Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10.

Sorry for not updating sooner, but I had a busy weekend. ^^;;
Now, I present you... THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE STORY: OF SORROW AND MISTAKEN LIES!
*Dramatic music*
Enjoy! :)

"Finally. I was beginning to feel claustrophobic in there." Gwen sighed happily as she made her way out of the hospital. She felt much better and revitalized now that she was healed. Her head didn't hurt anymore, and she was feeling good.

The sun was high in the sky when they exited the hospital, walking over to the Rustbucket. It was about noon. Gwen softly hummed to herself, lost in her own little world, ignoring the grumpy Ben and smiling Grandpa that were walking behind her.

"She sure looks better. I'm glad everything turned out good." Grandpa said chuckling, as he watched Gwen's back.

"Yeah… But now she's too happy. It's annoying." Ben pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. Of course, he was really glad she was back to her normal self, and neither did he want her to go through all that crap again, but still, he had a strange feeling in his chest that wouldn't stop bothering him everytime he looked at her smiling face.

It made him grumpy for some reason, because he couldn't understand what it was. And it frustrated him.

Grandpa sighed and shook his head. "Oh Ben, don't be so selfish. You should be really glad she's smiling again." Grandpa lectured him.

Ben rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. Sorry. I'm really glad she's happy again. I really am." He said, this time with sincerity. Grandpa smiled in triumph and nodded his head in approval.

"Very well. You should be. Just look at her, it seems she's bursting with energy." Grandpa smiled, staring as his granddaughter hummed to herself smiling.

Ben stared at Gwen, and his eyes softened. It was true. He couldn't be so selfish, not while she was so happy. He sighed, still staring at her in a trance, until Grandpa cleared his throat and chuckled.

Ben snapped out of it and his grumpy expression returned to his face. There it was again, the strange feeling in his chest that made him feel all weird and mushy inside everytime he looked at her.

Shaking his head fiercely, he decided to ignore those weird thoughts.

He walked ahead of Grandpa, catching up with Gwen. "Hey, dweeb! The first one to get to the Rustbucket gets a double portion of ice cream!" It was a reasonable catch, after all, they were running out of ice cream.

"Well, get my plate ready. I'm not going to lose, doofus!" Gwen exclaimed back, grinning. Ben smirked and both started to run towards the RV.

Grandpa smiled, glad they were back to normal. He looked up at the blue sky with a thoughful expression. He just hoped they wouldn't have to go through anything like that again.

"Grandpa! Are you coming or what?" Both cousins exclaimed in unison, waving at the older male. They were already in the Rustbucket.

Grandpa blinked, and then smiled. "I'm coming. I'm not as fast as you, kids." He chuckled and walked over to them, getting into the RV and closing the door behind himself.

Gwen and Ben walked over to the table, and sat down, opposite to each other. They both stared intently at each other, with narrowed eyes.

"It's obvious I won. You're too slow." Gwen said smugly as she crossed her arms over her chest. Ben rolled his eyes and smirked.

"Yeah, right. As if you could run fast being so fat." He smirked smugly at her annoyed expression.

"Pfft. At least I'm not short, you dwarf." Ben growled as she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Dweeb!" He stood up.

"Doofus!" She stood up.

Just before they jumped at each other, Grandpa sighed heavily.

"Kids, settle down…" He said in a warning tone. He had started the engine, and was driving out into the main road.

"Sorry Grandpa." The both said in unison and sat down.

"Stop it." Their voices growled together.

"Idiot." Both smirked at the same time.

"I'm a big, fat old hag." Ben said smugly.

"You're a big, fat, old hag." Gwen smirked, and Ben gaped at her.

Ben pouted and looked out of the window. She had gotten him good.

He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his reflection, while Gwen just smiled to herself. He was such a dweeb.

After some moments of silence, Gwen got bored.

"Are you mad?" She asked Ben in a mocking tone.

"Why I should I?" He countered back, rolling his eyes.

"Aww, is little Bennie mad?" She said in a sing-song voice, looking at him with her her best puppy dog eyes.

Ben looked at her and his eyes widened, as a small blush crept up to his cheeks. "Shut u-up" He glared at her and looked away. He couldn't believe how cute she looked right there.

"Pshh. You grumpy old man." She rolled her eyes, but then something clicked in her mind. "I know how to fix that." She smirked and reached up over the table, grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a big, wet kiss on his cheek.

