Somewhat the Beginning (A Falling Skies Fanfiction)

Amazing

"Ashley!" I heard Danny faintly screaming my name. First I felt numb, then a rush went through me that made my chest hurt and I breathed heavily, but the pressure was getting stronger.

I gasped and sat up quickly. I looked around and saw bright lights moving closer. I covered my eyes and tried to reach out to Danny.

"Danny? Where are you?" I felt him grab my hand.

"I'm right here, it's ok." He helped me up and I heard doors slam closed.

"Ashley!" Ben yelled, running towards me. He hugged me tightly, then Tom, Hal, Weaver, and General Bressler joined us.

"What's the whole story of what happened?" Tom asked.

"I'm not sure." Ben started, "There were muzzle flashes from the left, then someone hit us in the head."

"Do you remember anything Ashley?"

"The same thing Ben said." I tried to think of any other details, but then there was a sharp pain in my head; it sounded like church bells ringing. My knees went weak, but Ben caught me before I fell.

"What's wrong with her?" Ben asks Danny.

Danny nervously swayed from heel to heel.

"Danny." Ben's tone was harsher.

"She was dead for over a minute." He whispered. All of our eyes widened in shock. "I gave her mouth to mouth until she woke up." He finished.

I put a hand to my beating heart; that must've been the pressure I felt. I thought about the baby and listened for its heartbeat. It was slow; too slow. It was picking up speed, but my worry never left me.

"Who attacked us?" Danny demanded.

A soldier walked up. "No boot prints,but shell casings everywhere; 5.56 and 7.62s."

"Ehh. 90% of the weapons in Charleston fire these." Bressler sighed.

"You know, we came here in trust!" Ben states angrily.

"Alright, alright. Calm down, son." Bressler put a hand up.

Tom stepped in, "Calm down? They were almost killed."

"I understand why you're upset professor. If he was my kids-"

"They weren't your kids!"

"No. My son was killed by a skitter. Right in front of me. Almost everyone in Charleston has seen loved ones murdered by those things. Is it any wonder that some got carried away with our emotions?"

"Are you condoning the attack, General?" I asked astonished.

"I'm saying what happened happened. End of story. Game over. I'm canceling the mission." Bressler started to walk away.

"You can't do that!" Ben yelled towards him.

"Those are my orders!" He replied, still walking away. Ben pulled Tom to the side.

"Dad. We have to go on this mission. This is more than the rebels, more than the overlord." He lowered his voice. "This weapon will wipe out everything if it's finished."

I stared at Ben, I knew nothing about this. I knew that taking down the weapon was top priority, but I had no idea what would happen if we didn't finish the mission. When I looked back Weaver was calling to Bressler.

"General!"

"Yes Weaver?"

"With all due respect, the 2nd Mass is going on the mission."

"I just gave you an order."

"I understand that, sir. But we're doing it nonetheless, with or without your permission."

The General looked at Tom then back at Weaver. "Fine. You've got my permission." General Bressler walked away and the soldiers followed him. We stood there for a few seconds as they drove off in all but one truck, that must be for us.

"How are you guys feeling?" Hal looked worried and tired. I realized it was the middle of the night.

We all said we were fine, then went into the truck. Ben, Danny, and I sat in the back.

"How's the...you know." Danny whispered pointing to my stomach, he was only loud enough so Hal and Tom couldn't hear.

"I think it's fine." I smiled, listening to the fluttering heartbeat.

"We shouldn't call the baby an 'it'" Ben said grabbing my hand.

"Well what else would we call it, I mean, the baby?" It's still hard to believe that I'm pregnant.

"What do you two want, a boy or a girl?" Danny looked at us both. We hadn't discussed it, and I haven't really thought about it. We thought for a second.

"Boy." We said smiling simultaneously.

"Then we will just call the baby a 'he' until we know for sure." He smiled too. "I've always wanted a little brother."

Hal turned around "Did you guys say something?"

We all shook our heads.

...

We exited the truck and followed Tom and Hal to a table full of weaponry. I grabbed a semi-automatic. Danny picked up a weapon, but I stopped him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting a weapon, what does it look like." He scoffed.

"Well, put it back. You're not going with us."

"Why?" He whined.

"Because you've never been in combat, or even shot a weapon your entire life. You're staying here, where you're safe."

"You're not the boss of me!" He raised his voice. I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him away from the table.

"I'm not bossing you around, I'm protecting you. You have no idea what's really out there Danny, and you're not going to find out today."

"I'm not going to let my pregnant sister go out there to fight alone!" He hissed.

"I won't be alone! I'll have Ben, Hal, Tom, and the rest of the group that will look after me."

"I just-I just don't want to lose you again." He whispers.

I sigh then pull him into a tight hug. He had gotten so much taller over the course of a few months, he's almost my height now: 5"6'.

"You'll never lose me." I whisper. I look over and everyone is almost ready to leave. "I've got to go. See ya, bro." I playfully punched his arm. He kissed my forehead and I left to meet Ben by the truck.

Ben smiles at me, "Hey, you ready?"

I nod then notice a drawing of the weapon in his hand.

"Did you do that?" I looked at the picture, it was really good. "I didn't know you could draw."

"Another benefit of the harness." He chuckles. He folds up the drawing and puts it in his pocket. He stares at me then leans in and kisses me.

"What was that for?" I breath when we part.

"For being an amazing girlfriend, and I know you'll be an amazing mother." Ben places his hands on my stomach. "I still can't believe this is happening." He smiles.

"And you will be an amazing father." I kiss him again.

"Let's go!" Weaver yells, "We don't want to be late for our date with that stinking Fish-head." Everyone gets in their trucks and drive out.