Disclaimer – I own nothing.

AN – So this story came to my mind when drewingupmylife told me about how the writers were thinking about Karen asking for Hal in exchange for Anne and Lexi. I will try to post at least once a week, but if I get behind, I apologize in advance. So, this chapter starts in 3x08, Strange Brew, right after Tom wakes up. It then continues to 3x09, but I skipped a lot because the overall plot in that episode stays the same in this story. It will change a lot later on though. Please review, and…

Enjoy!

Tom screamed himself awake, suddenly aware of something attached to his face, covering his eyes. He immediately lifted his hands and pulled it off, and saw that it was connected to a machine that sat behind him.

The former President sat up on the metal table he was laying on, quickly spying Karen, standing a few feet away with a thoughtful look on her face. He moved to attack her, but two skitters that Tom didn't notice grabbed his arms, and pulled him back.

"I thought you would've managed to wake up sooner. I guess you really must've missed your life before the war." Karen commented, coming over to the table.

"Look Tom, I don't want to make this difficult. I'm actually trying to help you." Karen told him, her voice sounding like she cared. Tom knew it was a lie.

"By kidnapping Anne and Lexi? Where are they?" Tom demanded, still struggling against the skitters' grip.

"They are fine. And you can have them back, once you give me something." Karen told him, crouching down so she was somewhat eye-level with him.

"I'm not telling you anything about the Volm plan." Tom knew that had to be what she was after. That was the point of the dream, she wanted to know where they were going to attack, but she surprised him with her response.

"No Tom. I don't really care that much about where you're going to attack. I want Hal." Karen paused, letting Tom process her words. When she saw the shocked expression, she continued, "It's a simple exchange. Give me Hal, and I'll give you Anne and Lexi."

"You're telling me you took Anne and my daughter because you wanted Hal? Why the h*ll didn't you take him when you had him controlled? You could've easily done it, and it would've been quite a while until we realized what happened, as we didn't know you where controlling him." Tom pointed out, horror mixing with confusion at what Karen was telling him. The skitters let him go, seemingly at ease now that Tom appeared to be too confused and stunned to attack their boss.

"I didn't take Anne and Lexi to get Hal. I had a different plan, but there were still pieces I needed to put together. But the minute I realized that you killed the probe I planted inside him, I had to improvise. I have all the pieces I need, except one person. I don't need Anne, and I can do without Lexi, if I get Hal instead."

"For what? Why do you need either of them?" Tom asked, anger and frustration making itself known in his tone.

"Oh Tom, you should know I never lay down all my cards on the table. The only thing you need to ask yourself is this, who will you give up? Anne and your daughter, or your son?"

"How do I know just going to kill them all?" Tom asked, hoping to stall long enough to find a way out.

"I am not the one who almost killed Hal when you took the bug out, that was you. And I didn't tell him to shoot himself, that was all him. Tom, I never intentionally hurt Hal. And killing Anne would be a waste of time and Lexi, well I could still use her. It's a simple exchange, Tom." Karen stood back up, and started walking around the table, as though she was an animal circling her prey. It was then Tom spotted an opening. He could see the night sky, and its reflection on water.

"You're outta your mind."

"Keep in mind who has control in this situation. You are my prisoner, I have your girlfriend and daughter in custody, and I control all the skitters, Mechs, and beamers on the West Coast." Karen reminded him, as she walked away from the table, her back to Tom. That was all he needed.

Without a second thought, Tom pushed himself of the table and ran for the opening. He didn't even stop to look down to see where or what he'd be landing on. By a stroke of fate, he landed in water.

He swam to the surface, then headed for shore, away from what he now saw to be a tower, like the one they had tried to blow up almost two years ago. Once Tom got to the shore, he started walking. As he headed down the streets, he realized he was in Boston. Back where it all began.

Tears started flooding his eyes and he fell to the pavement. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about Karen's offer. Lexi was only a baby, who knows what Karen would do to her, she already changed her DNA. And Anne, apparently, Karen had no need for Anne, so why would she keep her alive? But, he couldn't let her have Hal either. This was a choice he couldn't, and wouldn't make. He would find a way to save them, without taking Karen's offer. And when he did, Karen would pay.

FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS

It took over a week to get back to Charleston. He was immediately greeted by his sons and Weaver once word had gotten to them.

