So this story has over 1000 views! That's super exciting. I would have never thought that this story would get that many views. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this story. So this is the long awaited chapter, I think. The whole Mason crew is in this chapter! Or the Masonettes as Pope likes to call them. Anyways, thanks to everyone who's still reading this story. Review, comment, favorite, whatever. I'll appreciate them all.

~music-is-lifexx

A Falling Skies Fanfiction

1 Mason, 2 Mason, 3 Mason, 4...

"Hurry, we need everyone on stretchers!" Frantic voices swarmed all around me.

"Get him on the bed,"

"Turn him over!"

"This one's pulse is dropping!"

"Dr. Glass!"

What the hell was happening out there? I tried opening my eyes, but all I saw was darkness and blurry shapes until my eyes adjusted to the room. It was late at night and the science room was alive with people and shouting.

No one noticed me with all the chaos happening. Whatever was happening, I'm sure- wait hold up, Anne just cut through a harness with a friking torch. I guess Tom Mason succeeded in his mission after all, along with bringing a couple other kids with him.

Staring at the scene before me made me feel uncomfortable being in the room. Like I shouldn't be here. I stealthily tip-toed out of the room and made sure to close the door shut quietly. Matt must be worried sick if he's still up and knows that Ben's probably back. I was brought out of my thoughts by a loud thud and the suspicious feeling of eyes on me.

I slowly turned around, I mean you never know a serial killer could be staring at me. I wasn't prepared to see a guy a couple years older than me who fits all three criteria of tall, dark and handsome. I won't go to into it, otherwise I'll probably come across as some weird ass girl who can't stop staring at him, but seriously he was hot. The guy was sitting against some lockers and the thud I heard was the impact of a tennis ball hitting another locker. I bet my future child that this was "The Hal Mason" every single girl within a 5 mile radius was talking about. The guy had broody eyes going on right now and I'm sure he's torn up inside, with not being able to stay inside while his brother is probably undergoing some serious harness removal.

"How's your back?" the guy cleared his throat and proceeded to throw his tennis ball.

My hand instinctively went towards my shoulder. I could feel the scarring and scabbing claw mark start at the top of my right shoulder through the material of my shirt.

"How do you know about that?" I asked, accusingly. I mean only a few people know about my injury, I assume. Those people being Tom, Anne, Lourdes, Ashley and Weaver. Unless there's someone who's been spreading it around. As much as I'd like to think I am, I don't think I'm important enough to be the gossip around this place.

"How could I not," The guy turned toward me and smirked. "I practically carried you hear after my dad shot the skitter that was on you." Suspicion confirmed. This ladies and gentlemen, is officially the Hal Mason that I've been hearing about. It's funny, no one seemed to mention the fact that he's cocky and had a smirk that could probably turn a guy gay. Is that even a saying? Well either way, Hal had a certain "effect" on people and I'm positive he knew it. People of the female gender at least.

The overwhelming urge to swallow my thank you was defeated by the simple fact that had Hal and his dad not have shown up when they did, I would be dead.

So I swallowed my pride, especially since Hal seemed like the type of guy who just ate up things like this. Anything to probably feed the ego of his that comes with his good looks.

"Thanks," I awkwardly said, "I really appreciate you saving my ass from that skitter out there."

"Hey, it was no problem." He gave me a small smile, "I sure hope that one day if I was ever in a situation with a skitter on my back, someone would save my ass and haul me back to camp so I could get fixed up."

"Maybe I could return the favor one day," the corners of my lips pulled up. "Just don't go getting yourself in those situations anytime soon. At least let my back heal a little bit before I have to go all bad ass and save you."

He let out a small chuckle, "I'm Hal by the way," Hal reached out his hand for me to shake. I moved towards the lockers and slowly slid down them so I was sitting next to him.

"Kristen," I took his hand and we both turned to stare at the lockers across from us.

"So you're brother," I started, "Ben, he's in there, isn't he."

