Ben heard a knock on the door, surprised that someone was knocking so early it was a summer holiday but even so this early?

"Who is it?"

Ben asked getting up to open the door to his room

"Ben it's me."

Ben halted

"Why are you here and why did my mom let you in?"

"Ben I got in cause your mom doesn't care if I come and see my cousin, Why I'm here is because..."

"JUST OPEN THE DOOR DOOFUS!"

Gwen shouted annoyed.

Without a word the door opened all she saw was a shirtless Ben holding the door open, She blushed but moved inside.

Gwen sat on him bed looking at him trying to find the words. He just stood there waiting.

"Gwen I have to go soon, so unless you can speak now I'm going."

"I'm joining you on the mission and you will not leave me out."

Ben glared at her.

"First of all NO, You think you can barge in here and boss me around huh, well it doesn't work that way, Max is depending on me and I will not drag you into another mess,

that could get you hurt."

Gwen shot up and pushed a finger to his chest.

"I can boss you around it's my job and what about you huh, who's going to protect you?"

Ben rolled his eyes.

"No Gwen its not your job you can't you gave that role up yesterday."

Gwen was angry now but knew he was right.

"I am still your cousin I will boss you around whether you like it or not."

Ben's phone rang and before Gwen could tell him off more he cut her off.

"It's Grandpa."

"Ben I need you at the Plumber base it's important."

"Okay Grandpa I'll be there soon."

Ben ended the call and turned his attention to Gwen.

"Before you ask yes you are coming I know it would be futile to convince you otherwise."

Gwen moved towards him touching his chest.

"I know this is hard for you but we can move through it."

Ben recoiled from her touch.

"Gwen wait in the car I have to get ready."

She was hurt and moved to leave.

"Ben I want you to know."

Ben cut her off.

"Gwen don't, I already know how you feel, You aren't the right one."

He repeated her words back to her and shut the door.

The words stung.

After 20 minutes of waiting Ben was ready, He got in the car and saw Gwen huddled in the passenger seat with red eyes.

"Gwen."

Ben said softly

Gwen shifted further into herself. Ben took off his jacket and pulled her to him and wrapped his jacket around her.

"I'm sorry Gwen." He kissed her cheek.

She looked up to him and pulled herself closer putting her lips on his.

Ben stiffened up but relaxed when she deepened the kiss exploring his mouth.

Slowly she pulled away.

She looked at him and he had hurt in his eyes.

"Why Gwen why do you keep doing this too me?" "Pulling me to you then pushing me away, It's killing me."

Gwen couldn't answer him.

So she turned around and sat back in her seat.

Ben knew he wasn't going to get an answer so he just started to drive.

Max didn't expect to see Gwen arrive with Ben but ignored it.

"Both of you come here I have to discuss the plan with you."

They followed Max to the table which had blue prints and plans scattered over it.

Ben and Gwen looked over the plans and saw they were building layouts.

"Grandpa what is this?"

Ben looked at Max septically.

"Ben, Gwen before I tell you I need to show who you are working with."

"YOU TWO CAN COME OUT NOW."

As soon as Max shouted the two figures stepped out the shadows revealing themselves.

As soon and Ben and Gwen recognized them they readied themselves to fight.

Kevin and Charmcaster raised their hand in peace.

"Ben, Gwen meet your team mates."

Ben and Gwen looked at each other and back to them confused but lowering their guard.

"I know it's hard to believe Benji but it's true we have come to help."

Kevin walked up to Ben only a head taller than him, trying to size Ben up

"Why?" Ben asked with a stern face putting Gwen behind him.

Charmcaster was watching Ben and Gwen like a hawk noticing his hand holding her waist behind him a gesture that was odd.

"Ben we have a mutual gain with the mission and we need your help and vice versa."

Charmcaster touched Kevin to move back.

Ben looked at Gwen and sighed.

"Okay what's the mission?"

Max pulled the most recent blueprint to show them.

"There are a group called Xenocites, We don't know what they want but they are kidnapping humans."

Kevin spoke up.

