Hal had wandered to Maggie's tent late that night, after his patrol shift was over. The room was vacant when he arrived, Maggie nowhere in sight. He wanted to see her desperately, so he decided he would wait for her. He stalked over to her cot and placed his guns on the floor next to his feet.

Hal didn't have to wait long. Moments later, she pushed her way through the curtain doorway. He felt relieved when he saw her, his body feeling refreshed, despite the throbbing in his side from the healing wound and the overwhelming exhaustion he was forced to carry. She stopped when she spotted him on her cot, mild confusion and concern in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She asked cautiously. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to see you." Hal's voice was quiet and tired.

"All right." She sounded uncertain. Maggie watched him carefully for a moment, and then she moved to sit with him on the bed, placing her guns on the floor next to his.

They were both silent for a few minutes. Maggie glanced at Hal to find him watching her. She looked away and took in a deep breath.

"How are you?" Her voice was intense, and she looked at her feet as she spoke. He knew she was very concerned about him, after everything that had happened. He was tired of people pitying him, though. Tired of people being concerned about him, or having a reason to be concerned about him.

"You don't have to worry about me, Maggie." Hal's voice sounded edgy and annoyed. She looked at him in surprise.

Maggie paused for a moment before speaking. "I almost lost you, Hal. I thought I was going to lose you. So don't tell me not to worry. You have no right to say that." She was trying to make her voice strong, but she was obviously torn.

Hal's face softened and he looked away. He sighed and glanced back at her, his eyes soft and caring. She was staring at the wall to her left, her eyes full of pain and fear.

"Hey." He whispered. "You didn't lose me, Maggie. And you're not going to. I'm not going anywhere." Maggie looked up at Hal, her eyes searching through his.

They stared at each other for a moment, their gaze never faltering. Hal saw something in Maggie that he had never seen in her before. Vulnerability.

Hal lifted his hand and placed it on Maggie's face gently, cupping her cheek. He expected her to turn away from him, to tell him to leave. But she leaned into his embrace, closing her eyes, and breathed in deeply. She opened her eyes again slowly. Hal paused, considering his next move carefully.

He leaned in, his eyes flicking as he watched her. She stayed frozen in place, almost seeming afraid of what was happening, but wanting it to happen at the same time.

They closed their eyes simultaneously as Hal's lips reached Maggie's, pressing firmly but gently together. They were both cautious at first, deciding whether to pull away or continue. They felt themselves getting lost in the moment they both had been wanting for so long. They'd kissed a few times in the past, but this was different.

Hal pressed his other hand to Maggie's other cheek firmly, holding her face tightly in both hands. The kiss became more passionate within seconds, and soon they were both lying on their sides, holding each other as they kissed.

Hal moved his hands so that they brushed over her waist softly. His hands floated over her waist for a moment, and then drifted slowly down her thighs.

Maggie had balled up the back of Hal's jacket in her fists tightly, and now she pulled him up so she could tug it off of him. They carefully began to undress each other, both completely aware and oblivious to what was happening. Maggie pushed Hal down on the bed, and then it happened. They suddenly became a part of each other.

It was the most natural thing Hal had ever felt. It was so intimate and sensual, and it was everything he had imagined it would be. It was in that moment that they both realized how much they loved each other, how terrified they were to lose each other. When they finished, Hal held Maggie in his arms, his embrace strong and protective. It was the first time in Maggie's life that she had ever felt safe and vulnerable at the same time.

"Hal..." Maggie's voice was nothing more than a breath, so quiet that Hal barely heard it. "Yeah?" He pressed his face into the back of her head, closing his eyes and breathing in her intoxicating scent. "I think I love you..." She whispered. Hal smiled against her hair and kissed the back of her neck gently. "I think I love you, too."

Maggie smiled softly, and a moment later she slipped into a peaceful slumber, her body relaxing into Hal's entirely.

"Goodnight, Maggie." Hal whispered before letting himself drift off into darkness.

Get up.

Hal's eyes opened in an instant. Maggie's forehead was pressed against his, her face relaxed and soft as she slept.

Get up.

