So since I had like no ideas I decided to make another part for it. Also I added a couple little things for my roomie Jay.

Erica's Dorm
Spy School
8:00 PM
Friday
July 4th

Erica's POV:
I woke up slowly. I looked around, only to grow confused. I was... not alone in my room.

 I looked up and saw Ben snuggled up around me. 

He brushed my hair behind my ear and stroked my face. I couldn't help but grin. He kissed my forehead and pulled me closer. 

I jumped and scooted towards the wall near my bed.

I was increasingly confused.

"Good morning to you too." He laughed.

"What- how- why are you here?"

"Owch. You don't remember last night?" He laughed. 

What? What happened last night? Did something happen?

"Remember... what?" I asked worriedly.

"Nonono not like that." He said quickly. "We went on a date."

I relaxed. And that's when I remembered.

Bit late. I complained to myself.

"Washington Monument?"

"Yeah. When we came back you asked me to stay the night. So here I am."

"Oh yeahhh. I remember now."

"Up." He offered a hand.

"Huh?"

"Get up."

"Why?"

He took the covers and threw them aside. He pointed to my leg.

"Your leg. We're going to the infirmary."

"No."

"Wasn't asking."

"I'm not going."

He leaned over me and tried to pick me up. But this time I expected it. I jumped up and landed- in a crumpled pile on the floor.

"Brilliant." He teased. 

He pulled me up and set me on the bed.

"I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to. You do it. I trust you more than them."

"But this is literally what they do. I'm just a kid."

"You're 15."

"My point exactly."

"Please?"

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"Okay. Fine. For you I will."

"Thanks."

"Yeah. Okay lay down and I'll go grab the first aid kit again."

I did as he instructed and he started to clean it. He got the rubbing alcohol to clean it and offered his hand.

"As you know from yesterday, this is gonna hurt."

I nodded and took his hand. He dabbed at it and I squeezed his hand tightly.

He re-wrapped it and put the stuff away. I sat on the side of my bed.

"There. It's not professional work but it'll do."

"Thanks Ben."

He sat next to me and I took his hand.

"Oh crap." He muttered. "It's 8:00 am."

"So?"

"Well, while we know we- didn't... do anything, the other students will probably assume we- did. And it's too late for me to sneak out because a lot of people are up."

"Oh crap."

"Yeah." He nodded. "Call Catherine?" He suggested. "She might be able to help. Plus if all three of us walk out, they won't think anything of it."

"I can try that. But you know how she is. She's never gonna let this go and she's constantly gonna joke about it." I whined.

"Well- better her than the entire school, right? Especially Jayden. He makes enough jokes about it as it is. He'll have a field day." 

"Yeah. Fair enough. Okay, I'll call her."

He nodded and I dialed her. I put her on speaker so he could hear. Boy would I regret that.

"Hey mom."

"Hello darling. Is there something I can do for you?"

"You could say that."

"Is it about Ben?"

"Kind of."

"You need advice again?" 

I blushed.

"Not really."

He snickered under his breath but stopped when I punched his arm.

"Is there any trouble?"

"You could say that."

"How much trouble?"

"Well..."

"Is there another girl?"

Ben started laughing.

"Uh no."

"Is there someone with you?"

"Uh... yeah."

"Hi Mrs. Hale." Ben said between gasps of laughter.

"Hello- Benjamin." She said slowly. "I suppose you've gotten yourself into quite the pickle again?"

"Yeah... you could say that."

"Did something happen Erica?" She asked warily.

"Not at all in the way you're thinking, but yes."

He was in hysterics.

"Well what happened then?"

"Can you just come to my room asap? I'll explain when you get here."

"Yeah... I'm at the CIA headquarters so I'll be there shortly." 

"Thanks mom."

"No problem darling."

We lay on the bed next to each other, staring at the ceiling, and nervously awaiting her arrival.

"What happens if she doesn't believe us?" Ben asked.

"Then we're screwed. And everyone will assume we did on top of that."

He laughed and looked over to me.

"Wow. Jayden's gotten to you too huh?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

"Me neither. But that means we need to convince her. Because if we don't, Jayden is going to have the time of his life."

"Yep." I sighed.

We waited a little longer when we saw her slip in. We sat up and she came and sat on the end of the bed.

"Hello children." She said brightly.

"We're not children." I pointed out. "I'm 17 and he's 15."

"Same difference. Now. What seems to be the issue?"

Neither of us said a word. I looked at him and pleaded into his eyes. He rolled his.

"Alright. Fine. I'll start."

"Alright."

"Okay after the mission Zoe made us play truth or dare. Eventually she dared Erica to go out one a date with me."

