A/N: YES! Got this chapter done and up in my time limit! Thanks you all for being so patient with me! I would like to also thank all those who reviewed as well! And yes this is the chapter were you find out what happens to Julie! BTW this is the longest chapter I have ever wrote, with just under 10,000 words 0.o
On another note, the new episodes? ARE FANTASTIC! Except Perfect Girlfriend. That episode made me so mad I had to turn it off before I had even got half way. MOA, WERE THE HELL HAS MY JULIE GONE! Seriously? I understand Ben can be frustrating. But what happened to the sweet nice Julie I adored? Now they have changed her into this person who gets angry at the smallest of things. I am so surprised that MOA haven't broken them up yet. Because what they are doing with couple is downright wrong!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, If I did, Benlie wouldn't be on the rocks all the time, there would be a Julie Yamamoto figure for sale, and Eunice, Jennifer Nocturne and Elena would be dead. Simple as.
Ben hated time-travel. The idea that you could go to your future, or you could see your past self confused him. He had once asked Paradox to try and explain it, but that just ended up with him being even more confused and gave him a huge headache every time he tried to figure it out. In the end he settled for accepting the fact you could time travel and left it at that before he hurt himself anymore trying to grasp the concept.
The bright light that had once consumed his vision disappeared, leaving dark spots dancing in his eyes. Fiercely blinking them away, he took a look round were Paradox had taken him. He found himself in a large, lavishly decorated hallway. In-front of him stood a grand mahogany staircase, the wood finely detailed with engravings and mother of pearl decorations. At the top it split into two, one leading to left and one leading to the right, between them hung a large tapestry, its bright colors depicting a fight of some kind. It looked familiar to the teen but he could quite place where he had seen it.
The rest of the hallway was decorated in an expensive green and white swirled marble. A row of three heavy wooden doors lined the hallway on the right and 4 on the other side. Ben guessed whoever lived here must have had a lot of money; no way anyone on earth could afford this.
"Where are we?" he asked the man beside him.
"Why, we are at your mansion Ben" the scientist told him, he smiled to himself as he watched the boys eyes bulge out of his skull.
"Wait, what? There is no way I could afford this! Even with my Plumbers checks." he pointed out, his gaze once again looking over the beautiful decorated room, which was apparently his.
"Ah you see, with your added fame you became richer than Bruce Wayne and Bill Gates combined, you are the richest man in the whole galaxy" The time-traveller pointed out. The 18-year olds jaw went slack. All this was his? Man, he must live like a king! But then the realization struck him that he was living without Julie, and not all the fancy marble and staircases in the world could fill the void her death had left.
"Yeah, but all this means nothing if Julie isn't here to share it with me" he said sadly, his green gaze once again clouding over in grief.
The ageless man opened his mouth to say something when he heard heavy footsteps descend down the hallway, headed towards were they stood. He knew who it was, and knew it was time to give the boy some answers, that would hopefully change his life for the better.
Just then a man around his late 30's entered the hallway; he was dressed in a tight fitting black t-shirt with green cargo pants and black army-style combat boots that reached mid-shin. His russet coloured locks were neatly trimmed, not a strand falling out of place. His green eyes were hard, not a spark of emotion flowing through them. On his left wrist the Ultimatrix rested, its bright green casing juxtaposing against his honey coloured skin.
Ben immediately knew this was an older version of himself. But to him, it didn't seem like it. This version seemed to cold, too robotic to be him. Yes, he had seen a version of himself that was what he would class as the world's biggest jerk, but even that version had what people classed as the "Ben" spark in him. Not this one, he seemed almost….evil.
"Kenneth!" The older version of the team called out, his voice spiteful and harsh. The teen winced at his tone, he definitely had to agree this was the worse version of himself he had seen, and he hadn't even been around him for 10 minutes!
A few seconds later a boy slowly made his way down the stairs, he looked about 10, maybe 11 years old. He had messy brown hair that was a shade of two darker than his own and had acid green eyes. He wore a baggy red top and pair of faded navy jeans, on his feet was a pair of black converses. The boy looked a lot like he did when he was 10, except his hair and skin was darker than his was.
Stopping at the bottom of the stairs the boy, known as Kenneth, kept his head low, obviously not wanting to look his father in the eyes.
"Yes Dad" he answered monotonously, his head never lifting from where he was staring at the floor.
"You are in a lot of trouble young man!" the older man shouted, his voice never wavering from the harsh tone he had adopted. "You have been causing trouble in lessons, haven't been doing your work and are practically flunking every class! How you managed to get through 4th grade is beyond me!"
Kenny's shoulders sagged, and he scuffed his foot nervously on the floor. Ben could tell the boy had been a through a lot of these lectures from his father about his school, he had the same problem with his parents. Luckily he had had Julie to help him.
"What do you have to say for yourself Kenny?" the boy's father asked
"I don't get the work Dad, and the teacher is horrible. The only reason I mess around in class is so that I don't get bored out of my skull and forget the little bit of stuff I actually learnt" the young boy admitted to his father, he never once looked up, thinking the floor was better to look at that than the angry face of the man in front of him.
"That's no excuse Kenny! You could have asked for help!" the older version of himself hollered at his son, his face going red from anger.
Kenny's head shot up, his acid green eyes burning with their own ferocity at his father's words "From who Dad?" he shouted back, angry gaze never leaving his father's own disappointed look "My teacher hates me! And even when I do ask he never helps me! And your never here, you never have enough time to see me let alone help me with my school work!"
