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A Charmed Life	By : GrayNeko Category: +1 through F > Ben 10 Views: 75607 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
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Ben glared across the platform at Sublimino as he struggled to maintain his balance. Sublimino managed to sneer before grimacing as he pulled the crystal from his hand, tearing a length of cloth from his cape to staunch the bleeding.

"What… ngh… now boy? How are you going to stop me?" he growled even as his skin paled from pain and blood loss.

"I figure beating you to a pulp is as good a place to start as any," Ben snarled back as he began to close the distance between them. It wasn't much of a plan but Ben's anger still pounded in his head like a thundering drum and with the Omnitrix timed out it was the only option he had. The lurching of the platform made it difficult and the two began to circle each other. "What's the matter Sublimino? Afraid of getting your face kicked in by a kid?"

"I don't have to fight you. I just need to buy enough time for that old man under my control to tear you to pieces."

"I won't let that happen!" Ben yelled as he closed the distance between them with a powerful leap, tackling Sublimino to the ground. Even though he was an adult the diminutive man was hardly a match for the furious child as the two struggled. "You'll never hurt anyone again! You'll never hurt me agai-!"

Ben's voice suddenly cut out as pain shot through him like lightning, the raging strength draining from his limbs as he fell back. His hands instinctively shot to the source of the white hot agony and he found himself clutching his side where the same crystal shard that had pierced Sublimino's hand now jutted out of him just below his ribs. He was wide eyed with shock as Sublimino got a foot between them and shoved Ben off him, forcing a gasping cry from Ben as he landed on his other side.

"I've come too far to be denied my destiny by some brat," Sublimino growled as he looked at Ben, his hands clenching as his face contorted with rage. "I'd finish you off but I hate having to get my hands any dirtier than need be," he muttered contemptuously as he pushed himself up before a vicious smile split his face as the platform began to slow.

Ben tried to sit up but the pain in his side flared up to blinding intensity every time he moved. Even worse he could feel his blood rapidly soaking into his shirt around the crystal, causing the fabric to dankly cling to his skin with gross warmth. His face paled as it quickly became all he could do to keep from hyperventilating in a panic. He could try to take the shard out, he thought he could muster up the strength for that, but in his head he heard Max's voice warning him off of the idea, something about making the bleeding worse. Finally the dais shook as it came to rest and he forced himself to focus on something other than his wound.

The dais had lowered itself into a workspace of some sort, there was machinery and equipment lining the majority of the walls and tables full of what looked like circuitry. As Sublimino stepped into the greater area Ben found his eyes drawn to one table in particular and the person laid out on it. Kai seemed to be resting peacefully after Sublimino's mind control chip went haywire and drove her crazy.

The sight of her fueled Ben with the strength and determination to pull himself up, even though he had to cling to the steps of Sublimino's throne to help keep himself upright. Sublimino spared a backwards glance in his direction and sneered.

"Your stubbornness is growing tiresome, move from that spot and I will have Kai's grandfather shoot her dead. Do you understand me boy?"

Ben grit his teeth but didn't say anything as his hatred of Sublimino reached new heights. He felt helpless again as Wes Green, who had been standing so still he had practically blended into the background, moved to stand beside his granddaughter, pulling out a gun that he kept trained on her. As he fought waves of dizziness and struggled to come up with a plan he noticed Kai begin to stir. Sublimino was too distracted trying to properly bandage up his hand to notice and Wes was still as a statue without any further orders from the mad hypnotist.

The unfamiliar scenery of the lab filled her with confusion and the sight of her grandfather pointing a gun at her made her start but before she could cry out she saw Ben out of the corner of her eye, staring at her intensely. The grim look on his face coupled with his unnaturally pale skin and the bloom of red on his shirt filled her with alarm but at the same time kept her from alerting anyone else to her return to consciousness. The sound of drawers being rummaged through drew her attention to another part of the room where a diminutive man was cursing none too quietly as he searched with one hand. She lay back down and feigned unconsciousness as he turned towards her but his focus was elsewhere and she was able to watch him through nearly closed eyes.

As he set about properly bandaging his bloody hand she caught a look at his face and suddenly found memories flooding her mind. She saw this horrible little creature standing over her and her grandfather, watching them as they performed combat drills, reveling in commanding them to break men with their bare hands. Even more images flashed in her mind, too fast for her to make sense of them but they filled her with a sense of disgust that made bile rise in her throat. As she fought back the urge to retch she found her hatred of this man become all consuming.

Ben understood the emotion on Kai's face all too well and before he could wave her off she sprung from the table with a wordless scream on her lips. Sublimino jerked upright from bandaging his hand only to go down in a tangle of limbs as Kai punched and clawed at him.

