While you can...What did that mean?

She'd been able to set it aside for the second birthday party she'd attended in one day...For the same birthday boy. But later, after dealing with Sublimino, it came back to her.

"I know your Ben can be a major doofus. But enjoy him while you can."

She had been about to laugh at the first part, but the second was sobering.

Her first thought was that it meant, before Ben develops the bad attitude that Ben 10,000 had. But was that set in stone?

After the party Ben confided in her that he was afraid of that. He'd asked for her help to avoid it. No jokes, no teasing, the real Ben showed through, and asked for her help. She promised she would be there for him.

But wouldn't knowing the future change the future. For example, if she just assumed that she'd eventually get her black belt and started to slack off in her practice, that could result in her not getting it.

Or would it be a "Terminator" kind of thing? The actions taken to prevent a future event, end up causing it.

She found that she was as afraid of Ben becoming what he called "Ben jerkface" as Ben himself was.

Oh Gwendolyn, she thought, you have that time travel spell. Can't you come help me with this?

Why would she, if Gwendolyn hadn't ever been where Gwen was right now then she'd have no way of knowing how troubled Gwen was at this moment.

Yeah, it doesn't make any sense that she would one day have to live that out again from the other side. So, Gwendolyn had never been where she was now.

That first party, for eighty-year-old Max, had been so much fun. They sang Happy Birthday to him, cut the cake, and then started some music. Ben 10K had so gallantly asked Gwendolyn to dance with him. She giggled as she accepted. The two seemed so happy just to be together.

She had noticed that it seemed Ben wouldn't need to worry about being short all of his life. 10K was tall and muscular, spinning Gwendolyn around effortlessly.

Ben seemed hesitant to join in the dance. Could it be that he didn't know how? It was okay, she'd sit and talk to him as they watched.

"Looks like you'll grow into a pretty big guy."

That got a little bit if a smile. He responded. "Yeah, and looks like you're growing to be really pretty."

"Why Ben?" She asked teasingly, "Do you have a crush on Gwendolyn?"

"Ah, don't flatter yourself."

As dramatically as she could she said, "Don't worry Ben, I won't tell me."

She saw a mischievous light in his eyes as he said, "Because you'll be too busy running from me." They were both out of their seats and she ran from him. The two chased each other all over Bens headquarters.

She heard Gwendolyn ask, "Remember when we had that kind of energy?"

He answered with, "Yeah...I do!" And soon the older versions were having their own game of chase.

But eventually the party drew to a close and it was time for them to go to Grandpas other birthday party.

That's when Gwendolyn uttered those words that were bothering her. "While you can."

If she'd admit it to herself, she did enjoy the time they spent together. Sure, they had arguments, got on each other's nerves sometimes. But on some level, she just liked having him around, and if she read her doofus right, it was the same with him.

Maybe "While you can" was more Gwendolyn's own lament...about lost time with her Ben. That and a caution not to take her relationship with her Ben for granted.

It was a balancing act to be sure. Feed his ego too much and he'd become just as full of himself as 10K had been. Put him down too much and she'd drive him away. She wondered if Gwendolyn had done that; could be,

But Gwen thought she had a good sense for where the balance was.

They had this weird, love/hate relationship, and she wasn't going to lose it. She hoped it would become less contentious over time. But one way or another, she was determined not to lose him. Maybe one day they'd dance as happily as Ben 10,000 and Gwendolyn had.

"Hey dweeb." She smirked as she noticed him. Speak of the doofus and he shall appear.

Ben continued, "Looks like the next stop is going to be Salem. You know, where they hanged witches? Um, maybe you'd better stay in the rustbucket."

She was getting good at reading his face. What she would have once just considered an insult she now understood to be an invitation to play...Wait, did he say hanged? Most people think they burned witches. He's paying more attention in school than he wants to admit...Yeah, she's gotten really good at reading him.

She accepted the invitation. "Okay Ben, but you'd better get out among them. After all every village needs its idiot."

He just got an annoyed look on his face as he went back to the front.

She got her camera out. She couldn't wait to get some pictures of them in period costumes. She checked to make sure the camera had film and ran up front to join Ben and Grandpa.