The teen watched with wide eyes, the news he never spent time with own son shocked him. He would do anything to spend time with his child! It just showed that the man before him wasn't him; he was nowhere need close to ever being him.
But Kenny wasn't finished yet, no he went on to say something that would really set his father off on him.
"If Mom was here, she would help me"
That was the final straw for Ben 10,000, his face twisted into uncontrollable anger. In one swoop his muscular arm had swung forward and slapped his son round the face, sending him sprawling to floor, a red hand mark prominent on his left cheek. The 10 year-old looked up in terror as his father stood over him, his face inches away from his own
"You dare say anything about your mother!" he hissed, he voice slightly warped "If it wasn't for you she would still be alive, you're the reason she is dead, nobody else's. It would have been better if you had never been born!"
Seconds after, he moved away from his terrified son, and was now angrily stomping down the hallway. Kenny sat there for a few seconds after his father had left, too shocked to do anything. But the feeling soon passed and the painful stinging that came from being slapped tingled its way up to his swollen cheek. Salty tears began to streak down his face, elevating the stinging in his cheek even further. He put his knees to chest, curling up into the smallest ball he could manage, his pain filled sobs echoing through the empty hallway.
Ben felt tears slide down his cheeks as he watched his future son's body shake with sobs. He had just watched himself tell his own child he wished he was never born, how could he be so heartless? Even with everything he had been through and may go through, he would never wish death upon anybody, especially on his own flesh and blood. The need to go over and soothe the crying boy was welling up inside him; he couldn't stand seeing the 10 year-old upset.
Paradox, knowing what the teen was about to do, put his arm in front of him, blocking him from going towards the young boy.
"No, you must not reveal yourself, it will mess up the time stream even more than it is already" the time traveller warned, he watched the ex-hero's shoulders sag and his head drop as tears continued to drip down his cheeks.
"What happened?" the 18 year-old whispered, his voice chocked "What happened to make me so cruel?"
The scientist sighed, knowing it was time to reveal all.
"You were born with what Verdona called 'The Spark'. But unlike your cousin, it didn't manifest itself into powers; instead it lay dormant, changing your body via your personality. As the years went on, it got stronger and stronger, turning you into a harsh, aggressive, egotistical person. You still met Julie when you were 15, and both were happy together, and your egotistical side was pushed down. But you dumped her after a year because she apparently wasn't good enough for you. Not being able to stand the pain and humiliation from the press and other students, Julie and her family moved back to Japan. That's when you rekindled with an old flame, Kai, I believe. She doubled the affect of your powers, meaning your Anodite side completely took over. You, Gwen and Kevin still became plumbers and all that, but they were shocked at how aggressive, temperamental and egotistical you became, blowing them off to go do press interviews and TV shows. A couple of years down the line, you and Kai got married, that's when Kai became pregnant with your son, Kenny. But there was a complication during child birth and Kai passed away. Since that day you have always blamed your son for her death, lashing out at him both verbally and physically"
The teen's fists clenched at his side as tears slid faster down at his cheeks. He was a monster, lashing out and hurting his own son because of his own grief. The man he had just seen wasn't a hero, but instead was just a bully, lashing out at the smallest things and making people's lives miserable.
"What about Gwen and Kevin? Wouldn't they take Kenny away from me?" He questioned, hoping that maybe his smart cousin and her boyfriend would save his child from the abuse sent his way.
"Oh no, Gwen and Kevin have been gone from a long time" the older man said sadly. Ben felt confused, why would they leave? Unless he was really that awful to be around, but seeing himself just then, he wouldn't put it past them to leave.
"But why? Gwen said she would never leave, and Kevin wouldn't just up and leave his mother here all by herself" the 18 year-old pointed out.
"It was such a shame really, after you murdered Kevin when he was Ultimate Kevin, Gwen couldn't stand to stay with the monster that killed her one love and left for Anodyne. And as for Kevin's mother, she died from a broken heart a year later" Paradox told the teen, his voice emotionless and cold.
The ex-Ultimatrix wielder recoiled in horror from what he had just been told. He had actually gone through with his threat and murdered Kevin. He had shamelessly killed his best friend and broken his cousin's heart. He hung in head in shame, lifting his left arm; he took a look at where the most powerful device in the whole universe had once rested. He was grateful that Azmuth had taken it away, and to be truthful he never wanted it back. Knowing what he could do and what could happen if he kept using it was not worth the glory and pride he got from being a hero.
"Come now Benjamin, we have more to see" the time traveller said, dragging the ex-hero out of his thoughts
The teen shook his head. He didn't want to see anymore, he couldn't take it. He had already lost what little faith he had in himself, knowing the monster he could, and most probably turn into made him want to run as far away from his family and life as he could so they could be happy.
"Please, I can't see anymore. Just take me back to Julie so I can say goodbye before it's too late" he begged, his voice a cracked whisper.
Paradox shook his head, he wasn't letting the teen get off that easily, he needed to see everything to be able to see the full extent of the situation.
"I'm sorry Ben, but you must see everything. I never do a half-hearted job, and you are no exception" he said sternly, pulling out his old pocket watch, he flashed them off to another place, giving Ben no time to argue any further.
He teen felt himself being pulled somewhere, but didn't have it in him to be bothered by it. What he could be seeing next couldn't possibly be worse as what he had just learned and witnessed back there. Knowing he as a murderer, an abusive father, and had shunned the only girl that ever seen the real him, had broken him even more than he was before. If that was even possible.
