Miles looked across the camp and saw Charlie checking weapons, alone. She was alone a lot lately. She wouldn't talk to him, she wouldn't talk to anyone not even Nora. Most of the men avoided her, mainly because they knew she was his niece and if they messed with her, well it would mean a slow and painful death. But also she made it painfully clear that she didn't want to get to know any of them. She was hurting and it was killing him. He knew she wanted to know the truth about Rachel. She had made that abundantly clear. He had tried to reach out to her a number of times. He knew all the fighting, and blood and death was taking a toll on her. No matter how tough she was, she wasn't used to this. God she shouldn't have to get used to this. But unless the topic of conversation was her mom, well she didn't want to hear it. Either way he was going to loose her. Not telling her would drive her away slowly and telling her would make her run.

Hudson walked up beside him and interrupted his musings. Gesturing over at Charlie he said, "She reminds me of you. Damn good in a fight, tough as nails and hell she even broods like you. You both could give the term 'functioning mute' a new meaning."

Miles just grunted.

"See what I mean? Look man, I know something is going on with the two of you. Before you went to Georgia you two were almost inseparable. Now she won't even look at you and you are more moody than usual, and that's saying something."

Miles sighed and looked at his friend. "We weren't meant to have families Hudson."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"She wants the truth about what happened with Rachel."

"Damn"

"Yep"

"I don't know what to tell you man, except for this. If I had told my wife from the beginning who I was then maybe, just maybe we would have had a chance. Or she could have ran screaming into the night, but now I'll never know. Who knows she might surprise you."

"Or I could be second only to Monroe on her 'needs to die' list."

"Yeah there is that, and with that young lady, and your blood running through her veins, I think she'd do it too."

"Thanks man, you're a big help."

"Hey that's why you brought me out of retirement, so I could help right?"

Hudson was right. No matter what, Charlie deserved the truth. If he could give nothing else to her, he could give her that.

He walked over to her, it was now or never. "Hey kid."

"Miles"

"We need to talk."

"I'm busy Miles."

"No NOW!" he yelled.

She looked up at him and crossed her arms across her chest. "Are you going to tell me about my mom?"

Miles sighed and looked up to the sky. Dear god she wasn't going to make this easy.

"Yes, but not here. Follow me." he turned and started walking toward his tent.

Charlie didn't move, just looked at him, stunned.

"This is a one time offer kid, are you coming or not?"

Charlie followed him into his tent. She watched as patiently as she could as he sat down an poured himself a drink. He sat there and sipped it, staring at nothing. Finally she couldn't take it anymore.

"You'd said you'd talk, so talk already."

"Are you sure you really want to know?"

"Yes damnit I want the truth, what did you do to my mom?"

Miles sighed and looked into his almost empty glass. My god this was harder than he thought it was going to be. He looked up at her big blue eyes. He was going to hurt her. God he was such a bastard then and now. If he could take it all back he would.

"Charlie I…" he was interrupted by Nora and one of the Georgia soldiers bursting through the tent flap.

"Sorry to interrupt Miles, but you are going to want to hear this." Nora said.

Charlie looked between Nora and Miles. Miles returned her stare, silently telling her it was her call. Nora looked like she was about to have kittens. Charlie sighed and threw her hands up in the air. "Seriously?, Seriously? Okay fine, what is it Nora?"

"The re-supply wagon from Georgia was intercepted by Militia." Nora looked at the soldier. "Tell him what you told me."

"The wagon not only contained guns and ammo sir, but also explosives, a lot of explosives."
"What kind of explosives?" Miles asked.

"Mostly grenades, land mines and some dynamite."

"Why the hell is Kelly sending me explosives I didn't ask for?"

"Uh sir, Sergeant Davis requested them sir."

"Well if I could kill him twice I would." Miles muttered.

"We have to get the supply wagon back Miles, we can't let the Militia have those weapons."

"I know Nora, I know. Any idea where they took it?"

"Scouts report the wagon was intercepted about a days ride from here General, they couldn't have gotten far."

Miles looked apologetically at Charlie. "We'll have to finish our conversation later. I'm sorry Charlie. Nora you and… what's you name kid?"

"Crocket sir, Corporal Crocket."

"Crocket huh, Please tell me your first name isn't Davy."

Crocket looked confused. "No sir it's Mark."

"Never mind. Nora take Crocket and two others and load up. We'll have to travel fast if we are going to catch up." Then he looked at Charlie "Pack your crap, we have a wagon to catch."

Charlie nodded and as Miles stood to leave the tent she grabbed his arm and looked up at him.

"I know kid, I'll tell you, and soon." Then he leaned down and kissed the top of her head and whispered "I promise."