Hi:

This chapter was really hard to write.


Chapter 64

At the crossroad

Ben sits on the large jagged rock as he watches over an angry sea. The boulder is some yards from the Wedding Hall used by Janine and Calvin the day of their nuptials. A location where his lover first said the pledge, till death do us part.

A pledge he quickly replied to.

"Till death do us part." He mouths the words as a crashing surf washes the shore below.

A hurricane will be hitting the small fishing village in a matter of hours, yet the marine biologist has other matters on his mind.

Or, possibly one concern spinning in his thoughts waiting to collide with an immovable object.

That object being his pride.

"This damn song." He whispers, referring to the tune that has continued from his drive here to this difficult contemplation overlooking the sea.

"Bro!" The familiar voice snaps the somber mood surrounding him.

"Xander, what are you doing here?" He asks.

"Me? Why the hell are you here?" A natural reply.

Ben takes a breath as a burst of sea flavored air chills both men. His vision returns to the ocean.

"Damn, Ben," Xander puts a foot on the back of the black boulder. "We are gonna get a bad one. This hurricane has put me on a double shift starting in two hours."

"Don't complain," Ben maintains his stare over the water. "We get the life we make for ourselves. "

"Man, you sound like a philosopher." Xander pulls up the collar on his worn and lined black leather jacket. "Or…" He runs his teeth over a lower lip.

"Or a man at a crossroad?"

Ben's question does not receive the expected reply.

"Hey! Let's get a drink. Nicole is busy with the manager. Oh, by the way," His words are quick. Xander realizes a change in the conversation is needed. "You'll be the first to know."
"Know what?" Ben turns with a subtle smile changing the once serious expression. "You're getting married."
"Bro, bingo." Xander shouts as he extends a hand to back of his best friend's shoulder.

"It's for our engagement party. I guess my future best man should know before anyone else."

Ben tuns his body and leaps to Xander's front.

"Xan, this is great news. I mean." Ben's joy over this news appears to steal the breath needed to speak.

As the two friends hug, Nicole calls from the Hall.

"Come on, we have to get the invitation list set."

"Already giving orders." Xander chuckles, as Ben pats him on the back.

"Come on, I'll buy you a drink." Ben states. His attitude and expression have become pleasant.

Walking together toward the Hall, Xander asks. "so, how is that guy Bro doin'?"

He lets out a snicker.

"Still starting any revolutions?" The good friend snorts a laugh.
"That's a joke." Ben replies. "He's too busy groveling in front of Ryn. I mean, Levi and Sarge and that Mate guy." Ben shakes his head as they prepare to enter the Hall. "They respected her, obeyed her like you would a general." He snorts a disgusted laugh. "But this guy is ridiculous."
"Well, that's how they live. I guess for us…it's a different thing?" Xander inhales over clinched teeth. He has said too much.

"Really, Bro?" Ben's tone has changed. He sounds as if he wishes an argument.

"Ben, forget what I said, let's have a drink." The quick response.

As they enter the Hall, Nicole waits with three glasses of whiskey.

"I thought you'd have champagne for the toast?" The future husband asks.

"Xan, come on. I'm a Navy girl. A damn Navy brat."

The two of them pick up their shot glasses. Ben follows.

"By the way, my father will be here. My brother is well enough to walk."

She turns to Ben.

"His recovery is not like yours or your mother's." She slashes a smile. "But, he can walk. A little slow, but we are so happy."
"Then we have more to celebrate." Xander touches his glass to Nicole's. Ben joins them

After downing the contents, the happy couple stiffen their posture and gasp. Both have grins on their face. Nicole's olive tone darkens.

Ben is unmoved by the whiskey's burning effect as it passes to his stomach.

"By the way, we were talking about the difference in your family's reaction to the stem cells compared to those patients we've tried." She tells Ben.

"How so?" Tilting his head after speaking.

"The doctors feel maybe your genetic make-up causes you to accept more of the…" Nicole inhales as she looks for the correct phrase.

"It appears your biological structure is more adaptable to cells from their species." She chuckles. "Like you were made to be…" She stops as Xander's tense expression causes the young woman to halt her words.