"Oooooh how wonderful. Did you two lovebirds have fun?"

"He took me to the Washington Monument."

"Why is that?" She inquired. Though she knew well why.

"It was the first time we... connected." I said with a sigh.

"Awweee that was very sweet Benjamin."

"Thank you."  He grinned.

"So what all did you do on your date? I want details." She said eagerly, crossing her legs like a teenage girl ready to dish out gossip at a sleepover.

He looked to me and I nodded. We needed her as excited and happy as we could get so she'd believe and help us.

"Okay. After the dare, we agreed I'd pick her up at 8 yesterday. I gave her flowers, took her hand, and led her to our destination. But on the way there, we were talking and she got distracted and tripped. Her leg got cut by some metal and I picked her up and tried to bring her back. But she insisted we go and that I put her down, so I did. And we kept going. I told her to close her eyes and give me the keys, and showed her where we were. We started up the stairs and I realized she was in pain. Once again I tried to take her back, but she refused. I carried her up and looked at her leg when we got up there. We ate and lay on a blanket looking at the 'stars' from a night sky projector I brought. We got up and waited for the fireworks. She kept trying to tell me something but always stopped so I asked her if she liked me. To which she responded with my exact question. After some pushing I got her to say she did. And she asked me again. And I said nah. She looked hurt, and started backing away from me. I walked towards her and said like wasn't a strong enough word and that I loved her. I asked if I could kiss her and she gave a small little nod. So I did. And fireworks went off and-"

"Awe that's so sweet." She grinned. "You two are adorable. So passionate."

We both grew redder and grimaced. 

"He meant actual fireworks mom. Like it was great and everything, but there were like the boom boom, color, light, sky, rocket ones that went off as he kissed me."

"Ohh." She nodded in understanding.

"And as we were kissing she slipped and fell. And I caught her and told her she probably shouldn't fall again with her leg. And we laughed and whatever all. I packed the stuff up, dumped it down the stairs, and carried her down. But before I carried her down, she was cold and I gave her my sweatshirt, leaving me shirtless, considering I'd ripped my regular shirt up to stop the bleeding from her leg. I left the bags in the tunnel, and carried her back here. I fixed her leg up better and started to leave. And now, Erica gets to tell the rest. She really wanted to tell this part." He said with a huge smirk at me.

"Hmm... nope, I think you did."

"I told the rest of it. And she's your mom. You can explain our dilemma and why we need her help." He countered.

"Somebody tell me what's going on because I'm really confused and this isn't making any more sense than before. And as adamant as you were it wasn't something inappropriate or dirty as I was supposedly thinking, I've seen no evidence the contrary and am getting worried. SO SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT REALLY IS." Catherine emphasized.

"Fair enough. Go for it Erica." He grinned.

"But-"

"You're the one who asked me to stay. You can explain."

"I'm getting more concerned the more you talk. Erica, dear, just tell me what the, pardon my language, bloody hell is going on here please." She said in a way that made it clear she wasn't asking.

"He finished wrapping up my leg and was leaving, but I stopped him and asked him to sleep here tonight. He took his shoes off and lay down on the couch. But I said I wasn't gonna make him sleep on the couch. And he said something like 'oh okay, I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable.' And he lay down next to me. We curled up together and fell asleep. But we woke up at 8 and many of the other students are already up and it's light outside so we don't know how to get him out without people seeing him and realizing he slept over. Because lots of them have... very dirty minds- to say the least, and we don't want people assuming anything- else happened because he just slept here by my request."

She looked at us for a second and then laughed.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"I was so worried. I thought I had grandkids coming. And your problem is just that you want to make sure no one else thinks that?"

"Uh... yeah. I guess so." Ben said questioningly.

"There's such and easy solution to all this."

She paused.

"Don't do that dumb thing Ben does to gain suspense when he figures out the bad guy's plans. Just tell us." I sighed.

"Hey! If you don't like how I deliver the news, you figure the plans out." He teased.

"If I did that, what would you do?" I quipped.

"HEY! I've improved a lot and can do most of the stuff you can now."

"And I can do all of it."

"THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!"

"ALRIGHT ENOUGH." My mom announced. "She hurt her leg, right?"

"Yeah." We nodded.

"So if anyone questions it, just say sweet Benjamin stayed to make sure she would be okay. People would definitely believe that, considering how caring he is and how much he likes you. And it's partially true too. You asked him to stay because you didn't want the night to be over, because that'd make you sad. So he stayed to make sure you were okay. Except we cut out the part about you being super emotional and say he just wanted to make sure you didn't get hurt more." She laughed.

"It's that easy?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Great. So you know about everything that happened last night for no reason? Lovely."

