Story request from

Name: .eyes.x

Profile: .net/u/2203484/

How about you do one about Ben being ill and Julie taking care of him until he gets kidnapped, and its up to Julie to find him??

Okay, I'll do my best. ~ XD

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Gone Too Far

by crystalquirt

Benlie, summary as above :D Very mild language violence and Ben being tied up, among other things. Attempted rape, Julie runs in to bad trouble of her own trying to do what she thinks Ben would want.

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

THE MISSION

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Ben was still home, wearing his spongebob pajamas and green robe. He sat on the couch with his feet up on the coffee table, sniffling and sneezing.

The purple fuzzy slippers really clashed with his mostly yellow pajamas, but most of him was also covered with a woolen blanket, wrapped tightly around him. There were used, crumpled facial tissues piled up a foot deep on the couch and all around him.

Gwen and Kevin waded through the tissue to stand in front of the coffee table, staring at Ben. Kevin said "Ewe" when he saw Ben's face. His nose red from all the blowing and wiping. Gwen's hands were on her hip in annoyance.

"Well this is just fine Ben. We need you and you're sick!"

Kevin knocked all the used tissues onto the floor and bravely sat next to Ben on the couch. "You're not barfing are you? Do you have a fever?" Kevin tried to feel Ben's forehead. Ben ducked and turned his head.

"Please 'Mom', I'm sure I have a fever, but no I'm not nauseous. Thanks for you're concern."

"Don't call me Mom, Benjamin. I just don't want 'Ben barf' in my car."

"Look guys, I don't want to go out in the rain. I'm already sick; -AH-A-Choo!" Ben sneezed and Kevin ducked, "Watch it!"

"I 'sneezed-on-my-sleeve', not on you. Kevin." Ben grabbed another tissue and blew his nose, again. His eyes were swollen, his his lips chapped and still Gwen insisted he come with them. "Ben, we need you, come on – after we've checked this out you can come back and I'll make you chicken soup myself."

"I'd rather have Chili Fries."

"Even though I'm sure in your world, chili fries have healing properties, I think Chicken Soup would be better."

Kevin grabbed a tissue and pretended to wipe Ben snot out of his hair. "Well yuck – there's still 'fall-out' from the last time you sneezed coming down - come on Gwen, he's gonna get his cooties all over us, and I'm not sure I want him in my car. We can handle what ever this is."

Gwen growled impatiently at Kevin, "Never-mind - come on Ben - we need you. Change into Goop or somebody where the snot won't matter." Gwen put on her sweater.

"But Gwen, you know if my mom, er -Sandra was home there's no way she would let me go when I'm sick and its not like this is urgent."

"We don't know what this is yet – it may be very urgent."

Kevin smirked, "Come on, Ben, you don't think Aliens that poop popcorn is urgent? Some alien poo would go great in you're next smoothie."

"Ewe, Kevin – Not even if the aliens were 'pooping gold' would I want to go out in this weather when I'm already sick. Besides - don't you guys remember that my alien powers get all weird and unpredictable when I'm sick?"

"A little weird maybe, but they still work well enough to help, cousin – you're not getting out of this."

"Can't you guys go check it out and call me if its an evil plot to take over the earth or something?"

"Ben - get off your butt, now – you can wait in the car with the heater on until we need you."

"Fine, but if I catch pneumonia I will do worse than sneeze on both of you."

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Just like the reports over the Plumber network said, Kevin, Gwen and Ben found the aliens in a forest area just outside of town. Fortunately there was no evidence of popcorn, gold or poo found. Kevin made that up and added it to the report himself, just to annoy Gwen.

Rain pounded so loudly on the car's roof, they couldn't hear anything else. Kevin parked with the hood of his car toward the edge, the aliens below them near a dry creek bed. Gwen and Kevin got out and stood in front of the car to watch them. There was enough fog around the aliens activities for Kevin to guess that something they were doing was making something else very hot. So hot it was turning the rainwater into steam. The aliens were strange, but seemed harmless enough. At least, their destructive effect on the area didn't appear to be intentional.

"These aliens sure aren't humanoid." Kevin observed, not to worried about keeping his voice down. Like large, dog-sized slugs with armor, they moved about with some kind of alien tech. "What do you suppose those devices are that are strapped to their backs?"

"I can't tell from here Gwen, but it is definitely some kind of tech and not some kind of biological appendage, I hope it isn't a weapon, but if it is, and they mean the Earth harm, we will still cream them!"

