AN: Hey guys! I know it's been FOREVER but I'm back and it's Spring Break! Not sure how I felt about this chapter, it's sort of a filler chapter.
Also, how do you guys feel about sexual scenes? Does it make you uncomfortable? Do you mind it? Not mind it? Not sure if I'll put a lemon in here, but I'd really like y'alls feedback!
"No."
"Kevin, she needs this." Ben growled, frustrated.
"If she goes back, whoever's tailing her is going to find out and… I don't know, trap you guys or something… Or… Just no Tennyson. It's dangerous." Kevin hissed back.
"I'll be there to protect her, if she even needs it. She's not 9 years old anymore Kevin." Ben sighed, wishing for the millionth time that Max hadn't picked Kevin to be in charge when he left.
Kevin paused, rubbing his forehead. He sighed deeply and paused, suddenly speaking into the phone harshly, "Tennyson she better not come back with the tiniest scratch on her body or I will end you. And I'm only letting her go because it's smart and we need answers and we haven't been getting any."
"Okay, great!" Ben perked up, glancing up at the window, watching Jackie put the last of their bags in the back of the car.
They had done all the planning the day before and finished packing that morning. Ben hadn't mentioned to her that they needed Kevin's permission. It wouldn't have boded well for either of them.
"So what, you guys finish the planning today and leave tomorrow morning?" Kevin grumbled into the phone.
"Actually in a few minutes, Jackie's putting her bags in the car and then we're off." Ben replied cheerfully, walking out of the shop and towards the car.
"Tennyson I'm gonna…"
"Look, I'll send you frequent updates letting you know we're still alive. We'll be gone for like, two, three days tops." Ben continued, ignoring Kevin as he slammed the door shut in the car.
"Take care Kev. Love you!"
"Tennyson don't you dare…"
Ben shut off his phone and smirked, starting the car.
He turned to his right as he watched Jackie sit down, and swallowed a knot in his throat. She was wearing light jean shorts that showed off her legs that seemed to go on for miles, despite her height. And she was wearing a small band t-shirt that seemed to hug her in all the rights areas; and her hair was loose, making his fingers itch with the urge to reach over and run his fingers through it, as creepy as it might sound.
"Ready Tennyson?" Jackie turned to him, buckling her seatbelt. She gave him a small smile as she sat back and pulled a pair of sunglasses from her head he hadn't noticed, and slid them down.
Ben smiled back, shaking his head from his thoughts. He needed to get a grip.
It was going to be a long ride.
Ben snuck a glance at Jackie. Her chest rose and fell evenly, letting him know she was fast asleep. They had been on the road for a couple of hours, Jackie falling asleep soon after they started driving. He couldn't say he was disappointed because he had a feeling of how little sleep she'd been getting these past couple of weeks.
Ben wasn't sure this was the best idea, going back to a place that obviously held something so dark, so painful to Jackie; it was something they didn't talk about. He didn't want to see her cry ever again like he did that night.
That's something else they didn't talk about.
Jackie hadn't mentioned that night, or the dreams, since that morning they had talked about it. Ben didn't know what to do, he knew if he pushed her, she'd push him right back. And he'd end up being locked out, something he didn't know if he could stand.
He couldn't stop thinking about how it felt to wake up next to her, feeling her body curled into his, kissing her forehead when he wanted to kiss so much more. He didn't understand why he'd grown so attached so quickly to someone who should be a stranger, but he had.
Kevin would probably kill him and chop his body into a million different pieces and send them all over the world so no one could find them if he ever found out.
But he didn't really care.
Jackie suddenly lurched up, gasping loudly in her seat, startling Ben. He jerked his head towards her, his eyes scanning her body to make sure she was alright.
"Jackie!" Ben reached out to her, touching her shoulder.
"Ben look out!" Jackie yelled, jerking away from him and pointing to the road.
"Shit!" Ben swerved to the right as a truck honked at them for being in his lane. The guy in the other truck gave them a hand gesture as he sped by. Ben rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath as he pulled over. He turned to Jackie, who had took of the sunglasses and was now pinching the bridge of her nose muttering under her breath.
