It had been a busy week for one Gwendolyn Tennyson as walked out of Tennyson Tower back from a mission that took way too long to handle. Even with her cousin back to his somewhat usual self, they were still having trouble with the mission. It didn't help that Khyber was there and planned to blow them all to kingdom come. Luckily Ben was fast enough to handle him and she was able to contain the explosion. It wasn't easy with just the two of them ever since Kevin went crazy, again. He was hopefully not causing chaos somewhere as they haven't located him yet. Ben reassured her that they would find him and get him some help, he even offered dinner at his place since he wasn't going around the world twenty four seven. He left things to Ultimos and his team as well as the Plumbers. He was finally having time to himself and even started seeing someone. How did she know? Her cousin had randomly asked about which place to take a girl out, as if he wasn't begging her not to notice. But she was glad he was finally pursuing a relationship with someone. He had plenty of other girls, but they never hit home. The last one didn't last long as he began devoting himself into staying alien all the time. And what about her?

Well, after she and Kevin didn't work out and he went crazy trying to stop a bad guy he disappeared and always kept himself in the shadows. Some days she could hear him, others she felt like he would attack her cousin out of nowhere. It had been hard trying to find him especially with her magic abilities. Did that mean she still held love for her old flame? Sadly, no she had to move on and can't hold out hope for something that would or wouldn't happen.

She made her way to her apartment in Omnitrix City, near the central place where her cousin's statue was being worked on again. Opening the door with her key she walked in and swiftly closed it behind her. Her apartment was lit up indicating someone here and not a second later a figure walks into the living area from the alleyway with a book in hand.

Her silver hair tied in a bun, her bangs hanging on the sides of her face. Her purple eyes glued to the book as if she would lose her train of thought the moment her eyes would move away, her dark lips mouth the words she was reading. She wore a simple tank top without sleeves, jean shorts and slippers. Letting herself smile, a genuine fond smile at the woman who she had been with for over two years now.

Charmcaster – Hope, her real name – kept walking till she finally noticed a pair of eyes staring at her. Looking up emerald met magenta as a smile grazed the silver haired sorcerer and Gwendolyn can't help but turn red in her cheeks over her simple smile. Call her love sick or a love struck puppy but she would never get tired of seeing her of all people smile.

Shaking the blush in her cheeks away she opened her mouth to speak, "Hey," Sounding tired and worn out from her mission she wanted to collapse on the bed. She took off her cape and hung it on a coat rack that she only used.

"Hey," Her sweet, silvery voice replied back and Gwendolyn had to hold herself back from hugging her.

One week, She reminded herself. One week was all it took not to hear from her, even though they had been separated with her working at the University as a professor most of the time and helping Ben while Charmcaster was busy in Legderdomain. Currently her Uncle Hex has opted to oversee the realm of magic while she gets some time to relax. Who knew reconstructing an entire dimension, not to mention a magical one at that, took so much out of a person.

"How was your day?" She just noted that it was past three in the afternoon. The planet they were on hardly had an accurate record of time. Day and night worked so differently there and she wasn't surprised Ben didn't go stir crazy from it all.

Smiling, the silver haired witch made her way to the two seat sofa and plopped onto the seats with her book still in hand, "Good for the most part, been reading to pass the time," She gestures with the book in her hand. She wasn't usually one for sitting still and doing nothing the entire day much less the entire week. Walking towards the sofa she sat down and tried to get a peek at the book, reaching for it, but the witch pulled back and held up her finger.

"Was it that boring to be at home all week?" She questioned and tried again but Charmcaster moved further away towards the edge of the sofa. Not wanting the red haired heroine to see it.

"Mostly," She playfully rolled her eyes in a bored manner but her lips still held a smile on them, "But then I got to browse through your library and find a few books to read." The cover of the book was dark brown with gold writing on the front but she couldn't quite see the title of said book.

Huffing in defiance but mostly smiling along with her girlfriend, "And what book did you read?"

"Books." The silver haired sorceress corrected her, "It was a plethora of books and most of them had the same song and dance," She waved her free hand lazily in a circular motion, "But some did catch my eye, though."

