A/N: Hey you guys! So, I'm having mixed feelings about everything right now because of Falling Skies. So, the premiere was perfect-o! I am so psyched for this season but what the hell- Lourdes and what's-his-name. NOOOO! Like seriously, HE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. I literally screamed when they kissed because I have so many feelings and ugh. The fact that you can see Hal looking at them in the background is SO HEARTBREAKING. I just want to cry because my shipper feels! I don't know if it was intended for Hal to be seen looking at them because that kind of looks like a sign that he's jelly or something. BUT, THE KISS :( I HAT E MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. Anyways, here's the new chappie and I updated so soon! I am so proud aw

"We're leaving in five!" Mr. Green shouted from a few Jeeps back

I proceeded towards a Jeep and I was about to hop in the back but a hand stopped me. I soon realized it was Lourdes. I gave a wave "Hey there."

There was an unmistakable expression of worry in her face "Hey"

I raised a brow "What's wrong?"

"I want you guys to be careful out there." She sighed "If the last incident happened again-"

"Hey" I wanted to place a hand on her shoulder but I couldn't. Instead I just gave my best smile "I'll make sure it won't happen again, alright?"

Lourdes smirked "Alright fine. But still, be safe out there."

I gave her a salute that made her giggle. Maggie passed behind me and gave me a pat on the back "Coming, lover boy?"

I rolled my eyes "I'll be there."

Lourdes nodded at Maggie who nodded back. When Maggie was already gone, she returned her gaze back to me then she smiled "I'll be here when you need me."

"You promise?"

"I promise." She gleamed

I jumped in the back and sat across from Maggie who was smirking at me. I just rolled my eyes and slumped back on the seat. Lourdes was still in her spot, standing their smiling at me. But then, Ash came running towards her. She shifted her gaze from me to Ash. He said something to her that she responded to then he hugged her. He hugged her. I frowned then turned away

I guess they're pretty close now I thought with a sigh. Too close maybe

We had eventually arrived in town. The Jeeps parked in the middle of the vacant street. The buildings looked darker and scarier at night. There wasn't any source of light except of the bright moon and our flashlights. We jumped off the back then followed after Mr. Greene, our guns pointing at different directions. There were only probably twenty of us and we're going off to eliminate a group of Skitters. There may be a few of them but what if there were Mechs? The Mechs will be a huge problem for all of us. But right now there was something bugging me, I don't know why it's bothering me. I scanned the group for any sign of Ash then I finally found him. He was walking beside Mr. Greene since he was like his men's first command, must be one hell of a guy. He looked a few inches taller than me and he is older but I am bulkier and stronger than he is and why the hell am I comparing myself to him? I grunted in exasperation. Then suddenly, the group came to a halt. When our footsteps couldn't be heard anymore, the sound of groaning and humming filled my ears. It came from an alley not far away from us. Mr. Green motioned us to follow after him and so we did. With careful steps, we silently crept up nearer to the alley. The humming seemed louder now and it made my head throb a little. When were close enough to see the alley, we prepared for the worst. The Skitters didn't seem to see us. A bunch of them were huddled together and they made screeching sounds, it was as if they were communicating. There was a neon shell-like thing behind the Skitters which was big enough for a person to fit inside. I squinted my eyes and moved a tad bit closer to try and see what was in it. Then, I stepped aback when I saw an arm, it was twitching.

"Carlos, in my command I want you to throw that grenade towards those things." Mr. Green whispered just loud enough for us to hear "Then, we shoot until all of them are gone-"

"There's someone in there." I spoke

Mr. Greene looked at me, puzzled "What?"

I pointed at the shell-like thing "I saw an arm. A moving arm"

Mr. Greene frowned "Are you sure, Mason?"

I just plainly nodded. Then, he grunted. Change of plans, we need to get them as far enough from that alley as possible. When the coast is clear, I want you, Hal to break open that thing and retrieve that person."

I nodded then Mr. Greene commanded Carlos to throw the grenade when the Skitters are far enough from the alley then they'll shoot, fetch the Jeeps then they'll make their way here, to me. It was good enough. Mr. Greene pointed at a small gap that was dividing a store and the alley walls. I got the message then I slipped inside. Then, they started shooting then running back towards the Jeeps. Mr. Greene nodded at me and I took that as my cue to sneak my way to the alley. The Skitters moans and grunts can still be heard which means they aren't far enough.