"Calm down Kevin, I think they're just taking readings of some kind, like a geographical survey."

"Yeah, well . . . when the rain hit their bodies it immediately vaporizes, like dripping water in a very hot skillet, that means they're hot, so don't touch, Gwen."

"No worries I don't plan on touching them."

"Look at that! They don't even have to touch things to ignite them, they just get close. Their bodies must be a thousand degree Fahrenheit."

Gwen and Kevin watched another few minutes, it was hard to see through the steam, but just by being there, the aliens were melting rock, sand and even moist soil, even though it was cold and raining. Even the damp, living plants were bursting into flames when the aliens got close.

Gwen could tell that the aliens were becoming frustrated. "They seem angry already Kevin. With everything on fire or melting around them, it must be messing with their readings."

"Their ship looks awesome. I'd like to have it." Kevin smiled. The craft was black and shiny and actually looked, cold. It seemed to be totally harmless. So Gwen had an idea. "If we can communicate with them, maybe they will let us help them gather whatever data they want. They can wait inside their ship where they won't melt anything else, or start a fire. It's lucky its raining hard."

"But what if they want to learn more about the Earth to decide if they want this planet for themselves! May be we shouldn't be so quick to help them."

"Kevin, if they keep wandering around, they will start a forest fire - or worse. There are large underground gas lines that go through here, taking natural gas to Bellwood. The rain is probably the only thing that has stopped a forest fire from starting so far."

"How do you know there are gas lines here, Gwen? You can't possibly know everything about everyplace we go!"

"I saw the signs, Kevin." Gwen pointed. Kevin looked where she pointed and saw the signs too. Small signs that said, "Caution Underground Natural Gas Lines – City of Bellwood."

"Well okay, but I could have figured that out."

"Then why didn't you? Come on, lets go try to communicate with them and offer to help, if all they want is information about the planet."

"What if they want more?"

"We may have to get Ben out of the car."

Gwen looked back at her cousin before they headed down the hill. She saw that he really did look miserable. He had his head back on the seat, his eyes shut trying to tolerate every orifice that had some sort of fluid trying to run out. He hadn't even slept in two days because he couldn't breathe if he laid down.

Gwen and Kevin walked calmly down the hill, calling to the aliens and trying not to be threatening at all. At least Gwen wasn't threatening. Kevin had his fists clenched wishing he had armored up off of his car before they approached. Too late now, he was looking for the most solid rocks, or any large ones that hadn't melted already.

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

A very short time into the alien encounter it became obvious that Kevin was right. Of course, the aliens wanted more than data. Kevin presented the one that seemed like a leader, with a universal translator and they were able to talk through it. The leader told him, "This planet has a molten center, just the right temperature to hatch our race's next batch of eggs."

"Aw, that's sweet; baby um . . . rock slugs." Gwen had to back up when another of the aliens passed behind her a little too close and she was afraid her hair would catch on fire. Wet with rain, her hair and clothes were already steaming as the alien's body heat evaporated the rainwater around them.

"Well, um do you need anything from us to help you get ready?"

"Oh no, we have no use for humans until our billions of offspring hatch. Then they will be hungry."

"Billions? Gwen-I told you!" Kevin growled. Gwen was still diplomatic. "Well, what will your babies eat when they hatch? We have lots of cows for milk or even meat."

"They will want Goneate at first, they will only eat what you call 'cows' after the Goneate is all gone."

"What is Goneate?" Kevin was really afraid of the answer. The alien wearing the translator replied, "Um, I'm not sure how to describe it. There probably isn't a word in you're language that you would use . . . um, what do you call the meat you eat from cows?"

"Beef."

"Well then Goneate is 'Human Beef'."

Kevin lost it. "I knew it Gwen! This is a bad idea! - NO! These guys can't come here so their babies can EAT US. Billions of them will eat billions of humans!"

"True Kevin, billions."

The hot-slug-dog spoke to Gwen. "You're companion is over reacting. You have no choice anyway. Other races have been very honored to be the first meal for our offspring and even built us temples first. Some race's used to consider us their gods, before they became dinner."

"Well not us! We won't let you hatch your youngin's on this planet!" Kevin challenged.

"Who's going to stop us, you two?"

"No, we have resources. We even know the Galvin. They kinda like us humans."