"Agh! Stop! I command youaaah! Stop her you fool! Shoot her!"

Ben felt his heart seize as Sublimino screeched his last command and Wes swiveled in Kai's direction, the gun slowly lining up for a shot that wouldn't strike Sublimino. Ben wasn't sure if it was blood loss or fear but everything seemed to slow until it felt like time stopped in the space between his heartbeats.

Thump.

The gun came a little closer to sighting on Kai as he scanned the room for something, anything he could use to stop Wes. The Omnitrix was still timed out and there was no way he could reach Wes in his current state.

Thump.

His eyes fell on Sublimino's ridiculous crown lying a few feet in front of him, forgotten in their brief struggle. He couldn't throw it while clutching his wound but maybe, just maybe, he could kick it. Ben had always been decent at soccer and before he could even think about what would happen if he missed he had pushed off the steps in a lurching dash.

Thump.

Sublimino managed to stun Kai with a powerful slap but he still struggled to get clear so Wes could take the shot. Even though Ben's vision swam every ounce of focus was on the crown as he pulled back his leg and kicked with everything he had.

Thump.

Kai fell back as Sublimino planted his foot against her and pushed, knocking her onto her back. She grimaced in pain before freezing at the sight of her grandfather aiming at her, his finger curling around the trigger.

Thump.

Bang!

Ben stumbled, the kick had knocked him off balance and he scrambled to right himself even as blinding pain shot through his side. He stared with watering eyes at the smoking gun lying on the ground beside Kai who stared at it and the bullet hole in the floor beside her head in wide eyed shock. The crown was still rolling across the floor, its metallic ringing the loudest thing in the room until it finally came to a rest. Sublimino was the first to recover, scrambling backwards as he screeched, "Don't just stand there! Kill them!"

Wes began to move towards the gun but before he even began to crouch a totem missile caught him in the chest and threw him against far wall. He slammed into the panels of electronics with such force that sparks showered out of them. All eyes turned back towards the dais to find Charmcaster standing there, her arm extend and her pouch still belching a cloud of smoke from her attack. It was the last thing Ben saw before he blacked out.

***

Charmcaster really wished she could reach the bottom of the shaft faster as she floated down with the help of her bat minions. Her slow descent gave her entirely too much time to think, which was the last thing she wanted to do right then. She feared she'd be too late to stop Ben from doing something drastic, but even worse than that was how he'd react to her once this was all over. That look in his eyes had hollowed her out, she knew he'd be upset if he found out about what she and Gwen had done but to see him so filled with hatred, it was almost like there was something else going on.

The circle of light at the end of the shaft finally began to grow larger, snapping her back into the moment. Her ears strained for anything, any sign of what she should expect and that was when she heard Sublimino's voice echo up the shaft "Kill them!"

Her eyes went wide with panic and before she realized it she was plummeting the last fifteen feet, one hand on her pouch as she prepared herself. She landed hard but transferred her momentum into a roll that she was able to spring into a standing position from, all while letting fly a missile totem at the first thing that registered as a target to her.

Charmcaster tried not to look so out of breath as she took in the chaos of the room, her gaze flicking from Wes's limp form, Sublimino's outraged glare, and Kai's utter bewilderment before alighting on Ben as he lay on his side, one hand holding his wound as blood trickled through his fingers. Everything else was forgotten as she fell to her knees beside him, her hands reaching for him but stopping just shy of touching as fear and panic coursed through her.

"Ben?!"

He was unresponsive and seemingly unconscious as she finally laid her hands to him. He was so cold and frighteningly pale that for a moment her heart lurched in her chest. Finally his eyes fluttered open and he smiled at her.

"Hey, thanks for the save Charmcaster," he said weakly. "Got a little in over my head again," he said with a feeble chuckle before his eyes closed again.

"Don't talk, save your strength. I'm going to get us all out of here, okay?" she said with a trembling voice as she fought back tears.

Before she could even begin to figure out the how of that she jumped as several shots rang out, her instincts causing her to cover Ben protectively until the shots stopped and the silence was filled with soft sobs. She looked up to find Kai limply holding a gun she vaguely recalled noticing on the floor, tears pouring down her face as she trembled. Her gaze shifted from Kai to Sublimino who was slumped against a cabinet, a scalpel in his hand and several holes in his back. Despite that he still clung to life, coughing and wheezing wetly as he turned a baleful eye towards her and Ben. He tried to speak but was only able to make weak gurgling sounds as bloody spittle frothed in his mouth. He managed to raise the scalpel one last time as if he was still capable of harming them before his arm fell limp and then a hurt, accusing look came over him, as if he didn't understand why this was happening to him. A chill swept over the room as the life slowly drained from his body, Charmcaster's grip on Ben tightening as her lover paled further.

