Kansas Story
by Grace
Chapter 81 - 90
*******************
Chapter 81 - The Boost
February 23, Sunset Beach, California, Maria's place
Derek: Nice place you have here.
Maria: I can't afford anything better until the divorce is finalized and I get all the money I deserve.
Derek: Don't worry, you will. Just be patient.
Maria: This whole waiting is driving me crazy.
Derek: I know.
Maria: What about your plan?
Derek: To get a little revenge on Ben?
Maria: Yes.
Derek: Don't worry. Everything in time. But this is going to be a wonderful revenge.
Maria: I need to make sure that he hurts.
Derek: He will hurt. And you know when he is going to hurt the most?
Maria: When?
Derek: When his precious Meg is going to hurt. Seeing her hurt will break his heart. And that's what we want, isn't it?
Maria: Yes. Ben has to pay for everything he did to me. For all the times he rejected me.
Derek: Don't worry, he WILL pay. Along with his dear Meg.
Maria: That little bitch has to pay too. I hate her.
Derek (smiling ominously): Don't be so harsh on her. She is just a farm girl from Kansas.
Maria: That's what's driving me crazy - she is just a farm girl. What does he see in her?
Derek: That's not the time to talk about it. It doesn't really matter now.
Maria: I know. All that matters is that Ben pays for everything.
Derek: Soon, my dear. Soon. Actually I intend to start our little plan tomorrow.
Maria: That's great. I can't wait.
***
February 24, Sunset Beach, California, Ben Evans' house
Ben is about to take a shower when the phone rings. He answers and hears familiar voice.
The voice: Hello Ben.
He recognizes it, but cannot place it anywhere.
Ben: Who's that?
The voice: It's been a long time.
Ben (still not being able to realize who's on the line): Who's there?
The voice: Come and check it out. I'll be waiting at 127 Oak Drive in a half an hour.
Ben: Who are you?
The voice: Half an hour.
Ben: Wait.
Ben hears the earphone being put down.
Ben: What the hell was that about?
Ben takes his jacket and leaves the house. After about twenty minutes he reaches Oak Drive and finds number 127. He gets inside. It's an old warehouse, but it seems that someone has been there before. Ben looks around but doesn't notice anything strange. Suddenly he hears the door closing. He turns around and is shocked to see his brother.
Ben: My God.
Derek (smiling ominously): Welcome, brother dear.
Ben: What the hell are you doing here? I thought that you were finally going to leave me alone.
Derek: Don't count on that.
Ben: What the hell do you want?
Derek: Revenge.
Ben: Revenge? For what?
Derek: I think you know.
Derek smiles ominously and takes out a syringe. Before Ben realizes it, he feels prickle.
Ben: Damn you, Derek.
Ben tries to escape, but Derek only laughs.
Derek: Don't bother. You won't even get to the car.
Derek smiles and Ben starts to collapse.
Derek: Soon I will have everything (laughs) Including your precious Meg.
Ben: You touch her and you're dead.
Derek: I doubt that.
Ben: I'm telling you Derek, if you hurt her.
Derek: Don't worry, I will take a wonderful care of your little Meg.
Chapter 82 - The Lost Connection
February 25, Sunset Beach, California, Maria's place
Derek: So, looks like I'm Ben from now on.
Maria: Well, you'd better be. And remember - Meg cannot find out who you really are.
Derek: Don't worry - she will not have a clue. until of course.
Maria (raving): Until it's too late.
Derek (smiles): Exactly.
Maria: Oh, and by the way - what have you done to Ben. or on the second thought - I don't wanna know.
Derek: Don't worry - Ben will be perfectly fine to see his precious Meg getting hurt.
Maria: Perfect, perfect. And now go. We don't want Meg to have any suspicious, now do we?
Derek: Of course we don't.
Derek smiles ominously and leaves Maria's apartment. Soon he reaches Surf -Central. He knows that he would see Meg anyway at the Java Web, but he wants to surprise her, cause that's what Ben would do.
Derek (thinks): Gosh, I need to think the way Ben would. That's so frustrating, he is such a jerk.
Derek sighs and enters Surf - Central. Casey is downstairs getting ready for work.
Casey (surprised to see 'Ben'): Ben? What are you doing here?
Derek (looking for an excuse): Oh, I just came by to see how Meg was doing. She said she had a headache yesterday and I just wanted to see if she is gonna be able to come to work today.
