A/N: It's me again! CHAPPIE 3! Hope you guys loved the previous chapter. Ok. So, without further ado, here's chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Falling Skies and the characters involved in it (well, except for a few characters I may be adding for the next chapters)

Maggie and I pulled over to the curb. A huge old house was hidden behind a few trees. It had a rough grey brick exterior. There were windows surrounding the house and there was a watchtower in the far side. A man stood there, pacing the small space of the tower, gun in hand. The memory of the men guarding the Sanctuary shot through me. I gently shook my head. Maggie was already walking in front of me with Mr. Greene at her side, I followed behind them. We walked along the pathway that leads to the front porch. With a swing of the door, it creaked open. We stepped inside, the sound of the wooden floorboards welcoming us. As I walked along the halls, the usual sound of my boots against hardwood was present. There seems to be no one inside the house but Mr. Greene led us to the backyard where the sounds came from. The back door was made out of glass so I can see them, the civilians outside. It was like that day in the Sanctuary where we played a good old game of soccer. Mr. Greene pushed the sliding glass door aside letting us walk on the green grass. I scanned the yard for Matt but there were just too many moving figures. Then, I finally saw his familiar curly blonde hair. He was sitting on a chair across from Lourdes, they were laughing while playing the board game, Operation. I couldn't help but smile

"It's Hal!" A little boy shouted

Matt and Lourdes turned to my direction at the same time. When Matt saw me he grinned then ran towards me. I crouched then prepared my hands for a hug as I stretched them to my sides. Matt hugged me tightly and I rested my hands on his back, giving gentle pats "You're here!"

"I'm here" I said in a voice that hinted relief "I'm glad you're fine"

Matt pulled his head away from my shoulder "I wouldn't be fine if it wasn't for Lourdes. She was like a superhero!"

I looked behind Matt where Lourdes stood. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail as always and her hands were folded, she was smiling down at us. Lourdes rested her hand on top of Matt's head "You were very brave too weren't you? You could have been a superhero too if you didn't cry"

Matt frowned "Hey, superheroes cry too"

"Of course they do" Lourdes smiled

I gently stood up then gave Matt a pat on the back "Why don't you go play first? I have to speak with Lourdes, okay?"

Matt nodded then he ran towards the group of children passing a basketball around. I shifted my gaze from Matt to Lourdes. Maggie and Mr. Greene appeared beside me, Maggie examined the yard before she looked at Lourdes "So, not even half of the civilians made it, huh?"

Lourdes frowned "It's just us"

Maggie scowled "And Sarah?"

"She's alright" Lourdes managed to give a tight smile "So, is little Charlotte"

Maggie sighed "That's great"

Lourdes pursed her lips "How'd you know we were here?"

"Actually, the crew, Tessa and I were out scavenging for food in the nearby houses" Mr. Greene spoke "Then, we came across Maggie and Hal inside one of them. I told them that you were here with us"

"Maggie and I were supposed to go to the rendezvous point so we can lead you and the others to safety. But along the way, we came across the bodies" I gulped "Then, we came looking for you until it was nighttime and we had to rest in one of the houses"

Lourdes nodded "Must be pure luck"

"Must be" I whispered

There was a short silence before Maggie spoke "I'll go check on Sarah if she's alright. Where is she?"

"She's in the room upstairs, third room on the right" Lourdes instructed. Maggie nodded then disappeared inside the old house. Mr. Greene also excused himself since he said he had to talk with his crew. So, I was left alone with Lourdes. We didn't speak at first, it was an awkward silence before I spoke "So, I guess Matt finally replaced me with you as his new superhero"

Lourdes laughed, I hadn't heard her laugh like this before. It felt nice hearing it "I may be his superhero but you will always be his G.I Joe"

I smiled "Thank you – for being there for Matt"

Lourdes took a glance behind her shoulder where Matt was passing a basketball around with the other kids. Then, her gaze was back to me "Well, I like Matt and he makes me laugh. He's like a little brother to me so I have to do my best to protect him. You don't really have to thank me"

"You could have just saved yourself, you know" I cleared my throat "But instead, you did your best to save Matt and you thought about him. I think that's something worth thanking for"

"Well then, don't mention it" Lourdes smiled

I bit my lip, thinking of something I can ask her. Something that can avoid another awkward silence "How long have you guys been here?"

Lourdes looked up at the sky then at the back of her hand "Probably three days more or so"

"And have you noticed anything -?" I stopped mid-way looking for a better word. Lourdes shook her head in understanding "No, I haven't noticed anything at all. They've been actually very – nice to us for these past few days"

It was good news. But, I'm still not ready to trust them just yet.

….

The sun was about to set when I entered the kitchen. I wasn't doing anything since Hal was up with Matt and the other civilians were upstairs. I decided to help out with the cooking. The smell of soup welcomed me as I entered. Tessa was cutting up chucks of carrot, her head snapped up when she saw me.

"Mind if I help out?" I asked examining the huge kitchen. There were wooden cupboards struck along the walls. The stove had a pot on it, Tessa was probably boiling something. She smiled down at the cutting board "It's not really necessary"

"I have nothing to do and I want to help" I said, leaning on the island next to where she is "I swear I'm not going to mess up anything"

Tessa rolled her eyes "Okay, I guess you can dice up some celery"

I went over to the fridge then examined it for celery. I found a stalk of celery so I took it then placed it on another cutting board. I sliced the celery evenly then I carefully diced it. It was silent between Tessa and I. I have no intention to change that but then she spoke "Are you and Hal friends?"

