A/N: I do not own nor will I ever own anything by Falling Skies, TNT or Steven Spielberg. I will try to keep most of the characters and important events the same but most of these chapters will be original.

Also as a warning I realize the grammar is poor at best, so if you can read it and enjoy it then that's all I am asking. To anyone who has read my story, I just wanted to say thank you. I promise to do an epilogue to wrap up everything, as I hate leaving any loosen ends.

Chapter 17

The Turning Point

"Hey Dai, can you pass me the M240?" Asked Hal from the top of their military hummer they were using.

"Sure no problem,"he added from behind the hummer before appearing in front of him.

Bending down, the Asian scout picked up the machine gun and handed it up to him. Taking the weapon from him, Hal placed it back inside the brackets of the turret. Seeing he was struggling to hold the heavy machine gun in place, Dai climbed up the back of the hummer and held the gun steady.

"Thanks Dai."

"Hey what are friends for,"he said with a grin on his face.

Chuckling, Hal turned his attention back on fasten the brackets to the M240 once more. Once the right side was done, the advance scout turned his attention on the left side.

"Awe...our men are bonding Maggie,"said Priya slamming the hood of the hummer shut.

"It's cute, I must admit,"added his wife with an amused look on her face.

Shaking his head at back at her, Hal turned to see his friend rolling his eyes back at him. "Women."

"Tell me about it. The last time I checked me and Dai where friends long before we even met either of you."

"Awe, he's getting defensive."

Sighing, Hal turned away from his wife and her best friend in order to finish installing the machine gun once again. Giving the bracket one last turn of his wrench, he felt satisfied the M240 was properly back in place.

"Hey brother, I don't know about you but I am hungry."

"Yeah I could eat."

Staring down at Margret who was busy talking with Priya, Hal turned back to his good friend. "If you and Priya want to grab us some lunch, will finish up here?"

Nodding his head, the Asian scout turned to his girlfriend."Priya dear, do you want to walk with me to grab some lunch for the four of us?"

"Sure."

Hopping down from the hummer, Dai waited for his girlfriend to join him. Taking his hand in hers, the couple headed back towards the center of the Amtrak station. Watching them disappear Hal couldn't help but smile at the how happy they where. Grinning, he turned and spotted his wife open the driver side door and go inside the hummer. Hopping down from the turret, the advance scout entered the hummer on the passenger side. Taking off his SR-25 off his shoulder, he placed it on the dashboard and grabbed his canteen off his belt.

"You want some water?"

Sitting up, Maggie turned towards him and took the canteen from him. "Thanks."

Drinking deeply from the canteen, she properly handed it back to him. "It's still cold."

"Yep. I got from the river only 10 minutes ago."

Looking down at her body he could see a small bump that was forming beneath her black leather jacket. Knowing that his child was growing inside his wives body, Hal couldn't help but smile at her.

"What?" She asked with a curious look on her face.

"Nothing my love. I am just wondering how someone so beautiful as you decided to be with me."

Shaking her head, Margret finally cracked a wide grin back at him. "Your not so bad looking either Mason."

"Well I am glad to know that you find me a little attractive."

Laughing, she playfully smacked his arm. "Your so lucky I love you."

"Trust me Mags...I haven't forgotten that fact."

Taking his eyes off his pregnant wife, the advance scout spotted Jeanie Weaver and Anthony zoom by them on their bikes. He didn't have to look at his wife to know that she had a disappointed look on her face. Captain Weaver and Doctor Glass both agreed it was time that Maggie be taken off the front lines now that she was nearing 5 months.

Being regulative to supply pick ups, gun range instructor, and weapon maintenance, Hal knew it was eating at her every time he would go out there without her. Even with Dai being his temporary partner, he understood why she felt like a liability to the 2nd Mass instead of asset. Maggie was a fighter, and having others go out and fight for her was something that would never sit well with her.

"How are you holding up?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Margret leaned back in the driver seat. "Alright I guess. I really can't complain."

"Mags you don't have to lie for my sake. I know how much it's killing you not to be out there."