"Yeah, barely got outta there when we went to save him." Hale let out a sigh. He must be exhausted. Physically and mentally. I resisted the urge to give him a comforting hand or touch, that would be weird, right. Wouldn't want to do that, I just met this guy. "Wait, how do you know about Ben?"

"I'm all knowing." Hal gave me a look. "Fine, That's all I've been hearing about. When I was still semi unconscious, I heard you dad, my friend Ashley and Anne talking about going on a rescue mission for Ben. And then there's Weaver mentioning it and I was hanging out with Matt earlier today and he was feeling a little down cus he didn't know if you guys would come back with Ben or not. So, you know, I'm pretty curious about this brother of yours by now."

"Well, Ben's Ben. My bratty little brother. He was kidnaped at the beginning of the invasion and we haven't seen him until now. Now that he's back-" Hal was interrupted by the science room door opening. A tall figure came out. It was a man with brown hair and a beard going on. He had an air of wisdom and kindness around him and he seemed to recognize me, but I had no idea who this man was.

"Dad," Well Hal just cleared that whole mystery up. I can definitely see where Hal benefitted from the gene pool. His dad's still got it going on, not gonna lie, in that rugged type of way. Anyways… awkward thoughts. I never thought that. Nope, what were we talking about? Definitely not about how good looks run in the Mason family.

"I heard Ben went through the removal alright, is he okay?"

I awkwardly stood, not wanting to prevent a good ol father son bonding that I could tell was coming.

"Ben's fine, he's unconscious right now. Should be waking up sometime soon." Tom looked tired, and I could only imagine what he was feeling right now.

"I'm just going to leave now," I spoke quietly, silently getting up and edging my way away from the two Masons. "By the way, Thank you to both of you for saving me and Ashley's life. We literally owe you our lives now."

Tom gave me a warm fatherly smile, "It was no problem, Kristen, I know we didn't officially meet yet, so I'm Tom Mason. I see you met two of my sons already, Matt's been talking about you." I smiled at that thought.

Not knowing what else to say, I figured I should leave soon, "Thanks again, I hope Ben and all the rest of the kids are alright."

Tom went to sit by Hal and I guess that's my cue to leave.

I was wandering down the halls, not really knowing what to do. I slept for who knows how long so I'll probably be up for a while before I start to become tired. I wonder where Ashley is. Next on the hit parade, find Ashley. It seems that for such a directionless person, I sure do find myself looking for things way too often.

No one really showed me where Ashley and I would sleep so I guess I would have to make my way back to the science room sometime tonight. As much as I told myself I won't intrude on people's precious moments, I guess Matt will be getting his promise after all.

"Kristen?" Someone whisper-shouted my name.

"What," I turned, looking for the voice, which I think was Ashley. Lady luck is on my side today, "Where are you?"

I turned around once more and almost had a heart attack.

"Boo!" Ashley's face was inches away from mine, a smile inching its way onto her face.

"bitch, don't go sticking you face in front of other peoples like that." I put on my trademark lecturing face. It was a cross between a condescending look and a "honey, you poor thing" look with the eyebrow raised. "It makes people uncomfortable, and then when they're uncomfortable, they'll see what a weirdo you are, and then do you know what happens next? Bam, friendless."

Ashley just rolled her eyes at me, "You speak from experience, don't you?"

I let out a laugh, if only there were more people in this world who could take a joke. Back before the invasion, no one got my sarcasm or jokes and they seriously took things to the heart and didn't know the difference between being mean and having some fun.

"Where have you been?" I questioned, falling in step with Ashley as we wandered the halls.

"Stayed with Matt for a good while and then I just came back from Sara's baby shower?"

"Sara?" I questioned.

"Yeah, Sara, nice lady. She's like 8 months pregnant and all the people of the female gender wanted to throw her a baby shower, I think it's still going on." Ashley informed me, "Oh, and by the way, you missed dinner."

