Ben sat silently at a table, with his head rested on his hand.
     "Are you ok?"
     Ben looked up and nodded at Darren, who was sitting across from him.
     Darren nodded himself and brought a coffee cup up to his lips, "Just asking. Are you tired then?"
     "Yeah, a bit tired.."
     "Well let me get you some coffee then, got some caffeine into you! It's great, a nice streaming hot cup of - "
     "Of narcotics.. 'Lead singer of Savage Garden hooked on drugs', I can just hear it now Daz.."
     Darren smiled faintly at Ben, "Drugs?"
     "Caffeine. You don't think that's considered a drug? Ever wonder why you simply -need- that cup to get you going in the morning?"
     Darren eyed him and took a big gulp, "Oh well," he murmured, with a shrug, "It's a good drug.."
     Ben picked a slice of apple off a plate on the table and took a bite of it, "So are flight is tomorrow?"
     "Yes it is Benny.. And I want you there early!"
     "Where exactly are we going?"
     Darren paused for a moment, "Osaka! Osaka, Japan."
     Ben looked down as he felt something brush against his leg, Obi sat there contently panting away watching him eat his apple slices. Ben grinned and patted his lap to let the dog up. Obi quickly jumped into Ben's lap and started sniffing at his hand.
     "You want this!?" Ben asked holding some apple up.
     Obi wagged his tail.
     Ben gave the dog the apple piece as Darren went to protest.
     "Ben! I'm trying to get the thing trained! I don't want him to think he can eat off the table, nevermind sit on our laps while we are eating."
     Ben just grinned at him and fed the dog another piece of fruit.

     "Isn't this just great!" Willow shrieked as she looked around her room to find Dawn sitting on her couch.
     Dawn winced, "Willow! Shh! Keep it down.."
     Willow laughed as she walked over to her, "What's your problem?"
     "A headache, a terrible, horrible headache of a hangover.."
     "A hangover! Dawn! Lord, you are way too easy to get smashed!! I want to go out and celebrate some more though!"
     "Gawd I hate you! My head hurts.. Can't you wait a bit though?"
     "No!!! I am so reved up!! I mean, I just want to scream!!!"
     "Hey call up Ben. Bug him for a bit and I'll find my way to tea and some aspirin.."
     "Hm, ok! Yeah, sure, why not.." Willow hopped over to the phone humming to herself. Picking up the phone, she punched in the numerous numbers and waited for the operator to connect her through.
     "Oh," Willow huffed as she heard his machine pick up, "Dawn, he ain't even in!! Oh, hi Ben. Willow here. I'm not even sure what time it is there, so sorry about that. Kind of hoping to talk to you.. But this'll have to do.. I need to gloat, and Dawn has a hangover, and doesn't want to go out, and told me to phone you! So!!! Anyways, I did it! I passed, graduated, got my diploma! I'm now a licensed psychologist!" She squealed, sitting down in her chair, "Now I just have to find a - job.. Damn, I never thought of that part of it.. Oh gawd, that's right, damn, that sucks.. Oh, now I've just depressed myself a bit there.. Oh, well sorry to bug ya! Give me a call later if you'd like! Laters.."
     After Willow hung the phone up she looked back to Dawn, "Oh come on!! I want to go out! You'll be fine.. We'll have a blast! Come on-n-n!"

     Willow groaned as the continuos music rang over and over in her ears. Sitting up she looked around the room, it wasn't hers. After a brief hysteria, she realized she was at Dawn's place.
     Her dream had been pleasant to say the least and she cursed her head ache for rousing her from it. It had been her..and Ben..
     She stood up and rubbed her head. A club blurred in her mind, loud music, lots of people, and alcohol, lots of it.
     Willow started toward Dawn's bedroom door, "Know what Dawn? You better be in way more pain then I am.." She said raising her voice as she reached for the door handle.
     As she opened the door, she quickly shut it again, and backed away, "Oh, my gawd Dawn! I am SOO sorry! Oh gawd.."
     Dawn came running out of her bedroom with a sheet clutched around her, "Willow oh my gawd you scared the crap out of me!"
     Willow looked at her, "Who is that?!"
     "That's Alex.."
     "And you just met him tonight?!"
     "No! I've known Alex for a bit now! This wasn't just meet a guy at a bar and take him home thing.."
     Willow shook her head almost disgusted, "So you're saying this wasn't just a get drunk and make a stupid decision thing?"
     "No, this was something that was bound to happen. Me and Alex have been on and off for a bit now. We were bound to get closer sooner or later.."
     "Getting close is putting it lightly Dawn.."
     Dawn glared at her, "I didn't ask for your opinion Willow. Oh," Dawn started with a mocking laugh, "Your so-called 'boyfriend' called this morning.." Dawn walked back to her room and closed the door.
     Willow groaned as she sat herself down on Dawn's couch.