Turning to look at him, she finally nodded her head. "Okay your right, I miss being out there. Every time you go out I found myself worrying about you until your safely back home. It was so much easier before I got pregnant, as then I could keep an eye on you myself. To be honest...I don't know how Anne does it?"

"Me neither."

"I just wish I could be out there, fighting by your side."

"Trust me Mags, I miss having you by my side too,"he added by taking her right hand in his,"but we both knew this day was coming."

Placing there joined hands on top of her belly, Maggie lowered her gaze onto their hands. "I know Hal. And despite my complaining I know this is what's best for our child."

Suddenly a loud knock on the passenger side door made the both of them jump. Opening the door, he wanted to yell at Dai for scaring them but seeing his friend's surprised look told him something was up.

"Hey where's the food?" Asked Maggie, who had noticed he and Priya had come back empty handed.

"Later. Red-Eye and a bunch of Skitters are meeting with Captain Weaver, Colonel Porter and your father at this very moment."

"What's going on Dai?"

"I am not sure...but the buzz around camp is their finally ready to strike back against the overlords."

Closing the door, Hal and Maggie climbed out of the hummer. "We better go and see what's going. Know doubt will be need."

"Agreed,"added his wife as all four of them raced towards captain Weaver's office.

Fallowing the narrow back road along the Tennessee boarder, Maggie turned on the military hummer's high beams in order to see around the next bend. Being the lead car of a three car convey, she didn't want to lead the others into a nasty surprising. Not to mention they were almost 500 miles away from there home in Charleston.

It had been 24 hours since Redeye had told the 2nd Mass and 1st Continental about a large weapon being constructed along the 35th parallel near the Mississippi and Tennessee boarder. More importantly, the over lord that Tom nearly killed back in the hospital was going to be their to inspect the weapon's progress. If they could manage to take out this large weapon and the overlord it would big a massive blow to the Espheni's plans on Earth.

"For some reason this seems to easy to be true,"said Priya from the passenger seat.

"I agree,"added Dai from the back seats, as her husband was manning the M240 for the rest of the drive.

Nodding her head, Margret also felt like they were walking into a trap. "But what other choice do we have? I mean, this is our time to finally bring the fight to the enemy. Make them finally realize were more than just an nuisance."

"True...I just wished we had more Intel other than going underground and hope for the best,"added Dai with a sarcastic tone.

"So my best friend, have you told your husband of your plans to join us during the mission?" Asked Priya with a mischievous grin on her face.

Keeping her eyes on the road, Maggie pretended not to hear what she had asked her. "I know you heard me Maggie."

"It's a work in progress."

Chuckling, Priya turned to look at Dai. "That means no."

"Hey! Just because were married and I am pregnant doesn't mean I still can't kick his ass when ever I need to,"she fired back, causing the amused couple to laugh back at her.

Laughing herself, Maggie couldn't help but take a quick glance at her husband's cargo pants covered legs before bringing her attention back on the road. Coming around a steep bend she finally spotted the massive weapon sticking out of a protective dome that was beside an old power plant. Pulling onto the side of the road, she waited for Captain Weaver's and Pope's hummer to quickly join them.

"What's the game plan Cap?" Asked Pope, sticking his head out the passenger side window.

Opening the door of the driver side door, Weaver grabbed a pair of binoculars that Tom had hand to him and gave the large weapon facility a good hard look. Lowering the binoculars, he finally turned to look at them.

"Where going to stick with the plan Red-Eye suggested. By taking the underground caves and fissures to the main gate of the facility."

"Well lets up your Skitter friends information is accurate or else this will be one short offensive,"added Pope with a skeptic tone.

Ignoring his comment, the 2nd Mass's leader turned to Hal. "I want your team ready with that C4 the moment were in position.

"Yes sir,"he replied from the top of the turret.

"Okay, I want three people to stay behind and cover our retreat. Everyone else...we go on foot from here."

The moment Maggie grabbed her M4 off the dashboard and stepped outside she knew Hal was going to be upset. Even after the conversation they had a day earlier she knew this mission was too important for her to stay behind yet again.

