I'm feeling so happy today that I decided to post this than sticking to my initial plans. Procrastination is the key :P

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10.

Chapter 3: Of Ordinary Life and Fabrications

"All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream."

–A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe

Ben woke up screaming. It took him awhile to compose himself before he notice his utterly colourless surroundings. White walls, high ceiling, a bed centered in the rectangular room, bolted to the floor and a door to his right. Ben immediately rush to open it. A small washroom was present; a circular mirror was perfectly leveled with his height and below was a small sink. Beside the sink was a toilet and a shower head next to it. It wasn't what he was hoping, but it was the second thing he needed. He ran to the toilet and started releasing all the contents in his stomach. He didn't know what the hell happened, but he felt like dog shit. Humour unintended. Ben quickly clean himself before slamming the door and retreating back to the bed as he analyze his situation.

He stare at the blank walls and reasoned that he could just go Hero and bust out of wherever this was. Seriously he wasn't even scared seeing as this was practically normal for him. As he was about to activate his Omnitrix, his face paled considerably discovering that the alien watch wasn't stationed to his wrist. First thing that came into mind was pure shock, then denial and before long, panic. How did they even take it from him?!

He didn't have the Omnitrix with him… What the hell was going on?! He was wearing a white hospital gown for Godsake! He was definitely going to beat the crap out of the bastard who put, 'Ben Tennyson', into a freakin' hospital gown. To add to his current hatred, the place looks exactly like an asylum for the criminally insane.

How did he know that? He visited prisons and mental institutions more than he would have liked. Not because he was one…no never! It was for the purpose of investigating escaped villains. However, the difference was that it seems brand new, a never before used cell. Then he remembered the mirror… and everything clicked like a puzzle. This place was made for him… He was in deep shit. But he optimistically reasoned that whatever these aliens were trying to do can't be as bad as situations he faced before… Ben calm himself before switching into his Hero persona.

The last thing he remembered was entering his room after driving Julie home… Then he noticed a dark shadow lingering in his room before the eerily glow of the moon casted light to reveal… Himself? No wait, maybe he was recalling it wrong… It wasn't Albedo that's for sure. The guy was dressed all in black looking identical to him. Ben squeezed his eyes shut as a disjointed memory of "This might sting a bit." His other-self smiled in glee. Ben too stunned, reacted late and a feeling of electrocution overwhelmed him. Before he fainted, Ben witnessed a terrifying smirk that was his…but not him as the voice similar to his spoke in cold cruelty.

"Now suffer my despair."

And the next thing he knew he was here, surrounded by white, without his Omnitrix. Suddenly a great realization slammed into him like a laser blast.

Wait! Is Gwen and Kevin in danger?! Were they also kidnapped? Are they here? Trapped like him? Most importantly, who was that guy?! What the hell is going on? And before long the only thought that consumed him was:

I need to save Gwen!

Kevin knew something was wrong when he saw on an early Friday morning Gwen and Ben exiting her house in a cheerful manner. Yesterday was normal for the cousins, today not so much. He would have expected the huge fight to last a couple of days, at most 2 weeks so that he could spend some 'alone time' with his girlfriend. It was selfish of him to even consider benefiting from their fight, but who could blame him when Ben never stops meddling? Always sticking close to his cousin to a level that was beyond abnormal. Was it even normal for cousins to be hanging around each other so much? He never had cousins or experienced familial relations, but even to someone like him, knew cousins don't usually stick together every, single, fucking, day! Like seriously? Does no one notice?

Kevin was a person who doesn't care about the tiny, small details in things; however, he started to notice these insignificant, inconspicuous details before he knew why it began.

And Kevin usually trust his instincts. So far, his observations tells him Gwen just worry about Ben a little too much, while Ben was a little too protective of her. Was that normal familial thinking? Kevin really didn't know so he continued to act oblivious as he label it as his paranoia.

But then came the stuff that wasn't.

Every time he invited Gwen for a date (meaning without her cousin) Ben just somehow has his ways and in the end it becomes a 'group thing' or what Ben refers to as 'a double date'. Sometimes, (when he was really frustrated) he considered the only reason why Ben decided to get a girlfriend was so he could solely use the excuse of making it a double date... His thoughts were interrupted as he notice Ben getting into his car.

"Tennyson, what the hell do you think you're doing?" He announce his distaste.

