Mark Derwin & Erika Slezak
 Viki walked into The Crossroads on a cold February evening. She looked around unsure about everything in her life. The one thing she knew was that her dear friend Mel had led her here and told her "this is your story". Viki walked up to the bar and the bartender looked up at her and said....
Thus began Viki and Ben's journey. Viki stayed at the Crossroads and ordered a martini in honor of Mel. Ben the bartender and Blondie enjoyed a round of bantering and "getting to know each other" She had to stay because her car wouldn't start and Ben and Blondie just enjoyed each other's company. Finally Viki's car was repaired and she left. Viki however left an earring that was found by one of the patrons. Ben placed an ad in the Banner to let her know he had found it. Viki saw the ad, thanks to Jessica and once again headed to Crossroads.
  Ben was pleased to see her, but they hit a rough spot when Ben voiced strong views during a discussion about pregnant teens. Ben quickly realized that he had offended her. Despite wanting to leave immediately, Viki was stuck at the Crossroads due to a severe thunderstorm that had washed out many roads. Ben apologized to her for his insensitivity and Viki accepted. The other patrons of Crossroads who were also stranded were passing the time by singing karaoke. Ben enticed Blondie to sing herself and she did reluctantly agreed. Much to Ben's surprise she sang a rousing version of "I will Survive". Viki had a good time and Ben enjoyed her performance immensely. Viki was declared the winner and Ben awarded her a pair of fuzzy dice, which she adored.
 Back at home Viki suddenly became very happy, was heard singing, and appeared very carefree. Her children took notice of this and began questioning what was happening in her life to bring about this change. Viki of course denied anything was happening and kept her new and exciting feelings for Ben a secret from them. Viki again was drawn back to Crossroads, as she began to realize she had fallen hard for this enigmatic bartender. Ben also began to realize the depth of his feelings for her as well and shared them with his brother, Sam Rappaport. They soon shared a kiss, a slow dance to "I Gotta Crush on You" and grew closer and closer but they still hardly knew each other. All they knew was that it felt so right.
Ben then realized that despite his strong feelings for Blondie, that because of the danger he was in, that he couldn't let her be apart of his life. Ben then lied to her about having a wife and kids in an attempt to drive her away. Viki left in tears and was very hurt by this news. She went to the cabin to sort things out. Ben, however, still couldn't get Blondie out of his mind.
   Viki returned from her vacation and knew she had to trust her instincts. She realized that Ben had lied to her. She wanted to be with him and took action on those feelings. Viki left a Chamber of Commerce Dinner where she was scheduled to speak, in an attempt to find out the truth about this mysterious new person whom she had developed such deep feelings for in a very short amount of time. Ben, despite his best efforts, could not get Blondie out of his head and his heart. He often gazed at her picture, and was thinking about her all the time. He tried to burn the photo, but couldn't. Ben was determined to leave Llanview for good on the night that Viki showed up. He tried to push her away but she wouldn't allow it and he knew he really did not want her to leave. He told her some about the situation he was in and promised he'd come back for her. However, this changed quickly as outside Crossroads as they were saying their good-byes someone shot at Ben . Viki hastily got him into the car and she took Ben home to Llanfair.
  At Llanfair Blondie assisted Ben under his skillful direction to remove a bullet from his shoulder and then she hid him in her attic to keep him safe and allow him to recover. He developed an infection and she obtained life saving antibiotics for him.
  While at Llanfair Ben learned Blondie's real name and was very surprised to discover she was the Publisher of The Banner. Viki learned his full name and his tragic story. During his recovery they spent some wonderfully romantic hours together. The couple grew closer and closer.
  
  She found him in the pouring rain outside Crossroads awaiting his fate at the hand of the mobster (Hugo). She ran to him and he pushed her away at first, fearing she'd be caught in the crossfire. She refused to leave and told him she couldn't leave him "because she loved him". He tried to resist but couldn't and took her in his arms and kissed her. He then agreed to leave with her and go back to Llanfair.
  On April 12th, that very evening, their love was consummated in a very touching and romantic setting....the Llanfair Attic. Thus the Llanfair Attic and Crossroads seem to be the two very special places for this couple to regain their equilibrium.
    Hugo, the mobster who was trying to kill Ben to avenge his son's death, eventually met with Ben in May and fell to his death through a skylight on top of the Palace Restaurant. Their love had given Victoria Lord Carpenter a whole new outlook on life and on love. For the first time as an integrated DID survivor Viki's allowing herself to feel and do things because her heart tell her it's right. She's a whole new woman and a woman madly in love with a man named Ben whose made her come alive.
  Then Ben's ex-wife (at least that what Ben thought) Skye Chandler's arrival in town who seems to be hell bent on nothing but revenge against Ben, all in the name of love.
 
  Asa's also been successful not once but twice in preventing Ben from practicing medicine by manipulating others and a misuse of his powerful influence through his considerable wealth.
   Lastly, Ben's anger has caused him to revert at times to past bad behaviors he learned through his work with his father and the mobsters he was affiliated with. These behaviors have become an easier way to deal with his anger at others and he's constantly fighting an internal struggle between his love for Blondie and his need for revenge. Ben's tendency to insist on fighting his own battle alone as he's done for many years also create problems for them. This vengeful behavior and unwillingness to let anyone else help him will continue to create some problems for the couple, as this behavior frustrates Viki who so wants to help him and frightens her as well.
    After several tries on Ben's part previously, Ben and Blondie became officially engaged on New Years Eve at the dawning of a New Millennium at Crossroads, the place where they had met eleven months before.
  Ben now owns Crossroads and they refer to it as their Magic Castle, a place where they can be just Ben and Blondie. From all I've read these challenges will not subside anytime soon, but will continue to challenge this wonderfully warm, sensitive, magical and romantic couple. However, their fans have no doubts...
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