Shouldering her carbine, she looked to see her husband giving her a curious look. "Sweetheart...what are you doing?"

"I am going with you Hal."

Taking his SR-25 from Dai, he hopped down from the turret. "Nice joke."

"I am not joking."

Narrowing his eyes, she could tell he was trying to hold back his frustration. "Mags, this is not the time nor the place for something like this. Have you forgot your 5 months pregnant."

"I know how far long I am Hal! You don't need to remind me!"

Right when Hal was about to start yelling back, Tom appeared and got in between them. "Calm down Hal."

"No dad I won't! She thinks she going with us!"

Pushing him away from her, Maggie could still feel her own anger seething inside when Anne put a hand on her shoulder. "You need to relax Maggie."

"I know Anne, and believe me I am trying too. But damn it I am not some house wife who sits around cleaning the fucking house while waiting for my husband to come home."

"He knows that Maggie,"she said stepping in front of her,"you know he doesn't think of you like that. He's just worried about you and your baby."

Sighing heavily, the advance scout nodded her head. "I understand that. But, this is too important for me to stay behind."

"On that I agree,"added captain Weaver, causing Hal and Tom to look at him as well.

"Captain?" Asked Hal, as he was trying his best to not sound too disrespectful.

"I agree. Having an experience scout and fighter like Margret is invaluable for this mission. But I must stress to you about not running out in the thick of things. If it gets to hot I want you to fall back. Do I make myself clear."

"Yes sir."

"Okay. Christine, Anthony, and Jeanie...you are staying here with the vehicles. Be prepared for anything,"he said to them before turning to look at her husband and his team,"led he way."

Pulling away from his father, Hal nodded his head. "Yes sir."

Letting Hal and Dai led the way, Maggie and Priya made sure to stay a safe distance of 10 feet away from them just encase they ran into trouble. Fallowing the points of entry the rebel Skitters had found near the plant, the 2nd Mass entered the large underground network of caves and fissures that lay before them.

Scouting ahead, they made good progress over the next thirty minutes until they came to a steam climb where the cave narrowed to a point that you had to crawl on your hands and knees. Looking around at the small cavern they were in, Maggie couldn't see any other way of go forward besides the narrow tunnel.

"We've got no choice,"he said running a hand through his short brown hair,"let's just hope this doesn't lead to a dead end or else will have to turn back around again."

Watching her husband crawling up the tunnel, Margret couldn't help but think they were walking into an ambush.

"You okay?" Asked Priya, who had noticed her troubled gaze.

"Yeah. I just can't help thinking this is a good place for those crawlers."

Closing her eyes, the chief mechanic shuddered a little. "Don't remind me Mags. I still have nightmares about those things."

Placing her hand on her light brown jacket, Maggie gave her an encouraging smile. Returning her smile, Priya waited for Dai to disappear from view before she started crawling up the tunnel herself. Taking out some glow in the dark nail polish, she wrote 2nd Mass on top of the wall that was over the tunnel before she herself dropped to her knees and started crawling into the tunnel.

Fallowing close by behind her best friend, the advance scout found the path more difficult than she ever imagined. Granted being pregnant didn't help matters but it still left her out of breath about half way through the tunnel. After a few minutes later they emerged into a large fissure that had been cracked open through the cave.

"Okay this is it,"said Hal as he walked over to large metal wall that was blocking access into the weapon facility.

"Dai, you and Priya start placing a 2 charges on the wall."

Taking off the book bag that had the C4 in it, Dai passed his girlfriend the 2 charges they would need in order to blow a hole big enough for them to get through. Making his way back to her, Maggie lowered her M4 but still gave him an upset look.

"Your not still mad at me are you?"

Staring off into the distance, she turned back to see him staring at with a concerned look on his face. "I don't know."

Shouldering his rifle, Hal put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close to him. "I am sorry Mags. I didn't mean to offend you, I was just trying to keep you safe. I know even pregnant you could kick my ass any time you wanted. Granted, I like to think I would put up a decent fight now. But your my wife... and I would do anything to protect you."

