AN: Text in a normal style is present time, text in an italic style is the past. Please note that most of this chapter will take place as moments in the past, so expect a lot of italics.
Recommended Song(s):
"Love of My Life" – Lucas Prata & Reina
o.0.o.0.o
Chapter 02: Run Together Part 01
Ben paced his carpet for the innumerable time, plans and backup plans and backups to the backup plans rolled through his head, well, through Grey Matter's head. Ben knew that in situations such as this it was better to let the alien genius plot and plan.
The next few days were far too important for him to 'doofus' them up, as Gwen would say.
His pacing calmed for a moment as thoughts of his redheaded cousin passed through his mind, a smile reaching his lips briefly, but it quickly passed as he returned to his planning. The next few days would change everything for Gwen and he and he had to focus.
With a sigh he reverted to Ben and collapsed on his bed, his left arm covering his eyes as he just breathed, the weight of the Omnitrix pressing against his right cheek.
Raising his arm, he stared at the alien watch, it was without a doubt one of the turning points in his life, but it wasn't the catalyst that brought him to his current thoughts and plans. That distinction belonged to the event that took place during the summer of 2012 when he and Gwen realized their feelings for each other at the age of 16.
Things had been so much simpler that summer, all they had to worry about was Ben's cross-country journey when he ran away from his feelings for Gwen and figuring out if the Omnitrix was at fault for the sudden emotions.
After consulting with Azmuth, after finally tracking the reclusive creator of the Omnitrix down, they had learned a great deal about how the alien device had influenced Ben.
"Azmuth," Ben asked as he gripped Gwen's hand in his, fear evident in his voice, "are the feelings I have for Gwen a result of the Omnitrix?"
"Hmm, hard to tell, will have to take a look. Put your arm on the table," the Galvan had said even as his chair had floated to the indicated table.
Ben fearfully released Gwen's hand and approached the table, placing his left arm under the machinery there.
"Hmm," Azmuth hummed as he examined the device, "very interesting, very interesting indeed."
Ben fought the urge to ask what was interesting, but he knew the alien would answer when he was ready.
"To answer your question, yes… and no, the Omnitrix did and did not influence your feelings."
"So, what I feel for Gwen… isn't real," Ben asked even as his voice trailed off, the fears they had all been harboring coming true. If the feelings turned out to not be real, it would destroy not only the new relationship he and Gwen had but also any chance of having any kind of relationship at all.
"I did not say that," Azmuth reminded as he hovered in front of Ben, data from his scans scrolling across the chair's computer screen.
"What I said was that it did and did not influence your feelings, allow me to explain. The love you feel for your cousin is genuine, the device did not affect that. However, given the story you told me about how your relationship formed it is clear that the device did affect your fight or flight instinct as well as your hormones."
"Meaning what," Grandpa had asked even as Ben and Gwen had embraced each other in a joyful hug.
"Meaning, that since you are still in the developmental years for your species, and the device was designed for a fully developed being to use, it forced the emotions you felt to be exaggerated, to be heightened. The panic and fear you felt, part of the flight instinct, caused you to react and escape without taking the time to consider whether or not your actions truly warranted the response you gave. To answer that question, no, your actions did not warrant taking off across the country to get away while thinking that you would be arrested on sight for your actions."
"I realize that now Azmuth," Ben replied with an eye roll, provoking a sigh from the alien and shoulder poke from Gwen.
"I am glad you do, now, let me finish. The fight or flight instinct was heightened, but so was your emotional connection to your cousin since all your hormones were affected. While the relationship you have now may have developed naturally over the years, your hormones and attraction to her were heightened by the various hormones of the fully developed aliens who provided the DNA samples for the device. It was the comingling of your hormones along with theirs that allowed you to accelerate your relationship by acting upon the attraction and feelings of love that was already present. This brings me to another small point, your question as to how you can maintain longer transformations and change at will without directly activating the device."
"We've all been noticing that Ben was able to switch, but Grandpa and I assumed he'd unlocked the Master Control again."
"And it is a logical assumption, Gwendolyn, however, after the self-destruct was activated, necessitating our last encounter, I added new fail-safes to prevent the Master Control from being activated until Ben was physically ready for the power it would release."