Casey: That's strange, she never mentioned any headache.
Derek: Probably she just didn't want to worry you.
Casey: Probably. But couldn't you just call?
Derek: I could, but I have to give Meg some files anyway.
Casey: Oh. Well then bye.
Casey leaves. Derek goes upstairs and reaches Meg's room. She is still sleeping. Derek looks at her face and smiles.
Derek (thinks): I guess now I understand what Ben sees in her.
He sits on the bed and starts stroking her hair. She wakes up and looks at him with her sleepy eyes.
Meg: Ben? What are you doing here this early?
Derek: Oh, I just wanted to see you.
Meg (pointing her head): I'm sure I look great with this hair-do.
Derek: Don't worry, you look beautiful.
Meg: Yeah, right.
Derek: Really.
Meg: Ben, do you always have to be so sweet?
Derek: When I'm with you - yes.
Meg blushes and strokes Derek's hair. He leans and kisses her. She feels a strange feeling all around her body and she doesn't know what it is. She slowly pulls away.
Derek (surprised): Meg, what's wrong?
Meg (confused): Nothing. I just felt something.
Derek: What?
Meg: I don't know. I can't describe it.
Derek: Maybe you're sick or something?
Meg: No, I'm fine, I'm fine.
Derek: Good. But on the other hand, I would really love taking care of you.
Meg: Oh, I believe you would.
Derek: But seriously - you'd better stay OK.
Meg: I'll try.
Derek: Look, I need to go to the Java Web. Will I see you there in a minute?
Meg: I'm afraid not.
Derek: Why?
Meg: I have a second shift today, remember? I'm coming at two.
Derek: Right. Then see you at two.
Meg (smiles): See you.
Derek kisses her.
Derek: I'm sorry I woke you up.
Meg: Don't worry. You can wake me up whenever you want.
Derek (kissing her again a little bit more passionately): I'll remember that. (he heads towards the door) Bye.
Meg: Bye.
Derek leaves. Meg looks at the door and sighs.
Meg (to herself): What happened to you, Ben?
Chapter 83 - Getting Revenge
February 27, Sunset Beach, California, The beach
Meg and Derek are having a stroll on the beach. Derek told Meg to take a day off, cause as he claimed he wanted to be alone with her. Meg had nothing against it since the work has been really hard recently.
Meg: You know, this was great idea to take that walk. I really needed it.
Derek: I'm glad you enjoy it.
Meg: I do.
Derek: And I know what you would enjoy even more.
Meg: And what is that?
Derek (kissing her): THIS.
Meg (a little confused as she doesn't find the kiss so wonderful as she used to): You really know me too well.
Derek (laughing inside): Don't forget that we're soul mates. (You wish... -G.)
He never believed in such things and he finds it stupid, but he needs to make sure that Meg believes that she is Ben.
Meg (smiling ): I know (she thinks) Oh my God, what is going on with me? Why do I find kissing with Ben so strange? What's going on?
Derek (looking at her inquisitively): What are thinking about?
Meg: Nothing. I was just thinking how lucky I am to be with you.
Derek: Well, then I guess we're both lucky.
He smiles and pulls her closer for a series of very passionate kisses. In the meantime he winks his eye to Maria who starts taking photos of him and Meg kissing. Derek smiles as he knows how much seeing those pictures is going to hurt Ben.
Meg (confused): What are you smiling about?
Derek: Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking how wonderful it is to be here with you.
Meg: It is wonderful indeed. (she smiles and looks at her watch) Oh my God, it's so late!
Derek: Don't worry, your shift at the Deep starts in two hours.
Meg: I know, but I promised Casey and Rae that I would help them with the dinner today. I hate to say this, but I'm afraid I will have to leave you.
Derek: Do you really have to go?
Meg: I'm afraid so. But I'll see you at the Deep later, OK?
Derek: I guess.
Meg: Bye.
She kisses his cheek and she is gone. Maria approaches Derek.
Maria: What the hell happened to her?
Derek: She needed to go back to Surf - Central. (looks meaningfully at the camera) What about our little surprise for Ben?
Maria: Everything is perfect.
Derek: Great. I can't wait to show those photos to Ben.
Maria: I wish I could be there too.
Derek: I know. But it's better that Ben doesn't know that you're in this too.
