in while I opened my Christmas presents. We were all done opening the presents that we had all gotten one another. Tomorrow was the big present day.

Opening a few presents on Christmas Eve was just a tradition that we did every year, since we all couldn't be together on Christmas Day. I will admit that I was slightly disappointed. I only got three presents. Ken got me a twenty five dollar card to Gamestop.

Thanks Ken, for taking the cheap route. This will be enough to buy, oh, I don't know, a used game?

And Gwen's parents? Uncle Frank and Aunt Natalie? They got me fifty dollars and a book that they said is a classic. Moby Dick. I was aware that it was a classic. But I was also aware that Moby Dick was long, complex and difficult to read. So, it wasn't like I'd actually read it.

I hadn't gotten a present from Gwen. So I was more or less disappointed by the outcome. Once everyone was done with the present opening, I went to my room to be alone for a while.

I was just staring outside my window, at the fresh snow falling. I heard a light tap on my door.

"Come on in." I said out loud.

The door opened and Gwen came in, closing the door behind her.

"How you doing?" she asked, as she stepped up to my bed.

I shrugged, as I scooted over, offering her the space next to me.

"I'm okay, I guess." I said.

"You seemed kind of bummed out after we finished with the presents." she remarked, as she sat down.

"God, am I really that easy to read?" I asked.

She smirked at me.

"Ben, I'll always be able to read you. Except when you kissed me." she said. "I didn't see that coming."

"I thought we weren't talking about that?" I asked.

"You're right, you're right." Gwen said. "Sorry."

We sat in silence for a minute or two more.

"Well, we're leaving soon. So here." she said.

I turned to look at her. She was handing me a package wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper.

"After that thing between us, I decided you didn't deserve a present from me." she said, as I took it from her. "I now realize that it was a shitty thing for me to do. I'm sorry, Ben."

I placed the present on the bed and got up.

"Thanks." I said, as I walked over to my bookshelf, where I had hid her present. "Let's call it even."

"Ben?" she asked with confusion.

"Merry Christmas, Gwen." I said, as I handed her the present.

She took the present with shock, as I sat back down next to her. She looked up at me, I guess waiting for me to tell her it was just a prank or something, and saw I was serious. She looked back down and opened up the present, eventually gasping with shock.

"My favorite book, signed by the author herself?" she asked, as she looked up at me. "Ben, how did you know?"

I shrugged.

"Your favorite author was in town for a book signing. So, I asked my mom if there were any books that you'd want signed." I said. "She mentioned that one and well, the rest is as they say, history."

"Ben... I don't know what to say." she said, with a bewildered look in her eyes.

"Then don't say anything. If you're speechless, that's good enough for me." I said, as I smiled.

We just sat there for a while, before she spoke again.

"Aren't you going to open your present?" Gwen asked.

I was brought back to my senses after she had said that.

"Right." I said, as I picked it up off of the bed.

I began to unwrap the package until on the paper was gone. It was a copy of Halo 4.

"Huh. I considered the series to be over after Bungie left." I said, as I flipped the case over to look at the back.

"What is Bungie?" Gwen asked.

"Oh, it's the company that produced Halo games. They stopped after Halo: Reach came out, that was their final game." I explained. "I didn't have high expectations for 343 Industries, the new company. I didn't really plan on getting the game."

"So, you don't want it." Gwen said, as she looked down.

I was surprised she said that.

"No, I was considering buying it after a while. I'll give it a play through. I-I- Thanks, Gwen." I said, as I placed the game down and smiled at her.

"I'd hug you, but after the uh, you know, it's kind of awkward." she said.

"No, no. I understand." I said.

We sat there for a while in silence. She eventually got up to leave.

"Well, thanks for the present, Ben. I think we're heading out soon." she said.

At that moment, my door opened. My Mom poked her head in.

"Gwen, bad news, dear. The driveway is completely frozen over." she said. "Your dad can't get out of the driveway. It's looking like you're going to have to stay here for the night."

"Okay..." Gwen said.

"If you'll come here, your mother wants to talk to you." she said.

After that, Gwen left and I was alone again. After a while, my door opened again. I looked up to see Gwen standing there.

"Well, what's the word?" I asked.

"Since when do you talk like that?" she asked.

I shrugged.

"So, what's going on?" I asked.

"Ken and I are going back to my house to get pajamas and things." she said. "You want to come with? You could be a help to us."

