Here We Go Again Chapter 2, a revolution fanfic

For those who favourited, followed and reviewed chapter one, thank you! I feed off the love. ;) So, without further ado, here's chapter two! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you may recognize. Any relation to my version of the characters and real life persons is purely coincidental. There is no copyright infringement intended.

- Here We Go Again: Part Two -

Bass and Connor were sat on opposite sides of the small cell, although it was so cramped it was barely passable as a cell. It was more of a cage. Connor was cross-legged, head leant back against the wall and eyes closed. His breathing was slow and even but Bass knew he wasn't asleep. There was no possible way he could be sleeping with the predicament they were in. He was sat back against the wall, one leg stretched out in front of him and the other bent at the knee, his head was also against the wall and he was staring out the tiny barred window above their heads. The sky was already starting to darken. He was just grateful that there was enough room that they weren't sitting on each other. As much as he loved his son, that wouldn't be a fun situation for either of them.

'So… what's the plan?' Bass moved his head to look at his son, finding him eyes open and staring. At Bass' lack of answer Connor swallowed. 'What you're telling me the great Sebastian Monroe doesn't have a plan to get us out of here?'

Bass shrugged a shoulder, dropping his head back against the wall. 'I'm working on it.'

'Sure you are 'o great one…' His son's Monroe like answer had Bass cracking a small smile. There was a beat of silence before Connor spoke again, this time his voice was quiet and unsure. 'We're not getting out of here are we?'

'As I said, I'm working on it.' It came out snappier than he'd intended and he winced at his own voice. 'That wasn't meant to sound so brash.' Connor didn't answer. He didn't need too. They both knew their circumstance was tense and their current trapped and unable to do anything situation wasn't helping their tempers. Bass took a moment to calm himself down before speaking again, forcing his voice to remain even. He was never very good at calm. 'I'm hoping we have an opening when they feed us.' At Connor's confused expression he sighed at his son's lack of experience. 'If we're expected to fight to the death then they will have to feed us or we won't have the strength to last more than a few minutes.' He smiled, the curve of his lips harsh and humourless. 'That wouldn't be entertaining enough.' They both knew what the plan was for them, they'd overheard the guards discussing it from under the window. Careless bastards.

'What about Charlie?' Connor pushed himself off the wall and looked at his father. He'd only known Sebastian Monroe was his dad little more than a week. He had been told that his father was dead, that he was some mechanic and had died before he moved to Mexico. He still wasn't sure what to think about the man sitting in front of him… only that he had once been a very powerful man and he was striving to get that back again… for him. Well, that wasn't going to happen if they died here. He also knew his father had a soft spot for the Matheson's, Miles and Charlie were the only other people he trusted despite himself. Connor didn't even know if he trusted him. He wondered how Charlie had managed to become someone he trust, she'd told him that she'd tried to kill his father numerous times… how had Sebastian Monroe overcome that? There was something unspoken between the two of them, and it was obvious to everyone but them. He noticed that Monroe hadn't answered. 'Wouldn't she try to break us out?'

He thought he heard his father murmur something like she better not but he could be mistaken. 'She's a Matheson.' Connor frowned, why did Monroe think that stating her name was going to explain everything? When travelling here his father decided the Monroe name was too dangerous to use as he was still supposed to be dead and it would arouse suspicion but he and Charlie had agreed that they needn't seem pushovers – it wouldn't get them anywhere, especially not when bartering for horses. All Charlie had to do was mention she was a Matheson and from the way she held herself – head held high and confident, no one had the courage to defy her and so the price of the horses dropped. The name had no serious influence anymore but it still instilled fear in those who heard it.

Living so far away from the Monroe Republic, Connor had only heard rumours through the grapevine of the great Generals' Matheson and Monroe and how they ruled a nation… he wondered which of the stories were true, how had they caused so much terror into the hearts of people? His father seemed to realise that Connor didn't understand. Even disregarding the stories he didn't know the Matheson traits well enough for simply a surname to be a satisfying answer. 'If Charlie doesn't think we ditched her then she'll come after us.' Connor wasn't sure what the emotion in Monroe's eyes was, his father had a carefully built shield which he hid everything behind. 'But alone she will just get herself captured and Charlie isn't one to get help.'

