Author's note: So while I've gotten some HUGE writers block on my other stories,I've been watching and falling in love with Terra Nova. I started watching because of Naomi Scott,who plays Mo in Lemonade Mouth,where most of my stories are. This is hopefully something to use to bounce other ideas off of. Hope you enjoy!


Boredom refused to leave Maddy Shannon alone that sunny afternoon. It had drizzled the night before,and the air still held a dewy scent. Maddy's boots swung small ravines in the drying dirt as she tried to think of things to do. Her father was out patrolling the area,trying to avoid the clinic and the unnerving feeling in his gut that Malcolm was trying to step in on his territory. He trusted Elisabeth,but he knew better than to trust any other man.

Speaking of not trusting men,Maddy figured her brother Josh was out where he shouldn't be,probably getting drunk with Skye. It seemed to his little sister that everyday they were here in their new home his thoughts of Kara were as fleeting as his memories of life in 2149. She shuddered at the thought of what would happen if she showed up in Terra Nova. Maddy liked Skye so much more. Josh was distant when he was with Kara,she was his getaway from his fragmented family. Zoe had started asking about her father,carrying his picture everywhere.

Zoe was now out with some of the neighborhood children,playing with the dinosaurs Zoe had fashioned out of scrap cloth. She was a burgeoning little toymaker,and the tradesmen had even given her a terra for her brontosaur.

Alas,Maddy was alone,thinking about her life here;thinking about Mark. Every day when she saw him in his uniform,those blue eyes glinting as he shot her a shy smile,her knees weakened just picturing him. A blush crept across her cheeks as she tried to re-compose herself. Tilting her face to look around,she caught sight of her crush walking through the market. He hadn't seen her yet,though he was in her full view in his slacks and tight dark blue shirt. It made Maddy smile to think someone like him with his muscles and confidence could be interested in her,and yet,there he was all the time,walking the perimeters with her,laughing as she rambled.

Her senses were heightened as she noticed out of her peripherals that he'd caught sight of her. She quickly tried to act like she was lost in thought as he made his way towards her.

"Almost didn't notice you with your hair up,Miss Maddy." he greeted,sitting next to her on her perch. She'd messily clipped her hair up that morning,not wanting to fuss with the waves.

"Well,Mister Mark," she teased, "maybe I was trying to be sneaky." Mark just grinned at her,his knuckles brushing against her own. Maddy secretly hated how careful he was to monitor their touch,almost as if he was afraid. Was he? Could it be that someone as charming as he was afraid of little bitty her?

"I noticed you're not in your uniform today."

"Washington gave me two days off for helping ward off the Sixers the other day. Gotta admit,I like not having all that extra to lug around. What about you,I thought you were going to start interning with your mom at the clinic?"

Maddy's shudder made him smile.

"Let's just say I fell quickly out of love with the thought of being a doctor. My love of science remains,as does my dislike of blood and such." She couldn't help but notice the flicker of anxiety in his eyes as she uttered the "L"word,and it excited her.

"Speaking of you and your love of all things scientific,I do have a request from Taylor."

"Oh? For me?" Maddy asked,her heartbeat quickening.

"Yeah. He wants you to lead a group session on some of the new plant life Malcolm and his team has been discovering..." Mark's sentences stopped as he saw the fear growing on Maddy's face.

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure I'm ready to be the know it all again." she answered him,her eyes darting to look at her nails. Mark scooted over,closing the proximity between them while still keeping a governor on their interaction,wondering what had made her so sad suddenly.

"Maddy,whatever would make you say that?" he asked in a husky low whisper,keeping their conversation private.

"Because it's true. Back in 2149, I was teased and picked on for being so smart. Kids in school didn't really appreciate not getting the curve on the test because I actually got the 100. They pushed me on the stairs,pulled my hair,even threw my journals in the toilet,anything they could do to torment me. I was so happy when Mom found out we were coming here. It's been one of the good moments so far." she said,ending her sad tale with a smile directed his way. Mark just placed his hand on her back,making her turn to face him.

"Maddy,I know you're not a know it all. You're just smart and clever and sweet and trusting. Forget all those losers back then,they're not here now. I wouldn't let anyone tease you now." he smiled back,secret notes passed between curling lips. She just lightly nodded,trying to keep her heart out of her throat.

"So you'll do it?"

"Only if you'll help me." she asked him,smiling bigger as he nodded in return.