Bass had several habits, some good, some bad. A person doesn't grow to be forty-seven years old without developing just a few. He always checked a safe house twice over before turning in - no matter who was on watch - in order to ensure everyone's safety. He cleaned his gun regularly and with the same sort of care you would find new parents bathing a newborn. Good hygene too, not easy considering the blackout, but he always made sure he was moderately clean.

But he was also a drunk. Sleep was impossible without a little help from his liquid friend.

Which was how he ended up drunk... in Charlotte's room.

Typically, Bass kept his increasing - and slightly creepy - infatuation with the younger Matheson to himself. Miles and Rachel knew nothing about it and he doubted that Conner or Charlie even spared him a glance, so his secret was - most likely - safe.

His own little secret. Just the thought of Charlie made him smile. Flowing blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her easy sarcasm was so reminiscent of a younger Miles that it made his heart ache for simpler times. It wasn't all about Miles though. He loved the way she did... well, everything. Hunting, fighting, laughing, smiling, talking, walking, hell - even eating. Just the other day, she had tossed him an apple. A simple thing to normal people, but for her to give one to him, without the sarcasm and then even gracing him with a little smile, that was huge.

Maybe he was just drunk and reading too much into it, but it felt like it meant something. Charlie only smiled for two reasons; Miles telling her she did a good job or whenever Aaron talked about quantum mechanics like everyone should know what that was.

Ok, so there were three reasons she smiled. The third being when everyone went out to hunt and she was the only one to come back with something edible. She loved being the best at anything.

So for Charlie no-nonsense Matheson, to toss him an apple and just smile. Bass couldn't seem to let it go.

He had taken first watch, and as he sat on the dingy porch with his gun in his lap, his mind had replayed the moment over and over again. Maybe she was just trying to be nice? ...Doubtful. Her last name wasn't Matheson for nothing. Maybe she poisoned it?... Nah, it would have killed him already.

Then why?

When Miles came to relieve him from watch, Bass had gone to his room for his customary nightly drink so he could get some much needed rest. But as he lay awake staring at the ceiling, a pleasant buzz tingling throughout, Charlie's smile haunted him. Full, pink lips, and dazzling white teeth with that little dimple in her cheek. She was beautiful. And confusing.

Before his foggy brain could tell him it was a bad idea, Bass was standing in the doorway of Charlotte's moonlight bedroom. She was sleeping soundly on the old, twin sized bed, her chest rising and falling slowly with each breath. The sight calmed his frantic brain and he found himself moving closer so he could see her pretty face. Relaxed in sleep, Charlie looked like an angel, her golden hair framing her face like a halo. He reached out, his brain screaming for him to stop, and touched her warm cheek with the back of his fingers. She exhaled softly, eyes fluttering, and muttered something in her sleep. Then she woke suddenly, her eyes snapping open and immediately landing on his face. Too surprised to move, Bass stared down at her with his fingers still touching her face.

"Monroe?" Her voice was barely a whisper, though it held a demanding tone that said he better explain himself quickly or wind up dead.

"Hi," he answered stupidly. She frowned but still didn't move.

"Are you drunk?"

Bass shook his head no, the action making his head ache, then changed his mind. "Yes."

Charlie stared up at him and very slowly wrapped her hand around his wrist, pulling it away from her face. "What are you doing in here?" Though she seemed almost amused rather than angry.

Whether from the alcohol or her easy tone, Bass found himself wanting to tell her the truth. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe." Or at least part of the truth.

She nodded understandingly, her blue eyes staring into his. "I'm fine, I promise."

Bass noticed her small fingers still wrapped around his wrist and moved so he could hold her hand. "I know. I'm sorry I woke you up." He whispered as he gently stroked her fingers. He felt her arm shiver and watched it travel through her body. "Are you cold?"

Charlie shook her head, but it was useless as Bass was already gathering her blanket up so he could wrap it more firmly around her. As he leaned over her to tuck her in, Charlie reached up and slid her fingers along his stubble lined jaw. He froze, his heartbeat skyrocketing instantly as their eyes locked again.

"Thank you, Bass."

He nodded, his breathing sounding harsh in the quiet room while he tucked her in. Snuggled up with her arms tucked against her body, Charlie smiled up at him sleepily as her eyes drifted closed. Bass leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You're welcome."

Back in his room, Bass fell asleep with a smile on his face and contentment in his heart for the first time in years. He still had no idea what that smile had meant, but now, it didn't seem to matter quite as much.

A/N This is what happens when I get bored at work. Lol. :-D