"Are you trying to get us killed Tennyson?" She growled as she let her hand drop to grab her sunglasses, avoiding his eyes.
"Are you okay?" Ben asked worriedly, ignoring her comment. He kept his hands to himself, though they wanted to reach over and make sure she was alright.
"Shut up and drive Tennyson." Jackie said tiredly as she sat back and slid the dark sunglasses back on.
"Jackie–"
"I said drive." She snapped, refusing to look in his direction. Ben just sighed and started up the car again, pulling on to the road.
"Look, Jackie…"
"Did I not just say shut up?"
This was definitely going to be a long drive.
"Are you going to ignore me the whole way there? We've still got forever to go and I'm bored." Ben whined, sneaking a glance at the girl beside him.
"Tennyson, leave me alone." Jackie said flatly, turning the page of a book she had pulled out and begun reading.
Ben sighed. Jackie hadn't spoken to him since he had almost crashed into the truck, though he did it because he was worried about her, though that hadn't seemed to matter. In fact, Jackie pretended it hadn't happened at all.
"Come on Jacks. I know you're mad at me for almost killing us and all, but I said sorry already. How else am I supposed to make it up to you?" Ben grinned when he saw Jackie's mouth twitch.
"You wanna make it up to me, do you?" Jackie looked up at him placing her book aside and shooting him a teasing smirk.
Ben's mouth went dry. "Smirks like that should be illegal when someone of the male gender is driving."
"Well…. Uh… What do you have in mind?" Ben managed to say. Jackie raised her brows at him, leaning back and tapped her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. She looked over at him and winked.
"I'll think of something Tennyson. Don't you worry." She smirked at him as he fidgeted in his seat.
"Oh I'm worried all right. You scare me." Ben shot her a grin as she laughed for the first time that day. Ben chuckled, loving the sound of her being happy for once.
"You should do that more often." He said lightly.
"Do what?" Jackie asked, tucking some hair behind her ear.
"Laugh. Smile. It's not a crime to let the world see you happy you know." He teased, avoiding her gaze. He wasn't sure if he'd offended her or not, and he didn't really want to find out.
Jackie didn't say anything for a minute. "It's easier with you." She finally replied softly.
Ben turned to look at her. She was already looking at him, shooting him the smallest smile, but Ben felt it straight to his heart.
"We should probably find somewhere to stay for the night. It's going to be dark soon and I know this place not far from here." Jackie said suddenly, breaking eye contact and looking away. "Actually, I think it's about ten minutes from here. Great place. Cheap motel, crappy assistance, vending machine buffet, stains on the wall that look like blood… Five star place I'm telling you."
Ben smiled at her and turned back to the road.
"Sounds like heaven."
"Here ya go. Just ring us up if you need anything. Have a nice night. *SLAM*"
"Did I mention great service?" Jackie grimaced as they heard the old lady walking away, muttering under her breath. Ben chuckled.
"You had me sold at cheap Jacks. I think I can handle some cranky old lady for one night." Ben winked at her and set their bags on the ground next to one of the beds. "Besides, this place isn't so bad. Look, the wallpaper is full of flowers."
"It's yellow ugly flowers against some gray foggy color."
"It's got a nice carpet."
"It's red so they can hide the blood stains."
"It's got air conditioning."
"It's like an igloo in here."
"And we've got our own complimentary shower and toilet."
Jackie folded her arms, suppressing a grin. Ben walked over to her and poked her lightly, smiling.
"It's not that bad I guess." She looked around and went to sit on a bed and bounced up and down. "Nice springs. Comfy blanket. Fluffy pillows." She sighed and leaned back to lie down, closing her eyes.
"Almost makes you forget about the ugly wallpaper." Ben chuckled.
Jackie opened her eyes and squinted at him. "Almost."
"I'm gonna go pee and change, okay? You sure you can survive in this ugly room without me for a minute or two?" Ben teased, grabbing his bag of stuff and heading towards the bathroom. Jackie waved him away, sighing heavily.
"Whatever Tennyson. Leave my eyes to fend for themselves, why don't you?"