Looking into his hazel eyes, Maggie could see he meant every word. Instantly she felt her anger melt away under his intense gaze as she couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Hal, it's okay. I am sorry for how defensive I got. I know your just looking for me, because you care. And believe me my husband...I don't ever want you to stop doing that. I need you just as much as you need me."

Smiling back at her, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Feeling much better, Maggie turned around to see Ben climbing through the tunnel. Within moments Hal's younger brother was quickly fallowed by the rest of the 2nd mass strike team. Readying there weapons, they all stood back away from the wall and waited for captain Weaver to give the signal.

"Do it."

Holding the detonator in his hand, Dai pressed the button and triggered the explosion. The small explosion blew a hold wide enough for 2 people to go through. Watching everyone go through the opening, Maggie and Doctor Glass waited for the signal that everything was okay. Coming back to the entrance, Tector and Crazy gave them a thumbs up.

Entering the alien facility, Maggie was amazed at the size of the giant weapon that looked like some type of large telescope. Immediately Dai, Hal, and Priya started setting charges while everyone else kept a look out for any signs of alien activity. The mess of cables, black cords, and strange embryo looking pouches created a creepy atmosphere inside the entire complex.

"Skitters!" Shouted Ben causing everyone to stop what they were doing and prepare for the incoming enemy.

Raising her M4, Maggie started firing at a Skitter that was running along the side of the wall. Backing up, she quickly found herself next to Priya who began firing her tactical shotgun at the same alien. A few shots later they managed to kill it, but within seconds the dead alien was replaced with 2 more who knocked her off her feet and sent her carbine flying out of her hands.

Within moments only Tom, captain Weaver, and Pope were still standing, as the rest of the 2nd Mass had been captured.

"Professor Mason?" Came the voice of Karen, who calmly strolled down a small ramp which led farther inside the facility.

"Karen?"

"What an unpleasant surprise."

Feeling himself regaining consciousness, Hal looked around to see the rest of the 2nd Mass tied up in the mess of black cords that was near large weapon. Directly to his right, he could see his wife was also regaining consciousness when suddenly Karen started strolling towards them.

"Doctor Glass...aren't you happy to see me?" She asked the head medic before bringing her hand up and gently touched her cheek.

"Don't listen to her!" Shouted Ben when suddenly a few of the black cords wrapped around his mouth.

"That's enough Ben. We wouldn't want to you strain your voice...yet."

Turning to look at his father once more, Karen gave him a curious look. "My master has tried to be so patience with you Tom. But he finds you a constant nuisance."

"Well I am happy to know that I am having such an positive affective on him. Where is he anyways? Is he too afraid to show his face after I nearly killed him?"

Smiling up at him, Karen turned slightly to the right. "On the contrary...he's right here."

Walking forward, the overlord gave his father a strong stare before stepping back once more. "He's quite curious on how you discovered the location of this facility?"

"I bet he is."

Giving him an amused look, Karen shook her head. "Still the tough guy attack even in the face of death. You humans need to remember your place. But before you do, you are going to tell me everything."

"You might as well kill me. I won't tell you a damn thing!"

Chuckling, Karen reached behind her and grabbed some type of staff from a Skitter, which instantly caused his father to recoil in fear. Walking forward the staff seem to come to life which some type of energy.

"I am sure you remember the pain this caused."

Approaching his father, she shocked him violently causing Tom to shout out in pain. "You bitch leave my father alone!"

Taking the staff off his dad, Karen immediately turned to look at him. "Hal, Hal, Hal. Don't you worry my love. Will have plenty of time to talk...later."

"You think that's going to make me talk,"he added slightly winded from the pain,"you've got another thing coming."

Instead of responding Karen only offered him a wide grin. "No professor...I don't. But I know something that will get your full cooperation."

Walking through the mess of black cords, she stopped in front of Pope and Crazy Lee. "You know something Pope, I think I am tired of seeing you face."

"Fuck you!" He shouted back.

Simply smiling back at him, Karen walked over to Crazy Lee and grabbed her by the throat. A second later a crawlie came out of nowhere and started climbing up Pope's leg.