Kai's continued crying finally drew Charmcaster to action, tearing her from Ben's side. She approached the shaking girl and carefully pulled the gun from her limp grasp and set it aside. She knelt beside her and gingerly pulled her close, letting Kai's head rest on her shoulder. She didn't know what the girl had gone through at the hands of Sublimino but for it to force her to react like that, Charmcaster could empathize.

"It's okay, you're going to be fine Kai. But now I need you to focus. Ben is hurt pretty bad and you're grandfather might be too. Can you look after Ben while I check on Wes?"

Though she was still distraught the Navajo girl nodded her head, fighting back a sob as she made it to her feet. Charmcaster spared a moment to watch her as she went to sit by Ben's side, taking his free hand in both of hers. Turning her attention to Wes made Charmcaster bite her lip in apprehension, seeing him decked out in that Forever Knight armor, even unconscious and nearly embedded in the electronic panel he had crashed into, had her flashing back to just a short while ago when Kai had soundly beaten her. She pushed back her anxiety and crouched down next to him, touching her fingers to his neck for a pulse. It was steady and strong, which she took for a good sign and as she probed his head for any injuries she encountered the chip within his hairline. Though she hadn't been in control of herself when Sublimino had given Gwen the details on the chips she was able to put two and two together and quickly plucked it out, dropping it to the floor and crushing it beneath her heel.

With that done she held one hand up to her mouth and spoke a harsh syllable that produced a small purple flame that danced on her fingertips. She touched her fingers to Wes's forehead and the flames sank into his skin. She wasn't as skilled in healing magic that wasn't meant to stitch up herself so this was the best she could manage and she chewed her lip nervously, hoping that it would work.

Wes shuddered and convulsed before his hand snapped up and took Charmcaster by the neck. She tried to cry out but his grip cut off her voice and as she struggled to break his hold he finally opened his eyes and looked at her. At first there was nothing but blind rage and hate in his gaze but then he seemed to really see her and his hand sprang away as a look of shock came over him.

"I'm so sorry… I've been fighting his control for so long I-I couldn't stop myself. Are you okay?"

Charmcaster choked and gasped even as she nodded before she found her voice, "I'll be fine. But we really need your help. Are you injured?"

Wes began checking himself over and beside the occasional wince he seemed able to move. He picked himself up and then gave a start at the sight of Sublimino's body.

"What happened here?" he demanded.

Charmcaster did her best to meet his intense gaze evenly, "There's no time for that right now. Ben's hurt and I think he's lost a lot of blood. Can you help?"

Wes moved automatically, years of Plumber training kicking in as he rushed to Ben's side. He knelt across from Kai, giving his granddaughter a comforting squeeze of her shoulder before focusing on Ben.

"He had surgical tools down here, he experimented on the Knights to perfect the chips. See what you can find in the way of bandages. You too, Kai."

Charmcaster and a reluctant Kai set about searching the lab. Fortunately Sublimino had done most of the work for them when he had been patching up his hand and after turning out several more drawers they even produced a syringe and several vials with incredibly complex names. Wes put the drugs aside for the moment as he set about packing gauze around the shard sticking out of Ben before wrapping his abdomen with bandage tape.

Charmcaster watched Ben carefully, hopeful for some sign of improvement but watching him remain so still and pale made her gut feel like a pit of ice that she clutched at helplessly.

"He needs proper medical attention as soon as possible and we need a way out of here," Wes said as he began looking around the lab.

"Well this way isn't going to work."

All three of them turned to the platform to find Max and Gwen standing there.

"The Knights are still trying to get through back up there and we can-" Max's voice faltered as he caught sight of Ben and then he was at his grandson's side. "What happened?"

Charmcaster tried to speak but worry had her throat clenched so tight the words wouldn't come. Before she could compose herself Kai spoke up, "I think Kin- Sublimino stabbed him and then… then he hurt himself more saving me."

Watching the other girl scrunch up her eyes to fight back tears nearly wrung them from Charmcaster and before she realized it she was putting a comforting arm around Kai who gingerly accepted the gesture.

Max gently scooped Ben up in his arms and turned to the rest of them, his features hardening as his voice took on a commanding tone, "Tear this place apart, there has to be an emergency escape of some sort."

They all leapt to action as if he had cracked a whip but as Charmcaster began inspecting the walls of the lab she couldn't help but notice Max studying Sublimino's corpse with a harsh, steely gaze, completely unlike the kind fatherly figure she had come to see him as. She looked to Gwen and found her trying to hide her fear and concern even as she cast a glance at Charmcaster. She wanted to give her a look of reassurance but until Ben was out of danger she didn't dare let herself hope and so she hurriedly turned away from Gwen and focused on the panels.

