Chapter 14: Aftermath and Attractions
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The morning sun beat down on the quiet suburban street, now transformed into a media circus. Yellow tape fluttered in the breeze around the hidden entrance to the Limax cavern, and news vans clogged the normally pristine road of Grandma Vera's retirement community.
I leaned against the Rust Bucket, sipping a cherry smoothie and watching the show unfold. The smoothie shop nearby had been worth the detour with XLR8—cold and sweet, exactly what I needed after our underground adventure.
Jessica stood in the center of a media frenzy, looking distinctly uncomfortable in her full superhero getup. She'd patched together her torn costume with surprising skill, adding a sleek eye mask that effectively concealed her identity.
The white-and-blue bodysuit hugged her figure nicely, I had to admit, but her stiff posture betrayed both her discomfort with the spotlight and the lingering pain from her injuries.
"So, Jewel, can you tell us exactly what happened down there?" A reporter thrust a microphone toward Jessica's face, her sharp eyes hungry for details.
Jessica shifted her weight, wincing slightly as she disturbed what I knew was a particularly nasty gash on her side. "I was investigating the disappearances in this area when I discovered an odd presence underground. They were a group of slug-like entities. Were they aliens or mutants? I have no idea. It—uh, wasn't easy. But luckily, it's taken care of now."
Smooth, Jessica. Very superhero-like. I hid my laugh behind another sip of smoothie.
She was actually doing pretty well for someone who clearly hated being the center of attention. I thought being a child actress would help, but the car accident seemed to have taken more than just her parents. It took away her self-confidence.
Yet she pushed through it now. Seeing her brave the spotlight now, awkward as she was, showed the stark difference between this pre-Kilgrave Jessica and the broken woman she'd become in the original timeline.
"What about the victims?" another reporter demanded, practically shoving his microphone up her nose.
"They're receiving medical care now, as you can see," Jessica answered, her eyes darting toward the efficient figures moving behind her.
I followed her gaze to the Plumbers—not that any of the reporters knew who they were dealing with. The agents moved with practiced precision in their high-tech bodysuits, dark gray with black accents, and each one bore the distinctive red circular emblem on their chest.
They carried equipment I recognized as advanced alien tech disguised as typical medical and cleanup gear.
"Are you affiliated with this group? Who exactly are these people?" A suspicious reporter pointed toward the Plumbers.
Jessica shook her head. "I'm not with them. A local, uh, friend called them."
"Who is that?"
"I can't reveal that. But as you can see, they're professionals handling the cleanup and medical care. I—can't share more than that right now." Jessica handled Grandpa and our involvement here charmingly.
"You think she'll someday spill the beans?" Gwen asked quietly beside me, sipping her mango-strawberry smoothie. Her eyes were narrowed as she studied Jessica with that calculating look I'd come to recognize whenever she was trying to solve a puzzle.
"Nah," I replied, keeping my voice casual even as my mind worked through the implications of everything happening around us. "She's got a hero's instincts and honor. She'll keep quiet."
Grandpa Max hummed noncommittally beside us. I caught his expression from the corner of my eye—the careful blankness that screamed 'hiding something.' He'd been unusually quiet since we reported the situation to him and he called in his old workplace after our slug extermination.
"Something you wanna share, Grandpa?" I raised an eyebrow, challenging him directly.
He offered that frustratingly enigmatic smile I was starting to get tired of. "All in good time," he replied, taking another sip of his smoothie. He never drank smoothie, so he must be feeling a particular way to be doing that.
Yeah, sure. Let's see how long you'll keep playing mysterious, Grandpa. Not like I don't already know most of your secrets anyway.
Before I could press further, movement caught my eye. One of the Plumbers was walking toward us—not just any Plumber either. This one had subtle silver accents on his uniform that suggested rank.
His face was set in that practiced neutral expression that screamed 'government agent,' but there was something respectful in his eyes when they landed on Grandpa Max.
"Maxwell, Sir," the Plumber greeted, his voice pitched low to avoid being heard. "We didn't expect to receive such a report from you here. Command is asking questions."
I slowly slipped my smoothie while enjoying Gwen's confused expression.
