Author's Note: This will be a multi chap fic but not a long one. Three or four chaps total is my guess. I've never done a song fic before. They usually annoy me. I was listening to the radio the other day and "Alone" by Heart was on and I started to think about Bass and Charlie dancing to that song in a bar and then this happened… haha Enjoy. Leave a comment if you can.

Prologue

It's funny really, how perceptions can change. Bass has known Charlie Matheson since she was in pigtails. He remembers the first time he met her eight years ago. Bass and Miles shared an apartment and Miles was running late after work. He'd opened the door to see a skinny girl in jeans and a sweatshirt, sporting braces. She was maybe twelve. He was easily twenty years her senior. She had a stack of comic books and was looking for her Uncle Miles. Bass had entertained her as best he could. They had bonded over Superman (her favorite) and Batman (his first choice). After that, they had always had a nice and easy relationship. In many ways Bass became an unofficial second Uncle.

It worked.

It worked until it didn't. Recently things had changed.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Over the past couple of years Bass and Miles had been really busy opening a bar. It was called The Republic and had a military feel to reflect their own history as marines. They'd had a shaky start which had forced both friends to live and breathe the bar for almost two years. Miles mentioned spending time with Charlie a few times, but circumstances prevented Bass from seeing her at all during that period. She was off at college anyway, so he didn't think much of it. Not until Christmas of last year. The bar was finally running smoothly. Miles and Bass felt like they could relax for the first time in forever. When Miles asked Bass to come to the Matheson family Christmas, he'd agreed without a second thought.

Ben and Rachel and Danny were all there. Rachel's parents Gene and Charlotte had come along. Everyone was having a great time. Charlie arrived, arms loaded with presents, a big smile on her face. Bass was struck immediately by just how much she had changed in the last two years. When he'd seen her last, she'd still been a gangly teenager. Now she was all woman. Dear lord, he thought to himself. She had grown up in a big way. Now twenty, she was a stunner. Charlie was excited to see him since it had been so long and she ran right up and gave him a hug.

He wanted to feel nothing. He tried to think of her in pigtails with her Superman comic books but as soon as her breasts pressed into his chest, any thought of comic books vanished.

"Charlie, it's been a while." He stammered, feeling like an idiot.

"Yeah, it has been too long. You guys are wrapped up in your bar and I've been away at school. We'll get to see each other more soon though." She smiled up at him broadly.

"Uh, why's that?" he was sweating. Crap was he sixteen again? What the hell was happening to him?

"I'm transferring. Northwestern has been fun, but Mom and Dad convinced me to come back and finish my degree here. I've enrolled in the University of Chicago. My classes start in January."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now that she was around all the time, he was of course noticing her more and more. It didn't help that she was at the bar a lot. Even before her birthday she would drop by at least a few times a week to chat.

In January she had started classes. In March she turned twenty-one and of course had a big party at The Republic.

The night of the party was when everything really changed.

She had been pretty drunk, and had asked him to dance.

He had hesitated, but eventually agreed. They had just reached the dance floor when the songs changed. Bass had agreed to dance, but wasn't prepared for Charlie to step in close and wrap her slender arms around his neck. She smiled up at him and swayed.

"I love this song." She said, leaning close enough to his ear that he could feel her breath.

Surprised, Bass asks, "You know Heart?"

She nodded, "I love 80s music Bass." Then as if to prove her point, she began to sing, her mouth close to his ear, her voice soft and sexy…

I hear the ticking of the clock
I'm lying here the room's pitch dark
I wonder where you are tonight
No answer on the telephone
And the night goes by so very slow
Oh I hope that it won't end though
Alone

Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
you don't know how long i have wanted
to touch your lips and hold you tight
You don't know how long I have waited
and I was going to tell you tonight
But the secret is still my own
and my love for you is still unknown
Alone
Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone
Alone, alone

Bass can't help but grin down at her. He is entranced. Without meaning to exactly, they have drawn closer. Her fingers are in his hair and his hands are bunched in the small of her back. Bass likes her voice. It's sexy and low and stirs in him feelings he probably shouldn't have for his best friend's niece.

They dance for another song and then walk together back to the bar. It's her party but she sits next to him instead of joining her friends. "Buy me a shot?" she asks, "For my birthday?"

"Allright. What's your favorite shot?" He raises an eyebrow and smirks a little. He's thinking she'll ask for a Lemon Drop or Apple Schnapps, but she surprises him.

"Jose Cuervo, with lime and salt." Her grin widens when he laughs.

"I should have known no relative of Miles' would be ordering pansy drinks." He motions for the guy behind the bar to bring over two shots of tequila. The bartender also leaves a plate piled with lime slices and a salt shaker. Bass goes to pick up his shot glass and she reaches out to stop him.

"No." she says with an evil little smile.

"No what?" he asks, curious.

Then he watches as she sits the two shots squarely in front of them. Charlie then picks up a thick slice of lime and holds is to Bass's lips. "Open up," she says, a sparkle in her eye. His own eyes widen as he realizes she is going to do a body shot off of him. It's her birthday though. Who is he to deny her? Bass opens his mouth and she pushes the skin side of the lime between his teeth. Knowing what comes next, he tries to prepare himself but when she leans in close and licks a long stripe of skin on his neck; he feels his jeans tighten. She quickly shakes salt on the moistened skin and then she's licking the salt off his neck. Charlie doesn't use her hands, bending quickly she takes the glass in her teeth, tosses back the tequila. She shakes her head briefly at the taste but then smiles as she comes in close to Bass. Their eyes meet – blue on blue – as she sucks the flesh of the lime. Their lips just barely touch, but the touch is electric. Bass watches as her pupils dilate.

He's never been so turned on in his life.