"Ha! Who's going to tell the Galvin or your other 'resources'? You two won't be leaving this place."

Gwen and Kevin looked around, and realized the hot-slug aliens had surrounded them. Gwen gathered energy, ready with glowing orbs around her hands. Kevin touched the nearest, largest rock and the thickest layer of armor he could manage covered his body.

The alien leader observed, "Oh look. You two aren't your normal everyday humans."

"Right, so give up now."

"There are still only two of you, and we are indestructible. You can't even touch us!"

"No! Actually there are three of us, and we will do more than touch you."

"BEN!" Gwen screamed.

Ben barely heard her with the engine running, heater on full blast and the windows all rolled up, and he had been sitting with his eyes closed. He moaned and wiped his eyes on the edge of the blanket to see what was going on.

"Exactly what I was afraid of." Ben grumbled.

The molten aliens had grown even hotter than they seemed to be at first, more steam, rose faster from every surface touched by the rain and Gwen and Kevin could feel the heat on their skin. The aliens, now looked like they had burning, red coals under their bodies and were closing in on Kevin and Gwen. Most were throwing chunks of molten hot rock at them from short appendages and Gwen had put up a shield.

Ben blew his nose one more time and got out of the car.

At least the rain was helping to keep her shield cooler, but she kept having to reenforce it over and over. One of the hot-rock-slugs got closer when Gwen's shield went down for an instant. Kevin kicked him, there was a sizzling sound and Kevin came up hopping on one leg, the stone armor melted off of his foot. Kevin hopped back close to Gwen and fell on his butt, blowing on his foot. Gwen called Ben again, and quickly put the shield back up.

"Oh man, this is not good." Ben threw the blanket back inside the car. Wearing only his slippers and robe out in the rain now, he started shivering right away and that made him think of what alien to try. "Maybe Big Chill can cool these guys off a little." he slapped the Omnitrix.

Big Chill flew down to where the battle was taking place, barely. A Necrofriggian sneeze was the weirdest, most unpleasant thing Ben had ever experienced and he had to do it while he was flying. He was already not flying very well, and when he sneezed a weird green fog blurred his vision.

There was a loud crackling sound in Big Chill's head like from broken stereo speakers and sharp pain behind his eyes followed. He grabbed his head and hissed with discomfort as he fell out of the air and crashed into Gwen's shield. With Ben-Big Chill lying on top of the pink dome, Gwen took her shield down for just an instant to let Big Chill fall inside. She quickly put the shield back up, just in time for a barrage of molten rock to hit it.

Kevin leaned down to check on his fallen friend, "Nice to see ya, Ben. Can you stand?" Big Chill was shivering and still emitting green fog and Gwen started yelling at him anyway. "Ben! Big Chill is obviously not going to work!"

Ben-Big Chill hissed, "No kidding, Gwen – I told you this was a bad idea."

"Well if you have a better idea, I think you better get to it."

"Right." Big Chill stood up. "I think I'll fight fire with fire," he slapped the dial down and changed into Swampfire.

". . . A-A-Achoo!" Swampfire sneezes were very hot. The green fog that Big Chill sneezed was still trapped under Gwen's shield and was ignited like a flammable gas by the sneeze. Kevin dropped and covered his head. Gwen dropped her shield to use her arms to protect her face from the flash and yelled at Ben at the same time. "Ben – you dweeb – be careful!"

"Sorry!"

With her shield down, Gwen immediately started blasting the aliens one after another with mana balls. Kevin was barely able to avoid being hit by their molten rocks, dodging one after another.

Swampfire jumped up on the hull of the space craft and started blasting it and aliens. The fire didn't hurt the aliens, but they were worried about some of the more delicate instruments in their craft. They went toward Swampfire and away from Gwen and Kevin.

Swampfire found he could touch the aliens with his vines without getting burned, so touch them he did. He rolled each one over one right after another and it took each one several moments to roll their heavy bodies back. The rain cooled off their hot underbellies and made them get stiffer each time.

"So cooling you guys off is the key to stopping you! - Gwen – use your mana to roll them over!"

Swampfire rolled the last one and with Gwen keeping them on their backs, Ben quickly went Echo Echo. He split off into as many EchoEchos as there were aliens and started screaming at them, intending to shatter their armor and make them retreat. Gwen and Kevin covered their ears, but the scream the EchoEchos produced sounded more like he was gargling with phlegm. Gwen got sick to her stomach just hearing it.