Another flash of light blinded him, once again leaving black spots dancing in his vision. He blinked them away, expecting to see a demolished town then for Paradox to tell him it was his fault and he had killed millions of people and aliens.
But instead he found himself in an high tech looking office; about 6 large computer screens lined the pale wall in front of him, each displaying different pieces of information. A desk sat under the screens, its dark mahogany wood a large contrast from the light walls. A figure was hunched over it, his dark caramel hair blocking the view of his face. He was muttering to himself whilst typing something on the keyboard, he would occasionally look up at the screen, but only for a fleeting second.
Ben squinted as he tried to figure out who the person sat in front of him was. Maybe it was his son, Kenny. Maybe Paradox was showing him his son's future so he could see that even after everything he had put him through he still turned out okay.
The sound of small echoing footsteps dragged his gaze away from the figure and onto the small passage that led off to the left of the room. The sound was getting louder and louder, but the teen noticed the man at the desk didn't seem to notice. That was until a small cry of "DADDY!" echoed down, the man's head immediately shot up, letting the ex-hero see his face clearly. Shock overrode his system when it came to light that the figure was HIM, maybe 2 years down the line.
Just then a small boy, maybe 1 or 2 came sprinting into the room, his small podgy arms spread out straight in front of him in the direction of his father. The boy had dark mahogany hair, and electric green eyes that juxtaposed against his pale skin The man who could now be identified as an future version of Ben himself, jumped out the chair and ran forward, before scooping his child into his arms and spinning him round, causing the small boy to let out squeals of surprise and delight.
Younger Ben watched with wide eyes and a slack jaw as the other version of himself continued to twirl and lift the young boy around, making him squeal louder every time. He wondered how this man in front of him, that was so happy and care free turn into the horrible, cruel, murderous person he had just visited.
Soon another set of footsteps were heard descending the same hallway his child has just sprinted out of. Ben watched the entrance with anticipation, wanting desperately to see who was going to pop out. What felt like hours to the Saviour of the Universe, that was actually only mere seconds passed, and with each agonizing second, the footsteps got closer and closer.
That's when a figure Ben thought he would never see again popped out, it was a sight that brought tears back to his already bloodshot green eyes. There stood Julie, in all her beautiful glory. Her shining ebony locks, her dazzling almond shaped hazel eyes that he would constantly get lost in. She was there right in front of him, alive. Oh what he wouldn't give to be able to run over and hold her in his arms again, to be able to kiss those succulent lips of hers till they bruised. But he couldn't. Because that wasn't his Julie. No, his Julie was lying in a bed, hours away from death, that is, if they hadn't already pulled the plug.
He took in every part of her, her face, her eyes, her swollen abdomen… He blinked, thinking maybe it was a trick of the light, but when he opened his eyes again, it was still there. He couldn't believe it, Julie was pregnant, again.
Unable to make words form due to shock, he turned to the man beside him with wide eyes and a slack jaw, looking for answers. The scientist let a devilish smile make its way onto his lips, oh how he loved seeing the surprise on people's faces.
"Yes Benjamin, that is Julie and she is indeed pregnant with your second child" he confirmed. A dopey smile plastered itself onto the teens face as he went back to watching the older version of himself spin and twirl his son round, all while Julie watched with a small smile on her face.
"But, this can't be my future, Julie and my child are probably dead right now, there is no way this can be true." He pointed out sadly, he desperately wanted it to be true that this was what was going to happen, but the chances were nearby impossible.
"Oh ye of little faith" the time traveller chuckled "Julie and the child were never going to die, I wouldn't let them. I simply made you think they were. If I hadn't the future you saw only moments ago would have become reality and this timeline would have become obsolete"
Ben couldn't believe it, this happy scene in front him was his future. He wouldn't turn into a monster, and he wouldn't have to live without his Julie or his child. For once in the past 4 months he felt happy, he felt a new sense of life, he felt complete.
Paradox laid a gentle, but firm hand on the boy shoulder "Come now young man, we have someone waiting for us" the teen turned round and smiled a genuine smile at him, a smile that hadn't been seen for such a long while, people began to think it was extinct.
Smiling back, the scientist flashed them out of the office, back to where they belonged, back to where Ben whole world was lying, waiting to be woken.
In a few rooms down for the unconscious tennis player's room, a heated argument was in full swing, neither sides willing to back down.
"You can't do this! She is my child, I have full rights over her and get to decide whether we should pull the plug or not!" the small ebony haired woman seethed, her face red from anger.
"Mrs. Yamamoto, we cannot pull the plug. The consequences of doing so would be catastrophic. In fact, it would be true to say that, the fate of the universe is weighing on hers and the child life" Azmuth explained slowly, he was getting really aggravated with having to keep explaining the situation to the woman.
"How? What has she possibly done to make it so that the world rests on her shoulders?" she angrily questioned, not believing one word the scientist had just said
"She fell in love with Ben Tennyson and made him fall in love with her" was the short, simple answer given.
Mrs. Yamamoto's eyes widened for a second, before narrowing into hard slits
"Its always that boy! He was the one that caused this and now you are saying that he is the reason we should keep her alive?"
"Yes" Azmuth again answered simply. He really didn't know why she just didn't accept it already. But he knew how stubborn humans could be over loved ones, he himself didn't understand it. As a young hatchling he was forced to fend for himself, he didn't have any siblings or parents and so therefore never got attached.
"You see, Ben deeply cares for your daughter, so much so that the alien side of him would go berserk if anything terrible happened to her, and would possibly wipe out the whole universe" he explained
But the Asian woman wasn't having any of it, no she was going to win this fight over hell and high water.