Hal slowly rose from the cot, feeling a sense of emptiness wash over him. Maggie stirred in her sleep a bit, but then relaxed.

Go to the mirror.

Hal walked to the mirror obediently, finding he could move with great ease despite his stiffness and exhaustion. He reached the mirror and stared into it, his mind completely blank. The face that looked back at him was his own, but different somehow. His reflection looked menacing. Evil.

"Look at you, Hal." The reflection's voice was low and dark. "Look what they've turned you into. You're pathetic." Hal felt himself coming back into his body slowly.

"Once, you were strong. Determined." The reflection smiled, its lips curling up devilishly. "Just like your mother. But now you're weak."

Hal felt himself now, felt he had some control over his own body again. His breath was slow and shaky as he watched his reflection.

"Don't you want to be strong again?" Hal didn't answer. He just watched, his eyes narrowed, his frame tense and rigid.

"Tom Mason is against you, Hal. Your own father. He has something planned, and he's going to make sure you die in the process. You need to find out what he's planning, and eliminate him. Take him out, before he ends you."

Hal started to shake his head slowly. "No..." He mumbled. "My father would never hurt me. He would never kill me." He closed his eyes tightly and rubbed his temples furiously. "This is just a hallucination..."

"Oh, grow up, Hal!" The reflection shouted, its voice spitting with rage. "You think that because you're his precious little boy he wouldn't take you out to complete a mission? He would. And he wouldn't think anything of it. You have to find out what this plan is. Once you know, you have to stop him, Hal. He'll kill you. You, and everyone you love."

The reflection stood up straight and chuckled darkly, then it met Hal's eyes evenly. "Tom's not your father anymore, Hal. He's the enemy."

Hal turned away from the mirror, and he felt himself fading away. He felt himself being taken over by something horrible. His mind started to disappear, and all his thoughts were replaced with a blinding anger. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, Hal was gone. He was now nothing more than anger and hatred.

Don't let anyone know, Hal. This is our little secret.

Hal smirked, his face seeming dark and evil. He crawled back into bed with Maggie, holding her from behind. He looked over her, his eyes gleaming with darkness, and he smiled, his face contorting into something dangerously evil.

Hal was sitting up in Maggie's cot, still undressed from the night before. He watched her closely, his mind racing with a million voices telling him to do a million different horrible things.

She was still sleeping, her face so peaceful. Her golden hair was draped over her shoulders, hiding parts of her chest.

Hal stared at her, their intimate, passionate night together forgotten. She would try to stop him. She would get in the way of his plans. He had to know what Tom was planning, and he had to stop him. But Maggie would stop Hal before he could get to Tom.

Hal watched Maggie as her eyes slowly fluttered open. She squinted at first from the bright morning light filtering in through the tent's opening. As her eyes began to adjust, she met Hal's eyes and smiled softly.

"Morning, Stud." She was smiling cheekily now, her eyes sparkling in a very un-Maggie-like way.

Hal cocked his head slightly and smiled deceivingly. "Morning."

Maggie propped herself up on one elbow and brushed some hair behind her ear. "Sleep well?" She asked, trying not to show how concerned she was about him sleeping.

Hal continued to smile. "Amazing. What about you?"

"Pretty great myself. You certainly know how to make a girl comfortable, Hal Mason." She twisted out of bed, her body completely exposed to him. She bent down and began to put her clothes back on. Hal watched her as she turned from him, noticing the tattoo on her shoulder blade.

It was a bird, long and graceful, its wings stretching as far down as the middle of her back. It was greatly detailed, and beautiful.

Once both of them were dressed, they decided to head out for breakfast.

Hal was silent as they walked, hand-in-hand. Maggie glanced at him from the corners of her eyes. His face was blank, and he seemed to be in deep thought.

"Everything all right?" Maggie looked away as she asked this, wanting to appear casual.

Hal said nothing for a moment. His mind was racing with plans. How to get Tom Mason alone, so there would be no interference to deal with. How to get him to talk. How to kill him.

"Yeah. I'm fine." His voice was distant, and slightly annoyed, but he put a smile on his face to disguise it all.

