Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except my OC.

She was smiling like a ray of sunshine, and she ran through the jungle like the child she was at heart. She knew there were predators that could kill in a blink of an eye, but she was free. A cool breeze blew against her skin, and the flowers brushed against her torn pants. She took in a breath of fresh air through her nostrils, enjoying the scent of the world around her. It was magnificent.

The Pterosaurs soared through the air in packs, dipping down so they were just feet above her, and the Herbivores chewed the vegetation off the trees across the lake. A klick out, there was a territory of Carnivores roaming an empty field. They all fit together like some big family.

Her eyes landed on her reason for being so far away from her cave, and her face lit up, taking quick strides to the plant. She needed food, and she knew these berries were safe, and tasty. Once she did a quality check, she gathered a few, and headed on her way. She knew it was risky to be out this far, they were closer to Terra Nova–very close, but her worries were put aside when she caught the same Pterosaurs she saw when she arrived circling the same spot. When she first passed the area, she hadn't thought much of it, but they'd been like that for a while, and it wasn't a usual pattern for them to fly. Except...

She braced herself, as she approached the area. She had avoided the area in favor of her usual trail, she always used the same route. She was getting closer to Terra Nova's border, and the open road–something her nerves were becoming very aware of. That or the impending disturbance.

And disturbing it was. Bodies, upon bodies, ranging in age and gender, all thrown in one mass grave without a care. The stench of death filled her nose, taking place of the fresh, crisp air. Her hand clamped over her mouth, and her stomach clenched, fighting to keep what little she ate down. Her head told her feet to back up, and turn around, but it processed as step forward. She instantly regretted the choice, and within seconds her world shattered.

Her breath caught in her throat, followed by a punch to the gut. She felt as though her life was being sucked out of her, and the pain of it was unbearable. She collapsed to her knees, her fingers gripping the ground, while her body searched for any kind of conformation she was still here, and it was not another horrible nightmare. She knew it wasn't, but she hoped that somehow it was. Before she even looked up, the tears started prickling hot down her cheeks. She had already seen once, and it was enough to scar her forever.

It only took a second, one quick look for her know it was her. The fountain of black hair sprawled out behind her, and covered part of her face. Her eyes were shut, and she could see part of a bruise. Somebody hurt her, there was doubt about it. Natalie knew, somebody did, somebody had to of, but who would be so cruel.

She moved the body. Her muscles burned with every step, but it was nothing compared to the pain she felt inside. She felt hollow. All that joy, and happiness she previously felt was gone. Mike tried to rub against her, but it was as if she wasn't there–her mind had drifted to another place. Any hatred or anger she felt for her mother disappeared, and was replaced with nothing but love and adoration for the women who raised her single-handily.

Tears spilled out of her eyes, as she stared down at Alicia. She laid so still, her body unmoving, but every few seconds Natalie swore she saw her chest rise. It was just a childish wish, hoping that she was just sleeping, and not dead. The thought sent shivers through her body. Her mom was dead, she was an orphan, and it was all her fault.

Her lip quivered, and her body trembled as tears began to stream down her face. She flung herself forward and clung to the body. She didn't know how long she stayed like that–clinging to the lifeless body of her mother–it could've been hours. In the time that had passed, the sky had started to darken, and she had calmed down to a degree. Her body still vibrated with every occasional breath, but she had managed to stop the tears. The familiar scent of her mother relaxed her.

When she first heard it, she was too shaken up to actually comprehend what it meant. The second time, she assumed it was her own. The third time she heard the heartbeat, she bolted up, and stared at Wash in complete disbelief. She was almost hesitant to check, but when she did, her eyes widened and her mouth fell agape.

Natalie looked at the close-eyed women, her eyes twinkling with hope. "Mom?"

Her eyes cracked open. She squinted them to try and adjust to the light, but the sun started peeking through the opening and her eyes snapped shut once again. She didn't know how long she laid there, eyes closed, before she tried to open them again. She let out a barely audible groan in the process. She blinked a few times to adjust to the light, then she started to look around. She already knew she wasn't in the infirmary. While there was light, it wasn't the infirmary's usual blinding light. It was natural.

She quickly established they were in a cave, she couldn't tell what was beyond it. But how did she get into the cave? And why wasn't she dead? Lucas pulled a gun on her, and she helped the Shannon's escape. She should be dead. No one was that lucky.

Oh, the Shannon's.

Were they alive? Did they give Taylor the message? Did they blow the portal?

Taylor.

Was he disappointed in her? Did he-?

