Chapter Nine: Stuck In Place

"Understood, Sergeant," Dexter said, speaking into Ben's comm unit. He released his hold on his friend's arm and sighed. Ben leaned against the bench, thoughtful and concerned as he returned Dexter's steady gaze. Morton had just called with the news that they were grounded, and both teens tried to take the new developments in stride. The redhead found himself more than a little anxious at the timing of the FusionFall – was it coincidence that it happened while he was out of DexLabs? Mention of Pittsburgh had made him lose what little color he had. It had only been a few months since Ben had rescued him from the Ur-Dexter. Dexter was still subject to echoes from the mind probe his doppleganger had used on him – flashbacks, nightmares, headaches, and sudden fits of fatigue. Talking about Fusions to White Knight had been difficult enough, but this . . . this development was frightening. Was this theft or a delivery? Was Breach working with the Fusions? Either way, it did not bode well for the forces fighting the Fusion invasion. He was very grateful to Ben and the hand his friend placed on his shoulder, supporting and bracing him. He was also glad his father had grounded the C-57D, inconvenient though it may be at the moment.

Dexter drew a shuddering breath, rallying all his defenses and locking down his emotions (which was possibly the only useful thing he had learned in six years at Huber Elementary School). "Well," he finally said, forcing himself to be calm and trying to salvage the situation. "At least now you'll be able to spend some time with your friend."

Ben smiled and leaned forward a bit. "You know, you can spend time with him too, Dex. Rex is good people, and Six was pretty cool, too."

He didn't commit himself to spending time with the EVO, but Dexter did smile faintly. "At least now White Knight will have time to consider my offer . . . and time to choose his words."

"Think he'll go for it?"

Dexter glanced back at the head of Providence, an imposing figure behind the expanse of desk. "He's no fool."

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". . . Calan is escorting them back to the docking bay now."

Rex didn't even pretend to do anything but eavesdrop as he sat next to Six. His justification was that if Six didn't want him to listen he would have contacted White privately, but he did take care to stay out of sight of the monitor. By the terse tones White was using, Rex rather suspected that that this kid Dexter was no pushover. If he actually had any money, he would have paid to see the White Knight get served even though he did have an odd (and possibly misplaced) sense of indignation for White that he supposed was due to a love me, love my dog type of loyalty. The ninja's report was brief and to the point – a FusionFall a few states away was keeping their guests from leaving. Rex knew he probably should have been troubled and more interested in the situation, but he was more excited than anything else because this meant he might have a chance to hang with Ben before the ground stop was lifted.

"DexLabs addressed the possibility of being grounded when the initial arrangements were made," Six said. "They'll be our guests until Professor Utonium deems it safe for them to leave, probably tomorrow or Monday."

"Why am I not surprised? Put them in the guest quarters," grumbled White, "and make sure they have anything they need."

Rex suppressed his glee. Oh, yeah, served. Despite his first impression, the EVO was starting to like this kid Dexter.

"According to Morton neither boy needs much, though we'll have to leave guards around their ship and their quarters. Any progress in getting what you wanted?" wondered Six. He was probably the only person in Providence that White would tolerate asking such a question, and he was answered by his one-time partner with frank sincerity.

"Don't ask."

Rex went on listening as Six ordered the guest quarters to be prepared. When he was done, the dark-haired man turned to Rex.

"White doesn't sound too happy," volunteered the teen, trying to hide his glee.

"He's not, so don't provoke him. And don't forget that Tennyson is here to guard Dexter, not socialize."

Rex gave six his most charming smile. "Maybe he can multi-task. So what was White after?"

"That's classified."

He rolled his eyes at the familiar answer and leaned heavily on his hand. "Well, it looks like you made nice with Morton. Think he'll let me within shouting range?"

"No, but then I don't know too many people that like to be shouted at. Why don't you just go talk to them and see?"

"I can do that," announced Rex, feeling (and looking) a bit sheepish at so simple a solution.

"Be careful around Dexter," warned Six.

"I'll tiptoe."

Rex slid out of his chair and headed for the doors. Six watched him go, silently wishing the boy good luck. White might not see it, but there was more than one way to go about getting what they wanted and needed, and giving a friendly and human face to their cause was a step in the right direction.

