I do not own Ben 10.

Opposing Sides

Act 2

Chapter 17

Gwen couldn't believe what she had just heard. It was impossible...well not impossible but highly improbable. The paper in her hands, according to her, was two years old. Yet Ben had just told her that it had been delivered yesterday. She took a moment to breath.

Ben however, had already had time to process this information. "we need to get out of here, and find my grandpa." the young hero stated matter of factly, as he continued to eat his breakfast. "i think he's the only person I know that would believe us if we told him."

Gwen sat in silent concentration. They were going to have to find an adult who would believe them. Tammy was a nice lady, but the young witch didn't want to drag her into this craziness. The only thing was that once they left to go find his grandfather they wouldn't have any money, or transportation. They would be up a creek without a paddle. When Ben saw the look on his friends face he spoke up.

"by the way I wasn't just being silent and brooding about what happened, I do have a plan....ish." he said half proud of himself, half unsure.

"so you have a plan...ish." she repeated sounding skeptical.

"since we don't know where my grandfather is at the moment I say we go to where he is going to be. In a few days there is going to be a wedding... and im the ring bearer." Ben said his voice full of embarrassment. "if we can make it to the wedding than my grandfather will be there." he said sounding more confident than before but still a little unsure. "though time travel makes my head all fuzzy." he said giving her a slight grin.

"I think your heads always been a bit fuzzy." his young friend said teasing him."though it does sound like an alright Plan." she admitted. "But how do you know the date of the wedding." she asked curiously.

"I don't think I could forget, there is a picture of me at my house wearing this ridiculous purple suit. I hated it. But on the back is the date... trust me it sticks out in my mind." Ben shuddered as he remembered the embarrassment he suffered that day.

Gwen chuckled at the idea of Ben in a purple anything. "alright if your sure about it...now we just have to figure out a way to get there."the young girl began to ponder, when Ben spoke up again.

"actually I have another idea...but I don't like it." he said his face becoming more sullen. Gwen raised an eyebrow at him.

"two ideas in two days... your brain must be aching right now." for some reason Gwen couldn't stop the snide remarks. Though she was only teasing. The psychologist in her mind told her she was deflecting... but as for what she was deflecting she couldn't say. Her companion however didn't even seem to notice like it was already apart of there routine.

"A little yeah .. but I would have to lie to Ms. Tammy. And I really don't want to." Ben said making a face full of conflicted feelings. He popped the last of the pancakes into his mouth. Gwen smiled silently. He was a hero even if he didn't want the title anymore.

"well... if its absolutely necessary than we'll just have to do it. I agree the best starting place is to find your grandfather." she said affirming his decision, though she too felt conflicted about lying to the sweet motherly lady who had taken care of them. Ben looked down at his empty plate his face showing no emotion.

"alright then... ill just have to get it over with quickly." the young boy declared as he set his plate on the nightstand. " if Tammy asks for me tell her I went out to stretch or something." he suddenly began to fiddle with his watch. Until he found the silhouette he was looking for. He looked over at Gwen as he pressed down on the watches command dial.

There was a sudden green flash of light. Where Ben once stood, there was now a strange alien creature.

"What is that!" Gwen said somewhat shocked.

"its all part of my plan." Bens voice came from the alien. Only it sounded as if he were speaking through a speakerphone. "just be ready to cover for me." the strange alien opened the window and...gooed out of it, was the best description Gwen could come up with. As she wondered what kind of alien that was the phone suddenly began ringing in the next room.

"Hello!" Tammy greeted as she answered the phone. What answered her was an almost perfect replication of Maxwell Tennysons voice.

"Hello, is this Tammy Hayfield." Max's voice questioned uncertainly. Ben was going to have to put on a good act if he was going to convince her he was his own grandfather.

"Why yes it is. And who may I ask is calling." she said politely.

"Thanks goodness... This is Maxwell Tennyson. I was informed that you may have my grandson and his friend in your care." Ben played up the concern in his grandfathers voice.

"I do. Ben Tennyson and young Gwendolyn! I'm so happy someone got a hold of you." The sweet woman said genuinely happy that the kids guardian had found them.

"Are they alright?" he said almost pleading that she say yes.