"Sorry Kevin but can you give Ben a ride too? His car ran out of gas just as he got here." Gwen replied for Ben. The guy just stare at his cousin the whole time.

What a coincidence! Kevin roll his coal eyes.

"I thought you were still mad at him for what he did yesterday Gwen." Kevin spoke reasonably, ignoring the analytical glare Ben was sending him. What the heck was his problem? Today Ben wasn't even trying to be subtle and the day hasn't even started!

"It's alright now Kevin. Ben apologized to me yesterday. So since we're both going to the same school it's not a bother right? Just like old times?" Gwen gave a genuine smile to which Kevin couldn't refuse. He noted that it must have been some apology for Gwen to actually forgive Ben for the shit he pulled yesterday. By no means was that fight small. Gwen was serious yesterday. But, for her to side with the guy today… What the heck did Ben do? Damn he was curious.

"Whatever. Both of you get in."

Once they did, which took quite a while seeing as Ben oddly insist he sits in the front and Kevin obviously against it. Their bickering intensified until Gwen arbitrate her willingness to sit in the back because they were about to be late for school. Kevin wasn't happy, but still complied because breaking Gwen's perfect attendance record was never a smart idea.

As always, Tennyson gets his ways.

After that whole mess was settled, the drive was uncomfortably quiet. It was broken due to Kevin's overwhelming curiosity.

"So Tennyson, what did you pulled for Gwen to forgive you so fast? Must be a world record this time!" He joked trying to ease the tension in his car.

"Kevin I'm not that bad." Gwen helped the situation with a playful pout on her face.

"No, I'm seriously shocked that you guys made up so fast. The world must be ending!" He laughed.

"I gave her flowers and a present." Ben interrupted the couple.

Kevin's coal eyes went wide as a saucer at the person beside him. Said person just continued to look ahead all the while having a confident, winning smirk on his face.

"…Even for you Tennyson that's a little too much don't you think?" Kevin teased. However, his emotions were in turmoil. His paranoia was back, more annoying than ever.

There was no answer so Kevin glance back at Gwen only to witness her blushing in fond memories. He knew he had to break whatever this was, now.

"So Gwen, are we still up for this weekend?" He caught Ben's full attention; the guy didn't look at him, but there was a flash of something that shifted in Ben's facial features before it was replace with a blank expression, his jade eyes unreadable.

"Yeah…" Gwen glanced down, her ears red and her voice shy.

"What are you two doing this weekend?" Kevin was getting good at reading between the lines, recognizing the unseen, discreet details that others wouldn't get. Would never understand when it comes to these cousins. Ben's voice portrayed curiosity, his face carefree. However, the innocence he was displaying never fooled Kevin. Ben's eyes were gleaming dark pool of anything but curiosity and innocent.

"Just stuff Tennyson." Kevin's instincts were kicking in, warning him he was in dangerous territories. He needed to avoid this conversation at all cost. Why he even bothered to announce this information to the green menace next to him was solely based on male dominance. He couldn't let the guy pull one over him! It was an unspoken rule for a man's pride and whoever dared to trespass his territories. Then a horrifying idea sunk in… Ben's current behaviours show unusual possessiveness over his own cousin—No. Just no. He was being stupid…

"Alright then. So… Are you two up to having a sleep over at my house today?"

And behold Ben is up to his old tricks and cunning tactics again. Wait, what?!

"Gwen already is." Ben added.

"She is?"

"I am?"

Both said simultaneously. Then they both looked at each other, more like Kevin was trying to look at her and the road at the same time. Tennyson was definitely plotting something…

"Yeah, I thought you knew Gwen! I asked your parents and they agreed."

"They did? How did you manage to pull that off? When was this?" Gwen inquired in curiosity.

"This morning during breakfast when you were still upstairs. Did they tell you about the spa thing?"

"Yeah. So the reason you were at breakfast today was because of that?"

"Yup, they told me it would be safer for us both to stay together at one of our houses so that…" The two occupants in the car caught the pause in Ben's voice before he continued cheerfully with a, "Grandpa could hang with us for the rest of the weekend before they get back. But since you have plans with Kevin tomorrow, Grandpa and I can hang out together."

"I-I'm so sorry Ben, I completely forgot!" Gwen uttered in shock.

"It's cool. We all can be together on Sunday evening or something." Ben said with a fond smile as he gaze into Gwen's eyes trying to reassure her.

