A/N: Hello again! So here's chapter 4. But, before that I am so psyched for Falling Skies' second season! Yayyy! But, Karen is probably back though (I don't like her because she's Hal's girlfriend and for me, the only girl that is right for Hal is Lourdes) yep. Ok. So here's chappie 4!

I stood awake, the sun wasn't up yet and the sky was dark. The pain from sleeping on the couch shot through my back. I lead out a low groan then sat up. Matt and Lourdes were still asleep, Lourdes's hand gripped over Matt's in a secure gesture. I stood up as another sting curse through my back. I swear that couch is evil. I took gentle steps towards the door careful not to wake the two. I reached over for the knob, as the door squeaked and parted halfway I slid outside. The hallway was lit by a sconce in the far corner. I jogged downstairs and searched the room for anyone awake. The room was silent and I went to the living room coffee table where the digital clock sat, it read 4:27 am. I felt the cold breeze enter through the opened window near the TV. As I moved to close the window, a figure emerged from beside me. It was dark and the only thing that lit the room was a lamp as tall as me. The figure moved closer and then I realized it was just Tessa. I sighed in relief expecting something worse. But, she was bad enough

"You're up early" Tessa whispered

I just nodded in response. Tessa was probably the last person I would want to see right now. Seeing her brings back the awful memory of the loss of a friend, a comrade. Then, I figured the girl who stood only meters away from me was the one who set our lives in danger. If she hadn't done what she did-

"I knew what I did" she spoke as if she had read my mind

I said nothing

"Look, I'm sorry I was so- selfish" Tessa said, a sense of panic in her voice "I just wanted you to stay-"

"Stay?" I said in a voice too loud "You think I would stay?"

The light coming from the lamp surfaced on her small face. Her eyes furrowed and her lips slightly open as if she wanted to say something but couldn't "It's just that – when I asked you if you liked it there, in the Sanctuary-"

I felt anger rush through me "Yes, I did like it there because for once I thought we were safe. But, I guess I was too cope up in my fantasy that I didn't realize that in these times; nowhere is safe"

Tessa shot me a gaze "If you just stayed with us. You could have been safe, if you had just hadn't found out-"

"If I hadn't found out about your agreement with the Skitters?" My voice broke but I didn't mind it because anger had already overwhelmed me "If I had just left my brother, those kids and my friends to die while I sat in the comfort of the Sanctuary with you and the others? Do you really think I would stay with you?"

Tessa's eyes started to sparkle in the dark then that's when I realized she was about to cry. She tried her best to hold it back but she failed when a tear graze down on her cheek. "I knew you would stay"

I shook my head "I wouldn't. I'd rather die with my brother and my friends than stay in the Sanctuary with you."

She looked down on the hardwood floor as she sobbed. I knew what I said was harsh; I knew I shouldn't have said that. But, everytime I see her face I remember Mark and I remember that she was the one who woke everyone up. If she hadn't done that and just let us escape and think about us and our safety; if she hadn't just thought about herself and only herself.

"Hal?" A voice spoke from the staircase. I shifted my gaze away from Tessa then on the person who had spoken my name. Lourdes stood on the steps, her gaze settling on Tessa then on me; an expression of confusion on her face. Tessa looked up at me, her eyes red from crying then on Lourdes. She brushed tears away from her cheeks then she headed out of the front door. Lourdes walked towards me, her eyes on me "Hal, are you alright?"

"I'm fine" I sighed. I sat on the couch hoping that it would at least calm me. Lourdes was standing in front of me, her arms folded. "What happened?"

I didn't respond.

Lourdes sighed in understanding. Her hand settled on my shoulder in comfort "I guess from the shouting that was going on, you two had a fight"

"It was that loud?" I asked

Lourdes nodded "But, I was already awake when I heard it so I doubt that the others who are sleeping heard you"

I sighed in relief. "Is Matt awake?"

Lourdes shook her head. It was silent between us for a while until she spoke "Remember when you saved me from those Skitters?"

*FLASHBACK*

It was dark and I was out searching for food when I saw the alley where Lourdes was. She had her arms wrapped around her legs and she kept hidden. There was a group of Skitters standing only a few feet away from her and she looked terrified. I sneaked my way past the dimly lit streets and soon I was in front of Lourdes. She snapped her head on my direction but she wasn't crying.

"What's your name?" I asked in a whisper, careful not to draw attention

"Lourdes" She said, her voice raspy

"Listen, Lourdes" I spoke "Everything is going to be alright. You're okay; I won't let anything happen to you. You can trust me"

She nodded, her hand gripping her thick jacket.

"Are there others with you?" I asked, looking around the dark pavement

Lourdes shook her head "They're all gone"

I pursed my lips together. I nodded at her then I smiled "I'm Hal"

She stared at me then she smiled back. Her lips curled up and her smile showed how relieved she was. I raised my hand towards her direction "Let's get out of here, okay?"

Without hesitation, she took my hand in hers then she squeezed it tightly as if she was making sure I was real. I made sure to squeeze back in response then we headed off away from the streets

*End of Flashback*

"I was so scared then" Lourdes spoke in a whisper "I thought I was going to die but you were there and you were saying those words of encouragement. I felt so relieved and I am thankful, really"

I firmly nodded "Well, I just can't leave you there, right?"

Lourdes looked at me then she shrugged "You should have but you didn't"

"I couldn't" I responded

Lourdes stared at me for a few seconds. The way she looked at me when we first met. But, this time she didn't look scared or in shock. Instead, she looked happy

"Thank you, Hal" Lourdes rested her hand on mine and I felt a sudden jolt of warmth "for everything"

I looked down at her hand over mine. It felt odd but at the same time, it felt nice. Lourdes had been there for me, everytime I came back from half a day of searching the streets, she would be there to ask me if I'm okay and she would always tend to me. I was always grateful for that, knowing that someone other than my family actually cares. I smiled down at our hands "Don't mention it"

A/N: You have reached the end of chapter 4! Shorter than my other chapters but I just needed to update. So, this chapter only consisted of Hal's POV. Tune out for the next chappie! Oh, don't forget to drop off those reviews!