'So we're screwed.'

Bass looked at his son, he wasn't going to lie, he was still clinging to a little hope himself. 'Charlie will probably make a move, Matheson's have a way of surprising you. If she does we have to be ready, I don't know how long we'll have.'

Connor could hear the unspoken but hanging between them and felt the dread curdle in the pit of his stomach. 'What?' He regarded the sullen look on his father's face and refrained from swallowing, whatever thoughts were in Monroe's head they were not good. 'What?'

'If she's has already been caught, or-' Bass shook his head, he wasn't going to think about other reasons she wouldn't come for them, not now, he had to stay focused. If she was then he'd deal with that later. If he was still alive. He ordered his thoughts, there was something he had to do. 'We gotta get ready, we don't have much time.'

Connor stared at his father, thoughts churning. What was he talking about? Did he have a plan? By the look on his father's face if he did it wasn't a good one. 'Ready for what?'

Bass looked his son in the eyes, blue clashing with brown and sighed. He'd only just met his son and now he was going to part with him again. He knew he deserved everything he got, he'd messed up and nothing he ever did would make up for it, but his son? Connor hadn't really done anything wrong, not enough to deserve the crap the world was dishing him. It just seemed as if everything was pit against the Monroe's and Matheson's. They could never catch a break. He swallowed and shifted onto his knees. 'I got to teach you how to kill me.'

XXX

Charlie was standing with Duncan and a few others outside the fight tent. They'd gotten Intel that Bass and Connor were being held in the back from one of the scouts they had sent out earlier. Charlie understood why capturing a guard and torturing him to give up the information would alert Gould something was amiss. The idea wouldn't have been appealing to her anyway but she couldn't help grumbling to herself that it would have been quicker. Duncan had heard her, rolled her eyes, and told her to hold her horses. She was never very good at patience… they had only been waiting ten minutes or so and she was already pacing.

'You're giving me a headache.'

'Well stop watching me then.' She stopped, turned and glared at the man. 'Or you could stop following me altogether.' She shot him a sickly sweet smile and resumed her pacing.

The man grinned at her. He was spinning a small blade around his fingers and leaning against the wagon they'd brought with them. 'Sure. As soon as Duncan says I can.' He tipped his hat at her, yeah, she'd already nicknamed him Cowboy Joe. She didn't know if he was called Joe, but he looked like a Joe. 'Baby-sitting isn't my idea of fun either.' He winked.

She ignored him. Duncan had set Cowboy Joe on her as soon as they had left her command tent. She had watched as Duncan led him off to the side, muttered a few words to him and the disgruntled man had been following her ever since. She had questioned Duncan who had said despite being on the same side she was still a Matheson. That apparently meant she had to be watched, 24/7.

It was exhausting. Luckily she hadn't needed the loo, she didn't want to think about what Joe would have done then. He was still sporting the bruise she had inflicted earlier, her lips ticked up a little when she caught sight of it. He rolled his eyes at her, pulling his hat down further. It was his fault. He was bored and thinking she'd be an easy target challenged her to a sparring match. Duncan had lightly warned him off but seemed too amused to truly try, and he'd gotten his ass kicked for it. He had come at her too fast, not anticipating that being small and light on her feet was an advantage. She had thrown a punch for his face to distract him and then kicked his feet out from under him; he'd gone down in less than five seconds. Duncan had shaken her head, told him Miles was her uncle and it was his fault. Then she'd disappeared.

Duncan was ignoring them now, standing a few feet away from them, eyes focused on the tent. She and Duncan had worked on the plan together, Charlie had quickly figured out that the woman wasn't used to teamwork but she wasn't letting her handle the fate of her friends on her own; she had come here with them, they were her responsibility. Well that's how she saw it. Duncan had reluctantly agreed.

