Okayyyy soo this is kind of a filler chapter because im working on the next chapter where Kristen and Ashley are gonna be finally officially meeting the people of the second mass! So this story has over 200 views and that's really exciting, i didn't think this story would get more than like fifty... But i appreciate everyone who did.

Sorry if this chapter is boring, but thanks to everyone who gives this story a chance!

A Falling Skies Fanfiction

Life Without Others, is a Life Lost

"Is she going to be okay?

Was that Ashley's voice? I struggled to find the source of the voice as I tried to lift my head to turn it from left to right. I was lying on my stomach on a table covered in a white sheet and I could tell that my shirt had been torn open from the back and bandages were wrapped tightly around my body.

"She should be waking up soon. The Skitter did quite the damage to your friend's back, but she's a strong and healthy girl and should be fine once she gets time to rest and heal."

I heard the voice of a mature female voice along with some shuffling of feet and papers. The woman's voice was very calming and nurturing and it made me think of my mother.

My eyes were heavy and my whole body felt sore and pain laced through my back at the slightest movement. I remembered being clawed by the alien and all the shouting echoed into my ears as I tried to remember what had happened. I shouldn't have been so reckless. I shouldn't have let my guard down. I bet Ashley was worrying herself sick because of me. I couldn't possibly live without her and the thought that I was helpless to try to help if she did leave me. I had almost put Ashley in that very position and God knows that she doesn't need that added to what we already have to deal with.

"Do you need anything Ashley?" I heard a new voice followed by several heavy footsteps enter the room. The voice was distinctively male and it too, along with the other voice I had heard, was laced with concern and was overall very nurturing, wise and mature. I bet the two voices I had heard were great parents.

"I'm fine," I heard Ashley's voice from the other side of the room. "Thank you though Mr. Mason."

"I've already told you, Ashley," The man started off sternly, "you can just call me Tom." He ended warmly.

"Well, I have to be heading out now. Weaver's got me on patrol then Hal, Dai, Anthony and Maggie are coming with me to go look for Ben." The man's, I guess Mr. Mason's, voice lowered as he said the name Ben. Hmmm, I wonder what's his relation to him. While I was thinking on who all these people could be, I heard the woman speak up again.

"Be safe, Tom. I don't want to be seeing you in this room unless you're dropping in to say hello. That means no gunshot, explosive, and any blood related visits." The woman spoke jokingly, but her voice was full of concern and I knew she was serious.

I guess Tom Mason knew too because I heard him whisper a soft, "I will."

I heard retreating steps echo in the hallway and I was finally able to open my eyes. My vision focused and I saw I was in some sort of science classroom. There were cabinets all around the room with glass panels and I saw numerous drugs, pills, and antibiotics as opposed to science related things that I guess had previously inhabited the cabinets. Feeling less pain than I had before, I hesitantly tried to lift my self up off the sheet covered lab table I was lying on. My arms were shaky as I moved them to the front of me and gripped the sides of the table to push myself up.

"Kristen!" Ashley's voice pierced through the silence as she saw me move. "Dr. Glass! She's awake!"

I saw Ashley run over towards me and she, along with Dr. Glass slowly lifted me up and turned my body around so I could sit on the edge of the table.

I hissed in pain when my back protested against the movement, but I tried to ignore the feeling. "Ashley." I whispered, trying to reach my hand out to hers. "You're not hurt, are you?"

Ashley was worked up at the sight of me and she had a few stray tears coming out of her eyes.

"How could you even ask me that in the state you're in! I'm fine, but you- I was so worried when the skitter got you, don't do that to me again, you jerk!"

I smiled slightly when Ashley called me a jerk. She wasn't too mad. Ashley always called me a jerk when I was sarcastic or just being annoying and hearing her say it made me think of the old times.

"I'm sorry, Ashley." I said quietly. "But, you know I wouldn't go without a fight."

"Yeah, I know you wouldn't." Ashley shook her head with a slight smile on her face. "You're too damn stubborn for your own good, you know that, right?"

A smile graced my face, "Of course I do. It's what keeps me going." I looked from Ashley to the woman who had saved my life. She seemed a little young, but she was pretty with long black hair that was slightly wavy and kind brown eyes with dark/tan skin. She was dressed in a pair of normal jeans with a V-neck and a lab coat around her shoulders. "Thank you." I said to the woman. I wasn't always too big on having to owe people things, which is why I hated asking others for help, but I owed my life to this woman.