His eyes widened and he blushed hard, his mouth slightly open. A few seconds passed as he registered the current situation in his mind. Gwen had kissed him. The weird feeling in his stomach was back, and he gasped.

"What the heck?! You weirdo! Eww!" He stuttered out, furiously wiping his cheek. Gwen leaned back into his seat and smirked smugly.

"You're so predictable." She shook her head as he looked back at her.

Ben, having a rather large ego, couldn't leave it at that. So he smirked, and decided to play along. Two could play this game.

"Ah, Gwen. That was rather nice. I think I should return the favor." And so, he leaned over the table and grabbed her head. He slowly leaned his head down, his eyes not leaving hers. Gwen blushed, what was he going to do?! And then, he stopped, as their lips brushed together, and he smirked.

...Wait. What the hell did I just do?! He screamed in his mind as he realized how close they were. His joke had backfired on him.

Their eyes widened as they both blushed profusely, not knowing what to do. Then, they both screamed in unison and Ben threw himself back on his seat, panting, his eyes wanted to bulge out of his head.

They stared at each other for a long time, not knowing what to say or what to do. Luckily Grandpa hadn't seen anything, too busy driving, or it would have been too awkward.

"That was so weird… And gross!" Gwen cleared her throat, trying to calm down her furiously beating heart. She was still blushing, though.

Ben shook his head. "I think I'm going to puke." He made gag noises as he grabbed his throat.

But then, the Rustbucket halted abruptly, and both cousins were sent flying out of their seats.

"Oww!" Ben groaned as he sat up on the floor, grabbing his head. Gwen did the same and sat up, and then both looked towards Grandpa.

"Kids, we have some company."

They both stood up inmediately and ran to the front of the RV, staring in horror as they spotted a violet alien in the middle of the road, blocking their path. This time, it was much bigger, the size of a bear, almost.

It seemed they didn't get rid of all of those creatures.

Gwen gasped and Ben cursed, inmediately slamming his fist down on the Omnitrix and turning into Diamonhead. He ran out of the Rustbucket, Gwen right behind him, and both faced the strange creature. It growled loudly, and slowly advanced towards them.

"I've got this, Gwen. Get into the Rustbucket with Grandpa." He couldn't let anything happen to her. He didn't want to. Not again, he was going to make sure she stayed safe.

"What the heck are you talking about, we're in this together!" She said as she glared up at him. How dare he order her around? She was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Ben sighed heavily, becoming irritated. "Just do it!" He said as he charged towards the creature, not giving her a second glance. Gwen gritted her teeth in frustration. She was not a baby, and she sure as heck was not going to let him fight alone.

As Diamonhead fought fiercely with the creature, Gwen stayed back and closed her eyes, concentrating hard. She was going to show him she could take care of herself.

Her frame was slowly consumed by a blue energy that danced around her in circles, as she floated above the ground. Her lips parted and she softly whispered a spell. Her eyes snapped open and then glowed.

Diamonhead and the creature turned around as they felt the massive amount of energy behind them, only to find Gwen floating, and surrounded by blue light.

The creature snarled and ran past Diamonhead, running directly at Gwen. Its massive jaws were open and its large rows of sharp teeth were visible too.

"Gwen!" Ben yelled as he ran after the creature. He was not going to let her get hurt… But Gwen had other plans.

Just a bit closer… I have a big surprise for you. Gwen smirked, watching as the creature charged at her.

Why isn't she doing anything to dodge it?! Ben thought frantically as he ran faster, trying to catch up to the creature, but was surprised when it stopped in its tracks suddenly.

Gwen smirked, the creature a few feet in front of her, paralyzed. She then raised her arm, her palm engulfed by blue energy and shoot a large ball of energy at it, striking it right in the face.

The creature snarled in pain as its body convulsed, and was sent flying back against Diamondhead.

"All yours, Ben!" Gwen smirked and Diamondhead nodded, running towards the creature and slicing it in half, with his sharp arm. The remains of the creature turned into a slimy substance that dissapeared into the ground.

The watch timed out and Diamonhead turned back into Ben, who ran towards Gwen with a frown.

Gwen went back to the ground, back to her normal self, and blinked.

