I want to thank all my reviewers! Oh yeah anyone know how to participate in a forum? i gotta get on that... And forgive me if this chapter isn't really that good, im most likely going to edit it.

DISCLAIMER: I do*'* own Ben 10 anywhere and everywhere

The night had been uneventful, and thankfully Ben didn't go on a rant about he did not want to sleep in the same room with his cousin; he was too tired for something like that. It had poured furiously outside that night, hitting the windows and rapping on the door eerily so much it gave Gwen the creeps. The night was as dark as it could be, shadows creeping everywhere they could, and somehow, the floorboards of the house decided to squeak on their own, as if someone was walking on them. As if the classic things that would scare someone weren't enough, the howled so distinctly, like a person; it was enough to make the auburn haired girl jump out of her skin! Luckily, a certain dark green eyed brown haired boy just had gotten back from high school. Just the perfect hero to protect her.

As a break from the pounding rain and thunder came, her eyes floated towards him. He sat on a couch, adjacent to hers, with an annoyed and more importantly embarrassed look plastered all over him. If his body language could speak, it would stutter. He had grown much older since she last saw him, but not in the age sense. He was more mature, yet not tightened up as he was when she last saw him. The young magic user could just see it by looking at him. The rustled haired that had stayed with him with what seemed forever was longer, and darker. It was about at his neck, shining often and always getting in his face. His eyes. 'His beautiful eyes.' Is what she kept coming back to when she stared at him for what seemed like the five-hundredth time since he got home that evening. At age ten; they were so full of playfulness and an image of a true free spirit, even when he became the bearer of the omnitrix. Only she saw that behind that the responsibility was crushing him. It always does that to heroes after all.

At age 15; they became hardened yet soft, but full of determination. She could always see the hard times he had when he played leader. This part of his life crushed the free spirit that once inhabited his eyes, leaving the playfulness to wither down to nearly nothing, as he was always being the hero. Often at times she wondered if that was how Ben 10,000 had gone down the road to being a full time, callous shell of his former self, and a hero. He had changed then, and he had changed when he got back. In simpler words; If Ben aged ten chose between Ben aged 15, and Ben aged 17 (almost Heheh) he would most likely make fun of the former and go with the most recent one. But Gwen hadn't noticed the pain in his eyes when he left.

How could she? She wasn't there. But what she did know was that she picked the wrong person back then, and would never do it again. But now, his eyes were a mix of his two previous selves, the playfulness danced in his eyes wildly, while the determination was ready to show through, should any trouble arise. Neither of them noticed though, and wouldn't even if he had stared closely into a mirror or if she had pressed her eye against his, that emotion that had been wiped away and any feeling he had harbored for her over the years. Gone. Or were they? After all, true love can never be withheld(1)…

It was abnormally quiet in the room between the two teenagers. Ben didn't want to speak and Gwen could barely stop from saying something that might make the situation worse. But her mouth had other plans for her brain to follow. "Ben I'm… Sorry." It was calm and collected, nothing short of what he expected from her. It flowed from her pink lips like it was no big deal! No, big, deal. Rage would be to strong a word for what was building up in him, and anger would still be more than needed. But, annoyed would fit the bill for that feeling in particular that had decided to take home inside him.

"No big deal huh?" The question was asked with disbelief dripping from the words as her eyes traveled to his. "You call… Walking in on me getting out of the shower, NO BIG DEAL??? And you're sorry!." She wasn't sorry at all. Not in the least. And never would be. Even though he may have been quick as she gained her bearings at the sight and hid behind the shower curtain, the tinge of red on his face was enough to make her heart float and her lips to curl into a girlish smile. But that would never be admitted.

"Yes." Her calm demeanor faltered as he turned away, and was being replaced slowly by the urge to shout out something she would definitely regret later, but what a certain side of Ben would love to hear. (See if you can figure it out on your own.) He was forced to turn around, as if someone were controlling him. 'Look at her you idiot!' His conscience, or maybe something different entirely, told him. He turned around only to be greeted by her eyes going through him like he was smoke.

They were sharp, magnified, and they were centered on him. His whole body did not even bother to turn around as they looked at each other for what seemed like minutes when in reality was a short time span of seconds. For him it was awkward, having eyes like her look at him so intently. It seemed that she sensed his uncomfortable ness, and broke her gaze; reluctantly. "What do you want me to say Ben? I said sorry. There's not much else I can do!" Of course she missed him, but things got back to the way they used to be way to quickly. He was getting on her nerves already. And she did not mind that one bit.

