My, the time, it sure does fly. What has it been? Three years, eight months and two days? But who's counting. Though a lot of episodes aired since then. And seasons, and series… Good thing this is not even trying to fit into the cannon. Regardless, I decided to come back to this for some reason. I am also thankful for the kind words you have written… over the years. And apologies for the slight delay. So here is another thing resembling a chapter. Though let the passage of time not fool you. Neither my writing skill nor my grasp of the English language have improved during the brief hiatus. So read at your own peril. And a toast to upload regularity.

"Attea, what are you…" Ben began but couldn't finish. As the princess's hand cut the last of his t-shirt open, it held Ben's face, the metal tips of the glove's fingers pressing against his cheeks. The green-skinned girl slowly turned his head from one side to the other. With her other hand she threw the weapon she was holding to the ground where it let out another electrical whine.

Even though the cold steel of her gauntlet was hurting his face, Attea didn't seem to press harder as she examined her quarry, Ben turning his head so that he doesn't get cut. Was she trying not to injure him? Did she expect him to grovel? Ben didn't know whether he was supposed to be scared or not, but he was confused for sure.

Enjoying the moment of silence she had made for herself, Attea wondered if she had ever seen Tennyson's human form this up close. Without them fighting each other that is. This coming to mind, she used her free hand to try and pull off the clamp holding Ben's right hand to the floor chunk behind him. It wasn't budging. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "Such a pretty face we have." she continued her train of thought. "Would be a shame to ruin it."

Wait, did she think that last thought or did she say it out loud? Attea couldn't tell and couldn't care, she was enjoying herself so much.

As she let go of Ben's face, the princess started taking off her other glove. The devious smirk she had for a while now, not leaving her face. Being able to talk again, Ben risked snapping her out of her weird trance: "Attea… w-what do you want? Are you trying to humiliate me? There's no one here to see this." he guessed, all other options he could think of being more alarming.

"Oh, it's better this way. Just the two of us. No one between us." As she was saying that, she slowly pulled the two new halves of Ben's t-shirt over his shoulders, making sure to trace her now bare hand over his exposed chest while revealing it. "Nothing between us." she added. She liked what she was seeing before her. For the insufferable human whelp she always thought of him as, Tennyson had managed to somehow acquire a toned midriff and chest, now quickly rising and falling under her palm. She could get used to the firm feel under her fingers.

Her hand was cool to the touch and it felt even colder on Ben's heated body and he shivered at her motion. Attea smiled at his involuntary twitch. "This will be so much fun", she thought as she enjoyed her prize's confusion and discomfort. Or did she think it? Ben was starting to sweat and he didn't know if it was because of the reactor room's temperature or of because of what was happening.

Attea wanted more. She needed to see and feel more. Taking her metal-clad hand she pressed her fingertips against Ben's exposed chest, making him skip a breath. "Wh-…" his question was cut short when the alien princess pressed her hand and slowly ran it across his chest. Ben's eyes widened and he instinctively pushed against the solid concrete behind him as sharp pain traced the metal edges' movements. He gritted his teeth and his breath stopped as this happened for what felt like a small eternity. When she finally stopped Ben inhaled sharply and felt something hot run down his chest.

Attea was savoring every moment of her little toying, from the moment of surprise on Tennyson's face, to the brief instant of relief when she stopped and the crimson red blood that was slowly flowing down his chest from the shallow cuts she gave him. Such a beautiful colour. With teeth still gritted Ben faced her. This was getting out of hand. "Am I s-supposed… to talk? You know you're getting nothing from m-me." he said, seemingly short on breath. Was he angry? Scared? Attea couldn't hide her smile as she enjoyed his mess of emotions and sensations.

"I knew you were messed-up, Attea… but I didn't think you'd stoop to t-torture… for some stupid mission." Ben said, starting to panic a little. How crazy was she? Did she want to actually kill him this time? What kind of slow killing was this? Maybe he shouldn't annoy the crazy princess that had him pinned to a wall.

"Oh, Ben, I'm just having a little fun. Work has nothing to do with this." she said as she held his neck with her gloveless hand, making sure their eyes met. "I wouldn't allow myself to really hurt you." she continued as she drew closer to him. "I always take good care of my favourite toys." Attea reached and held Ben's chin with her razor-tipped fingers. He closed his eyes in anticipation. Was she going to cut him some more for her twisted pleasure?

His eyes shot wide open once more as what he felt was not pain but Attea's lips pressing against his.

I do apologize if this took a turn that was not to your liking, though I can assure you it was my intention for this story to go this route all the way back when it started. I may further edit this chapter and the previous one if I think of ways to more eloquently deliver what I was aiming to say. Also be sure that I read every review that you take the time to leave.