Her purple eyes seemed to gleam with mischief. Using her free hand she cupped Gwendolyn's chin then pulled her in letting their lips crash gently into each other. Gwendolyn leaned into the kiss and gently tried to take control but her partner won't back back so easily. Her hand that cupped her chin moved behind her neck as she pushed her forward deeming the kiss. Their eyes closed as they embraced each other but Gwendolyn still tried to take the book but Charmcaster pulled away from the kiss. When their eyes met she saw Gwendolyn wanting more, the lust in her eyes as she panted for breath.

"You really thought it would be that easy, Gwen?" She then used a spell to make the book hover over to the table, "If you missed me that much then why didn't you just say so." She leaned in again and this time Gwen pushed her down onto the sofa with her legs spearing as her knee moved upwards.

The ruler of Legderdomain couldn't contain her giggled at how horny she was being. A week away and this is the first thing she wants to do? Perhaps she shouldn't be surprised, they have known each other for nearly their entire lives. Breaking the make out session again Gwen whimpered loudly and bit her lower lip in frustration. She couldn't help the smirk that formed on her lips at what she was seeing.

"It's not funny," Gwendolyn barked. Her emerald eyes told her that she was using herself back, "You try being away from home for an entire week with nothing but frustration building up."

"I take it the mission went well," She playfully moved her hands down her hips and onto her rear end.

"I don't want to talk about the mission."

"But you want to talk about pent up frustration?" She questioned back quickly and saw her cheek turn rosy red, "We can talk later if you're up for it?" She lightly pushed her forward letting a gasp escape the red haired woman's mouth.

She leaned forward again and this time kept her voice low, "But for now, I just want to hear you scream," She whispered softly and teased the woman by biting her lower lip.

~~~~

Hours passed as Charmcaster found herself sitting on top of their bed wearing one of Gwendolyn's cat themed shirts with a number ten on the left hand side and her panties. She saw the woman in question sitting at the edge of the bed with a phone placed to her ear with numerous scratch marks on her back. She couldn't help herself, along with multiple love bites on her neck going down her collar bone. She was dressed in a plain white shirt and shorts, her other clothes were thrown onto the floor when they made their way to the bedroom. Charmcaster also had a few markings here and there but Gwen had more. Both their hair were bewildered from their passionate love making as well as other methods that they wanted to try out. Gwen wanted to go for another round but she stopped the red head and asked for a small break. Truth be told she can go for another round but she wanted to talk to her.

Gwen was on the phone talking to Ben, the call happened right after they stopped, and she kept her voice levelled while Charmcaster kept her mouth shut. Ben didn't know and neither one wants to actually tell him that his cousin is going out with a former enemy who tried to kill them on numerous occasions but hadn't done anything bad for at least a few years now. Avoiding the Plumbers as well as Ben Ten Thousand himself has been though ever since the two moved in together.

"Alright, alright, I'm on my way, just don't do anything stupid, doofus," She ended the call, letting out a frustrated sigh. Crawling on the bed she wrapped her arms around the redhead's waist from behind.

"Everything alright?" She asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Nodding she took Charmcaster's hands into hers and leaned back, "Yeah, just Ben who wanted to suddenly talk. He sounds panicked and that's never a good sign."

"Well you got to cover up first before you leave," She pointed to the love marks on her neck then trailed down her collarbone, "Wouldn't want him to see that now, would you?"

"And whose fault is that?" She asked, her lips curving upwards in a smirk.

Charmcaster ignored her question and snuggled into the base of her neck. Her hair was cut short but she liked it either way. She then started planting kisses at the back of her neck as her arms tighten around her waist. Gwen giggled but she didn't move to stop her at first but once she felt the silver haired woman's hand roam her body, she knew what she was planning. Turning to face her she gave her a kiss of her own as she tried to pry out of her hold.

"I…have to go meet…Ben," She said between kisses as her partner held her tight not letting go, "Hope, I'm not paying around." She stopped and looked into her emerald eyes, her smile never fading from her face.

"He can wait a few minutes," She said then kissed her lips gently, "I haven't seen you for a week and now you run off to your cousin? What would people think?"

Gwendolyn playfully scoffed then let herself fall on top of Charmcaster, digging her arms underneath her and giving her a hug. The witch blinked for a second but hugged back.

"You know he needs help, right?"

"I know, Gwendolyn."

"He's an idiot at times."

"I got that when I met him the first time."

"I love you, Hope."

"Love you too, Gwen."

Those were the words they first told each other after a year of going out. Both were nervous of how they felt and didn't want to ruin whatever they had going on at the time. But during a mission with a mysterious cult trying to resurrect a demon, they still didn't agree which one said it first, those words were said and after that they would one a day say it. They weren't alone and had found each other through unconventional means. With Gwendolyn off on mission with her cousin and Charmcaster taking care of things in Legderdomain they were pretty busy and small moments like these made it all worthwhile.

"A few minutes, right?"

