Disclaimer: I own nothing but those you don't recognize, especially the brand names I keep using, No idea on street names in Seattle, made this neighborhood and much other things up...big cities...

Summary: Storms in her area weren't that uncommon, some stranger coming and knocking on her door saying this was his home too before passing out was a bit new. What was going on? Each chapter has a song that fits it, I recommend listening to each song for the respective chapter to get a feel for the atmosphere of the chapter.

To fluffybuckybear, LuckyRosey 12, RyuNoRainbow, True Essence, Mythicalnightguard, mindprisoner, Stephanie Lou: Thank you for the faves and follows!

To LuckyRosey 12: Thank you!

To Guest (Azzaro): Did you catch my slight joke/reference with that name? "Fantastical" I love it! Thank you!

To Guest: Tada! Here it is! Thanks!

Chapter Five

Last Friday Night by Katy Perry

xxx

Ben smirked as he shifted on the leather seat in the back of Jason's Audi R8 V10 Coupe, listening to the older guy whine and complain about his sister sitting shotgun. Kate was in the process of putting the finishing touches on her makeup while Jason drove to the party.

She'd ended up having to help her brother's friend get the food set up a few hours ago as Jason had been arguing with the band about set up. By the time they'd returned to 112 Sydney Avenue, it was late in the afternoon and they'd both been rushing to get ready, leaving Kate to finish her makeup during the car ride across town.

Ben had merely stayed home with Jana, listening to the house lady talk about her grandchildren while she'd fixed lunch and cleaned the kitchen. She refused to allow him to help her do anything, even after he'd tried to insist on it. Jana had basically accepted Ben from the start after having a long conversation with Kate and then Ben himself. She had no answers for them, but did say he could stay as long as he needed, with or without his memory.

Now he was listening to the two gripe about everything and nothing as Jason drove, bringing a smile to Ben's face at their light banter.

"Do you two ever stop bickering?"

"Nope!"

"Bickering? Benji my man...no..."

Kate snorted at Jason's scolding, turning in her seat to wink at the guy behind her, "Don't mind him, he's just anxious to get drunk...be glad you're not twenty-one yet, it's not all it's cut out to be."

Jason scoffed, whipping the car off the highway and onto the exit ramp, "How would you know? You're not even twenty yet sis!"

"Oh shut up..."

xxx

The music was roaring from the hillside mansion when they pulled up, parking halfway down the winding driveway in line with a Ferrari as a Lamborghini pulled in behind them. Jason was sliding out of the car and slipping on sunglasses before Ben even realized the car was in park, Kate laughed at her brother's eagerness, waving him on when the matching occupants of the Lamborghini stepped up and looped arms with the red head.

"Those two blingy blondes are the Harken Twins, their daddy has big ties with the military money wise, I think something with motor vehicles, but not sure...anyway they'll flirt like crazy but are harmless."

Ben nodded as he climbed from the car over Jason's seat while Kate swung her legs out her door. He jogged around the car's nose to be there to help her out, smiling when she laughed at the such gentlemanly action.

"Aren't you a sweet one? Come on, there's food inside...oh watch out for the Bagaeurdi sisters, Ashlynn and Naomi...they'll try to be on you like vultures, always looking for fresh meat."

"Any suggestions?"

"Stick with me or Jason, or some of our friends I'll introduce you to, those girls are the only ones who will likely bother you here, once people see you walk in with me they'll know you're off limits...Ashlynn just doesn't care about etiquette and Naomi tails her like a lost dog, which fits 'cause she's a total bitch."

Ben snorted, but linked arms with Kate anyway as they walked to the open doors of the mansion on the hill. Kate actually had to use him for balance a couple times, the driveway was stone and her heels were being obnoxious on the uneven terrain, that and she had to take smaller steps with her tight cocktail dress. Only Kate's laughing eyes and constant chatter kept Ben's eyes on her face instead of the clingy dress, the dark navy blue material shimmered in the light with sequins and gems covering most of the garment. Silver arm bands and bracelets decorated her bare arm, the other was covered by an off shoulder sleeve that hooked on her ring finger. The dress stopped at barely mid thigh, but Kate's long legs extended all the way down to her strappy heels that glittered like the dress. Her clutch was tucked under her other arm as Kate half pulled Ben in the right direction once reaching the front door, pausing long enough to hand the first door bouncer Jason's keys and taking the ticket before she began to weave them through the crowd.

