A/N: This is my first attempt into the Falling Skies fandom, so please let me know what you thought and if I should continue. Also, if you have any ideas for future chapters, I would appreciate suggestions!

"You know that you mean the world to me, Maggie," he murmured, his breath hot against her skin.

She had never been great with words, but this time, it was obvious what she needed to say. "I love you," she responded, her voice barely more than a whisper.

He pulled her closer against him and she could feel him smile as he responded in kind, 'I love you too, Maggie."

...

Noise invaded her consciousness - a constant chattering that slowly began to resolve into individual voices as she began to wake up. But she didn't want to wake up. Squeezing her eyelids shut, she tried with all her will to chase the fading dream, trying desperately to hold onto the peaceful paradise. It had been just her and Hal, no skitters, no Karen.

"Maggie!"

She groaned, trying to ignore the voice calling at her in an attempt to return to her sleep. However, the voice was persistent.

"Maggie, wake up!"

The person sounded insistent, but still she tried to sink back into the darkness. She was just so tired. Why couldn't she just sleep a little longer?

"Please, Maggie…" This time, she was able to recognize the voice as Hal's. Why did he sound so upset, so broken? His voice nearly trembled with emotion. "Don't leave."

Sighing mentally, Maggie forced her eyes to open, to reassure Hal with whatever he was so worried about.

Pain. Blinding, horrific pain attacked her the second the light hit her eyes, and she screamed soundlessly, writhing on the bed.

"Anne! Help!" Hal screamed, attempting to hold her down despite the danger she presented with her thrashing limbs.

Vaguely, she was aware of fragments of memories creeping into her pain-filled brain.

Skitters and mechs.

Shots fired.

Blood. Her blood, staining the pavement.

Hal's tortured gaze as she met his eyes.

The realization that she was dying.

"Hal," she mumbled around the pain, "I'm sorry."

"Shush, Maggie," he said, still holding her. "You're gonna be fine." It sounded like he was trying to convince himself, but it still reassured her slightly.

Hal wouldn't lie to her, would he?

"Out of the way," she heard Anne order, and then she felt Hal's arms move.

"No," she tried weakly to protest, "Don't leave." The place where he had been felt so empty now; she felt alone with the pain.

"Relax, Maggie," Anne's soothing voice cut through the pain, "Hal's still here."

A hand smoothed back the hair on her forehead, and she nearly gasped in relief. Hal hadn't abandoned her.
"I'm dying." It wasn't a question - she had seen her wound.

"No, hon, you aren't dying." Anne replied gently. "It was close though."

She felt a pinch on her upper arm and then the pain immediately started to recede.

"You should be feeling better soon."

Hal's voice cut in, rough with worry. "Never do that to me again," he ordered, but she could see the stark relief on his face.

The darkness reached towards Maggie again, trying to claim her. Fighting it, she strove to stay awake, to stay with Hal. But it was useless - Anne must have given her something to make her sleep.

"Stay?" she managed to mumble, her eyes closing against her will.

"I'll never leave," he promised.

Please review and let me know what you thought!