That quickly proved problematic as Charmcaster found herself plagued by the image of Ben bleeding on the floor. She tried to clear her head and remind herself how urgent it was that they find a way out but with it came other, older memories, things long buried in the deepest recesses of her mind.

Two figures standing together, watching her as she is carried away. They turn to face something, raising their arms as magic gathers around them. It's too late though, a blinding explosion blooms where they stood and when Charmcaster has finally blinked away the lights in her eyes, the two figures are laid low, prone, unmoving and even though they're nearly out of sight she can still make out the growing pool of their own blood. That was the last time she ever saw her parents.

Charmcaster slammed her fist against the wall in a vain attempt to strike the memory from her mind. It had taken her so long to get over that loss and the things she had done to avoid that kind of pain had made her into the person she was before she had met the Tennysons. And now the thought of losing Ben had returned her to that little girl she had tried to leave behind. She rested her head against the cold metal as tears fell silently down her face, only opening her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

It was Gwen and though Charmcaster knew she must be going through a similar turmoil she didn't find any sympathy in Gwen's gaze, instead her focus was on the wall Charmcaster had punched. Her hand left Charmcaster's shoulder and eased her hand off the wall before sharply rapping with her own hand. The hollow sound definitely didn't belong to a lab built in an underground base. She and Charmcaster exchanged nods before stepping back and motioning everyone else to do the same.

"Praemium!"

Their voices rang out in unison as the two spells combined into a powerful blast that blew a hole into the wall, revealing a hidden passageway once the dust settled. There was no need for discussion as the group moved down the tunnel and as Charmcaster fell in beside Max she realized there was one vital distinction between the loss of her parents and the situation now. She was no longer a helpless little girl and she would never stop fighting to save those she loved.

***

The first thing that registered was light, which actually terrified Ben, without being able to hear or feel anything else he was almost convinced he was dead and he was definitely not ready to head towards it. As he panicked he became aware of other sensations, the feeling of fabric against his skin and the steady beeping of a heart monitor. He blinked and realized the light was actually the glaring fluorescent of a hospital room. He tried to sit up but tenderness in his side made him groan as he clutched the railing of his bed. He gingerly prodded at his side and winced at the feeling of stitches on his abdomen. He turned his head and found the room empty except for him but there was a call button on the railing he had grabbed and he quickly pressed it.

It was a minute before anyone entered the room and the nurse who did seemed skeptical, almost starting at the sight of him looking at her.

"Oh my, you are awake. Well that's good news. How are you feeling dear?"

"Okay, I guess, kinda weak though."

"Well that is to be expected, way I heard you were in pretty bad shape when they brought you in. They say you lost a lot of blood between here and the cave you had your accident in."

Ben blinked slowly before realizing that must be the cover story Max had used when they got him here. "Uh, yeah, I should have been more careful. Is any of my family around? I'd like to see them so they know I'm okay."

"I'll check the cafeteria."

With that Ben was alone again and he turned his attention to mustering enough strength to sit up a little. After several attempts that left him breathless and shaking he noticed the controls for his bed on the opposite railing and groaned in irritation with himself before adjusting the bed so he was upright. He had just gotten himself comfortable and begun searching for the remote to the TV hanging in the corner of the room when he heard the pounding of footsteps from the hallway. The next thing he knew Gwen and Charmcaster were rushing through the door to either side of his bed. He barely had time to register their smiling faces before Max appeared in the doorway, flushed with exertion.

"Hey guys, what'd I miss?"

"Ben, good to see you awake son. Had us real scared there for a bit."

Ben looked past everyone at the door before lowering his voice, "What happened?"

Max glanced back at the door as well, "Gwen, Charmcaster, can I have a moment with Ben?"

The two girls exchanged reluctant looks but eventually peeled themselves away from Ben's bedside and went to the door, shutting it behind them. Max pulled a seat next to Ben's bed and eased himself down, steepling his fingers as he stared across the room. The silence grew heavy in the room but Ben didn't dare breach it.

"Sublimino is dead."

Max let that hang in the air, studying Ben out of the corner of his eye. For his part Ben grimaced, he might have had a good reason to hate the man, even kill him, but in the end he had just wanted to get his friends and family out of there safely.

"How?" he asked softly.

"I was hoping you'd tell me. Neither Charmcaster or Kai are talking."

Ben shook his head, "After he stabbed me it was all I could do to keep from passing out. The last thing I remember is seeing Charmcaster."

