Ben walked over to the rest of the group, filled backpack slung over one shoulder. He saw Hal and Maggie taking care of their bikes, and everyone else talking to Weaver, probably going over some last minute details. He didn't see Matt anywhere, which was probably for the best. Who knew how long they'd all be gone. He approached the truck and threw his pack inside the back, jumping inside himself. Hal noticed this from the corner of his eye and, after adjusting the mirrors on his bike one last time, walked over to Ben. He lowered his voice considerably, as if he was delivering heart-breaking news.

"Ben, are you sure you're up for this? I mean, you aren't even officially part of the fighters-"

"Yet." Ben cut in, letting Hal know he was actually paying attention.

"Fine. Yet." Hal clenched his teeth. He wasn't in the best of moods today, even knowing the fact that he got to ride his bike to a whole different part of Massachusetts. He swallowed his annoyance at his younger brother and put on his overprotective face.

"Ben, I'm worried that you'll get hurt or taken again or worse. I can't stand the thought of losing and having to find you again. If Dad finds even a scratch on you, it'll be my ass on the line!"

Ben pushed his brother away a bit.

"Hal, would you relax for just a minute? I'll be fine! I'm better at protecting myself now than I ever was before, and I'll have you and Dad and the other fighters here in case something happens. Besides, I think I'm old enough to be making decisions for myself now, Hal."

Hal grabbed Ben's shoulder.

"Not like this."

Hal meant so much by those three little words. His fear of Ben being taken again, his distress at not being able to be there to protect him all the time, his sadness at the fact that these are the types of decisions that his little brother had to make, when he should be choosing with his friends which Xbox games were the best and worst, or deciding which girl in his grade he would have a crush on that year. Hal frowned. Both of his brothers would never get the same experiences that he did, especially Matt.

The booming, military voice of Weaver brought him back to his senses.

"BOYS! Hurry up, you're moving out!"

Ben shrugged Hal's hand off of his shoulder, deepening the frown on Hal's face, but Ben just turned his back to him, pretending to be busy with his backpack. Hal sighed quietly and returned to his bike where Maggie was waiting for him.

"Everything okay?"

Hal sighed again, looking back towards his brother.

"With him, you never know."