~~~~

Few minutes, her ass. Gwendolyn rushed through the quiet night of Omnitrix City wearing a long sleeve coat, scarf wrapped around her neck – concealing the love bites – denim jeans and plums. She still had her earring on and tried to make herself not look like she just did something or someone. Shaking the thought away she promised herself Hope would pay one way or another. Now she was speed walking towards a small restaurant that Ben had told her to meet. There weren't a lot of people and aliens in the dead of night but criminals still lurked around every corner so she had her guard up. Arriving at the small restaurant she looked around and saw her cousin sitting in a corner of the establishment.

He wore his green and white hoodie, his left sleeve rolled up revealing the bulky Omnitrix taking up his entire forearm, loose brown pants and his black and white shoes. He had a plate of Chilli fries before him with a smooth in hand. She'll never understand how her cousin still eats those. Even with magic she can't stay fit forever.

Making her way to her cousin she sat down across from him and plastered on a smile.

"Hey," She greeted and Ben looked up from his food into her eyes. His emerald ones shined a bit brighter than hers, probably from the Omnitrix he's fused to. His hair was still the same brown and had that beard to make him look older. She wouldn't stop teasing him about his baby face when they were younger.

"Hey? That's all you have to say?" He didn't raise his voice but he was irritated, "Gwen, I called you an hour again to meet me here," She opened her mouth to correct him but he stopped her, "Yeah, I know it's Gwendolyn but still. I thought something bad might have happened to you. I was prepared to go XLR8 and search for you." Her eyes soften at how worried he was being, almost like when they were kids, still worried about him even now.

"I'm fine, Ben," She said softly, "I was just doing some stuff," She pushed the scarf up to cover her mouth a little as her cheeks flushed thinking of Hope as stuff when she knew the silver haired beauty was doing her more than anything.

Ben looked at her in silence for a minute, trying to find a glue in her story but came up short, instead he asked, "Why are you wearing a scarf?"

"It's cold," She quickly answered, "It's chilly at night, you know this already." Omnitrix City was no stranger to cold nights, much less a cold day.

Ben took a bite out of a fry and pointed the half eaten one at her, "Out of all the spells in that book of yours, you can't warm yourself up? Or use one of the charms to do that?"

He made a good point and Gwen knew he was right. She had used her charm of Pyrokinesis to elevate her body temperature to keep herself warm but she didn't think Ben would bring it up. She can't just explain to him about what she's doing or who.

Quickly remembering why she was here she brought her hands together and muttered a spell underneath her breath, making her hands warm up, "What did you call me here for? Surely it couldn't wait till morning?" At least give her till the afternoon to rest and relax her muscles.

"Oh, that, yeah," He rubbed the back of his head nervously and took a sip of his smoothie, "Promise not to freak out?" She raised a brow at his question. If he was asking her not to freak out then it must be serious or he got a poor woman pregnant. Wait, was he coming out of the closet? She had her suspicions for a couple of years now but didn't think much of it.

She nodded her head slowly at her cousin who took a deep breath, "l don't think I'm ready for a relationship."

"What?" She nearly yelled out but was calm. This is what she had to leave Hope for? Relationship advice? Goddammit, Ben.

"I mean, we've hit it pretty good. She likes me and I like her. She knows how dangerous my life is and she herself is pretty good in a fight but I don't…I don't know, Gwen," He looked down at his plate of junk food and she could sympathise with her cousin on this.