Max's brow furrowed in contemplation as he rested his chin on his knuckles, "I don't remember much after he stuck that chip in my neck but there are flashes of the fight that come back to me. Ben, what made you so angry?"

Ben's grip on his bedframe became white knuckled as he returned to that moment in time and the rage that had filled him. It had been a white hot, living thing, burning away every other feeling, including the strange betrayal by Gwen and Charmcaster, until there was just the anger and targets for it to be unleashed upon. It reminded him of the battle against Hex and how he had felt then, consumed by his wrath until there was nothing left to do but unleash it. Having been through that twice Ben felt an icicle of fear that something so dark lived inside him.

At the same time the source of his rage came back to him and Ben flushed with shame. He couldn't tell Max about what Sublimino had made Kai do, he wasn't sure he could tell anyone, so with reluctance he admitted to the one other thing he was ashamed of.

"He put everyone in danger and he hurt you all, especially Kai and Mr. Green. It's what I've been afraid of since the attack on the beach. How do I stop the bad guys from going after people I care about?"

Ben stared into his lap as he said the last part, feeling small and helpless as it dawned on him that in the end he hadn't done much saving at all. He only looked up when Max's hand came to rest on his leg.

"There's nothing wrong with being scared of something like that. In fact I'm proud of you for thinking in those terms, it shows maturity. As for your question, there's no good answer except to know that you're not alone in this son, we all keep each other safe, that's what family is for."

Ben nodded slowly, they were comforting words and he definitely needed to hear them but they did little to help him with the greater problem. He managed a smile for his grandfather's sake, "Thanks Grandpa. So how much longer do I have to stay here? I don't want to miss out on any more summer vacation."

"About that Ben," Max said, his tone heavy with bad news. "You've been out for a couple days and things looked pretty bad. I had to call your parents. They'll be here tonight."

Ben's face paled as he fell back into his bed, overcome with sudden dizziness. "What are we going to tell them?"

Max's face was unreadable at first before he sighed, resignation drawing his face down. "I think we'll have to tell them the truth Ben. I know what you're thinking Ben, but it’s for the best. If any of our other enemies ever show up looking for trouble it will be better if your folks aren't in the dark. Trust me, I'm not looking forward to it anymore than you are, I never told your dad about my days as a Plumber either. I don't think he'll take it well."

Ben saw the concern etched into the lines on his grandfather's face and suddenly realized the toll a lifetime of secrets must take on someone. He hated seeing his grandpa like that.

"Hey Grandpa, think they'll be happy to hear I found a girlfriend?" Ben asked with a chuckle, earning a harsh laugh from his grandfather.

"Well I suppose that's one way to find a silver lining. I'm glad to see you recovering so well."

"Thanks, Grandpa. Can I talk to Charmcaster and Gwen now?"

Max raised an eyebrow at the fact that Ben included Gwen in his request but the two had seemed to bury their rivalry and finally grown closer over the course of the summer so he didn't think much of it. "Alright, but don't talk with them too long, you still need your rest."

Ben nodded and Max reached over to tussle his hair affectionately before making his way to the door. "I'll see you girls back in the cafeteria shortly," he said to the waiting Gwen and Charmcaster as he passed them in the hallway.

The two entered the room cautiously, trying to gauge how the talk with Max had gone by reading his face. Ben's face was a mask as they stood on either side of his bed.

"What happened to Sublimino?"

Both girls stiffened but it was Gwen who looked to Charmcaster whose gaze had dropped.

"It… it was Kai, she shot him, but it was to save us."

"She hasn't said more than three words since we got you here," Gwen added.

"I need to talk to her, without Wes around," Ben said, his brow furrowing as he wondered how much Kai might remember.

"Ben… about what we did-" Charmcaster tried to say.

"Do you really want to get into that now?" Ben snapped, causing Charmcaster to pull back in surprise before she lowered her gaze in dismay.

"Ben, she's- we're trying to apologize for what we did," Gwen said, barely able to keep a growl from her voice. "What do you need to talk to Kai about anyway?"

It was Ben's turn to avoid their questioning looks, staring into his lap as his hands balled into fists that trembled ever so slightly.

"I- She- I don't think she shot him just to save us," he said quietly, the harsh edge in his voice causing Gwen and Charmcaster to share worried glances.

"Gwen, do you think you can get Kai to come up here?" Charmcaster asked softly, to which Gwen nodded with a sigh. Once they were alone Charmcaster eased herself into the chair beside his bed. She sat almost timidly, nibbling at her lower lip as the silence grew. Finally she hesitantly began, "Ben, I need to say that I'm sorry. And you shouldn't be angry with Gwen, it was all my idea and she just wanted…"

Her voice wavered and out of the corner of his eye he could see her downcast face, misery etched into every line of her face.