"You must think I was born yesterday! Do you honestly think I would believe any of that crap? I am not letting my daughter suffer anymore because of that boy!" she raged, her body practically shaking with anger
Azmuth let out another tired and aggravated sigh, then prepared to explain the situation to the stubborn woman all over again.
A bright flash blinded the almost empty room, out of the light appeared the two figures of world renown hero Ben Tennyson, and less known, but still a hero, Professor Paradox. Ben immediately ran to Julie's side, his hand instinctively clasping hers in a soft hold. He stare intently at her face for any sign of life. A smile, a twitch, as long as it was something that would tell his she was still there, he would be the happiest man on the planet.
Minutes passed, and there was still no sign of life from the tennis player. Ben began to get inpatient, Paradox had said she was going to wake up, So why wasn't she?
"Patience is a virtue Benjamin, remember, good things come to those who wait" the scientist said wisely, ultimately noticing the teen was getting fidgety and inpatient.
The ex-hero sighed, Paradox was right, he had to be patient. Julie would wake up in her own time, he didn't need to worry. That's when he felt it, a twitch, a twitch in her right hand. His eyes widened, and he concentrated all his mind on her face. Seconds passed, then minutes. Just when Ben was about to give up, her eyes began to flutter, and her mouth began to slowly move.
"Jules? Julie can you hear me" Ben called out softly, hoping his voice would get a reaction out of her. And to his joy it did. Her hand squeezed around his own, and her eyes began to slowly open.
"Ben"
At the small hoarse whisper of his name, tears once again sprang to his sore eyes. But this time they were tears of pure happiness. His Julie was back, he wouldn't have to be alone anymore.
"I'm here, I'm here" He soothingly reassured, his heart beating wildly in his chest. Her head slowly and carefully rolled towards the direction of his voice, when it stopped her hazel eyes opened to meet Ben's.
"Hey" he whispered, and carefully brushed a few ebony strands from her pale face. Paradox smiled at the couple. This was what made his job worth while, seeing the happiness on people faces. Silently, he flashed himself out of the room, leaving the couple to have their moment in peace.
"Were am I?" she asked confused. Last she remembered she was at the apartment, and they had just come back from shopping. Ben's face darkened and Julie picked up on it straight away. Fear flooded her veins, the baby! Oh god. No not her baby, anything but her little baby.
"You're in hospital, you had an accident" he told her, and looked away, not able to keep her gaze for the guilt that made his stomach twist in knots.
"What…what about the baby?" she tentatively questioned, her eyes wide with fear. The ex-hero's head shot back round, a smile on his face.
"The baby's fine. He's absolutely perfect" he breathed, tears welling up in his eyes, "both of you are" leaning over he placed a loving kiss on her forehead, and with his other hand that wasn't holding hers, placed it on her swollen abdomen that held their growing child. Right here, right now, Ben felt the happiest he had ever been, and he wouldn't want anything different.
But he knew he had to tell everyone else, and reluctantly pulled his hands away. Julie shot him a confused look
"I'm going to get the others, they are going to want to know you're awake" he reassured, and shot her a small smile, which she returned. Getting up, he gave her a quick glance before heading outside.
Once outside, he pulled him slim green phone from his jean pocket and proceeded to call his best friend, slightly giddy at the fact he got to tell him the good news.
Gwen sat curled up asleep in Kevin's arms, her soft breaths the only sounds in the room. She had fallen asleep soon after he had given her the locket. The emotional strain from the whole Julie situation had exhausted her body and she was catching up on much needed rest.
Gently running his calloused fingers through her fiery mane, he thought about their relationship. Sure they were going strong at the moment, but what about the future? Things could still go wrong, and with the baby coming along, their relationship would be put under strain. So what could he do to reassure her that he was in it for the long run? He wasn't one for soppy letters or stuff like that, he was more of an action man.
His thoughts were disturbed by the loud shill ring of his cellphone. Growling to himself and the person who had decided to ring him, he jammed his hand into his jean pocket and fished out his phone. Not bothering to look at the caller ID he answered
"What!" He hissed into the receiver, hoping the person on the other end would get he hint and make the conversation short.
"Kevin, it Ben"
His dark orbs widened to the size of dinner plates "Tennyson? Were the hell have you been! Gwen and your parents have been worried sick!" He raged into the phone.
"No time for that now, I will explain later. But right now you and Gwen need to get down to Julie's room pronto" Ben ordered into the receiver and before Kevin had the chance to ask why the teen on the other line hung up.
Fearing the worst, the dark haired teen set about the gentle task of waking up his sleeping girlfriend.
"Gwen, honey come on wake up" He said softly whist carefully shaking her shoulder. After a few moments she began to stir
"Hmm, Kevin what's up?" she asked groggily, all the while trying to fight off a yawn.
"Ben called" he told her. As soon as she heard her cousin's name mentioned, she shot up, her eyes wide "He wants us to go down to Julie, something's up, he sounded urgent" He finished, and before he had chance to get off the bed, Gwen was already half way down the stairs.
"Wait up Gwen!" he called after her whist stumbling to get down the stairs fast, without breaking his neck and possibly every other bone in his body.
Managing to make it down stairs he rushed to the front door, just in time to see Mrs Tennyson sticking her head out from the kitchen to see what was going on.
"Hey Mrs.T, taking Gwen to go see Julie something's up. I will get her to call you when we find out. Bye!" He jumbled out before sprinting out the door and to his car were Gwen was impatiently waiting.