No, she rid herself of her thoughts. She could ask those questions later, and think those thoughts later. Right now, she needed to figure out exactly where she was and who had her. Her mind flipped into military gear. She pressed back on her palms and forced herself into a sitting position. She could rest later. Whoever captured her, forget to bind her hands. If she was even captured, she reminded herself. Taylor could've never retaken the colony. He could've found her.

Her eyes surveyed the room for a second time, and she caught something in the shadows she hadn't noticed the first time. She swore she was hallucinating, or was in fact dead. She looked real, too real.

"Natalie?" She rose to her feet, and instantly regretting the choice, lowering herself back to her knees, her hand resting on her head.

"Mm." Natalie adjusted herself against the wall, before her eyes shot open. "Wha-Mom! You're awake." Within seconds she darted over to her. "Are you alright? Do you feel dizzy? You should lay back down."

Alicia nodded, brushing off her help. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You were shot. You were dead." She was holding back the 'I thought you were...'

Alicia looked her up and down, her eyes full of suspicion. She was acting off. "Natalie, what happened?"

Natalie hadn't left her side, except when it was absolutely necessary. Even then it was for the minimum amount of time, and she made sure to be as efficient as possible. Her death had awaken something inside of her, changed something inside of her. She was cautious, almost scared. She was happy before, not having to make a decision between the two, but now it was so clear. There was no decision. She would always love a part of Lucas, much to her dismay–she really wanted to hate him, especially after everything she knew he had done, but she couldn't, and she hated herself for that, too. But she loved her mom, and her mom came first, which was the most important part.

She came back to the cave with the water. Between two people in blazing hot weather and one of them having been just shot they burned through the water like liquor. Wash was sitting up, her body resting against the makeshift pillow Natalie made for her. She was going against doctor's orders, but seeing as Natalie wasn't a doctor, and technically, she was one–medic to be exact–she overruled her when it came to deciding health care. Well, that and the fact she was the adult in the equation. It was still better than standing and walking, but it was only a matter of time. Sooner, rather than later, she would start standing, and then walking, then she would be on her way. She would go back to Terra Nova and be their lieutenant again, and she–she would stay.

She may've forgiven her mother, but that didn't mean she forgave her.

Natalie thrusted the water bottle forward, so it was within Alicia's grasp. "Here. You need to drink something."

She eyed it for a movement, before snatching it form her hands, but those few seconds were enough to make Natalie feel vulnerable in her sanctuary. Her mother didn't trust her, she doubted her–just like she had.

Karma was a bitch.

"Why are you helping me?" The tinge of an accusation didn't go missed by either woman, but it only affected one.

Natalie swallowed, and looked at the other women with wide eyes. "Because you're my mother." Her voice was no louder than a whisper.

"You left." Wash's voice remainded steady. She wasn't trying to argue, just reason.

"I had to. I couldn't stay. Taylor didn't trust me, and you didn't want me there." Alicia opened her mouth to object, but no words came out. "See. You know it's my fault. I helped Lucas, and because of it many lives were lost." Her lip quivered. "You were almost killed, and by him."

Alicia was careful in wording her next words. Before she could comfort her daughter, she had to know. It would change everything. "Were you there during the Occupation?"

The words circled through her head. The occupation. She knew the real question, what she really wanted to know. Had she stood by and watched all those innocent lives die? Had she stood by and watched as she was shot? It could explain how she was alive, at least more than being out in the forest.

"No." She knew the next question, without it having to be asked. "Carter told me what happened."

"Sixer Carter?" There was no small amount of disdain in her accusation.

"He saved your life, and has helped me. He's a medic, and without him you could've died. I had no idea how to save you. Or treat you. I didn't even know what happened. He did, and was kind enough to help you."

"He's a sixer, I doubt he did it out of the kindest of his heart." Her mind flashed back to their fight.

"Mom, I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't drag you back to Terra Nova, and even if I could, based on what Carter told me, Taylor would've thrown me in the brig, and that's before I even told him. If I told him you were alive, and he thought I was lying, I don't know what would happen to me. He's probably depressed."

"He's disappointed in me." Her shoulders sagged with the statement.

A look of shock flickered across Natalie's face. "You really don't see it, do you?"

"See what?" Alicia propped herself up so she was sitting upright.

"When I said I wanted us to be a family, I meant it. I wanted you and Taylor to be-I don't know." She couldn't find the right words to describe the image she was imagining, but the more she thought about it, the bigger the smile on her face grew. "You're happy with him...even doing really boring things."

A/N: One chapter to go! Let me know what you think. Reviews are appreciated.