"Ben!"

EchoEcho's shrill voice shrieked back, "Okay – sorry again!"

He changed again into Goop and started spraying each alien's underbelly with acid. Each one sprayed, squealed and slithered back to their ship with their underbellies smoking.

Goop sneeze was more terrible for Gwen and Kevin than it was for Ben. In face, he felt much better afterward, but he was spread out all over the place, including on Gwen and Kevin.

"Man! What did I tell you about this?" Kevin yelled impatiently.

"Hey I haven't felt this good in days. My sinuses are clear!"

"I don't think Goop even has sinuses Ben. Change back."

The control metal quickly swept around the area gathering Goop back into one piece. And then he turned back into Ben. He really should have waited to change back until he was close to the car. But he didn't, and had to walk back up the long hill in his wet slippers and robe.

By the time they got back to the car, he was shivering so hard they couldn't understand him when he spoke, his brown hair was pasted flat to his head with water and his skin looked very pale.

Gwen reached back to help Ben pull the blanket around his shoulders after he tried and couldn't do it. He just gave up, exhausted from wrestling with blanket – even after he just chased away a whole unit of alien invaders.

"Oh man, he's really sick Kev, maybe we shouldn't have made him come with us."

"R-r-r-right G-Gwen. N-now you S-S-S-say that, I f-f-f-eel like I'm d-d-dyin'."

"Ben, you're burning up with fever! Lets get him home Kevin. I'll make him some tea."

"I w-w-w-ant Hot-hot ch-chocolate."

"Okay Ben, hot chocolate and chili fries - whatever you want, but yuck."

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

CARING FOR A VERY SICK HERO

Since Ben was home alone for the week, Gwen spent the night at his house to take care of him. She was really feeling guilty for making Ben go out, even though it turned out to be good for them and the planet that he was there.

Gwen had arranged for Julie to come over and stay with him in the morning. Gwen and Kevin were going with Grandpa Max on a training mission with the newest Plumber recruits. Ben was supposed to have gone too, but this time, Gwen realized it would be best if he didn't.

Gwen answered a knock on the door about six-thirty, guessing that since it was that early – it had to be Julie.

"Hi Gwen, you said you wanted me as soon as I could get here this morning."

"Yes, thanks Julie."

Just then, Kevin pulled up in front of Ben's house to pick her up. "Kevin and I have to go out of town with Ben's Grandpa Max. If Ben is still really sick tonight is there any way your parents will let you stay with him? You can stay in his parents room."

"Sure, I think they will. Knowing my mom, she will be here anyway making him chicken soup."

"Thanks Julie, and I know Ben is grateful. He is really sick."

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."

When Julie ran upstairs, she found Ben was sleeping. Not a relaxed good sleep but fitful, not snoring but she could hear mucus in his chest rattling. She sat next to him on the edge of the bed and felt his forehead gently. Oh man, he is burning up. Julie slipped out without waking Ben and went downstairs. She called Gwen on her cell phone to find out where the thermometer was.

She went back to Ben's room with hot tea, but before he could have any – she intended to take his temperature to get an accurate reading.

"Ben, wake up, come on – you have to drink something. Then you can go back to sleep."

Very groggy, Ben answered, "Hi Julie, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take care of you while you're sick. Here Ben, put this under you're tongue."

She held the thermometer for him and put the end in his mouth when he opened. He only opened his eyes long enough to smile at her and get the thermometer in place. After about two minutes she pulled it out and read it. "Ben, you have a fever, its 102."

"Have you had anything to eat yet today?"

"No, but I'm not really hungry." Ben coughed. Julie waited for his coughing to stop before she answered.

"Well I can make chicken soup even better than my mothers. I'll go down and start. Hopefully you have the ingredients and maybe by the time I'm done, you'll be hungry - okay."

While the chicken boiled, Julie went to check on Ben twice. Both times it looked like he was sleeping again. She pulled the covers up for him and even found another blanket to put over his feet on the second trip.

When she went to tell him the soup was done and see if he wanted any, she touched his cheek. "Ben?" He opened his eyes and she sat next to him again holding the thermometer. "Oh Ben, you're shaking so hard."

"I'm cold."

"I'll turn up the heater. The soup is done, do you want some?"

"Not yet. I feel awful."

"Well here, lets take your temperature again."