Mention of the self-destruct and the trip to Xenon, Azmuth's prior hideout, caused the cousins to shiver and pull each other as close as possible, trying to reassure the other that they were both still alive and the nightmares that had been plaguing them were just that, nightmares.
Azmuth, seeing their reaction gave them a moment to gather themselves, once they had, hands now firmly entwined again, he continued.
"The reason that Benjamin is able to switch seamlessly between the various forms is due, once again, to his being in the developmental stage of your species. The device is leaving small traces of DNA of the various donors in your genetic makeup, this is allowing you to almost instantaneously transform into any of the aliens currently registered in the device. If you had already been fully developed by your species standards, then this would not have happened."
"Will this hurt him or any children he has?" Max asked as he glanced over at Ben and Gwen who were still standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their hands entwined as though letting go would mean death for the other.
Azmuth waved away the concern.
"Not at all, any genetic changes are so insignificant that there would be no way to distinguish the changes from his original genetic makeup. On the off chance that there is a genetic inheritance to any potential offspring resulting from a union between Benjamin and Gwendolyn, the offspring would suffer no ill effects from the alien DNA. On the contrary, the device always transforms the host into the optimum specimen of that donor's species, any resultant offspring would only benefit from minor genetic enhancements from the donors such as increased strength, agility, or any combination of the like. I should note that the only way for offspring to transform spontaneously, much like Benjamin is currently able to do, is to be a host for the device itself."
Ben and Gwen both blushed scarlet at the thought of having children together and everything relating to the process, but they didn't separate even a millimeter, just held tighter.
"One final thing Benjamin," the alien genius said, drawing the boy from his thoughts of taking his relationship with Gwen to the point of children. "Your question about whether you can transform a single portion of your body to that of a specific donor is not one I can answer. Given the nature of your new ability to transform directly, a feat that still requires you to be wearing the device, it is not outside the realm of possibilities. However, I would advise great caution and only attempt to transform a single part into a single donor. Do not try to transform separate body parts into different donors. I am unable to ascertain what damage that could permanently do to your body as this was never an intended feature of the device."
Ben nodded as Gwen squeezed his hand.
"Allow me to take a few more readings and make some minor adjustments to the device and then you can be on your way. Once I am able to tabulate all the data, I will contact you and inform you of any new findings.
Ben sighed as he dropped the Omnitrix back to his stomach and stared out of the window as the memory from two years ago faded away. He had indeed been cautious about the transformation tests, only changing a hand or foot into Diamondhead or Heatblast, occasionally even Wildvine, but only when Gwen wasn't around. After several months of practice, he'd been able to safely transform entire limbs into a specific alien, and after a year he was able to do two parts at a time.
As he and Gwen had been testing his new abilities during the school year, using the partial excuse that she was helping him study, he had learned that the genetic changes Azmuth had mentioned his kids might get were also available to him. His stamina and endurance had increased noticeably, and his strength had as well.
Gwen had even pointed out that his physical appearance was beginning to tone up, the baby fat had started to turn into full muscle, thanks in part to the heroing and the genetic changes from the Omnitrix. Ben had laughed for a second when she had gotten upset by all the attention he was receiving from the girls in their grade. He had merely pulled her to his side and placed a kiss on her temple, after making sure the coast was clear, before reassuring her that she was the only girl who had his heart.
His reward had been a secluded make-out session with Gwen involving lots of kissing and roaming hands, fortunately, it was broken up before it could go too far by the first warning bell ringing above their heads. Ben sighed as he pulled away from her and put a safe distance between them. He had been lucky that she'd been able to tutor him the first year back after their confession, otherwise, he'd never have been able to get the grades to attend her school. The uniform was worth it if he was able to be with Gwen the entire day, even if they did have separate classes most of the time.
During that first summer together Ben and Gwen had tentatively explored their new physical and emotional relationship as a couple under the watchful eye of their Grandpa who would step in anytime things got a bit too heated.
Once summer had ended and school began, the physical separation had almost killed them after the closeness of the summer.
Thankfully Ben's ability to go XLR8 had helped them be together more, but after the first month back they devised a plan to arrange to go to the same school the term after Christmas. While their plan to get him into Gwen's school after Christmas had failed, Ben needed a lot of help to bring up his grades, they had been able to get them up enough by the end of that year.