It was about time to put their plan into motion. They had a 50/50 chance of it working. Charlie's stomach was churning as she waited for the right signal. It was a ridiculously dangerous plan, one which would definitely brake Miles' keep your stupid to a minimum rule. There were so many possibilities where it could go wrong. But it was the only way they could set their plan in motion before Bass and Connor hit the fight tent.

There was a high pitched whistle from somewhere off to Charlie's right and she froze, for two seconds, heart rate picking up speed, before she mentally kicked herself into gear. She shrugged out of her jacket, it only added extra weight and rolled her shoulders. This was it. She took a step forwards.

'Hey Matheson.' She slowly pivoted on her heels to face Cowboy Joe, eyebrows raised. What did he want? He knew they were on mission. 'Here.' He chucked something at her, she caught it as it hit her in the chest. She frowned at him and looked down; it was a small zipped pouch. She unzipped it to find a row of small metal picks and a small torsion wrench. A lock pick set, she hadn't seen one of those in a while. She looked back up at him shocked, he sent her a shrug and a half smile. 'Should help.'

She couldn't help the small genuine smile she sent his way. Picking the lock would be a lot easier with these then the narrow knife Duncan had given her. She tucked it into her boot and shot him a wide grin. 'See you on the other side.' She called over her shoulder.

She walked towards the fighting tent, passing Duncan who gave her a supporting squeeze on the shoulder and a quick smile. There was a good chance this would all go wrong and Charlie wouldn't be seeing daylight tomorrow. She mirrored the gesture with a nod and picked up her pace, briskly walking to the fight tent.

She rounded the tent, easily sneaking up and taking out the guard stationed out the back. She wiped her knife on her jeans, sheathed it and headed for a small building hidden a few metres behind the tent. She guessed by the faded sign on the door before the blackout it had been a small town police department or something of the like. Most of the buildings in town had fallen or been pulled down, looked like they'd left this one standing. She had no doubts of why. She pressed her ear to the door, guessed there were about two men inside… there were probably more out back. She wrapped twice on the door and stepped on through. The two men in the room stopped and looked at her. She smiled, waved, pulled out her gun and shot them both.

Her aim was usually pretty crap with guns, but at such a close range it was nearly impossible to miss. They both dropped, their bodies hitting the ground. She barely had time to register the blood pooling around them before five guards were running into the room, guns at the ready. She jumped at the sudden appearance, dry swallowing and held up her gun in surrender. 'Put the gun down. Now.'

She dropped the gun. Immediately they surrounded her, she winced as they roughly yanked her arms behind her back and handcuffed them together. She refrained from cursing as they pulled her knife from her belt and threw it onto the table. 'Now who might you be young lady?' The one who told her to put her gun down leered at her.

She leaned away in disgust and turned her head away.

'Hold on. I know her.'
She grimaced.
'She's the girl who came to town with Jimmy and the boy.'

The man who had been talking before turned his head away from her. 'Ya sure?' He peered back at her, his face so close to hers she had to refrain from spitting at him. When the other man nodded he grinned cruelly. 'Lucky for us. Terribly unlucky for you.' He prodded her in the stomach. 'The Boss'll be so happy. Especially after he found Phil dead.' She guessed that Phil was probably his right hand man, the one she so happily slit the throat of earlier. 'We're gonna have lots of fun with you.' He laughed, spit hitting her in the face. 'Throw her in with the others for now.' He nodded to the men. 'Be quick about it. Gould needs to know as soon as possible and I ain't leaving this comfy cabin till the fight starts.'

The men nodded. Two of them grabbed her shoulders and pushed her forwards. She let them frog march her to a back room with two cells. One held a man who was half dead, blood soaking his clothing and the floor. One eye was closed, puffy and swelled purple but the other eye watched her being held back as they unlocked the second cell. She struggled a little and they laughed, picking her up and throwing her onto the floor. She cursed landing on her knees. 'We'll be seein' you later lady.' They laughed again, and locked the door.