Julie was afraid he would bite the thermometer he was shaking so hard so she didn't even leave it in as long as she had the first time, and it was still higher. "Ben, I'm calling for help for you, you're temp is 104 now!"

"No, Julie, I'm fine. I just need to sleep." he coughed some more, and held his chest. "Does you're chest hurt Ben?"

"Yeah. Too much coughing."

"I think you need to see a doctor – I'm worried about you Ben. Do you think you could get up and ride in a cab to go?"

"I guess, if you insist, but I don't think I need to."

"I insist."

Ben started to push the blankets down to get up, Julie helped since he was fumbling. "I'll go wait on the couch til they get here okay?"

"Okay Ben. Is you're insurance card in your pocket?"

"Y-yes, I-I thin'so."

Julie frowned. Ben was shaking so hard, he was sluring his speech and she had to help him stand up. As soon as she let go of his arm, his knees buckled. Julie caught him and pushed him back on the bed. :"Ben are you alright?"

"I guess not. Sorry Julie."

"No problem, not you're fault." She guided his shoulders back to the middle of the bed and put his head on the pillow. He seemed so light it was like positioning a doll, her 'doll's' eyes closed and he went completely limp.

"Ben?" she called to him; the shaking had stopped, and in this case she thought it was a bad thing. "Ben?" she said louder and shook him. "Oh no, I can't wake him up! - Ben!"

Julie used the phone by his bed to call 911. She sat with Ben, holding his hand until the ambulance got there. When she heard them pull up, she ran down and let them in, pointing them to his room.

The EMT's wasted no time getting him on their gurney and started giving him fluids through an IV in his arm. Julie stood quietly out of the way, watching, and wringing her hands nervously.

She told them when they asked, that Ben's parents were out of town, and wouldn't even be easy to reach for another few days. Gwen's parents had the authority over Ben when they were gone, they even had a power of attorney on file at the hospital.

Gwen's dad wasn't home, but her mom was home, sick with a cold herself on another rainy day. She gave them verbal permission to treat Ben. And then spoke with Julie. She told her that they completely trusted her with Ben and to call them back if they needed anything, like Ben had said, she didn't want to go out in the cold unless she had to while she was already sick.

The paramedics let Julie ride in the ambulance since she had no other transportation at the time.

Once at the hospital, the doctor's examined Ben quickly and started treatment. It wasn't too long before they went out to talk to Julie.

"How is he?" Julie couldn't wait until the doctor started talking on his own.

Your friend has Streptococcus pneumonia. We will need to speak to his parents. Oh, his parents are out of reach, Mr. and Mrs. Tennyson at this number have power of attorney for Ben in his parents absence. Julie wrote down the number and handed it to the doctor. "I was caring for him – will he be okay? What is Streptococcus pneumonia?"

"Its pretty serious. Were giving him fluids because he was dehydrated and IV antibiotics. We will want to observe him for a few hours, then he can go home with a prescription for more antibiotics. Keeping him warm and rest is about all we can do as long as it doesn't get worse. And make sure he drinks all the clear liquid you can get down his throat."

"How long 'til he's better?"

"Hard to say, it's an infection of the lung that causes swelling and tissue damage, and if the infection gets into his blood stream it will be more serious. There are a couple of surgical procedures we may have to try if he gets worse. It will be really expensive, so I suggest you find a way to get hold of his parents."

"Surgery? Expensive? I don't care about expensive and neither will they – are you saying there's a good chance he won't be okay?"

The other doctor spoke up. "Well – that's only worse case. My colleague has painted you a rather grim picture, I know. He needs to lighten up." He frowned at the other doctor and continued, "Hopefully, Ben's case won't become that bad. For now, antibiotics and rest will probably be enough for him to recover. Expect him to be out of school for at least two weeks, okay? We will probably release him after a few hours observation, if he responds well to treatment."

"Yes doctor, thanks." Julie smiled weakly at the doctor, then glared at the first doctor who spoke and scared her.

When they released Ben, Julie called a cab to take them back to his house. She was so relieved that after only those few hours Ben was awake and able to walk. She thought that meant that they were home free and he would continue to recover quickly. When they got home, Ben announced that he was hungry. "Finally – that's wonderful Ben. I'll get you some soup."

"Thanks for taking such good care of me Julie."

"No problem Ben, I'm happy to."

Ben laid on the couch with blankets while he waited for Julie's special Chicken Soup. While he ate Julie cleaned up all the tissue and then ran up to his room to be sure his bed was still in condition for him to lie down after he ate. The room and bed were a mess after the paramedics got finished in Ben's room.