I stopped in place. What? No, my heart broke. Okay not really, but why? "Why didn't you come find meeeeeee?" I guess no one would know this or assume this from my appearance, but I love to eat. I guess I was that person who ate and ate and never gained a pound. It worked for me though. Fast metabolism for the win. In a lot of respects, I'm pretty sure I'm secretly a guy. I mean between me and my brother, something definitely got mixed up between the two of us.

Hear me out so if we are talking stereotypically, girls are supposed to be the ones watching what they eat and taking a hell of a long time getting ready. Yeah, that would not be me. My brother would fit into that category more. I don't know why, but my brother was just more concerned with his looks, I guess than me. Where as he was eating salads, I would be eating everything in sight. I ate probably equivalent to a guy and just ate whatever. People would be shocked at the amount I ate and I remember my dad always saying how amazed he was by me and my ability to eat. So knowing all this about me, I think some can safely say why they think I would be upset about missing dinner.

I gave a pout, "You saved me something, didn't you," I know food was scarce now a days, and my appetite has shrunk to be able to survive today, but I still loved to pig out when I could.

"Do you even know me?" Ashley hit me in the stomach, "Course I did, it's back with Matt in his room."

"It is!" I started skipping down the halls, "Yay, let's go,"

"Uh, hello?" Ashley called out to me, "Kind of have a boot on my leg here. Yeah it also kind of makes it hard to walk, let alone skip."

My shoulders sank, "Fine,"

Ashley and I rounded another corner before opening a door.

"Kristen, Ashley!" An excited voice shouted quietly.

"Hey Matt," I ruffled the kid's hair, "How are you doing?"

"Okay, I guess," Matt dragged me to one of the cots in the room. "I'm going to go see Ben, soon!"

I smiled at Matt, "I'm sure he'll be just as excited to see you." Matt gave me a bright smile and it touched my heart. Stop getting mushy, Kristen. I have a feeling I'll be going soft if I keep hanging with the Mason's. Heart warming family moments seem to follow them everywhere.

"Hey," Matt grabbed my attention, thrusting a plate of food into my hands, "Ashley and I saved this for you!"

Oh sweet Lord, food. I hadn't realized how hungry I was. I managed to squeeze out a couple of thank yous in-between bites.

"Kristen, you gotta chew," Ashley was giving me a look and I slowed down my eating.

Taking an insanely slow amount of time to bring my fork to my mouth, I exaggeratedly chewed, "Better," Yes, I can be a little immature. Oh well.

"Much," Ashley smiled. "I think I'm gonna head to bed. I'm so tired and am in need of some serious rest."

"Wait, where are you sleeping?" I wondered, I hadn't thought about where Ashley had been sleeping all those days I was unconscious.

"Maggie's sharing a room with me along with a couple other people, but there isn't any room, so I guess you have to stay in the science room still."

"Maggie?" I questioned. Seems like Ashley's been meeting quite a few people.

"Oh, yeah. Maggie. Super cool chick. Like total badass and chill. She's really laid back and nonchalant. She kind of reminds me of you when you get in your not giving a-" I was waiting for Ashley to finish her thought, but realized just as she had, that Matt was in the room and I don't think anyone would appreciate an 8 year old running around dropping the f-bomb.

"Well you know what I'm getting at." Ashley continued. "I'll introduce her to you tomorrow."

"Sure, sounds good." I finished my food and set the plate on the ground next to me. Note to self: find the cafeteria and put that back. I foresee another lovely time getting lost for me. Joy.

"Yeah, so I'm off," Ashley turned toward the door.

"Bye Ashley!" Matt scrambled up to Ashley, "Make sure you give me some more awesome soccer tips tomorrow."

"You can count on it." And then there was two.

"Hey Matt, what do you wanna do now?"

Matt gave a shrug, but then his face lit up into excitement. "You missed so many awesome things today." As Matt was beginning to tell me all the awesome and cool things he did today, my thoughts began to wander. I have a really weird attention span. Sometimes I can focus on something for hours on end, and others I get distracted by the simplest things like a design on a wall. One of my fatal flaws, I'll be like running from something and all of a sudden trip cus I found something else more interesting and more important than making sure I can function like a human being. I don't know how many times walls have assaulted me because they pop out of nowhere. Anyways, off topic again.

