Chapter 81: Feline, or Perhaps Serpentine Grace

Wow, almost didn't make it in time. Sorry guys, the weather was really weird today- I live up north, and while it's normal for it to snow heavily, it isn't normal in April. Especially with such high winds, which were strong enough to take down my college's WiFi for a couple hours. It didn't help that I decided to rewrite half this chapter at the last possible minute. And I'm still not happy with it. -_-' Oh well, it helps set up plot, so I'll deal.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

Ben was laying on a couch, looking mildly discomforted. "I thought this was a cliché," he muttered as he heard more than saw Isaac writing into his notebook.

The pen scratching paused, and Isaac looked up briefly to meet Ben's eyes. "You know, you could sit normally. It's quite normal."

The teen thought for a moment before screwing up his face. "Nah."

Isaac stifled a laugh, his lips quirking up ever so slightly. "So… how do you wanna go about this?"

Ben sighed heavily, gazing at the ceiling without really seeing it. "I don't know. I've never really been one to talk about my feelings- if I did, it was low-key, almost superficial stuff."

Isaac leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together. "That has to change for you to get better. Naturally, you don't have to tell everyone everything about you, but to those closest to you… perhaps you should make an effort to open up to them more," he added, phrasing each word carefully.

Ben tore his eyes from the ceiling and tilted his face from Isaac. "I don't want to bother them," he mumbled.

"I know," the older man said lowly. "I was like that once- still am, in a sense."

Now Ben turned to him fully, eyes wide in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Isaac shrugged lightly. "In my earlier years I was an optimistic doctor who wanted to help people. I didn't particularly care about fame and fortune- I admit it was nice, but it was never something I craved. I just knew that I had intellect and a thirst for knowledge that could be used for good."

"I feel like this story is going to take a really dark turn," Ben surmised.

"Oh, it does," Isaac agreed, "but the entire story is too messy and unpleasant to really get into."

"So you're going to give me the Cliff Notes version?"

"Essentially, yes." Isaac took a deep breath. "Long story short, I started out naïve and optimistic, but since I became an Immortal during the beginning of Rome and lived to see the end of it, it was safe to say any naivety I had was thoroughly crushed."

"Wasn't Ancient Rome famous for its military?" Ben thought out loud.

"Someone's been doing their homework," Isaac said, a lilt in his voice. "The Roman Empire was famous for conquering Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, so naturally they had to have a spectacular army. And as a doctor, I was involved in quite a bit of it. There was so much death and suffering…" he trailed off, his blue eyes taking on a haunted, melancholic look that chilled Ben to the bone.

"Isaac…?"

He blinked, and Isaac reverted back to his normal controlled self. Continuing on as if he'd never stopped, he said, "At some point, I got sick of all the wars and tried to find a way to help people that didn't result in more bloodshed. I found Cordelia and a few other colleagues that felt the same and we embarked on a truly grim journey."

"But you eventually felt that what you were doing wasn't worth it," Ben assumed.

"Not quite," Isaac corrected him. "I convinced myself that in order to achieve our goals, the end justified the means. I hated myself for it, but believing in my cause helped me to ignore that, at least superficially."

"Did Cordelia ever find out?"

"Of course she did," he scoffed. "I was a good actor even then, but Cordelia could always figure me out. She eventually wrenched out everything I tried to bury and helped me get my life back together."

Ben grinned at the fond smile that adorned Isaac's face. "That doesn't sound like something Cordelia would do. She liiiiiikes you."

Isaac made a face at him. "We're married, you dingbat." At Ben's immature sniggering, he merely rolled his eyes and continued. "It was especially kind of her to do so, since she was going through the same things I was. Despite how you may think of her, Cordelia does care- she just doesn't show it."

"Yeah, Carter told me as much."

Isaac gave him an uncharacteristic leer. "You liiiiiiiike her."

Ben went beet red. "Shut up!"

Snickering slightly, he settled back down into his chair and went on, crossing his legs and arms as he did so. "But to finish this little anecdote, let's just say that Cordelia and I eventually found a way to both dissolve the group and find a way to help people in wartime. Granted, it was incredibly chaotic, but considering what the project was doing to us all, I suppose it was to be expected," he added, almost as if it were an afterthought.