"You're welcome," The woman spoke kindly to me and she smiled as a mother would to her own child. "I'm glad that I was able to help you in time. My name is Anne Glass. Even though people call me Dr. Glass, you can just call me Anne."

"Thank you, Anne." I said once again, truly meaning it. Thanking people like this used to bother me so much. I tried to avoid being put into situations like this because I hated to be a burden. I had always been independent, but ever since the aliens came, it was something I had to change. I couldn't survive by myself, and I had to learn to be able to rely on others. I don't know how many times I've had to thank Ashley for saving me.

"You had quite the close call there, Kristen." A new voice spoke up. I hadn't even noticed someone else walk into the room. "My name is Lourdes, it's nice to meet you." Lourdes was a petite girl, with soft features. She looked Hispanic and had doe-like brown eyes and dark brown hair.

I smiled. "It's nice to meet you, too." Lourdes seemed so genuine. The presence she carried was so peaceful and calm and she had an air of kindness around her.

"You and Ashley should be more careful out there." Anne spoke up again, bringing everyone's attention to her. "Ashley really injured her leg and you being almost torn apart by a skitter." She shook her head like a parent would if they were scolding a child.

I looked at Ashley's leg and notice some sort of brace on it. How could I have forgotten! Ashley's old leg injury resurfaced when we had been fighting the skitters.

Ashley must have noticed my eyes on her leg and she shifted on her feet. "It's not as bad as you think!" She said hurriedly, looking into my eyes. "I swear! Anne said I just have to be very careful!"

I let it go, seeing as she didn't seem hurt and that's when I remembered my own battle wounds. I hissed in pain and brought my arm to my shoulder when I felt a stinging sensation.

"Lourdes, can you get some painkillers please?" Anne asked, noticing my wince. "You really have to take it easy, Kristen. The skitter really scratched up your back. The skin was torn open, but Lourdes and I were able to close the wound and dress it before it could get infected."

"Here you go," Lourdes handed Anne a bottle of pills.

Anne shook two pills out and put them in my hand while Ashley handed me a glass.

"Thanks," I swallowed the pills.

"Wait, you and Ashley both mentioned a Skitter?" I questioned, cocking my head to the side.

"Oh, it's what we've been calling the aliens. The spiderlike aliens are called skitters and we call the robots, mechs." Anne replied to me.

"Gotcha." I nodded my head. Hmm Skitters and mechs do sound better than just calling them aliens or creatures all the time.

Ashley let out a yawn. How long had I been out? Now that I'm looking Ashley, I noticed she looked a little worse for wear. I mean we probably didn't look presentable out on the run, but Ashley's eyes had deep dark bags beneath them and her hair looked very disheveled.

"I think you should go rest, Ashley." Lourdes said, concerned. "Kristen's all good now, I'll make sure to watch her for you."

Ashley nodded and gave me a loose hug, making sure to not aggravate my wound before turning to leave, albeit a little reluctant. "Don't strain yourself, Kristen."

"Wouldn't dream of it." I shot back at her retreating back.

"So how long was I out?" I asked, curiously. I shifted on the table to face Lourdes and Anne.

"Two days." Lourdes replied, smiling gently at me.

I nodded my head, wincing a little. The painkillers were kicking in thought because it didn't hurt as much as I had before.

"I think you still need some rest, Kristen." Anne suggested, while shuffling some kid's drawings in her hands. "Give it another day and I'm sure you won't be sore to the point where it's very difficult to move."

I would have protested, but the look on Anne's face made me decide otherwise. Instead of inisiting i was fine, I decided to listen to Anne and try to at least get some sleep. I laid back on my stomach in hopes of getting some rest, as much as you can when you're stuck in a world filled aliens at least.

Even though I was so used to the fact that it had just been me and Ashley for so long, the thought that there are people around, people that care, is just something so comforting. You never know what you have until it's gone. But, just thinking of Anne and Lourdes, filled me with a new sense of hope for this world. It's always been said that the journey life takes you on is so much better with people that come along with you and maybe, just maybe, Ashley and I can find a home with these people. Just Maybe.

The soft sounds that occupied the room soon lulled me into sleep and I found myself dreaming of the times that were long behind us.

so this is chapter 4 and i know its kind of boring, but i'm trying to figure out how to write the encounter between the second mass and my two characters. Thanks for reading all the way to end, if you like it or not, feedback is always appreciated.

Thanks!

~Music-is-lifexx