O.S.
Bang.
Creek.
Creek.
Creek.
"Update, Dr, now!"
A light reflected off green irises.
"Dilated pupils, broken ribs, head trauma. God only knows what else." A nurse shouted
Clang.
The IV bag swings left and right.
"Blood pressure dropping! Get the levels, NOW!" Another nurse shouted as staff cleared the way
A bed is rushed past reception into the emergency room.
"Faster! Come on!"
"I'm driving as fast as I can!"
"Screw this!"
A door is slammed open against the wind.
Brakes screech in the parking lot.
Shoes kill the pavement with each slam.
Glass shatters through the sliding doors, leaving the receptionist and staff in shock amongst the chaos.
Eyes wide. Breathing rapidly. Shards breaking.
One word is spoken, yet out of breath.
"Tennyson!"
Medical staff examined their injuries and kept them in the waiting room.
Armed security guards stood outside the doorway with several police officers.
Escorted from the waiting room, they remained in suspense as they were escorted to their allocated room, with Grandpa Max and an officer in tow.
The young hero's fate, unknown for now.
Statements of the previous battle were given.
All they can do is wait.
The hardest part.
That's when he sees her.
Grand, flowing hair.
Witts ever about, in every fight.
Ever vigilant.
Never giving in.
Tough as nails.
Elegant beauty.
Navigating life's troubles.
Negating every obstacle.
Yearning to protect everything she loves.
Shielding him from harm, sometimes to the extreme.
Only in her mind, it's viewed as worth it.
Needing to keep her love safe.
"The thing about a crush is, sometimes you get crushed." Gwen consoled.
"Only *I* can torment my cousin like that!" She declared.
"We're glue, got it? I don't give a shit that we're cousins, we're thick as thieves. You can talk to me about *anything."
These, and many more, caring words from his cousin emerged, seeing her in this now-still state.
One stray bolt of electricity to his enemies, as the sorceress tossed and tumbled her way in battle with Ben.
Her eyes shot open as nurses tried calming the young girl, her limbs flailing beneath the covers.
"Do you know who you are?" One nurse asked.
"Gwen, Gwen Tennyson."
"Where are you?"
"Bellwood Hospital, Emergency Room."
"Do you remember anything before you got here?"
"Ben and I were battling Forever Knight's minions, then one of the knights struck me with...lightning I think. That's all."
"Well, Ms. Tennyson. You gave your family quite a scare. Just to be safe, we're keeping you overnight to monitor your vitals. Surviving a lightning strike is quite the feat," she stated, sticking another needle into the redhead's vein, getting another sample
She winced as the needle left her arm.
"I know. Gotta beat the hell out of ya to find a vein," the nurse joked as her and the others left the Tennyson trio amongst themselves.
"Are you sure that's all you remember?" Grandpa Max said, concerned.
"Y-."
"This is my fault," Ben interrupted, regret evident in his voice.
"Bullshit, how? The ForeverKnight's minion shocked *me*, not you," Gwen declared.
"I transformed into Shock Rock, aiming for one of ForeverKnight's minions, and ended up hitting you with a bolt instead. I made sure to get the guy for shocking you."
"But, you missed."
"What? No, I saw it hit you."
"What *you* saw was *me* getting struck by lightning when one of them got the drop on me. If anyone's at fault, it's *me* for not watching my back."
"Gwen, don't take it out on Ben-"
"I'm so sick of this. This isn't the first time, you know? How can I not grasp even the *tiniest* detail that I always miss? Ugh, I try to plan for everything."
"Sweetie, you can't plan for every move your enemy may take," Grandpa Max intervened
"I know, Grandpa. Thanks. But at the end of the day, it's you two that matter most. As I said, this isn't the first time we had a near-death scare after a battle. I just..." She sighed. "Grandpa, can you give me and Ben a minute?"
He nodded, leaving the fluttering curtain in his wake as more footsteps and equipment sounds sang their drone-like song through their ears.
Gwen broke the silence between them once more.
"I don't want these near-death scares, tragic as they are; to make you think less of me. I'm more than capable of kicking ass on my own in battle, and I love that you're with me. We make a damn good team, don't we?"
Ben nodded, still battling with his guilt. Eyes crestfallen on the thought of losing Gwen.
"I'm not a girl that constantly needs saving. My powers are amazing! You're a headstrong man with tactics for days, even if you need help now and then. But, that's the best part, isn't it?"
"We complete each other," Ben finally responded.
"That's right. Don't you forget it, Benjamin."
"As long as you don't resent me when I save you in battle, Gwendolyn."
A smirk appeared on his face, resulting in a chuckle from his counterpart.
"Never. Not today; not ever. I treasure you more than you know."
A heart-rate monitor-clad finger motioned him over to her.
"Are you sure?" Ben asked, coming closer.
"Why wouldn't I be? You're *my* weird cousin." She smiled.
Ben blushed, keeping his gaze away.
"Not what I meant, but thank you."
"Ben, you didn't strike me as Shock Rock. You missed, or maybe you both struck me at the same time? Who knows?"
"Hm."
"Point is: I'm safe. I'm alive."
"For now."
The same hand clasped his, bringing it to her chest.
"Look at me."
His eyes finally met her smile that he came to adore, glowing green eyes captivating him once more.
"We're here, still kicking. This is just a temporary setback... At least, till morning."
"Yeah."
"Now, kiss me and seal our fate," she whispered.
The two warriors embraced and had done as instructed. Ben's tough lips clashed with Gwen's tender, scarred lips of her own, separating with a 'pop.'
"Ben, you're the weirdest cousin ever."
"Wouldn't have you any other way," he smiled.