Turning back to his young patient, Isaac then said, "While I did talk to Cordelia about what was troubling me, I still had a hard time confiding in my other friends. They were already going through so much on their own, I didn't want to bother them. Cordelia eventually convinced me otherwise, and the five of us put an end to everything."

"The five of you…?" Ben's eyes widened. Isaac merely smirked. And then his mouth turned into a thin line and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I will say this though; the entire ordeal was very bittersweet," he admitted. "The project, while a success, still feels like a pyrrhic victory to this day. It's… it's not something I'll ever forgive myself for." He closed his eyes and looked old, his five thousand year lifespan weighing down on him.

And then his eyes snapped open, and Isaac picked up his notebook and pen and asked, "Does this help with anything?"

Ben swallowed, and quietly said, "Yes."

"Like I said, you don't have to share everything about yourself," Isaac reminded him. "Just reach out and do the best you can."

Furrowing his brow, Ben told him, "I get that, but I just want all this to be over with. I'm tired of getting flashbacks at the most random moments."

"PTSD is something that's going to affect you for the rest of your life," Isaac gently explained. "Therapy can help make it so that it doesn't take over your day-to-day life, but it's still something that won't just go away in a short period of time."

Ben sighed heavily. "Wonderful," he said sarcastically.

"I know it's frustrating-"

"It's not just that!" Ben snapped, suddenly sitting up. "What if I have another panic attack when Vilgax shows his ugly face again? Or if I have one while watching some action flick? Just about anything can set me off at this point and I don't know how to handle it!"

His ragged breathing echoed in the silent room. Isaac looked at him with a calculating expression, hands folded in his lap. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Feel better?"

Ben blinked. "A little."

Quickly writing something down in his notebook, Isaac pointed out, "Your fears aren't unwarranted. PTSD can be triggered by a number of things. Considering you were shot, it's safe to say that the sound of gunfire is a stressor."

"And you know how much bad guys love their guns," Ben joked half-heartedly. It understandably fell flat.

Isaac thought for a moment before announcing, "Perhaps you should take a break from the hero business."

Startled, Ben yelped, "What?!"

Holding up a placating hand, he went on to explain, "Considering we don't know what triggers your PTSD, we should use this time to figure it out."

"But the Earth-!"

"Is already in capable hands," Isaac told him firmly. "The Pride is more than capable of dealing with intergalactic threats- they've done it long before you came into the picture."

"They always did that behind the scenes though," Ben pointed out. "They're good at assassination, not going headfirst into a fight."

Isaac pondered that for a moment. "True," he conceded, "but when push comes to shove they can dive headfirst into the fray with ease. You've seen them do it."

Ben's annoyed silence was his answer.

"Not to mention Gwen and Kevin are perfectly capable themselves," Isaac added. "Granted, they haven't had any formal training and haven't being doing this as long as the Pride have, but they're made of much sterner stuff than you think. And they have Max, who's now fresh out of the hospital. And they have me and Cordelia and Phineas and a bunch of other allies." He gave Ben an understanding look. "I know you don't want them fighting without you, but you have to trust them to get the job done."

"And if they can't?" Ben spat out bitterly.

Isaac shrugged. "Then you go in to help. But only as a last resort. You need to take care of yourself first, and you can't do that if you jump carelessly into any little skirmish that comes your way."

"I do not-!"

He raised an eyebrow.

Ben petulantly looked away and mumbled, "Shut up."

"I didn't say anything," Isaac said bluntly, a hint of humor in his tone. "Besides, it's summer vacation. You're supposed to relax and enjoy yourself for three months. Lord knows you want get many more."

Ben sighed and fell back on the couch, his head hitting the armrest with a loud flump. "All right," he conceded. "So, how are we doing this? Immersion therapy?"

Isaac tapped his pen against his chin. "I was planning on doing that eventually, but for now, let's just talk."

"Haven't we already been doing that?"