"We know that they have been working with the Forever knights with these."

He pulling out a ID mask and put it on his face changing his appearance.

Charmcaster pulled a picture of Forever knights dealing arms with emotionless people.

"That is why the knights don't know they are dealing with what they wanted to get rid off, aliens."

Gwen looked at both of them thinking.

"Okay I assume these are building plans and our plan is a recon mission."

Max smiled.

"Yes we need to know what they are doing and why report back to me when you find out why."

Ben thought for a bit before agreeing.

"Okay let's move out."

Kevin smiled

"I'm driving."

Ben turned to look at him and Charmcaster

"Are we pooling or going each to our own?" "If we are not pooling I'm driving."

Kevin frowned

"I'm the driver here and my car is vastly better than yours Tennyson."

Both were butting heads now

only for Charmcaster and Gwen to break them up.

"We will pool your car is safer then, Ben."

Charmcaster touched Ben's shoulder.

"Don't you want it to be safe?" "Let Kevin damage his car."

Gwen slapped Charmcasters hand off Ben.

"I agree with her but hands off Ben."

Charmcaster shrugged and lead Kevin away.

Kevin smiled but soon frowned.

"Wait what do you mean Let me damage my car?"

The Alien base was on the outskirts of town far enough to not be in sight.

The four 'Heroes' watched the base seeing the creatures load containers in the base.

Ben saw an entrance that was guarded by only four aliens.

"Over there." Ben pointed out "There are only four guards we can take them out and steal their Id masks and get in."

Kevin nodded.

"Okay Charm and I will go from the right you both go from the left."

They all agreed and moved quickly.

Gwen and Charmcaster blasted the aliens while Ben and Kevin knocked them out.

"Wow Ben you've gotten stronger, didn't even use an alien."

Ben chuckled "Same to you Kevin you've bulked up mine is due to the Omnitrix and school activities, what about you weights?"

Kevin Smiled and patted him on the back. "Yeah plus I this amazing training sim that helps me utilize my powers and how it works and such."

Both now just getting along talking about boy stuff.

"Boys we have a mission to do you know."

Both girls said in unison with a disappointed look.

"Sorry." They both said as they looted the aliens for their masks.

"Geez these aliens are ugly its a good thing these are masks."

Ben said pulling a face.

Gwen pinched his cheek.

"It's better than what you normally look like."

"HEY!" Ben said in mock offence

Everyone gave a small laugh and moved on.

They reached the main HQ watching an alien that was near 8 feet tall with white skin, black hands and four eyes speak to it's underlings."

"GET THE HIGHBREED ON VOX OUR PLANS ARE NEAR FRUITION."

The screen flickered on to show aliens which looked almost Identical.

"WHAT IS IT YOU BOTHER ME WITH?"

The Highbreed spoke on the vox.

"OUR PLANS ARE READY, ALL WE NEED TO DO IS EXECUTE IT, THE HUMANS WILL SOON KNOW THE HIGHBREED AS WE TAKEOVER THEIR BODY'S FOR OUR SUPERIORITY."

Ben spoke softly to the team

"We can't let this go on, we have to destroy this base."

Kevin grabbed his arm.

"Are you mad? this is a scout mission only to learn for the next mission."

Swatting his hand away Ben looked at everyone.

"I can't let him kill more people just so we get information we can stop this now and it's one less base."

They wanted to argue but they knew he was right, they all nodded.

"Okay I'll distract the leader you guys take out the supports to this base make sure it goes down."

Ben went to move but Charmcaster grabbed his arm.

"What about you? If we take the supports down you will go down with it."

Ben smiled "Come on have a little faith in me I'll be out before you know it.

He left without a word as the rest went to break down their plan.

"HEY UGLY, YOUR HERO HAS ARRIVED!"

The Highbreed spun around to look at the insect talking to him.

"A MAGGOT SPEAKS TO ME!" "A FOOLISH CHOICE."

The highbred charged at Ben faster than he expected only dodging his attack by an inch.

Ben knew he may of underestimated the leader and turned on his Omnitrix, without thinking he picked one randomly.