"Don't ever do that again, Gwen! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Ben said as he stood in front of her and glared at her. Seriously, when he didn't saw her move he thought the creature was going to rip her apart.

"Oh please. Do you honestly think I'm that helpless? You're not the only hero here, Benjamin." She growled and turned her back on him. It infuriated her. How dare he think she was helpless and weak?

Ben glared at her back. "I never said that! It's just that… It's just that I don't want to see you get hurt again! Don't you get it?" He sighed heavily and walked past her into the RV, glaring down at the floor. Gwen blinked and opened her mouth to call his name, but decided against it.

She felt a bit guilty, but still… She wanted to help too, it was not fair he always had to fight alone, she wanted to help him… To show him she was there for him… Always.

Walking into the RV, she closed the door behind her and Grandpa started the engine, deciding to keep quiet. He had seen the small exchange between them, but they had to solve it on their own.

She walked over to the table and found Ben slumped against his seat, the frown still on his face. She sat down on the opposite seat and stared down at her hands. After some moments of silence, she decided to speak up.

"Listen… I'm sorry, okay? But… I just wanted to show you I can take care of myself too. I'm not weak anymore, and I don't want to hold you or Grandpa down." She sighed, as he quietly listened to her. "I mean, we make a good team… And I don't want you to worry so much about me." Her head was low, and she didn't face him.

Ben sighed, and his eyes softened. "I know that, Gwen. But it's just that… I wouldn't forgive myself if something ever happened to you… Again. I'm sorry, too. Forgive me?" Gwen looked up at him, surprised to hear those words coming from him. He sounded so caring… So mature… It was hard to believe it was really Ben. And the way his eyes stared at her, she felt her stomach flutter.

Gwen nodded, and offered up her hand to him with a smile. "Friends again?" She said innocently.

Ben shook her hand, enjoying the warmth of her skin. "Forever." He replied with a grin.

"But promise me you'll let me help you, okay?" She pouted. Ben rolled his eyes playfully, and then smiled. "Fine, fine. But I'll have to save your butt anyway. Who's gonna be your hero, then?" He smirked, and Gwen stuck her tongue out at him.

"We'll see. Next time I'll be the one to save you, doofus." She said, smirking. Ben shrugged nonchalanty, as he smiled softly to himself.

"…Thank you." He heard her whisper after some time, and he looked up at her in wonder. A small blush graced her cheeks, and she was looking down at her lap.

Ben smiled. "No problem." And then, a loud noise interrupted them. There was a crash outside, and the RV halted again.

"Just some robbers running away from the police." Grandpa Max said nonchalanty as they heard the familiar siren near. Ben and Gwen ran to the front of the RV, watching as a black car zoomed past the RV, and the familiar police car not too far behind.

"Oh, it seems we'll never get some free time." Gwen murmured as she smirked.

"Yeah." Ben nodded fumbling down with the Omnitrix.

"Things will never be the same after this summer trip, right?" Gwen asked no one in particular, lost in her thoughts.

"Nope. But I wouldn't want it any other way." Ben grinned, and grabbed her hand, dragging her out of the RV. Because I'm with you. He thought to himself. He was still confused by the strange, new feelings he was experiencing, but now he didn't mind it one bit. He had realized how much she meant to him, and he promised himself he wouldn't ever leave her behind.

"We'll be right back!" He called after Grandpa, who was a bit surprised by the sudden change in his grandchildren. They weren't bickering, that was new. But he was glad nonetheless. He smiled and nodded, as Ben turned into XLR8 and sped towards the black car. Gwen floated above the ground for a brief moment and then flew after Ben, not too far behind.

Grandpa watched as the two kids sped away from him, feeling a bit nostalgic. They were growing up, and he couldn't help but notice how strong their bond had become.

"There they go, the future of the world." He chuckled to himself. He knew they would be inseparable. And he just wished the best for them.

Love really knows no boundaries…

A/N: The End! I would like to thank all of you who reviewed and kept me motivated with your good comments. I hope you like this chapter. ^^
I wanted to keep this fic realistic, because honestly, I can't really picture 10 year old Gwen and Ben saying they love each other and making out. Sorry if the lack of steamy romance bothered you, but I wanted to keep it fluffy and simple. :)
Well, that's all. But don't worry, I have plenty of ideas for other Bwen fics. This is not the last you'll see of me. xD