Title: A Different Agenda
Author: sue
Rating: PG13
Show: DA
Genre: Angst/Romance
Type: WiP
Summary: What if Ben didn't managed to escape with the others in '09? And what happened if 493 that was sent on the Berrisford Mission instead of 494? And somehow after Manticore was burnt down, he had gotten together with Max. Both of them were working as messengers at Jam Pony when Ben's dark past started to haunt them, threatening to disrupt the budding relationship. And then, tragedy strikes..
And Max finds herself being haunted by the ghost of Ben,.. in the body of another. Will she trusts herself to fall in love again, or will she be too scared to let herself be hurt all over again?
A/N: This is hopefully the first chapter for a new story that I'm going to start working on soon. Well, I was thinking of taking this up after I'm done with 'anything and everything', which is coming to an end, if I didn't change my mind about the supposed ending.. again. edited to say that since I'm doing a&e's sequel, sigh then this fic will be something I'll do when I have some time to spare lol We'll see about that soon ;)
Oh, one more thing. Maia helped me in betaing this chapter, so a great thanks goes to her :)
Chapter 1- Lost and Found Part 1
It was a bright sunny day and the sky overhead was filled with puffy white clouds. The air was a little crisp and two riders could be seen as they cycled past. A young man in his early twenties was pedaling beside an attractive brunette. The wind whipped past his dark blond hair and the hazel green eyes twinkled as he turned around and grinned at the dark haired girl besides him. His eyes softened as he saw that the girl had pulled her hood tightly against her face, sheltering her features from the icy wind. Both of them cycled faster towards their destinations. The cold burst of air seemed to blast his troubles away but it wasn't like he had any to speak of. At the moment his life was perfect enough as it was. He had Max, he had a job and he was surrounded by people who liked him whom he was very proud to call his friends.
The young man with the laughing eyes grinned as again he glanced back towards the lagging Max, she was cycling a little behind with a bemused expression on her face.
"Hey Maxie," he called out, breaking her out of her reverie, "Up for a little challenge?" Then without waiting for her answer, he turned and pedaled furiously ahead, laughing loudly as Max sputtered indignantly at being left behind.
"You.. you.. Ben!" she shouted furiously but her dark eyes were gleaming as she started after him. "Just wait till I get my hands on you!" she yelled to his disappearing back as she cycled faster and smiling widely at the prospect, 'I'm so gonna kick your ass!'
"Yeah right Maxie," he called out cheerily as he blasted off.
Laughing gaily Max quickened her pace until she was just behind him. She growled as he turned his head and winked cheekily, before he hurtled faster. Max narrowed her eyes in concentration and under her hooded lids, her dark brown eyes glinted with something.
Playfulness and boldness all rolled together.
She cycled faster and as she was just behind him, she pushed herself up and leapt towards his moving back, smiling widely as she soared towards him. The cold wind pushed her hood away and streamed through her long silky dark hair. As she neared him, she threw out a hand and grabbed his jacket, taking him along on her journey and together they tumbled clumsily on the grassy ground.
Both of them were breathing hard and their bikes were lying haphazardly on the sides but they didn't even realize that. Ben was on top of Max and he was panting hard as he looked down worriedly at her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked anxiously as his hand started to move around her body, looking for any signs of injury, "Maxie, are you okay?"
As his hands were moving over her ribs, she shuddered slightly and then, quickly she moved her hands upwards and wound them around his neck as she pulled him to her.
Ben smiled as he felt her arms around him and he leant closer, one hand moved to cup her heated cheek before he slowly touched his lips to hers, tasting the sweet taste of her full lips before he deepened the slowly consuming kiss. Underneath his slowly wandering hands, Max groaned as she felt his probing tongue and she opened her lips wider as her hand tightened around his neck, pulling him much closer to her.
Something burst in Ben's mind and he pulled himself off her a little, his face flushed while he tried to get himself under control. He looked down on her rosy face and he dropped a small kiss on her waiting lips before he pulled her back to her wobbling feet. Max stared at him in disappointment as she watched the way he was brushing grass from her rumpled clothing.
Ben saw the questioning look in her eyes and he grinned, brushing the last of the clinging grass away before he tweaked her collar a little, "I'd love to continue.. when we get home, sweetheart."
Confusion left her dark eyes as she grinned and replied, "You betcha. Let's go Romeo, we have a delivery to make."
A few moments later after much laughing and chasing one another, the two of them made it to their destination, a big sprawling mansion. Ben was still laughing when he turned around to ring the doorbell before the sight of that huge house froze him on the spot. And visions of what seemed from a different lifetime assaulted him and his hand trembled as one by one, they flashed in front of his dazed eyes.
Images of him in a perfectly pressed blue suit, about to press the same doorbell.
The door opened and he was inside the big mansion.
His cold calculated gaze as he looked the house over, committing every single fact to memory.
Ben shivered when he recalled the icy cold emotions and he pulled his shaking hand away. Besides him, Max suddenly saw his odd behaviour and she looked curiously before she decided to do a little probing.
"Hey Ben, are you okay?" she asked lightly and she pushed the doorbell herself. Her heart skipped a bit when she saw his suddenly blank eyes and hesitatingly she asked again, "Ben.. what is it?"
Agitatedly Ben grabbed the parcel from her hands before tossing it over the tall gate. "No one's home," he said abruptly at her shocked expression, "Let's go."
"But.. Ben! We need the signature," she said, frowning at his unreadable face.