Maria (handing Derek the camera): Here you go. Do whatever you want with it.
Derek: Don't worry. I know exactly what to do with it.
***
February 27, Sunset Beach, California, Oak Drive
Derek enters the warehouse and sees his brother in chains. He smiles ominously.
Derek: Hello brother dear.
Ben: Hello you creep!
Derek: Don't start with me, Ben.
Ben: I'm not afraid of you.
Derek: You should be. Cause I can hit when it hurts the most.
Ben: What the hell do you mean?
Derek: And how do you think?
Derek smiles and throws the photos of him and Meg at Ben. Ben's heart is broken when he sees Meg kissing his brother.
Derek: And you said we weren't the same. We are, you just don't wanna see it. Why else would she be kissing me like that?
Ben: You bastard!
Derek: Don't get so mad, Ben.
Ben: I told you - if you touch her..
Derek (smiles): I already have.
Ben: If you touch her I'm gonna kill you.
Derek: Don't worry, I will not do anything she will not want. But THIS (Derek points photos) doesn't look as if I made her, does it?
Ben looks at the photos and realizes that Derek is right. And that's what hurts the most.
Derek: You see, I'm taking a good care of your Meg.
Ben doesn't say anything. He just looks at the photo of Meg and Derek and prays that Derek doesn't hurt her.
Chapter 84 - The Stranger
March 1, Sunset Beach, California, The Deep
Derek: Meg, remember that files we were supposed to go through?
Meg: Sure. What about it?
Derek: Maybe we could do it now?
Meg: I'll be in your office in a minute.
Derek: I thought that we would go to my place. (Your place??? You wish - G.) It is so much more quiet there.
Meg: OK, when?
Derek: Now.
He smiles and goes upstairs to take the documents they need. A few minutes later they reach Ben's house.
Derek: Do you want anything to drink?
Meg: No, thanks.
Derek: Your choice.
He smiles and they sit on the coach. Meg starts looking into the files.
Meg (sighs): That doesn't look bad.
Derek (looking into her eyes): Well, it depends on what are you looking at.
Meg (blushes): Ben.
She doesn't finish as he shuts her up with a kiss.
Meg: Ben, I thought that we were going to take care of something very important.
Derek (kissing her again more passionately): We are.
Meg: What about business?
Derek: Business can wait.
He grins and lifts her up.
Meg: Ben, what are you doing?
Derek: And what do you think I'm doing?
He carries her upstairs to the bedroom and puts her on the bed.
Meg: You really are naughty, you know?
Derek: I love being naughty towards you.
Meg: You're really making work harder.
Derek: I know.
He starts kissing her and Meg gets the strange feeling again. The same one she had when Derek kissed her for the first time. It doesn't taste like her Ben. It doesn't. Meg pulls away.
Derek: Meg, what's wrong?
Meg: Nothing. I just.
Derek: What?
Meg: Nothing, forget it.
Derek: I think I can..
He smiles and starts kissing her neck. He starts removing her blouse exposing her shoulders. He smiles inside at how easy it is to fool her and how wonderful it's going to be to tell Ben that he had his precious Meg.
He takes off her blouse and kisses her lips once again. Meg gets the strange feeling. as if what she is doing was wrong. She feels that she can't do it right now..
Meg (trying to pull away): Ben, no.
Derek (surprised): Meg, are you OK?
Meg: I'm fine, I'm fine. I just remember that it's my turn to prepare the dinner today.
Derek: The dinner?
Meg: Yes. Casey and Michael are going to come back from work very hungry.
Derek: And can't you just leave them a message to eat out.
Meg: No, no. I need to make the dinner.
Derek: But Meg?
Meg: I'll call you, OK? Bye.
Meg kisses him, puts on her blouse and rushes out of Ben's house.
Derek: Damn it!
***
March 2, Sunset Beach, California, Oak Drive
Derek: I'm sorry I didn't come by to visit you yesterday, but I was having some fun.
Ben: Oh did you?
Derek (looking at Ben meaningfully): Oh yes I did. And guess who was having fun with me.
Ben: You wouldn't dare.
Derek: Oh, I dared. (he smiles) We had a great time yesterday. And what a wonderful night. You wouldn't even imagine.
Ben: If you touched her.