'Fuck.' She groaned, closing her eyes a little at the pain that came from landing on her knees. 'That hurt.' She really had to work on her landings.

'Charlie?'

She looked up, hair still over her face, to find Connor staring at her. She stared back and pushed herself up. 'Good evening.' She couldn't help the small smirk that settled over her features. They didn't seem hurt, a little ruffed up but no way near as bad as she'd feared.

'Charlotte? What the hell are you doing here?' She turned her head to look at Bass, popped up against the wall, blue eyes glaring at her. 'I would have thought you'd have enough brains not to- '

She cut him off with a look, pressing a finger to her lips and waited till she heard the second door slam shut. Then she grinned at his confused expression, sitting back on her haunches and fished the lock pick set out of her boot. She flashed it at them. 'I'm saving your sorry asses.' She rolled her eyes. 'What do you think I'm doing here?' She pulled two small knives from her other boot and threw them at them. 'It's not much but it's all I could sneak in.'

'You planned this?' Bass reached for the blade, turning it over in his hands. It was very small, but for a trained killer like himself it could do wonders. It just felt good to have a weapon back in his hands again. No matter the size. He looked up at Charlie who was busying herself leaning through the bars on the door. It was amazing how put together she was, how calm she appeared despite knowing how risky this plan had to be. 'How?'

'Shut up and let me concentrate, I'll fill you in when I'm done.' She bit her lip as she worked the lock, it was trickier than she thought at this angle.

Bass smirked, stuffing the small blade into his boot, she sounded so much like Miles and she wasn't even aware. He wondered if Connor ever sounded like him. Charlie wasn't even Miles' kid and at times she was a perfect mini version of him. Just female… and better to look at. He shook his head, not the place his thoughts should be going to right now. Still he couldn't help stare at her as she worked, muscles tight as she reached through the bars. He shifted position and turned to Connor to distract himself. 'Mini Matheson came through.'

'It's not over yet. You still have a part to play.' Charlie grinned as the lock clicked and the padlock fell lose. She unhooked it and threw it onto the ground. 'Come on.' She pushed open the door and stepped into the hallway. She held a hand out to stop them walking, they looked at her. She glanced at the door that led them to the main police station. 'You two are going to make a distraction while I get out.'

Bass frowned. 'What?'

'You're supposed to be saving us.'

She sighed and rolled her eyes. 'You think Gould's not gonna know that something's up when you two disappear? He'll have men everywhere looking for you.' She shook her head. 'We need to take him out.'

Bass knew this already but he couldn't help but feel a little pride at the young Matheson, she had obviously thought things through. He decided to indulge her plan. 'And what do you have in mind?'

Charlie grinned. 'I'm only here to inform you of the plan. Get in and get out. You two still need to go to the fight, that's where Gould will be.'

Connor frowned. 'But we'll be locked up, how are we supposed to kill him if we're trapped and have to fight each other?'

Her smile turned calculating and she chuckled a little. Something stirred in Bass and he found himself curling his toes against the surge of pure white hot lust that shot through him. She looked at him and smirked, he wondered if she could tell that he was gritting his teeth. 'We have everything covered.' Her vague answer was carefully constructed, she was enjoying toying with them.

Bass wanted to show her just how much he didn't enjoy being toyed with. But he stopped himself and bit out. 'We?'

She looked at him and nodded. 'Duncan, her clan and I.'

'Duncan's helping?' He couldn't help the shock show in his expression. 'You got her to help you?'

'She found me, guessed who I was and was willing to help.' Charlie shrugged, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious, had she done something wrong? 'There a problem here?'

'No.' Bass shook his head. 'Unusual that's all. Guess it makes sense if she knows you're a Matheson.' He was starting to regain control of himself. 'So we're to get…recaptured.' He couldn't help the distain in his voice, he hated being held captive. It was just so, tedious.

She laughed, a genuine small little laugh that lit her face up. 'Sorry boys.' She shrugged.

