Disclaimer - Still own nothing
*Matt and Ben during Hal's surgery*
When Tom told Ben to take Matt away, he didn't hesitate. He did want to stay, but he didn't want Matt to see Hal in pain. Not that he wanted to see it either, but he wanted to be there with his big brother, just in case something happened.
The two youngest Mason brothers walked down the hallway, turned a corner, then Matt stopped. Ben looked down at his little brother.
"I want to stay close." Matt explained. Ben nodded, and they leaned against the wall. It didn't take long for Ben to regret agreeing to Matt's request.
Hal's screams were so loud that he didn't even need to use his super hearing. Ben grimaced at the sound. His big brother's screams were filled with so much pain, that he was grateful that he wasn't watching.
He looked over at Matt. The curly haired kid was on the verge of tears. Ben instinctively pulled the boy close to him, and held him tight. Matt immediately returned the hug, and let his tears full.
Suddenly, the screaming stopped. Ben looked towards the hallway that led to the room where Hal was, focusing his hearing on any noise that he could hear. Matt looked up at Ben, watching Ben's face for any clue as to what could be happening.
At first, everything was fine. Ben seemed to be okay with what he was hearing, whatever it was. Then, it changed to fear, with a mix of horror.
"HAL!" Matt didn't need super hearing to hear his father's shout. Ben and Matt immediately ran back towards the surgery room.
Neither Tom nor Maggie seemed to notice them, and they quickly realized why. Hal was lying limply on the table, and Lourdes was standing over him, holding a needle into his chest.
"Come on, Hal. Don't do this." Ben could hear Lourdes muttering under her breath. The sound of Maggie's muffled sobs also echoed through his ears, but he himself stood as still as a statue, in fear and pain, just like his father.
Matt's mouth formed the word 'no', as his tears started fall.
Lourdes pulled out the needle, and went to resume giving Hal CPR, when his chest suddenly heaved up, then went down, up and down, a gasp escaping his lips.
Tom took a relieved breath, putting his hand on the glass window separating him from his son. Matt went to stand right in front of the glass, putting both his hands on it, wishing for Hal to open his eyes. Ben came forward also, and put his hand on his little brother's shoulder. Partly to comfort him, and partly to keep himself standing as his legs were shaking under him.
Maggie buried her face in her hands, trying to collect herself. Even though Hal, the man that she loved, had literally died right before her eyes, a part of her couldn't help but be embarrassed that she was crying.
He's okay, he's okay. Maggie mouthed to herself. Hal was okay, he was going to be okay.
*Ben and Matt go see Hal when he wakes up*
Ben lost count of how many hours he and Matt had been sitting in the infirmary waiting room in total. It was very late in the night, and they had been there ever since the early afternoon, after Hal had tried to shoot himself.
After getting the bug out of his big brother, Lourdes ran a whole lot of tests to make sure he was okay, and wasn't at risk of flatlining again. When Lourdes cleared him, and got him settled into a room, Tom and Maggie went to his room and stayed there, waiting for him to wake up. Tom refused to let Ben and Matt come though. He wanted to make sure the bug was 100 percent gone before he let his other sons in the room.
It was hours before Tom came out, though at that point, neither noticed. Ben was in the process of falling asleep in his chair, while Matt actually did fall asleep on top of Ben's lap.
"Boys?" Tom tried to get their attention as he knelt down in front of them. They both opened their eyes and Matt sat up.
"He's awake, and he's good. The bug is gone." Tom told them, with a relieved smile on his face.
"So, can we see him?" Matt asked.
"Yes, but, there is something you two need to know. Hal, he doesn't remember what happened. The last thing he remembers is something from last week." Tom informed the two.
"What? So, he has no clue that Anne and Lexi are missing?" Ben tried clarify.
"Well, he does now. I told him."
"Does he remember being controlled before that?" Matt questioned.
"Besides the nightmares Maggie said he had, no." Tom revealed.
"So, now what?" Ben wondered. He knew that since word had gotten out about Hal being controlled, everyone was beyond furious. They all wanted him dead, or at the very least, kicked out, and they had no idea what he actually did.