It took her a lot longer to have an actual functioning relationship with Hope 'cause she was scared she would mess it up or the two would start fighting once their night of fun was over. But as the dates came and went she knew she wanted to be with her, not on the same level as Kevin but she didn't want anyone else in that moment except her. The witch that stole her heart.

"I get it," Gwendolyn spoke and Ben listened, "But that shouldn't stop you from trying to pursue a relationship, one that is both loving and caring, with this woman," She grabbed his hand that was on the table, his fingers had soy sauce at the tip, and she lightly squeezed giving him a reminded that she never left him. Always by his side even when he started being a hero first Ben Tennyson second, "If you care for this woman, if you love her even, then don't be afraid Ben, we all have that someone waiting out there. Whether it's her or not, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you deserve happiness and a chance to have a family of your own."

Marriage is something she doesn't think about a lot these days. It's the mission, go home, help Hope with Legderdomain etcetera. But even in those tough days she still has someone who loves her. She just hopes to be able to share it with her friends and family.

"Right," A breath he didn't know he held but it was out. As if a burden was taken off his shoulders, he let out a small chuckle. Gwendolyn helped him again, first trying to be more human and letting others handle the hero business and now here with relationship advice, "Guess I owe you one more, cuz."

"You know you owe me more than that right?" The two shared a laugh and Gwendolyn asked herself when the last time they just sat down and talked. Not recently, Ben was starting to come around and it wouldn't be as fast as she thinks. He still has to make up with his parents, "Who's the lucky girl?" She laughed inwardly at the unintentionally pun she just made. It has been a long time since she used that alias.

"You know her." His eyes scan for something else to look at besides Gwendolyn's.

"Jennifer Nocturne?" He shook his head. "Looma?" Another shook his head, "Don't tell me it's Attea?"

He suddenly started coughing at the mention of the Incursean Queen. They hadn't seen her in a long time, which was good. Their arrival spelled doom everywhere they went, "What, no, never, she's not my type," He carefully said.

"Alright, Ester? The two of you were so sweet together."

"It's not her."

"Julie?"

"She's married."

She blinked once, twice placed both hands onto the table, "Seriously? When?"

He lazily waved his free hand, "Don't know but she's married and that's all that matters."

"Alright then that leaves…oh God, no, Ben please tell me it isn't her?" Her eyes widened at the realisation at who her cousin could be seeing. Please anyone but her.

"Look, I know how this looks but I can explain," He slowly said.

"How can you date Elena Valdes?!"

"What?! No!"

The two blinked and saw that they had stood up, both shouted at one another but the other customers present didn't pay them mind. They quickly sat down and Gwen brought the plate of chilli fries toward her. She ate one, then another, then another and another. Ok, maybe she gets why Ben is addicted to these friese.

"So it isn't Elena?"

Ben looked downright mortified at her suggestion that he went out with her. Truth be told he had a crush on her when they were eleven but it faded when moved town and the two lost contact. She eventually came back but Ben was in a relationship at the time and it was revealed she was crazy and the microchip's mind controlled her. Now dubbed the Queen or whatever. They hadn't seen her since and it was only off rare sightings and off handed comments about her appearance across the globe.

"No, it's not, Gwen, that ship has already sailed, remember?"

"I remember you wanting to stick it into crazy," She gave a teasing smile but Ben didn't seem fazed by it. Her brows furrowed and she thought deep on who the person is, "It isn't Kai, is it?"

"Got it right after six tries," He flashed but then looked at his cousin seriously, "She's changed, Gwen."

"That so? 'Cause I remember her wanting to train you like a dog as Benwolf."

He inwardly groaned at the name he gave his Loboan form back when he was ten, "It's Fenroar, it's got a nicer ring to it then Benwolf." No way he was sticking to BlitzWolfer.

"Alright, but I'm still curious, is she gonna want your Loboan stick or not?

Glaring at the redhead across from him, "Not," He simply stated, "Plus I didn't go alien once when I was taking her out."

Colour her impressed, she didn't take the dog lover to actual change. She always, and still does, think Ben could do way better than his first crush. Maybe it was because they were kids and she didn't have an actual understanding of what love is but now? It was a different ball game.

