With or Without You - Pt 17

    Yawning, Willow clutched tighter onto Ben’s hand.
    Darren looked out the limo’s window, “Hey, what VJ is interviewing us today?”
    Daniel shrugged and stretched his legs out.
    Willow jumped slightly as Daniel’s feet brushed past her. She looked around, “Hey, where’s Nichole? And Anna..and Lee.. Damn, I can’t believe I didn’t notice them missing..”
    Darren laughed, “Ok, someone isn’t here. They took a cab or something. They’re picking up some lunch.”
    As they pulled up to MTV Willow’s stomach knotted. “I’m going to roam around ok? I don’t want to hang around MTV. I’ll meet you back at the hotel?”
    Ben hesitated before nodding, “Yeah, ok then,” He handed her his room key.
    As they got out of the limo he leaned down and kissed her, “Bye.”
    Daniel ruffled her hair, “Be careful, don’t get yourself lost! I don’t want to get stuck roaming around the city looking for you all night.”
    Willow cracked a smile and nodded before heading off in the opposite direction.

    Willow yawned and turned over in the hotels bed. Her eyes rested at the large red neon numbered clock, “8 PM,” She mumbled to herself as she looked around.
    She sighed and stretched out on the large king sized bed. “This is hopeless,” she said commenting to herself as she sat up, “I can’t even sleep properly.” She stood and walked over to the mini-fridge. Opening it, and scanning it’s contents, she grabbed some chocolate and walked over to the tv, “I’ll pay Ben back later..”

    “I should have called her..” Ben commented as it went on to 9.
    “You tried, remember? At 7? She wasn’t in. I’m sure she’s out here somewhere having a blast..” Darren commented sitting on a park bench.
    “Boy, you worry too much Benny boy..” Daniel said kicking the sand underneath the swing he was sitting on.
    Ben just laughed and he gave Nichole another push on her swing.
    Nichole giggled and looked back at Ben, “Nah, I think it’s cute. Girls think it’s cute when guys fuss and worry about them, don’t we Anna?”
    Anna shrugged and pulled at some more grass, “Well to a certain extent, just don’t annoy her with it Ben..”
    “Ok, but still. I mean, I should have recalled her up, it’s been like 2 hours.. Know what? I feel bad now,” He looked around for a second, “I’m going to head back now. Watch out for the scary fans guys, Darren, I’m looking your way. Bye..” And with that, he took a few steps in a northern direction. Stopping he turned back to them, “Um, where is the hotel?”
    Darren laughed and pointed the opposite way to which Ben was walking, “Thata way.”

    Ben opened his door quietly and walked in. He had had to convince the people down at the main lobby to give him a set of keys to the room. The people didn't believe a word he said but after a good ten minutes they finally gave in.
    He walked over to Willow who was asleep silently on the bed all curled up. Lightly brushing a lock of her hair away from her face he placed a light kiss on her forehead.
    Ben yawned and sat on the couch that stood off to the side of the bed. Stretching his legs out he closed his eyes.

    Ben turned a bit, still half asleep. He half sat up rubbing his neck, he stopped and tried to open his eyes. Ben looked down, Willow was curled up with her head in his lap sleeping. Quickly he looked to the bed to make sure he wasn't just imagining it for some odd reason.
    Rubbing his neck again he looked at his watch, barely after 1. He wondered if he should risk moving her back to the bed, he couldn't sleep sitting up, it was doing a number on his neck.
    He brushed his hand over the side of her face and carefully moved her into his lap. Willow whimpered briefly but slipped back into her sleep.
    Ben picked her up and stood. He carried her to the bed and placed her down softly. After he removed his shoes and socks he went to lie down.
    "Ben.." Willow said as he turned.
    Ben gasped and placed his hand briefly to his chest, "Lord," He took another breath, "Sorry for waking you.."
    Willow drew her knees into her chest and rested her head on her knees as she watched Ben, "You didn't. I was awake, well half there."
    "Oh, so, uh, why did you move off the bed?" Ben asked turning around to sit on the bed comfortably looking at Willow.
    "I don't know.. Nothing is clear to me right now," She looked around then stood. She walked over to the radio and turned it on and turned the volume down so it was barely there. Sitting in a chair she looked back to Ben who was still sitting on the bed.
    "Willow, are you sure you don't want to go home?"
    "Yeah.. I'm sure.."
    "Will, I'm serious. If you don't feel well, go home. I don't want you staying here because of me."
    Tears swelled in Willow's eyes, "I seriously don't know. I mean, we haven't even spent that much time together but already.." And she drifted off.
    "Already what?"
    "Nothing.." She mumbled looking down.
    "Already sick, bored of me? Don't worry, I want to know what exactly is going on. I won't get mad.."
    "No! It's not like that.. I still really like you..alot.. It's just..I don't want to be here..but I DO," She sighed, usually Willow was great with words but she had no idea how to word her problem just right, "I mean, when I was home I desperately wanted to be here, with you. And now I am here, but I almost want to go back home.. I just don't kn.." Willow paused and looked over to the radio.