Ben smiled again at the memory of their stolen moments during that first year and all the times they'd almost been caught, but his trip down memory lane didn't stop with the memory of Azmuth. While Ben was mulling over his plans for the next few days, very important days too, his mind wandered back to the events of his first year together with Gwen following their trip to see Azmuth, sadly, it was also their last day of summer too.
Ben sighed as he stared out the window of the Rust Bucket as it pulled into Bellwood, Gwen's light breathing the only other sound beyond the road noise as Grandpa hummed along with the radio as he drove.
Looking down at the redhead nestled against him Ben couldn't help but smile, since their relationship had changed the two had taken to sleeping in the same bunk. While there wasn't much room, to begin with, the closeness made their hearts' content, and both were free from the nightmares that had plagued them for years. If nothing else came from their relationship they had that at least, the knowledge that they could chase away the terrors of Xenon and countless other incidents.
Leaning down he kissed the top of her head, she only responded by burying her face deeper against his body, a happy sigh escaping her lips.
Ben smiled as he gently rolled her over and placed a kiss on her lips, Gwen responded by trying to follow his lips when he pulled away. Her eyelids slowly fluttered open and her bright emerald eyes looked at him. She smiled as she stretched, her arms over her head causing her nightshirt to ride up and expose her belly for a moment.
Ben smiled as he cupped her cheek.
"Hey," he said in a whisper.
"Hey," she replied as she looked at him with half-asleep eyes and lips slightly puffy from being pressed against the pillow.
"We're back in Bellwood, almost home," he said as he reluctantly released her cheek and helped her sit up and lean against him, his arm encircling her shoulders.
Gwen sighed.
"Already?" she asked with a slight whine in her voice.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I don't want to go back," she said as she turned and buried her head in his shoulder.
"Me either," he said as he rested his cheek on her head. "But we have to, life goes on and so do we."
"I'm glad we packed last night, now we can just stay here until we get to your house," Gwen said into the silence, her voice low, not wanting to break the moment.
For the remainder of the trip, they just held each other, taking whatever they could since they didn't know when they'd be able to sneak away.
They both rocked sideways gently as the RV came to a stop outside Ben's house.
"We're here," Max announced from the front as he slowly unbuckled and made his way to the back.
Breaking free Ben kneeled before Gwen and took her face in his hands and kissing her for a long moment.
"Remember, no matter what happens, I will always love you, Gwen, I will always find you no matter where you are."
"I know," she replied as she leaned forward and captured his lip with hers, her hand meeting his cheek.
Max cleared his throat to get their attention.
"It's time to go, Ben," he said as he gestured toward the door.
Releasing her face Ben rose and offered her his hand, she smiled as she accepted it even as he pulled her to her feet.
Walking hand in hand to the door, they paused a moment as they both took deep breaths.
"Ready?" Max asked them as he put his hand on the door handle, he waited for them to release each other's hand and nod before he plastered on the fake smile he wore around his sons and their wives. Turning the handle, he pushed the door open into the early morning light of a pleasant Northern California morning.
"Frank! Carl!" He exclaimed as he left the RV and greeted his sons, handshakes making the rounds among the men with a warm hug from Sandra and a grudging one from Natalie.
"Where are the kids?" Carl asked.
"You know how they are," Max said with a long-suffering sigh and an eye roll, both faked for the sake of his grandkids' parents.
"They didn't fight the entire time, did they?" Natalie asked with a disappointed scowl.
"Actually, they didn't fight at all," Max replied with an honest smile, "They got along great. They may have bickered like an old married couple," he added with a smirk, "but they were very civil otherwise."
Frank and Carl laughed at his comparison; Sandra smiled while Natalie's frown deepened.
Any response that Gwen's mother was about to make was cut off when the kids appeared at the door of the Rust Bucket, fully dressed and towing their baggage behind them.
"Mom, Dad," Ben said as he dropped his bags and rushed to hug his parents, despite being 16 and almost an adult he had still missed them and was happy to see them.
"Mom, Dad," Gwen greeted her parents as she approached Frank and Natalie, giving her father an enthusiastic hug and her mother a more reserved one.
From within the embraces of their respective parents the two teens' eyes locked for a moment before they were released and the moment was broken, however, at that moment they reminded the other of their promise to find a way to meet as often as possible.