"Not no reason. As easy and simple as the solution was, I still helped you, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

"And even better, I have one more thing to tease you two about. Win-win."

"For who exactly?" Ben asked.

"Me of course."

"Glad you're happy." I said sarcastically. "Wait what do you mean about me being all emotional and sad the night was almost over?" I demanded.

She smirked.

"You know exactly what I mean. And you know it's true."

"No!"

She shot me a look like 'really? Are you seriously arguing about this? You know I'm right.'

Ben saw it too and snickered.

"Whatever. And I guess this is a good time as ever to say, while I am excited about your relationship, I suppose you'd call it, and while I do want grandchildren, it is far too soon, so be good."

I rolled my eyes and looked at Ben who was growing more red.

"Told you."

"Oh I didn't doubt you Erica. I just really hoped she wouldn't make that same joke again."

"Well that was rather hurtful." She laughed.

"Well anytime we do anything together, even before our literal first date, you always said that. Or whenever we were on a mission or whatever." Ben pointed out.

"Fair enough." She smiled. "So..."

"Yes mother?"

"Are you two together now? Or are you still trying to pretend you're just friends? Because let's be honest, you're not." She said, making it clear that last part was directed at me.

"Oh uh well we didn't really like talk about that yet Mrs. Hale. So I have no idea if I'm being honest." He shrugged.

"Well, as I'm sure you know, she's liked you for a while."

"Mooom!" I groaned.

"A while huh?" He teased.

"My point is simply, you've liked each other for a while, and you two are absolutely adorable together. You work well together and you look out for each other. You go out to eat together and to the beach and mall and all around town together. You spend loads of time together. The only thing you're missing are the labels." 

Ben smiled and nodded once.

"I mean, you're not wrong." He shrugged and looked at me curiously. Catherine's eyes made their way to me as well.

I blushed and looked down. Ben looked to Catherine who said she was gonna go say hi to my dad and left us to talk. He looked back at me. Ben put his right hand on my shoulder and his left on my knee. I looked up at him slowly.

"I know you said you weren't ready a couple years ago, so I'll leave it up to you." I stayed silent.

"I- I don't really know."

"Take your time." He whispered gently.

"I really like you but I've never been in a real relationship before so I don't know.."

"Me neither. Buuut, if you decide you wanna try, know that we'd be in it together. Figuring it out as we go. But I completely understand if it's still too soon for you."

"But what happens if we fight?"

"Then we work through it."

"What if... something happens to one of us on a mission? What if I lose you?" I asked quietly.

"You won't."

"You don't know that." My voice broke slightly and tears rolled down my face, no matter how hard I tried to stop them.

"Hey, come here. Shh. Don't cry." He said softly as he pulled me closer to him and I was sitting on his lap. 

He was behind me and he wrapped his arms around my stomach. I leaned my head back and let it rest against his shoulder. He set his head right on top of mine gently. He rocked back and forth soothingly and I was able to calm down a little.

"I do know that Erica. I'll always be with you. Right here." He said as he pointed to my heart. "I know that sounds like a line directly from some cheesy romance movie... which it probably is. But I love you. We've been through tons of dangerous stuff before. You've always saved me. But, even if or when I die, I'll always love you and be with you."

"I love you Ben." I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.

He kissed the top of my head.

"I love you too."  

We just sat there quietly for a little while.

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us spoke.

So I took the time to think.

2 years ago, when he hinted about a relationship I said I wasn't ready. It hadn't been long after Joshua had died or more accurately, switched sides. 

Well, Ben's not Joshua.

Maybe, but I was still hurt about that. And I'd only known Ben for like a year. 

But you could tell he was different.

Yes and I liked him, but it was too complicated and I wasn't sure how it would work in this line of work. 

But you've been working together 3 years now, and it seems to work okay for mom and dad.

But I'm 2 years older. 

All the people who 'ship' you don't seem to let that get in the way. Why should you?

Because... what will people think?

Again, many people ship you two. And who cares what they think? All that matters is what you and Ben want. So do you want to try a relationship? Or do you want to wait and maybe even let him get away?

Hey that's not fair!

All's fair in love and Berica.

So even my own head says that now? Great.

But seriously though. What do you want? Do you want to give it a shot, or is it still too soon?

I shook my head a little to clear my thoughts.

What did I want?

And then I found the obvious answer.

"Hey Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm... ready. To try at least."

He looked down at me and grinned.

"A relationship?"

"Yeah."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. It's worth a shot." 

I turned around so I was facing him and then scooted closer. He hugged me tightly and smiled.

"So we're together now?" He asked.

"Yeah. Yeah we are." I beamed. "If that's what you want?"

