Raylan's black town car pulled up outside the familiar house of Grace Crowder and found himself lost in another memory.
...
"I've been doing alright Charlie, how are you?" Raylan asked as he walked over to the ball machine and put a few coins in.
"Well I'm a little sore and bruised but that ain't nothing unusual" She held up the bat for him.
"Yeah you and me both" He smacked the first ball before bringing the bat back over his shoulder.
"Why Raylan, whatever do we owe this pleasure to?" Boyd asked.
"Just out for batting practice" He drawled as he hit the next ball that shot towards him.
Johnny came up beside Boyd and spat on the ground before looking over at Charlie, "Come on Charlie. We're goin' home"
"I ain't goin' nowhere especially back to where Jake can get his hands on me" Raylan smacked the last ball and handed the bat over to Charlie.
"I'm goin' over to Helen's if you wanna come" Raylan offered.
Charlie faced him, "That would be great" She turned back to Johnny and Boyd, "Goodbye boys"
Raylan offered her his arm and she looped her hand through and the pair walked off to Raylan's truck.
"What am I gonna tell daddy?" Johnny yelled. Charlie didn't even look back or call out to acknowledge him, "Charlie!"
The young pair climbed into the truck and Raylan fired it up, "Umm Raylan would you mind if we went to Gracie's instead? I mean if Johnny tells daddy then Helen's is the first place he's gonna look"
"Sure we can" He put the truck in drive, "But you know if Jake comes after you" He grabbed her hand, "I'll stop him" Charlie smiled at him and squeezed his hand a little.
"Thank you Raylan"
They pulled up in front of Grace's house and found her sitting on the porch.
"Charlie" She spoke calmly, "Raylan" She nodded at the boy.
"Hi Grace" He nodded back at her.
"Your daddy been drinking again girl?" Charlie nodded sadly. Grace stood and sighed heavily but opened her arms and embraced the beaten girl. She kissed the top of Charlie's head and looked over at Raylan, "Arlo?" Raylan nodded again, "Come on in" Charlie pulled away and all three headed inside.
"You can stay in the other bedroom tonight if you like" Grace said as she walked over to the kettle.
"Thank you Grace" Raylan sighed as he sat at the table.
"It's no trouble at all Raylan; you know I'd do anything for you just like I know Helen would do anything for Charlie"
"Will you watch her?" He looked at his coffee cup.
"You gon' somewhere?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm leaving Kentucky" He stated. Grace didn't press any further. She knew about his home life, considering it was similar to that of her niece, and she also knew that this day would come.
"Alright. I'll do what I need to" She smiled, "Just don't get yourself killed doing something stupid"
"Grace, I'm 19 years old, all I know is stupid and luckily I know how to avoid it" He put his hand over hers, "I'll be careful I promise"
She stood and bought Raylan up with her and pulled him into a hug, "You better be boy" Grace tried to sound threatening but Raylan knew she was just worried for him, "You say goodbye to her" She told Raylan as she pulled away. He nodded and walked into the living room. Grace sat back at the table and listened to Charlie beg Raylan to stay. Eventually the door closed and Charlie's sobs filled the house.
...
"You alright Raylan?" A soft voice broke his thoughts.
"Hmm? Oh yeah I'm ok. Just been awhile since I was here"
"21 years" Charlie stated matter of factly, "You were 19 years old when you left an 18 year old me sitting on the couch crying" Raylan opened his mouth but Charlie kept talking, "Because my best friend was leaving for god knows where"
"Texas" Raylan's voice sounded broken.
"What?" She asked, sounding a little surprised.
"I went to Texas. Then to Georgia and onto Florida and finally" He held his hands up and looked around a little.
"Why?"
"Why?" Raylan sounded unsure.
"Why did you leave Kentucky?" Charlie folded her arms. Raylan ushered her into the car and climbed in next to her.
"Because I'm not one of the people that enjoy this place. So I left and went to Texas and became a Deputy Marshal. Then I was sent to Glynco where I met my boss. I met a woman there, got married and after 6 years she left me. Then I transferred to Miami and after shooting Tommy Bucks, Dan had me transferred to Art" Raylan spoke calmly as he drove along the road.
"You were married?"
"That's the only part you hear?" He smirked. She only narrowed her eyes and waited for an answer, "Yes I was. Her name is Winona"
"You still talk to her?"