Kevin decided not to comment. He was too busy figuring out Ben's motive. Usually, the Ben he knew would complain and make this into a big deal until Gwen gave in and cancel whatever plans she had with him, especially if it was this good of an excuse. Gwen loves her grandfather and they all knew it.

"So Kevin, you coming?"

Before parking his car at the school's entrance Kevin replied, "Yeah, I'm definitely going. See you guys after school and have fun in educational prison!" He joked and drove off. Whatever Ben was scheming… This time Kevin wasn't going to let it happen. He needed to get home and prepare for his counter-attack, then start cleaning his house, stocking up on food, hiding things… all in preparation for tomorrow!

Today was weird. To say the least the morning was sort of normal (the abnormal part was that there wasn't any alien attacks) until she heard the latest rumours about her cousin. Now that Ben was a celebrity, it wasn't a surprise that most of the gossips revolve around him. The popular ones were all extremely exaggerated. However, the ones today were even more ridiculous than the exaggerated ones! Ben's popularity was skyrocketing, while her reputation was collapsing.

"Hey there spaz-attack. You were great yesterday!" Britney Anderson from the cheer squad shouted across the cafeteria while laughing with her peers.

Yes, that's right. She completely forgotten about what had happened yesterday. The event where she made a complete fool of herself on Live Television. Not to mention putting herself on the most hated list of Ben's super fans. Yes, Ben apparently has a fan base… She still couldn't wrap her head around it.

Gwen was broken out of her trance when Julie waved her hands in front of Gwen's face. The Asian girl was seated across from her. Today was a rare occurrence where Julie didn't have her tennis meeting during lunch.

"Ignore them." Julie said with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah… Sorry what were you saying?"

"It's Ben." She sighed.

"You know how I told you I had a talk with him yesterday. We agreed to go together so he wouldn't make it worse when he apologize. But, not only did he left me waiting this morning making me late for first period, he didn't even bother informing me that you guys had already made up! He should at least have the decency to let me know than leave me hanging like that. The nerves of that guy. And after we had 'The Talk' too! Gwen you're too lenient with him!" Julie angrily declared.

Gwen didn't tell Julie how Ben apologized seeing as she felt…Guilty? She didn't know why she felt guilty so she avoided the topic like the plague. Therefore, she decided to give Julie an empathic and thankful expression before jokingly said, "Now you know what I have to deal with."

They both stare at each other before both burst into fits of laugher.

"Really Gwen? How do you handle it?" Julie wipe a teardrop from her eye.

"I ignore it and move on with my life that how! Julie, if you get a dime for every time Ben does something wrong, I guarantee you would be a millionaire by now." Gwen joked.

"Then you must be a billionaire Gwen!"

They both started giggling. Somehow Julie possess the ability to make all her worries disappear. Gwen was glad Ben found himself such a great girlfriend. One that's so patience, understanding and was mature enough to deal with his cocky personality! She was relief they were such good friends.

All of a sudden the cafeteria was louder than ever.

"OMG Ben! You're finally here." Britney broadcasted.

Multiple girls and guys cheered at his arrival.

This could only mean… Oh god, as if Ben's ego needed more of a push in the wrong direction. Gwen was mentally preparing herself for the usual. Thus, meaning that her cousin would utterly disregard her and everyone else as he acts like he owned the place.

"Gwen don't worry. I'll give him a piece of my mind." Julie said in encouragement.

Julie didn't know how worse Ben was during lunch seeing as she always had to attend her tennis club meetings. But Gwen still nodded appreciating the encouragement.

Then she heard the shock and surprise whispers around her. Gwen turned to the source of the uproar. Everyone expected Ben to head straight to Britney. However, the surprise came due to the fact that Ben Tennyson was directing his attention towards her. Usually he would head straight to the 'popular table' fully equipped with V.I.P treatments. Today, he was completely ignoring Britney (who was the lead cheerleader and most popular girl in school) and the obvious eyes of admiration, attraction and jealousy from students who were in the cafeteria, or arriving to the place because he was there. Ben effortlessly disregard all of it to sit beside her. Next, came the envious glares and curious eyes directed at her table. Cue in the comments:

"Hey, why isn't he sitting with his girlfriend?"

"Maybe they got into a fight? Think he's free?"

"Hopefully he's single now."