     "Hello?"
     "Hi Ben.."
     "Oh, Willow, is that you?" Ben asked straining to hear the person on the other end of the phone line. All he could hear was the commotion of a large group of people.
     "Yeah," Willow plugged her ear and spoke up a bit later, "Sorry, I'm at, well it's loud.." Willow groaned inward and look around the club. What was she doing?
     "Oh, ok. So, hey, how are you?"
     "Me? Um, well I'm ok. You?"
     "Fine myself.. So you graduated huh? Little Miss. Psychologist huh?"
     Willow smiled with a little laugh, "Yeah, I've got my diploma.."
     "When's your actual grad ceremony?"
     "Oh, um, next week or so I think.. Why?"
     "Are you going?"
     "No, I don't want really want to go."
     "Aw, why not? It would be fun!"
     "Fun?! Ben! Nuh uh, not even.."
     "Oh it would so! It'd be fun!"
     "Are you offering yourself?"
     She heard Ben chuckle, "Yeah, I suppose you could say that. I'd love to go with you and be there for you.. Though, when is it?"
     "I'd have to get back to you on the date.."
     "Yeah, sure. You have my number. I hope it doesn't interfere with any of the concert dates!"
     "Yeah.."
     "But I'd come to visit later anyway," Ben comment with a small laugh, "Well I really should be getting ready for our flight.."
     "Oh, I'm sorry! I'll let you go. Will you have your cell with you?"
     "Yeah, of course."
     "Ok, I'll call you as soon as I get the date figured out. Bye."
     "Yeah, ok, bye.."

     Willow and Ben talked briefly.
     Ben would be spending a week and a bit with Willow during a few week intermission the band had on their Asian and European tour.
     Both were beyond thrilled and much so looking forward to the visit.

     A conversation. A quick one. Her mother. Willow groaned. Always complaining. Never happy. Always nagging. Disappointment.
     "It's not stupid mother. He's out of the bloody country!" Willow squeezed her eyes shut and rested her forehead on the palm of her hand. "No, I'm not pregnant." Willow squeezed her eyes tighter, just wanting to leave, to get away from it. "I want to get away from this all!" She had thought it aloud. Her mother became all the more mad.
     'Love' her mother had to mention it. She had to bring up that horribly delicate situation that Willow didn't want to deal with.
     Talking, complaining, arguing, talking, agreement, meeting.
     Willow hung the phone up and not two seconds later cursed loudly. "Damn it! Why in the hell did I agree to a dinner with Ben and them?"

     Willow stood in the kitchen helping her mother with dinner.
     "So who is he again?"
     Willow looked over at her mother, "You haven't been listening to me have you?"
     Her mother gave her a look, "I have so been listening dear, I just want to know about him.."
     "What do you want to know?"
     Her mother shredded some carrots up, "What does he look like?"
     Willow smiled, "He's cute.."
     He mother rolled her eyes, "Yes, and with all those men you find 'cute' that doesn't help much.. Is he one of those gothic men you find attractive? One of those preppy tennis players?"
     Willow pondered that for a second, what category could she throw Ben into, "I guess he's kind of 'punkish'.."
     Her mother placed her shredder down, "'Punkish'? What in the world is that? It doesn't sound good.."
     "He's not a punk.. But I guess you could categorize him as one.."
     "Well what does he look like? What does he wear? Does he wear only one color?"
     "He wears clothes mother.."
     "One would hope.."
     Willow bit her bottom lip and cast her glance downward, "Well...."
     "Willow! Come on, what does he look like? You haven't shown me anything at all.. I want to know how much I need to pretend when I see him.."
     Willow looked over at her mother, "Pretend!? What?!"
     "Well, should I be shocked when I see him? Will I have to fight back some kind of laugh?"
     Willow chuckled, "I don't know mother. He has kind of short, bleach blond hair, which he wears spiked. He's taller than me, 6' something. Has a very charming smile, really warm welcoming eyes. A really nice build.." She kind of trailed off.
     Her mother shook her head slowly, "I don't know what to think. You never had any photos of the two of you?"
     "No.. But!" The fact that he was pretty much famous dawned on Willow, "I could round up some pictures! Where's the computer?"
     "The computer? He's got a web page?" She led Willow into the rec room. "There it is.."
     "He hasn't a page, but I know where I can find a picture." Willow sat at the computer and logged onto the internet, "Oh! I have some, er, video of him if you'll get my bag mum.."
     "Ok, I'll get your bag, while you get that picture for me.."

     When her mother returned, Willow got her Savage tape out and popped it into the VCR. She quickly fastforwarded through abunch of footage.
     "Oh, that's that band of yours you like! So where's that picture?"
     "It's right there on the screen.."
     "Oh, isn't that cute.. He plays an 'instrument'. Willow is it really wise to be involved with a man who wants to be a rock star. I mean, he won't have time for you. He'll be spending all his time trying to find a band.."
     "Mother! You don't listen to me at all! Here look.."
     "All I see is that band of yours.. And..isn't that the man you say is Ben?"
     Willow paused as they showed Ben on Regis and KathyLee, "That IS Ben mum.."
     "Oh! He's famous.."
     "Well, yes, to a certain extent.."
     "Why didn't you tell me!"
     Willow rolled her eyes and headed back to the kitchen, with an irritated huff.