"Well," Natalie began as she stood up straight, "We need to be going, Gwendolyn has school in the morning and needs to prepare."
Frank nodded as he grabbed Gwen's bags and loaded them into the car, climbing into the driver's seat even as Natalie issued another order to Gwen.
"Say goodbye Gwendolyn," Natalie ordered as she sat in the passenger's seat and waited, her frown deepening when Gwen didn't immediately jump to comply with her order.
"Goodbye Uncle Frank, Aunt Sandra," she said as she hugged them in turn before rushing into the arms of her grandfather, almost knocking him off balance.
"Goodbye Grandpa," she said in a low voice, her hug tightening when he told her that everything would be alright.
"I know," she said as she released him and turned to face Ben.
This would be the hardest part, after building the intimacy of their relationship to where the hugs and kisses and tender touches were normal, to have to be without any of those for any length of time would be devastating to the two. They both knew that the nightmares would be back in full force, they both knew the cure was the other. They also knew that what they needed would be denied them forever if they weren't careful.
"Ben," the girl said as she raised her hand to him, offering a handshake in place of the hug she desperately needed.
"Gwen," he replied as he took her hand and shook it for a moment before throwing caution to the wind and pulled her into a hug. Her arms wrapping instantly around him even as he encircled her.
"I love you," he whispered almost too quiet for her to hear, but she did, her smile was the only answer as she pulled away after a second.
Stepping back, she waved to the other side of her family; her Grandpa, her Uncle, her Aunt, and to the other part of her heart and soul.
Opening the door, she got into the backseat and buckled in, ignoring the frown that once again graced her mother's face. Gwen knew that her mother didn't like her father's side of the family and disapproved of her spending any length of time with them, which made her summers with Ben and Max all the more important.
Waving once again as the car backed out of the driveway, she sighed as she could feel the ache in her heart now that Ben was gone for who knows how long.
Hearing the sigh her mother took it the wrong way even as a small smile grew on her face as the car quickly gained distance from the part of her husband and daughter's life that she despised so much.
"Well, it's nice to finally be home, isn't it Gwendolyn, finally away from your Grandfather and your nasty cousin."
"He's not that bad," Gwen defended, "he's grown up a lot in the last few years."
"Of course he has dear," Natalie replied as she stared straight ahead, not even truly paying attention to the conversation with her daughter. "He has no choice but to get older, but he'll always be a child, he can't change who he is inside."
Gwen wisely bit back the comment she wanted to make, her new desire to defend Ben would raise suspicions with her mother and she didn't need that happening, not if their plan was going to come to fruition.
Turning her head to look out the window she absently touched the pocket where her phone rested, the ringer muted, but she already knew that Ben had sent her several texts.
She smiled as she anticipated reading them later that night.
For his part Ben was taking the new separation well, after all, the newfound relationship and the closeness of the past two months were both something he'd never forget, but, even as he followed his parents and Grandfather into the house he couldn't help but fell the dull ache in his heart.
Following his confession and their reconciliation, Ben had begun to associate the gentle warmth in his heart with Gwen, now that she was gone he could feel that warmth fading. It would never truly leave, but it had dulled to the point where he could almost forget it was there, almost. He knew that if she ever needed him that warmth would flare to life and lead him to her, it had before, even before they became a couple, that warmth had helped him to save her life more time than he could count. Ruefully he could even admit that his warmth in her heart had helped her to save him far too many times.
"I'm going to put my bags upstairs," he called out to his parents as they led Max into the kitchen for some coffee.
"Hurry back," Carl called in reply, "I made waffles and bacon for you."
Ben smiled as he raced up the stairs and into his room. He tossed the bags to the bed before the smile fell from his face and he reached into his pocket and pulled the phone from inside.
He knew Gwen wouldn't be able to message him, not with her mother hovering around her trying to block any Tennyson connections, but that didn't mean he couldn't message her.
They'd agreed that she'd keep the phone muted and the messages on a low vibrate so as not to raise any suspicions. Ben would send three messages in quick succession if there were an emergency and he needed her to call him.
He quickly pulled up the messaging app and sent her a quick message telling her he'd call later tonight after her mom went to bed.
Putting the phone back into his pocket he went downstairs for breakfast with his parents and Grandfather.
