Falling for Maggie

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan-fiction. The story I tell about Ben and Maggie is my own invention, and it is not purported, or believed, to be part of the Falling Skies story canon. It is for entertainment only, and is not part of the storyline.

Chapter Eight:

Ben:

"It's good to have you back, son," Tom said. He put a hand on Ben's shoulder. "There's something I want to show you. Come on."

He followed his father out of the war-room, down the hall to the stairwell. They went to the basement level, Tom opened the door and gestured for Ben to follow him through. The basement was dark, but Ben's heightened sight allowed him to see a large variety of Espheni tech spread, in parts, across several large tables. Tom reached up and pulled a string, turning on the overhead bulb. "We've gathered all of this from the surrounding area." Tom said, weaving between the tables to the far end of the room where Ben saw a large pyramid shaped object, glowing, pulsating a warm fiery orange glow. It reminded him of the substance from Lexi's Espheni cocoon.

"What is that?" He asked.

Tom's mouth gave a little twitch. "We aren't quite sure. Cochise has some ideas. We think it's important. We were hoping you might be able to help us figure it out."

Ben folded his arms over his chest. He could feel the power emanating from the pyramid. The object drew him in, and he took this as a sign that he shouldn't get too close. "What are Cochise's ideas?"

"They range from-"

Ben doubled over, feeling as if someone had just stabbed him in the stomach. His head was pounding, and a searing sensation felt like it was frying his brain. Images flashed through his mind of thousands of Espheni Overlords gathered in a black, mountainous, purgatory like terrain. The Espheni were gathered around the pyramid. The one closest to the object, reached out and touched it. There was a flash of light, and the overlord who was making contact with the pyramid vanished. The next one took two steps and also reached out, touching the device. He too disappeared.

Suddenly the visions were gone, and Ben crumbled to the floor, trying not to puke. "Ben, Ben, are you okay?" His father was kneeling beside him, and put a hand to his forehead, his forehead wrinkled with concern.

"Yeah," Ben told him, "Just a little dizzy. Here, help me sit up."

Tom put a hand under Ben's arm and pulled him up to a sitting position, his back against the wall. Ben raised his knees, and ran his hands through his hair. The negative effects of the connection were quickly fading, but he still felt like he had the worst flu of his life.

"Your spikes started glowing. I didn't know what to do. Is there an overlord nearby?"

Ben shook his head, swallowing hard. "That was a reaction to the pyramid," he nodded up at it, and shuddered involuntarily.

"I'm so sorry, son. I wouldn't have brought you down here, if I'd have known."

"I'm glad you did," Ben said, "I know what that thing is, dad."

"You saw something?" Tom asked, still kneeling down beside Ben.

"It's some kind of portal. I saw an army of Espheni. Thousands of them. They touch the pyramid, and it transports them somewhere."

Tom looked sharply over his shoulder at the object. "Matter transporter. The Volm thought it might be, but they haven't seen one before. We have to destroy it. And I need to tell the others about the army."

"Wait, dad," Ben said, holding up a hand. "They weren't traveling to this portal or they would already be here. What if we could use this to our advantage?"

Tom frowned. "I don't see how we can."

"I don't either, but maybe, now that we know what it is, we should have Cochise take another look at it. This could be the leverage we need to win the war. We need to study it more. We can't afford to destroy it. Not yet."

"Look at what it did to you, Ben," Tom said, "I can't have an open portal sitting in the middle of this camp. It's too dangerous. We'd be putting everyone at risk."

"War isn't without risk, dad. You of all people know that." Ben was still breathing heavily, but other than a stabbing headache the effects of his connection to the portal had waned completely.

Tom sighed, looking back at the device again. "You're right. I'll put it under heavy guard, and get a message to Cochise. We'll see what we can learn about it before we destroy it."

Ben nodded. "Dad, I need to talk to you about something."

"Come on," Tom said, nodding. He helped Ben to his feet and they went over to the other side of the room where they could sit on some chairs by a table of strange looking metal strips. Tom put one hand on the table, and the other on his leg. He wore a curious expression, as if he was trying to figure out what Ben wanted before he could tell him.

