Benielle: It's Complicated

Seventeen

*Packing up to leave after a day on set*

Sabrina: "...So yeah, that's where I'm at. Thanks for checking up on me though."

Danielle: "Of course sweetie, you've got my number whenever you need me."

*She gives Sabrina a hug*

Sabrina: "It means a lot and I don't think you'll ever fully realize that."

*Danielle smiles*  Danielle: "Just keep me posted, okay? I'll see you soon."

*Sabrina smiles, grabs her things, and heads home*

*Ben walks up to Danielle*  Ben: "What was all that about?"

*Danielle lets out a deep sigh and gives Ben a trusting smile*

Danielle: "Want to go grab a coffee?"

*Ben checks his watch*  Ben: "Uhhh, yeah. That should be fine."

Danielle: "Okay cool, let's go to that new little café that we said we wanted to try."

Ben: "That's the one in the plaza by your house, right?"

Danielle: "Yup!"

Ben: "So are we taking one car or are we both driving over or...?"

Danielle: "I mean, unless you want to bunk at my place after and third-wheel Tim and I, then..." *Danielle laughs*

*Ben awkwardly laughs*  Ben: "As appealing as that sounds, I-"

Danielle: "Oh my god, just shut up and let's get coffee! Just meet me there."

Ben: "Sir yes sir!"

*Danielle glares at him*

Ben: "That's definitely my cue to leave. See ya soon!"

*They arrive at the café*

Ben: "Damn Danielle, I didn't know you were such a speed demon."

Danielle: "Oh relax. Here, I already got you your coffee."

*Ben grabs a seat across from her*  Ben: "You know me so well."

Danielle: "Literally, though. I know you so damn well. Taste that coffee and tell me it doesn't taste godly down to the very count of sugar grains."

*Ben raises his eyebrows and tries the coffee*  Ben: "Meh. Not boner-worthy. Now the one you brought me last week, that one was orgasmic."

Danielle: "Okay first of all, I blame the coffee at this new place then because I'm a spectacular coffee-maker. And secondly, don't talk like that! We're in public."

Ben: "Sorry dear. I'll save that for the bedroom."

*Danielle gives him a 'watch it' glance with a smirk on her face*  Danielle: "Stop."

Ben: "OKAY SO ANYWAY. What's going on with Sabrina?"

Danielle: "I mean, I won't go into too much detail, but she's having a lot of problems with her family right now. Every time we're on set, she confides in me. She knows I'm always there for her."

Ben: "Oh. Well, it's really good you're there for her."

Danielle: "One of the big arguments was on Easter, of all times, and she was so upset to the point that she just left her house. Everything's closed on Easter though, so there's nowhere to really go."

*Ben has a concerned look on his face*  Ben: "Holy shit."

Danielle: "Yeah. She texted me from a park near her house. She said she didn't want to interrupt my family dinner and would find something to do somewhere, but just wanted a place to crash for the night."

Ben: "Heh. Knowing you, you invited her over that very minute."

Danielle: "Mhm! Told her that I already set an extra place at the table, and so it'd be rude if she didn't show up now."

*Ben smiles*  Ben: "You're awesome, Danielle."

Danielle: "Yeah, and she got along great with the family! It's so strange – Tim and her had this kind of bond like between Maya and Shawn in the show. I think they were together more during the night than she and I were!"

Ben: "You know that makes me a little jealous, right?"

Danielle: "Oh come on Ben. She needed a place to go and came to her second mama. You know she's my little girl, no matter if we're on set or off set."

Ben: "Hey, she's our little girl."

Danielle: "What, you're jealous of Tim?"

Ben: "He can't be her Shawn! You're the mama, I'm the papa. He can't come swooping in as Shawn."

Danielle: "Okay you're taking this way too literally. Sabrina is having problems and that's what this is about."

Ben: "But I want to be there for her, too."

Danielle: "She may have come over and spent a lot of time with Tim, but who am I sitting with right now, talking about her actual problems with? You. What happens with our 'kids', I talk to you about. So play it cool when you're around her, and respect her decision on whether she wants to open up to you or not."

*Ben takes a deep breath, confused and concerned, taking everything in*  Ben: "So this is what being a real parent is like?"

Danielle: "Yeah, Ben. This is what being a real parent is like."