A/N I know that the explanation for the harness isn't cannon. It's just my explanation.

Jackson and Tom faced each other on the beach. "So explain." Jackson said.

Tom sighed and rubbed his beard. "It's a long story." He warned.

Jackson folded his arms. "I've got time."

Tom nodded. He began to explain the invasion and the second Mass. "And then I was on their ship." He said. "Long story short, the aliens told me what was wrong with Ben."

"Which was?"

Tom took a deep breath. "Which was that the harness drug didn't just control the kids, it was a genetic modifier. That was why adults weren't harnessed. We didn't grow. But kids could mutate. Ben and Rick had it on too long and the genetic modifier stayed in their system. It was slowed down by the harness removal, but it wouldn't stop. They'd turn into skidders when they were around thirty."

Jackson nodded thoughtfully. "And you escaped."

Tom smiled slightly. "I escaped. And blew up their structure in the process. I tried to get Karen out, but the Slenders kept her there. I used the heat-seeking radar on the ship I had stolen to find the second Mass. Only the Mechs got there before me. I shot them down, but the whole resistance was destroyed. Only Hal, Ben, Matt, Lourdes, Anne, Maggie, Dai, and Pope remained. We decided to hide out in a place where they wouldn't look and decided on the South Pacific. And that's how we got here."

Jackson whistled. "And you found an antidote?"

Tom nodded. "Anne figured out a way to stop it completely using the materials on the ship. Now you tell me your story."

Jackson shrugged. "There isn't much to tell. We crashed here 2 years ago and have been here ever since." He sniffed the air. "Looks like dinner is ready." He went to the camp and Tom followed. As they were about to reach the source of the smell, Jackson turned and faced Tom. "Keep a close eye on Matt."

Tom looked surprised. "Why?"

Jackson looked around. "The pilot of the ship went crazy. He roams the woods and he's pretty dangerous. Look out for Ben too." The two leaders brushed past the brush and found that dinner was being served.

Anne was talking to Melissa, who had become the island doctor, about medicine. Lourdes was helping Taylor and Daley make dinner. Hal, Eric, and Nathan were debating weaponry and hunting. Maggie and Abby wee swapping survival stories. Ben and Matt were playing a game with Lex called Coconut. One person had a coconut and had to keep it away from the others. The catch was that whoever got the coconut first would become the coconut holder, so an uneasy truce was formed before it became "all-out war" as Eric put it. Ian, Jory, Pope. And Dai were arguing about whose injuries was more serious. Ian and Jory were on Ian's side while Pope and Dai rooted for themselves.

Into this huddle, Jackson and Tom went in. Jackson bent down and started a fire while Tom told Ben and Mat to settle down so they could eat dinner. Lourdes gave Hal some food then went to Ben and Matt. Taylor ad Daley served Eric, Nathan, and Lex. Jory got up and got four plates for herelf, Ian, Pope, and Dai. Maggie and Abby got their own plates. Anne and Melissa got two for themselves and two for Jackson and Tom.

Soon there was the sound of chewing and occasional laughter. Eventually, they all finished. Jackson and Tom stood up. "Tom and his group can sleep in the plane for tonight." Jackson said. "We can start building huts for them tomorrow. Sound fair?" Everyone nodded. "Does everyone know what's going on in the outside world?" Jackson asked his crew. Everyone nodded.

Tom took over. "I don't know how long we'll stay here, but we'll stay here for a while. We also have to get rid of the spaceship. It's a clear sign somebody's on the island."

Hal stood up. "We can push it into the sea." He suggested. "No one will see it then."

Eric stood up too. "Yeah. Or we could tear it down and create better huts."

"We'll decide tomorrow.' Jackson ruled. "'The aliens haven't flown over the island yet." He reminded them.

"Won't we need the spaceship to leave?" Maggie asked.

"Are we leaving?" Lourdes said. "This is probably the safest place for us."

"Lourdes is right." Daley said. "No one's come calling and no one will. For a while at least."

"I'd rather fight the aliens." Abby said.

"We're not discussing this tonight." Tom said clearly over the bickering. "We're too tired. Let's talk in the morning."

"Agreed." Anne said. She held out her hand to Matt. "Come on." Matt took her hand and followed her into the plane.

Lex was caught yawning by Daley. "Bed." She commanded and Lex sleepily made his way to the hut he shared with Taylor and Eric. "Come on." Hal pushed Ben into the plane as Maggie and Lurdes followed. Taylor and Eric went into their hut as Abby and Jory helped Ian get up and got to their hut. Melissa helped Anne put Pope and Dai in the plane as Nathan and Daley made their way towards their hut. Melissa went to the door of the hut she shared with Jackson, and turned, waiting for him.

Jackson nodded at her then turned and faced Tom. "We need to talk about the aliens and what we're gonna do."

Tom's eyes widened. "You're going to fight them too?" He asked in surprise.

Jackson shrugged. "It's our home too." He followed Melissa into the hut. "Do you think they can be trusted?" Jackson asked her.

"I don't know." Melissa admitted. "But they seem nice. And I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't be telling the truth." She paused for a minute. "Do you think the Captain will come tonight?" She asked.

Jackson yawned and put his arm around Melissa. "He hasn't come around for some time. For all we know, he could be dead."