Back with Ben, has was nervously pacing the hallway outside Julie's room. What would Gwen and Kevin do when they got here? He was pretty sure his cousin was going to go off on a tangent about how he shouldn't have just ran away from his problems and should have stayed and continued to fight for the love of his life. And it was true, he shouldn't have. But the pain of knowing he was useless and could do nothing made him afraid. Made him afraid of how much more this would happen, and if he could ever make it over that giant hurdle.
His ears pricked up as he heard heavy footsteps thundering through the echoing corridors in the base. He ran towards the sound, knowing it was his cousin and the Osmosian. Rounding a corner, he saw them up ahead.
"Ben!" Gwen called out when she saw her brunette cousin running up to them. When he reached them, Gwen wasted no time in pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.
"I'm so glad your okay" she whispered. Ben hugged her back, glad that she was here.
"Me too" he whispered back, hugging her tighter. That's when Gwen noticed how frail and skinny her cousin was. It was true that he had always been naturally skinny, thanks to his high metabolism and alien butt kicking, but had never been this skinny. She could feel his bones protruding from his skin and dig into her, and felt if she squeezed to hard he might crumble into a pile of dust before her. It was like hugging a walking skeleton.
"Umm, not to break up the cute family moment or anything, but you said something about Julie?" Kevin voiced awkwardly. Even after all this time he still wasn't good with family moments.
"Nice to see you too Kev" Ben quipped as he pulled away from his cousin, a teasing glimmer was present in his eyes, a glimmer that was reminiscent of the old Ben. The Ben that hadn't been around for so long.
"And to answer your question, Julie is awake. She woke up a few moments ago, and I thought you would like to know. Now come on lets go" he told them excitedly and sprinted off to back down the hallway faster than if someone had told him a Sumo Slammer holding a giant smoothie was waiting for him.
Gwen's eyes widened and glistened with tears "She's awake?" She breathed, unable to decipher if this was a dream or real life. Kevin came up beside her, and rested a large hand on her shoulder
"Come on, I know you wanna see her as much as I do" he said softly, she nodded her head slowly, still unable to believe any of it. Her cousin was back, and her best friend had woken up from the brink of death. It was fair to say that it seemed too good to be true. The dark haired took a step in front of her and bent down so she could climb on his back
"Your steed awaits my lady" he said chivalrously. The redhead giggled and awkwardly climbed onto his back, the baby bump making it harder than usual.
"Giddy up horsey!" she giggled, and Kevin let out a sound like a horse before jogging of towards the tennis players room. He didn't care if he looked and sounded like an idiot, he was just ecstatic to be able to hear Gwen's joyous laughter again.
A few more neighs from Kevin and giggles from Gwen, the couple finally made it to Julie's room. Seeing their flush faces and huge smiles, the ex-hero felt a slight sense of relief. Relief at the fact, even after everything, his cousin was still happy, still smiling and his best friend was still making sure she stayed that way.
"She's in there, I'm gunna go see if I can find Azmuth or Grandpa. They are going to want to check her over to make sure both she and the baby are fine" he told them and headed off back down the hallway.
The redhead gulped nervously as she got ready to enter the room were her pregnant best friend resided. She knew she should be rushing in, ecstatic that the girl was alive. But something at the back of he mind was holding her back, screaming that is was trap. And to be truthful, she was believing it. The fact the not only had Julie woken up moments before she was supposed to die, but her cousin, who was practically suicidal and had run off never to be seen again, was back and acting like the past 2 months hadn't happened. To Gwen, it seemed like one big sick dream, conjured up by her subconscious.
"Are we going in anytime soon?" Kevin's husky voice broke through the Anodite's thoughts.
"Yeah sorry, just thinking that's all" she replied hastily and offered him his a small smile, hoping he would by it and let the subject drop.
The Osmosian raised a think ebony eyebrow at his girlfriend. He could tell something was bothering her, it was obvious by her sudden change in body language. But he knew she probably didn't want to talk about it and so let it drop. For now.
"It's now or never" Gwen mumbled to herself and pushed the door open. Walking in, her emerald gaze immediately locked onto the sight of Julie, sitting upright in bed, rubbing her slightly swollen abdomen with a large smile on her face.
At that moment, seeing her best friend alive and smiling, all doubts in the redhead's mind flew out the window.
"Julie" She breathed, salty tears once again welling up in her tired, bloodshot, emerald orbs. Before the tennis player could even acknowledge the two other teens were in the room with her redheaded best friend rushed over to her and was now currently hugging her like her life depended on it, whilst sobbing uncontrollably into her shoulder.
Blinking a couple of times to make sure that what just happened wasn't her imagination playing tricks, she hugged the girl in her arms back, glad to see her best friend. Looking round, she spotted Kevin standing by the door, a small smile on his face. Noticing Julie looking at him, he walked further in.
"Hey Jules. How you feeling?" he asked softly, his dark gaze occasionally flickering to his crying girlfriend, who still had not released the ebony haired girl from her death grip.
"Fine thanks, just tired and hungry" the tennis player replied light-heartily, totally oblivious to the fact she and her unborn child were moments away from dying.
"So you're okay?" Gwen's hoarse voice spoke up, her red, puffy eyes desperately looking at the girl for the answer. The fate of her sanity and her cousins, rested on what Julie would say next.
"Yes, I'm fine. Both of us are." the ebony haired girl chuckled, he deep brown orbs twinkling with humour. She wondered why they so concerned. Nothing bad had happened, had it?
