Stripped

Disclaimer: I own Ben, Chester Meroff, Ms. Welsh and her kids, and Kreela. The rest is Disney's.

James sat down on the couch, watching calmly as the others gathered around him waiting to hear what he found out.

"Well, when I followed Ben to the Rat Trap, I overheard a rather interesting conversation," James started.

"And?" Ben pressed on, looking like she was going to strangle him if he didn't tell them soon.

"Well, most of it was superficial, but then I heard someone mention Chester's name. He said that his hideout was located somewhere under the Rat Trap. Then the fight broke out," He said, leaning back against the back of the couch.

"Well, that narrows down the possible places that fiend can be," Basil said, filling his pipe with tobacco.

"Wait, you don't suppose he moved into that rat guys old hideout?" Ben said, her eyes brightening slightly.

"How would you know of that?" Basil inquired, sending smoke clouds in Ben's direction.

"Word on the streets says that's the only place under the Rat Trap, but that place would be too obvious, I mean, a lot of mice know about it," Ben said, the brightness in her eyes fading.

"There is another place, located under the pier. Why don't we check there," James told them, rising from his spot on the couch and moving to stand next to Ben, who shifted away from him. Why did he have to be right by her all the time? Ben shook off her uncomfortable feeling. There were more important things to worry about at the moment.

"All right then, let's-" Ben started to say, before feeling nausea well up inside her. She made a mad dash to the bathroom, earning some confused looks from Basil and James.

As Ben was crouched over the toilet, Kreela walked in, concern drawn on her face.

"Young one, are you sure it is wise to go in your condition?" She asked, as Ben retched into the toilet.

"I don't care if I'm on my deathbed. I will be there," Ben said between retches. Kreela just watched as Ben finished and stood up, wiping the back of her mouth with her paw.

"Nothing's going to change my mind," She added, as she walked out of the bathroom, determination set on her face.

"Let's head out," Ben told Basil and James as she walked into the living room.

"What, pray tell, was that about?" Basil inquired, curious about Ben's unusual behavior.

Ben flicked her eyes at him nervously. "Um…nerves," She lied quickly, averting her eyes to the ground between her feet. Basil just made an "Hm" noise through his nose, eyes narrowing like he knew something else was wrong. Did he know? He couldn't have. Up until she ran to the bathroom, she's been doing a good job of hiding her pregnancy from him, and anyone else who didn't all ready know.

"We really should start our search. Young Ben has waited long enough has she not?" Kreela asked, looking at Basil.

"I for one have waited long enough. That fiend proved to be more trouble then he's worth," Basil said, pulling on his Inverness.

"Don't underestimate him," Ben said quietly, her eyes hardening as she looked at Basil. "If you do, you're not going to be walking away from this fight in one piece."

"Well, I will be sure to keep that in mind," Basil told her in a tone of voice that suggested he was just humoring her.

"Heed Young Ben's warning Detective," Kreela said gravely, sensing Basil's disbelief. "For if you don't, her prediction will come true."

"We'll have time to squabble over who will win on the way there. For now, let's head out," James cut in, leading Ben and the others to the front door.

"He seems more anxious then me to find Chester," Ben thought a bit suspiciously as she followed.

"Indeed he does Young one, but I sense no ill intentions in him," Kreela said, attempting to put Ben's suspicion to rest.

"What do you sense in him anyway?" Ben asked, her curiosity getting the best of her as she followed the group out the door and into the streets.

"What do you sense in him?" Kreela asked, looking straight into Ben's eyes. She adverted her gaze, concentrating.

"Anger…and fear. But why?" She wondered, her eyes narrowing as she thought of a possible explanation.

"The anger, and fear, is the result of you young one," Kreela answered, not wanting Ben to waste her much needed energy on such a thought.

"Me?" Ben asked, astonished. "Why?"

"He is angry at Chester for harming you, and he fears that he will do so again," Kreela answered.

Something behind Ben's eyes clicked as she pieced together the conversation. "He likes me. That would explain the subtle flirting," She mused, the right side of her mouth lifting in an amused half grin.

"It would seem so young one, but do not let his advances, no matter how subtle, get in the way of your goal," Kreela told her.

"They haven't yet, and never will," Ben responded, feeling disgusted at the thought of loving someone, especially someone as odd as James.

"Young one, you still have much to experience," Kreela said, her voice holding a slightly amused note.

"Was that…amusement I detected?" Ben teased, mentally grinning. Kreela said nothing, merely turned back to her task of following Basil.

That's it for now. More to come soon,so sit tight!