There were a lot of nights Charlie would remember for the rest of her life. The night Danny was born, the night the lights went out, the night they left Philly and tonight. The night they were finally being called back home.
Her father had made sure the drapes were closed and no one was going to come looking for them before he gathered everyone close. "Tomorrow's the day," he declared.
"Are you sure?" Maggie asked hopefully.
"Certain," Ben nodded. "I just got word while I was out today. The Militia will be in tomorrow." He looked at his children. "The two of you are going to meet them in the woods outside of the village."
"How will we know it's them?" Danny asked.
Ben disappeared into his room for a moment before returning with a silver pendant. There was stone set in it that looked like fire captured in jewel form. "This is a dragon's breath opal," he explained. "The man who you're supposed to meet, Tom Neville? He'll be wearing one of these. All of the family carries them. It's how we recognize each other."
"We'll have ours soon," Charlie grinned.
"Soon enough," Ben nodded, smiling at her fondly. "But that's not important at the moment. What we need to discuss is the plan."
"What is the plan?" Danny wondered.
"You and I will be going straight to Philly. Charlie and Maggie have to go get Miles."
Charlie frowned at her father. "Did he really leave Philly?"
"Four years ago," Maggie nodded. "It's all a part of his master plan."
"Does anyone actually know what that is?" Danny sighed.
"Only Miles knows the full plan," Ben admitted. "Him and Bass. But we each have our part to play. And if we do it well, the rewards will be great."
"So what do we do?" Charlie demanded.
Ben smiled at the excited fervor in her eyes. "Tomorrow you and Danny will go out to the woods early. There you'll meet Tom Neville. He'll give you more details on the plan. Remember, you have to act like you hate the militia. People need to believe we are with the rebels."
"Are you sure we can sell this?" Danny asked doubtfully.
"I think you two can do anything you put your minds to," Ben replied with a warm smile. "But right now you need to sleep. Maggie and I will finish planning."
"But dad—"
Ben stopped her mid whine. "No buts Charlie. I meant it when I said you need to head out early. Very early. Because this is going to happen very fast. So you both need your rest."
Charlie grumbled but grabbed Danny's hand and led him upstairs while her father and Maggie planned. She didn't' know how anyone expected her to actually sleep tonight. She was far too excited about being able to go back to Philly after being gone for nearly eight years now. Charlie spent most of the night wondering what the rest of The Family looked like now and how they would react to Charlie and Danny coming home.
Danny was the one who woke her as dawn started creeping over the horizon. "Sleep much?" he asked.
"Barely," she replied. "You?"
"About an hour or two. Doesn't matter anyway. It's time to get moving."
Charlie rolled out of bed and began to get dressed. "Are you excited?"
"Of course," Danny grinned. "It's been ages since we've been home. Do you think Jason and Mason remember us?'
Charlie grinned as she fastened her pants. Jason Neville and Mason Monroe had been their closest companions growing up. There were the members of Jeremy's Baker's Dozen too but they hadn't really been included in the games the other four had played. Maybe because they weren't actually part of The Family. "I bet they remember us," she said. "I wonder how different they look now."
"And their parents too. I wonder if Emma or Julia will be around."
"Probably not," Charlie sighed as she reached for her shirt. "Miles wouldn't' let Emma leave Philly and Julia is more useful there." Charlie had fond memories of both women as everyone took a turn with child duty in The Family. She remembered Julia being a very elegant lady and was sure she remained the same. Emma had been a second mother to everyone. Even the grownups.
"Shame. I miss them." Danny smiled at her. "At least you get to see Miles again."
"It's going to be cool," Charlie agreed. "But you'll see him too."
"Not as soon as you."
Charlie grabbed her crossbow. "No one is going to see him if we don't get out now."
The siblings trekked out into the woods bordering their home. They paused at an abandoned RV for Charlie to collect some postcards before continuing their search for the militia. A deep voice rang out behind them. "Two young folks like you shouldn't' be out alone. It's dangerous."
They turned to see a familiar face from their childhood. Danny made a move forward but Charlie stopped him with a hand to his chest. They had to be sure. Dad said there were all sorts of traitors and untrustworthy people in the Republic right now. Part of this mission was to root those people out. "Can we help you?" she asked politely.
"Charlie, I'm wounded," the man said with a smile. "But you are a very smart girl. Something that hasn't changed, I should add." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a ring with the same stone as her father's pendant. "Do I also have to tell you about your ninth birthday or do you believe me now?" he teased.
Charlie grinned. "Sorry, Tom. Had to be sure."