"Yes, but now let's take it a step further." Isaac leaned back and held up his notebook. "Start when you're ready."

Meanwhile

Max leaned back in his seat, dismayed. "Are you absolutely sure he's got PTSD?"

Gwen winced. "Pretty sure, grandpa."

With a resigned look about him, he merely shook his head. "Didn't expect to see something like that in someone so young."

"Neither did we," she whispered, looking down at her hands. Sam quickly put a hand on her shoulder and shot Carter a pained look.

Carter took a quick look at the inside of the RV; it was a small, cozy living space that boasted well-worn patches and scratch marks of memories long past. It was a place to unwind, to be where love was given unconditionally and without judgment. Carter could see why Ben and Gwen loved visiting this place.

She turned back to Max and asked, "Can we trust you to not act differently around your grandson?"

"This isn't my first rodeo, you know," he replied, half a smile adorning his face. "Plenty of Plumbers had some sort of mental scarring back in my day- I know how to help."

"That's good to hear," Sam told him, relieved.

Max suddenly clapped his hands together. "And I know just the thing to start things off."

"You do?" Gwen had to ask.

"I do." He grinned. "A camping trip."

"A… camping trip," Sam reiterated flatly.

"Why not?" Max countered. "It's been summer for weeks now, and I doubt you kids have properly celebrated."

"That's true," Carter admitted sheepishly. "Though I don't see how camping can be used as a celebration."

"Ben and I used to do it as kids," Gwen pointed out. "It's sort of a tradition."

Max stood up and walked over, beaming. "It'll be a chance for you kids to unwind and clear your heads."

Sam shrugged. "It can't hurt. And it does sound kind of nice," she admitted, smiling softly.

"That's the spirit!"

The door suddenly slid open, and Evan ran into the vehicle, a worried expression on his face. "Do you have any rags? Tiny blankets? Veterinary experience?"

"Evan, did you just kidnap another dog?" Sam asked exasperatedly. "Don't you remember the manhunt from last time?"

"How was I supposed to know that Corgi belonged to that one prime minister?"

"The dog tags were in another language."

"A prime minister started a manhunt?" Gwen asked curiously.

"The man must've loved his dog," Max mused, crossing his arms.

"He certainly did," Sam stated, "which is why is led a city-wide manhunt for it."

"I gave Ein back!" Evan protested.

Gwen slowly shook her head. "You people never fail to surprise me."

Kevin then barged in, his button up work shirt wrapped around something in his arms. "What the hell have you been doing, man?!" he snarled. "She needs medical attention!"

"She?" Carter asked as Kevin deposited the bundle onto the table. Quickly unfolding the cloth, he revealed a weak, underfed kitten. Its black fur was dirty and matted, but still had a soft healthy sheen to it. Its eyes were closed, and it laid still, the only sign that it was alive being the steady rise and fall of its chest.

"Where did you find it?" Sam asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Underneath one of the other RVs," Evan explained quickly. "We heard her crying."

"Must've been a runt," Max noted, peering down at the feline. "She was probably abandoned fairly recently."

"Yeah, she still looks a bit healthy. I'm guessing something happened to the mother to make it so she couldn't take care of her," Carter pointed out, gently running her fingers through the matted fur. The kitten opened a yellow eye and gave a weak mewl.

"She's probably used to human interaction if she's not attacking you," Sam pointed out. "Or she's too weak to do anything about it."

"Either way we need to get her to a vet," Gwen stated sharply. "Grandpa!"

The car engine revved to life. "Already on it."

Sometime later

Ben quickly landed in an alleyway, his wings already folding and disappearing into his back. Putting on a jacket, he quickly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He was about to properly face his friends after his panic attack- he hadn't been able to talk to them afterwards, he had been recuperating- and he was understandably anxious about the reunion.

Baby steps, Ben, Ventus told him soothingly. They understand how awkward this is- it's gonna be awkward for everyone. But you can't ignore them forever, that's not how it works.

He was right, unfortunately. Ben hated the fact that he had to go through all this to begin with, but there was simply no point in avoiding it. So he steeled himself and walked up to the front, walking into the vet's waiting room.