"Sure." I said, getting up from my bed and grabbing my winter jacket from my closet. "What else am I going to do?"

I put on my jacket and walked out into the hallway with her.

Five Minutes Later

After collecting Ken, the three of us went outside and started the journey to Gwen and Ken's house, which was a good four or five blocks away.

"Come on, guys." I said, as Ken and Gwen walked slower than me, as well as being behind me. "It's only snowing lightly right now, but it's going to get worse. Our parents told us about the blizzard that's supposed to hit in the next few hours. I don't want to take any chances."

They didn't say anything as I picked up my pace. I could hear them talking behind me, but I didn't know what they were talking about.

"So, uh, Ken? How are things going for you guys?" I asked.

I didn't get an answer.

"Guys? Guys?" I asked, as I turned around to see them balance walking on the edge of the curb. "What on Earth are you two doing?"

"Winning a bet." Ken said, as he continued to walk and maintain balance.

"You wish." Gwen said, as she did the same, walking on the edge of the curb behind Ken.

Even though I was confused, I couldn't help but laugh at them as they continued walking along the edge.

It could always be like this. As long as I don't mess it up again, I thought to myself.

My thoughts were interrupted, as Gwen began to stumble a little. She tried to recover, but eventually saved herself by just stepping off of the curb and onto the street.

Ken began laughing.

"Well? It looks like I won!" he said. "So, where's my prize?"

Gwen looked at him for a second with annoyance for a few seconds. Eventually, she sighed and stepped up to him.

"Fine." she said, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a peppermint candy can, handing it to him. "You can have my candy cane."

"Thank you." Ken said, as she took it from him.

"All of that for a candy cane?!" I exclaimed.

Gwen looked at me in confusion, with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Yeah. Does it matter?" she asked.

I just laughed to myself as I turned around.

"Let's just get to the house." I said, as I walked away, continuing to chuckle.

Sometime Later

Ken and I stood in his room. He was grabbing a few pairs of pants, pajama pants and shirts, just in case the blizzard that's coming blocks off their way home for more than one night. He was also getting his toothbrush and other hygiene stuff.

"So, uh, how are you guys doing here?" I asked.

Ken didn't respond at first as he went on his way packing his duffel bag.

"Eh, we're okay. I guess. College is going great." he finally responded. "I'm heading into second semester of my Sophomore year. Gwen's private school has changed it's curriculum, not to Mom and Dad's liking. She's transferring to your school at the start of the new semester."

"Wait, she is?" I asked.

He turned to face me.

"Yeah. Did she not tell you?" he asked.

"No, she didn't." I said.

Ken turned back to his bag.

"Well, Mom made it a point to tell Gwen to tell you that she was transferring to your school." he said. "Maybe she forgot."

"No, I don't think that's the case. You guys weren't going to stay if it weren't for the impending blizzard." I said. "She could have told me when we talked earlier, and she didn't. My take? She doesn't want to tell me."

Ken shrugged as he continued packing.

Some Hours Later

We got back home okay. Everyone had warm clothes for the night, which was all and good. Gwen and Ken were taking the guest room, which had a bed. Ken said he could make a pallet of blankets on the floor for himself, no problem.

Their parents were sleeping in the living room, on the pull out couch. So no one had to give up their room. I was happy about that. There was no way I was giving up my room. Right now, the three of us, being Ken, Gwen and I were downstairs.

Ken and I were trying the co-op campaign on Halo 4, while Gwen read the book that I had gotten her.

"Watch out, you have an Elite coming up on your left." Ken said, as he fired at an incoming unit of Grunts.

"Thanks, dude." I said, as I disposed of the unwanted enemy.

After a few more seconds of silence, Ken spoke again.

"The art style has definitely changed. It's not like Bungie did their art style." he said.

"Yeah, I'm not sure if I like 343's art style." I said, as I scratched my neck. "It looks too... real."

"I don't think I could have said it better myself." Ken said, as we continued playing.

I felt sorry for Gwen. What if we were making her feel left out? She had barely said three words to either of us. I paused the game and looked at her.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Ken asked.

I ignored him, and began to talk to Gwen.

"Gwen, do you want to play, too?" I asked.

"You're wasting your time, dude." Ken said. "She's a girl, she's not into video games."

I was about to speak to Gwen again, but she finally spoke.

"You boys have your stupid video games and I have my book. I'm fine." she said.

"But you're the one who bought me the game!" I said.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Look, you guys just play your games and I'll be here reading my book." she said. "We do that, and we'll get along fine."

