Falling Skies Invasion Alone

The End?

It had been a while since we had been in tents. I had forgotten how cold and damp it could get. I never thought I would have forgotten that, but I did.

When we had left Charleston to go to Boston for the 'exploding Espheni base' plan, we had packed up our things, ready to leave. Not everyone came with us, in fact, it was back to the Second Mass, to be honest. A few people had left and a few had joined, but the bulk of us were the same.

I stumbled out of the tent, zipping my jacket up as far as possible, bracing from the morning chill.

"Cassidy!" Tom called out from a few tents down.

"Shhh." I said automatically before Tom had even approached. "Shhh. Ben's sleeping." I told Tom as he caught up with me.

He smiled and scratched at his beard, beginning to walk with me. "Good. Good. He should sleep."

I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself. Still sleepy, I didn't really pick up on his glances down to me as we walked.

"What are you doing out of bed?" He adjusted the rifle ever present on his shoulder.

"I'm just grabbing some water and then going back." I stopped at one of the tanks that had been set up. It was back to basics, for sure. "Missing Charleston already."

He laughed softly. "Don't think you'll be the only one." I rubbed at my eyes, waiting for my canister to fill up and waiting for Tom to say what he was planning. "Weaver and I are going to meet with the Volm leader just now." I waited a second more, knowing what he was going to say. "You're welcome to come. I'm sure you have questions for them."

I chewed at my lip, screwing the lid of my canister back on. "Not really. I mean, it can't be reversed, can it? Cochise has been pretty good with explaining it. And, uh, I think I'll stick to having just him as my Volm friend for now."

With a questioning look, Tom spoke. "What do you mean?"

I glanced around us, staring out to the camp. "I'm just..." My eyes went to his, and I saw how hopeful he was. I didn't want to unload any worries onto him. I didn't want to make him suspicious just because the doubts were part of my personality. "Tired."

Another pause. Another silence. "Are you sure?" Tom raised his eyebrows.

I nodded with a smile and put my hand on his arm. "I'm sure. And seeing as I'm apparently the only doctor type person around now, I figure I better stay close to camp."

"Maybe that's the best idea." He covered my hand with his in a motion of fatherly...pride? Relief? Acceptance? And that movement reminded me of what he said the night before.

"And thanks." I started walking backwards, away from him, towards the tent. "For the 'adopted daughter' thing. Means a lot. To me, and to Mags."

He looked down at the ground with a smile. He really only had a daughter for two weeks, now he was able to get two grown up ones.

"But you might regret it when we have a family thanksgiving. Could get hectic!" I yelled to him as I increased the distance. I turned around when I saw him laughing.

Back in my tent, Ben was still snoozing. He lay with on his side, one arm tucked under his head. he looked so sweet, so young- but still gorgeous. I shed my jacket and kicked off my boots before clambering back into my sleeping bag.

I hovered my hand over Ben's cheek, before resting my cold palm on his skin. With a sharp inhale, he stirred from his sleep, blinking sleepily.

With a groan, he took my hand away from his face. "You're hands are freezing."