Somewhat the Beginning (A Falling Skies Fanfiction)

Ben, Guns, and Unread Notes

Hey readers I know the title is very straightforward but I'm have writer's block when it comes to titles. Anyway, enjoy!
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I was laying on my cot, eyes closed even though I wasn't asleep, when I felt someone sit on the edge of my bed. "Hal?" I said, getting up and thinking it was him. It wasn't.

"Sorry did I wake you up?" Ben said.

"No, I wasn't sleeping. Nightmares, you know. What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing really, I just wanted to apologize for being so mean to you last night."

"It's fine..."

"Not it's not. I was angry and I took it out on you."

"Angry at what?"

"At the skitters. At myself." He looked sad.

"Hal said you found my note the night I left." I said, changing the subject.

"Yea. I've been meaning to ask you," He started, "Why did you leave?"

"Didn't you read the note?"

"Hal did, but I only read the part that said 'I'm sorry I have to leave.' I didn't have the heart to finish it, but I kept it." He opened his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. I smiled while he handed me the paper. I unfolded and read it aloud.

To whomever may find this, please give it to any of the Mason clan.

Dear Masons,

I'm sorry to tell you like this, but I have to leave. Tom's gone and I'm the only one who can help him. Everyone else has family to look after, and I think I can do this, but I need to do it alone. Anne and Lourdes are capable of taking my "job" and tell Weaver not to let Hal look for me. I don't know when or if I'll come back, but I'll always miss the people of the 2nd Mass. You were my family and I hope that one day soon I can be reunited with you all.

Love,

Ashley

P.S. Whoever reads this please let Ben, Hal, and Matt know that I love them.

I folded the letter back up and handed it to him. He shook his head but I insisted, "Take it, you'll keep it safe."

He took it and put it back in his pocket. "Well I gotta go on a mission," He said getting up, "I just wanted to say sorry."

I nodded and he started to leave. "Wait." I said, and he turned around. I hesitated, "Can I come with you?"

"On the mission?" He asked.

"Yea."

"Aren't you afraid of breaking a nail?" He joked.

"Whatever!" I said throwing my pillow at him.

We both laughed then he got serious again. "Not on this mission, but maybe you could talk to Weaver about it."

I smiled and I got up and left the tent with him. Then we parted ways, "Have fun, don't get hurt." I went to Weaver's tent and saw him looking at a map, again. I swear that man never stops working. "Can I fight, Captain Weaver?"

He looks up, "Oh, I didn't see you come in. What did you say?

"I want to fight." I repeated.

"Why? You don't you want to go back to being our psychologist?"

"No I don't. I feel like I'm ready to help the 2nd Mass. in a different way, on the battlefield."

He thought for a second, "Fine, the more merrier. You can pick your gun and start tomorrow."

"Thanks Capt.!" I went out of the tent to find Dr. Glass.

Anne was in the med bus sitting next to Tom, who was still unconscious on the gurney.

"Hey Anne. How is he?" I whispered sitting on an empty cot.

"The same, everything seems fine so we're just waiting for him to wake up." She sighed.

"Well, I've got some good news." Anne looked at me questioningly. "Weaver said I could fight!"

"Wow Ashley's that's great!" She exclaimed. "I know you've wanted to get on the frontline for a while now." Before I left three months ago I told Anne how bored I was being cooped up and how I wish I could fight.

"I know. I'm going on my first mission tomorrow." I said.

"What? Don't you think that's a little too soon?"

"No. I've already had gun lessons with Maggie, and the 2nd Mass. needs all the help they can get."

"You're definitely right about the 2nd Mass. needing you. While you were gone and we were in Fitchburg, we had an awful fight with the aliens. We lost over 100 people."

"Yea I heard." The 2nd Mass. can't afford losses like that. "I got to go get my gun, see you later Anne."

"Bye Ashley, be safe."

I waved then left to the armory tent.