The summer road trip had become a tradition for Ben, Gwen and Max. They always arranged to meet with some friends they had made on that first trip. It was fun to see Eddy, Gatorboy, Porcupine, and of course Cooper again. Max also took the opportunity to spend time with old friends along the way.

And now they were coming up on the highlight of this summer; Joel and Camille's five year anniversary. Most of the rest of the family would meet them there.

As the got out of the rustbucket they were met by Joel, Camille and Lucy. Lucy ran to then first wrapping her arms around Gwen. "Gwen! It's so great to see you again."

Gwen returned the hug. "Great to see you to Lucy. How have you been?"

"Doing fine." She then turned to Ben. "Gwen, I thought you were bringing your short dweeby cousin. Who is this tall, handsome boy?"

Gwen felt a twinge of jealousy for a moment. "Lucy, you know very well that's Ben. Don't make his ego any bigger than it already is."

She laughed, "I know." She threw her arms around Ben. "Oh and muscles to. We're going to have to have another dance latter." She turned to Gwen again. "Good thing we're only cousins by marriage huh Gwen." Gwen responded with a slight smile. Lucy gave her a strange look, just for a moment, then said. "Well, gotta go. I'll see you guys later." And with that she bounced off toward the house.

A little later, after some time with friends and family, the forbidden lovers were with Max in the rustbucket.

Max looked at his watch. "Kids, I'm going to have to go out for a while. I...have to meet someone, back soon." With that Max left.

"That was kind of abrupt." Ben said.

"Yeah," Gwen agreed. "Hopefully he just wants to talk over old times with Joel and some of the other plumbers."

Ben turned to her. "What ever it is, it gives us some time alone."

Gwen smiled. "So it does. And I've been in need of a little attention since we got here. Especially after the attention you got from Lucy."

Ben leaned in toward her ready to play at this romantic version of their old bickering. "And you didn't get plenty from Cooper?"

Gwen came back at him with feigned indignant "Well maybe I should go find him now. After all I did kind of snub him...Maybe I should go offer an apology."

Ben walked toward her. "Oh no you don't."

"Well give me something better to do then, Ben."

He put his arms around her, "How about this." And with that he puller her close to him and kissed her.

"Nice," she said. "But I'm going to need more convening than that."

"I'll do my best." he said then kissed her again; This time more slowly, more deeply. She returned the kiss.

From there he moved to her neck and collar, kissing her gently, repeatedly.

She melted into it, putting her arms around him. "Don't be selfish Ben, let me have some." She brought her lips to his as each savored the moment. Their lips separated, only momentarily before another kiss...and another...and another.

He had backed her into the wall now and, as she wrapped one leg around him, his hand came down to her rear to hold her up. Soon her other leg was also warping around him, and he was supporting her with both hands. She found it strangely exciting to be held up in his strong arms while they dueled for the next kiss, the next nibble. It seamed that even their love making would have an element of competition to it. If that was the case, she thought to herself, she couldn't wait for the day when they could go for the gold.

They continued to revel in each others affections when they heard...

"Well looky there."

The cousins turned to see Lucy standing in the rustbucket. They had been so engrossed in each other that they hadn't even heard the door open. They knew they were caught.

"Lucy," Gwen broke the silence. "Don't you know how to knock."

"Didn't think I'd need to." She answered.

Ben and Gwen untangled themselves as Ben asked. "Alright, so you know." He hesitated for a second. "Are you going to tell everyone or can we count on you to keep a secret?"

Lucy shook her head. "You two think you have a secret?"

Gwen was starting to get angry. "So what? You're going to tell?...FINE, so what do you want to keep it secret?"

The Lenopan girl looked at them in amusement. "You guys really think you have a secret to keep?"

The two young lovers didn't like the sound of this. Their expressions only further amused their alien cousin. "What do you mean?" Ben asked.

"You guys aren't fooling anyone. Everyone sees it, they're just waiting for you to come out in the open about it."

They looked into each others green eyes for a moment then back at Lucy. "And no one has a problem with it?" Ban asked.

"Not anymore. I think your dads did at first when they figured it out but then with their cousin married to an alien and their dad getting pretty friendly with another, well..."

Ben and Gwen were stunned. They had expected that they would have to deal with shock and disapproval, if not scorn, when, someday they came out in the open about their love but now it was they who had to process a sudden revelation.

"If I were you I'd just stop playing 'secret lovers' and just be yourselves. Besides, you don't want to make some big announcement and steel the spotlight from Max and Xylene tonight."

"Spotlight?" Gwen asked.

Lucy just smiled and said. "Well I'll let you two get back to...what ever you want to do; but I'd listen for the door next time." and with that she left the lovers to themselves.

"This could turn out to be an interesting night." Ben said. Gwen nodded then Ben continued. "Now where were we?"

Gwen smiled as she but her arms around Bens neck and he pulled her to him. "I think we were about here." She said as she reached up to kiss him, lifting one foot behind her as they continued to bask in their love.