I considered it for a moment then I smiled "Yeah, we're kind of friends"

"You're so lucky to have someone like Hal around" I heard Tessa sigh "He looks at me like I just killed someone"

I scowled "Hal – he just doesn't forget things too easily so-"

"I know, I was so selfish then" Tessa's voice broke but then it came back "I just wanted for him to be here with us, with me."

I felt myself shiver. It was odd hearing that from someone like Tessa, she was so straightforward that's all "He'll forgive you sooner or later"

There was a short silence "Do you forgive me?"

I shrugged "Well, not really"

Tessa gave a nervous laugh then she went back to slicing. It was like that for the rest of the time. We went back to cooking with no intention of saying a word. Then, when we were finished we called up the others to the dining room. They were there in a flash, taking their seats beside each other. Sarah sat beside Maggie and Matt sat beside Hal who was laughing on the way over. Matt motioned me to sit next to him and so I did. Everyone dug in grabbing everything they can but I made sure to say a whispered prayer of thanksgiving before I took a chicken's thigh. The people around us were talking and laughing but it was silent between Matt, Hal and I which is odd because Matt never eats without talking. But then when I thought Matt won't say anything he spoke "Lourdes, would you play with me and Hal?"

I felt Tessa's gaze on me but I ignored it "Why not?"

Matt smiled then he went back to eating, this time in a hurry. When he was done, he climbed out of his chair then tugged on my arm "Hurry up, I'll be upstairs, ok?"

I laughed "Okay". Matt frantically ran upstairs, his heavy footsteps echoing around the room. Hal looked at me then he made a face "Kids, huh?"I smiled in response. Soon enough, the others were finished but I had to wash the dishes before I was going to head upstairs which left me in another awkward moment with Tessa around. I helped her wash the dishes and clean up the table but there was still no communication between us. I liked it better that way, I wouldn't know what to say anyways. I cleaned up in a hurry then proceeded upstairs. I opened the door to where Matt's bedroom is. Matt and Hal were sitting on his bed with a grin that crossed their faces and they turned towards my direction when they heard the door creak. Matt was already in his pajamas while Hal took off his jacket revealing a worn-out grey tee. Matt waved his hand then motioned me to sit next to him "Lourdes! Come on!"

I rested my arms on the bed's edge then sat on the bohemian rug. I sat there watching Matt and Hal laugh but no one really spoke. They just liked each other's company. Then, Matt touched my arm "Hey Lourdes, let's talk about you"

I raised a brow "Why me?"

"Because since Hal is my brother I already know stuff about him like how he snores when he sleeps" Matt giggled "But, I don't know anything about you except for you being a good doctor"

I sighed "Okay so where do I start?"

Matt tapped his chin "How old are you?"

"19" I answered

Matt was silent for a moment "What's your favorite color?"

"Green" I smiled

"Like your jacket?" Matt asked, pointing at the jacket I wore

I laughed "Yes, like my jacket"

"What's your favorite treat?" Matt asked

"I like gummy bears"

"I like gummy bears too!" Matt grinned then he looked over at Hal "See Hal? Someone likes gummy bears"

Hal rolled his eyes "Alright, I have to admit I kind of like gummy bears too"

Matt made a face "You said you hate gummy bears!"

"Well, I like it now" Hal joked

Matt stuck his tongue out "You just feel left out because you're the only person in the room who doesn't like gummy bears"

Hal laughed but this seemed different. It really seemed like he was happy and he is. I've never seen him laugh like this before ever since the incident with Karen. But, it was nice to hear it again and I smiled at the thought that a little boy like Matt caused a guy like Hal to laugh like this. Our night went on just like that, our laughs drowning our worries and our silly questions. Matt wanted me to sleep in their room for the night and since he practically begged, I couldn't resist. I laid down on the loveseat in the far corner of the room where I chose to sleep. I settled my head on the soft pillow then closed my eyes

"Lourdes" Hal whispered

I lifted my head then turned to look at the bed he and Matt shared. The nightlight was the only thing on and amidst that his face can be clearly seen. "What is it?"

"Come switch places with me" Hal pointed at his spot beside Matt who was already sleeping like a baby

I shook my head "No, I can sleep on the couch. It's alright really"

Hal chuckled "I've slept on that couch before and it isn't very comfy"

"It's okay, I can sleep on the floor" I sat up but Hal jumped out of the bed then he walked to my side. He rested his hand on my shoulder. His hand was warm and it felt nice "Go sleep next to Matt, I'll be fine here"

I pursed my lips still unsure "It's really not necessary to-"

"It's okay" Hal sighed "It won't be very nice if a girl sleeps on a couch would it?"

I shrugged "Okay fine"

Hal smiled then he removed his hand from my shoulder letting the cool air replace his warmth. He laid down on the couch then he closed his eyes. I just kind of stood there just staring at him, admiring his structure and the sense of tranquility in his face when he has his eyes closed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes that startled me "What?"

I felt my face burn but I just hoped that the dark hid it "It's nothing, sorry"

Hal raised a brow but he decided to let it go, he closed his eyes again. I took my place right beside Matt who still hasn't moved even a single muscle. I laid there beside Matt, trying to sleep but knowing that Hal was in the same room, distracted me. Then, I just told myself that Hal is asleep and I should try and get my mind together and sleep rather than daydream over him. I shifted into a more comfortable position. I felt Matt's hand rest on my palms that made me feel warmth again. Soon, darkness finally took over me as I soon begin to drift into sleep.

A/N: okay. Sorry this took over a few days, I was out for almost a week. We went to the beach, yay! Okay, well chapter 3 is done and I hope you guys enjoyed it.