He laughed.

"It's what I've wanted since I was 12."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You were an amazing, cool, superspy, not to mention beautiful. I was a 12 year old boy who literally idolized you. Of course I wanted to date you."

"You think I'm beautiful?" I asked quietly.

"Absolutely. The most beautiful in the multiverse. I know you are E."

"You're such a nerd." I laughed.

"Your nerd."

"Okay but who says multiverse?"

"Me. The universe isn't big enough. So I said the multiverse. Deal with it." He said as if it was obvious. 

"What do we do now?"

"Same things as always. But now it's more special. Because you're finally mine. And I'm yours."

I smiled at that thought.

"I like the sound of that." I stated.

"Me too."

We sat there quietly again.

"You wanna grab some food? I'm hungry."

I nodded and tried to stand up when he instantly pulled me back down.

"You really think I forgot about your leg?"

"Not anymore. But I was hoping." I sighed.

He cradled me like a baby and stood up.

"You like picking me up. I'm sure of it now." 

And suddenly I was falling.

And then I wasn't.

I looked at him shocked and saw him smirking wildly.

"See. I bet you prefer me carrying you to me dropping you? Huh?"

"Whatever." I grumbled.

"Someone's grumpy." He laughed.

He threw me on the bed and did something I never expected.

He tickled me. 

He sat on my stomach and tickled me.

I ended up laughing so hard I was crying and trying to make him stop and pry him off me. But I couldn't even speak.

"Stop it!" 

"So the great Erica Hale's ticklish huh?"

"Ben stooop!" I giggled.

"The great Erica Hale giggles?"

"Stop saying that!"

"So the great Erica Hale doesn't like being called the great Erica Hale?"

"You're so annoooyinggg!"

"Oh really?" 

He tickled me more and I squirmed all around.

And that's when my mom walked back in. But with my dad this time.

At the sight of Ben sitting on me and tickling the living hell out of me, you know what they did? 

They burst out laughing.

Ben tilted his head at them in confusion and I grabbed him and rolled on top of him. I grabbed his shirt and pulled his face close. 

"Don't ever do that again." I snarled.

Or at least I tried to.

You know what he did?

HE burst out laughing.

"It's hard to be intimidating when you're bright red. And after I just watched you giggle for like 5 minutes as I tickled you."

I let go of his shirt and let him fall back on the bed.

"Oh boy." I muttered. "Here it comes."

My mom finally managed words.

"Oh dear." She gasped for air and wiped her eyes. "I forgot how ticklish she was." She said to Alexander.

"We used to do just that and she'd laugh so hard she-"

"Finish that thought and I'll murder you." I snarled.

Ben smiled curiously.

"She what?"

I glared at them.

"I'm serious. Don't even think about it."

He sighed in defeat.

"If I may ask, what led to this fit of laughter?" My father smiled.

"Well, I asked if she wanted food, and she started to get up. But she hurt her leg last night so I pulled her back down and picked her up. She complained so I tossed her back onto the bed and tickled her. But she kept squirming, so I sat on her stomach to pin her down."

He walked over to Ben.

And do you know what he did?

He high-fived him.

"That's amazing!" He exclaimed gleefully. "Take care of her kiddo."

"I'll do my best sir. Though she can take care of herself pretty well too."

"I know." He smiled. "So... are you two together now?"

He looked at me and grinned.

"Yes sir."

"Ah drop the sirs Ben. You don't need to impress me with formalities. You already did that by thawing the 'Ice Queen' I believe your friends called her?" He joked.

Ben nodded.

"Well, I have to say I'm very happy for you two." Catherine beamed.

"If you'll uh... excuse us, we were gonna head to lunch?" He looked to me. I nodded. "Or you can join u if you'd like?"

"No thank you Benjamin. We'll let you two go ahead this time. But that's very kind of you to offer."

"Okay, and thank you. Would you like us to get anything while we're out?"

"That's quite alright. But thank you. You two lovebirds go have fun."

"Please don't say lovebirds mother."

She smiled and I could tell she was ignoring that last comment.

Ben looked back to me.

"We're certainly not walking so shall I help brace you to the car or shall I just carry you to the car?"

"You're not carrying me again."

"Alright then. Here."

He slipped my arm around his neck and hoisted me up a little bit so there was as little pressure on my leg as possible. He opened the door for my parents and then helped me along.

Holy crap that took forever. Literally like 3838 ish words. And that's after I cut a ton of it to make a part 4! Sorry, but I couldn't focus at all. So there is going to be a part 4 now too, just because this chapter was literally taking forever. Hope you enjoyed and that it was worth the extra wait :)