Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10 or related shows, characters, or movies. OCs in this story are owned by Xxforget-me-not6xX. Do not use without permission
Ch.2 is all set. Enjoy.
"TTT"- thoughts
Ch. 2: Reconnection
Gwendolyn walks out of her room with her robe on and messy hair. She walks into the kitchen and opens the pantry to grab a box of oatmeal and a package of dried cranberries and apricots, then grabs a carton of eggs out the fridge. Gwendolyn fills the pot with water. She prepares her breakfast unaware there was another person in the kitchen with her.
"Morning Gwendolyn." Gwendolyn, startled turns around to find Ben leaning on a wall with wearing only in a pair of black boxers. On his upper right arm was a tattoo he had gotten when he was 18. The Plumbers omnitrix symbol with a lion on the right and a stag on the left surrounded by olive branches, and a ribbon on the bottom with French words: "L'ordre, la prospérité et la paix à toute vie."
"Ben. What are you doing here?" She asked her cousin.
"First off all, I live here. Second, just grabbing some breakfast. Most important meal of the day." Normally, the first thing he would do is sort through missed calls, messages, and anything related to his job as a Plumber. After that, he was out of the house. Now with an attitude adjustment, he has started to become more like his old self.
The man went into the pantry grabs a box of cereal while Gwendolyn prepares her breakfast.
After a few minutes, the cousins sat a small round table across from each other The two sat in awkward silence for a five long minutes. Gwendolyn continued to eat while Ben looked at a the news on a holographic data pad. It felt weird having company this early in the morning. Gwendolyn was used to eating alone at this time. Max lives at headquarters, so it's just Ben 10K and Gwendolyn that lives in this massive building. But, it's empty half the time because either Ben or Gwendolyn or both were either on patrol or on missions.
Ben tapped the table with his index finger trying to find a way to break the ice. Ben decided to start with a simple question. "So…how was your night?"
Gwendolyn tried to think of a response. "Uh…pretty good I guess. I mean, I'm a little extra tired from the party."
"Good thing Grandpa Max's birthday fell on a Friday. Thank god, it's the weekend."
Both cousins giggled at the comment. It was like he was reverted back to his 16-year-old self. Gwendolyn asks her cousin, "So…what about you how was your night?"
"It was great. After that party, I was sound asleep. I haven't slept this soundly for how long", Benjamin said as he got up and put his dishes in the sink. Ben asks Gwendolyn as he washed his bowl, "Well, got any plans for the weekend?"
She hadn't had any plans on doing anything. She usually doesn't do much on the weekends except for patrol. She would use her free time to relax and recuperate, run errands, study her spells, or train using her Anodite powers. "Nothing new. I know you gotta a date with the monitor."
"Actually, I was thinking about spending some time with you."
"Excuse me?" Gwendolyn's eyes widened. Ben had certainly changed a lot.
"You know. Just me and you, cousin and cousin, like we used."
"I don't do much of anything anyways, so…why not? What did you have in mind?"
"Dinner at home and we could probably watch a movie on Hulu or Netflix."
Gwendolyn took a few minutes to think about Ben's weekend plan. A nickname e peaceful evening at home, huh? "Nice and simple, just quality family time. I like it."
"Great, I'll look forward to it." Ben looks at the time. "7:30. We better get ready. I'm sure Grandpa Max is waiting for us. You coming?"
"Yeah, just let me finish up breakfast and I'll catch up."
Ben walks out of the kitchen leaving Gwendolyn alone once again to eat.
Plumber Headquarters…
Ben and Gwendolyn arrive at Plumber HQ. Plumbers, human and alien alike walked around going to meetings and posts, sitting on monitors looking for any sign of suspicious activity. Ben spots a pair of Revonnahganders walking towards them.
"Rook, Shar, how you two doing?" Ben greet the his friend and his sister.
"Everything is okay, Benjamin. And how are you and Gwendolyn?", Rook said to the human Plumbers.
"It's all good. Where are you two going?"