"Listen, dad. I've decided to go after Hal." He held a hand up as his father opened his mouth to speak. "I'll take two of the other spike kids, and we'll track Hal's team. With just the three of us going, we won't use up any of the 2nd Mass's resources, and we'll be fast. I could have Hal back here, safe, in a few days."

Tom patted his shoulder, and gave him a sad smile. "I haven't had the chance to tell you how proud I am of you for everything you've accomplished in your absence. The fighters, the weapons and ammo, the plane. When I left you were still sort of, a teenager, and now you're all grown up."

"Thanks dad," Ben said, giving a little shrug, "It was Natalie, at the Embassy, who made all of this possible."

"You lead those people, Ben. You kept Pope in line, and turned him into an asset, and, remember son, if you hadn't found the Embassy, Natalie wouldn't have had anyone to train her fighters in the first place. You have courage, integrity, and you're a natural leader. That's why I'm asking you to take my place here."

Ben was too shocked to speak. He felt certain that his dad was disappointed in him, both for what happened with Maggie, and for running off in the first place. "Dad…I don't know what to say…wait," Ben frowned, and cocked his head, "Matt mentioned that you've been acting weird lately. Is something wrong? What happened to you up there?"

Tom inhaled deeply. "I've made a telepathic connection with another alien race called the Dornia. They come to me in the form of your mother. I think it's a way for them to make me comfortable during the communication. They've helped us, given me warnings and clues through these visions. And they've told me what I need to do to find Hal. I've got to go to D.C., Ben. It has to me, not you. I leave tonight, and I'm going alone."

"No, dad," Ben said. He'd just found father, and couldn't stand the thought of losing him again. "How do you know these new aliens aren't leading you into a trap?"

"I don't," Tom said, leaning back and crossing his arms across his chest. "But there's something else I haven't told you. I'm sick, Ben. Cancer. Probably some kind of radiation breach while I was up there," he pointed a finger at the sky. I don't have much time, and before I die I need to know that all my children are alive, and safe. I'm going to go find Hal, and I'm going to bring him home."

Ben felt like someone was sitting on his chest. He swallowed the sob, and cleared his throat, hoping he could speak without giving away how it felt like his insides were being twisted. "How do you know this?"

"The Dornia told me. Ann confirmed it with tests."

"The spikes," Ben said, "they healed Maggie. They can heal you too."

Tom smiled weakly. "I'm afraid not. The Volm believe I'm too old, and the cancer has spread too far, for me to survive a spike transplant. I do have some good news, but it will require you to have a little faith, son."

"What's that?" Ben asked, unsure why he suddenly felt enraged, like he could pick up a car and throw it a mile.

"The Dornia are en route to our solar system. If I can hold out until they arrive, they claim to have healers that can cure me."

"Then stay here," Ben said, "Stay safe until they get here."

Tom shook his head. "While you were gone, Ben, I went on seventeen excursions to find you. One thing this invasion has taught me is that you can be split apart from the ones you love in the blink of an eye. My time leading these people is over, Ben. All that matters to me, now, is getting your brother back. I can't lead these people anymore, and I can't sit and wait for the Dornia to bring their cure. I have to fight, and the only way I know how to fight anymore is for the ones I love."

Ben glanced over at the Espheni Portal which still pulsated like a living organism. Where was the other portal going? To DC? Was it possible for him to travel through the portal to the one in the Espheni Shadow plane, then touch the other portal and instantly be transported to DC? Where Hal was most likely being held, if he was captured. He'd seen the Espheni map – the way the area over DC was blurred out. It made sense that Fayetteville had also been impossible to view. The two portals were located in the two major cities. He looked at his dad who was watching him intently. "I'm sorry, dad," Ben said, and he whipped his gun up, and knocked Tom in the head with the stock. He caught his father's body before it hit the ground, and eased him onto the floor. "But I have to do this."

Ben could sense his father was fine, but he checked his pulse anyways, just to be sure. When he was satisfied that his father would be fine, he stood and his eyes found the portal. He knew what he had to do, but all he could think about was that he might never see Maggie or Thomas again. The thought broke his heart. But if this one small act could end the war, and give the people he loved their world back, he thought his sacrifice would be justified.

He heard footsteps coming down the stairs to the basement. It was now or never. He was within reach of the portal. He turned, catching a glimpse of her face as she appeared in the basement doorway, her smile fading into a look of confusion as she saw Tom's body on the floor. She looked up again. Their eyes met, he touched the portal, and everything went black.