The casual way he addressed Grandpa was odd, and Gwen wasn't someone who'd miss that.
In the original cartoon, Max had been a highly respected Plumber, practically a legend. A Magister! Seemed like this universe wasn't so different after all.
"Tell them everything is fine, this incident was a coincidental encounter when I was visiting my sister," Grandpa replied with the easy authority of someone used to giving orders.
The Plumber nodded once, his eyes flickering briefly to my wrist before looking away. I tensed.
He'd definitely noticed the watch, but did he know what it was? Or was it the watch's symbol that picked his interest?
"Understood. I'm glad to see you healthy." His professional facade dropped for a moment as he showed a warm smile. He turned and strode away, his movements precise and efficient.
I shot Grandpa a look that clearly said, 'You're busted.' Gwen was less subtle.
"Grandpa..." she started, her voice sharp with curiosity and a hint of accusation. "What was that about?"
Grandpa Max sighed deeply, watching the retreating Plumber. "Not here. I'll explain everything on our way back. Too many eyes and ears here."
Gwen and I exchanged a glance that communicated volumes.
The game of secrets Grandpa had been playing, the rules were about to change.
****
Hours later, the media circus had mostly dispersed. The reporters had gotten their story—brave superhero Jewel discovers and defeats alien infestation, mysterious government agency handles cleanup—and packed up their equipment.
Grandpa had disappeared shortly after his conversation with the Plumber, supposedly to help coordinate with his old colleagues and check on Grandma Vera.
Gwen and I loitered outside the Rust Bucket, watching the last of the news vans pull away. I was itching to transform and blow off some steam after the intense day, but getting caught on camera as another alien would definitely complicate things.
Although I doubted they'd get to advertise the "alien" part in this report. Plumbers, SHIELD, SWORD, or whatever secret agencies there were, would definitely control the narrative into a more mundane version.
Movement caught my eye, and I spotted Jessica walking toward us.
She'd finished her interviews and looked both drained and relieved to be done with them. She'd kept her costume on but removed the mask, clearly past caring about hiding her identity from us.
"You two," she called, approaching with a weary but genuine smile. She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. "Thank you, for earlier. Seriously. I'm still bummed that I'm taking your credit, though. I'm not sure I deserve the spotlight for your work."
I shrugged, letting a mischievous grin spread across my face. "Trust me, you need any additional fame you can get. I don't since I'm not ready for fame yet."
Jessica scowled playfully and lightly smacked my arm. "Hey, that's rude. I definitely can earn my own fame, thank you very much. You just didn't get to see my extraordinary prowess because of my injury."
I laughed, enjoying the spark of energy between us. With my memories of both lives, I recognized the chemistry when I felt it. I leaned slightly toward her, adding a teasing edge to my voice.
"Come on, Jewel, you know I didn't mean it that way," I said. "Even if I did, think of it as practice for when you hit the big leagues. Big heroes are so arrogant! Look at Tony Stark. Thankfully you're such a kind girl, I don't think you'll become that way."
She arched an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the banter. "Careful there, hero boy. Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Who says I'm trying to flatter you?" I shot back smoothly, stepping just a bit closer. "Maybe I'm just stating facts."
Jessica's eyes glinted with appreciation for the comeback. From my peripheral vision, I noticed Gwen's growing discomfort with our exchange. She cleared her throat pointedly.
"Jessica, weren't you calling him 'kid' just earlier?" Gwen interjected, her voice tinged with something I couldn't quite place.
Jessica turned to Gwen with a casual shrug, her lips curving into a sly smile. "You need to see it from my perspective, Gwen. It's not my fault he doesn't look his age." She said and eyed my admittedly less-than-impressive height.
My eye twitched slightly at the jab.
Height had always been a sore spot for me. "I'm 18 and still got three more years to grow. Did you know men grow till 21?" I stated firmly.
Jessica chuckled softly, her voice dropping to a teasing, warm tone. "Mm-hmm, of course. You will definitely grow. Well, hopefully…" she feigned a pitiful look.
"Jessica, you shouldn't judge a gun by its size," I shot back, although I wasn't bothered by her words.