"Off world back to Revonnah."
"Visiting the folks?"
"Sort of. Actually, it is a mission. You see my second cousin is our son to be former leader of Revonnah. He is to ascended the throne in a week. As tradition is coronation ceremony ceremony is held for the old leader's successor. His father has asked the Plumbers to keep the family safe until the celebration has passed. Rook Shar and I are to be my cousin's personal bodyguards."
"New leaders take power, needs some one to watch 'em in case there are any attempts. Classic political scenario. Nothing new."
"But we will see our parents and Rook Ben before we leave", said Shar.
"Hope you two have a safe trip", Gwendolyn said as she walked away.
"Tell your folks I said hi", Ben said as he shook Rook's hand.
"Will do old friend." Rook and Shar continued their way to the docks.
Ben and Gwen walked over to a human woman at a desk taking phone calls. The woman looks up at the cousins. "Hey Charlene."
"Mr. and Ms. Tennyson, how are you?"
"Fine. Is my grandfather in?"
"Let's see." She presses on the comm link on the phone. "Magister Tennyson?"
"Yes, Charlene."
"Two people are here to see you."
"Who are they?"
Ben presses the comm-link button and responds. "How about you favorite grandkids?"
"Send them in", Max tells his secretary.
Charlene opens the doors from her desk by enter a code into a keyboard. Ben and Gwendolyn enter the room. Ben greets his grandfather who is looking over paper work. "Good morning, Grandpa."
"Well, look at you, Benjamin. You seem happy this morning."
"I've learned to take things a little easy. Besides, it's the weekend. What's not to be happy about?"
Max was surprised how fast Ben's attitude had changed. He went from a moody, workaholic to his good old full of life self.
"Ben, are feeling okay?"
"You sound like Rook. Yeah, I'm okay, thanks to our younger selves, but more importantly, thanks to Gwendolyn. I'm changed man now? You don't like it?"
He had it admit, the results were more than promising. "No, I love that I have my old fun-loving grandson back. It's just that I didn't think you would change…"
"That fast?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah. A man once said to live life laughing. Life's too short to be miserable."
"Hmm, I wonder who would say a thing like that." Both men chuckled.
"I mean, I still have the urge to go through my messages and calls." Both men chuckled.
"Ben?", said Max. He knew his grandson and hoped he doesn't fall for his old habits.
"Don't worry old timer, I'm trying to kick my addiction."
Max chuckled at his grandson. He was happy to have the old Ben 10,000 back. Ben sits down a chair near his grandfather's desk.
"So, what's on today's agenda? Smuggling ring, missing items from a research, Dr. Animo wannabes trying to be rising stars of villainy."
"Nope. Nothing that the local police can't handle."
"So in other words, just patrolling the streets for suspicious activity."
"Guess so."
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
"We?" Max was confused. Usually Ben was out as XLR8 or as some other alien racing through the streets looking for trouble. For once in a while he taking things slow.
"As in me and Gwendolyn. Like we used before I turned…" Ben expression saddened. He was thinking about events that occurred that made him the man was for five years.
Max looked at his grandson's face. He interrupted Ben mid-sentence, "Say no more. Like I said nothing major seems to be going on right now. You two can just patrol the city. We'll call when something comes up. If your lucky, it may be an easy day for two and you can get off early for the weekend."
"Alright then. See you Grandpa." Ben shook Max's hand and Gwendolyn kissed her grandfather then left.
Omnitrix City…
Ben rode on his hover board as Gwendolyn followed close behind patrolling the streets of their hometown. People waved as the two flew by. Ben and Gwendolyn land on top of a building near the ruined statue. They watched the workers flew rebuilding Ben's statue. Gwendolyn looked over the horizon south from where they were.
An idea came into her head. She turns to Ben and asked, "Hey Ben, want to go south side?"
"Um…Sure. Why?" Ben sounded unsure with his answer. What is she up to?