###

Maggie:

"What do you mean he's gone?" Maggie asked, bordering on shouting.

Tom held the gauze to his head while Ann wrapped a bandage around it. "I'm sorry, Maggie. The pyramid is some sort of portal, or teleportation device, and when he touched it, he transported wherever the other side goes. Ben said something about an Espheni army on the other side."

Maggie turned toward the device. "I'm going too," she said, taking a step toward it.

Tom was out of his chair in two seconds flat, and she felt his hand on her arm, stopping her. "I can't let you do that, Maggie. Ben would never forgive me."

"And you think you can stop me, Tom?" She asked, turning to face him. Ann pulled Tom back down into the chair.

"He's not stopping anyone right now." Ann said, finishing the bandaging. "Tom if you move again, I'll kill you myself."

"Maggie, please listen to reason," Tom begged, "If that was you, would you want Ben to follow you?"

She looked back at the portal, the image of him standing there and then touching it and vanishing flashing through her mind. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course not, but he'd do it anyways."

"I have to believe he has some sort of plan," Tom said, with a sigh. "We have to trust him."

Maggie decided to ignore Tom Mason. He probably didn't understand that nothing he said was going to convince her to stay. "Ann," she said, drawing the woman's attention. Ann met her eyes. "I need you to promise me that you'll take care of Thomas."

Ann finished Tom's bandage, and finally spoke. "Of course, Maggie."

"Ann," Tom said, giving her an incredulous look. "You're encouraging this?"

Ann cocked her head at him. "If you went through that thing, I would follow you."

"Guards," Tom yelled, but Ann put her hand over his mouth, cutting off the end of the word. Tom's eyes went wide, but he didn't struggle.

"Go," Ann said, "We'll keep Thomas safe."

Maggie nodded. She turned on her heels, ran the length of the room, and her hand was about to touch the portal when someone yelled "Stop!"

She hesitated, recognizing Cochise's voice. The alien was standing in the doorway where she'd been when Ben touched the pyramid. "I have to do this, Cochise." She said.

"If you touch it, you will die."

"But Ben touched it. He went through."

Cochise's head dropped for a moment, then he looked back up. "Then, I'm sorry, but Ben is dead."

###

"She hasn't spoken a word since Cochise told her," Ann whispered to whoever else was in the room. Maggie was lying on a cot in the medical ward, her back turned to them, listening. "That was three days ago. I can't get her to eat anything. I'm not sure what else to do."

"What about Thomas?" The other person asked, and she recognized Weaver's voice.

"I was afraid to bring him to see her. I'm not sure it will change anything, and I don't think he would understand why she's like this. It could be traumatizing."

She heard Weaver clear his throat. "Could be just what she needs to pull out of the grief."

"Maybe you're right. I'll bring him down after dinner. Any word from Cochise?"

"They moved the device to a safe location. They're studying it now. Say, mind if I give it a try?"

"Sure, help yourself, Dan," Ann replied, and Maggie could hear the exhaustion, and doubt in the doctor's tone.

Maggie felt Weaver walking slowly toward her. She didn't focus on him as he came into view, instead she continued to focus on the spot on the wall she'd been staring at for three days. The tears welled up in her eyes again, stinging her sore eyelids. She felt a shudder go through her body, and she resisted the urge to scream for the hundredth time. "Hey there girl," Weaver said, taking off his hat and holding it in his hands. "How you holdin' up?"

She focused on the spot, took control of her breathing and willed the tears to stop. She ignored Weaver, preferring to conjure up the image of Ben standing across from her at their rooftop wedding. Her insides contracted, and she pulled her knees further up to her chest. She had to hold herself together, even though it felt like she was ripping apart.

"Dat's okay," Weaver said, reaching out to pat her shoulder. "Don't have to say anything. Jus' listen to me, girl. I know it hurts. Feels like you got a big, gaping hole inside you, and no matter how hard you try, you can't fill it. We've all felt dat way, you know? Like you got nothin' left to live for anymore."

He was right. That was exactly what it felt like, only a thousand times worse. Losing Ben, losing the connection to him through the spikes, the emptiness was unfathomable. The loss of him had carved a cavern inside her and she had nothing left. She gave a tiny nod, telling Weaver he was right.