The party was as Jason put it, 'rocking'. Music boomed through speakers everywhere, the bass making the floor tremble with the beat and Ben could feel the rhythm in his bones. People in all colors of dress wandered around, laughing, talking, singing, dancing, kissing...

Kate was quick to lead him to the food, knowing he'd want something to do with his hands once she began introducing him to other people, that and they were both starving. He was careful to stay right behind her, knowing in a split second one of them could get lost in the crowd and Ben would be helpless, while Kate's dress was unique...she wasn't as tall even in heels as most of the guys, that and Ben's dark denim jeans and maroon dress shirt weren't that noticeable. They'd lose each other in a heartbeat.

Once they were 'armed' with a plateful each of mini pizzas and assorted finger foods, Kate led them to the back yard where the pool with multicolored submersible lights had been covered by thick clear plastic so people could dance on the water, the effect was pretty cool to Ben as Kate walked to a circle of lounge chairs where a few other girls and a couple guys were already sitting.

A girl dressed in a curve tight kimono in hot pink and gold stood as soon as they reached the chairs, hugging Kate with one arm as she began chattering away too fast for Ben to catch a single word. Kate let the rush of words go for about a minute before she twisted out of the girl's grip with a laugh.

"Breathe love! Even I can't understand you!"

The girl pouted adorably before sitting back down gracefully, as if she'd never move at all. Kate gently tugged Ben to sit on a lounge next to a ginger haired guy with freckles across his cheekbones, Kate sat between Ben and the kimono wearer, merely smirking when that earned a groan.

"So...guys this is Ben-"

"Aw man!"

Kate glared at the ginger, "Shut up Jasper! Ben, this is Jasper Evans-"

"And former fling of the fiesty Kate here-"

An Asian descent girl interrupted the horribly suave Jasper from continuing, "Who loves to hear himself talk."

"And you love to hide with books Sue Xiang!"

Sue rolled her eyes as she crossed her legs, silver pumps flashing in the light. Kate laughed at the light banter, nudging Ben with her foot as he sat tensed on the lounge chair. She laid back against the thick white cushions on the wooden frame, popping a mini quiche the size of a quarter in her mouth, chewing contentedly before finishing introductions.

Jasper Evans, grandson of the inventor of...something...his grandfather had a lot of crazy ideas that turned out even crazier profits. He was a past candidate for Kate, and while it didn't work out (mostly because Jasper had a thing for sex) neither person would let that risk their friendship they'd had since they were five. But Jasper wasn't one to stop flirting and was a bit of ladies man.

"Jus' heads up Ben, she isn't one for late night fun...but I would say you are fair competition for the rest of us who've tried with Kate."

Ben merely shook his head as he shook Jasper's hand, leaning back as the kimono girl bounced on her seat while Kate kept talking.

Kimono girl was actually Sarah Chambers, her mother was a rival designer against Kate's mother, outside of the fashion studios the two woman were partners with their modeling businesses. The smiles on Sarah's and Kate's faces while wide and shining, were completely fake, both putting on a show. They were only friends to the public eye.

Jasper's teaser was Sue Xiang, a rather quiet gal who only came to the party because her boyfriend was the host's cousin, she was timid and would much rather be somewhere else.

The only other guy in the circle was Carlisle Rogers, while he was the oldest in the group at twenty eight, the law student was happy to relax and stretch out on the lounge chairs, holding the peace between the sassy Sue and flirty Jasper who were the main antagonists in the conversation. His girlfriend, a blonde haired, tan skinned, bombshell who probably spent most of her time at the beach or in a mall, was Jessica Ming, a bit of a spoiled rich girl. Yet her smile was genuine to Ben, though she looked seriously confused for a long time that night whenever she'd look to him.

"I swear I've seen before...no idea where..."

Once Ben was introduced, Sarah and Jasper got into an argument over the latest gossip, and while the conversation was calmed down to be merely a "heated creative discussion"...

"Guys it's a fight."

"Creative discussion."

"Fight."

