"Mmm... I love chocolate chip pancakes." I mumble happily as our food comes to the table. Ben just rolls his eyes, doing that incredibly hot 'I'm so hot I don't even have to try' smirk that makes me crazy. "What?" I ask, glaring angrily at him as his smirk just grows.

"Babe, you're on the verge of obsessing." he says, and I stick my tongue out at him.

"Hey, chocolate chip pancakes may just be the best breakfast food ever invented!" I pout, crossing my arms over my chest huffily. I hate how he can get me so riled up.

"Nope, nothing can top good old bacon and eggs." he says, and I just laugh. He gives me a pout, and I poke him in the arm. "Hey! What was that for?" he asks, rubbing it even though I barely touched him.

"It's not fair how you can make me so angry yet be so cute at the same time." I say, taking a bite of pancake.

He leans in, kissing me softly on the lips. "It's not fair how cute you are when you're angry. That's why I get you mad." he explains, lacing his fingers with mine. See? Again with the not-fair cute thing. I lean my head on his shoulder, pushing my plate away.

He gives me a look, and I hold back a smirk at how good he takes care of me. "I'm not hungry...again." I tell him, and he nods understandingly, rubbing my cheek with his thumb.

"I have some food in the truck, in case you get hungry." he says, and I nod. We pay the bill and head out to the car, his arm around me in that now-familiar pose.

"So, where we headed?" I ask, hopping into the passenger's seat with all the energy I can find in me- which is to say, not very much at all. I rub my temples as another rush of blood in my head ingrains itself into my migraine.

"Seattle...to our faithful C.O." he says, grinning happily. I smile nervously, not really wanting to think about all of that quite yet.

"What do you think he'll do about me?" I ask, my voice surprising me as I voice my thoughts.

"He's been looking for you since the escape, Liz. It'll mean the world to him to know that you're safe." he tells me, looking into my eyes so I can see the truth in his. I sigh, leaning my head against the headrest tiredly.

"Thanks, babe." I say, my voice only a soft whisper. "You mind if I take a nap? My head feels like it's about to explode." I tell him, and vaguely hear him assuring me to. "Night." I whisper, sinking into a dreamless sleep.

Ben's PoV

I think that she's feeling worse now. She's clammy, and warm, even by transgenic standards. I'm trying my best to help her feel better, but I honestly don't know what to do. Not a good feeling for someone who, according to our creators, was "educated in every field."

I just keep driving, trying not to think about it, but my thoughts are like a god damn mental boomerang, and keep leading me back to her. How I should have protected her. It's not fair to her...I promised to keep her safe. I just hope I can come correct, and help her through this bitch.

Liz pries her eyes open against her body's harsh demands, trying to clear her mind of the god that shrouds her. "Ben?" she asks softly, the blood pounding in her head alarmingly loud. Her throat feels dry, unused, and she's too tired to look around to see if he's there. She just closes her eyes against the harsh light of the night.

"I'm right here, Liz." he says, squeezing her hand. She relaxes a little, but then opens her eyes, wildly filing her thoughts to think of where they are.

"Where are we?" she asks, looking around confusedly, feeling like she has amnesia.

"Seattle. I pulled over to see if you were hungry." he says, holding up an orange. She shakes her head weakly, looking out the window, a small sparkle flashing in her eye as she spots that they're parked next to the Space Needle, then it fades away, replaced by a tired look.

"Ben, can we go up it?" she asks, and he shakes his head.

"Not until you eat something." he says, worried about her. She pales considerably, shaking her head slightly.

"Honey, I can't. I'll get sick if I do."she says, looking at him with those big doe eyes that Bambi would die for. "Please, Ben, take me up there. I want to feel the wind." she says, smiling softly at him, and he caves, walking around the car and helping her out.

He immediately lifts her into his arms. But, knowing that she can't do it herself, she wraps her arms around him in an attempt to gain some of his warmth. so cold.... She's so warm, burning Ben's hands as he holds her, but she shakes with cold. "Ben, it's freezing out here. Are we almost there yet?" she asks as he hurries up the steps, striding as fast as his transgenic abilities will allow.

"We're here, baby, don't worry." he assures her, carrying her into the observatory. He sets her so she's standing up, but he wraps both arms around her to keep her balance steady.

"It's beautiful." she whispers softly, putting her hands on his arms and pulling him closer. She looks up at him, with those adoring eyes, and runs her finger along his stubbly cheek. "I love you," she whispers, her eyes going unfocused, the lids closing over them as she collapses, Ben's arms the only thing keeping her safe.

He lowers her to the ground, laying her limp body in his lap as he checks for her weak, but still beating pulse. He strokes her hair, pulling out his cell and dialing the one number that he knew he could help.

"Zack, Liz is sick. I'm at the Space Needle. Hurry." he says, pleading silently for the long-forgotten Blue Lady to help him.

I know I gave up on you a long time ago.. he prays, rocking her back and forth slightly, wrapping his coat around her. But please, just let me have this one good thing in my life....I need her.

AN

hey, y'all!!! how'd you like it? Sucked? Made you vomit? Please, please tell me, folks!!! I want to know what you think...oh, by the way- happy or sad ending? Winner gets to choose!!!!!!

Luv ya much!! Hugs, kisses, and hot cocoa all around! (Well, gosh darn it, it's just so yummy)

mwa

molly jeane :D