I meant it when I said I'd grow more. In my memories, I recalled that the cartoon Ben had always been on the shorter side, even at 16, he wasn't taller than Gwen. But Ben 10,000 had grown to tower over even Grandpa Max, who was well over 6 feet!
My growth spurt was just delayed, that's all.
Jessica's eyes glittered before a slow smile spread across her lips. She folded her arms challengingly. "Oh, big talk from someone who barely reaches my chin. You sure you're packing enough firepower?"
"Want to find out?" I challenged, my grin turning sharper. The words hung in the air between us, charged with an unmistakable invitation.
Jessica paused, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. The air between us thickened noticeably, electric with possibility.
Gwen exhaled loudly, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "God, seriously? I'm gonna… yeah, excuse me from this conversation."
She walked off quickly, shaking her head as I laughed quietly, watching her leave. Poor Gwen.
I turned back to find Jessica's expression softened into amusement as she studied me, curiosity now clearly outweighing her earlier skepticism.
"Alright, hotshot," Jessica finally murmured, her voice playful yet undeniably daring. "Prove it."
My grin widened as I gently but confidently took her hand, tugging her toward the Rust Bucket. "Gladly."
****–Rated 18–****
My heart raced as we slipped inside the RV, Jessica closing the door behind us with a gentle click. The interior was cozy and familiar, the gentle ambient hum creating a surprisingly intimate atmosphere. I turned to find her already leaning toward me, her eyes dark with anticipation.
Jessica pressed me against the kitchenette counter, her lips crashing into mine with a hunger that sent sparks through every nerve. My fingers tangled in her hair as our tongues danced, her breath hitching when I nipped her lower lip. She tasted like coffee and adrenaline—a mix I never knew could be so intoxicating.
I hadn't expected the day to go this great.
Her hand slipped behind my head, pulling me closer. A soft gasp escaped her as the movement aggravated her still-sensitive wounds. I pulled back slightly, unable to suppress the teasing mischief in my eyes.
"Crazy how you can't hold yourself back even with injuries," I murmured, my lips brushing against hers teasingly. "Then again, it's me, so I understand."
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Shut up, you silly brat," she breathed, pulling me back into another kiss.
This time there was nothing restrained about it. The kiss grew heated, passionate, our bodies pressing close as the moment consumed us. My hands carefully explored her sides, mindful of her injuries yet bold in their exploration. Her fingers threaded through my hair, pulling softly, our breaths quickening as they mingled between us.
I marveled at how naturally this came, despite the surreal circumstances. Here I was, Ben Tennyson with the Omnitrix, making out with Jessica Jones in her superhero costume.
My dual memories gave me a strange advantage—the confidence of someone who had lived before, combined with the unrestrained Tennyson Charisma.
Her lips were soft yet demanding against mine, her body warm and responsive. For a moment, all thoughts of aliens, plumbers, and secret identities dissolved into the background, replaced by the simple, intoxicating reality of her touch.
Jessica's gentle sigh melted into the moment as she pressed closer, "Oh, Ben, maybe you weren't lying," she moaned as my hands played her body. Her hand moved at the nape of my neck, sending a pleasurable shiver down my spine.
There was something exhilarating about this moment, two people with extraordinary abilities finding a moment of normal human connection.
As her other hand trailed down my chest, I couldn't help but wonder how many more surprises this new world had in store for me.
Jessica's sensual touches pulled me out of these stupid thoughts. Her hands slid under my shirt, nails scraping lightly over my abs as she pushed the fabric upward.
I broke the kiss just long enough to yank it over my head, her hungry gaze raking over my chest before dragging me back to her mouth. She was a hungry woman.
The metallic zipper of her costume sang as I tugged it down her spine, revealing a black sports bra clinging to sweat-slicked skin. She froze when the material pooled at her waist, her breath catching as I traced the angry red gash along her ribs with my thumb. It was an old scar, so it shouldn't hurt.
"Don't—" she started, cheeks flushing crimson as she tried to cover the scar.
I caught her wrist, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Every mark's a story," I murmured against her skin, trailing my lips down her neck to the puckered scar tissue. "Proof you're out there fighting when others hide. Why're you shy over it?"
Her breath shuddered as my tongue flicked over the wound, hips arching involuntarily against mine. "Well, I…"
"You're beautiful."