Before he leaves Ben would have to ask his Grandpa if the older man thought anyone was suspicious of his hug with Gwen. He also needed to find out if the elder Tennyson had any ideas on how he and Gwen could meet up.
Pasting on his fake smile he sat at the table and started eating.
Later that night ben sat on his bed, phone in hand as he twirled it between his fingers, thinking but also killing time until he knew Gwen would be available to talk.
Glancing at the clock he watched as the time ticked over to 8:30, a smile gracing his lips as he sent a quick text to Gwen.
"Can I call?" it said, short, sweet, and to the point.
A smiling emoji a few seconds later was his answer.
Smiling bigger as he pressed her contact picture, he put the phone to his ear, it answered after the first rig.
"Hey," he said with relief.
"Hey," she replied, a sigh escaping her when she heard his voice.
"I miss you," Ben said as he laid back on the bed.
"Me too," her voice said softly from the other side of the line.
"I don't know how we're going to be able to sleep with all the nightmares," Ben said as he put his arm over his eyes, the stress from the separation from Gwen already starting to build.
She sighed before answering.
"I don't know, we'll just have to do our best, just like we always have."
Ben was silent for a moment, just listening to her breathing on the other side of the phone, his arm slid off his eyes and just rested on the bed. Her soft breathing lulling him into a state of comfort.
Gwen was feeling the same way as she felt her eyelids get heavy as she listened to Ben's breaths.
She smiled as she realized their answer to the sleeping issue.
"Ben?" She called softly.
"Hmm?" he replied as he pulled himself from his twilight of sleep.
"I know how we can get through this; we can stay on the phone together while we sleep, or we can make a recording of just breathing for the other."
Ben grinned as the idea rolled through his mind.
"It'll be just like having you cuddled against me," he answered as he mulled the idea and found it to be perfect, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
"It's still no replacement for your warmth, but it'll have to do for the time being."
"Yeah," she replied with a sigh.
They were both content in the silence for a few minutes before Gwen broke it.
"Ben, we need to talk about school." She told him, a bit of heat in her voice as he had shared his grades with her, and she wasn't happy about that.
"Yeah," he replied as he sat up, "I really need to bring them up if the plan is going to have any chance of working."
"I definitely think that if I help you study, we'll be able to bring them up in time."
He laughed a bit.
"Gwen, you know the only thing I'll want to study is you," he told her, the love he had evident in his voice.
He heard her laugh at that and knew her eyes were sparkling in mirth, but also in pleasure at feeling loved and desired.
"Well, then we'll need to enlist help. I think we should study at Grandpa's, he'd be able to help us stay on track."
Ben's groan was only half-hearted as he'd been thinking it as well, but he just wanted to make her laugh more.
She giggled, a fact she'd deny to her grave to anyone else, and rolled her eyes.
"He's the only one we can study with, both subjects," she said, she knew Ben knew that too, but she loved that he was trying to make her laugh.
"I know, I know," he replied as he slumped down on his bed again.
"Here's what we'll do," she said, "we'll wait until the second week of school to see what kind of homework you are getting, then we'll plan on meeting at the Rust Bucket to go over the work and get those grades up. I'll call him tomorrow to set it up."
Ben smiled at the enthusiasm in her voice, she loved helping others and his time she'd be able to help herself as well.
"Don't forget that we're meeting at my house on Saturday for Grandpa to show off the photos from the trip to our parents."
"Don't remind me," she groaned, "it'll be so hard to be near you but not able to touch you."
"I know," he replied, "but we'll figure something out, we always do."
Turning to look at the clock he sighed again.
"Time for bed, the first day is tomorrow," he reminded her.
"I know," she said in a low voice, Ben could hear the sadness and knew that it matched his own. It was the first night I months that they weren't sharing a bed. Neither knew how hard it would be on them until the actual moment came to go to sleep.
"So," Ben said as he turned his blankets down and climbed into the cold sheets, on the other end he could hear Gwen doing the same. "Do you want to just stay on the line with each other until we fall asleep?"
"I'd like that," she said in a small voice, a tiny smile evident in her tone.
"Me too," he said as he reached over and turned off the light, the phone nestled on the pillow and safely cradled against his ear.
"Good night," they said in unison, drawing another smile from both.