"Did you find them?" Matt asked.

"No, Karen still has them. But they're alive, and we will find them." Tom's voice left no room for argument. He went into the building with Weaver and was in the process of telling him that Karen was in Boston, and that is where they should strike, when the bomb went off.

FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS

Tom and Hal watched as Lourdes came too, and based on her struggling, it was obvious the bug was in control. She was still lying strapped down on the gurney, but now was in a private room that was guarded. Tom and Hal were the only ones in the room with her.

"Karen must be pretty desperate if she actually had you bomb the place." Tom thought aloud. Lourdes stopped her struggles, and looked at the father and son, a smile coming across her face.

"Oh, she's not desperate at all Tom. She still has Anne and Lexi, does she not? She is always one step ahead. You still have your precious Volm plan, and she still has your daughter and girlfriend. You will never catch up to her, even if you do accept her deal." Lourdes sneered.

"What deal?" Hal asked. He remembered his Dad telling him and his brothers that Karen had captured him, and he escaped, but he made no mention of a deal though.

"Nothing." Tom told him, not looking at his son. He decided before he even arrived in Charleston that he would not let anyone know about what Karen had told him. He would not let them know that a deal was even possible.

"Oh, you didn't tell them, did you? Not even Hal? And here I thought you knew Hal could make his own decisions." Lourdes threw her words in Tom's face.

"Dad, what is she talking about?" Hal asked more forcefully. Tom turned his head to look at his son. He knew there wasn't any way that Hal was going to let this drop. Not anymore. He had heard too much. Tom had to tell him.

Hal was about to ask again, when his father completely turned around, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the room. Tom didn't let go of him until they entered another room where they were alone. He practically pushed Hal inside and shut the door, but he didn't turn around to look at him.

"Dad, what is going on with you. You have been acting weird ever since you got back this morning, and what the heck was Lourdes talking about?" Hal was getting frustrated by his father's lack of response.

"Hal, please, let it go." Tom's voice took Hal by surprise. It was desperate, and pleading, which only made Hal want to know even more.

"Dad, tell me." Tom finally turned around to look at his son, and Hal saw that his father's eyes were full of tears.

"Right before I escaped, Karen, she, she offered me a deal. She would release Anne and Lexi, if I gave her something in return." Tom informed him. He hoped that Hal wouldn't push, but that hope died instantly.

"What does she want?" Hal came closer to his Dad, eyes full of sympathy, knowing that whatever this deal was, it was apparently very difficult to think about.

"You. She wants you." Of all the things Hal expected Tom to say, that was not one of them. Hal took a step back, and put his hand on the wall to help hold himself up. His legs started shaking, threatening to buckle.

"What?" Hal asked once he found his voice. He looked back up at his Dad, and knew why he had been acting so weird. He found himself in a position where he literally had to chose between two of his kids, which one would go home, and which one would be taken.

Tom stared at his son. The last time he had seen Hal pale that fast was when he found out his mother was dead. Tom came over and put his hands on Hal's arms to hold him up and to get his attention.

"Hal, listen to me. Forget about what I just told you, okay? Cause I'm not taking the deal. We will find Anne and Lexi, but I am not going risk losing you. Do you understand? We will find them without Karen, and when we do, we will get payback. I promise. Do you understand?" Tom told him. Hal nodded, though he didn't really meet his father's eyes.

"Look at me." Tom practically yelled. Hal lifted his head and stared into his father's eyes. They were filled with desperation and fear.

"Do you understand?" Tom repeated his earlier question. Hal nodded, and Tom let go. He backed away from Hal and ran his hands over his face.

"Not a word about this, to anyone." The Mason patriarch ordered, and again Hal nodded. Tom then lift the room without another word.

Hal found a chair in the corner of the room and sat down. He felt like he had been punched in the stomach and was now struggling to breathe, for the second time that day. he didn't know how long he sat there, until he heard a knock on the door.

He looked up in time to see Maggie enter the room. The minute she saw him, she smiled, but then her face grew concerned when she saw his expression.

"Hey. You okay?" Maggie asked. Hal forced a smile, and nodded as he pushed himself up off the chair.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just been a long day." Hal lied as he approached her. He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers in a quick kiss. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Everything is fine." Hal told her.