Derek: You know, she looked a little bit too innocent for me, but let me tell you, yesterday night she was nothing but innocent.
Ben: Shut up, Derek!
Derek: She was sexy, seductive and so passionate. And she wanted me. God, she wanted me SO MUCH! (Yeah right! - G.)
Ben: You wish. (Exactly my point - G.)
Derek: Well, maybe it doesn't matter who she wanted, but it counts who she made love to.
Ben: You son of a bitch!!!
Derek: Don't worry, I didn't do anything you hadn't done to her already. (Derek smiles and heads towards the door) Anyway, I just wanted to let you know. Oh, and don't worry - soon I will leave your Meg alone. When I start my little plan that is.
Ben: What plan?
Derek: That doesn't really matter for you. But before I get along with this plan, I will have some more fun with Meg.
Ben: Don't you dare touch her!
Derek: That's really up to me.
Derek smiles and leaves. Ben looks helplessly at the photos of Meg and Derek which are still there. This can't be true. Meg would never slept with Derek. She wouldn't.
Ben (with his heart broken): Derek is right. Meg thinks that he is me. And if he thinks that she. (he sighs) No!!! God, please don't let her do that, please.
Chapter 85 - A Stroke
March 5, Sunset Beach, California, Ben Evans' house
Meg silently enters Ben's house. It's seven o'clock. She was supposed to be there at eight, but she thought that she would surprise Ben a little bit earlier. Besides she feels that she needs to apologize for her behaviour the other night.
She doesn't see the light downstairs so she figures out that Ben must be in the bedroom. She goes upstairs and opens the door to the bedroom. She is shocked by what he sees - "Ben" is in bed with Maria and they are about to make love. She can't believe what she is seeing. Tears immediately start flowing on her cheeks. She wants to get away, but something tells her to stay. She listens to Maria's and "Ben's" conversation.
Derek (laughs): I really don't understand why I divorced you.
Maria: To be able to play games with this little corn girl.
Derek: Oh right.
Maria: I really don't understand what you saw in her.
Derek: Well, she was so innocent. And so inexperienced. if you know what I mean.
Maria (laughing): Oh I do, I do.
Derek: I liked that. I really did.
Maria: DID?
Derek: I still do. I love playing those game with little, poor, innocent Meg.
Maria: And she has no idea that we're still seeing each other.
Derek (laughs): Not only seeing. Don't worry, she will never find out. She loves me way too much to have any doubts.
Meg looks at the two of them stunned. Can it be true? Can it be really happening? Is that Ben? Could he do something like this?
Meg (screams): No!!!!
Derek and Maria realize that she is there.
Derek (pretending to be surprised although he knew that she would come): Meg? What are you doing here?
Meg: Nothing. I'm sorry, I didn't want to interrupt.
She heads towards the stairs and Derek runs after here.
Derek: Meg, wait, I can explain.
Meg: Explain what? Why you're in bed with your ex-wife. I don't think so.
Derek (grabbing Meg's hand): Meg.
Meg: Don't bother.
She pulls away and with tears in her eyes she storms out of the house. Derek comes back to the bedroom and smiles to Maria.
Derek: I told you she would come.
Maria: You are a genius, Derek.
Derek: I know.
Maria: Now the poor little Meg thinks that her beloved Ben only played with her. That's perfect.
***
March 5, Sunset Beach, California, The beach
Meg runs as fast as she can, trying to forget what she has just seen.
Meg (trying to come to her senses): This can't be happening. this can't be. He couldn't do that to me. not again.
She can't believe that Ben played with her feelings for the second time, that she let him fool her for the second time. That she believed him. She can't believe that everything Ben used to say to her was just another lie. But why did she feel that it was so true? She felt that everything Ben said was really coming from the bottom of his heart, that he really felt that connection. She really believed that they were soul mates. She can't believe that she was wrong about him once again.
Meg (cries): So is this all you loved about me, Ben? That I was inexperienced? God, how could you do this to me again? How could I let you do this to me again? Damn you, Ben, why are you doing this to me? Why do you keep hurting me like this? I love you, I thought you loved me too... I thought what we had was something special. You made me believe in that and now you're ruining everything. Why?
She speeds up and reaches Surf - Central. She just wants to be alone and forget about Ben.
She rushes into Surf - Central, still sobbing. She prays that no one is in the living room, but unfortunately Casey notices her coming inside. He also notices that she has been crying.