"Creative discussion."

"I can't believe you idiots are having a fight over whether or not you're having a fight!"

Kate and the others were in deep conversation over who was dating who, and Ben's companion went so far as to switch places with Sue. Neither he nor the cocktail dress wearing gal who moved from China at the age of three cared that they were slightly left out of the discussion. They were content to talk the hours away over how erratic and and ridiculous some of the other party guests were acting. Especially the majority of the girls dancing on the pool with drinks in their hands, Ben had no idea what most of the dance moves were called, but they were not the most appropriate to him or Sue.

Both of them had refilled their small plates with snack foods twice before everyone else pulled out of their fast paced conversation just two feet from them. Kate downed the rest of her soda before turning a laughing smile to Ben, getting a small one in return as she fussed with her, to Ben, already perfect hair.

The music around them shifted and Kate tossed her hair over her shoulder as she stood up, holding a hand out for Ben to take when the beat even had him tapping his toes.

"C'mon...let's have some fun."

xxx

"...glitter all over the room, pink flamingos in the pool..."

Ben couldn't help but laugh as Kate spun with the music, bouncing on her toes to the beat as their hands locked again. While he felt like an idiot as he attempted to move in time with the rhythm, Kate's smile was worth every second of possibly looking crazy.

Then again most of the people around them were borderline drunk, definitely buzzed. At some point as they danced Jason joined them, taking his sister away from Ben every once in awhile to rock her to the beat...that wasn't as graceful as he probably intended seeing as her brother was wasted.

The band calmed things down to a soft slow song after a bit, and Jason pulled Kate and Ben off the pool dance floor for some cold drinks while the couples still on the floor moved even closer to each other.

Jason knocked back a shot while Kate and Ben sipped their sodas, the three of them leaning on the outdoor bar and watching everything silently for several minutes.

"So Benji-"

"Jason!"

"Ben...geez sis...whatcha think of this little gathering?"

"Little? Between you and your sister there seems to be a size perception issue."

Jason attempted to flip Ben the bird, only succeeding in an awkward peace sign as he couldn't coordinate well enough.

"You are so not driving tonight."

Jason scoffed, swaying a little as he glared at his sister playfully before he kissed her cheek.

Ben smirked, sipping his coke again before turning to Jason, "It is enjoyable, though I am not sure if I would do this every night."

Kate bounced in a slight happy dance, "See! You don't have to party to have fun."

"Yeah, but music makes it better..."

"Oh?"

Jason stumbled as he kneeled in front of his sister, clasping his hands together as he attempted to beg. "Please! Please sis! One song?"

Her resulting eye roll was overly dramatic, but Ben could see the smirk even if Jason's buzzed mind couldn't comprehend it. Kate huffed loudly, knocking back the last swallow of orange soda in her glass and chewing the ice, "Fine...but I pick the song."

"Yes!"

Kate giggled as Jason jumped to his feet and rushed off to the stage set up along the back side of the house. The party's host was already on stage and giving a (slightly drunk) rousing speech to his guests and starting up a chance for those wanting to try their hand or voice at singing. Before too long a third of the people were vying for a spot on stage, the band kept things organized and formed a line of those wanting to sing.

Jason returned after a few minutes, smirking as he snatched up his sister's hand and dragged her to the line where Jasper was waiting and tuning a guitar. Both guys were drunk and swaying on their feet, holding onto Kate's arms as she laughed at their antics. Ben shifted to lean against the bar better, smiling as Kate glanced over her shoulder at him and winked.

"Quite a gal isn't she?"

Carlisle's sudden appearance made Ben tense, but he nodded anyway, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The law student smirked, clapping the younger man's shoulder as they turned to watch Jasper and Kate wait their turn. Jason must have gotten distracted by a girl or more booze, Ben had a feeling he was going to be dead on his feet tomorrow.

"She is a great person, a lovely lady."

That earned a chuckle before Carlisle handed him another soda after he finished the one in his hand, taking his own glass and swirling the alcohol around the ice cubes. "Kate's one in a million, she's not like the other royals."

"Royals?"