"I...I've seen her a couple of times since moving back. She works at the courthouse" Charlie nodded.
Raylan pulled up in front of a bar and Charlie turned to him, "Alright, let's go get a drink" She smiled. They walked into the bar just as Garth Brook's started telling everyone he was 'Callin' Baton Rouge'
Charlie immediately started bouncing around and dancing all while holding Raylan's hand and pushing her way through the crowd. Raylan planted himself at the bar while he watched Charlie dance. He turned back to the bar to order yet another drink, completely unaware that Charlie had a visitor standing next to her.
"Charlie Crowder"
"Not the time Wade" She kept dancing; doing her best to ignore him. His hands slid down the sides of her body as he slipped in behind her. Charlie spun around and faced him, "Keep your hands off me"
"Aww come on now darlin' it's just dancing"
"Well it's dancing with you that I object to" Wade moved to put his hands against her again before she pushed him back.
"Feisty" He smirked.
"Touch me again and you'll be walking out of here with a bloody nose, a bruised face or both. You choose" She threatened. He ignored her comment and put his hands on her sides. She drew back her fist and caught him on the jaw.
"Bitch" He huffed as he moved back towards her. Raylan was in between the pair before Wade got hit Charlie.
"I believe the lady asked you to leave" Wade huffed and walked off, "I turn around for a second and you're already getting into trouble"
She smirked, "Maybe I secretly just wanted you to dance with me" Brad Paisley filled the air and the two pulled together as 'We Danced'. Charlie rested her head on his chest while Raylan clasped his hands together as the base of her back. They moved side to side slowly, both listening to the lyrics. Charlie was the first to pull away when the song changed and ACDC rang out.
"Oh my god" She smiled.
"What?"
"You don't remember this song?" He listened for a second before looking down at her again, "This song was playing the first time we snuck in here"
He laughed, "And good old Billy didn't even ask for ID when we ordered a beer"
"Course you had to save me then too"
"You know for a strong independent woman you sure do need a bit of savin'"
Charlie slapped his chest playfully, "I think it might be you. Bringing all this trouble around me"
"Well maybe you should save me for a change"
Charlie smirked, "I think you can watch your own back as well as watch mine" Charlie lead him back to the bar and they sat had a few more drinks.
The door to Raylan's motel room burst open and Charlie and Raylan moved through. He kicked the door closed and pushed her against it. Charlie pushed his jacket back and hurriedly started undoing buttons on his shirt. Raylan pulled away long enough to see where the small table was and threw his hat onto it. His hands went to her jeans and made quick work of her belt and buttons then setting on her shirt while Charlie pulled his wife beater up and over his head. They spun around and Charlie was walking backwards til the back of her legs hit the bed and she was forced to sit. Raylan moved over her as she undid his own belt and jeans and set her on her back. Once his jeans were open Charlie pushed them down; leaving him in just his boxers. She ran a hand over his crotch and Raylan groaned into her mouth. They moved up the bed and Raylan rolled them over so he could kick his boots and jeans off. Once he was clear of any material he flipped Charlie back underneath him and kissed down her neck before he pulled away and placed kisses over her chest and moved his fingers over her skin til he reached her panties.
His lust filled eyes looked up at her; watching her chest rise and fall heavily. Raylan's bearded face pulled up in a smirk and he pulled the thin material down over her ass and off her legs.
"Raylan" Charlie whispered in a pant. He came back up to her face and kissed her, tasting the bourbon on her tongue as he slipped between her legs and inside her. She gasped as Raylan pumped his hips into hers; hard and fast. Charlie flipped them back over and she started grinding her hips as Raylan thrust up into her; her hands on his chest and her long blonde hair hanging over her shoulders. Raylan's hands moved up Charlie's thighs and sat on her ass as he felt her tighten around him.
His groaning got louder as did her whimpers before she came crashing down around him and he spilled into her. A groan of satisfaction came from both of them; Charlie had her head tilted back and Raylan's back had arched up off the bed. She leant down and kissed him before rolling off to his right side.
She sighed and smiled, triggering him to look at her, "What?" Raylan smirked.
"Nothing"
"You ain't thinking about somethin'?"
"Honestly? No. I've wanted that for years"
"Wanted what?" Raylan moved his face away to get a better look at her.
"You" Charlie smiled and kissed his cheek.