"Stop this Karen! I will tell you what you want to know!" Shouted his father to her, but instead she ignored his pleas.

Using her new strength, she easily crushed Crazy Lee's throat. "No!" Yelled Tector in anger as Karen turned to him and used her staff to shock him.

Turning his attention back on John, he could only watch in horror as the crawlie made it's way up to his face before entering his mouth. Shouting out in the top of his lungs, the spider like insect made it's way inside his mouth and disappearing completely.

His shouts of agony started echoing off the walls, when Karen stopped in front of Weaver. "Captain Weaver, I think it's time we change your prospective about my master's plans."

Raising the shock staff near his face, she suddenly started jolting the right side of his face. Shouting out in pain, Hal saw his ex-girlfriend hold the staff to his face for a few second before pulling it away. The right side of his face was severely burnt, along with what was left of his right eye had melted into a pasty white and blood mixture.

"God damn it Karen! I said I will talk!"

Shaking her head, she looked at the screaming Pope and then back at his father one more time before making her way towards Priya and Dai. Bending down, she picked up the M1911 that the aliens had removed from Priya and twirled the pistol around in her hand.

"Such an uncivilized weapon,"she replied pointing it at Priya,"but affective none the less."

Pulling the trigger, Karen shot Priya in gut at point blank range. "Priya No!" Shouted Dai, as she turned the pistol around and hit him in the side of the head. It was when Karen stopped in front of his brother, Hal noticed that Pope's screams had fallen subsided.

"Oh don't you worry Ben. My master has special plans for you. As for you,"she said rounding on Maggie and raising Priya's pistol at her chest but stopped all of a sudden.

Giving her a curios look, Karen placed her hand on belly despite Margret's best attempts to get away from her. "Oh my your pregnant. And not just recently either. How did I miss this?"

"Please don't hurt her Karen. I will do whatever you want...just leave her alone,"he said trying his best to plead with his ex-girlfriend.

Chuckling, Karen used the back end of the pistol and hit Maggie on top of the head. The force of the blow left her daze, causing a small trail of blood to start coming down her head.

It was then she raised the shock staff and aimed it at her belly and his unborn child. "I beg of you stop this!"

But Karen was too far along to care anymore and right when she was about shock her gut, a rebel Skitter came out of nowhere to tackle her to the ground. The second the Skitter tackled Karen to the ground everyone was released from their bindings. All around them the rebel Skitters and loyal Skitters were engaged in combat.

Crawling forward, Hal managed to reach his wife. "Maggie your going to be alright!" He yelled helping her back to her feet. Grabbing his two pistols off the ground, Hal tried to find a safe way out of the craziness of battle.

Making his way past a tumbling group of aliens, he saw the Red-Eye fighting the overlord one on one. Without warning Karen appeared in front of them and knocked Hal to the ground, causing Maggie to tumble on top of him. Looking up, he saw Karen raising the staff over her head, when suddenly Ben came out of no where and knocked her to the ground.

Untangling himself from her body, Hal watched Ben and Karen engaging in hand to hand combat. Dodging several of her strikes, he responded by kicking her feet out from under her. Landing flat on her back, Ben spotted Red-Eye getting slashes across the chest from the Overlord.

"No!" He yelled sprinting forward trying to reach the rebel leader when Karen tripped him up.

Using his pistol to keep a few Skitters at bay, Hal went to reload his Smith and Wesson when another gun shot from his right caught his attention. Karen had stopped dead in her tracks, as blood beginning to pour out of the gun shot wound she had to the back of the head. Looking down, he spotted Maggie still pointing his other pistol at his ex-girlfriend.

"I told you I would be the one to kill you."

Dropping to her knees, Karen's body went limp and fell to the right. Lowering the pistol, Maggie slipped into unconsciousness again. Holding her body close to him, Hal spotted his father trip up the Overlord with the staff and strike the alien across the head. Using the staff, Tom beat the alien over and over again until he raised the weapon high in the air and impaled him straight through the chest.

