Author's Note: Welllll, here's the next chapter! Thanks for all your feedback so far, and keep it coming! It inspires me. :)

6. Memories

"She was the youngest of the family, and the last to be let go when they decided they would try and make it on their own…They were young and independent, and they thought they had it planned. Should have known right from the start you can't predict the end."

The couple remained that way for some time, holding each other as they cried. Vanessa felt embarrassed. She was the Queen…she was supposed to be the moral backbone for the entire country and its citizens. And here she was, weeping like a small child. But she allowed herself to continue. She could truly be herself with Ben. She needn't hide any aspect of her life, and sharing such an intimate moment with him as this was brought her bittersweet happiness. The monarch was thankful he was willing to open himself up this way to her, to allow himself a moment of weakness to show his true feelings. But it pained her to know the cause of this moment.

After the sobbing subsided, Ben pulled back slightly, pressing his forehead into Vanessa's. One hand still held hers tightly while the other cradled the back of her neck.

"My Qu—Vanessa, please. What exactly will happen?" Ben's hot breath was against her face. Vanessa breathed him in as she looked into his watery eyes.

"It's just as I said, Ben. Logan has promised me to Reaver. Avo, it's as if I am a piece of property," Vanessa closed her eyes as Ben rubbed the back of her head. His adam's apple bobbed as he fought tears.

"But what does that mean? Are you supposed to work for him? Or…"

"No, Ben, it's not like that," Vanessa felt pain at his innocence. He was too afraid to think the worst. "You know Reaver…you know what he's after,"Ben pulled back, shaking his head. "It seems he wants me as…as his mistress. And more than likely…as…as his wife."

Vanessa wanted to avert her eyes. She couldn't bear to watch the pain on Ben's face. But she had to remain strong. His mouth quivered and his face grew red. He was not only sad anymore, now he was also angry.

"He wants to take you as his lover? And…he wants to marry you? He can't do this!" Ben nearly shouted. Vanessa saw the sorrow swimming in his eyes. She took her free hand and held his cheek in it. She leaned in and kissed him lightly on it.

"I know, Ben. Believe me, I know. But there is no way around it. The deal has been made. If I try to get out of it, Reaver is more than likely to kill anyone I love…or even me. I don't know how, but he's powerful. He alwaysgets what he wants. It just so happens that I am what he desires," Ben shook his head, his hands trembling. "I love you, Ben, I do. But now…"

"This is ruined. He's ruined it all. Vanessa, I wanted to marry you…more than I've ever wanted anything. I thought I'd finally made something of my life. Loving you truly brought out the good man I always knew I could be. I gave up the booze I turned to when I was younger. You made me the man I'd always desired to be. He…he can't take you away from me!" A few tears fell down Ben's cheek again as he poured out his emotions. Vanessa bit down hard on her tongue to keep herself from losing it.

"You're the complete opposite of that man! He's corrupt, Vanessa. You know as well as I that he only wants you to have your body. Imagine how much he would love to say he has lain with the Queen of Albion! I despise that man…he sickens me. I can't bear to think of him touching you…not in the way I have before him," Vanessa blushed slightly. It was true that she had never lain with Ben, as she was still a virgin. She knew Ben was referring to kissing, and she knew he must have felt incredible jealousy to think of Reaver craving what Ben already had.

"Now listen to me, Ben," Vanessa stroked his scruffy hair. "I am a Hero. I know Reaver is quite the gunman, but I can handle myself. Be assured I will not allow him to ever lay a hand on me. I would sooner die. The…the only man I desire is…is…"

Ben pulled Vanessa closer, wrapping his arms around her as he pulled her into a deep kiss. The touch of his mouth against hers made Vanessa forget about Reaver. She felt electrified. She entangled her fingers in his hair as she enjoyed her lover's touch. She wanted to savour every last moment of it. After a few moments, Ben pulled away reluctantly.

"I can't lose you, Vanessa. Let's…let's get married. It could work! If we did it today, secretly, you could simply tell Reaver that you didn't know of his arrangement! He could not argue then!" Ben smiled widely as his eyes continued to water.

"Oh Ben…He knows that I know. I spoke with him briefly last night. I wish, with all of my heart, that we could wed. I love you, Ben. I want to spend my life with you…not that sick bastard,"

"Dammit all, I just can't stand for this! I've got to stop him!" Ben moved as if he would stand up, but Vanessa gripped him tightly.

"Benjamin Finn, if you go after him you will surely die by his hand. I could never live knowing you perished due to me. That…that is why I must break off all ties with you. Reaver is controlling. If he does intend for me to be his…wife," the word made Vanessa sick to her stomach, "then he will surely kill you if he believes we are in any way infatuated. I want you alive, Ben. Even if I cannot see you. I want to know you are alive…and maybe you'll even meet someone—"

"Don't you speak a word of that. I have no interest with any other women. I will first live my life alone if I cannot live it with you," Vanessa felt a pang in her heart. She wanted him to be happy, but he was more concerned about her. The Queen knew she must sacrifice herself to save those around her, and as unhappy as she was with it, she knew she had to do it.

"I am so sorry, Ben," Vanessa embraced Ben and the two held each other close. She never wanted to let go.