"You like her?" He nodded his head and she sighed, "Alright, but if I hear she wanted some Loboan–"

"Then I'll dump her, Gwen, I promise," He held his hands up in a mock surrender. Jeez, she was just like his mom at the time. Protective and scary to the 'T', "I promise she's changed a lot and not just in her personality," She wanted to chastise him but found herself wondering as well. Hope wasn't her first girlfriend as she did have a few flings here and there before the two started really going out.

"But enough about my failed love life, what about you Gwendolyn?" Again the sorceress found herself blinking at her cousin from his sudden question. Why, oh why, can't she catch a break.

"Ben, my love life is my own business. It's not to be shared with," He knows how she hates it when people bring up Kevin suddenly and how they just know that he and she were an item when they were younger. It brings questions into the fray if she could take on her former lover and how she would deal with it.

"I get that, Gwen, I do but," His voice softly and gentle like always, "You have to move on from Kevin, I did and so should you."

Closing her eyes not wanting to look at her cousin for a minute or two she let out a sigh, "I have moved on, trust me, Ben."

"Who is it? There's only a handful of people I know that you would date?"

"You know," The emphasis with a smirk, "There's more to me than meets the eye, Ben." He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, his elbows on the table as he looked into Gwendolyn emerald eyes.

"Cooper?"

She rolled her eyes at the obvious person he would think of, "Dating Lucy."

"Really? Guess I shouldn't be too surprised then. Jimmy?"

"No, not my type, Ben, you should know that by now."

"Hey, you can learn a lot about someone who is not your type. Micheal?"

"Seriously, Ben? That parasite? I'd rather eat Grandpa Max's meal worms than date him." Too many unpleasant memories to count with him at the forefront.

"Hmm?" He stroked his beard deep in thought as he mull over the possible 'love interest' for Gwen. There weren't a lot and most of them were criminally insane but he keeps thinking about the opposite gender so that would narrow it down to? It clicked and his mouth slightly formed a smirk as he snapped his fingers.

"Charmcaster." He watched her expression change from stoic to horrified at how easily he guessed and it took him three tries to get it, "I'm right ain't I?"

Nodding her head slowly she opened her mouth to talk, "You're right but how?" She was pretty sure it wasn't that obvious she's dating Hope. Nobody knows where she lived in the city and she made sure no one was following her. She had to cast an illusion spell once just to get rid of a bunch of muggers who followed her.

"Well, she's your archenemy, but I guess she isn't since you're sleeping with her, and I know the two of you got along great after the whole 'I want the Omnitrix' phase which a lot of villains still do."

He had a point again. She and Hope do get along well and don't always fight. Sure she was jealous of Gwendolyn's sudden growth in magic and how she was able to fight someone much more powerful than her but she got over it and learned a lot about her. The red-haired sorceress learned her fair share about Hope as well and why she was hell bent on proving she's superior.

She didn't know what to say to her cousin but she knew a few words that might do it.

"Go to hell, Ben."

The hero of heroes laughed out loud at how right he was. He had his own thoughts about where Gwen went everyday but didn't think it was important at the time and thought she would open up about it sooner or later. Guess he was right not to pray into her personal life.

"Guess we can have a double date then," He said happily, "You meet Kai and I meet the girl you've been hiding away all this time, huh."

"No."

"Come on just think about, alright," His Omnitrix beeped loudly and he quickly checked it and saw it was an emergency, "Sorry gotta run," In a blinding flash of emerald light Ben had transformed into his Kinecelearn form and sped away leaving money on the counter.

Gwendolyn sat there stunned, she wasn't going to help him. Whatever it was, he can deal with it himself. For now she has to deal with her cousin knowing about her and Hope, which he will tease her with and want to know the details, yet she finds herself relief that her cousin found out on his own and didn't cross question like her parents and Lucy, gods she loves the girl but the teasing won't stop with this one.

Gripping the scarf around her neck, Gwendolyn stood up and left some extra cash for the person who ordered for Ben. The people in Omnitrix City don't get paid enough, as she made her way home.

Home, almost forgetting that the two were once enemies and now look where they are. Hopefully, pun not intended, she can have a relaxing day off tomorrow and just have Hope next to her. Watching TV and chill, not having to worry about a possible alien invasion.

Yip, just her and her girlfriend relaxing in each other's arms.