"A mere nuisance my ass,"he said to the dead Overlord before walking away to look down at Red-Eye.

Racing over to him, Ben raised the Skitter's head in his hands."It's going to be okay. I will get help,"

Looking up at him, the Skitter raised his arm and touched Ben before falling limp. "Never give up the fight."

Letting go of Red-Eye, Ben stood up and embraced his father. "This isn't over yet people,"said Weaver who was holding his right eye,"Tector, Tom, help me with Lee's and Pope's body."

"Let me look at your face captain?" Asked Doctor Glass who was already pulling out some medical equipment.

"It's just an eye and ugly scar. Our chief mechanic needs your attention now."

Nodding her head, Anne raced over to Dai who was trying his best to stop the bleeding that was pouring out of her gunshot wound.

The few remaining rebel Skitters all seem to get the hint and started leaving the facility just as quickly as they had came. Using the exit the Skitters had used, the 2nd mass made through way out of the complex and started moving as fast as they could away from weapon. Once they were far enough away Weaver passed the detonator to him.

"Blow that damn place to hell Hal."

Pressing the button, the 2nd Mass watched the large weapon collapsed upon it's self before blowing up into tiny pieces. Looking down at Maggie, Hal pulled her body close to his and protected her from the shock wave that was sent in all directions from the facility.

Once the dust had settled, Hal pulled her body back ever so slightly away from his chest. Staring down at her unconscious form, he reached up and gently touched her cheek."Don't you worry Mags, I am here. As long as I am breathing I won't ever let you go, I promise."

Opening her eyes, Maggie realized she was back inside her and Hal's train compartment. Looking to the right, she spotted her husband fast sleep in a chair beside there bed. Raising her left hand, she reached down and took his right hand in hers. Almost instantly he responded by squeezing her hand, causing her to squeeze it back.

Holding onto her hand, Hal lifted his head off his shoulder and stared down at her. "Hey...your awake."

"Yeah. You weren't worried that I wouldn't come back to you where you?"

Smiling, Hal raised there combined hands and gave the back of her right hand a kiss. "A little."

"Hal Mason your a terrible liar,"she replied, causing the both of them to chuckle lightly.

It was after there laughter had died down, Maggie suddenly sat up as everything that happen inside that weapon facility came back to her.

"Oh my God. Is Priya okay?" She asked knowing the chances of her being alive were slim to none.

Raising his hand, he gently pushed her back down onto the pillows. "Relax Maggie. Doctor Glass performed emergency surgery right there in the hummer and managed to close her wounds in time saving her life. She was lucky, the bullet went straight through and didn't hit any vital organs."

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Margret was grateful that fate had thrown her yet another favor. "How long was out for?"

"2 days. They...already had a funeral for Pope and Lee."

"Did you go?"

Shaking his head, Hal tighten his grip on her hand."I didn't. I mean how could I possible leave your side knowing that you were still laying her unconscious."

Finding herself choking up, Maggie refused to turn away from him strong gaze. Instead she pulled him into the bed with her. Snuggling up to her husband, she finally felt like they were in control now.

"So what does this mean for the us?" She asked him knowing what he knew what she was talking about.

Holding onto her, Hal moved some of blond hair out of her face. "It means things are finally turning in our favor. And whose know maybe what we did could become something greater. Only time will tell I am afraid."

"I can live with that."

"You know what...so can I."

Smiling up at him, Maggie leaned up and gave him a kiss. "And whose know maybe our baby might have a bright future to look forward too."

Kissing her again, Hal returned her smile. "Now that is something worth fighting for."

Laying her head back down on his chest, Maggie understood the war wasn't over. The aliens were still on there planet, and chances they weren't going to live any time soon. But for the first time in a long she felt like they weren't fighting for just survival anymore. That now they were fighting for a better tomorrow. And whose knows maybe that tomorrow could be right around the corner. For Maggie and Hal, that was all they ever really wanted.

A/n: These chapters won't be long and I am not sure how long I will make this story but then again I guess that's the fun. Feel free to leave any questions or comments!