Casey: Meg, what's wrong?
Meg (trying to hold back her tears): Nothing. I need to go to my room.
Casey (grabbing Meg's hand): Meg?
Meg (angry): Look, I said I was fine. Now, let go of me!
Casey: All right, all right.
He lets go of her and she reaches the stairs.
Casey (to himself): What the hell is wrong with you, Meg?
Chapter 86 – Avoidance
March 7, Sunset beach, California, The Deep
Meg enters The Deep scared that she would run into ‘Ben’. She didn’t come to work yesterday because she wouldn’t be able to face him, but she decided that it’s high time she ended this game.
He sees Mark at the bar and walks closer to him.
Mark (noticing her): Hey Meg, you’re a little bit early. Your shift starts in half an hour.
Meg: I know… I’m not here to work…
Mark: Then why are you here?
Meg: Actually I am here to give my resignation…
Mark: Resignation? You’re quitting the job? Why?
Meg: Let’s just say that I cannot work here anymore… For very personal reasons.
Mark: Well, Ben should be here any minute.
Meg: Actually, I would appreciate if you just gave it to him. I’m in a hurry…
Mark: Sure… What am I supposed to tell him?
Meg: Nothing. He knows why.
Mark: OK… (noticing Ben) Looks like I won’t have to do anything for you… Ben is coming here.
Meg (thinks frightened): No…
But there is no escape. Ben is already by her and Mark’s side.
Meg (trying to run away): Excuse me.
Derek (grabbing her hand): Meg, wait…
Mark sees the expression on Meg’s face and decides to give them some privacy. He walks away and comes back to work.
Meg (angry): What the hell do you want?
Derek: We need to talk.
Meg: We have nothing to talk about.
Derek: It’s about business.
Meg: We do not have any business together!
Derek: You’re my waitress.
Meg: Not anymore.
Derek: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Meg: I don’t work for you anymore… I just gave Mark my resignation…
Derek: What? You can’t do this!
Meg: I already have!!!
She looks at him hatefully and storms out of the Deep. Mark notices that and approaches ‘Ben’.
Mark: What the hell was that about?
Derek: I have no idea. (Like hell you don’t… - G.)
***
March 8, Sunset Beach, California, Surf – Central
Meg looks at her photo with Ben taken during the house-warming at Surf – Central. Everything seemed so easy then. Her life seemed to be prefect. She had a new house, new friends, a wonderful job and Ben by her side. Now all she has left is the house, cause she even can’t tell her new friends how hurt she is and why.
Meg (sighs): Why, Ben? Why did you do this to me?
She feels a tear rolling on her cheek and remembers all the wonderful times she shared with Ben. She is brought to reality by a phone call. She answers.
Meg: Surf – Central.
Joan: Sweetie, is that you?
Meg: Hi, mom. How are you?
Joan: I’m fine. The question is – how are YOU? How is your life in Sunset Beach going? It’s been over a month since you left Ludlow.
Meg: Everything is fine here. My new friends are great.
Joan: And how is Ben? Is he as charming as always?
Meg’s eyes fill with tears. She drops the earphone.
Joan (after a while without Meg’s answer): Meg, are you there? Meg?
She hurriedly lifts the earphone.
Meg: I’m here…
Joan: So?
Meg: So what?
Joan: I asked about Ben. How are things going between the two of you?
Meg (through tears): Wonderful… Ben and I are perfect… just perfect…
Joan (feeling that something is wrong and noticing the strange sound of Meg’s voice): Honey, are you OK?
Meg: I’m fine… I’m just tired, I had a hard day at work… Can we please put that conversation off for another time? I would really like to go to sleep now.
Joan: Sure… We’ll talk in a few days.
Meg: OK, bye mom. I love you.
Joan: I love you too.
Meg: Please give dad my best.
Joan: I will. Bye, sweetheart.
Meg hangs up.
Meg (sighs): I wish I could tell the truth about Ben. But I can’t. If dad found out the truth, he would kill Ben…
Chapter 87 - What Would Hurt The Most
March 10, Sunset Beach, California, Maria's place
Maria: So, how are things going with Meg?
Derek: Actually, I haven't seen her for a few days. She avoids me. She quither job at the Deep and Java Web. I haven't heard from her.