"My bad," Carlisle laughed as he hopped up to sit on the bar, "Royals as in one of the rich kids, even among us there's a hierarchy as to whose better than the rest. The Viera family has held reign over the real estate and fashion industry for a couple decades, and while there's a few in line with them for the power...Kate and Jason are some of the very few people here in the Seattle area who can really boast about money. That's what's considered royalty here, family has money and the power along side it. Yet Kate doesn't act like the typical stuck up rich bitch...she's a normal person, just with very nice clothes and a killer smile."

Ben glanced to the lawyer to be a bit uneasily, earning a cheeky smirk. "Sorry...she's pretty, can't help but admire her, Jessica doesn't mind...I'm totally hers anyway."

If he had a reply, Ben didn't get the chance to say it, Jasper and Kate were finally climbing up on stage to wild cheers and applause. Jasper took a bow, wobbling a little but remaining on his feet, Kate merely laughed, standing at the front microphone and leaning back suddenly when it squealed. Everyone was cringing at the sharp noise.

"Whoops."

The laughs were genuine as a band member tweaked the wiring, nodding to Kate when it was fixed. Ben copied Carlisle, hopping up one the bar to sit and watch.

"Ok since you all insisted, here is Poison's song Every Rose Has its Thorn."

The music began, soft and steady and Kate wasn't the only one gently swaying to the acoustics. Ben sighed softly as he watched, relaxing as the atmosphere eased into that of gentle comradery for good music and great friends. Kate's voice was soft and soothing as she began, pouring pure passion into the words that Ben not only heard but felt.

"We both lie silently still
in the dead of the night
Although we both lie close together
We feel miles apart inside...
Was it something I said or something I did
Did the words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried..."

Kate's eyes drifted over the crowd, finding Ben's and smiling gently, earning a smirk in return as she took a breath and sang on.

"But I guess that's why they say..."
Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn
Yeah it does..."

Ben shifted on the bar, one hand going to his temple as a headache started to pound behind his eyes, why now? The song was stirring up the racing thoughts he'd had for the last few days ever since wandering to Kate's door...like who the heck was he...and why couldn't he remember anything...

Kate's voice broke his thoughts again, and he shoved the pain aside to listen closer.

"I listen to our favorite song
playing on the radio
Hear the DJ say loves a game
of easy come and easy go
But I wonder does he know
Has he ever felt like this..."

Felt like this...Ben doubted the slight sickening feeling threatening to take over his thinking was common enough to put in a song, the again who knew. Carlisle glanced at him when he grimaced slightly, but didn't speak.

"And I know that you'd be here somehow
If I could have let you know somehow
I guess...that's why they say,
Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song..."

Now he was starting to feel fuzzy...that was the only way his hurting head could describe it. Cowboy...cowboy? What did that have to do with anything? He shook it off, rubbing at his eyes before looking back to Kate as she rocked to the beat and belted out the next words, eyes lighting up like fire as she sang with her soul.

"Though it's been a while now
I can still feel so much pain
Like a knife that cuts you the wound heals
but the scar, that scar remains.."

The scar on his back was burning, making his left leg throb as he slid down from the bar, stumbling a little and clinging to the wood for a moment to keep from falling. His ringing ears almost deafened him to the music, the noise settling as the loud guitars stopped their blaring and the song dropped down to a calmer level.

"I know I could have saved a love that night
If I'd known what to say
Instead of makin' love
We both made our separate ways..."

As the volume shot up again, so did the bass, deep pounding sounds that you could feel in your bones. Ben couldn't bit back a moan as the fuzzy feeling taking over his thinking evolved into a dense fog, the words of the song the only thing penetrating the haze.

"But now I hear you found somebody new
and that I never meant that much to you
To hear that tears me up inside
And to see you cuts me like a knife..."

Ben gasped for air, his mind picking at the words and screaming at him, he didn't understand...

No, he didn't remember...

"I guess that's why they say,
Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy-"

Cowboy...Ben's gaze flicked up and the only thing his eyes could focus on was a flash of short, blonde curly hair, he blinked and it was gone, but that was all it took. He stumbled from the bar, weaving through the crowd to rush into the house. Luckily with people singing outside, the house wasn't nearly as packed as it had been, making his run for the bathroom easier. The door didn't close properly when he slammed it, nearly collapsing before he reached the toilet and vomited up all he'd eaten in the last few hours. The dense fog in his mind only got worse, he didn't notice someone or actually two someones had followed him.

