A/N: Ben 10 does not belong to me in the least.
Cook came out a few minutes later, hands on her hips as she surveyed the damage. Rachel had risen from her crouch and was perched on the counter, gazing blankly through the now open window. Mike was staring silently at Meena, who was still on the floor. "What's all this then?" Rachel raised her hands defensively.
"I didn't do it!"
"Quiet, you." Cook strode over to where Meena was crouched. Mike stepped up, as if to protect the younger girl from Cook's wrath and tongue. "Come on then. Let's get you cleaned up." Cook's voice was soft and she was smiling gently. Mike blanked and Meena sniffed, looking up slowly, her eyes red.
"C-cook… How am I… I didn't mean…" Tears continued streaming down her face as Cook knelt down.
"We'll deal with that later. Let's get you fixed up." Meena gave a slow nod and Cook helped her up, guiding her toward the back hall.
Rachel raised a brow, popping her gum. "Weird." Mike walked toward the closet, pulling out a broom and a mop. He tossed the broom to her and she caught it easily. "I don't do cleaning." He changed the sign to 'Closed', turning to give her a dark look.
"Well, it's your lucky day. You are." Rachel let out a huff, hopping off the counter.
"You did a number out there, young one." Cook stated simply as she nudged the glass from her skin, dropping it in the trash, the blood glittering and wet in the light. Meena hung her head, staring miserably at her bandage wrapped arms.
"I… I didn't mean... I'm sorry…" she managed to whisper, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks once again.
"Ah, none of that, Meena." Cook patted her knee, going for a small sliver of glass that decided it didn't want to leave the poor girl's leg. "It's something that you can't help." Meena blew heavily into a tissue. "You can't control your powers yet." Cook raised her eyes, plucking the splinter from Meena's skin, flicking it into the trash can. Meena gazed at her fearfully, confusion and caution flashing through her eyes. "You ran away before you were properly taught, hmm?" Meena gave a slow nod as Cook rose, grabbing the bandages and crouching back down, taping them across and around her legs. "Not surprising. With family like that? Anyone would skip."
"H…how did…?" Cook rose for the last time, stretching her shoulders. "How did you know?"
"I know a lot that goes on around here. You'd be surprised." Cook tucked the bandages away, looking back at her young charge. "Best get you home, young one." Meena shook her head, holding up her hands in protest. "I don't expect you to keep working."
"N-no, I don't want to trouble anyone…"
"It's fine. They'll be happy to help." Meena looked at her shyly, then gave a small nod.
"If you're sure…"
"Hey, Calico." Rachel looked up, bored at her job of sweeping. She glared darkly at the black haired teen grinning in the entrance way, a red head and a brunette behind him. "How ya been?" She leaned the broom against the counter, setting her shoulders hard and stalking towards him, nails stretched out. His brow furrowed. "Calico?"
"You…" She growled, showing teeth, her tail twitching and flicking. "Today must be my lucky day, Levin," she growled darkly. Kevin held his hands up in a 'surrender'.
"Hey, woah, wait a minute, about that—"
"I bet you have an explanation, just like every other time, eh, Kevin?" She hissed, sidling up to him, shifting around his form, nails ready to scar up his face. He let out a strained laugh.
"Look, Rachel, nothing personal, it just—" He winced as neon green entered his vision, deadly gold eyes glaring him down. She stilled her hand, nails just centimeters away from his eyes. He gulped and hoped she was in a good mood. "It… just wouldn't work?" He tried carefully. Her lip twitched upward.
Bad idea.
"Rachel?!" She shifted away, face transforming immediately.
"Mark~!" She bounded past them, pouncing on a man making his way up the sidewalk. "Why're you here?" She was currently sitting on him, a bright smile across her lips as she gazed down at him.
"I heard about the accident! Are you alright?" She swayed as he sat up, hugging her tightly. "I was worried, so I left early." She hugged him back easily, curling into him.
"I'm fine, it was just a little… problem. Knocked the lights out and most of the windows. Nothing to worry about." Kevin peered around him, seeing that, yes, most of the windows were gone, the glass in little piles around the room. He shifted around, catching sight of Gwen's raised brow. He swallowed thickly, trying on a smile. She didn't return it. "Do you wanna come in? My shift's over in a little. Not that there'll be much to do…" She lunged to her feet and he followed after her, taking hold of her hand and rubbing circles onto the back of it with his thumb. She gave a glare towards Kevin, pushing past him. "Cook! Am I almost done?" She called toward the back. The door opened, Cook bustling out with Meena in tow, most of her skin covered by the stark white bandages. Rachel blinked, then burst out laughing. Meena ducked her head and Cook urged her forward, glaring.
"No, you aren't." Rachel sobered immediately. "There's still a lot to do and I expect customers. With Meena gone, you're the only one we have." Jenna and Kate quit after Meena came back from her extended absence. Bad timing all around, apparently. "I suggest you have him sit down or leave." Mark gave a polite nod to Cook before sitting at the counter. Cook gave a smile to the others. "Kevin. Thank you for getting here so quickly. And you brought your friends." Kevin averted his eyes, coughing lightly. Mark gave a questioningly look toward Rachel, who gave a curt nod.
Mark promptly tackled the black haired youth. "Good to finally meet you!" Gwen looked on in confusion while Ben laughed hysterically. Cook raised a brow while Rachel pulled out a nail file, yawning. Meena looked on, wondering if this was normal behavior for guys.
"Get off!" Mark released him from his hold, shaking his hand.