She heard a clatter from the main room and looked at the two men in front of her. 'Times up.' That was her signal to get moving. 'I gotta go.' Bass nodded as he watched her advance towards the door. He followed her. They peered through the window. Five members of what he presumed were Duncan's war clan were fighting with the guards, which had doubled in number since they'd been brought here. 'Distraction.' She nodded at them and opened the door, sliding into the fight, immediately her blade sinking into a guard's chest as she glided past. He watched her for a second before launching himself into the fight.

Charlie hated leaving them, she hated knowing they were going to be recaptured and she hated knowing this could still all go wrong and end with them all dead. 'Oi Matheson. Over here.' She looked to the side and spotted Joe in the doorway waving at her, cowboy hat and all. 'Move your pretty ass.'

She rolled her eyes but obliged, dodging around the small fights around her as she reached the doorway.

'CHARLIE!'

She turned towards the shout just in time to watch Connor be grabbed, Bass already with a gun to his head. He had obviously been captured on purpose, sent a small nod her way as he was led away. It was Connor who had shouted, his voice desperate. She shook her head and mouthed sorry at him as Joe grabbed her elbow and led her away. 'We'll get them.'

She nodded. 'I know.'

XXX

Charlie was desperate to get this over with. She was hanging just inside the main fighting tent, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. She had her head down, peeking up through her hair as Bass and Connor were marched into the pen in the middle. She hated watching them being herded like animals, no one should be treated like that. Not even the former dictator of the Monroe Republic. It was almost like they were being denied human privilege, the roaring crowd didn't help. She could feel her anger boiling but held it down, knowing now wasn't the time.

Once Bass and Connor were locked in the cage the cheers pitched up two levels. Charlie winced at the din and was grateful when Gould help up a hand to calm them all down. Once the room was silent he started talking, he still spoke of Bass as Jimmy but there was something in his eyes. Charlie wasn't sure if he knew or not. He knew Connor was his son either way, that wasn't hard to guess, even the tone to their voices were similar. He told the crowd they were going to fight to the death, with which the cheers started up again before he held up a hand to stop them. Charlie rolled her eyes, he was a drama queen and was thriving off the noise from the crowd and the control he had over it. 'Let the fight…' He paused for dramatic effect and Charlie looked up, nodding at the few men dotted around the room to get into position. 'BEGIN!'

Duncan watched Charlie nod to her men and take control, manoeuvring herself through the crowd easily as she advanced on the cage where Sebastian and Connor were circling each other. She was a little young, but she was a good leader and had the skills to back it up. She moved forwards, pushing her way through the throngs of people to reach the front.

Charlie sensed rather than watched Duncan stepping up beside her. 'Ready?' She muttered.

'As always.' Duncan replied.

Charlie looked up at Cowboy Joe stationed at the entrance, beer in one hand and gun in the other. She nodded at him and he passed the beer to a stranger next to him who took it automatically and looked at it in confusion. Joe aimed straight up and shot. The man who was holding the beer dropped it in shock and fell back, eyes wide.

The loud bang was their signal for go. The people around them jumped, looking up at the gunman, and scrambled away from him. Joe was quickly grabbed by two guards and manhandled away. Two more clan members threw their beer bottles into the air, guns drawn and fired. The explosions rattled the tent and the crowd panicked and started to run for the exits. The two men high fived as they passed each other.

The rest of the clan started setting off small bombs stationed around the edges of the tent, not enough to harm any civilians unless they were stood too close. They were a distraction, to draw people away from the event in the tent.

Amongst the confusion Duncan shot the lock on the cage door and Charlie pushed it open. Connor and Bass stood, faces bloody with punches, she waved them on. 'Come on morons. Move.'

Bass smirked. 'We can actually leave this time.'

She rolled her eyes but nodded anyway. 'Now would be good though.' She looked towards Gould who was currently distracted by the small explosions but was still halfway turned in their direction. 'We don't have all day.' Gould would probably follow them, when he was alone and without his men for protection would he be at his least dangerous.