"Nothing wrong with security," Tom agreed. "Now come over here. I haven't seen you two in nearly six years."
The two hurried to hug him tight. "It's great to see you," Charlie said.
"We've missed you," Danny added.
They stood back for inspection. "You two have grown so much," Tom said, looking them over. "You certainly do take after your mother."
Both siblings dropped their eyes. "How is she?" Danny asked warily.
"She's living in Philly."
They all knew what that answer meant. Charlie quickly changed the topic. "What's the plan? How are we getting back to the Republic?"
"Danny will be coming with me and my team," Tom replied. "You and Maggie will be leaving on your own. The plan is very simple. You and Danny will return to town and you'll have some sort of argument with your father. Doesn't matter what it's about; just be sure make some noise. You storm off while I head in with my team. Your father will be shot but don't worry. He'll be safe."
"Getting shot doesn't sound very safe," Danny said.
"He won't really be shot," Tom soothed. "My men are all firing blanks. Maggie has given him packets that will spurt blood when broken. She'll also be giving him herbs that will make him appear to be dead. At that point, we're going to capture you, Danny. Don't struggle too much but make it look real."
"What about me?" Charlie asked.
"You're going to return to the village after we leave," Tom replied. "You'll do the whole 'I'm sorry, don't die' thing with your father and then you and Maggie will set out find Miles in hopes of bringing Danny home. Miles will take care of you after that point."
Danny frowned. "But what about Dad?"
"We'll pick him up under cover of darkness," Tom explained. "Don't worry. This has been planned out to the last detail. You two just play your parts correctly and everything will work out fine." Charlie bit her lip and Tom gave her an encouraging smile. "You can do this. Both of you. It's not going to be as hard as you think."
"Then I guess we better get into town so we can get this show on the road," Charlie stated, squaring her shoulders.
"It's all going to be fine," Tom promised as he hugged them both once more. "Just remember your roles."
Charlie took Danny's hand once more and they headed back towards Sylvania Estates. "Nervous?" Danny asked.
"Not really. Dad and I fight all the time. How hard can this be?"
Danny smiled at her. "You know this means we won't see each other for months right?'
"Yeah, but you'll be in good hands. It'll all be okay."
Danny began to start faking an asthma attack and Charlie hurried him inside. They went through the motions of caring for him while Charlie explained what had happened in the woods. Dad and Danny both hugged her tightly before Dad started to give her a lecture on being more careful with Danny. Charlie made the appropriate arguments and stormed off like she was supposed to.
She knew that the gun shot was coming but she was still frightened when she heard it. There was always the chance that something could go wrong. Charlie ran for the village and nearly wanted to throw up when she looked down her father. Maggie was next to her, whispering that everything had gone just fine and Dad was going to be alright. Charlie hadn't expected the blood to look so real. She held her father as he 'died' and then made her way into the house. "I wish we could slow down for a minute," Charlie sighed as she gathered her things.
"We can't, you're supposed to be looking for Miles," Maggie reminded her.
"I know." Charlie paused and looked at Maggie. "He's going to be okay right?"
Maggie gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't' worry. Everything happened exactly as it was supposed to. Tonight the Militia will return and get him while everyone is asleep. We'll all be home in Philly soon."
Charlie gave her a quick hug before remembering that they were supposed to be against each other right now. She marched out with anger on her face and sassy remark on her lips. Maggie followed behind as though she had heard none of it. Charlie was worried when Aaron started following them and she tried to warn him off. But he kept coming. Maggie made no move to stop him so Charlie allowed it. But she huddled next to Maggie after Aaron fell asleep next to the fire that night. "Should he be with us?" she asked urgently.
"Don't worry," Maggie replied, serenely. "It's a change to the plan but only a small one."
"Suppose he screws things up."
"He won't."
"You can't be sure. He's not supposed to be with us."
"Don't worry about every detail in life, Charlie. You'll go mad very quickly."
"Still doesn't tell me what we're going to do."
Maggie set out her bedroll. "I'm going to sleep. You can take watch. Wake me in four hours."
"Maggie," Charlie whined.
Maggie smiled as she got comfortable. "Charlie, we're going to the man that though this whole plan up. I'm fairly certain he can hand a new person in the mix."
"Are you sure?"
"We'll find out in Chicago now won't we?"
A/N: This came about from the fact that Miles basically has a magic penis on the show. Everyone wants to bang him. So everyone will pretty much be doing everyone. But not right away because I intend for this to have actual plot. The rating will go up in later chapters.