Their breathing was the only sound either made following their mutual good night, at least until Ben was about to be overtaken by sleep, the soothing sound of Gwen's breathing echoing in his ear.
"Love…you…" he mumbled as he finally drifted to sleep, her only response was a slight snore that followed Ben into slumber.
The next morning both were jolted awake by the sounds of their alarms blaring in stereo, one in person and the other through the still connected phones.
Reaching up Ben slapped his alarm off and slowly sat up, his other hand dragging the phone to his ear.
"Gwen?" he said sleepily.
"Ben?" she answered just as tired, a yawn escaping her lips at the end of her question.
"G'morning," he answered as he rubbed his eyes.
"Morning," she replied with a stretch.
"I gotta shower," he told her as he stood.
"Me too," she answered as the sounds of her blankets rustling could be heard as she too stood.
"I'll text you when I get to school, okay? Gotta charge my phone now," he asked as he walked to his dresser and began to rummage through for some clean clothes.
"Sure," she replied as she too sought clean clothing. "Talk to you later, lo…" she broke off for a second to check to make sure her mother wasn't listening at the door before her voice dropped to a whisper. "Love you."
"Love you too," Ben said with a smile as the line disconnected, he sighed as he plugged the phone into its charging cable and proceeded to get ready, knowing that Gwen was doing the same half-way across town.
The rest of the day passed like one would imagine for a first day in 10th grade, having been born in December both Ben and Gwen had to start a year later because of a strange birth date cut off that schools in the United States use. For Ben the day was mainly just the teachers talking about their classes, handing out books and syllabi, and going over some first-day topics.
Gwen fared much the same, except in her case she received more homework as her school was more of a college preparatory school than Ben's was, not to mention the uniforms they had to wear.
With a sigh, the cousins both counted down the time until lunch when they would both buy their lunches and find a table to sit at all alone. Despite the fronts they both put up, both were very lonely and had no friends but each other, thankfully they were able to text throughout their lunches.
The rest of the day carried on just as before lunch, their 30 minutes of alone time to text each other being the only highlight in the entire school day.
After school, both headed home as neither had taken up an after-school activity yet, Gwen's Karate having not started to allow students to settle into classes but would resume the week after. As for Ben, he had considered starting soccer again, but his heart wasn't in it this year.
Finally collapsing onto his bed Ben just laid there for a moment, not even moving at the sound of Gwen's text, he knew she'd understand when he told her why he didn't answer right away.
Finally reaching over he opened the phone and read her message,
"Hey, you survive?"
Ben chuckled as he typed his reply.
"As well as can be expected," he typed even as he kicked off his shoes, a sigh escaping his lips. In his mind he could hear Gwen's giggle, bringing a smile to his lips. "You excited for Saturday?"
"Of course!" Gwen replied. "I get to see you and Grandpa!"
Ben smiled as he thought out his reply, he knew there was a good chance her mom would see his messages and he had to be careful what they both said.
"I can't wait, I hope he got lots of good pictures from our stops," Ben answered.
"Me too, hopefully, nothing too embarrassing like in the past," she added, the hinted undertone only noticeable to Ben or Max.
"Who knows, he's very sneaky with that camera."
Gwen's response was a laughing emoji, prompting a similar one from Ben.
Their conversation continued for an hour and a half at least before both agreed it was bedtime. With wished pleasant dreams they both put the phones away, both hoping that their nightmares would stay at bay, at least for a little while.
After a few days of mostly sleepless nights, Ben and Gwen were finally able to make the recordings of the other just breathing gently. Emailing the recordings to the other they were finally able to sleep through the night as both listened to the recording with their headphones in and smiles on their faces.
Saturday finally arrived bright and warm and found the cousins texting each other even as they both dragged themselves from their beds and stumbled toward the shower.
Keeping their messages platonic they talked about their summer and some of the places they'd been.
All too soon 2 p.m. rolled around and Gwen found herself sitting in the car as her father drove to Ben's house, her mother spouting vitriol towards Ben's family the entire way. Internally Gwen was seething, she hated to see anyone talk about Ben or her family like that, but it was even worse when it was her own mother. Her father just concentrated on the road, he, like Gwen, hated when Natalie began talking down about his side of the family. In her eyes, her family was far superior in breeding and manners and her marriage to Frank had lifted him above the trash that he came from. While Frank agreed with Gwen in this regard, he knew there was nothing he could say to stop Natalie's rant, he'd tried far too many times over the last 16 years.