Gwendolyn suddenly jumps of the building and flys south leaving her male cousin in the dust. Ben caught off guard shouts, "Hey, wait up!" The man jumps on his hover-board chasing after Gwendolyn. It was as if they were kids again.
South Side…
"What are we doing? Why are we here?" asked Ben as he followed his cousin.
Gwendolyn simply said, "You'll see."
Down on the suburban streets of the the city, alien and human kids were playing and spraying each other with water guns. The old fashioned way. One of them sees a shadow on the ground. The kids look up and see Gwendolyn flying over the street. The kids started yelling at their one of their heroes in excitement calling friends and siblings to come over.
"Gwendolyn!" A Tetramand boy shouted.
"Hey, kids", Gwendolyn called as she flew down and landed on the sidewalk.
The children started to gathered around the red head. "How are you all doing?"
"Great, Gwendolyn. Look my spots are starting to fad", as young half lion cub, half human alien hybrid boy.
"I got an A on science test", said a little human girl about 9-years-old with dark brown hair.
"I'm learning Sirian. I'm headed to my family's home planet for the first time we're leaving next Friday", said a young reptilian dog-like humanoid.
"Sounds exciting, Orion."
Ben lands on the side walk a few houses from Gwendolyn and the kids. At first he stayed distance. He watched Gwendolyn talking to the children. She was acting so…so…motherly. A strange thought came into his head, If she is still thinking about having kids, would make great mother. Ben continued to watch for some time, but soon mustered enough courage to walk near them. The children laughed and chattered away. When Ben was close enough, an Arachnachimp boy spotted the man.
"No way, Ben 10,000?!", the Arachnichimp shouted and pointed at the man.
"What?", Orion turned his head at the direction he his friend was pointing and saw Ben walking up the sidewalk.
"Cool," said another human child. The kids started cheering and ran towards their favorite hero.
Ben the kids run up to him. One minute he was walking to the group, next he knew was surrounded with children.
"Ben 10K, what are you doing here?" asked one Kineceleran child.
"I'm here with my cousin," Ben simply answered. Although he wasn't sure why Gwendolyn brought him here.
"Can we see Fourarms?" asked the Tetramand boy.
"No, Humongosaur!" Shouted a Vaxasaurian boy.
"How about Atomix?" asked a Thep Khufan girl.
Ben laughed as they started asking questions of all kinds. Parents went outside to what the commotion was about. There, they see the "Hero of Heroes" on their very street much to their surprise. They whispered to each other, asking each other why a busy man like Ben 10,000 would be doing here.
Ben noticed all the kids were more interested in him than Gwendolyn. Ben looks back at Gwendolyn smiling at the sight of her cousin getting to know the children. He walked over to her with an apologetic look. "Sorry, if I'm stealing your spot light."
"It's ok. I'm a regular here", said Gwendolyn.
"Hey. Gwendolyn," a little Tetramand girl ran up to the woman and hugged her
"Kira. Good to see you. Hey, where's Shannon?"
"Here, I am Auntie", shouted an 5-year-old girl as she ran up to the woman.
Gwendolyn opened one of her arms to allow the girl into a three group hug. She nuzzled the girl's cheek and asked teasingly, "Shannon, how's my favorite niece?"
"I'm your only niece", the child giggled at the aunt's question and nuzzling.
"Where were you?"
"Me and Kira was at the Bazaar with her dad."
Gwendolyn turns to Ben again speaking to the other children. "Cool, cool. Look who I brought", said Gwendolyn.
The young girls looks at the group of kids with Ben in the middle. She runs of of Gwendolyn's arm towards the group and calls the hero's name, "Uncle Ben!"
Ben greeted the girl as she ran towards the crowd. The man lifted the girl as she giggled. "Shannon? Hey. What are you doing here?"
"I live here. Silly Uncle Ben."
"Since when?"
"They moved here a last month. I think around the end of the school year in Florida. They wanted to be closer to family," said Gwendolyn as she took the child from Ben. Ben knew they were planning to move up the upper East Coast, but he didn't when. Did I really miss that much? How can I not know they moved here? That all Ben could think about.