He smiled, and she saw him look up and nod at someone. Ann was probably standing out of her eye-sight, watching them. "But you do have something to live for, girl. You got your son, and you've got us. And the only way you're gonna feel better is if you keep fighting, and keep doing the good work Ben started. If you give up now, they win. Do you understand?"

Maggie thought about what he was saying. She wanted to agree. She wanted to tell him that he was right, but she was paralyzed, caged inside her own grief. The idea of pulling herself out was too much for her to think about. Besides, she was a ghost of her former self. There was nothing she could do for them. They might think they need her, but they didn't know that the old Maggie was gone, and all that was left was her shell. Still, if Ann brought Thomas down, Maggie couldn't stand the thought of him seeing her like she was. So instead of conjuring Ben in her mind, she conjured her son. The spikes connected suddenly, and Maggie gasped.

"What's happening?" Weaver asked, looking worriedly up at Ann.

Mommy, his sweet, little voice filled her head. Mommy, I can't find daddy. Mommy, I want you. Maggie began to shake, feeling every muscle in her body twitch, and contract. Thomas was moving her, through the connection, like a puppet. He was forcing her to sit up, put her legs over the edge of the cot, and stand. Weaver stood up so fast he knocked his chair over, and reached a hand out to steady her.

Weaver's touch broke the connection, and Maggie collapsed onto her butt on the cot. She was shaking so bad, that the metal legs of the cot were scraping lines into the concrete floor. "What happened?" Ann asked.

Maggie found her voice, surprised at how hoarse she was when she spoke. "It's Thomas," she said, "He knows about Ben. I have to go to him."

"Maggie," Ann said, "Are you sure you're ready for that. This is the first time you've spoken in three days. You need food, and more rest."

"I've rested long enough," Maggie said, regulating her breathing to stop the shaking. She stood again, waving off Weaver's hands, "Where are my weapons?"

"In Tom's office," Ann replied, "We weren't sure if…well…we were worried-"

Maggie interrupted her. "I'm not suicidal, Ann. Weaver's right. Thomas needs me. The 2nd Mass needs me. I'm ready."

She didn't miss the look the two of them shared. They didn't believe her. She narrowed her eyes. "I'll get them myself," she said, brushing past them, and toward the doors. She felt Weaver jogging to catch up with her.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked.

She ignored him, and pushed through the doors, shielding her eyes from the bright daylight. She saw everyone looking at her as she pushed past people, and weaved her way around obstacles, toward City Hall. "Maggie," someone yelled, and Sara emerged from a building. She ran over to Maggie. "I wanted to tell you how sorry we are, about what happened to…to-"

"Ben," Maggie said, stopping, and whirling on the woman. She glared at Sara. "I don't want to talk about him ever again," she raised her voice and yelled to everyone nearby, "I don't want to hear his name. The next person who says his name in front of me is going to lose their tongue."

She stamped up to the soldier guarding the front door of the city hall. "Let me pass," she said.

"I have orders not to let anyone in," the fighter replied, glancing over her shoulder at Weaver.

"Get out of her way, Mullen." Weaver commanded, "While you still can."

The guard reluctantly stepped aside. Maggie went up the steps, then stopped, and turned holding her hand out at Weaver and Sara. "Stay here" she told them.

Maggie had a plan. She couldn't get back what was taken from her, but she could punish the ones that took him. She could kill them all. And that was exactly what she intended to do.

###

Ben:

The furnace blazed around him, and it took everything he had to lift his head and look around. Shadows, smoke, and fire. It was exactly how he'd pictured hell to be. He could feel blisters forming on his skin where it came in contact with the ground. He saw no Espheni. No alien army. He was utterly alone, and with each breath he could feel his insides searing. He realized he'd been wrong. Whatever the shadow plane was, it was not survivable for humans.

He'd assumed the portal back in Fayetteville would transport him to the place he'd seen in his mind, where the Espheni army was gathered, but he was wrong. And, whatever this place was that it had brought him to, there was no portal in sight. Somehow Ben knew that if he didn't have the spikes, he would be dead already, and if he didn't find shelter, he was going to die anyways.