My day here with the second mass had been a good one. Ashley and I were practically sisters, but spending every moment together for the past three months- yeah I don't know how we survived that. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Thinking back on it, I'm glad I'm here with the second mass.

"Hey, Kristen," Matt looked up to me, "Do you think we can go see Ben now?"

I pondered on that thought. I wasn't tired so I would be that awkward person just being there, even if I did pretend to sleep. Maybe Anne will be there. She probably will, right.

Taking my hesitation as a bad thing, Matt started rambling, "I know dad said he would get me when Ben wakes up, but I really want to go now. I want to see him. I didn't' get a chance to see him at all yet. "

"Matt, calm down. I was just thinking, we can go there now."

"Really!"

"Yes, really," I stood up, "Lets go."

Matt and I walked in silence to the science room, but Matt was practically jumping through the halls. I don't know if it was excitement or nervousness. Probably both. We quietly approached the science room and I slowly opened the door, not wanting to disturb whoever was inside.

Hal was cleaning, I guess Ben's back and Tom was sitting on a chair across from him.

"Dad!" Matt ran to Tom,

"Come here," Tom hugged Matt, "I missed you!"

"Missed you too dad." Matt snuggled into Tom's embrace, "You too, Hal."

I noticed Anne in the back recesses of the room. "Hey Anne, sorry to bother you, but there's no other room for me to stay in, but this one."

"It's no problem, Kristen," Anne seemed really weary and tired. "It works out this way. I wouldn't want to have to hunt you down tomorrow morning to check on your back."

I smiled slightly, "As long as I'm not a bother."

"You can sleep on the cot over there." Anne pointed behind her.

Not wanting to be insensitive, but genuinely curious I asked, "Is everything okay, Anne?"

Anne let out a sigh, "I couldn't save one." Anne looked down, "I tried, but in the end…" Anne trailed off.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I'm sure you did everything you could."

Anne gave me a tight smile and went to go clean up the tables.

Anne was washing her hands when Tom went up to talk to her. I couldn't make out the words, but Tom took Anne's hands in his own and I suspect said something all warm and sweet because Anne smiled.

Maybe it's just me, but I am getting some sexual frustration between the two of them. Okay, maybe not sexual frustration, but there is definitely some mutual attraction going one. It's good to see that. In a world like this, love is almost gone. If you can find even a slimmer of that love for someone, I say go for it. Thinking more and more about Tom and Anne, I'm really liking them together. Totally ship it.

"Dad," Hal's voice called everybody's attention back to him. Tom slowly walked towards Ben and knelt by Hal. I was standing next to Anne when we exchanged glances. Ben was waking up and we were totally intruding on the moment. Knowing this fact, neither of us could tear our eyes away from the scene before us.

Ben slowly lifted his head, looking quizzically at Tom,

"Dad?" The word came out more as a question.

"I'm glad you're back," Tom put his hand on Ben's head and I swear I saw some unshed tears. Holding back my own tears from this beautiful sight before me I saw Anne trying to keep her emotions in check also. Turning back to the scene before me, I was startled to find a pair of eyes staring right at me.

Ben eyes were locked on mine and at that moment, I totally disregarded all the times I made fun of those romance books and movies where the narrator is just like, "My heart stopped when he looked at me," I would always laugh at that, not knowing what it felt like, but right now I think I'm beginning to understand that statement. All those time I avoided watching those chick flicks because I didn't like the gushy romance and unrealistic love just totally came back to me. I always tried to distance myself from ever getting into a relationship after seeing how they crushed Ashley, but for some reason my heart was telling me to change my mind.

I didn't like it.

I didn't want it.

But, I couldn't stop it.

Ben's gaze was only on mine for a couple of seconds, but the breath that I was about to let out got caught in my throat. His eyes were all I saw and I gotta say, I'm fairly certain my heart stopped.

Shit.