"Oh thank god" The Anodite breathed "I thought I was going to lose you"
A puzzled expression washed over Julie's face "Guy's. What are you talking about 'Thought you were going to lose me?' What happened?"
Panicked looks slapped their way onto the two other teens faces, and they shot each other worried looks. How were they going to tell Julie that she had almost died by the hands of her mother, and how Ben got the Ultimatrix taken away from him and unleashed his inner Anodite?
Julie's suspicions' began to rise when they didn't answer straight away.
"Guy's" she said threateningly, her eyes narrowing at them. She was fed up of being kept in the dark and having to find everything out last minute.
The redhead beside her sighed, knowing she was going to have to be the one to tell the girl the bad news. Pulling away, she sat in the chair her cousin had once occupied, and began to recall all the events that happened.
"Okay here we go. Y'know you were having those… "
"Jules?" The sound of the tennis players name being softly called out, interrupted Gwen's revelation, much to the teens relief.
In the doorway stood Ben, a broad smile on his face that lit up all his once dark and hollowed features.
"Hey" she called out to him, a equally large smile replacing the angry look that she had held. Without a second of hesitation, the brunette teen walked swiftly over and connected his hungry lips to her own. He didn't care if his cousin and best friend were in the room, he had been waiting for this day for so long, the day he never thought he would see. So he would be dammed if anyone was going to stop him from enjoying it.
Julie's slim fingers slowly crawled up his shoulders and tangled themselves into his caramel locks, whilst his hands gently cupped her cheeks, relishing in the feel of her soft warm skin under his finger tips.
Silently moving away from the couple, Gwen made her way over to her dark-haired boyfriend, who had a slightly disturbed and disgusted look smacked onto is pale face.
"Is that what we look like when we make out?" he whispered to the girl standing next to him, his onyx gaze never leaving the two teen's in front of him, who continued to assault each others lips with increasing desperation.
The redhead shrugged "Probably"
The ex-con's eyes widened and a look of surprise overrode the one of disgust
"Wow. I gotta give or cousin some credit. THAT is NOT pleasant AT ALL to witness"
Gwen chuckled, and slipped her small hand into his much larger one "He did try to tell you" she pointed out, a hint of teasing in her voice.
"I know but… I never thought he was actually right. I mean I always thought he was just being a whiney little moron, but now… I kinda sympathise with the kid"
Rolling her eyes, the Anodite leaned against his broad muscular shoulder and let a smile grace her plump lips. Maybe now, everything would be okay, and they would finally be able to move on with their lives, and maybe just maybe, be able to live happily ever after.
Ben breathlessly pulled away, his lungs burning for oxygen. He kept his eyes closed, and just revelled in the moment he had been longing for. Opening his toxic green eyes, he stared deep into Julie's glittering brown orbs, his breath once again being swept away from his lungs by the beauty of them.
"I want you to know that I love you" he said softy, his voice strained as he tried to keep the threatening tears at bay " I know I barely show it, but I do. I will always be here, helping you. Even if you hate me and want nothing to do with me, I will always be your hero and save you." with every word he uttered, it was getting harder and harder to control the emotions welling up inside of him.
"Because, I'd rather not be with you and see you happy, then not have you at all. I cant lose you Julie, I just…cant" The dam burst, and tears streaked down his sunken cheeks. The thought that he had almost lost her by seconds hit him so hard, that he worried he might not get over it.
Seeing her boyfriend's distress, the ebony girl gently cradled his head against her chest and soothingly ran her fingers through his hair, in an attempt to calm him down
"Shhh, its okay Ben, I love you too, so much. I never, ever want to lose you. I love you too much. You are going to be such a great daddy to our baby" she softly reassured. She hated seeing the brunette like this, he seemed so broken and weak. Not like the man who would fight evil aliens on a almost daily basis, but a scared little boy, worried he was going to lose everything he worked so hard to keep.
It took a couple of minutes for the teen to calm down, all the while Julie was whispering how he was a hero, and how much she loved him and needed him around.
Reluctantly pulling away from his girlfriends comforting embrace, he stood up straight and gave her a shaky smile to reassure her that he was fine. Scrubbing the tears from his eyes, he turned to his comrades.
"Thank you" He spoke, his voice still slightly choked from tears "For believing in both me and Julie. For urging me on when I laid down and gave up. I don't know what I would do with out you both being here to support me, and I hope I never have to find out."
He smiled at them, gratefulness radiating from his clover green eyes. Moving away from the redhead, Kevin did something that none of them expected the dark-haired teen to ever do. He pulled the brunette teen into a tight brotherly hug, consoling the boy he would always be here for him, as a brother, and as a best friend.
Gwen and Julie watched on with wide shocked eyes. They both couldn't believe that once upon a time, these two had tried to kill each other. But it was a lovely sight to see the two getting on so well, especially after their rocky past with each other.
Breaking away and smiling, the Osmosian teen turned back his girlfriend and placed a kiss on he forehead, as she continued to stand there with wide eyes and her mouth slightly agape.
But as soon the smile had made it's way onto Ben's face, it disappeared. He knew he had to tell Julie what happened, but he didn't know how she would take it. And most importantly, if she would still want to be with him when she found out.
Facing her, he immediately felt guilty about what he was going to tell her. Noticing her boyfriends sudden change, Julie felt nerves twist her stomach on knots. What had got her boyfriend so miserable, so quickly?