Both Gwen and frank gave a sigh of relief when the car finally pulled up to Carl and Sandra's house.
Gwen was unbuckled and out of the car before it was even in park, the front door bursting open in front of her as she rushed into the arms of her Uncle and Aunt, laughing as they hugged her.
Frank followed at a more sedate pace, using the time to get Natalie to agree to play nice with his family.
"Carl," Frank said as he shook his brother's hand, a grin on both their faces.
"Frank," he replied as welcomed his brother and his wife into his home, even if the latter was forced upon him.
All Tennyson's were aware of Natalie's hatred of them but being who they were they still welcomed her with open arms, it was one of the failings of their line, overwhelming compassion for others.
Gwen had already disappeared into the rest of the house and her happy voice rang out when she discovered her cousin sitting in the kitchen eating a sandwich.
Frank and Carl exchanged an amused glance when they heard Ben loudly complain about Gwen stealing half his sandwich, Natalie only pursed her lips in disappointment.
In the kitchen, Ben sat at the table and ate his half of the sandwich he had made, the other being happily devoured by Gwen who sat next to him as they surreptitiously shared his drink, the argument about stealing the sandwich having just been for show for their parents.
"I'm glad you're here," he said quietly as he leaned over and kissed her cheek, making sure no one had snuck up behind him before he did so.
"Me too," she replied with a smile, her hand coming to rest on his cheek before dropping back to the table and her sandwich.
Ben smiled back as he rose and moved to the refrigerator.
"You want a drink?" He asked her as he fished out the soda to pour himself another glass.
"Yeah, I should," Gwen replied with a sigh, both knowing they'd rather share his drink but knowing they couldn't, at least not without raising suspicions.
Ben nodded and reached into the cabinet to get her a glass even as he pushed the refrigerator door closed with his foot.
Pouring Gwen a glass of soda and topping his own off he put the 2-liter back in and sat down just as his parents came in, a glare at Gwen settling over Ben's face as a smug look crossed hers.
"Mmm," Gwen sassed as the adults entered, "this is good, thanks for making it for me doofus."
"Whatever, dweeb," he replied with an eye roll as he continued to eat his share, his eyes returning to Gwen and sparkling for a moment at their feigned animosity.
Carl and Sandra just laughed before seating themselves at the table.
"Uncle Frank and Aunt Natalie decided to just head into the living room and wait for your Grandfather," Sandra told the younger Tennyson couple.
With a small sigh, Gwen and Ben both shared their relief at not having to sit through Natalie's glares more than they had to, especially Ben, whom she seemed to hate the most out of all the Tennysons.
"Speaking of him," Carl began as he checked his phone as it vibrated, "he'll be here in a few minutes."
His announcement got the smiles it deserved.
"So," Sandra began as she glanced into the living room, "who is for staying in here until he gets here?"
A hand from everyone at the table was her answer as she quietly laughed with the other three.
All too soon their congenial small talk, with Ben and Gwen holding hands under the table as they both leaned back in their chairs, was interrupted when the doorbell rang.
Sharing a matching grin, Ben and Gwen raced to the door, hands dropping the moment they began to rise from their chairs.
A chorus of 'Grandpa," broke through the house as the sound of the man all but getting tackled into the door was heard, followed by his laughter.
He was shortly guided into the kitchen where he hugged Sandra and shook Carl's hand. With a knowing glance at the living room, he tilted his head in that direction, an indication that the rest of the family should get ready to put up with Natalie's glares.
Nodding, the others rose and followed him in as he greeted Frank and his wife, a fake smile plastered on his face as he greeted the woman.
"So, I know I normally use slides," Max said as the others settled into various seats around the room. Max had to hide a grin as Ben and Gwen found the only remaining place large enough for two people as they made a show of having to sit together on the love seat. "But I finally decided to get with the times and bought a computer and a projector."
A small cheer came from Ben and Gwen, who Max noticed has moved slightly closer once the others were focused on Max.
Max smiled as he took a few moments to set up the projector and aim it on the screen that Carl had already setup. Humming as he connected everything, Max booted the computer and pulled up the slideshow he'd put together over the last week.