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"I find the timing and location of this incident highly disturbing."

"You and me both, sir," Morton said grimly.

Ben raised his hand. "Ditto."

They were inside the C-57D, both boys leaning heavily on the back of Morton's seat as they watched the Doppler radar showing the FusionFall over the Allegany Mountains. The spot was tiny but so dense it showed black.

"It's aiming for the portal?" questioned Ben.

"Luckily it's not so big a Fall," Dexter replied.

The Wielder of the Omnitrix stared at the screen and drew a long breath. "Yeah, disturbing is a good word. So this is the same thing as when the Crazy Cannon got stolen?"

"Identical," stated Dexter.

"Breach works for Van Kleiss," Morton said in the flat tone of voice that had terrorized the men of the Seaview and told Dexter exactly how serious the situation really was. "The possibility of Fusion EVOs is very real."

Genius and commander alike shuddered at the thought.

"Well, that would justify Providence's request for Null-Voids," muttered Dexter. "It would have to happen fir-"

"Hellooooo! Hello? Hey! Anybody home?"

They looked through the windshield to see Rex standing outside the ring of Providence guards, waving up at them.

"Company," said the sergeant. He looked at the two teenagers. "You want to go outside and play?"

"Sure." Ben grinned and turned to his friend. "Coming?"

Dexter hesitated, looking to Morton.

"This is a secure facility, sir, and one of us just has to be within ten feet of you," said Morton reassuringly, exchanging a quick smile with Tennyson. "I think we can manage that if you want to step out for a while. I had a good, long talk with Agent Six and you can move freely through a lot of Providence." He leaned closer and softly said, "There's nothing we can do about the situation right now, sir, and worrying won't help."

"I doubt I'll be very good company," Dexter said just as softly.

"Hi-iiiiii," called Rex, his voice echoing through the docking bay. "Hello? Knock, knock!"

"Practice makes perfect, Dex," Ben replied, clapping his hand down on his shoulder and grabbing a handful of lab coat. "C'mon, kiddo. Be social."

"Keep that unit on," reminded Chip needlessly, pointing at Dexter's wrist and the slight bulge beneath his glove as Ben dragged his friend along. "I'll let you know if I leave the ship or if I get any updates and I'll tell your father what we know."

"Yes, Sergeant," Dexter said, knowing better than to argue. "Ben, are you sure-"

"Yup. Move it."

Dexter made a nervous little noise and Ben shook his head, pausing to look back at him. "You ate White alive and you're antsy about meeting Rex?"

"I didn't have to be nice to White," he grumbled, stopping a step behind the brunet.

Ben laughed without malice, letting his amusement with his friend show. When he laughed that way Dexter could not help but smile and even laugh at himself a bit as well because he knew how fond Ben really was of him when he gently teased. This was one of the things he valued most from Ben, and because Dexter trusted him so completely, he followed him out of the gunship.

Rex was grinning broadly when he saw Ben coming, but his expression changed to something a bit more forced when he saw that his friend was not alone.

"I'll stay," whispered Dexter, seeing the response he generated.

"Not on your life," Ben returned.

He knew Ben meant it, so Dexter drew a deep breath and threw himself into the fray.

"Rex!" Ben led the way to where the young man waited and gestured at his companion. It was clear he was having fun with their names as he said, "Rex, this is Dexter. He is DexLabs. Dex, Rex. He works for Providence."

Another polite smile. "Hi."

Hands clasped firmly behind his back, Dexter nodded in greeting. A little stiffly he asked, "How do you do, Rex?"

Rex's reaction to Dexter's pronounced accent was everything Ben could have hoped for. The Latino boy out-and-out gaped for a few moments as he sorted out what he had just heard. Struggling with confusion, Rex finally managed to say,

"Uh . . . okay. Um . . . not from around here, are you?"

Dexter blinked, equally confused. "Downtown?"

Silence. They had reached an impasse. Both boys cast Tennyson the same look, as if asking if the other one was really for real and holding Ben wholly responsible. Ben chuckled, enjoying every confounded second, and with great authority he announced,

"I'm hungry."

Rex latched onto the suggestion. "Cheese steaks and fries?"

"Sold."