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

A SELFISH, POORLY PLANNED EVIL PLOT

Two boys, both well known to Ben, Kevin and Gwen were arguing outside Mr. Smoothy's.

"J.T. - come with me."

"No Cash. I told you months ago, don't want to do that stuff anymore." J.T. walked away from Mr. Smoothy's order window stirring his smoothie with the straw, also walking away from Cash. His former friend jumped in front of him and blocked his path. Cash was the bully, but J.T. was actually built a little stouter and heavier than he was.

"I need a lookout – you're coming."

"No I'm not, not unless you carry me, and I don't think your strong enough to pick me up!"

"Wanna bet?"

"No-bet - I'm not going either way. If Ben hadn't gotten sick I would have already been at the gaming convention with him. He was even going to miss a family camping trip to go with me instead."

"Ben – that dork? Since when are you and he friends?"

"Since kindergarten, we used to eat paste together. I forgot how fun it is to hang out with someone who isn't out to cause someone trouble and hurt people all the time. The stress was killing me. I can't pretend its fun anymore."

Cash pulled his fist back, but J.T. Stood up to him for the first time ever!

"What? Do you think hitting me will make me want to go with you? Go ahead, hit me, show me what a good friend you are. You take everything too far, you hurt people and I don't want to hang around you anymore. Leave me alone."

J.T. really did walk away from him that time. Cash was shocked. "Damn that Ben – now he stole my only friend away from me. That cancels out my thanks for the time he saved me from that glove thing. I have to find out how he did that, how did he turn into that monster and defeat me?"

Cash also realized that J.T. gave him a pretty important bit of information.

"He said Ben was sick. Perhaps he won't be able to put up much of a fight if I go talk to him about his big secret. J.T.'s idea about kidnapping was pretty good too. If Ben won't tell me, I'll take him somewhere where we can talk about things and I will have the advantage."

"I just need to find someone to help me since J.T. wimped out on me."

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

NURSE JULIE

Julie ran down the steps and family room, on her way through to the kitchen and laundry room. On her way she asked Ben, "Do you mind staying on the couch for a little while longer? I'm changing your sheets."

"Well thanks – but you don't have to do that too, Julie."

Julie yelled from the laundry room, "Sure I do, the paramedics got iodine all over the sheet, and with you being sick, we should probably change the sheets and keep everything real clean so you don't dribble germs all over.

"Oh – I didn't think of that Julie; I hope you won't get sick."

"Don't worry, I'm healthy and I didn't play alien wars out in the rain. Gwen told me what happened. She feels really bad already. Do you think I should call and tell her you got pneumonia? . . . " Julie was downstairs already looking at him. ". . . and sit up so you can give me your pajama shirt."

"My shirt?"

"I'm gonna wash it. I'm sure you have snot all over it. I'll bring you another if you tell me what drawer you keep them in." Julie sat on the edge of the couch near Ben's feet to wait for the shirt.

"Oh." Ben sat up and took his shirt off, feeling a little embarrassed just taking his pajama top off in front of Julie. "Gwen shouldn't have insisted I go – but I guess they needed me to help keep the Earth safe from infant slug-rock-dogs or whatever those were."

Julie took Ben's shirt when he handed it to her and rolled it up in her lap. "Very true Ben. But still – you have to take better care of yourself and Gwen and Kevin would probably want to know how sick you are."

"No – don't call them – I don't want them to think they have to hurry back just cause I'm sick – Grandpa needs them this weekend and I think Gwen might want to come back if she knew you had to take me to the doctor. Can you stay though, you're taking very good care of me – I'm sure I'll be better in no time."

"Okay Ben, and yes, I can stay. Let's do this again." she held up the thermometer. He complied and opened his mouth. "I'm just glad we don't have to do this the other way."

"Right, me too." Julie waited until it beeped and looked at it. "This is good - your down to 99 degrees – did you take your antibiotics?" She saw the bottle sitting on the coffee table and it reminded her.

"Yes I did, just like the doctor said to."

"Stay warm – finish your water; everything will be ready for you upstairs soon." Ben laid down on his side, Julie covered him up and even got him a second blanket since she took his shirt to wash and turned the TV.

Ben watched TV for six minutes after she left, but soon had his eyes shut, about to go back to sleep.

[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Continued . . .