Disclaimer: I don't own Dollhouse. Author's Note: So, if your still reading this after my little, um, surprise..Last chapter...Then your like my favorite person. Love you guys for reading this! Please review.
Chapter Seven,
"She saved your life, you know?" Topher told Bennett quietly, after she'd made some remark or other about Echo.
"Sometimes I wish she hadn't." Bennett said softly, staring out the window of the long, black limo they were driving in. She was wearing a black sweater and a black skirt. She looked absolutely miserable.
"Bennett..." Topher's voice was sad and hurt and scared. He was scared for his friend, for the girl he loved. She hadn't been the same since what had happened to James. "Don't say that, please?" He pleaded.
"Do you want me to lie, Topher? I'm perfectly happy, everything's great!" She said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. She looked out the window again. It was a sunny day, the sky was blue and there wasn't a cloud in sight. It didn't fit the mood of everyone on their way to the funeral.
They'd arrived back in L.A. that day, they decided since they were moving there it would be the best place to bury James. They had been the closest thing to a family he had had.
Topher didn't say another word. He hated seeing Bennett this way, but what could he possibly do to help? There was nothing, he was sure.
After a very long silence, Topher ventured to say, "I just miss you, you're not even Bennett anymore."
"Sorry, Topher, but that Bennett died with the little boy, why don't we make it a double funeral?" She said, her words were ice. She really wasn't her anymore.
Every single word she spoke cut into Topher like glass. He trembled slightly, and looked out the window. He didn't dare say anything else, because he was afraid of the reply he would receive.
What seemed like an eternity later, the limo stopped at the cemetery. Topher stepped out of the limo, feeling almost relieved to be out of a closed space with just him and Bennett. He loved her, but every moment in that limo just hurt them both. They were falling apart. Topher offered his hand to help Bennett out of the car, but she didn't accept it. He pretended to be unaffected by this act of coldness.
It was nothing more then a tiny graveside service, thought James was a child that deserved something so much grander then that. The only people there were Topher, Bennett, a couple of people from the Dollhouse, including Adelle, Boyd, Miriam, Ivy and Paul. Most of whom hadn't even known James, but had come just to show Bennett and Topher their support. Echo would have come, but they'd all decided it wasn't the best idea, considering the state Bennett was in. The only other people who were there that weren't part of the Dollhouse were a couple of people from James' old orphanage.
The service was short, and the few people who had come were eager to hurry away. The people from the orphanage disappeared the first, and the others from the Dollhouse decided it was best to give the people who had known James a little space.
Slowly, Boyd, Miriam, Ivy and Paul all got into another limo. Adelle paused on her way to join them to give Topher a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. He appreciated it.
She then followed the others to the limo.
Topher was left standing with Bennett for a moment, before she said to him, "Why don't you just go? I don't need you to stay here." Her voice was as if she was commanding him to leave her, and he turned to go, but then he paused and thought for a moment.
"No." He said, stopping and returning to her side.
"What?" She asked, surprised and frustrated.
"I cared about James too, okay? I cared! And I care about you! And all your doing is pushing me away. If you hate me so much, then you don't have to stay. I can handle the dolls myself. But stop treating me like this Bennett, because I'm hurting too! But for once, I'm trying to be the grown up -which is hard for me!- because I feel like I need to be strong for you! So stop freaking out at me all the time, stop pushing me away when I help you! If you really don't want me around, then you can just leave!"
"Maybe I will leave!" She said, glaring at Topher.
The moment of bravery was gone. "No-No. Please don't...Bennett please--" He broke off when he saw a woman standing a couple of yards away. She was clothed in black. Topher didn't recognize her.
Bennett did recognize her, however. It was Alison. Bennett was ready to rush forward and attack the woman, but Topher grabbed her arm as gently as he could and pulled her back.
"She killed him!" She screamed, angry.
"I only meant to...Meant to come to...To say I'm sorry...To pay my respects." Alison said, quickly and nervously. Her voice full of pain.
Topher continued to hold back the struggling Bennett. "You killed him! Let go of me, Topher! She killed him! Let me go!" Bennett cried out, her complete agony was evident.
Only when Alison was out of sight did Topher let go of Bennett.
The glare she gave him stung like salt on an open wound. She spun around and hurried toward the only limo left, that was waiting on them. He followed her more slowly. Glancing behind him one last time at the grave of the small child.
Author's Note: I know that was a short, depressing chapter. But I promise you that it will start getting better. We just need to give poor Bennett some time to deal with her grief. Thanks for reading guys! I love it when you review!