Just as Maggie was about ask if he was sure, Hal spoke. "I'm not very hungry. I'm going to go talk to my father. Weaver told me last night they were having a meeting this morning. I think I'll drop in. See you later." He pulled his hand from Maggie's, and then he departed.

Maggie stood there for a moment, wondering what had just happened. Hal's mood seemed to have switched at the drop of a hat. She watched him as he hurried across the campsite towards his father's location, her mind reeling. Part of her wanted to run after him, pound him with a million questions. Another part told her not to push him. She sighed and started off towards the mess hall.

Hal had found Dai and asked him where Tom was. He said he was in a meeting with Weaver and some others in the abandoned city hall building. "It's top secret." Dai had said, holding his hands up and shaking them jokingly.

Hal rushed into the building and quickly found the room the meeting was being held in. He opened the door after knocking once.

The room held all of the 2nd Mass's most important people. Tom and Ben Mason, Captain Dan Weaver, Marina Peralta, Jim Porter, even Pope had wormed his way in, and now Hal, who was more important than all of them.

As Hal entered, he found the group beginning to wrap up the meeting. He had arrived too late.

"Dad!" Hal brushed past Porter and Peralta as he made his way to his father, who was locked in a conversation with Ben and Weaver.

"Hal! Got here a little late, huh?" Tom smiled at Hal and put his hands on his shoulders as he reached him. "How are you feeling?" He was still smiling, but he was looking at Hal with distinct concern.

"I'm fine. Dad, I need to talk to you. You have a minute?" Hal's words sounded rushed and agitated, causing Tom to raise his eyebrows. "Uh, yeah. Captain, I'll find you in a little while to discuss the specifics. Let's walk?" Tom said, turning back to Hal.

Hal nodded and they turned and walked out of city hall.

Make him squeal.

Hal closed his eyes as he walked, listening to the voice intently.

"Hal, is everything all right?" Tom was watching his son closely. "What did you need to talk about?"

"Shut up." Hal's voice was low and it almost sounded like a growl. When Hal opened his eyes, Tom saw they they were not his son's eyes. The irises were pitch black, hiding his pupils entirely, and the whites of his eyes were terribly bloodshot. They looked like the eyes of a demon. Tom suddenly began to realize this was not his son he was speaking to.

"Who are you?" Tom had stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide.

"Oh, I'd keep walking if I were you, Professor." Hal spoke, the corners of his lips twitching up menacingly. He slowly pulled a pistol out of his jacket and pressed it threateningly into Tom's side.

Tom looked down at the gun, and then back into the eyes that once belonged to his son. He nodded slowly and started walking again. "Can I at least ask what you want?" Tom's voice was hushed, afraid of alerting anyone. The last thing he wanted or needed was a group of soldiers opening fire on him and his son.

"In time, Professor. In time." Hal's voice was distant, and he was scanning the area as he walked to ensure there were no threats nearby.

They were heading towards a building that looked like it might have been a phone company. It was half-torn down now, and thick moss was beginning to creep up the sides.

"Tom!" Anthony was jogging over to them, his hand waving in the air a little. "Tom! I was wonder... Tom, is everything okay...?" He saw the look on Tom's face, and the look in Hal's eyes, and then the gun pressed firmly into Tom's abdomen. Anthony slowly moved his hand towards the pistol in the holster on his belt-loop.

Without hesitation, Hal shot at the ground next to Anthony's feet. Anthony threw his hands up so Hal could see them. It was only moments later when others arrived, armed and ready to shoot Hal.

Maggie ran up, unaware of who was the threat. When she spotted Hal with Tom, she felt her heart sink into her stomach. She quickly looked away, her eyes big and confused. She took a few deep breaths and steadied herself. When she looked back, Hal was using Tom as a bodyguard, his body completely covered.

"You better hold your fire, men, or I will put a bullet through his skull! That's a promise!" Hal shouted, his voice threatening and dangerous.

Hal began to drag Tom slowly into the abandoned phone company building, holding a gun to his temple.

"Hold your fire!" Tom shouted loudly. He obviously did not like the idea of opening fire on his son, even if his son was planning on killing him.

Finally, the two of them reached the phone building, and they disappeared from sight.