"Julie, you need to know what happened to put you in here. You were infected with an Ectonurite. An alien that takes over people's bodies and makes them view horrible visions of themselves or loved ones, breaking them from the inside out." Ben revealed, his voice heavy with guilt and pain of reliving the days he thought he had nothing to live for.
The tennis player couldn't believe what she had just heard the teen in-front of her tell her. She had been taken over by an alien? But how? When? Did it have any lasting effects on her and the baby? These questions were all flying round her brain, demanding to be answered. But before she had a chance to say a single word, Ben carried on explaining things to her.
"Luckily we managed to get it out from you, but it left you in an Acoma. An Acoma you should have never woken up from." As soon as those words left his mouth, the teen felt anger rise up. He thought about how Julie's mother had wanted to kill her, wanted to give up on her. How he had failed to save her, the time she needed him the most.
Seeing her cousin was too deep in painful memories to continue, she carried on from were he left off.
"Week's turned into months, and you still hadn't woken up and there was no sign you ever were. People were beginning to lose hope, especially your parents. They wanted to pull the plug. Julie, you and your child were supposed to die today."
The tennis player recoiled in horror at what her best friend had just said. Her mother… the woman who brought her into this world and said she would always fight for her, wanted to kill her? But not only her, her child as well?
"But…She… and…Why?" she spluttered out, her heart heavy with the pain of betrayal. Tears sprung to her eyes as she processed what would have happened if her mother had succeeded. It wasn't a pretty picture…
Ben snapped out of his thoughts long enough to tell his girlfriend the answer
"She believed that it was what was best for you and the baby. She said that it was better for everyone that way, so they could move on with their lives and not waste their hopes on something that was never going to happen" He said bitterly, is vicious dislike for her mother oozing out of the words he spoke.
"I tried to stop her, I tried to fight for you. But she didn't listen to me. She banned me from seeing you and said I ruined your life. I'm sorry Julie." He felt his throat tighten and breathing become harder "I failed you, and our baby and I'm so so sorry, I tried, I really did. But I know apologies aren't good enough. Because thanks to me you almost died. It's thanks to me you never got to live a normal, safe life."
Light-headedness swept over him as his lungs burned desperately for life sustaining oxygen. His heart hammered in his chest as his body worked in over-drive to get his organs working again.
"I understand if you never want to speak to me" His words were coming short breaths " But I want you to know that I'm sorry, I never wanted this to happen" His vision became blurry, and he used the remaining strength he had to stay upright " I ruined your life, I never deserved a wonderful person like you… I never deserved any of this. I…" The ex-hero never got to finish his sentence as his failing body crumpled to the floor, his eyes rolling into back of his head.
"BEN!" the ebony haired girl called out in panic, and immediately began to shift off the bed to help her fallen boyfriend. Seeing her cousin fall to the floor, Gwen rushed over, her emerald orbs full of worry.
"Kevin!" she called to her boyfriend "Go get Azmuth! I think he's having a panic attack of some kind!"
Nodding, he rushed off to go get the little alien, silently hoping the brunette Tennyson would be okay.
"Ben, Ben! Can you hear me? Ben!" The redhead called out to her cousin whilst gently shaking him. Fear rose in the pit of her stomach when he didn't reply. Placing her fingers on his neck she checked for a pulse, she let out a small sigh of a relief when she found one. It was weak, but it was still there.
Pulling her weak body from the bed, Julie swayed a bit, before feeling stable enough to begin walking. Big mistake. Her legs, that hadn't been used in months, collapsed under her, causing her to fall to the floor. Luckily she managed to break most of the fall with her arms, but still hit the ground with a audible thud.
Cursing, she willed her body to move, just so she could tend to her fallen boyfriend. But it refused to budge. She was to weak to do anything, except watch her redheaded best friend try and help the boy she loved.
Gwen continued to try and get a response out of the unconscious teen. So far, it wasn't working. That's when she heard the heavy foot falls of, what she guessed, was her boyfriend coming back with help.
Seconds later Kevin came rushing in, along with Max, Julie's parents and Azmuth. Seeing the boy on the floor, Azmuth hopped off Max's shoulder and inspected the teen.
"Hmm" he mused, and continued to walk round the ex- hero, checking his stats. "It seems young Ben here has had a panic attack. Meaning his brain and heart have gone into overdrive and caused him to pass out. Take him to the other bed, he should be fine shortly." he told them.
"So he's going to be okay?" a small worried voice called out, making everyone's head snap to were Julie was sat on the ground. Her legs tucked underneath her as she watched the small scientist diagnose the unconscious brunette.
"Julie!" They all cried, and immediately rushed over to her. Kevin, being extremely careful not to hurt her, gently picked her up and placed her back on the bed. Feeling slightly awkward at the fact everyone's' attention was her, she attempted to reassure them and get their attention back on Ben.
"Hey, guys I know your happy to see me and all, but shouldn't we be more worried about Ben?"
"The boy will be fine. You and the baby are more important right now" She heard her mother voice speak up. A wave of anger and betrayal swept through her as she processed her mothers words. Her mother hadn't cared when she was unconscious about her and the baby, yet now she was acting if they meant more than the universe its self.
"Yes. But Ben is important to me and the baby, and I want to make sure he is okay" she spoke firmly. Seeing that Julie wasn't going to budge unless they made sure Ben would be fine and put in a bed, Max walked over to his grandson and gently scooped his light body into his arms. Shocked at how skinny his grandson had become over the past few months, he placed him into the bed next to the tennis players and turned to his redheaded granddaughter.