"What did you see?" Her face mimicked a dumbstruck expression and faked confusion. "Huh?" Her eyes squinted at that, trying to make believe she didn't have a clue what so ever he was speaking of. "Don't play dumb nerdlinger!" A dramatic part to say the least, because if an on looker were to watch the scene, they would have saw a court room effect. (For those who do not know watch one of those weird court shows…) Ben pointed his finger at her accusingly, inches from her soft skin. They were right in front of an alcove the held the window, as thunder crashed through the sky and the rain picked up again without hesitation. The very sound shook them and resonated through the entire house, as a streak of light shone through the curtains rapidly, causing their shadows to show briefly behind them.

After looking at him and the window to the rain out of the house, she asked; "What the hell is a nerdlinger anyway???" That had been a question that had been popping up in her mind since he said it the first time, and a few other people too (2)… He let out a scoff as if the answer was as obvious to why people need air. "You. Ling. Nerds." His fingers rolled into circles and were placed on his eyes. "And you're supposed to be the smart one. Yeah right." Shoving his hands into his pockets, he made his way up the stairs once again. "That… That is the most stupidest thing I've ever heard!!" It must have not been, since while his back was turned he could hear stifled laughter from her direction. But that all ceased when she noticed the retreating figure on the stairs.

"Were are you going?" Gwen didn't even bother to mask the disappointment in her voice at all. What's the use anyway? "I am getting a cover and some pillows. Perverts cannot be trusted ya know Gwen." It was playful, but she wasn't sure if she should acknowledge her sunken heart, laugh, or smile at what he was implying, or lastly, play dumb. "I have no idea what you are talking about." The road to denial is a very short one. She folded her arms also in a playful manner, wanting him to turn around. "Whatever you say lady. I'm still not sleeping in the same room with you."

With that, he left up the stairs, leaving her with her arms drooped to her sides confused written all over her face. Ben came back down stairs with three pillows and a black cover in his arms. He struggled with lack of grip on them, therefore making his biceps press through his t-shirt that he had conveniently changed into after his shower. Unfortunately for Benjamin, his pants, sweatpants to be precise, were falling down with every step he took. It just wasn't his day. But it was someone else's.

'Hormones. It's got to be the hormones. Come on Gwen. You can fight this! It's just… Ben. With biceps. In a tight looking t shirt. And sweatpants… That are falling…and falling even more… showing skin…Damn hormones… Thank you.' Thoughts can be so different from the person they originate from, or, they can actually be what that person really is. For Gwen in situations like these it's a little of both. He passed her without acknowledging her presence and placed the pillows and covers on the couch neatly, and when he was done, looked at his pensive cousin drooling. 'She's changed. So ! Drool! Cool, echoes!' Some things never really change.

They didn't stay in that state for long, courtesy of the weather. The two heroes stayed up into the late hours of the night talking about their lives for the past two years. They laughed and joked around just like old times, which is really what Gwen wanted again. 'I forgot how good it was to hang out with him.' "What time is it Ben?" Gwen rubbed her eyes and looked to him, at the end of the couch. She wasn't far away from him either. "Un, it's 11:457… Pass the pancakes please…" He mumbled incoherently but it was understandable. 'I think he meant 11:45...' Gwen let out a sweet giggle. "I think Mr. Tennyson has lost his touch of staying up late." It was too late, Ben was already asleep with his dark brown hair falling over his eyes like a shade. She saw his lips part and make soft breaths in and out, with the occasional storm. She was relieved when the storm had died down, now it was only the rain. So calm, so comforting, 'So sleepy…' With a yawn, she drifted out of consciousness, curling up to Ben's side and wrapping her arms around him in a loving embrace. It didn't matter what he would say if he woke up, because she would deal with that in the morning.

A strong emotion can't be held back for long. Not even a day. It's even shorter when that emotion in particular is love. It'll always be there. Mind body and soul. And for Ben, it's mind. Because not too long after she placed her arms around him, he did the same, and planted a sweet kiss on her forehead. But neither of them would remember it in the morning.

Some reunion.

'Love rules the unconscious, the conscious, and just about everything else...'

By: Some guy

(1) it is a great story, kind of short, but to the point. totally bwen. ^^

(2) just a nod to my reviewers. you guys rock!

Oh and nerdlinger is from an episode of the simpsons. an OLD one.i heard it like years so long ago and it just popped in my head! still makes me laugh too heheh.

I pride my self on making characters totally out of character and being a junky for fluffy bwen moments. I cant help myself. What would be the fun if I did?

P.s.: If the lawyers come around...ATTACK THEM