"Now, we wait for the rebel skitters to tell us where Anne and Lexi are, then we're going after them." Tom told them, and got to his feet. Ben and Matt stood up and followed their Dad to Hal's room.
When they entered the room, they saw Hal sitting up on the bed, his head in his hands. Maggie was sitting beside him, gently rubbing his shoulder. They both looked to the door when they heard it open. Maggie smiled when she saw them, but Hal's face was filled with mixed emotions.
Hal sat up straighter, and Matt couldn't hold himself back anymore. He ran towards the bed and threw his arms around his big brother. Hal froze, not really expecting that kind of response. Then, he heard Matt's sobs, and immediately wrapped his little brother in his embrace.
Ben stood back, letting Matt be with their big brother. He knew Hal had been through so much in the last few months, and needed comfort right now. Ben waited until Matt pulled away before he went and hugged him too.
In all honesty, Hal wasn't very surprised that Matt would hug him, but he definitely did not expect it from Ben. Growing up, Matt was always the one who seemed to need affection, Ben rarely did. Hal knew that his middle brother must've been very freaked out if he actually hugged him of his own free will, he usually only did that with Matt. But Hal returned the hug wholeheartedly.
"How are you feeling?" Ben asked, as he ended the hug.
"I got the mother of all headaches, but other than that, I'm fine. Just a little tired, and a little sore." Hal confessed. The image of Hal thrashing around on the table resurfaced, and Ben wasn't surprised at all that his brother was sore.
"Try to get some more rest, okay?" Tom told Hal, who nodded in agreement. Their father came forward, pressed a kiss against Hal's head before he left, saying he was going to find Weaver, but would be back soon.
Hal leaned down against the mattress while Matt climbed on to the foot of the bed. Maggie held her boyfriend's hand and stayed where she was, right by Hal's side. Ben sat down in the chair that Tom had been previously sitting in, keeping his eye on his brother.
If Hal had any objections to everyone staying in the room and keeping an eye on him, he didn't voice it. Instead, he closed his eyes and fell back asleep, completely content on being with his brothers and the woman he loved.
*Hal and Maggie talk before Hal leaves*
Hal was released from the infirmary the next day. While he was fine, Lourdes wanted to make sure there weren't going to be any side effects from the skitter device. Not to mention, his Dad believed he would be safer in the infirmary, where it was crowded, rather than the privacy of his room. Tensions were still very high among the people of Charleston, even though his Dad, Weaver, and even Marina made it very clear that he was not considered guilty of anything.
Going back to his room didn't mean much to Hal in the end though. That afternoon, the rebel skitters showed about. They had found where Karen was keeping Anne and Lexi. Hal was currently packing his bags, and Maggie ended up walking in on him, just like she did last time he tried to leave.
"You're packing." Maggie stated. When she had heard that the rebel skitters had found Anne and Lexi, she knew that the odds were she would walk in on Hal packing.
"Yeah, Dad wants to leave as soon as we can." Hal told her, keeping his eyes on the task at hand. He didn't want to see the look on her face.
"Hal-" Maggie started, but Hal immediately cut her off.
"Maggie, I have to go. It's my fault Karen has them, and who knows what else she made me do. I can't fix all that I've done, but I can try to fix this." Hal explained, finally looking her in the eye. Maggie knew there would be no talking him out of going this time. She found his jacket laying on his abandoned wheelchair, picked it up, and walked over to her boyfriend.
"None of this is your fault Hal, but I get it. Just, promise you'll be careful. And, come back as soon as you can." Maggie said, handing him his jacket. Hal didn't reply. Instead, he put the coat on the bed by his bag, then captured her lips with his, his arms circling her waist.
Hours later, Maggie stood in front of the crowd, and watched as Hal and his family rode off into the night. He never did promise to be safe, or to come back. Maggie wished she had gone with him.
AN - And that is the end of 3x06. If you guys want more scenes, or any scenes expanded from any episodes, let me know and I will see what I can do. Next chapter will be 3x09, then right to season 5. See you guys soon!