"What did she want?"

Charmcaster stiffened and silent tears fell into her lap before she could continue, "She just wanted to know what it would be like to be with you, openly and without anyone's judgment."

"And what did you want?"

She managed to look up at him, turmoil in her misty, lavender eyes, "I… thought it would be fun. I-I wanted to see if you would notice… but I didn't realize what you were dealing with and then Gwen told me what you did for her when you- when you thought she was me and we both realized it wasn't as fun as we thought it would be. But things got out of hand with the Knights before we could change back..." Her words trailed off as she wrestled with her shame, a faint trembling of her body that she tried to suppress by digging her nails into her legs.

"I don't have time for this," Ben said with a frustrated growl. "There are things that happened with Sublimino that are more important, but I can't stop thinking about what you two did. At first I was angry because you tricked me but the more I think about it the more it hurts because you made a game out of our relationship. Why couldn't you just tell me? Was it so important to test me?"

Charmcast tried to speak but it felt like shame and sadness and unrealized fears were choking her, quelling her voice no matter how much she wanted to say something, anything.

"What are we?" Ben asked quietly, making Charmcaster look up at him, the tears she struggled so hard to hold back threatening to break free again. "What are we to each other?"

"Ben, you're the best thing in my life an-"

"Then why?" He asked, cutting her off as he sat up and turned to fully face her. "Why the lies and the games?"

Charmcaster flinched at the look in his eyes, she could feel his anger and hurt like daggers in her heart. She tried to reach for him but he pulled away, leaving her grasping at air.

"I don't know if I can explain," she said hoarsely through the storm of emotions, pulling in air raggedly as it felt like she was drowning.

"Try. I might be young but I know I would die and kill for you so I think I deserve an explanation."

If it wasn't for the fact that it was taking all of her willpower not to fall to tears she might have smiled at how authoritative he was being, his strength really did amaze her.

"After my parents died, it was just me and Uncle Hex. He was never the trusting type, and even less so once we found ourselves stuck on Earth. He had to be sure I was on his side so he was always testing me, playing headgames and punishing me if I wasn't completely in step with what he wanted. At first I was too terrified of him but after a while all I could think about was getting away or getting stronger so I got better at lying and manipulating… and now I realize I'm just like him."

Charmcaster couldn't hold the sob that escaped her after that revelation. Hex was gone but he still got the last laugh, he had molded her into his image and she had been too stupid to realize it until nearly ruining one of the few good things she had in her life. She sat beside Ben's bed, tears raining down her face as she wallowed in her self-loathing until she heard a rustling of fabric and saw feet swinging off the bed.

"Ben, what are you doing? You need to stay in be-"

Her words were cut off as Ben threw his arms around her and in that moment as he held her tight what little composure she had left fled her as she clung to him and cried into his chest.

"You are nothing like Hex," he said softly, one hand switching to stroking her hair comfortingly before he let out a deep breath. "I'm sorry for being so angry, I think it was just bad timing."

"But you were so upset just a minute ago," Charmcaster whispered, not wanting to believe her good fortune.

"Still am," Ben whispered back before looking down at her, prompting her to look up. "But I love you and I don't want this to be the reason we stop being together. This was a mistake and we both know I've made plenty of those."

Charmcaster squeezed her eyes shut tight, not wanting to cry anymore even if they were tears of relief. A ragged breath escaped her, taking with it the tension that had tied her guts into knots.

"Hey Charmcaster?"

"Yes?"

"Could you help me back into bed? I can't move."

A bark of a laugh escaped her as she shook her head and stood up, helping Ben stay on his feet as he shuffled back to his bed. Once he was settled and comfortable she leaned on the railing, far more relaxed than she had been in days.

"So what are we going to do about Kai?" Now that she wasn't constantly wrestling with her guilt the other major obstacle they faced made itself prominent in her mind. For some reason her question had a strange effect on Ben, causing him to stiffen and panic to flash in his eyes. "Did something else happen Ben?"

For a moment Ben looked sick as he paled quickly and faraway look came over him, she'd never seen him look so troubled. He gave himself a shake and managed a lopsided smile for her.

"Not unless you count getting my butt kicked. Really though, I'm scared for her, it's my fault she has to shoulder the burden of what happened."

Charmcaster frowned ever so slightly as it suddenly felt like Ben was hiding something. She didn't want to believe that, not after their talk just now.

"Are you sure everything is fine?"

"Yeah, maybe I overdid it getting out of bed just now but everything is fine. I should save my strength to talk to Kai though."