Maria: So, we don't exactly know if she is hurting or not.
Derek: Believe me, she is. She can't stand the thought that her beloved Ben has betrayed her again.
Maria (smiles ominously): If only she knew.
Derek: Yeah.
Maria: You know, maybe we should check how little Meg is coping with the fact that everything what attracted Ben about her was her inexperience.
Derek (smiling): What do you have in mind?
Maria: Maybe you should come by and see how she is doing.
Derek: You think so?
Maria: Absolutely. What do you think is gonna upset her more than seeing her BEN?
Derek: You're right. It's gonna be a smite for her.
Maria: Very big smite. And I think you should pay her a little visit right now.
Derek: Now?
Maria: Yeah, it's a perfect time.
Derek: OK. Bye.
He kisses her passionately and leaves. After about twenty minutes he reaches Surf - Central. Derek rings and Mark opens the door.
Mark (surprised): Hi Ben. What brings you here?
Derek: I came here to see Meg.
Mark: Yeah. She quit her job. Do you have any idea why?
Derek: No, but I hope she will tell me.
Mark: Good luck then.
Mark smiles and Derek walks upstairs. The door to Meg's room are open. He gets inside scaring her to death.
Meg: Oh my God, Ben.
Derek: I'm sorry I scared you.
Meg (letting him know how hard it is for her to see him): Why did you come?
Derek: I wanted to make sure that you're OK.
Meg (bursting into tears): I'm not OK and you know it. Since you came - can you please just tell me one thing?
Derek: What?
Meg: Why? Why did you do this to me? You know, I don't even have strength anymore to be angry with you. It hurts so much. I just wanna know why. You know that I loved you.
Derek: That's exactly what I came here to talk about.
Meg: Oh really?
Derek: Yes. Look, I love you too.
Meg (bursting into tears again): God Ben, how can you be so cruel to me?
Derek: Cruel? I tell you that I love you and that's cruel?
Meg: Yes. After everything you said about me earlier - YES.
Derek: Meg, I love you.
Meg: Or rather my inexperience.
Derek: Meg, please.
Meg: No, Ben. I don't have strength anymore. I can't listen to your lies once again. I trusted my heart once and it brought a way too much pain for me. That's why I don't wanna hear you anymore. I don't wanna see you anymore. It's too hard. (sighs) Or maybe that's what turns you on, huh? Seeing me hurt. in tears. That's what you like?
Derek: Meg.
Meg: You've hurt me so much that I can't even cry anymore. You took my heart. God, I don't even know why I'm telling you all this. Please just leave. I don't want to have anything to do with you. Just go.
Derek: Meg, please, listen to me.
Meg: No, I'm through listening. And if you don't get out of here right now, I'm gonna have to ask someone to throw you out.
Derek: All right, I'm going.
Meg: And don't come back. Never.
Derek leaves and Meg bursts into tears again. This is not her Ben. HER Ben would never do anything like this. Her Ben could never be so cruel. What happened to her Ben?
Chapter 88 - Pain
March 11, Sunset Beach, California, Oak Drive
Ben looks at the picture of Meg and Derek kissing with his heart broken into pieces. He knows his brother and he knows what he is capable of. He is scared to death that he will hurt Meg. And not only physically but most of all psychically.
Ben (thinks): I can't let that happen. I can't.
He tries to free from the chains and at the same time Derek enters the warehouse.
Derek (smiling ominously): Don't bother. You will never get away from here (Derek looks at the photos) So, did you have enough of me and Meg?
Ben: Don't start, Derek.
Derek: I'm sure you're going crazy here imagining how much fun we're having at night.
Ben: You bastard!!! If you touched her.
Derek: Oh, I have and actually she liked it.
Ben: I'm telling you - if you hurt her or our baby.
Derek (raves): Baby! Wow! I didn't know she was pregnant. Congratulations.
Ben: If you hurt this baby.
Derek: Don't worry, now she finally found out the truth and she doesn't want to have anything to do with me. I mean YOU.
Ben: What are you talking about? What truth?
Derek: That you just played with her and that you still love Maria.
Ben: You didn't tell her that, did you?
Derek: I didn't have to. She found out herself. (laughs) She walked in on me. I mean YOU and Maria.
Ben (disgusted): You're sick.
Derek: But it worked. She thinks that you used her to have some fun.