"Let's go.. Max," he said slowly, pronouncing each syllable with a hardness Max never seen before. Inwardly she trembled as she realized he had called her Max, not his usual affectionate Maxie, and he had said it sharply, briskly and firmly.
This was not the Ben she knew and had fallen in love with. The stranger in her Ben's body looked at her wildly as he waited for her to make her move. Hesitantly, Max straddled her bike, pushed the pedals and sailed off besides him, looking at him anxiously every few seconds.
And her troubled heart continued to beat frantically in her throat as she scrutinized his stiff features.
Crash, a few hours later.
At the corner of the packed room, two girls were huddled behind a table as one of them was pouring her heart out. Another girl was listening intently while she was sipping from her half filled glass. Max was a little agitated, she was practically wringing her hands in worry while she spoke, "Something's very wrong Cindy," she moaned as she stared anxiously at her silent best friend.
"Why do you say that boo?" OC spoke, wanting to hear the problem from Max's own lips even though she had sensed something earlier.
"I don't know," Max whispered, her dark eyes appealed to OC for some insight and much needed help. "It's only something I felt. Deep down," she took a deep breath before adding softly, "I know something is terribly wrong."
"When did this all start?" OC asked seriously and she put her still half filled glass down.
Max was silent for a few moments while she thought the question over before she replied, "This morning. It all started this morning.. after our first delivery."
OC nodded and spoke, "As far as Original Cindy can tell ya, there's only one thing ya can do boo," she said calmly as she looked into her friend's tormented eyes, "talk to your boy.. right now." She cocked her head towards Ben who was slumped at the bar, nursing an almost empty glass.
The man in question was sitting at the bar, staring at his half raised glass. He lifted the glass and stared as the amber liquid swirled in its glassy prison and his torturous mind pushed him back to his hellish past.
"We have established a cover for you 493," Sandoval said, his eyes hard and unreadable.
He was escorted into a room with a piano. A girl standing at the window turned to him and smiled. He smiled back as she shook his hand.
"I'm Rachel," she smiled softly.
"Is this okay?" she asked as her hands moved over the keys.
"Yes, don't worry. Just watch your dynamics," he replied reassuringly.
Rachel turned and asked with her gentle smile, "Do you want to go for a swim?"
He glanced at the pool before looking at her, "All right."
"I like you," he admitted and she smiled, moving in closer to kiss him. After they broke apart, he was a little wide eyed as he added, "I like you a lot."
"I love you."
Ben looked up, startled at the honest statement and gulped.
"Your hands are shaking," Rachel remarked worriedly.
"No, I'm just.. happy," he said before enfolding her in a tight embrace.
Ben shuddered as the memory continued, pushing him deeper into its dark painful space.
And half a room away, Max looked worriedly, noting his uncharacteristic behaviour. "You're right, I have to talk to him," she muttered distractedly and moved towards him.
She laid her hand lightly on his tensed shoulder and her heart wept after there was no reaction from him. "Ben?" she whispered, sliding her hand gently to his neck.
Slowly he turned and Max cringed as she saw his glassy eyes. "Ben? What's wrong? Please, tell me Ben," she pleaded, staring desperately into his eyes.
"Nothing Max," he shook his head and turned his attention back to the glass he had been holding, "Nothing is wrong."
"No, I know there is. Come on honey, please talk to me. You're not acting yourself. Please Ben, please," she whispered as she lifted his hand, holding it tightly to her cheek.
Ben turned, saw the brimming eyes and he sighed, "Nothing babe, it's nothing. Don't worry about it. Go and have fun with Cindy, I have to go out for a while."
Ignoring her slight sound of disagreement, he drew her nearer and pressed his lips firmly against hers. Instantly Max wrapped her arms around him, unwilling to let him go as she kissed him with frantic need.
Ben sighed and deepened the kiss, letting the feel of her pliant lips and soft body calm him down. He let himself enjoy the feeling of her for a few more seconds before his hands moved to her shoulders and he broke the kiss.
"I have to go," he whispered and her eyes darkened.
He saw the unshed tears and leaned in, pressing another quick kiss before he withdrew, but his hand was still slowly stroking the line of her jaw. "I'll see you soon," he whispered and he turned to leave.
"I love you Ben, remember that," she whispered hoarsely to his retreating back.
Ben was still for a second as her admission struck in and he closed his eyes in defeat.
That's the problem; I don't think I deserve your love Max.
She watched with sinking heart while he moved across the packed room. "I have to go after him," she whispered suddenly, "something bad is gonna happen, I just know it." She turned and started walking but someone chose that exact moment to crash into her. "Watch where you're going!" she snapped as her neck craned, trying to catch a glimpse of his broad back.
"Sorry," someone slurred, leaning against her for support.
"Sketchy?" she asked, frowning as he tried to keep his balance.
"Yup," he nodded, grinning drunkenly at her, "Sketchy, that's me."
"God, what happened to you?"
"Nothing, I just got a little tipsy," he slurred before his expression changed to complete horror, "I wanna throw up!"
"Damn!" quickly, Max grabbed his shirt and hauled him forcefully to the nearest toilet. She closed her eyes tiredly as he continued to retch.
"Are you okay?"
"Guess so," he nodded, wiping his mouth.
"kay, you take care of yourself, I gotta blaze." After seeing that he was safely at another table, she ran quickly outside as she swept her gaze wildly around, looking for her Ben. But the area was completely empty.
He was gone and she had absolutely no idea where he was heading.
To be continued..