This is kind of a AU story for Tom returning. I'm killing off character (not one of the main characters IMO some of you may disagree). Its just a good old family/angst story, which will probably not be seen in show, judging on some of the episode synopsis that I've seen. Oh well, hope you enjoy.

Don't own anyone you recognise.

My Boys

Hal Mason had never felt pillows so comfortable as his were feeling at that moment. It was 3am and he'd just got in from his patrol. He glanced at his two younger brothers shrouded in moonlight, envious of them having already been asleep for a few hours. Envious, but glad they had been. It had been rough for them the past few months. Their father hadn't returned from the assault on the ship. Captain Weaver informing them that he had gone with the aliens. Matt, being the youngest, was finding it particularly hard without their father. Ben had suddenly started being all Captain America, all guns blazing whenever he had the chance. It was almost as if he was trying to hard to prove himself loyal to the 2nd Mass. It scared Hal. He didn't have the street smarts as yet and had nearly got himself into some trouble a while back - but Hal had his back…that was his job.

Hal felt the thoughts and worries dissolve from his body as the exhaustion took over and sleep claimed him.

"Hal! Hal! Wake up!"

Hal turned over with a groan - why was the bed shaking?

"Hal! Wake up would you!" It was Matt.

"Go away…I've just gone to sleep," he pulled his cover over his head, only to have it yanked back down, "Hal! Come on! It's dad - he's back!"

Hal's eyes snapped open to reveal an estactic looking little brother.

"Dad?" he queried, wondering if he'd heard him correctly.

"Yeah, come on!" Matt grabbed hold of him and dragged him out of bed.

As they raced round the corner towards the door, Hal skidded to a halt. There is was, after 3 months of now knowing what had happened to him - his dad was there in front of him, stumbling towards him, supported by Ben and now Matt.

"Dad?" Hal heard himself choke out as Tom got nearer.

"Hey son," he breathed, suddenly overwhelmed by an armful of his oldest boy.

"You ok dad?" Hal asked, muffled into his father's chest.

"I think so. I'm a little tired…and probably need a once over…but I'm good, all the better for seeing you three!" He smiled.

Suddenly, it seemed as though everyone wanted to ask him a question and he was beginning to seem overwhelmed with it all until, "That's enough! Boys, get him to Dr Glass," Captain Weaver ordered, adding, "It's good to see you Tom."

After a couple of hours of prodding and poking Ann pronounced him fit but insisted that he get some rest. As she walked with him back to his sleeping quarters, and his boys, she knew there was something different about him. Maybe something had happened to him on the ship - he'd already admitted that he thought that they might have done something to his mind. But there was something more pressing on his mid at the moment, "Tom…I don't mean to pry but I can tell that you have something on your mind - maybe I can help?"

Tom stopped walking, offering Ann a strained smile, "There isn't anything you can do about this Ann…" Tom started, then stopped as tears filled his eyes.

"Tom?" Ann queried, shocked to see the tears in his eyes. She placed a gently hand on his cheek in the hope of offering some sort of comfort, "What happened?" she pressed.

Tom took a deep breath, "I can't remember anything about my time with the aliens, apart from one thing…" His voice caught and Ann knew that she wouldn't like what she was going to hear - she encouraged him to continue, "Not long after I went with Karen, I was taken somewhere - I don't know where. Do you remember when Karen was taken? Hal told me about that group of kids who were massacred by the Mechs…" Ann nodded as she remembered, sickened by the memory, "Well it happened again…in front of me…only this time…Karen was one of them…"

Ann's hand flew to her mouth in shock and revulsion, "They started firing and she…she walked right into it! God…there was nothing…I could…" he gasped out the final words, tears tracking down his face. Ann felt tears in her own eyes as she took a weeping Tom in her arms, "What do I tell Hal?" he mumbled into her shoulder.

"You have to tell him the truth Tom. No matter how much it will hurt - he deserves the truth."

"I know, I know," Tom whispered.

Later that day, the Mason's sat together to eat their meal. Tom looked at each of his son's, basking in the sight of them and the sound of their laughter. Presently, Matt turned to his father, "Erm dad…Jack asked if I'd like to hang out with him for a while - would that be ok?"

Tom ruffled his hair, "Course you can - don't be late."

Matt grinned, "Like father like son!" He exclaimed as he gave his dad a hug before bounding off to his friend.

Tom gave his remaining two son's a confused look, "That's exactly what Hal said to him, every time he went anywhere," Ben explained.

Tom smiled fondly, then his expression changed.

I'm leaving this here for the first chapter as if I carry on it may be the longest one shot in history.

Shall I post chapter 2? It's full of angst - are you fed up of angst? Please let me know!