Ben (knowing how hurt Meg must be right now): You creep. I'm gonna get you for that!
Derek: I don't think so. You're stuck in here.
Ben: You bastard!
Derek: OK, now I really don't like the way you're calling me. Bye.
Derek smiles and leaves. Ben can't believe that Derek is actually doing all this to Meg. He can imagine how hurt she is and how her heart is breaking on the thought that he doesn't love her. But he does, with his whole heart. If only he could get away and prove it. He knows he has to escape for her and their baby, before it's too late.
***
March 12, Sunset Beach, California, Surf - Central
Meg is woken up by a phone call. She answers and hears a familiar voice.
Ashley: Hey you. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Meg: Of course not.
Ashley: Look, if you're with Ben then I can.
Meg (screams): No, I am not with Ben! (she realizes that she was being a little harsh on her friend): Ash, I'm sorry.
Ashley: Meg, is everything OK?
Meg: No. Nothing is OK. Everything is. God, my life is one big mess.
Ashley: Meg, what happened?
Meg: Ben happened. He ruined my life. And this time for good.
Ashley: What are you talking about?
Meg: He lied to me. Again. He is still with his wife.
Ashley: But I thought they got divorced.
Meg: They did. But it didn't stop him from making love to her.
Ashley (shocked): What?
Meg: Ash, I walked in on them.
Ashley: Are you sure? Maybe.
Meg: There are no maybes. It was him and his wife. He said some things. I never thought that he could be so cruel.
Ashley: And what did he say?
Meg: That doesn't matter. What matters is that we're over.
Ashley: But does that mean that you will be coming back to Kansas?
Meg: I don't know. Probably. But I just need some time right now.
Ashley: Sure.
Meg: Oh, and please don't say anything to my parents. I let them think that I'm happy here and I want it to stay that way.
Ashley: OK. But are you sure you're gonna be fine?
Meg: I have to be.
Ashley: Meg, if anything happens or if you just wanna talk, you've got my number, don't you?
Meg: I do. Thank you.
Chapter 89 - A Favor... A Very Big Favor
March 13, Sunset Beach, California, Surf - Central
Casey knocks to Meg's room.
Casey: Meg, can I come in?
Meg: Sure.
Casey comes in and sits on Meg's bed.
Meg (surprised): So, what brings you here?
Casey: You mean - to your room?
Meg (smiles): Yeah. What's up?
Casey: Look, Meg, I know that we've known each other only for a month and something, but I feel like there was something wrong with you.
Meg (pretending that she doesn't know what Casey is talking about): With me? Why?
Casey: Well, you've been so quiet recently. so sad. You weren't like this when you first came back to Sunset Beach.
Meg: Well, maybe because I was to stupid then. too naive.
Casey: Why?
Meg (realizing that she has said too much): Nothing, nothing, just forget it.
Casey (looks at her inquiringly): Meg?
Meg: Look, Casey, I don't wanna be rude or anything, but I would rather not talk about it right now. I will be fine.
Casey: Are you sure?
Meg (smiles): Yes. But thank you for your concern. I really appreciate it.
Casey: Hey, we're roommates. And friends.
Meg: I know. Thanks.
Casey: Are you sure you're fine?
Meg: I'm OK.
Casey: Fine, then I need to go back to work. Bye.
Casey leaves.
***
March 14, Sunset Beach, California, The beach
It's completely dark. Meg decided to take a walk, even though Mark warned her that it might be dangerous. But she just couldn't sit at Surf - Central and do nothing. She thought that a walk would help her in getting her mind off Ben. But it doesn't. She keeps thinking about him all the time, everywhere she turns she keeps seeing his face and wondering how such a wonderful man could turn into someone so cruel.
She turns into one of the small alleys. Suddenly she feels that a young girl wrests her purse and starts to run.
Meg (screams): Hey, give it back!!!
The girl doesn't respond and starts running faster.
Meg: Give it back!!!
Meg with fright realizes that she had everything in her purse - documents, money. Earlier that day she received a cheque from the Deep. She immediately starts running after the girl. Meg is doing her best, but the girl is faster and soon disappears in one of the old warehouses.
Meg: Damn it! (Meg hits the wall with anger) What am I supposed to do now?
Meg looks around helpless and comes up with an idea to search through the warehouses.
Meg: Sooner or later I'll bump into her.