I have to make this as fast as possible I took one deep breath then I parted the thing open. The covering was gooey and it felt so sticky against my hands. I took my army knife from my pocket then I started cutting. It wasn't very hard but there was a rubber covering underneath the goo. I slipped the end of the knife slowly and carefully against the rubber covering. After several attempts, the covering ripped apart. What I saw underneath was nothing I had expected at all. Her dirty blonde hair was still tied up in that ponytail and her skin still as fair as ever. Her eyes were closed shut and her lips would part as if she is mumbling something.

"Karen" I whispered, unsure if it was really her. Her name sounded so foreign against my lips

She still hasn't moved

"Karen!" I said louder

She didn't respond. I pulled her out of the shell and held on to her, whispering her name repeatedly. She was shaking underneath my touch and she was groaning. I took a deep breath "It will be okay. You're going to be fine."

Then, tire screeches came. I carried Karen and fixed my attention on her. She was breathing rapidly and my head was rushing. Relax, Hal. She'll be fine

"Hal! Get in now!" Mr. Greene shouted from the street. I managed to run without any problems since Karen wasn't heavy at all. I settled in the backseat then I held unto Karen. I found her, I finally found her

….

"Lourdes? You alright?" Ash whispered

I was fiddling with the beans served on my plate with the fork I held. I gnawed on one before I nodded "Just worried"

Ash sighed "Don't be. Lourdes, you're always worried."

I shrugged "It's just that incident. What if that happened again? What if they don't come back?" What if Hal doesn't come back?

Ash placed his hand on top of mine which rested on top of the table. He softly smiled "You don't have to worry about them much. They probably go through incidents like that everytime. They'll be fine."

I smiled back "You're right."

"Ain't I always?" Ash winked

I chuckled. Then, the familiar sound of roaring engines could be heard. The engines roared fiercely, getting louder and louder by the second. They're back. I quickly stood up then ran out of the house and into the trail then to the street. Three Jeeps rounded up into the curb and the men started filling out, guns in hand. I scanned the group for Hal but he wasn't there. I felt my heart skip "Hal?" I yelled

Then, that's when I saw him. He jumped off of the Jeep and he cradled a limp girl in his arms. I couldn't see the girl's face because of the darkness but when he walked towards me and that was when I realized who it was. It was Karen. Her face was dressed with dried blood and mud, her eyes shut. There was still a harness stuck to her back. Hal's eyes were on her, it was filled with concern and longing. I felt my stomach lurch'

"Hal, what happened?" I spoke as I regained back my voice

He didn't respond. He jogged towards the house, his eyes still on her and he was telling her it was going to be fine. He kept on telling her that over and over again. He didn't pay any attention to anything else but her. I kept up with his pace "Hal?" still no response. When we got inside the house, he called out for Dr. Hunns. Dr. Hunns immediately appeared; his eyes on Karen. Then he motioned for us to follow behind him and so we did. He pushed open the door to the infirmary. The room was how I left in this early morning. Three clean vacant beds in the middle of the room and white closed cabinets. Hal settled Karen on the bed in the middle and then Dr. Hunns took over. He closed the curtain behind him and I followed after Dr. Hunns but he stopped me "I'll be fine here. Go to Hal, he needs you more."

I blinked a few times at Dr. Hunns then at the trembling Karen before I parted the curtain and got out. Hal sat on the grey couch next to a bunch of counters filled with medical supplies. Hal didn't look up instead he focused his eyes on his feet. I sat beside him and then I placed a hand on his back "She'll be okay."

Hal still didn't look at me "I know she will."

I looked away from him for a moment "She's very special to you, right?"

He was silent for a moment then he answered "She is."

"Then, you have to keep your faith." I tried my best to smile

Hal looked at me this time. His eyes shimmered under the light and his lips shut tight. He looked so devastated, so sad but he still didn't lose that bravery in his face. He was still brave, Hal will always be brave.

"You can stay here if you want. Dr. Hunns will be done in no time." I stood up to leave but his hand gripped my wrist tightly

"Lourdes, don't go." He spoke "Just- stay here. Please Lourdes"

I sat down beside him and smiled. This smile was real though, it was neither forced nor fake. It was real "I promised I'll be here when you need me, right?"

"You promised" Hal spoke, his voice slightly shaking

"I did and I intend to keep that promise."

A/N: You reached the end of chapter 10! Oh and I forgot to tell you guys this but I have a strange feeling in my gut that Maggie and Hal might just end up together. (because they were flirting in Worlds Apart and stuff). I LOVE MAGGIE BUT SHE JUST SEEMS TOO OLD FOR HAL so I'm still going with Hourdes! I just hope they won't end up together because srsly if they do, I will freak out on life. Okay anyways, tune in for the next chappie ;)