"Alright," he said as he rose and clutched the slide remote in his hand, "let's do this!"
As he turned the lights off, he sent a glance to Ben and Gwen, both knowing that if they cuddled, they'd have to be careful, they both nodded as he sat and started the slideshow.
Ben and Gwen just smiled as they listened to their Grandfather talk about the places they'd been that summer. They shared a conspiratorial smile as they held hands between them, the bulk of the cushion hiding the action as they enjoyed the feeling of the other's hand. They also smiled at all the things that Max was leaving out such as Ben's cross-country journey and Max and Gwen's quest to find him and all the events that transpired due to those few weeks.
Finally, the evening drew to a close and Gwen had to leave with her parents. She happily hugged her Grandpa, Uncle, and Aunt, but when it came time to say goodbye to Ben, she struggled to not kiss him, instead she feigned reluctance when she pulled him to her in a hug.
Thankfully none of the adults paid them much mind as the younger Tennysons were still in the hall and the others were out front.
"I'll call you tonight," Gwen whispered into his ear as she pulled away from the too-short hug.
"You'd better," he replied as he let go, a look of disgust on his face to keep up appearances.
Finally, she had to get into the car and head for home, Ben could feel sadness return as she left, while he knew she'd be calling later he could not get enough time with her.
Max just patted him on the shoulder and led him back into the house.
"Grandpa, can we talk?" Ben asked as he stopped in front of the stairs as Max closed the door behind them.
"Sure thing, sport," he answered with a grin, "what's on your mind?"
"Not here," Ben answered as he turned and headed up the stairs, Max following as he gave Carl and Sandra some excuse that seemed to satisfy them, Ben wasn't paying any attention anyway.
Reaching his room he opened the door and waited for his grandfather to enter before closing and locking it behind him.
Ben walked over to his bed and say on the edge as he contemplated his left hand, not just the location of the Omnitrix, but also the hand that Gwen had been holding.
Max pulled out the desk chair and sat down as he waited for Ben to begin.
"I can't stand being away from her," the young man began as he continued to watch his hand. "Every night we aren't together is a night I have nightmares, we made recordings for each other to listen to when we sleep, just the sound of our breathing, and they help, but they aren't her."
Ben ran his hand through his hair with a sigh.
"I know that if I can at least see her during the day everything would be fine, but we all know Aunt Natalie would put a stop to me being anywhere near Gwen more than necessary. We talked about a plan, for me to get my grades up so I can attend her school, but they weren't the best, to begin with. I know that the homework and tests this year are going to kick my butt and that I'll have no chance to be with her at school. Which is why I need your help, Grandpa," he said as he finally lifted his eyes to meet those of his Grandfather.
Max had been expecting some form of sadness, but nothing could have prepared him for the burning determination shown in Ben's emerald gaze.
"How can I help, Ben?" the older man asked as he leaned forward to meet Ben's gaze.
"I need you to convince our parents to let Gwen tutor me at the Rust Bucket after school every day."
Max had to take a second to process the request, of all the things he'd been expecting that was not one of them. He'd been expecting Ben to ask if he and Gwen could make out safely at the Rust Bucket, but for the boy in front of him to willing ask for help with schoolwork, meant their relationship was more than Max had realized at first.
"You," he pointed at Ben, "want me," pointing at himself, "to try and convince both of your parents to let Gwen tutor you so you can be sure to pass all your classes?"
"Yes," Ben said with determination. "You know we'll find a way to get together for her to tutor me, but you and I both know that things might get more heated between me and her. I love her too much to let our hormones get away with us and put her in a situation that could ruin her life, that's why I'm asking for your help, well, that and Aunt Natalie is more likely to let Gwen tutor me if she and I aren't alone."
"You have been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?" Max asked as he took in the request and mulled it over in his head.
"For three weeks," the teen replied.
Max knew Ben was absolutely right, he knew how fast teenage hormones, especially alien and magic influenced hormones, could lead to unplanned consequences. He'd seen it happen far too often when he was in the Air Force in Vietnam.
Max sighed as he also knew he was the best shot the couple had to be allowed to study together, he was the only one who could reach Frank and get him to convince Natalie it was a good idea.
Running a hand down his face Max sighed again as he looked back up at Ben.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
Ben could only smile as he rushed to hug Max.