Meg sighs and starts her search. She is aware of the fact that she has never been in that part of the town before, but she knows that she needs to find the thief. She starts to ransack every single warehouse around, when she counts twentieth or thirtieth one, she finally gives up.
Meg (sits resigned on the ground): Damn her.
Suddenly she hears a strange rasp.
Meg (frightened): What's that? Who's there? (no answer) Whoever you are, please come out!
No one comes out and Meg gets more frightened. She hears the rasp again.
Meg: What the hell is that? Sound like a chain or something. Damn it, who's there?
There is no answer this time either. Suddenly Meg realizes that the rasp is coming from inside one of the warehouses. At first she freaks out and wants to walk away, but when the rasp becomes more and more heavy, she decides to check it out. She gets inside the warehouse and her heart stops. She feels dizzy and blinks her eyes a several times to make sure that what she's seeing is true.
Meg: Oh my God.
Chapter 90 - Broken Heart Starts To Heal
March 14, Sunset Beach, California, Oak Drive
His heart stops beating when he sees her frightened face. A single tear rolls on his cheek. He doesn't say a word, he just keeps looking into her eyes.
Meg (shocked, scared and confused): My god. Ben.
His name is all she is able to say right now. She keeps looking at him without making a single move. Finally, after a few seconds she comes to her senses.
Meg: Ben, what are you doing here?
Ben (finally coming to himself too): God Meg, tell me that he didn't hurt you or the baby. Please tell me that he didn't hurt either of you.
Meg still can't believe what she is seeing. Ben hurt her very much, but she doesn't appreciate seeing him in such condition.
Meg (still not moving): Who?
Ben: My brother. my twin brother. Please tell me that you're OK. both of you.
Meg: Your what? A twin brother. But what. how. why. What's going on?
Meg looks into Ben's eyes and suddenly realizes that this is Ben. Her Ben. She runs to him.
Meg: Who did this to you?
Ben: Derek. my brother.
Meg; I don't get it. your brother. why?
Ben: He is sick. He imprisoned me and wanted to take my place. God, please tell me that he didn't hurt you.
Meg (starting to add two and two): So it was him. He. How long have you been here?
Ben: About three weeks.
Bursts into tears. She doesn't understand everything, but she knows that it couldn't have been Ben in bed with Maria.
Ben (concerned): Meg, what's wrong?
Meg (through tears): Nothing is wrong. Nothing. Everything is perfect. It wasn't you. in bed with Maria. It wasn't you, right?
Ben (remembering what Derek told him about Meg walking in on him and Maria): No, God, of course not.
Meg: I knew something was wrong. I knew it. Thank God. Ben I love you!
She bursts into tears again and wraps her arms around Ben.
Meg: Why didn't you tell me about him?
Ben: It was. it was too painful. (kisses the top of Meg's head) Thank god he didn't hurt you.
Meg: Why? Why is he doing all this?
Ben: He hates me.
Meg: Why. what.
Ben: Meg?
Meg: Yeah?
Ben: Please, tell me what exactly Derek did.
Meg: Well, it happened a few weeks ago. maybe three like you said. I felt that something was different about you. But it was him. He. I can't believe that I didn't figure it out.
Ben: Hey, hey, you didn't know.
Meg: God, a twin brother. But that explains everything. why I felt like he was a stranger to me. And when I found him. I thought YOU. in bed with Maria and he was saying all those horrible things about me. God, I never felt so hurt in my entire life.
Ben (not being sure if he really wants to know it): What DID he say?
Meg: Some horrible things.. But it doesn't matter now.
Ben: Meg, please, I wanna know.
Meg (remembering that horrible evening): I found him in bed with Maria. He said that he divorced her so that he could have fun with me. And that everything he loved about me was my inexperience in. you know.
Ben (looking at Meg and feeling like if he was going to kill Derek any minute): God, Meg, I'm so sorry. You know that is not true. You know it, don't you? I would never do that to you, I wouldn't.
Meg: Hey, I know. I know. I knew you. and that's why I didn't understand why you were doing this to me. I couldn't believe that you were so cruel. But now I get it. it wasn't you. Thank God..
Ben: Meg, you know I love you. I love you more than anything.
Meg (looking into his eyes): I know, I know. I love you too.
She smiles through tears and kisses him, happy that it finally feels like it should.