Reconciliation

Chapter 11

How Is This Supposed to Work?

“Just what is it you need me to do, Albedo?”

“I would have thought, that your age you would already know about, what is the quaint euphemism used on this world, oh yes the birds and the bees.”  

Ben rolled his eyes and said in an exasperated tone, “Of course I know about it,” but I was hoping that I could just, I don’t know make a ‘donation’.

“I’m afraid it isn’t that simple, Tennyson, believe me I wish it was.”

“I really wish it was.”

“So, you’re saying that you and I are going to have to…”

“That is affirmative, Tennyson.”

For the second time that day Ben felt faint and passed out.

When he came to he realized that Albedo had managed to relocate him to one of the bedrooms in the small safe-house and he had placed a cold compress on Ben’s forehead. Ben had to admit he was surprised that Albedo hadn’t tried to remove the omnitrix and escape. ‘It’s only because he needs my help so badly,’ Ben thought ruefully.

Sensing another presence in the room, he turned to his left, Albedo had pulled a chair close to the bed and was about to place a fresh compress on Ben’s brow.

“You stayed here,” asked Ben skeptically.

“Of course, I stayed Tennyson, I’m not the inhuman monster you think I am.”

“Well actually technically I’m not human,” he quipped with a sense of humor that he wasn’t really feeling.

“You know, Tennyson this fainting business is becoming a habit with you,” he said; Again, in a slightly mocking tone.

“I’ll try to remember that,” Ben said in the same tone.

“You feel up to eating something?” Albedo asked him.

“I-I think so,” Ben said and moved to leave the bed when he realized he was only wearing his black tee-shirt and boxers.

“Um Albedo, where are my pants,” he asked, mortified.

“Don’t worry, nothing happened, I just wanted to make sure you’d be comfortable,” tossing Ben his jeans.

“I’ll be in the kitchen, you can join me there once you’ve got yourself situated.”

“I’ll be right there,” he said with a slight smile.

As Albedo left the room Ben found himself pondering his actions and thought, ‘I wonder if he really is changing for the better.’

He also thought ‘Maybe this enforced confinement won’t be so bad, maybe in time I’ll even come to accept the rest of it.’