A/N: I'm venturing away from my normal fanfiction theme (The Walking Dead) and taking a stab at another series: FALLING SKIES...I'm really surprised there aren't more Falling Skies fanfics, especially in regards to John Pope. He is by far my favorite character and I hope we learn more about his past and his family on the show. In the meantime I've decided to create my own. This story picks up at the end of season 3 so if you aren't caught up on the series there will be spoilers and references to things that you will be lost about. Otherwise if you are up to date it should be smooth sailing. I do not own any rights to Falling Skies or the characters. No copyright infringement intended, this, like all my other fanfics are just for fun. Hope you enjoy reading and don't forget to review!

Chapter 1

The 2nd Mass. moved on...continuing on their journey to find a safe haven and continue their fight as part of the resistance movement. For a brief moment, John Pope thought Tom Mason had done the impossible. Ended the war between humans and the Espheni and the Skitters. John couldn't help but laugh to himself. He knew better...he knew the Volm's presence was too good to be true...that they couldn't be trusted. It took all the self restraint he had not to tell Tom "I told you so..." but he managed. The Volm at least permitted them to stay as long as they left Boston but at some point...some day...when all the wars were over...John doubted the Volm would just leave them in peace. One day he thought for sure they'd wish to send them to some concentration camp and make earth their new home.

"I know you're dying to say it..." Tom commented as he walked up beside John as they continued walking in search of a place to set up camp.

John smirked. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about Tom...why don't you refresh my memory..."

Tom shook his head as he laughed a little. "Alright...you were right about the Volm...they had no intention of fighting side by side with us...but they did let us go...didn't force us to Brazil like they originally intended...gave us back our weapons..."

"Oh gee thanks...gave us back what was ours...why on earth did I think they were unreasonable...silly me..." John sarcastically replied.

"Go ahead...live it up...there won't be many times I utter the phrase "you're right" to you...if even ever again." Tom smiled as they continued on.

"Listen Professor...I appreciate this attempt of yours to bond but why don't you save it for someone else...why don't you bond with that freak daughter of yours..." John remarked.

"My daughter is an anomaly...but she's not a freak..." Tom said sternly.

"Any kid that's gonna draw out alien worms out of Lourdes' brain and turn them into black crystalized sand is a freak in my book..." John cut his eyes over towards Tom. "Just sayin'..."

Tom quickly grew frustrated and picked up his speed to catch up with Weaver.

"That's right...go cry to someone who gives a shit!" Pope mumbled to himself.

He had to hand it to Tom though...he always seemed to pull off the impossible. Returned from an alien ship...recovered from countless injuries...somehow managed to keep his whole freak family together, razor back boy and now freak alien half breed to boot. The woman he loved was by his side and together they were all a family, a dysfunctional strange family...but still a family... John didn't have any family left but he supposed it was better that way. He didn't have to worry about anyone but himself and that's exactly how he liked it.

They had walked most of the day and everyone was getting tired and hungry. They came across an old abandoned mill. It was old and run down...many gaps where the ceiling would've been but enough of the structure was still standing to help shelter them from the wind. Once it became dark, the wind picked up and they all knew it wouldn't be long before winter was upon them...they needed a more permanent place and soon.

John settled into his own corner, away from everyone including the Berserkers...he longed for some peace and quiet as he settled in, laying his head against his backpack for a pillow and closed his eyes. Soon, however he was abruptly interrupted.

"Do you miss her?" He heard a young voice ask.

John opened one eye and looked in the direction of the voice. Young Matt stood nearby, staring at him.

John grunted and closed both eyes again, folding his arms across his chest. "Miss who?"

He heard Matt step closer and sit next to him. "Crazy Lee...I miss her...I wish we could've saved her...I keep wondering if I could've done something different maybe she would've been ok."

John sighed heavily. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone, let alone Tom Mason's youngest boy but he couldn't bring himself to ignore him either. John grunted and groaned as he pushed himself up to sitting. "Listen kid...Crazy Lee was just that...crazy...hell I'm amazed she didn't kick the bucket sooner...but you know what I really think?"

Matt shook his head no.

"I think she lived as long as she did because of you...she held on longer than most that day...falling and hitting her head like she did would've killed most people on the spot...but I think she held on because you were there...and I know it certainly wasn't because of me or anyone else in the Berserkers..."

Matt looked at him wide eyed and smiled a little. "You really think that?"

John leaned closer to Matt and whispered. "I know it..."

They both sat for a few minutes in silence and John wondered if he'd continue on or be satisfied with that but he wasn't at all prepared for the next question he asked.

"Did you have kids? Before all of this?" Matt asked.

John swallowed hard and breathed outward. It was bad enough he had talked about his son to Tom recently, he didn't want to make it a habit. "I did...but I haven't seen them for a long time...not since before..."

"So you don't even know what happened to them? When the aliens came!?" Matt asked.

"Nope...and it doesn't matter...now run along before your dad catches ya talking to me and gets pissed..." John waved him away and started to lay back down.

Matt stood up and started to leave but looked back at him confused. "I don't understand...why doesn't it matter?"

"Because...they were better off without me a long time ago...I've never been the fatherly type...now scram..." John ordered.

"I think you're wrong...you would be a good dad..." Matt told him.

"Shut your mouth kid...your dad hears you say that and he's libel to wash your mouth out with soap." John smirked at him.

Matt smiled back and slowly started to walk away.

The smirk quickly faded from John's face as he watched the Mason boy disappear into the camp with the others. John closed his eyes and shook his head. The last thing he wanted to do was to waste time thinking about the family he once had. They were gone...probably dead...there was nothing he could do to change it and he didn't see any sense dwelling on it...

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