"Vanessa…I know you are a strong fighter, but I can't help but keep worrying. What if you can't fight him off? All of bloody Albion knows what a sick bastard he is, and he's cunning. That's what's horrifying. If he wants you, there…there might not be anything you can do to hold him back. Or…or what if you don't want to?" Ben's voice shook. He clearly didn't want to think this way, but he had a point. It made Vanessa stop dead. What if he was right?

Could she really fight him off, physically? Reaver was smart, more than smart. He was a cunning deviant. Reaver was not only just skiled with firearms, but he was no doubt talented in other forms of combat. Vanessa's eyes grew wide as she became more and more afraid. Would he really use that type of force to coerce her into doing what he wants? Yes, she was sure of it now. She had been mistaken to underestimate him. She was a Hero, a master of Strength, Skill, and Will. But Reaver was a cynical and sadistic man, a mastermind even. He would use whatever means necessary to gain what he desired. Even if he must use force.

But the last part of Ben's statement is what worried her the most. Why in the world would Ben even entertain the thought that she would winningly give in to Reaver? Did he really think she was of the same ignorant mind that all the other women in Albion were? She despised everything about the man and didn't understand why women threw themselves at him. She didn't care about the rumours of his more-than-talented performance in intimate situations…the Queen had no intentions of ever discovering if these rumours were true. She could surely resist his supposed "charms," but could she resist his violent, physical threats?

"Oh Avo, no. Ben, I…I hadn't even thought of that. Be assured I would never willingly allow him such a thing, but what if he is stronger than me? He wouldn't kill me off, not that easily. He obviously wants me for something, and I know, more than anything else, that he will be sure to get what he wants. I just can't bear to think about it," Vanessa blinked rapidly to stop any tears. Ben stroked her cheek gently, causing her to suddenly change the topic.

"Ben…I love you. If that man intends to bed me, I cannot live with myself knowing he will be my first. Please, Ben, would…" Vanessa's voice was a faint whisper and Ben kissed her lightly to shush her.

"My Queen, Vanessa, you need not even ask about such a thing," He kissed her again, this time quicker and harder. "I love you dearly, and I would be more than honoured. I have wanted this for a long time, Vanessa."

"If this is the last time we ever speak privately, I want to truly make the most of it. I want to remember this for the rest of my life. I only wish this didn't have to be a farewell."

"You know it's no secret I've been with many women in the past Vanessa, but know I have never loved one the way I love you. I…I just…"

Ben pulled Vanessa in for a passionate kiss. She was in ecstasy. The touch of her lover…it allowed her one moment of escape from her problems. She wrapped her arms around his head as they kissed, slowly building. Before Vanessa could even catch her breath, Ben had swept her up into his strong arms. He was a soldier, and a strong one at that. He cradled her in his arms as he stood, still not retreating from her lips. Vanessa was feeling dizzy, but in the best way possible. She felt herself laid gently onto her own bed, and her heart rate quickened. Ben was standing above her, apart from her for now, and they watched each other carefully. Her eyes, full of love and desire, spoke volumes to him, and he leaned down over her, pulling her face to his to kiss her one again.

She grabbed his uniform, pulling him onto the bed, where he hovered over her. He cradled her face as they kissed, and slowly she allowed his tongue entrance into her mouth. Ben was all she had ever wanted, and she had never felt as happy as she was in this instant.

Ever so slowly, their actions began to heat up. Ben's hands began to roam the Queen's beautiful body. Vanessa allowed deeper and deeper kisses. The two had never felt so impossibly connected. As they shed their many layers of clothing, their passion and desire heightened, making the two crave each other as they never had before. As Ben's soft lips trailed loving kisses all over Vanessa's figure, she felt ultimate bliss. If she had her way, the night would never end. But she knew morning would be coming all too soon, and the lovers would have to part ways forever. She tried her best to forget that detail and enjoy the moment, being the first time she had lain with a man.

Ben was careful to be gentle to his Queen, as to not harm her. Every few moments, he would lean into the crevice of her neck and tell her how much he loved her. The pleasure was immense, leaving Vanessa as well as Ben more than satisfied. Finally, Ben Finn laid down beside the Queen, both of them happily out of breath. He pulled her close, holding her tightly against him. He nudged her face as her eyes became glassy. He knew exactly what she was thinking of, and he tried to enjoy every second. Vanessa quickly forced her lips onto Ben's once more, as they lay peacefully. She wanted to be sure to remember every single detail about him. His feel, his smell, his taste…she wanted to be sure she would never forget it in the years to come.

Vanessa tried to fight her exhaustion with her passion, continuing the deep kisses as long as she could. But eventually, even Ben realized how tired she was from the night. He pulled back from her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear. His hot breath tickled her, and she drifted off into a heavenly, blissful sleep as he wound his arms around her.

But morning came all too quickly.

Author's Note: Steamy. Well, not too much. I kept the details to a minimum, and before I get complaints, just know it was for a reason. A reason you guys won't know until a later chapter. Probably the chapter "Always." The question I have for you guys today to answer in feedback isss: The whole reason I started writing this was because when I listened to "Trade Mistakes" by Panic! at the Disco, I instantly imagined the content of what will be the "Trade Mistakes" chapter...and I just had to start writing. So my question is, what do you think the "Trade Mistakes" chapter will be?

Who knows, I might get some new ideas. ;) xx

Oh yeah...Reaver makes his real debut in the next chapter. WOAH.