A/N: Here it is guys! Part one of the trilogy. The other parts will be going up at the same time so you guys have some reading ahead of you…By the way I want to send shout outs to Glemonade mouth Maddy and Reynolds (all one word), whose name was in the last list of shoutouts, but for some reason it wouldn't publish…also a shout out to I'mInsaneAndIKnowIt and the usual suspects (RoryFaller, BeWhoYouAre99, and MexiFBI95) who always review my work for me. I love reviews! Okay, so here goes…

Chapter 8: Never Say Never

Song: Never Say Never

Artist: The Fray

Summary: Mark's been selected to join a group heading for an outpost deep in the woods outside the colony. Maddy's less than thrilled with the prospect as they're forced to part ways for a few days…

Maddy stood by the Terra Nova gates, looking apprehensive as she observed the soldiers making their final equipment checks. Her boyfriend was among those performing these checks. This small team: Commander Taylor, Reilly, Dunham, Curran, and of course Mark would be heading out to an outpost deep in the woods of this mysterious, prehistoric Earth. They would have limited contact with the colony and they would be gone for several nights. She wasn't sure what she would do with herself.

Mark came toward her the minute his equipment check was done, resting his hands on her shoulders. They just looked at each other without exchanging words—the sadness clung heavily in the air as they prepared to part ways. She smiled slightly, but he knew it was a ploy so he wouldn't worry about her as much.

Some things we don't talk about, would rather do without and just hold a smile. Falling in and out of love, ashamed and proud of—together all the while…

"Mark," Maddy whispered, not meeting his eyes. "Please don't leave…" her voice was enough to break his heart.

"Maddy, I don't have a choice. I really wish I didn't have to leave but I've got orders…"

"But I need you here with me!" she pled.

"And I need you with me too," he told her, "but it's just not safe. I'll be fine."

"Then I'm coming with you!" Her voice carried firm conviction.

"Don't be crazy, Maddy, you know you can't come with me. Taylor wouldn't allow it and your father would kill me."

Her eyes were welling up. "What if…you don't come back…" she shut her eyes, letting the tears flow at the awful thought.

"Maddy," he lifted her chin so that their eyes could meet. "I will come back to you."

You can never say never, while we don't know when. Time and time again, younger now than we were before…

"When will you be back?"

"A few days, if all goes according to plan."

"I don't know if I can make it…"

Mark drew her close. "I have to leave soon…" Maddy embraced him tighter, as if her touch would prevent him from leaving. She sobbed gently into his chest as he rubbed her back to comfort her, a heavy sadness settling into him.

Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me go. Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me go…

Maddy drew her head back to look at his face, afraid she wouldn't see it again. He stroked her cheek gently and then leant in for a kiss, savoring this time with her as it would be a few days at least before he had the chance to do it again.

He pulled back again, sensing it was nearly time to go.

"Mark, promise me you'll come back in one piece."

"Maddy…"

"No!" she cried sharply. "I won't let you leave until you promise…"

Mark thought it over and then relented. "I promise you, Maddy Shannon, that I will come back to you."

Picture, you're the queen of everything, far as the eye can see under your command. I will be your guardian, when all is crumbling, I'll steady your hand…

Taylor's order rang out. "Prepare to move out!"

Maddy squeezed his waist, hoping that, by clinging to him, she could somehow convince him to defy orders and stay behind. He squeezed her back briefly but gently pushed her away, a tender but firm look in his eye.

Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me go. Don't let me go, don't let me go, don't let me go.

"Maddy, I have to go now."

She couldn't control her sobbing now. "Please…be careful…"

"I will." He leant down and kissed her one last time before climbing aboard the transport. The gates rolled up and the vehicles rolled out. Maddy stared after them, still crying.

We're pulling apart and coming together again and again. We're growing apart but we pull it together, pull it together again and again…

The convoy disappeared from sight, but Maddy remained standing where she was, shielding her face as she wept and prayed for Mark's quick return…

A/N: Working on the next two chapters as well, but I decide I'd post this on here for now. Don't worry, I like Mark too much to kill him off. He will return, just like he promised. (Geez, spoiler alert!) but it won't change how painful it is for both of them in the meantime. So, let me know what you liked about it or didn't like. I hope it felt real—I was trying to incorporate elements of the soldier's girl—seeing her loved one off to war. I also wanted to keep their actions as in-character as possible. I've received suggestions from some of you guys and I'll try to incorporate some of those. Thanks for reading!