"I thought the cousins were fighting? Wasn't it on T.V. yesterday?"

"Yeah and it's all over the newspapers today dude."

"So why sit with her over his girlfriend when they hate each other?"

"Don't know, but wow its super awkward."

And the whisperings continued. She wasn't deaf and definitely wasn't blind to the eyes lingering on their table. She knew Julie wasn't either. The Asian girl was doing a much better job at ignoring their audience than she was. She didn't like how people watched them like an entertaining soap opera. But more importantly, why wasn't Ben sitting with Julie or on his knees apologizing?!

"Hey Gwen."

"Hey yourself." Julie interrupted. Face in a frown and arms crossed.

Ben turned to Julie and for a second Gwen notice her cousin looking at Julie like he didn't even recognize his own girlfriend. For that matter, only realizing that the Asian girl was there now. However, it was soon replace with a grin.

"Hi Julie."

"You. Is that all you have to say to me?" Julie was seriously starting to look pissed.

Gwen elbowed Ben on his side and hissed, "Apologize doofus!"

Ben somehow brightened happily at the childish insult before replying, "Sorry?" He said it in such an innocent way that outsiders wouldn't understand why he was apologizing.

Julie stood up ready to unleash her anger when Ben asked, "Anyways, do you wanna come to my house today to play the new release of Super Sumo Slammer 2?"

Julie was shock speechless. "That's not even release yet! Not for another month… How did you…?" She trailed off.

"Well, I have my ways. So want to?" He grinned.

Julie at this point forgetting her previous anger slowly nod.

Gwen noted that Ben was surprising good at handling these types of situations lately. The other party didn't even have time to get angry. Therefore, if Julie didn't voice anymore complaints, Gwen couldn't back her friend up. After all, it's not her place to.

"Alright. Time to fess up Ben." Gwen announce.

Ben glanced at her, giving his usual trademark grin.

"What do you mean?"

Gwen looked at him annoy before stating, "Today and yesterday evening you started acting more than just strange; it's abnormal. What's going on? Why are rumours about you beating the school's aces in P.E. spreading like wildfire? In addition, you correcting a math question during an exam?! Impossible. Or how about volunteering yourself for the bake sell in fundraising for mental health awareness?! You can't even cook for yourself…much less bake! What's going on Ben?" Concern was written on Gwen's face. Julie nodded along in absolute agreement.

"Nothing. Is it that weird for me to do all those things?"

"YES!" The two girls said in harmony.

"Ben, I even heard you signed up for the school's science fair!" Julie stated in disbelief.

"He did?" Gwen's eyes were saucers.

"What? It seems like fun." Ben shrugged.

The two girls were both speechless until a certain cheerleader and her groupie impose on the trio.

"Ben stop hanging around these lose…uh people and sit with us." Britney said it in such a sweet girly voice that it made Gwen want to throw herself off a skyscraper.

Ben stared at the most popular girl in school as she flip her hair while flapping her eyelashes up and down.

"Who are you again?" He said in disinterest.

Gwen's eyes were wide, Julie was wider. But Britney's eyes were larger than the galaxy's biggest planet. Her utter shock was priceless.

Gwen couldn't contain her laugher anymore and burst into giggles. Man, did that make her day! Ben of all people said that to the girl he had a major crush on before he dated Julie. Wow, how times have change.

Britney glared hatefully at Gwen before storming off with her groupie.

The entire audience was speechless. Some even gaping like a fish out of water while others were in disbelief. "Did that seriously just happened?"

Then the whisperings increased tenfold as Gwen just continued giggling.

"Julie I don't know what you did yesterday, but great job!" Gwen cheered.

"Y-yeah…" Julie was surprise herself.

"And I don't get any compliments?" Ben teasingly joked.

"Ben you seriously made my day! It was great seeing that expression on her face! I feel like I'm dreaming…" Gwen smile fondly at him.

"Glad I was of service." He easily trace her scarlet hair back and leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Gwen's heart was rapidly beating, feeling his breath tickling her. The way he said it send delightful shivers down her spine making her face tomato red.

"Gwen, to me you and this life seems like a dream within a dream."

Julie witnessed every single second of it across the cafeteria table.

If this chapter was slow for you, let me say that it was necessary to set the plot of the story into action. The purpose was to mainly develop Kevin and Julie and how they would act later. It's like a solid base that supports the pyramid ;)

R&R