Charmcaster couldn't shake the gnawing suspicion in her gut that there was something wrong. What could have happened between him and Kai that had him so shaken? She wanted to push the matter but the fear of creating another rift between them paralyzed her. The decision was made for her when there came a knocking at the door and Gwen poked her head inside.

"Hey Ben, got someone who wants to see you."

Kai followed Gwen into the room quietly, her eyes downcast as she appeared as almost a shadow of her former self. With what seemed like a great effort she managed to look at Ben before quietly saying, "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks, it's good to see you're okay too," Ben replied almost timidly. His uncharacteristic response drew the attention of Gwen and Charmcaster as they both looked at him and he could only imagine what they were thinking.

"Can I speak with Kai alone?" Ben asked before either of them could say anything or the silence grew too awkward. Charmcaster nodded as she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving with Gwen. Watching her being so supportive and trusting only served to make his gut roil sourly after lying to her. He had wanted to tell her, to confide in her as she had in him, to be open about their pain together but he couldn't tell her, not just yet, and maybe never depending on how things went with Kai.

Now that they were alone he grunted with the effort of sitting up on his own, drawing Kai's attention with his struggle.

"You-you should take it easy Ben. You got hurt pretty bad."

"I'll live. What about you?"

Kai stiffened as a multitude of emotions played out across her face, fear being the most prominent.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Why don't you sit down, it might make this easier," Ben offered, gesturing to the seat beside his bed.

Kai took a step back as her head shook gently, "Actually maybe I should go. You need to recover."

"I'm sorry you had to kill him," Ben said before she had taken more than two steps towards the door, freezing her in her tracks. "I'm sorry for putting you and your grandfather in danger and I'm sorry I wasn't able to rescue you guys and that you had to do what you did. If not for me none of this would have happened."

Kai stared at the floor as her whole body trembled before she haltingly made her way to the seat. She sat on the edge of the chair, gripping the railing of his bed with trembling hands.

"Do you remember anything from when you were under his control?"

Kai's hands stopped shaking as her grip became white-knuckled.

"I remember the training and the men he made me hurt," she said softly, a haunted look filling her eyes.

"Is that all?"

Her gaze shifted to him for a moment before her cheeks flushed and she looked to the floor before mumbling, "I loved you, or at least he told me that I did. I-I'm sorry, I don't like to think about that, it makes my stomach sick. Not that being in love with you does, but there's something about those memories that feels really wrong, like there's something else I can't remember."

Ben sighed very softly, not sure if he felt relief or not. On the one hand Kai not remembering everything that happened meant he could just try to pretend it didn't happen, but on the other it meant that those memories, whether she was repressing them or not, might come back to her in the future and he could barely imagine the harm that would do to her.

"Kai, I think I know what's bothering you about that," he said gently, earning a fearfully curious look from her. "He wanted you to capture me but something went wrong, I think the chip shorted out. It caused you to attack me… you hurt me pretty bad. You might have done worse but the chip finally broke and you passed out."

Kai looked miserable as she listened, her head sinking until she was staring at the floor. Ben tentatively reached out, his hand lightly resting on Kai's, drawing her gaze back to him. For a moment silence passed between them as they stared at each other with tear filled eyes.

"I don't ever want you to feel guilty or responsible for what happened, no matter what you remember," Ben forced himself to say before the words could get caught in his throat. "I'm so sorry for every-"

In the moment his voice finally cracked Kai enveloped him in a hug, sobbing into his shoulder. Ben winced in pain from the sudden movement and then stiffly returned the hug, flashes of Kai attacking him making him sweaty and tense despite everything. They sat there until Kai's tears finally subsided, her grip on Ben easing much to his relief before she spoke softly in his ear.

"Ben, there's something I want to tell you."

"Yeah?" Ben asked, trying not to sound too nervous.

"I don't know if I said it while he had control of me so forgive me if I'm repeating myself. When I saw you with somebody else-"

Ben involuntarily stiffened as her words echoed things she had said during her meltdown but before he could truly start to freak out she finished speaking, "I was actually very happy for you. You and Charmcaster seem like a good fit."

"Uh, thanks, I appreciate that," Ben said as he melted with relief, pulling back and managing a smile for her as he sank back into the bed. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I think so but right now I just really want to get back to my normal life for a while."

"Can't blame you for that," Ben said before thinking about what she said. "For a while? Does that mean we'll see more of you in the future?"

Kai shrugged, "Maybe. Kind of hard to ignore this all when it comes and drags you away from your home."

Ben nodded as he tried not to look so guilty before Kai reached forward to grasp his hand, giving it a squeeze as she smiled at him with genuine warmth. "You did everything you could do and Grandpa and I will always appreciate that. I'll see you around Ben."