"How are you Uncle Ben?"
"I'm fine. Uh, you remember I'm your first cousin once removed, right?"
"Yeah, but I like Uncle Ben better." All three cousins laugh at the comment.
"Gwendolyn", a man with equally red hair comes out of the home Gwendolyn was standing in of. He greets the woman with open arms.
"Hi, Ken. How's everything?"
"I'm fine. Work is work. Trying to live a normal life", Ken answers.
"Ken, you do realize that this is "normal" around here, right?"
"Yeah, I mean "normal" for our family."
He sees his daughter and the other children gathered around Ben. He was just as surprised as the other parents to see him here. "Ben. How are you? What brings you to this side of town?"
"Gwendolyn brought me here", Ben simply answers. He smiles back to Gwendolyn as if to thank her once again.
"I thought you were too busy to be with your family."
"Ken!" Gwendolyn shoots a glare at her older brother.
"What?"
"It's okay Gwendolyn. I know what he means and it's true. It's time I reconnect with friends and family."
"Come on in two. My wife's making lunch", Ken invited the cousins into his home.
The pair walked into their cousin's and brother's home. A black hair, Hispanic woman with brown eyes and bronze skin was in the kitchen cooking with meat and various vegetables scattered throughout the counter.
"Roxy, guess who came to visit", said Ken teasingly.
The woman turned to greet Gwendolyn at the kitchen entrance. "Gwendolyn… and Ben 10,000?"
"Your family, just call me Ben." Ben came up and the woman gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh, sorry, it's just.…"
"I understand."
Roxy asked as she went back to cooking the alien dish, "Well, what brings you here?"
"Oh, the usual. Come to see my brother, sister-in-law, and niece", said Gwendolyn as she ruffled her niece's dark brown hair.
"How nice. What's going on with you? Or you two I should say."
"Nothing much. Just patrolling the streets, keeping citizens safe, the usual"'said Ben as his cousin/niece was trying to get his attention.
"Well, Gwendolyn, he really had some attitude adjustment", Roxy commented teasingly.
"Roxanne", Gwendolyn groaned at the comment. She fits into the family so well, despite being related by marriage.
"What? You got to admit, this guy was like Batman. So dark and moody. Now, he's like Tony Stark minus the assholishness."
"You are mean. But, I guess you and Ken were made for each other."
The wife laughs. Shannon comes into the kitchen and attempts to pull Ben from the kitchen. "Uncle Ben, play with me."
"Ok, ok, I'm coming. Wow, your strong."
"Are you really strong. Like superman?" asked the girl with innocent eyes looking back at him.
The adults laughed at her question. "Well, I am strong, but I'm far from Superman."
"My friends said if you and Superman get into a fight, you can kick his but easily. What do you think?"
Ben chuckled at the girl's story, then activated the omnitrix. He smiled saying, "Well, let's see, can Superman do this?"
Ben transforms into Gravattack. He starts to use his powers to lift Shannon and she starts to float around him. Everyone laughs as he spends quality time having fun with his little cousin.
"Gwendolyn, can I talk to you for a second, away from Shannon?", her sister in law asked, whispering the "away from Shannon" part of the request.
"Certainly. What about Ben?"
Roxanne look at the man playing with the young girl. Both looked happy. She didn't want to spoil it for them. "Let him play with her. It's nice to have them bond for little bit."
Oh, Gwendolyn couldn't agreed more. She smiled as Ben played with Shannon. The happiness on his face says it all. He would make a great father. "Alright. Is it something important?"
"Very", was all Roxanne said. The women walked into the kitchen without either of the two noticing.
"So, what's wrong?", asked Gwendolyn.
"I've been a little under the weather lately. I've been waking up in to sick for two weeks. I've haven't been able to hold much of anything down."