Ben shook his head and smiled, walking to the bathroom and closing the door. He changed into and old t shirt and pajama pants, checking himself in the mirror.
He couldn't help it, but he was nervous. Why was he nervous? It wasn't like he and Elena were abstinent or anything, but this was different. Jackie was different. Sure, they slept together in the same bed the other night, but that was instinct. This was…planned. Sort of. Ben rolled his eyes at himself and pulled out his toothbrush. He sighed and spit into the sink, rinsing his mouth.
He needed to stop being such a girl.
When he walked out of the bathroom, he froze.
Jackie was wearing another large t shirt and was facing away from him. The shirt barely covered her underwear. Ben's eyes slid down, then back up, his blood rushing south as he stared at her. Jackie's thick hair was pulled into a messy bun, the shirt falling slightly on one side.
Jackie turned around and rolled her eyes. "God, finally. I really need to brush my teeth dude. Way to take forever." She walked past him, toothbrush and toothpaste in hand and she shut the door with a click.
Ben still stood there, and dropped his bag near his bed and sat down. He buried his head between his head and groaned.
How the hell was he supposed to sleep tonight?
Ben lay there, staring at the dark ceiling and sighed. He couldn't fall asleep. Jackie had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, which was good, since she never seemed to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn't seem to manage to get his brain to stop thinking. Thinking about how she felt in his arms, her laugh, her smile, her legs, her eyes, her past…
"Go away." A small voice muttered. Ben frowned and sat up, glancing at Jackie's form. He saw her shift, turning to face him. Her eyes were shut tightly and her mouth was set into a frown.
"Leave me alone." She said a little louder, frightened. Ben closed his eyes and clenched his fists.
It was always that stupid nightmare.
Ben didn't realize you could hate something so passionately without being able to see it yourself.
"Please… Just leave me alone." Jackie's voice wavered as she began to shake. Ben stood up and walked over to her, kneeling next to her head.
He wiped a tear away that was running down her face and sighed sadly. "Jacks… Jacks wake up. You're dreaming again." He whispered softly, shaking her slightly.
Jackie pushed his hand away, cringing at his touch. Ben swallowed thickly but shook her again.
"Jacks, come on. Wake up. Wake up, it's not real." Ben said a bit louder.
"Ben? Ben, where are you?" Jackie whimpered, frightened.
Ben's heart squeezed at his name. "I'm right here babe. You're dreaming. Can you wake up for me?" He whispered, stroking her cheek. Jackie nodded. "Okay at the count of three, you're gonna wake up for me, alright?"
"He's angry Ben. He said that I can't leave him." Jackie trembled, her eyes squeezing tighter together.
"Tell him to fuck himself and that you're coming back to me, okay?" Ben soothed, taking her hand in his.
"He didn't like that very much. Ben I think he wants to hurt me!" Jackie's voice grew frantic as she began to squeeze his hand tightly. Ben grimaced at the pain but kept his voice steady.
"On three, okay babe? On three get out of there." Ben whispered urgently as Jackie nodded. "One… Two… Three!"
Jackie's eyes flew open as she sat up and gasped for air. Ben sighed in relief, standing up to sit down next to her.
"You okay?" Ben asked softly, waiting for her to catch her breath. Jackie turned to him and frowned
"You called me babe." She stated flatly, looking up at him. Ben sat there for a moment, studying her watery eyes and flushed look, the bags under eyes making her seem tired and sad.
She has never been more beautiful to him.
"Do you not like that?" Ben asked, watching her closely.
"No." She sighed and leaned back and closed her eyes. She scooted to the left, Ben taking her cue and sliding onto the bed next to her.
"It's like he's in my head." Her voice grew small and quiet. She took a deep, shaky breath. "And I can't get him to leave." She bit her lip, and turned so she was facing him. She opened her eyes and tried not to cry. "I'm so scared." She whispered, holding back tears.
Ben cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm right here babe." He whispered softly.
"Promise you won't leave me." Jackie laid her hand on top of his and held it for a moment, then moving it slowly and placing it on her waist. Ben's breath grew harsh as his fingers tightened and pulled her as close to him as she could possibly get.
"I promise."