He started shaking, from what he had no idea, but his mind wouldn't let go of those words...

...night has its dawn...cowboy...dawn...cowboy...

A cool hand rested against his cheek, the initial shock of the sudden touch made him gasp, and he was gone...

xxx

Kate had jumped from the stage the second she saw Ben weaving through the mass of people in a panic, by fate or whatever, she only noticed him when she was bowing after she was done, made it easier to take off without suspicion.

She wasn't expecting him to be in the first floor bathroom, bringing back up his meal and drinks. Ben didn't seem to hear her when she tried to get his attention, Kate didn't even get the chance to blink before the light trembling turned into all out full body shudders.

Carlisle must have followed her, because suddenly his hands were on her upper arms and yanking her out of the way as Ben started convulsing on the bathroom floor.

"Ben? What the hell-Ben!?"

He didn't hear her, soft whines escaping his throat as he shook.

"Help me..."

"Huh?" Kate snapped out of her shock, watching Carlisle carefully brace Ben's shoulders and neck so his head wouldn't smack against anything.

The law student nodded to the shaking legs, "He's having a seizure, hold onto his ankles so he doesn't kick too much...Kate...Now!"

Not caring what she looked like, Kate dropped to the floor, hands struggling for a moment to grip the flailing limbs before managing to grab hold and keep the legs from kicking out too badly. If Carlisle heard her grunt when one foot hit her stomach, he didn't say anything, merely kept Ben's head steady.

It felt like hours before the wracking convulsions died down to weak shivering; Carlisle pressed a button on his watch, the timer only reading a minute and forty-eight seconds. Kate let out a shaky breath, scrubbing her hands over her face to keep it together as she moved to kneel by Ben's head.

"Has this happened before?"

"No...never...I..."

Carlisle narrowed his eyes at her hesitation, but didn't comment, merely checked Ben over briefly as he started moaning softly.

"Hey...Ben, c'mon man, you with us?"

A soft moan before a weary, "Mhm" was their only answer a second before Ben went limp, passing out completely.

"Shit!" Carlisle jumped to his feet, sprinting from the bathroom and back out into the party as Kate gasped for air, borderline frantic as she eased Ben's head onto her lap so it was off the cold floor tiles.

By the time Carlisle returned, with Jason right behind him, Ben was shifting sluggishly, grimacing and moaning in pain. Jason looked anything but drunk as he jumped forward, face determined as he and Kate pulled Ben up. The other guy merely blinked blearily, not even realizing he'd moved until the flashing lights in the rest of the house earned a pained wince. He groaned, trying to fight the two sets of hands that half carried him towards the front door. Kate was trying to keep him awake, murmuring soothingly as she stumbled alongside Jason in guiding Ben outside. Carlisle had rushed ahead as soon as he'd lead Jason to Kate and Ben; knowing they needed to get to a hospital, he'd headed for the front door and rack of car keys, pulling Jason's car right up to the front steps and helping get Ben in the vehicle with Kate holding him up as soon as they'd all stumbled down the stairs.

With barely a wave to the law student, Jason snapped his chair back into place, shifting gears and flooring the gas pedal. Kate sat in the back with Ben leaning against her chest, her arms wrapped around his torso as he laid sprawled out across the back seat and the laid back passenger seat.

"Dammit Jason! Drive faster!"

"I know-I know!"

The coupe roared as it tore down the hill, barely making the tight turns execute by its erratic driver. Jason panted for air as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, fighting with himself to not keep checking over his shoulder at the guy he was starting to consider a really decent friend.

"How's he doin' sis?"

Kate winced, "I don't know...he's breathing...c'mon Ben, wake up..."

That earned a deep moan, a sound that relayed severe pain as he blinked blearily, shifting uncomfortably.

"Don't you fall asleep Benji, c'mon man..."

"Stay with us...stay awake..."

Whether or not he'd heard them, Ben didn't respond, head lolling to one side weakly as he breathed shallowly, barely clinging to consciousness.