"Maybe you're just coming…"
"I missed my cycle", Shannon blurted out. Her sister-in-law looked at her in shock. It Gwendolyn took a second to put everything together.
"Shannon, are you…"
"Pregnant. Ken and I are going to have another baby."
"Congratulations. Though, I thought Ken would of been the first to tell me."
"True", Ken said from the kitchen-dining room entrance. He walks over and next to his wife. "But I thought I let her tell you about this pregnancy."
"You really like to pop out of places, huh, Kenny?"
"You should know me, lil' sis."
"Why did you only talk to me? What about Ben?"
"You can tell him. I, mean, I wanted to tell him and you together. It's just that, he's with Shannon right now. Like I said, I didn't want to disturb them."
"Shannon doesn't know she's going to have a sibling", said Ken as he rubs Roxanne's stomach.
The red head thought about the couple's reasons. "How far along are you?
"Almost a month", answered Roxanne. "We found out about a week ago. We are just not sure how Shannon would handle the news. I mean, it was just the three, now we have another one on the way. You know how kids get when it comes to new siblings."
"I can't give you much information because I gone through it yet. Why don't you ask Mom and Dad?"
"They're in Aruba and they are not answering their phones. They won't be back 'til next week" said Ken as he rubbed the back of his head. "Plus, they don't know we're going to have another child. I wanted to gives the news after they come back."
"Who else knows?"
"You and Ben would be the first and only people right know. Not even Grandpa Max knows. Besides, our main concern is Shannon, that's why we wanted to to tell you and Ben. We want to be the ones to tell her", said Ken.
Roxanne explained, "Me and Ken wanted another baby. We thought it would be nice for Shannon to have a baby brother or sister to play with or have some one to come to when they are in need."
"Like mine and Ken's relationship?"
"More like yours and Benjamin's when you were kids?"
Gwendolyn's face heated up. Her's and Ben's relationship would be described as somewhat…complicated. It was good that they were close, but did she want it to be this close, especially if the baby turns out to be a boy?
"Gwendolyn, are you okay? Can you he me?"
Gwendolyn was brought back to reality, "What?"
"We asked if we should tell her now?" asked Ken waiting for her advice.
"It's up to you, if you feel she can handle go for it. In my opinion, I would tell her before the whole body changes, mood swings, and everything that comes with it."
The couple nodded. Gwendolyn looked at the time. They been here for half and hour; a little more time than she usually spends here. "Looks like we are little behind track. Ben?"
"Yeah, Gwendolyn?" Ben answered back as he was playing with Shannon.
"We got to get back to patrolling the streets."
Using his gravitational powers, Ben sets the child back down on the floor. He transforms back into his human form and answers back to his cousin. "Coming." He picks up the girl and nuzzles her face. The man says to the girl, "See you baby girl?"
"Where are you going Uncle Ben?" Shannon asked Ben with an innocent, curious look in her eyes.
"Back to work." Ben puts the 5-year-old down. The child pouts and turns away from him. "Me and Auntie Gwendolyn have to make sure the city is safe. And If it's safe, your safe. Why don't you give your uncle a kiss."
Ben gets down to her level to let her kiss his cheek. The man then leaves the little girl and head to the other adults.
"Bye, Uncle Ben."
Ben walked over Ken and Roxy. He says goodbye to his cousin and gives a bro hug. Roxy kisses Ben on the cheek and says bye. Ben picks up his hover-board and walks out the door.
Gwendolyn kisses her older brother and Roxy on the cheeks and says her goodbyes. "Remember what we talked about", she whispers to her brother and his wife.
Gwendolyn walks outside to the sidewalk where Ben was waiting. The cousins took off with the neighborhood children yelling and waving goodbye.
For this chapter and the next mainly about Ben is reconnecting with his friends and family. As this goes one, Ben and Gwendolyn will rebuild more of there relationship. I'm just taking it nice and slow. Anyways chapter 3 will be up soon.
Translations:
Ordre, prospérité et la paix à toute vie.- Order, Prosperity, and Peace to all life.