Ken and I exchanged glances at each other, before shrugging and going back to the game.

Night

Around 9:45 P.M.

Everyone had gone to bed maybe an hour and a half ago. I wasn't really tired when I went to my room for the night. So, after getting into my pajama pants and a long sleeved shirt, I turned on the T.V. to watch A Christmas Story as I fell asleep.

Everyone got at least two blankets on their beds, as it was supposed to get really cold tonight. If it wasn't enough, we were told spare blankets was in the hallway closet. I was curious to see how much it had snowed and well, to say that it snowed would be putting it lightly.

Before getting into bed, I looked out my bedroom window and saw that there was fresh snow on the ground. I couldn't even see the ground to begin with. And it was still snowing! I could tell because the street lights illuminated the falling snowflakes.

As I laid in bed, slowly growing more and more drowsy, the light of the T.V. illuminated the room and I saw the door to my room slowly opening, followed by a creaking sound. I shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I heard the shuffle of footsteps coming towards my bed. They stopped there.

"Ben?" I heard Gwen quietly call out. "Are you awake?"

I slowly opened my eyes, to give the impression that she had woken me up. She was standing over me, right next to my bed, wearing pajama pants that looked like they were made of a really thin clothe, and a sleeveless shirt.

"Gwen?" I asked in a confused voice. "What is it?"

"I'm cold." she said, as she had her arms folded onto her chest, hugging herself, trying to warm herself up.

Maybe you wouldn't be cold if you were wearing pajama pants made of a thicker clothe, and if you wearing a long sleeved shirt like me.

That's what I wanted to say. But of course I didn't say it. I didn't want to start another quarrel with Gwen.

"Why don't you just go get a blanket from the closet?" I asked, as I yawned.

"I don't want to go get a blanket, I don't want to make noise and wake someone up." she said, as she stepped closer to the bed. "I want to sleep with you."

"What the hell?" I asked.

"Please, Ben? Just so I can warm myself back up?" she asked, giving me puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

I wanted to say no and brush her off. It would be so awkward after that mishap in the basement. But, what choice did I have? I would have to say yes. She was cold and she was asking for something that would give her warmth.

"Please?" she asked, leaning down to look at me in the eyes, giving me those same puppy dog eyes.

I let out a sigh.

"You left my door open. Go back and close it." I said, as I threw the covers back a little bit.

"Thank you, Ben!" she replied.

"Shh!" I hushed her. "It's all well and good, just keep it down."

She went back to close my door and when she came back, I began to scoot over in my overly large bed. But she did something I wasn't anticipating. She laid down directly on top of me!

"Gwen, what the hell?!" I whispered.

"I can't get warm while lying beside you, I need to be on top of you!" she whispered back, a blush on her cheeks visible.

"Okay, that's fine. Sorry." I whispered, as I used my remote to shut off the T.V. I put the remote on my night stand.

She rested her head on my chest, the top of her head touching my chin. My heart was pounding a million miles per second right now.

"Gwen, if you ever tell anyone about this, I swear I'll-" I began to whisper, but she interrupted.

"No, I won't tell. I promise. I won't ever tell." she whispered back.

That made me feel a little better, but not by much. I decided to try to go to sleep now, just get the night over with.

Gwen

I wasn't completely lying. I was actually cold. But that wasn't exactly why I asked to sleep with him. I shifted, pretending to be asleep. I felt him move a little in response to this and couldn't help but smile in response.

This must be really weird for him and I kind of felt sorry for him. I just needed an answer.

Ben

Gwen had to be asleep by now. I gently placed my hand on her back and she didn't respond to it.

This is so weird, her sleeping with me. So, if that's the case, then why does it feel right?

Author's Note:

* And so, that's it for this chapter! I am sorry it took so long, I've been really busy lately since the last chapter came out. I hope that this chapter is received better than the last two were.

* How are things between Ben and Gwen? Any comments that any of you guys want to make on their relationship as of now? One thing I will ask you guys: What do you think Gwen needs an answer to?

* The next chapter will have another time jump, (well, actually, most of the story is time jumps) but this time we're only jumping a week into Ben's future. So a week after Christmas is when the next chapter is taking place.

* One last thing: I was originally going to use this time to go off on a tangent about some of the "errors" in this story. But, I decided it wasn't worth my time. So, I decided against it. That's pretty much all I have. I'm going to go though, so have a fantastic day and, bye.