The words rang through his mind repeatedly. "Miles, you're going soft…you're like a puppy holding a kitten…." He had chastised Miles for "going soft" with the rescue mission to save Aaron, when in fact he had done the same thing. He had gone back for Charlie after he had been granted a clear exit strategy. He could have left her there and not looked back, as he had done so many times in the past. After all, this was a time of war. He had lost count of the many he had left for dead when it came to achieving his goals and getting out alive….but this had been different. This was Charlotte. Under no circumstance could he have left her behind, at the mercy of the Patriots.

Bass Monroe shook his head in a way to rid himself of the thoughts that had been plaguing him for weeks- the stark realization that Charlotte was beginning to mean more to him than he could have ever predicted, or ever wanted. Emotional attachment was a weakness, and weakness would put both of their lives in jeopardy. That's when he knew what he must do –

"So, where are ya heading?" Miles asked as he watched Bass throw some clothes into a knapsack. "I'll probably start heading east from here," Bass replied, not looking at Miles but continuing to gather items for his pack. "It's not like you are going to tell me where my son is, so I'm going to find him on my own. I have some intel on where he may be."

This statement surprised Miles. He didn't know how Bass could possibly know anything about the location of his son. "What intel?" he asked.

"Does it matter?" Bass asked. "You've already proven you aren't going to help me…in fact, I think it's been pretty convenient how you have been dangling my son like a carrot, but never provided any real information as to how I can find him. Fact is, I doubt you even know at this point… I think you've just been using me to win your war with the Patriots."

"Hey, you came here on your own, I didn't come looking for you," Miles replied quickly. Actually, Miles thought to himself, Bass hadn't come here on his own….Charlie had led him straight to us.

"Whatever Miles," Bass said. "You all have it pretty well covered now. You have Rachel, Charlie, and Staypuft. One big happy family….now it's time for me to move on."

Miles remained quiet for a moment, not sure of what else there was to say to him. After a moment, he only replied, "Do what you gotta do, Bass."

"I always do."

Charlie just looked at Miles, hands on her hips and trying not to show any emotion in her features. Rachel stood there quietly, only watching the two of them.

"…so he's just taking off?" Charlie asked in a nonchalant tone.

"Yeah, he needs to move on, it's time," Miles replied.

Charlie shook her head, remaining silent. After a moment, she walked past Miles and around the corner to the room where Bass had been staying.

Bass heard footsteps come in to the room but never looked over his shoulder. He immediately knew who was there. Her scent was very identifiable, a mixture of vanilla and jasmine. He would know it anywhere, and it would remind him of her the rest of his life.

"Miles said you were leaving," Charlie spoke up after a moment.

"Yeah, there's a few things I need to take care of elsewhere," Bass replied, turning around to face her. He couldn't quite manage to look her in the eye.

Charlie narrowed her eyes. "I think you're afraid." She wasn't quite sure why she spoke these words to him. She had never known Bass to back down or appear afraid of anything. She had only been searching for something to say that could possibly get under his skin.

For the first time, Bass looked up at her. "Think whatever you want, Charlotte, that doesn't make it the truth."

"Why else would you leave?" Charlie challenged him. "This whole war with the Patriots….it was practically your idea. After all, you instigated most of it….now you're going to just leave us here to clean up your mess."

"Hey! It's hardly my mess. I only stuck around this long to get information from Miles about my son, and clearly he's not telling what he knows, so I'm done!" Bass knew his words sounded harsh, but he had to remain cold to her. It was the only way he could leave.

"You really are a son of a bitch," Charlie said and turned on her heel, exiting the room.

Rachel and Miles heard Charlie's last statement to Bass and watched as she walked through the living room and out the front door, slamming it upon her exit.

Rachel looked at Miles with a questioning gaze. Miles only shook his head, closing his eyes. They walked into the kitchen.

"Why is she so angry that he's leaving? She hates him," Rachel said.

Miles only looked at Rachel. They both knew why Charlie was angry that Bass was leaving. They just didn't want to say it out loud.

A moment later, Bass came out of the room with his knapsack. He walked over to where Miles and Rachel stood.

Bass extended his hand to Miles, "take care of yourself…"

Miles shook his hand, "you too, Bass."

Bass then turned to Rachel. The two had formed a cordial existence by this point. "Rachel."

Rachel only nodded in response.

"Take care of Charlotte."

Rachel smiled and shook her head.

Bass threw his knapsack over his shoulder and walked out the front door without looking back.