     As Ben sat on his flight he looked at his 'lunch' and resisted the urge to hurl. He pushed it aside and munched on peanuts.
     After checking his watch, Ben paged Willow.

     Willow jumped slightly as her pager went off, she checked it and went over to her mom, "Can I use the phone?"
     "Of course!" She said peeking up from her roast, "Who is it?"
     "Oh, it's just Ben.."
     "He better not be canceling on me!"
     Willow just laughed and headed to the phone. "Hi Ben.."
     "Wow, hi luv. It's great to hear your voice.."
     "Thanks.. So, to be quite blunt about it, why'd you call?"
     Ben laughed, "I need a reason to call? I wanted to talk. Taking a flight half way around the world by yourself gets quite boring.. So where are you? I wasn't interrupting anything was I?"
     "Nope!" Willow walked back into the kitchen with the phone to help her mother with the fresh buns she was making, "I'm just at my parents place helping with dinner.."
     "Oh, well I'm sorry to be intruding on all the fun!"
     "Oh yes, just tons! So we're still on for dinner tonight with my parents right Ben?"
     Willow's mother looked over to her, "Of course you are dear! You two aren't going to bail on me after I've been slaving away in the kitchen all day!"
     Ben chuckled, "Tell your mother I wouldn't think of it. Plus, I'd never turn down the offer of a home cooked meal.."
     "He said he wouldn't think of it mum, said he never turns down the offer of a home cooked meal.. So where are you right now?"
     Ben looked out his window, "Over a big bunch of clouds, I don't know.. So, how are you holding up?"
     "Pretty ok so far.."
     "She's not hassling about me too much is she?"
     "Oh no, not at all!" Willow replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
     "Do you want to bail on this?"
     "Yes, but this is going to have to happen eventually if we want to be.."
     "Just making sure there's no cold feet. Well I should let you go. Our connection isn't the best.."
     "Yeah, give me a call when you get here, I'll come and pick you up?"
     "Ok, sounds good. Love you.. Bye.."
     Willow stumbled for a second, "Yeah.. Bye.." She clicked the phone off and set it down slowly.
     Her mother looked at her, "What is it Willow?"
     She quickly shook her head, "Nothing mum.. So..where's Ben's meal?"
     Her mother gave her an odd look, "What? He's 'too good' for my pot roast?"
     Willow sighed, "He's a vegetarian mum.."
     "What!? Why didn't you tell me?! Oh, what am I supposed to do now.. Does he like oriental? I could make up some stirfry, meat on the side. Some egg rolls, rice...."
     Willow just shook her head sighing as she rested her head on the table. 'Why me?!'

     After checking her pager, Willow told her mom a quick goodbye and left for the airport.

     Willow walked into the terminal just as Ben's flight was landing. She walked over to him smiling and hugged him tightly before giving him a kiss.
     "So how are you?" Ben asked, resting his head on her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. The arms he had wrapped around her loosened slightly.
     She smiled against his chest, "I'm fine.." She turned to give him another kiss, "And you?"
     "I'm quite alright right now!" Ben replied smirking as Willow had given him another kiss. "Lord I've missed you! It seems like it's been ages!"
     "It has.. It's been a few VERY long weeks hasn't it?"
     "Yes! It seems like it's been forever. Lord, it's so nice to be in your arms!"
     Ben smiled down at her, "It is.. So you planning on breaking away any time soon so I can grab my bags and head back to your parents place?"
     She squeezed him, "Do we have to? Oh I really don't want to go back there! It's horrible! She's just so.."
     "Oh, come on. We are not turning your parents offer down. That'll just make her worse, you know that."
     "Yeah, I suppose.." Willow finally responded with a huff.

     Ben studied the house they were approaching, "Wow, nice house!"
     "They were over bred."
     Ben just shook his head and squeezed her knee, "Don't worry about it. It will be fine."

     Willow opened the front door, "Hey, you're right! It is all fine.."
     "They aren't in Will, it doesn't count."
     She smiled and closed the door, "Yeah, but still.." She picked up a piece of paper, "Oh, my mum is picking my father up. Give me a second, I have to check on our meal."
     Ben trailed Willow into the kitchen, "What are we having?"
     "Well my mum wasn't listening to me, originally it was pot roast. But now it's like stir fry and stuff."
     Ben laughed, "Ah, she didn't know huh?"
     "I did tell her. But she never listens. C'mere, the living room is in here.."
     When Ben had sat down, Willow curled up with him, "I don't want to be here.." she mumbled into his chest.

     The two were so engrossed with each other, neither heard Willow's parents enter the house.
     "Oh, why hello!"
     Ben jumped, while Willow took a deep cleansing breath to ready herself as she climbed out of Ben's arms.
     Willow gave her father a hug, "Hey dad!"
     Ben walked over and shook each of her parents hand with a smile.

     Dinner - eating, uptight, small talk, lying, side glances, false smiles, compliments, questions - so many questions.
     Willow looked over to Ben who was seated across from her. A parent on either side. The offending parent, her mother, off to her right. Willow didn't mind her father much at all, it was just her mother. She had pinned Ben as horrible even before she had met him and gave him a chance.