Ben put his palms on the blackened ground beneath him, resisting the urge to scream as they began to burn. He pushed himself up to his knees, then – despite the waves of heat threatening to flatten him – he rose to his feet. He tried to keep his balance, by holding onto a large black rock beside him, but quickly pulled his hands away as they sizzled. He pulled off his shirt, ripped it in half with his teeth, and wrapped his hands. He tried to get an idea of the terrain around him, but small tornados of black smoke blocked his long range vision. The only thing he could see that might provide a sort of windbreak against the fire wind was a large outcropping of rocks several hundred feet away. He took a step toward it, feeling something holding him in place. He looked down. The soles of his shoes were melting to the ground.

Ben pulled as hard as he could, freeing his shoes, and started to run toward the rocky structure. Within minutes his lungs ached, and blisters popped up on his exposed skin. Running in the blazing conditions felt unnatural, like running hot water over a fresh burn. His instincts told him to stop running, to lie down, and rest. Ben knew that would be the end of him. But he also realized he wasn't going to make it to the rocks. He knelt down, and focused all his energy on what he was about to do. He activated the spikes, and simultaneously he sent all his power to his arms and legs and pushed off, leaping toward the rocks.

He landed bad, feeling his ankle twist unnaturally, and slammed into the razor sharp edge of the rock, shredding the skin on his shoulder. But it was better having the rocks at his back. The fire wind was still blowing into him, but at least it wasn't coming from all sides. He thought cool thoughts while he examined his left ankle. He determined it was sprained, but already healing, and then checked his shoulder. The scrape was deep, but it had stopped bleeding and was also healing.

Ben's eyes surveyed the large crop of rocks, noticing a thin fissure not far away. Careful to only touch the non-sharp parts of the stone, he used it as stability while he hopped the twenty feet to the split in the rock. The crack was big enough for him to fit, but he wished he had a flashlight. He had no way of knowing how far back the fissure went, or if something was inside.

He looked around at the hellish landscape. If I stay out here I'll die, he thought. Tentatively, he wedged himself inside the gap scooting back only far enough to get out of the wind. He slid down the wall to where the gap was a little wider at the bottom, and laid his head back on the rock.

Ben was so thirsty. His tongue was dry and heavy, and even his spit was dried up. It was hard to swallow. His touched his lips, and they had the texture of cracking sand-paper. He touched his cheek, and hissed. Large blisters covered his face. He knew he should probably keep moving back, deeper into the hole. Maybe the fissure was a cave entrance. But he was too tired to do anything but lay there.

###

Ben's eyes flew open when he heard the sound of voices not far away, "Do you still feel the disturbance, Namast?" The first voice said. The speaker sounded male, and his voice was deep and buoyant, giving Ben the impression that he was young.

The second voice was harder to hear, and had a whiny edge to it that almost hurt Ben's ears. "An intruder is here, brother."

"But I sense nothing," the other said.

Shrill laughter made Ben cringe. "Use your other senses, Vayir."

"I still sense nothing."

Ben heard a sniffing sound. "I smell human sweat, and blood."

Ben tensed, willing his heartbeat to slow down for fear that it would alert them to his location. There was a moment of silence, before they spoke again. "But Namast, no human could survive the shadow plane. Perhaps the scent is leftover on your clothing, from your recent visit to earth."

"No," Namast sneered, "Something is amiss here."

Ben heard a sound like a horn blowing in the distance. The call was eerie and, strangely, he felt a little compelled to push out of the fissure, and follow the sound of the horn. "It's time, brother. Abandon this errand and join me for the battle on earth."

"I am not called to return to that filthy planet yet. Go yourself if you must."

"But Brother I-"

"Do not worry, Vayir. I will join you soon, and we will turn the earth to ash together."

Ben began to wedge himself further back into the crack, using the rock walls to guide him as the way was pitch black. He heard no more conversation from the Espheni trackers, but he sensed that one was still nearby. He kept moving, realizing that the deeper he got back the bigger – and cooler – the space got. He guessed the temperature was still over a hundred degrees, but compared to outside, it felt good. He thought he saw a light up ahead so he pushed forward using all his strength until finally he saw the crack narrow out into a large chamber. The source of the light was a pool of liquid in the middle of the room.