Charlie pulls away slowly, grinning. "Your turn Bass." She teases.

Bass lets out a ragged breath as he holds a second slice of lime to her lips. He then repeats the steps just as she had done. When he licks her neck, he smells the fragrance that is Charlie – vanilla and jasmine… and he tastes her flesh and he knows in this moment that he'll never stop wanting her. Bass downs his shot quickly, his eyes holding hers. However when he comes in close for the lime, he sees something in her gaze: a spark of mischief. Just as his mouth is touching the lime, she drops it and presses her lips to his. This is no accidental kiss. Charlie had clearly planned it. Bass is taken off guard, but is so aroused by her and by the sudden turn of events that he responds. The kiss is brief but heated. Both parties give as good as they get. Heads buzzing with the tequila, they break away, eyes wide.

"Happy birthday to me." Charlie says with a smirk, her voice low and flirty.

Bass is speechless as she walks away, one hand resting on the still damp flesh of his neck. He doesn't know what's happening here, but he's sure of one thing.

He wants more.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nothing else happened that night, and neither of them has mentioned the kiss since, but it's on both of their minds. Ever since that night, things have been different between them. There is a tension that never existed before. He catches her looking at him sometimes. He's sure she's caught him doing the same thing.

Karaoke night had been Charlie's idea. She loves to sing, and begged the guys to set up an official event each week at The Republic. Miles hated the idea until Bass said he'd cover that shift each week. Bass wasn't all that excited either. The idea of being subjected to off key Katy Perry and Lady Gaga numbers all night once a week is not his idea of a good time, but Charlie will be there. She is the reason he agrees. He can't get enough of her, even if it only amounts to watching her sing. Tonight is their first karaoke event. The crowd is surprisingly large. The drinks are flowing. Bass and the other bartender Scanlon are both busy behind the bar, but when Bass hears her voice on the microphone, he looks up.

Bass isn't surprised that she's on stage – after all, this entire thing was her idea. What surprises him is that she's looking right at him as she speaks, "I'm dedicating this oldie to my favorite bartender." And then she begins to sing…

Well, it's Sunday mornin' and the sun in shinin'
In my eye that is open and my head is spinnin'
Was the life of the party, I can't stop grinnin'
I had too much tequila last night

Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime
Did I kiss all the cowboys? Did I shoot out the lights?
Did I dance on the bar? Did I start a fight?

Now wait a minute, things don't look to familiar
Who is this cowboy who's sleepin' beside me?
He's awful cute but how'd I get his shirt on?
I had too much tequila last night

Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime
Did I kiss all the cowboys? Did I shoot out the lights?
Did I dance on the bar? Did I start a fight?

All those little shooters, how I love to drink 'em down
Come on bartender, let's have another round
Well, the music is playing and my spirits are high
Tomorrow might be painful but tonight we're gonna fly
Did I start any fights?

Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime
Every time we get together, I sure have a good time
You're my friend, you're the best, mi amigo
(Tequila)

Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime
Did I kiss all the cowboys? Did I shoot out the lights?
Did I dance on the bar? Did I start a fight?
Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine

Bass is mesmerized. She maintains eye contact right up till the point where he gets pulled away by a customer. When he looks up again she is gone from the stage. He runs a hand nervously through his hair. He's going to need a stiff drink himself just to process this. Clearly she's at least somewhat interested in him, hell maybe a lot interested. He's baffled as to why, but he doesn't dwell on it. So they are attracted to each other… it doesn't really even matter. There is no way anything could ever work between them. She's so young, and even if she wasn't – she's Miles' niece. What would Miles say? Bass doesn't even want to think about how that conversation would go. He leaves Scanlon in charge at the bar, and starts walking toward the office, distracted by his own thoughts.

When a hand reaches out from a shadowy recess and pulls him in, he immediately sees it's Charlie. "Did you like my song?" she asks quietly. He can tell she's more than a little drunk, but her hands are on his biceps, stroking his arms and he can't exactly focus. Before Bass even has a chance to answer her, she's pulled in close and is kissing him.

"Oh hell," he says against her mouth, responding in spite of the voices in his head telling him to stop.

She tastes like Jack Daniels and her tongue presses into his mouth and he loses the last fraction of control he had held. Pushing her roughly against the wall, he kisses her with an intensity that matches the frustration he's felt ever since she kissed him on her birthday. Their mouths are roughly exploring, tongues sliding along each other, teeth clacking on occasion. Neither care. She lifts one long leg, wrapping it around his hip, pulling him closer. Bass moans, knowing that only a few layers of fabric separates them from sweet oblivion.

They are both startled apart by Scanlon yelling out, "Bass, we got a fight out here. Need your help."

He presses his forehead to hers, "I gotta go."

She leans in and gives him one last kiss. "Go." She whispers, a smile of promise on her swollen lips..

He doesn't see her again that night, but on his way home he realizes that he can't stop smiling. Even though he knows that whatever is happening between them is a mistake, he has to admit he's enjoying it. Bass never would have thought it would be possible, but he can't wait for next week's Karaoke night.

Author's Note: Yeah, so I know what you're thinking. "Lemon, you totally owe us a damn chapter of California!" You are right. I do. I am working on it and would have finished that first except that when I was in the mood to write last night I had the wrong computer. My laptop w/ the CA notes and unfinished chapter was not the one I had with me. So this happened instead.

Songs in this chap:
"Alone" by Heart 1987 & "Jose Cuervo You are a Friend of Mine" by Shelly West 1983

A little tease though for those of you who are following that story. You'll notice Scanlon is making an appearance in this fic. He'll be in California too toward the end – in a fairly important role… and I think you're going to like how that plays out. Review please.