"Gwen, will you a Kevin do me a favour?"
"Yeah sure Grandpa, what do you need?" Gwen politely questioned, her curiosity spiking at what her grandpa could possibly need.
"I want you to go down to Mr Smoothy's and Burger shack. Buy as many smoothies, chilli fries and burgers as you think you will need. We need to get some weight in this boy, if he doesn't eat soon he's going have a whole host of problems to deal with"
They nodded and headed out the room to retrieve the wanted items. Waiting until he knew the two teens were out of ear shot, he turned to Julie, and serious look on his usually happy features.
"Julie, I want you to answer honestly to the next few questions okay?"
"Um…okay" she replied, confused. Why were they being so secretive and demanding? She and the baby were fine, nothing else bad had happened.
"How do you feel? And don't just say fine. You need to tell us now if you feel any pain or discomfort"
The ebony haired girl sighed, knowing they were going to ask that question. "I'm fine. I don't feel any pain or discomfort. The only problems I have is that I can't walk and I'm starved. " she said exasperated. She just wanted to be left alone with Ben, she needed to sort out her thoughts before she did anything else.
"Okay, now that's taken care of, How much did they tell you?" he questioned again. The girls face hardened as she recalled what the others had revealed to her.
"They told me everything" she said darkly, her hard gaze settling on her mothers face "About the Ectonurite, the Acoma, and how my own parents wanted to take away mine, and my child's life so easily"
Her parents looked away from her gaze ashamed. Ashamed they never believed in their daughter.
Max nodded, his face apologetic as her saw pain and betrayal flash across the girl features for a brief moment.
"Okay Julie. Call us if you need us. We'll be back later to give you a look over" he told her, knowing she needed to have a word with her parents.
With that, the retired Plumber and the alien scientist left the room. Leaving the only the pregnant teen, her parents and the unconscious boy in the other bed.
"Julie, baby. I know you're probably mad and upset right now…" her mother began, her voice soft and calm to try and avoid a fight.
"Mad! Mum, you were going to KILL me! How could I not be mad!" Julie raged, her voice growing in pitch with every word.
"Well yes I understand that. But you have to understand honey, we really thought it was easier this way" her mother continued to try and soothe.
"For who Mum? You and Dad? So you wouldn't have a pregnant teenage daughter and keep your perfect image? Did you even bother to ask what Ben thought about this? About the whole situation?"
The woman in front of recoiled slightly as Julie fired of angry questions at her, her voice harsh and demanding.
"It was never about image. We care about you sweetie, both you and the baby. Ben didn't need to be involved in this, he was the one who caused it. It didn't concern him."
The ebony haired teen threw her hand's up in the air in disbelief at what her mother said.
"If you cared, you would have tried to end my life, like it was something to throw away" she pointed out, her tone accusing.
"And there you go again Mum. Blaming everyone but yourself. Not everything is Ben's fault, it takes two to tango y'know"
"Doesn't concern him! I am his girlfriend! I am carrying HIS baby! So tell me Mum, how doesn't it concern him?"
The older woman stayed quiet for a second, trying to find a good way to word what she was going to say without upsetting her daughter anymore than she already was. Noticing her mothers hesitation, she turned her question's to her father who had stayed quiet through the whole fight.
"What about you Dad?" she questioned, her voice slightly pained as she tried to hold back the rush of emotions that were hitting her like a ton of bricks.
"Did you think it was better to let me go? To pull the plug on your little girl? The little girl you told that if it ever came down to it, you would always fight for?" Tears spilled from her eyes as she stared at her father, hoping and praying he was still the man she had always look up at, The man she would forever call one of her heroes.
"I'm sorry sweetie, I'm so so sorry. I never wanted to let you go, but it really was the best option at the time. We just didn't want you to suffer anymore" He answered truthfully, he too on the verge of tears.
"How could you Daddy?" she sobbed, and endless stream of tears flooding down her pale face.
He tried to move forward to comfort her, to tell her how sorry he was. But Julie stopped him before he could
"No, I…I can't be near you right now. Please… just leave me alone"
Her parents nodded, there faces etched with shame. They retreated from the room, but before they were completely away, her father turned round, his eyes begging.
"Julie. I just want to let you know I'm sorry. We both are. And if you have it in your heart to forgive us, we want to be a part of both your's and the baby's life"
With that they left, leaving Julie alone. She continued to cry even after they had left. She couldn't believe that her parents had been so willing to give her up without a second thought of how it might affect people. She didn't recognise them as the people who had brought her up anymore. The people willing to do anything to make their only daughter happy. And she doubted she would ever see them that way ever again.
"Jules? Are you okay?" she heard a voice call out, breaking her thoughts of parents. She turned to face were Ben was sat upright in bed, his face contorted in worry.
"No, I'm really not" she choked out between pitiful gasps of air. Swinging his legs off the bed, he made his way over to his sobbing girlfriend. Taking up the small space beside were she lay, he cradled her shaking body in his arms, gently rocking her back and forth as she cried.
He had heard everything. And knew that this wasn't going to be easy. He would have to pay special attention to his ebony haired beauty to make sure she wouldn't make her self sick with worry and grief. He just hoped after all that they have been through, that things would get better. But like Paradox once said, The future is not set in stone, and anything could happen to change it.
A/N: Yay! Kind of a happy ending. But JULIE LIVES! *Does happy dance*. I was going to kill her off, but I couldn't do it. Anyway, hope you liked it and don't forget to review!
Sammyantha x