Jason swerved wildly as he hit a main road, the rough motion made Kate almost lose her grip on holding Ben. Before she could reposition herself, one of his hands clasped with hers, gripping tightly. She squeezed back, sighing in relief when the pressure returned, while weaker, was at least a conscious action.

"Just hang on Ben...it's going to be ok..."

xxx

Dr. Robert Cicero had seen many celebrities in his career, as well as treated many high socialites of the day. He was known for being direct, patient, and strictly confidential. More scandals had been prevented because Dr. Cicero was in charge of all aspects of the medical care. Nothing got away from him. Even after telling the doctor the bare minimum about why Kate and Jason Viera were suddenly at his private practice at three in the morning with a half conscious guy, Dr. Cicero knew they were lying and demanded the truth.

Considering no mental institutions were called and no police showed up, Kate considered them lucky that Dr. Cicero just happened to like matriarch of the Viera family and would keep his mouth shut about the oddity of the situation.

Which was why Ben now laid curled on his side on a hospital bed, covered in a light blanket as the doctor entered with the blood work results.

"You say this is the only one you've witnessed Katalina? No other grand mals? Or a petit, where he blanked out completely and lost time?"

"No-"

"Yes..."

Kate spun around as Ben shifted on the bed, yawning behind the hand with an IV in the back of it, "What d'you mean?"

"I think...there were a couple times...late at night...I sort of spaced off...don't know why, was just...gone..."

Jason crossed his arms, biting at his cheek, "And you didn't say anything?"

Ben cringed a little, stretching out to lay on his back, collapsing against the pillows, "It was late at night...I thought was still asleep for the first one...it was the night I arrived...the other one...I was just so tired I figured I'd dozed off..."

Dr. Cicero shook his head, "I'm afraid not son...now, Katalina and Jason here have explained what they have chosen to, anything you wish to add?"

Shaking his head, Ben glanced to Kate, trying to communicate with his eyes. She must have got it, sitting on the stool next to the bed with a sigh, "No sir, nothing else."

"Very well then, considering you came out of a grand mal seizure so well, we'll keep you here long enough to get fluids in to your body before discharge. Should you show symptoms of more seizures or experience another one, we'll have to run tests. This serious episode merely appears to be a stress induced incident, your blood work shows signs of dehydration and fatigue, a serious combination when attending a party. As for the absence incidents, I believe what you described were merely moments of lapse in control due to exhaustion, go home-rest-and recover. Grand mals can be nasty, but yours was rather mild considering. Call me if you need anything, any questions?"

When none were spoken, the doctor with the graying hair nodded, adjusting the IV before leaving the private room. Ben sighed loudly, groaning a little in exhaustion as he slumped further against the bed. While it was awkward to really come to in an unfamiliar place, a hospital at that, he was glad they hadn't changed him into a hospital gown. The button up shirt was gone, but the slacks, undershirt, and socks weren't that bad as he started drifting again.

Kate stayed next to him, hand holding his hand as he dozed. Jason alternated between leaning on the wall and pacing, frustrated to no end. There was nothing they could do but wait.

xxx

xx

xxx

Since arriving at 112 Sydney Avenue, Ben had tried a lot of new things already, but one thing he'd never exchange for new was his bed.

Common post seizure symptoms were fatigue and headaches, which left Ben exhausted and borderline miserable as Kate and Jason helped him to his room. Jason left after he made it to the bed, using the posts to hold himself up as he slipped from his shoes and sat back heavily.

Kate smiled gently as he yawned, falling sideways to lay out on the soft mattress. The warm blankets were quickly tugged over his shoulders, eyes falling shut in relief.

"Good night Ben..."

"G'n...night...Kate..."

With that he was asleep, lost to blissful black. Kate tugged his blankets up further before leaving the room silently, pausing at the doorway to watch Ben sleep for a moment. While waiting for Dr. Cicero to bring the discharge papers, Ben had explained how the lyrics of the song Kate sang had started his mind going nuts, and before he knew it he had blanked out and didn't really come to until at the hospital, only remembering bits and pieces in between going to throw up and waking up.

Kate sighed as Ben shifted unconsciously, brow furrowing slightly before smoothing out.

"Ben Malek...Who are you?"

Review oh so pretty please?

P.S. I don't own any songs used in this fic...