Hidden inheritance

Chapter 10: Back with an apology

"His consciousness was probably lying in there. But now that we've got a safe sample, I can backup your transformations."

Ben's eyes widened. "Really?! Wow, if I lose an alien, I can always count on you to help then. Thanks!" he said, hugging his father tightly.

"You're welcome." said Vilgax, patting his back. "If you do not mind, I also need to check your Chimeran body, to make sure you didn't catch anything."

"Uhhh, no need for that!" nervously said Ben, remembering the utter torture he lived through last time. "I mean, look at me, I'm all strong, healthy and doing well! Not gonna catch any germs or something like that, haha!"

"I wouldn't be so sure, I caught a cold during one of my first visits on this planet, it would not be wise to risk it."

"No needles?" Ben gulped.

"No needles." chuckled the man, as he heard Ben muttering a 'phew' while following him into the ship's corridors.

..............................................................................................................................

Max packed his bag, getting a flashlight ready, a rope, water and some mixtures he made from his world famous recipes, just in case Ben got hurt, bit by a snake or some other form of poisoning.

"Are you sure you're not overdoing it?" asked Gwen.

"Ben still hasn't come back with us. He might've gotten lost or got himself in trouble, I need to look for him."

"He has Master Control now, Grandpa. If he did get himself stuck, he'd probably use an alien to get a better brain and figure it out for himself."

"I know, I just... I'm scared." he admitted, much to Gwen's surprise.

"Scared of what? Scared of Ben, or for Ben?"

"I'm scared of what's going to happen when Ben comes back. He's mad at me, he left us angry. I'm not sure he'll enjoy going on this road-trip with us anymore, and it's because of me. There's no way to be sure he'll accept talking when-"

"Hey."

Both Tennysons turned around to see Ben, simply standing there on his own. He looked tired, not that they didn't all go through a lot of stuff today.

"Ben..."

"There you are, doofus!" scolded Gwen. "Grandpa was starting to get worried! Where were you at?"

"I just... I took a walk, tried to think about some stuff. Kevin came back."

"Huh?!"

Both Gwen and Max were shocked to hear about that kid again. Didn't Ben leave him on a wrestling spaceship away from Earth?

"He tried to beat me up again, but I knocked him so hard he didn't see what was coming!" he lied. "But... he touched the watch again and I lost Master Control."

"Oh."

"Yeah... By the way, Grandpa, I'm sorry."

"W... What?" said Max.

"I know I shouldn't have left you guys behind. I was so mad at you, I didn't realize I was hurting. It's my fault if I lost Master Control, I was playing around too much. If I took a step back and listened to you, I would've been more careful. I'm sorry, Grandpa."

"Ben, no, I'm..."

Gwen smiled. They were actually talking, this was happening.

"Ben, I'm the one who should've told you sooner. If anyone's responsible for something, it's me. I was too scared to say I made errors, I wanted you kids to trust me on this. I never should've lied, it's just... I-"