"HUMUNGOUSAUR!" Ben shouted readying himself to fight.

Kevin broke down the pillars of the building making the concrete fall upon the aliens.

Gwen and Charmcaster destroyed the generator's to the buildings power.

Once they were done everything started to collapse they made their way out but Charmcaster stopped.

"WAIT BEN'S STILL IN THERE!"

Kevin pulled Gwen out of there while Charmcaster ran for Ben getting to the main area.

Charmcaster saw Ben and the Highbreed exchanging blows each striking each other with enough force it make sound waves.

She blasted the Highbreed which annoyed it and turned it's attention on her but before it could do anything Humungousaur smashed him to the ground, but the highbreed

grabbed his shoulder piercing it with its claws, making Ben shout in pain.

The last of the concrete was falling about to crush them all but Ben smacked the Highbreed into the wall making the blocks crush it.

He ran to Charmcaster and shielded her from the blocks with his body.

After the base collapsed Gwen was crying screaming at Kevin for not letting her go save her cousin.

only to see a bright purple light shine.

Both saw the beacon and ran towards it, to see Ben with bleeding in Charmcasters arm's

"Help him." She said pleadingly Kevin Picked him up and brought him to the car.

Gwen went to sit in the back with Ben but Charm stopped her.

"No he got hurt for me let me heal him please."

Gwen hated what she said jealously rising in her but she agreed seeing the guilt in her eyes.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!"

Max Shouted.

"I said recon and come back not destroy the damn place!"

Scolding was something Max didn't like to do but Ben was in the med bay.

Kevin shouted back with annoyance.

"IT WAS BEN'S PLAN, I'M SORRY IF WE DESTROYED AN ENEMY BASE!"

Max sighed knowing it was Ben's doing.

"Fine, just leave I have to figure out the next mission."

Gwen and Kevin Breathed a sigh of relief.

Kevin looked at Gwen.

"Are you going to visit Ben?"

Gwen nodded. "Are you going to see Charmcaster?"

Kevin shrugged.

"To be honest I think she's too busy caring for Ben."

Gwen was shocked. "What do you mean?"

Kevin tilted his head in confusion. "She hasn't left his side since he's been in the med bay."

Gwen fumed and walked away from him, leaving him bewildered.

Ben woke up with a throbbing headache.

"Oh good you're awake."

Ben sat up and turned to the voice and shook his blurry vision to see her properly.

"Charmcaster?"

She smiled at him and slapped him.

"How dare you hurt yourself for me I could of made a shield for the both of us."

Ben winced "Ow geez I wasn't thinking okay ow, this is the thanks I get for saving you charmcaster, a slap?

Charmcaster proceeded to kiss his cheek. "Call me Hope Ben."

He blushed touching his cheek.

Gwen opened the door to see Ben talking to Hope laughing.

She marched up to him with annoyance written on her face.

"BEN HOW DARE YOU HURT YOURSELF!"

Ben smiled at her.

"I'm glad to see you safe Gwen."

Gwen looked at him and noticed his scars.

"Why did you retain your injury's?"

Ben looked at his patched up shoulder and shrugged.

Hope now leaning in to listen.

"I don't know I never used too but it seems that the Omitrix isn't healing me anymore."

He gave a chuckle. "I guess I'll be a bit more careful huh."

Both Gwen and Hope looked at Ben's scars, Gwen noticing the parts Hope healed while Hope noticed How much Ben changed his body no longer weak, now it was something

to be admired despite the scars.

Hope stood up and walked to the door. "I'll leave you two to talk."

Gwen glared at her feeling jealous that she stayed at Ben's side healing him, it should've been her.

Ben lifted her chin to look at him.

"Hey Gwen I'm okay don't worry."

He pulled her to his chest letting her feel his scars, her hands trailing the cuts.

"Hey now I've got cool scars like most heroes."

He said trying to lighten the mood.

Gwen playfully swatted his arm.

"Ben!" "Scars don't make you a hero, your heart does."

She kissed him letting the moment linger.