"There fine, mostly. Gwen seems to have had an accident of sorts. We had a doctor come in and check up on her but he said it was nothing to worry about and that she could be up and about in a couple of days." she said trying to reassure the "older gentlemen. "if I may ask, what happened. The kids don't seem to want to talk about it. And they got so far away from you." she asked out of genuine concern.

"we were driving through Texas when we got caught up in one of those strange occurrences that have been happening this summer. You know... the ones with the strange alien creatures." Ben tried to sound as convincing as he could.

Tammy thought for a second before answering . "i have read of quite a few strange occurrences, giant animals attacking D.C, strange flying things seen over mount Rushmore, you mean those kinda things."

she asked.

"Yes while we were on the highway there was loud noise and a Bright flashing light. I suddenly couldn't control the RV anymore, and it tipped over and skidded into the light. When the light passed I got up to look around for... the kids, but they weren't there anymore. I panicked and looked everywhere. But it was mostly desert out there. I didn't know where they could have gone too." Ben tripped over his words a little but to hide it he started to ham up his performance. "eventually a car showed up and I borrowed there cell phone and called the cops."

"Goodness, I heard of something similar happening at a summer camp the next state over, kids just disappeared, they turned up a few days later none the worse for wear saying something about giant mushrooms or the like." she shook her head disapprovingly "Don't know what the worlds coming to these days."

"I'm just glad there alright." Ben said using his actual feelings for emphasis. "i know its probably been a little troublesome, I know my grandson can be a little stubborn sometimes." everyone always seemed to say it so he figured why not.

"No they've been no problem at all. Benjamin was just worried about his little girlfriend thats all." she said it with the purist of intentions

"Shes not m....is that so.." Ben wished he had hands at the moment so he could slap himself on the forehead. "he's sort of embarrassed about those kinds of things." he said trying to recover.

"So when will you be by to pick them up." Tammy said hearing the strain in his voice.

"Actually my RV is still a little messed up from the accident, its still in the shop. I was wondering if you could get them on a bus to Fort worth, Texas. I can rent a car and pick them up when they arrive." he said trying to make it sound as plausible as possible.

"Shoot, just tell me when would be most convenient for you, its alright if its a couple of days I wouldn't mind watching them for ya. There good kids I can tell." Ben felt a little pride at this .

"thank you so much. If it would be possible could you get them there by Thursday. I think I can get there by then." Ben was starting to get the hang of Max's voice.

"not a problem, ill make sure they get on the bus this coming Wednesday." she said reassuringly to Ben.

"Could I speak to them. It would make me feel a lot better to hear there voices. I've been so panicked since they went missing" he had to sound eager but not to eager, and Ben's brain and conscience were beginning to drain. He couldn't lie to her much longer.

"of course let me bring them the phone." Tammy said as she made her way to the Room where Gwen had been resting. When she opened the door she only found Gwen sitting alone on the bed.

"Where did Benjamin go." she asked Gwen concernedly. The young girl looked back at her and gave her a practiced response.

"he said that "sitting in that chair so long made his but cramp up." so he was going out to take a look around and stretch." she lied.

"Where did that child get to at such an important time." she said handing the phone to the younger girl, whose only response was.

"Boys" she said it like it explained everything. As she took the phone she gave Tammy a questioning look.

"its Max Tennyson, don't keep him waiting he sounded mighty concerned, you kids just vanished." the older woman said as she waited expectantly for Gwen to use the phone.

Not knowing what to expect Gwen put the receiver up to her ear. "hello?" she asked hesitantly.

"Gwen, just say something like..uncle Max excitedly, then stuff like no I'm ok....Ben hes fine too. No miss Tammy has been really nice. Stuff like that." Gwen didn't know what to make of it. The voice sounded like Bens grandfather. But the tone of his voice was that of her young friend. "then stall until I can get to the phone." Ben said, doubt lacing his words.

"Uncle Max." Gwen said excitedly. She continued on for a while as Ben had said... well she assumed it was Ben. After a few more minuets under the scrutiny of Tammy Gwen was running out of generic things to say on the phone. As she started to stumble over her words and draw blanks Ben suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"who you talking to." He said nonchalantly.