Ben staggered over to the pool, and sat down at the edge of it, getting a better look. He could see through the liquid. At the bottom of the pool was a glowing white stone. "What is this place?" He whispered.

"A fertilization chamber," a voice replied. Ben jumped away from the voice, looking frantically around for the source. And then he saw it. A lump of grey moved a little. His eyes traced a line up, and he saw why he hadn't noticed the creature before. Its skin was painted the same black color as the walls of the cave. It was Espheni, but there was something different about it. She was female.

"Who are you?" Ben asked, backing far enough away that he ran into the wall.

"I am Anim."

"You're one of them."

She raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "Yes, I am Espheni."

"What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for my master" she answered, with a shrug. He was surprised they were talking, and she wasn't trying to kill him through the spikes.

"Who is your master?"

"My master is a warrior who visits this plane from time to time on his travels. His name is irrelevant. You are hurt, and thirsty. Go ahead," she gestured toward the water, "drink."

Ben frowned. He wasn't walking into a trap that easily. "No thanks."

"It is okay, human. No harm will come to you in this chamber."

"Forgive me if I don't trust you." He replied, forcing his eyes away from the crystal clear water. How could he even be sure that's what it was, and not some kind of Espheni poison.

She sighed. "I have never met a human before, but I have heard of the stubbornness of your race."

"We didn't survive by falling into Espheni traps if that's what you mean."

She laughed. "This is no trap. I am a slave. I have no powers. Even if I wanted to kill you, I am probably the weaker of the two of us. You would win in a fight."

"A slave?"

She nodded, "Did you not know that they enslave their own?"

"Not really," he said, reaching down to rub his ankle which still throbbed occasionally.

"When I was a child, I was beautiful. My beauty was a curse. I was chosen, and trained in the art of giving pleasure, and sent here to live. I don't know how long ago that was."

"If that's true," Ben said, "How do you even know about us? Does your master gossip when he's finished?" He immediately regretted the comment. He probably wouldn't have said it, if he had known the reaction it would elicit from her.

She turned her head away, and refused to speak anymore. Eventually, hours later, Ben gave in and went to the side of the pool, dipped his hand in, and took a drink. It wasn't water, but it tasted good – a little like honey – and was very refreshing. He forced himself to stop after one drink and went back to his corner to wait and see what happened.

He was watching Anim, who was watching him, when he fell asleep.

###

He woke to the sound of someone coming down the passageway into the cave. He looked at Anim. She must have also heard the noise. She held a long finger up to her mouth. She stood up, and he was surprised to see that she was short – not much taller than he was – compared to her male counterparts. She came around the pool, and walked toward Ben holding up the grey blanket she'd been laying under. She covered him with the blanket. Ben could see light coming through a hole in the blanket, and positioned himself so he could peek through the hole.

Anim stood in the doorway of the cave, her arms crossed over her chest. Ben saw movement, and a young Espheni strode toward the entrance of the cave. "Stop," Anim said, holding up her hand.

The youth drew to a stop, a confused expression on his face. "Who are you?" He said, looking her over. He was no taller than she was, but he clearly suffered from an inflated ego, as did so many of the overlords that Ben had encountered.

"I am the property of Askar. You have entered the passageway to a fertilization chamber of another master. You are forbidden to enter, young one."

The youth looked around the chamber, his eyes passing over Ben without stopping. "My commander is outside. He was too large to enter himself, so he told me to. He believes a human is hiding out in here."

Anim's hands went to her cheeks, and she gave a little laugh. "He's toying with you. No human can survive in the shadow plane."

The warrior drew in a breath, sticking his chest out. "I was told to search the cave."

"Very well," Anim stepped aside and held out her hand, "But the rules are very strict. When Askar discovers you polluted this chamber, he will wonder what else you polluted, and he will likely kill us both."

The youth hesitated. "If I don't, what will I tell the commander? I have orders."

Anim seemed to be contemplating the question. "You see there is no human in this chamber, yes?"

He looked around, again, briefly and nodded. "Yes."

"Then tell him you found no human."

"Lie to him, you mean?"

"Not a lie. Besides, he sent you in as a trick. Is it not a well known fact that human beings, and most other species, cannot live in this place?"