"Fuck, Ben," she gasped at I mixed the compliment with teasing touches, fingers tightening in my hair as I peeled her leggings down muscular thighs.
The sports bra followed, revealing full breasts tipped with dusky peaks that hardened instantly in the RV's cool air.
"Hey, don't stare like that," she said, but I couldn't help it.
She was an artwork of a woman. Such a beautiful body. She had curves at just the right place, lovely flesh begging to be kissed, while the small and big scars painted her body like natural tattoos.
My mouth watered—she was all toned curves and battle-tested strength, skin glowing like polished amber in the sunset streaming through the blinds.
Her hand flew to cover herself as her face reddened, but I caught it, pinning it gently above her head. "Let me look at you," I said, dragging my teeth along her collarbone. "Christ, you're unreal."
Superheroine bodies was the shit.
My free hand palmed her breast, thumb circling her nipple until she whimpered. "Like fucking marble come to life."
"T-Talk less—ah!—do more!" Jessica was a shy mess even as she demanded, back arching as I sucked a peak into my mouth. Her fingers scrabbled at my belt, popping the buckle open with practiced efficiency.
I groaned against her skin when her hand slipped into my boxers, calloused fingers wrapping around me with just the right pressure. "Oh. Oh. Cocky little shit's actually packing heat." She laughed, surprised and happy at my size.
I smirked against her sternum, nibbling a trail downward. "Told you not to judge—" My words dissolved into a hiss as she stroked me firmly, yanking me toward her. "Fuck, Jess—"
"Less talking," she repeated, pushing me onto the narrow bench seat. Her teeth sank into my shoulder as she straddled me, rolling her hips in a slow grind that had us both panting. "C'mon hero boy—earn that ego. Show me it's not just big."
I flipped us before she could blink, caging her between my arms. Her laugh turned to a gasp as I sheathed myself in one brutal thrust, her nails carving crescent moons into my shoulders. "Holy—fuck! Ben!" Her legs locked around my waist, heels digging into my hip as I set a relentless pace.
Every snap of my hips punched a new sound from her lips—whimpers, curses, my name like a prayer when I hit that sweet spot deep inside.
"Look at you," I laughed, thumb circling her clit as her back arched off the vinyl. "Taking me like you were made for it. Where's the teasing now?" Her only response was a shattered moan.
Her body clamped down as she came with a cry that rattled the spice rack. I drank it in—the flutter of her walls, the way her breasts heaved, the dazed wonder in her eyes as she blinked up at me. Her eyes were watery, hazy in pleasure.
"Did you really cum so early?" I asked, flipping her onto hands and knees with a smack to her ass that echoed through the RV. "So much talk earlier, Jessica, for a premature ejaculator."
She glanced back with a wild look on her face, sweat-damp hair sticking to her face. "Keep that up and I'll—ohgodyes!" Her threat dissolved into incoherence as I drove into her from behind, fingers bruising her hips.
The bench squeaked a frantic rhythm against the floorboards, her choked pleas for "more, harder, there" fueling every thrust.
When her third climax ripped through her, I caught her against my chest, rolling onto my back with her still impaled. She rode me with shaky urgency, her moans climbing higher with every bounce. "Ben I'm—I can't—"
"Let go," I demanded, squeezing her breasts as she trembled.
Her convulsions tipped me over the edge, my own release hitting like a supernova as she collapsed onto my heaving chest. Cum burst inside her like an exploding volcano.
Jessica huffed, panting as she tried her best to regain her composure. I laughed, prompting her to nuzzle my throat with a breathy hum, her other hand tracing the Omnitrix symbol with sticky fingers.
"Gotta admit," she panted, "this hero thing has... perks. If only because I got to have this day with you.."
"Is that so?" I grinned, flipping her onto the floor cushions with a yelp. My cock was already hard again, pressing against her stomach. "Round two's free if you—"
Her legs hooked around my waist before I could finish. "Shut up and fuck me again."
She demanded, and I provided.
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Author Note: Friday tomorrow is the last update of the week. Goal is Top 7, if we reach it you get 2 chapters at once, an extra as usual. Happy reading!