Chapter nine is here! I'm thinking this is coming to an ending soon. O:
This was kind of short, I think. I was just too eager to update though! AHA!
Well, what are you waiting for? Go on, READ! (:
"Hope Burne, Daughter of the Sun."
"Yes, Master."
"Whatever gift you have decided to acquire for me, I expect to have it by the twenty-sixth of this month, no later."
Silence.
"Something troubles you, Daughter of the Sun?"
"No, Master."
"Excellent. I can only hope that it will help cover for your past misdemeanors."
"It will, Master. I won't disappoint you."
"By the way, my henchmen have reported your frequent appearance in Ben Tennyson's presence."
"I - it's to get close to the Omnitrix, Master."
"Is that the complete truth, Daughter of the Sun?"
Another silence.
"You aren't fraternizing with the holder of the Omnitrix, are you, now?"
"Of course not, Master."
"I can tell you now that it will not fare you well to continue. The boy's good intentions might rub off on you."
"Yes, Master. I'll be more careful."
She switched off the holo-disc and quietly went to bed in the spare bedroom of Ben Tennyson's house.
"One... Two... Three -
"SURPRISE! MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
"I - what?"
"Today's Christmas, Burne," declared Kevin. "You know, day of love, giving, whatever? Get with the times!"
Hope was so shocked, she couldn't speak, but slowly her face split into an incredulous smile as everything sank in.
Christmas.
Somehow, the simple thought of the word was enough to arouse a light, giddy feeling inside her.
She felt elated, welcome, and loved.
It gave her another inkling of doubt whether this was really worth taking the Omnitrix away after all.
"What's happening out here - Ben?"
Ben smiled. He liked the sound of his name on her soft lips. "That's called snow."
Snow?
"It comes from clouds - like rain, but it's softer and a little bit more solid. You wanna feel it?" He took her gloveless hand and led her outside, where their feet sank about half an inch in the soft snow. He saw her shiver slightly, and immediately scolded himself for thinking so rashly; he draped his green jacket around her pajamas.
"Thanks," she said reluctantly. "I forgot what it was like, being cold."
"Aren't you like, a Fire Girl or something?" said Ben, half-jokingly.
She threw him a dark look. "My fire used to burn solely on hate. Now it's not as strong as before."
"Why? Hate for who?"
She turned her back on him.
After a moment, she said, in quite a different tone, "I think I'm gonna drive around town a bit. Want to come along?"
"Where are we going?"
"Into a wall, of course," she replied sarcastically.
Of course, Ben had assumed Hope would've been a reckless driver, but this was ridiculous! She was zooming past every shop and store at roughly 100 miles per hour, and seemed to sense no fear of getting into an accident! He knew he should've convinced her not to add the extra rocket engines onto the motorcycle (A/N: which is Rooks, but Ben doesn't know), but he'd been too busy fantasizing about her eyes and lips. So now he was clinging tightly onto her waist for dear life as they rushed around corners and through dark alleyways.
Finally, after what seemed like an endless drive, they stopped in a dim alley. Hope climbed off and created a small fire on the floor, melting a circle of snow.
"Sit." She patted the patch of snow next to her. "I want to ask you a few questions."
Ben got off shakily; while he was waiting for his legs to get used to solid ground, his mind was buzzing with all kinds of questions about what she would ask. Would she ask for more mistletoe? Would she question him more about his love life? Would she ask what boyfriends and girlfriends did when they were alone?
"You thirsty?" A thermos and cups seemed to appear out of nowhere. She poured two cups of steaming hot chocolate and handed one to him.
"Sure." It looked like the perfect drink for a snowy day like this.
He tipped the cup to his lips and drank deeply, not noticing how Hope poured her own into the snow without even touching her lips to it.
"Can I ask you some questions?" Hope asked quietly, her hands roaming everywhere on his body, looking for the perfect stimulation.
"Anything," Ben murmured only subconsciously. He was having trouble thinking; his brain seemed to have fallen asleep.
"Where did you get the Omnitrix?' inquired Hope, her voice toned down to barely more than a whisper.
"Xylene - Grandpa Max's love - sent it to Earth," replied Ben mechanically, a vacant look in his green eyes. He would not remember this at all later, Hope knew. "It was meant for my Grandpa Max, but I found it instead, and it latched automatically onto my wrist."
Xylene. That alien.
"When?"
"Kiss me."
She gave him a light kiss on the lips. "When?"
"Five years ago."
Hope's eyes widened, but she said nothing.
"How did you get it off - in the null void?" she said softly, her hands seeking his one weak point.
"Vilgax used some kind of machine," mumbled Ben, now unaware of anything but her soft voice. "It hurt," he added.
"Ben," Hope breathed in his ear, her hands clutching his. "Do you love me?"
Ben paused for so long Hope feared the Truth Drug had worn off.
"Yes, I love you, Hope Burne. More than the Omnitrix itself..."
Of all things to compare to, it had to be the Omnitrix. There was a sharp gut-wrenching pang in her heart, but she could've slapped herself for letting a tear stray down her cheek. But she didn't let on.
"Ben," she whispered. "Ben, Ben, Ben..."
He reached around her, and they pulled each other close.
"Do you remember what you told me about mistletoe?" She paused. "When two people are under mistletoe, they kiss... And when two people kiss... it must mean they really like each other - Ben -" she pointed upward, even though she knew he couldn't see in his drugged state - "there's some mistletoe... right there."
And she kissed him full on the lips, savoring each last moment before she would have to leave him.
Ben woke up an hour later; he found himself curled into a fetal position on the snow-covered floor. The fire had gone out.
Rubbing his aching head, he groaned and stood up painfully, stretching and twisting this way and that. His head felt as if it had been used in a soccer game. Then he froze. And he looked around.
Hope Burne was gone. And she had taken his jacket with her.
"Where is she?" he sighed. He raised his hand to slap the Omnitrix, ready to fly in search of her.
Only...
The Omnitrix wasn't there.
*GASP* please *cough* please review *cough cough*
