AN: I feel like this one was more of a filler chapter, which is why it's much shorter. But no worries, soon we'll have some answers that Ben has been looking for!

RE-EDITED VERSION

Ben pulled into a parking lot in front of a sign that read 'Meg's Diner.'

As he got out, he could smell bacon, eggs and hash browns as they got closer. He heard something grumble loudly, and turned to Jackie. She shrugged sheepishly.

"Sorry."

Ben barked a laugh. "No worries. Meg's awesome; she'll stuff you until you can't even move." He shot her a grin as they walked in.

It was a small and noisy place. The smell of breakfast washed over the pair as they stood there, relishing the smell. There was busy, but homely feel to the diner.

"Benjamin Tennyson! Why didn't you tell me you were back in town?" A loud voice called out.

A slightly plump white haired woman came towards them, wearing a pink shirt and a white apron. Her rosy cheeks and big smile disarmed Jackie, and despite herself, she could feel herself smiling back.

"And who is this young beauty on your arm?" Meg winked at her, as Ben blushed. "He doesn't bring too many girls down here, you must be special." Jackie bit back a laugh at the ten different shades of red Ben was turning.

"We're just friends Meg." Ben grumbled. "And we're here for the best breakfast in town."

"Oh quit teasin! But there's a booth by the window over there. I'll get your usual. Oh and Ben, tell that Grandpa of yours that if he doesn't call soon, he ain't gettin' any sugar the next time he comes rollin' into town!" With that Meg turned and walked away, leaving an embarrassed Ben in her wake.

Jackie looked at Ben who just groaned and shook his head.

As they sat down, Jackie raised her eyebrows in question.

"Grandpa and Meg have got a very… Friendly relationship." He grimaced as Jackie laughed.

"At least the old guy is still getting' some." Jackie smirked at the stricken look on Ben's face.

"Whoa! Jackie! Come on! We're about to eat! Let's not discuss my Grandpa's personal life, alright?" Ben held his hands up to cut off whatever else Jackie was going to say.

At moment later, Meg same out with two steaming plates of french toast, eggs, bacon and hash browns, placing them in front of Ben and Jackie. She put down two cups and filled them with orange juice.

Jackie heard her stomach rumble loudly once more as the smell of French toast filled her nose.

"Oh you don't worry darlin', my food is gonna fill that small belly of yours. What have you been feeding this girl Benjamin, she looks like she hasn't eaten in a week! Now darlin', you ever need to fill that belly of yours, you just come right on over and I'll fill ya right up!" Meg placed the pitcher of orange juice on the table and winked at her.

"Meg! Can you get over here?" Someone called out from behind the counters.

"Oh for Pete's sake, they can't manage without me for less than a minute." Meg grumbled. "You two eat on up, and Ben don't you bother getting that money of yours out. You know I won't take it." She gave him a warm smile and turned and walked away.

Jackie sat there, feeling a bit over whelmed with Meg and her motherly nature.

"Wow, she's nice."

Ben smiled. "Yeah, she's great. We helped her out with a… Extraterrestrial problem a while back and now she refuses the money Gwen, Kevin, Grandpa and I try to give her. But I try and leave really large tips in places she can't really see at first. Most of the time she gives the money back, but it's still fun to do."

"Aren't you a sweetie pie?" Jackie grinned at the grimace that crossed Ben's face. She laughed and dug into her food, sighing in contentment as the flavor hit her mouth. It was her first real home cooked meal, save Ben's breakfast from the morning before, in years. While living with her mom, they didn't indulge themselves in home cooked food. It was mostly frozen dinners and take out. But this was something she could get used to.

"Ben! Hey! I haven't seen you in a couple of days! Why haven't you called?" A voice cut through Jackie's thoughts. She looked up, only to meet the dark eyes of another girl who was about her age.

She recognized her from the other night, from the first time she has seen Kevin. That girl had been with her father, but they had left quickly, not wanting to be around the family drama. Hell, Jackie hadn't wanted to be around the family drama.

The girl had short, shiny smooth black hair, a maroon jacket, plump lips and jeans that were snug around her waist. Jackie consciously looked down at her old ratty t-shirt, converse and was suddenly aware that her hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She sighed, looking down and her food, not as hungry as the moment before.

"Hey Elena." Ben glanced up warily, wondering why she was suddenly talking to him now, of all times.

"Ben!" She shot him a warm smile. Ben shifted, feeling awkward and slightly suspicious. "You haven't called." She pouted a bit, glancing at Jackie. Ben looked up at her, confused while Elena studied the girl in front of him. Elena nudged Ben, pushing him to the left to make room for her to sit down. Ben, too startled to say anything, moved over.