"Well-"

"Make up your mind," she snapped, cutting him off. "Will you allow your commander's trickery to seal your death warrant, or will you simply tell him the truth?"

The youth nodded. "Very well. But beware, if my commander still thinks he's in there, he will contact your master, and request entry to this cave."

"I have nothing to hide from my master." Anim said, folding her hands together in a graceful motion.

The warrior nodded, gave the cave one final look, then turned and stalked into the dark passage. Ben pulled the blanket off his head, and inhaled the cooler air. "That was close."

Anim turned slowly, came to him, took the blanket, and went over to her corner of the cave, sliding down on the ground again. She ignored him, and stared at the pool of water. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier," Ben told her. "How was I supposed to know that there is such a thing as good Espheni? They committed genocide against my people, and they're doing everything they can to render humanity extinct."

She finally met his eyes. "I understand."

"Thank you for not giving me away. I'm Ben, by the way, Ben Mason."

She nodded acknowledgement. "I'm afraid I only postponed your demise, Ben Mason."

"Well," Ben said, "That's more than any Espheni has ever done for me before, and I'm grateful for the kindness."

She bowed her head, slightly, and looked away. "Can I ask you a question?" Ben said, finally.

"I suppose."

"Why don't you just escape?"

She turned her gaze on him. "Don't you think I would have if there was ever a chance?"

"What is preventing you from leaving?"

She pointed at the glowing white light at the bottom of the pool. "It produces an invisible energy field – which I cannot cross. If I did, it would kill me."

"But I crossed-"

She held up a hand, silencing him. "The twin to that orb is buried deep inside my chest. The force-field only works for me. No one ever worried about someone coming in and out because no one would ever, knowingly, intrude on an overlord's fertilization chamber. It's taboo."

Ben frowned. "What is a fertilization chamber?"

"It's obvious, isn't it?"

Ben blinked. "Tell me anyways."

She sighed, adjusting the blanket over her legs. "Only the most powerful of our kind can afford to keep a female in the shadow plane. There are very few places in this realm where survival is possible – over a long period of time – even for our kind. It is a benefit that only the highest in our courts receive. Those that have assimilated the most worlds shall have the gift of continuing their lineage. Askar is a prince. It was he who chose earth, and he leads the attack against your planet. Because of the horrors he has committed, he has me – and my two sisters – living in this realm, so that his chance of heirs is three times that of a normal warrior. So, in answer to your question, he uses me in this room in the hopes of impregnating me, and thereby strengthening his lineage."

Ben didn't want to feel compassion for Anim, but he couldn't help it. Besides, how could he blame her? Anim had no part in the invasion on earth. She was never given a vote. Before, he thought that Espheni were evil by nature, but Anim was making him question that. And if she was good, that meant others could be. Was it possible to achieve peace if he could speak with the right leaders, or was she the way she was because she'd been a slave all her life? "How long did you say you've been here?"

"I was taken – with my sisters – from my world and transported here to the shadow plane when I was a little one. I do not remember how old I was, nor do I know how long it has been since I came here."

"Have you…" he didn't know how to ask if she was a mother. "Um…do you have children?"

She shook her head. "I was taught a way to prevent that from happening, unless I want it to. Our mother's taught us how to stop it. Of course, it is illegal, and Askar would be within his rights to burn me alive, if he knew."

Several minutes passed in silence, as they both were lost in thought. "Anim?" Ben said finally, "I need to escape. I have a wife, and a child. I need to find a way back to them."

She pressed her lips together and looked at the glowing orb in the water, and he saw how sorrowful her eyes were as she gazed at the object responsible for her imprisonment. "I see in your eyes how much you love them, Ben Mason. Unfortunately, there is only one possible way you could escape, and you'll need my help. It's dangerous, extremely risky, and there is a low probability of success."

"Isn't there always?" He mumbled, sitting forward, intent on hearing her plan.

A/N: This was a long one, but I really enjoyed writing it. I just want to say how grateful I am for all of the sweet reviews. You guys blow my mind with your awesome comments, and encouragement! I couldn't have kept this up this long without your support and motivation! Hopefully this Ben/Maggie OTP will start to gain some momentum. I would love to find more of this ship in the Falling Skies category, wouldn't you? I will try to post again within a week. Thanks again! LOVE YOU ALL ~~calliecolors