He can sense a change in Ben's temperament.

"You mean," Ben speaks through a forced grin. "My mother would be perfect for that matriarchal society," neither Nicole nor Xander reply.

"Go ahead Nicole, finish what you were saying. What everyone thinks." He asks before taking a deep breath.

"I have the physiology to be one of the…Drones of the Sea." The chuckle appears to escape from his sneer.

"Bro, your taking this the wrong way."

"Really, Xander?" Ben's tone is harsh. "You know she slapped me? You know that?"

Nicole takes a step back and slides down the bar. She picks up a book of floral arrangements lying open on the counter. Her vision freezes on the page.

"Ben, I…" Xander's breathing becomes shallow and increased.

"Don't bother explaining, I know what you must have heard about me. The whipped plaything of this sea creature."
Ben's expression is taut.

"What? Ben, what are you saying?"" Xander grabs hold of his distraught friend.

"If I called Ryn that, you'd kick my ass into Canada?"

Ben turns as he whispers, "congratulations." Taking a few steps toward the front door, he turns and speaks.

"Tell Nicole, I'm sorry. I should have kept my opinion to myself." In another couple of strides he leaves the Hall and walks to his car.

"Xander, what was all this about? I mean, I had no idea." Nicole asks as she rushes back to a position next to her fiancé.

"This has been brewing." He shakes his head. "Brewing for a while. I mean, now I found out." He shakes his head. "She hit him?"

The police officer in him needs to ask a question.

"Listen, baby. I need to…ask." He clutches her hand.

"What is it Xan? Please, tell me." Nicole places a kiss on his cheek.

"If a guy says he's at a crossroads?" His upper teeth run along a lower lip. "I mean with what you just heard him say."

"Xander, is Ben questioning his relationship with Ryn? I mean…is he thinking of leaving her?" Nicole stiffens her body, as if a cold wind had entered the room.

"I don't know. But maybe someone has to talk to Ryn. I mean, they have a baby." Xander adds.

"Xan, the only one that can talk to her is Ben. And I mean talk to her about anything." She sighs. "She only deals with the Navy cause of him."
"Well, if he can't?" He breathes in as if to fortify his words. "Maybe Maddie?" His full eyebrows flex.

"That girl is still confused over…so many things. This three way relationship. That stuff with Agent Torello." Nicole exhales. "And Ryn told us that she wants Ben and Maddie to have a baby."

"Have a what?"

"You heard me sweetheart." She snaps.

"Nickie, if he's the only one that can talk to her, I guess your little undersea project is sinking fast."
Nicole continues to offer opinions on how to help his friend and of course save the project.

Xander patiently listens as a thought circles his mind.

That Brother guy. The stuff Ben just told me about him.

Xander takes time away from his inner dialogue to nod. Nicole sees the action and is convinced her fiancé is listening and continues.

I don't trust that Brother.

The thought echoes in his mind.


As Ben pulls out of the parking lot, he whispers the words to the tune he has heard for a better part of the day.

"I'll be the one if you want me to."

His clenched teeth will not allow him to continue. His eyes moisten as the somber young man listens to the words.

And I will stumble and fall, I'm still learning to love, just starting to crawl.

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

As the Ian Axel, Chad King and Mike Campbell song continues, Ben's neck tightens. Axel's voice appears to rip through his chest.

Ben begins to shake his head as he hears…anywhere I would have followed you.

As tears begin to stream down his face, he calls out.

"And I will swallow my pride…you're the one that I love…and I'm saying goodbye."

Switching the sound system off, he picks his head up to see the reflection in the rear view mirror.

"Goodbye, Ryn." He wipes a tear from his eye. "At least for a while."

The vehicle enters the outskirts of the small fishing town.


At the other side of town

As Maddie leaves her father's house, a well-dressed woman exits a black Elantra.
Maddie is immediately struck by the young woman's fiery red hair.


Note to reader:

When I thought about this scene, I could not help but remember the song,

Say something, I'm giving up on you.

I played it while I was writing.

I'm certain Axel, King and Campbell had no idea their beautiful and haunting melody would cause wine and Kleenex stocks to soar.

The two products helped while I was writing this chapter.