"You're Kevin's sister, right?" Elena turned to Jackie, her voice sounding polite, but stiff. Jackie narrowed her eyes a bit, and Ben inwardly groaned.

You don't get on Jackie's good side by mentioning her brother the first time you talk to her.

"No." Jackie replied flatly, taking another mouthful of food so she wouldn't have to answer any more stupid questions.

"What Jackie means is," Ben interrupted hastily at the look on Elena's face, "She and Kevin don't really… Get along." Ben flinched at the look Jackie shot him.

"If you want to put it nicely." She shot back.

Elena held up her hands, shaking her head. "I get it, none of my business." Elena stared at Jackie for a moment. "You look really tired. You getting any sleep?"

Ben frowned. He had noticed Jackie looked especially tired this morning, there were bags under her eyes and she looked ready to fall over at any given moment, but he had chosen not to say anything, knowing if she wanted him to know, she would have said something. That and in fear of getting his head ripped off.

"You're right." Jackie narrowed her eyes. "It's none of your business." Jackie pushed her plate in front of her, Ben noticing for the first time that she had finished eating. She got up angrily and started walking towards the door.

"Jackie! Wait a second!" Ben called out, attempting to move. But Elena didn't budge. She turned to him, frowning. Ben looked at Jackie helplessly, watching her walk outside to God knows where.

"Elena get out, I gotta go after her." He said impatiently, irritated that she wouldn't move. Elena turned to him.

"Do you like her?"

Ben froze. He looked at her. "What?"

"Do you like her?" Elena repeated the question again, a bit more fiercely.

"I need to go find her."

"She's not a baby Ben. She can handle herself for a couple of minutes. Answer the question." Elena snapped.

"I only met her a couple of days ago." Ben looked out the window, not wanting to meet his ex-girlfriends angry stare and trying to see if he could catch a glimpse of Jackie. He had the keys, but there was no telling if she would have gone off on her own.

"So the answer is a yes." Elena muttered bitterly.

"Look Elena, we shouldn't even be having this conversation. You broke it off, remember?" Ben turned to her, aggravated.

Elena bit her lip. "Maybe I made a mistake." She said softly.

Ben's stomach dropped. This was the last thing he needed. He didn't want anything with Elena, not after what happened.

"I don't think you did." He replied gently. Elena looked up at him, her eyes flashing.

"Ben…"

"I need to find her." Ben cut her off, and looked her in the eye. His mouth was set, determined to go after her. Elena scoffed angrily, but stood up to let him through.

Ben took off in a flash, leaving her behind, not once looking back.

Jackie didn't know why she was so… so… Irritated? Frustrated? Annoyed? She kicked a rock, watching it roll away. She groaned at herself, she didn't even know what she was feeling.

All she knew is that Elena chick rubbed her the wrong way.

And that's all there was too it.

She ignored the voice in her head that told her otherwise.

"Jackie! Where the hell are you?" She heard someone calling her name and paused, before stepping around the back of the diner. She didn't need Ben to send a search party, or worse, Kevin, to come and find her.

"What Tennyson?" She called out irritably, walking around the corner. Ben's shoulders sagged with relief as he jogged over to her.

"I thought that maybe you took off or something." He slowed, stopping before her.

"I didn't have the keys." She answered tersely.

"Look, I'm sorry about Elena." He said quickly, not wanting her to be angry with him. With Jackie, you could never tell who was going to get the short end of the stick.

"Whatever. Let's just get out of here." Jackie began walking to the car, but Ben grabbed her wrist gently.

"What's wrong?" He asked her softly. Jackie frowned, her thoughts swirling in her head like a storm.

What's wrong?! I'll tell you what's wrong. I've been on the run for three fucking weeks and all I want to do is forget any of this happened. I want my mom, I want my dad back, I want the old Kevin back, the one who didn't ditch me. I want to go home, only I don't even know what home is. I want to push you away or hold you close and I haven't made up my mind on which I want to do more. Not to mention I've been having these freaky dreams and I'm scared and lost and fuck, what isn't wrong?!

"Nothing." She told him simply, looking away. Ben growled softly, her head jerking up to him. His hands were in his hair, pulling at the ends a bit.

"You're lying." He accused her, his eyes narrowing.

"Whatever Ben." Jackie rolled her eyes and headed to the car.

Ben's hands dropped to his side, not knowing what to do. He just wished she would talk to him.

Why was it that he was always left standing, watching her walk away from him?