The others were already there, phones and books in hand as they waited. Oddly enough, they were the only people in the waiting room; it must have been a slow day. That would make things easier. Taking a deep breath, Ben pasted on a small smile. "Hey guys."

They looked up, surprised and a little hesitant, before Gwen smiled and walked over to him. "Glad you could make it. You'll never guess why we're here."

"Considering where we are, I figured it has something to do with an animal?" Ben deduced, his smile turning just a tad mocking.

Gwen stuck her tongue out at him. Carter chose that moment to speak up. "Apparently Kevin and Evan are rescuing a kitten."

"Aww, really?" Ben gushed, before catching himself and coughing into his fist. "I mean, really?" he said, his tone more serious.

Chuckling lightly, Max clapped a hand on his shoulder. "It is a bit out of character for them, I'll give you that."

"Considering Evan kidnaps dogs because of how cute they are, it really isn't," Sam said flatly, setting aside her phone and getting out of her seat.

"Evan kidnaps dogs?" Ben said incredulously.

"No, just the dogs of important political figures apparently," Gwen answered sardonically.

"It helps if they're from a famous anime," Carter added.

Ben looked like he wanted to say something, but then his shoulders sagged and he just looked so done. "That's a conversation for another day. Can we focus on what's happening now please?"

"Sure thing," Max complied. "In fact, you can ask them." He nodded to the two boys entering the waiting room sans feline. "How's she doing?"

"Pretty well, all things considered," Evan replied happily. "Some food, a few shots, a bath, and some tender loving care is just what she needs."

"They're keeping her overnight, just to be safe," Kevin added. "She may look relatively okay, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"That's good," Max told them. "So have you decided who's gonna be taking care of her?"

Both boys looked at each other, then back at Max, before pointing at the other. "He is."

"Oh god," Sam muttered.

"Well, I can't take care of her, I'm a dog person," Evan pointed out.

"Don't we know it."

"Shut up Sam."

"Well I can't take her, I can barely take care of myself," Kevin protested.

"Well, having a pet is a good way to prepare for fatherhood," Carter said, smirking.

Scandalized, Kevin demanded, "What does that have to do with anything?!"

Shrugging innocently, she said, "Well, when you're in charge of a child or a pet, you're naturally going to take better care of yourself at the same time."

"She's right," Max said, his smirk showing a hint of good natured evil.

Kevin spluttered as the others leered at him. "Can't I just give her to an animal shelter or something? Do I have to take her in?"

All smiles instantly dropped. "That's probably not the best idea," Gwen told him. "If you can find someone to adopt her, that's great, but animal shelters aren't the best for such small animals."

"It keeps them off the street though," Ben said.

"Yeah, but since there are so many animals in the shelter, the caretakers can't take care of individual needs, so a lot of animals end up mean and nasty," she explained. "And they tend to abuse smaller animals, so our little kitten would probably get eaten alive if she ever ended up in a shelter."

"And if animals don't get adopted in two years, they get euthanized," Evan went on. "And black cats are one of the least likely pets to get adopted in a shelter."

"So we need someone to take care of our little kitten," Carter finished, giving Kevin a look.

Holding up his hands in defeat, Kevin said, "Okay, okay, I won't give her away to a shelter. I'll just find someone to adopt her."

"But maybe your parents will let you keep her?" Sam inquired hesitantly. "I mean, they're a lot happier now, they'll probably give in if you make a big enough case."

Kevin pondered that for a moment. "Maybe," he said slowly.

"Oh? What's happening over at your house?" Ben asked curiously.

The couple quickly exchanged a look that ended with Sam lightly lifting a shoulder and tilting her head ever so slightly. Kevin sighed, a soft smile spreading across his face. "It's nothing major," he began.

"It's totally major," Sam interjected.

"Okay, yeah, it is," he boasted, his grin spreading.

"Out with it Levin," Ben told him, smiling.

