A/N: Hello again! Cannot believe how much inspiration this show has given me, especially with how little attention Mark gets, ha ha. Four stories already! I seriously cannot believe it.

Anyway, I wanted to explore what Mark's life was like before Terra Nova, thus this little story came into being. For the purposes of this story, I presume Mark to be 22 in the show and for this fic I've made him 15 which makes it the year 2142.

Hope you guys enjoy, thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, I do not make a profit from this story, and no copyright infringement is intended.

A New Start

Mark sighed and closed his locker, getting ready to walk home from school. This was the part of the day he dreaded most. He didn't mind school so much, just his peers. Mark was an easy target for all of the angry teenagers looking to vent their frustrations through bullying. He was quiet, not necessarily small, but very lean, he had yet to grow to his full height, and he wouldn't fight back. Not verbally or physically. Easy target.

The one and only time he fought back, he came home with a bruised face and bloody knuckles. His grandfather didn't yell at him or lecture him but the disappointed look in his eyes told Mark everything. Later that evening Mark asked his grandfather what to do about the bullies. He took Mark's hands in his own, looking from his grandson's knuckles to his face, and said "Not this. Don't lower yourself to that level. You are better than this Mark." From that day forward Mark did nothing against his attackers, ignoring them. He never wanted to disappoint his grandfather again.

Slinging his bag over a shoulder and putting a rebreather on his face, Mark made his way out of the building and towards his home. Glancing around himself carefully, he walked quickly, keeping an eye out for his peers.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he made it to the grocery store near his home without any issues. Luck was on his side today. Mark made his way into the store to get groceries for the week. In history class today they had learned about the evolution of grocery stores and he couldn't believe that at one time there were stores everywhere with real fruits and vegetables and other fresh foods. With the earth as it was now, only those with enough money could afford real food and even then they couldn't get much. Everything else was processed, coming in a box, can, or some other sealed container. Not much better than what astronauts ate when the space program existed a century and a half ago.

Unfortunately for Mark and his grandfather, they had very little money. His grandfather was retired and received little money from the State, even after becoming Mark's primary caregiver. Lucky for Mark he was very astute with numbers, not a genius by any means, but he knew how to shop smart. He managed to get enough food to keep them alive and made his way home.

Walking inside, he slipped his shoes off by the door and carried the bag of groceries to the kitchen, setting it down on the counter. Mark put the groceries away and went to the living room to greet his grandfather. He was sitting in his favorite chair, snoring softly with his glasses down his nose and a plex, with numerous puzzle games on it, sitting in his lap. Mark smiled and turned back to the kitchen to make an early dinner for them both.

Mark always did the cooking and cleaning for his grandfather. He didn't have to be asked either – since George Reynolds had taken him in after his parents were gone it was the least he could do for his grandfather.

Mark pulled out a single pouch of flavored instant rice. It was all synthetic food of course, but it would have to do. There were only about three servings of rice per package and Mark would always take less than half for his own share. His grandfather didn't have the benefit of one hot meal from school every day so Mark didn't mind going to bed a little hungry if it meant his grandfather didn't have to. He also made sure his grandfather never noticed that he got more food.

Finishing up dinner Mark separated it into two bowls and set them on the small table he and his grandfather used for a dining table. He went to wake his grandfather for dinner. He gently shook the older man's shoulder until he came to. Mark smiled at him.

"Hey Grandpa, dinner's ready." George took a minute to get his bearing before he smiled up at his grandson and rose from his chair, setting the plex down on the side table. He made his way to the dining table, sat down, and Mark followed.

"How was your day Mark?" His grandfather asked, taking a bite.

"Good, Alex and his buddies didn't mess with me after school today."

"Good, good. And what about your classes, what did you learn today?"

This was how they spent their evenings, enjoying each other's company. George would want to know how Mark's studies were going and what he learned that day and Mark would want to listen to his grandfather tell him stories of his time in the military. They didn't have much in the form of material things but Mark would always cherish the time he got to spend with his grandfather.

Even though it made him a sort of outcast – he was more reserved and chivalrous thanks to his grandfather's teachings, his fellow peers singled him out since he was different from them. Mark wanted to belong as much as any other young person would but he wouldn't sacrifice his values to do it. He just told himself everyday that things would get better. In a year he could apply to the military and start basic training and finish his schooling there. He'd be on his way to a new start, a new life.

A/N: Well, there ya go, chapter one. What did you think? More to come soon. Review?

-Silver