"Rachel's told me so much about you! Why, if it wasn't for you, we'd have never met! I have to thank you for that!" Kevin gave the man a look, standing and brushing himself off. Rachel hissed at him.
"Yeeaaah, right. How's that?" He had never met this lunatic before.
"If you hadn't broken up with her, she never would have attacked me." Gwen crossed her arms, tapping her foot hard against the floor, brow furrowing deep in a frown. Rachel snickered at Kevin's face.
"I've never heard that story before, Kevin. Why don't you share with the rest of us?" Gwen asked darkly. He gave a strained grin, holding his hands up to shield himself from her wrath.
"GETTING BACK ON TOPIC." Mark controlled himself, returning to Rachel's side. Cook smiled at Kevin. "Take her home." She jerked her thumb at Meena, who looked very uncomfortable with everything that was going on.
"Eh?"
"I said 'take her home'. She's had a rough day, as you can probably see." Rachel raised her hand. "Not now, Calico. Later." Rachel pouted, lowering her arm. Cook raised a brow at Kevin, who was frowning at her. "Is something wrong, Kevin?"
"I'm not a babysitter." Cook's gaze narrowed. "No."
"U-um, I can—"
"Oh no you aren't, young one. Who knows if he'll come after you again." Meena dropped her head, bowing under Cook's pressure. Kevin looked at her, then gave Cook one of those 'looks'. "You either take her or I'll call the back-up." Kevin opened his mouth to tell her to call the B-Team when she spoke again. "Or your mother. Your choice." Kevin's cheeks colored and Rachel pointed at him and laughed.
"Shut-up Calico!" Gwen stepped forward, putting a hand on Kevin's arm.
"Where does she need to go?" Meena looked at her carefully and Gwen gave a smile, noting something was disturbing the girl's mana, power seeming to draw around her. "We'll be happy to help."
Kevin was muttering darkly to himself as he drove, cursing Cook and ex-girlfriends with vendettas. Gwen ignored him. She knew that he would have had girlfriends before her, but it still made her mad. Ben was content in the backseat, reading through a comic. Meena sat silently, hands folded in her lap, eyes cast down. A bump caused Ben's comic to go flying briefly, distracting him from the story. "Easy up, Kevin!"
"Pipe down, Tennyson." Ben frowned, putting the magazine away for the moment.
"So, you're Meena?" She raised her face, gazing at him intently. He gave a smile. "I'm Ben. Ben Tennyson." He extended his hand and she took it.
"Meena Strong. Pleasure, Mr. Ben." She released his hand and he noticed hers was cold. There was silence as she reverted back to her former state. He looked around for a moment, shifting his gaze out the window.
"So, what happened back there? At the diner, I mean." He noticed she stiffened, shoulders tense. "Rachel made it seem like a power out and a way strong wind."
"It… it was an accident…" She whispered and Gwen looked back, wondering what was wrong. "I… I didn't mean… it wasn't… If Syvin hadn't come…" She turned her face away and Ben and Gwen shared the same look.
Kevin slammed on the brakes, sending everyone crashing forward. "You idiot! Move!" He yelled, glaring ahead of him. Gwen held at her head, looking ahead blearily.
"Wha?"
"You okay?" He looked at her, concern overriding his anger. "You're not hurt?" She gave him a look. He glared back ahead of him.
"Jeez Kevin, do it a little harder next time, will ya?" Ben held his forehead, willing the Omnitrixes to stop circling his head.
"No…" Meena murmured. Kevin glared at the man standing directly before them, a very disapproving look on his features. Another man, taller, stood with him.
"Mirna. Dall kur. Sja wen ta makla.(Meena. Come here. The fun is over.)" Gwen tilted her head to the side, the world finally stilling.
"What's he saying?" Kevin shrugged, pulling out his Plumber's Badge. A hand reached up, covering the top to stop him from pressing it to translate. "Meena? What're you doing?" Meena looked ahead, sadness in her eyes.
"You don't… need to understand him, Mr. Kevin." She gave a soft smile. "Um…Thank you. For… trying to drive me home." She moved her hand, falling back and opening the door.
"Woah, hey, 'trying'? Whaddya mean 'trying'? Some wacko in the street ain't gonna stop me. Cook'll have my head!" She stepped out of his car. He glared, clenching the steering wheel. Gwen regarded him silently for a moment.
"Kevin."
"I know, I know. Save the kid." He kicked open the door, stalking forward as Ben stumbled out. Meena looked back at him, surprise etched across her features.
"Mr. Kevin? Miss Gwen? Please, this is none of your—"
"Mirna, a fol giy pator kaller nor.(Meena, I don't have time for this.)" Meena gazed at him, his lips pulling down into a frown.
"Syvin, this is not what I want."
"Do you think I care?" Kevin clenched his hands into fists. "Your friends have no part in this, you know that." Meena smiled at the three of them, turning back towards the man.
"I refuse to go home right now." He gazed at her silently for a long moment. The man beside him shifted slightly. "I still… have time left." The temperature began dropping, a noticeable change. "Don't do this, Syvin."
"If you won't come to your senses, this is what happens, Meena. You know that."
"Yes." She bowed her head, hands still at her sides. "Mr. Kevin, Mr. Ben, Miss Gwen, please, continue about your day. I'm sorry to have troubled you with my own personal matters. I won't hold you responsible for not holding up Cook's orders. This is my problem. I should not have pulled you into it."
Ah, so we're getting' there~ I'm warning you, not all is as it seems. This language is just a mish-mash of fou-fa I've created. It's not an actual language~