"So apparently I passed this exam and got my GED…" Kevin trailed off, watching in amusement as his friends went through a minor mixture of emotions. Surprise and some confusion (Evan, the prick), which quickly melted away into utter glee.

"Dude, you're kidding!" Evan cheered, punching his arm.

"Nope."

"When did this happen?" Carter asked, a lilt in her voice.

"Before the final battle with the High Breed," Kevin answered, sobering up a little. Scratching the back of his head, he said, "I didn't get the results until a few weeks ago. I, uh, didn't know how to tell you guys."

"You should've told us sooner, you jerk," Ben admonished him, but there was no real bite in his words if his grin was anything to go by.

"So, now what?" Max asked jovially. "Got anything else planned?"

Kevin furrowed his brow for a bit. "I got a few ideas, but I want to keep my options open for now."

"You are sixteen," Sam agreed. "You still have some time to figure things out."

"We should celebrate," Max announced, positively beaming. "I say with a camp out."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "Haven't done that in a while. What's the occasion? Besides Kevin, I mean," he quickly added.

"Well, I figured with everything that's been going on lately, you kids deserved a break," Max explained. "And what better way than the great outdoors?"

"It can't hurt," Sam admitted.

"Unless you sit in poison ivy," Carter pointed out.

"Or get ticks," she added. Both girls looked at each other before nodding. "We need to prepare," Sam said in a low, serious tone.

Max snorted at their antics. "Don't worry, we'll help you out." He then led the others out of the waiting room.

"Ooh, will there be any bears on this trip?" Evan asked interestedly. "I always wanted to fight a bear."

"Dude, it's a campsite," Ben scoffed. "I kind of doubt you'll see any. Well, unless you hike deep in the forest."

"You mean I have to go out looking for a bear to fight myself?" Evan cried in disbelief. "Oh, boo!"

"You are not fighting a bear!" Gwen snapped at him.

"This sucks!"

Somewhere…

Cordelia sighed heavily, untying her silver hair so that it flowed down her back. She had dressed in her preferred outfit: a simple black corset dress with sleeves attached, the long skirt brushing against her bare ankles, two slits going up dangerously past her thighs. It was an outfit that normally made her feel like a queen. Right now was not one of those times.

The cavern she was in was dark, illuminated only by the flashlight in her hand. Cordelia made her way over to the other side, walking with the fluid, serpentine grace she had perfected centuries ago. She could feel a bit of her confidence coming back with every step.

The coffin she was heading towards was a simple black one. The box nestled inside it was not; the wood was dark, yes, but the Chinese water dragons carved into the sides spoke of wealth. Cordelia quickly opened the box, red light illuminating her pale face. Her fingers lingered over what was inside, but then she drew them back, pain flitting over her features.

She wanted to hold it again, cradle the loving gesture Isaac had given her all those years ago in the palms of her hands once more… but it was a memento seeped in horror. No matter how much Isaac regretted it, no matter how much Cordelia reassured him it doesn't matter, I will always love you regardless, it still hurt to look at it.

Cordelia closed the box, shutting off the eerie light, and quickly put it back in the coffin. Closing it shut, she peered around the underground cavern, her flashlight illuminating the dull red stones around her.

She sighed heavily. "So many to get rid of," she muttered to herself, her quiet voice echoing. Walking across the floor, she studiously ignored all the stones around her, the familiar feeling of disappointment and disgust worming its way into her determined gaze.

Cordelia opened the exit door and walked through the doorway, but then she paused. Casting one last melancholic look at the cavern, she sighed. "Sometimes I wonder… what would have happened if you hadn't pretended to be so wise, Varius?"

And she closed the door.

So, yeah, the ending was tacked on at the last minute. I'm quite proud of it though. It speaks volumes despite it being so short.

So, I always wanted to have Kevin adopt a cat, if only for size difference- giant teenage boy taking care of tiny kitty!- but I've always hesitated because it didn't seem to fit his character. Then Omniverse rolled around and Kevin literally brings home a dog he found on the streets, and I was just, "Fuck this, this is my fic, KEVIN'S GETTING A CAT."

So, yeah. Thought anyone?