"And you give and you give and you give yourself away
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live, with or without you"


    Ben smiled half heartedly, "Darren was right.. Bono does know all.."
    "Ben.."

    The van ride to their next hotel was silent. Either everyone was too tired to bother talking or they didn't want to break the silence.
    Anna Maria looked up to Ben then back to Willow. She looked to Darren, "What's up with Ben and her?"
    Darren looked and noticed the two were at either ends of the van and neither looked in that great of a mood. He shrugged, "I don't know.."
    "Maybe they had a fight."
    "Maybe.." Darren agreed briefly.
    "You see that, just because they had a fight we all have to suffer!"
    Darren looked to Anna and laughed, "What are you talking about?"
    "Well, it's true! I mean, look. No one is talking, everyone is solemn, and quite, all because those two had some silly little tiff."
    "Boy, some one almost sounds bitter.."
    "Bitter!" Anna gave him a look, "What is THAT supposed to mean?"
    "Well, I mean," Darren halted, "You don't really have anyone, and then Ben does, and yet he still can't seem to be fully content. Jealous or something?"
    "I don't have anyone?" She gave him a smirk, "Really huh? Jealous, of who? Willow, or them? If you say Willow, I'll hurt you.."
    Darren patted her shoulder, "Nevermind," He yawned and leaned back.

    Willow took her 'Devil You Know' Econoline Crush cd out of her discman and hunted for a new cd.
    She flipped through her collection as the van went over a bump. She hesitated at Savage Garden, was it really even wise to listen to them?
    Pulling the cd out, she inspected the bright orange surface, it was halfway in before she withdrew it, 'Nevermind, dumb idea. You don't want to sicken yourself of them..' and with that thought she pulled out the next cd, 'Fumbling Toward Escasy' Sarah McLachlan.
    Willow smiled, Darren automatically came to mind. She slipped the cd in and sat back, pulling her knees into her chest.

    As the van came to a sudden halt, Willow had to put her hands out to keep from falling off the seat. She looked to Nichole, who was sleeping, as she came jolted awake.
    "Are you ok?" Willow asked as Nichole sat up looking a little shaken.
    Nichole nodded quickly, "Yeah. That just scared me a wee bit." She sat up yawning and stretched. "I'm so tired.."
    "You? At least you got some sleep last night, I didn't get much at all."
    A sassy grin sprang to Nichole's lips, "Oh.."
    Willow playfully pushed Nichole over, "Oh, be quiet! Not even!"
    The two girls looked up giggling as Ben chuckled softly, "You two planning on leaving any time soon, or should I just leave?"
    Both stood and composed themselves. Nichole grabbed the small bag she had brought into the van and walked past Ben. She patted his head, "Keep on dreaming Ben..but don't hold your breath.." She made a face and rubbed her hand on her jeans, "Ew, too much gel B.."
    Ben shook his head, "Yes, bye Nicy." He quickly brought his hand to his hair, "There's not that much.." He murmured to himself.
    Willow sat back down and looked up at Ben.
    He looked at her carefully before speaking, "So, how are you? You planning on coming with us?"
    She nodded, "I'm fine. Yeah, I'm coming.." She threw her discman into her carry-along bag and slung it over her shoulder.

    As Ben and Willow stepped out of the van, Anna Maria elbowed Darren. Who, in response, grunted, "Ow!"
    "Look at those two now!"
    Darren looked over to Ben who had his arms around Willow slowly rocking her back and forth, "Ok, what?" He asked returning his gaze back to Anna.
    "Well I just mean, not ten minutes ago they were plainly ignoring each other. And now.." She said trailing off.
    Darren laughed and caught up with Lee, "On Annie.. Just leave them alone!"
    Anna just shook her head laughing, "What do you think I'm going to do?" She walked over to help Nichole with one of her bags.

    Everyone grouped up, or headed off on their own, except for Ben and Willow.
    Ben listened to some music before speaking up, "You want to check out the city or something? Later or whenever?"
    Willow looked up, from what looked like a magazine to Ben, "Yeah, sure. Later sounds good."
    Ben nodded and turned his music off, "I'm going to grab a shower."
    Willow nodded, "Ok. Oh!"
    He looked back quickly.
    "Could you turn that back on? It was quite good. Who is it?"
    Ben laughed and turned it back on, "A small band I'm friends with from home."

...Chapter 18...




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