Ben could only watch as she stood and slipped out of the room, leaving him alone again. Even though he'd barely done anything physical the emotional slog he had just gone through left him feeling exhausted so he fell back into his bed and was asleep before anything else could disturb him.

***

"Ben, Ben wake up."

Ben stirred groggily, Charmcaster's voice drawing him from dreams that were confusing and, if Ben were actually able to recall any real details, somewhat frightening. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and found Gwen and Max alongside Charmcaster in the room.

"What's going on?"

"We know you still need to rest but we thought we should let you know that your folks are going to be here shortly," Max said.

That woke Ben up faster, causing him to sit up even as he winced from the effort.

"How long until they're here?"

"Less than half an hour for sure. Think you're up for the talk we're all going to have to have?"

Ben recalled what he and Max had discussed about telling his folks the whole truth and while the thought made his gut sour he agreed with his grandfather that it would be best in the long run. He nodded and then tilted his head as a thought occurred to him.

"Hey Charmcaster," he said to get her attention.

"Yeah?"

"I know this is going to sound weird asking you this now but is Charmcaster really your name?"

Max and Gwen both turned to Ben with looks that ranged from confusion to mild outrage.

"Ben!" Gwen started to say.

"It's okay," Charmcaster said, heading off Gwen's lecture on manners. "He's actually right to ask."

She saw the concern and confusion on everyone's faces and smiled lopsidedly as she explained, "This world wasn't always my home and in the place I come from magic is a commonplace tool everyone uses. There words have power, including names. Everyone hides their true name with another and Charmcaster is the name my parents gave to me to protect me.

"How did you figure that out Ben?"

Ben blushed and scratched at his head awkwardly, "I didn't. It just came to me that Charmcaster as a name, as much as I like it, might not make too good an impression on my parents."

Max couldn't hold back a laugh as Gwen's face fell into her palm as she shook her head ruefully. Charmcaster stepped closer to Ben and entwined her fingers through his as she spoke to the room while her eyes never left Ben.

"My name, my true name is Vonahashila, it means 'Our hope is in her'."

Gwen tapped her chin thoughtfully, "We could always call you Hope, that way your name is still protected."

"Hope sounds like an excellent name," Max said as he rested a hand on Gwen and Charmcaster's shoulders.

Ben gave Charmcaster's hand a squeeze, "It's nice to meet you Hope."

She laughed even as tears fell down her face and they all joined in, filling the room with mirth. Any tension about the looming confrontation with Ben's parents was forgotten as they celebrated the missing piece of her new life.

They were still chatting away and laughing when a series of knocks came at the door. Max answered it almost hesitantly, his face losing its jovial lift as he tried to keep a neutral expression but unable to help a grim tightening in the corners of his eyes as he ushered in Ben's parents. Carl and Sandra Tennyson calmly entered the room until they saw Ben, the sight of their only child in a hospital bed filling them with renewed urgency as they rushed to his side.

"Hey Mom and Dad, how's your summer been?" Ben asked, hoping to ease their concerns.

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?" his mother asked as she gripped his shoulder worriedly.

"I'm fine, really. Liste-"

"What were you thinking?" his dad started in before he could go any further. "Going off on your own in a cave? What if Dad hadn't been able to find you? You could have died."

Ben was still only vaguely aware of the story Max had told his parents initially so he took his father's chastisement in stride.

Max coughed to get their attention, "Actually son that's something-"

"Oh my god, Ben where did this scar come from?" Sandra cried out, interrupting Max as she noticed the scar over his left eye.

"What have you been doing with these kids Dad?" Carl asked, anger creeping into his voice.

"Uncle Carl, if you'll just let us expl-"

"Gwen, I think you and your friend need to wait outside while we finish this talk," Sandra said, irritation and weariness adding strain to her tone.

"She's not just a friend," Ben said forcefully, shocking his parents with his outburst and earning an appreciative smile from Charmcaster. "Her name is Cha-err, Hope and she's my girlfriend."

His parents stood in stunned silence before reeling on his grandfather.

"Girlfriend?! He's much too young and she's- she's-"

"Where did she come from? Has she been traveling with you?! Did you abduct her?"

With Ben's parents thoroughly off-balance Max simply waited a moment before holding up his hands until they quieted down.

"I think you two should take a seat and let us all explain," he said, easing himself down into a chair as well.

Tired and confused beyond belief Ben's parents settled down onto chairs. Ben waited for his grandfather to continue before realizing he was still struggling to find a way to tell his dad that he'd been lying to him all his life, so he decided to start at his beginning, hoisting the Omnitrix to draw his parents' attention.

"It all began when I found this in a crater and it attached itself to me…"

***

Notes

***

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A Charmed Life