The four of them walked briskly through the crowd, trying their hardest to mingle despite the obvious bloody mess of the two Monroe men. They reached the exit quickly and Charlie waved them in the direction of the wagon, letting Duncan take the lead, she fell behind to bring to the rear. It had been planned earlier. Bass seemed to realise and stopped so he could walk with her, she shook her head but he silently glared at her, telling her to shut up and deal with it. She sighed and relented, letting him walk with her. Once Sebastian Monroe made up his mind there was barely anyone who could change it.

They reached the wagon; Connor immediately climbing on board and relaxing back, sighing in relief. Duncan climbed up front. Charlie and Bass arrived two seconds later, she smirked at Joe who was now sporting a black eye along with the bruise she'd given him earlier. He rolled his eyes at her as he untied the horses. 'Taken a bit of a beating there Cowboy Joe?' He narrowed his eyes at her for the nickname and she snickered, it was the first time she'd said it aloud.

'Get your ass on board Matheson or I'm leaving you here.' He handed the reins to Duncan.

'You could try.' She laughed, sending him a shit eating grin.

Bass looked at her in astonishment as she leaned down as pulled out the lock pick, chucking it at him. She'd nicknamed a clan member – he had to admit it was a fitting one, managed to charm him into giving her his lock pick set and he was calling her Matheson with a fondness he'd only heard from soldiers in battle – though he guessed she probably hadn't picked up on that. How had she managed to rally support so quickly? He knew he had to tell Miles about his plans to restart the republic sooner or later, but maybe Charlie would be able to soften the blow. He wondered if he would be able to get her on board.

He didn't have any more time to think it through before a gun shot went off, bullet skating the dirt almost mud by his feet. He jumped back and cursed, reaching down and pulling out the small blade he'd stashed in his boot. He missed his gun, and his swords, it sucked being so unarmed. Charlie had already turned and was aiming at Gould as he sauntered towards them. 'You think you can come into my town, kill my men and ruin the best fight of my career?' He was aiming the gun at Charlie, the shot by Bass' foot had been a warning not to try anything. 'You're not getting away with that lady.'

'Oh, I think I am.' Charlie gestured towards the wagon and smirked. 'Pretty sure I already have.' She looked at Bass, her eyes telling him to get on the wagon, now, but he moved his eyes: No. She sighed in irritation but turned back to Gould. 'I'll let you walk away if you go now.'

Bass knew she was telling the truth. She'd managed to get him out without killing him, and she wouldn't if she didn't have too. But he knew Gould and he was too money orientated, too impulsive to listen to reason. He was right, Gould was already shaking his head. He waggled the gun. 'You're all coming back with me.'

Charlie raised an eyebrow, looking at the gun then at her own. 'I don't really think you're in a position to be telling us what to do.' She paused, glancing at Bass before continuing on. 'I don't think you know who you're dealing with.' She smiled, coldly. 'I'd suggest you let us go.'

'I'd listen, before she changes her mind.' Bass smirked. 'She's prone to doing that.'

'I think you don't have the guts to pull that trigger.' Gould's smirk was forced, he wasn't a natural like Bass and behind the bravado he looked a little unsure.

Charlie sighed, getting underestimated really did suck. 'Phil seemed to think the same thing. Look where he ended up.'

'You slit his throat?' Gould narrowed his eyes. 'There's no way a small thing like you could reach and he'd have killed you before you had the chance.'

'I knocked him out with another of your guy's guns first… he hit the ground pretty hard.'

'I don't believe you.'

'You don't have to believe me.' Charlie shook her head. She was tired, couldn't be bothered in dealing with another fool and she wanted to get home; to Miles and the rest of her family. 'I don't expect you too.' She blinked.

Bass watched Charlie sway on her feet a little, she was exhausted. How long had she been awake? If she'd waited all night for him that would make it way past twenty four hours. How was she still standing - he could answer that, pure Matheson determination. He could tell she was running on fumes and decided to step in. 'Look Gould. Just let us go and we'll let you live.' He sent him his best convincing smile. 'I'd say that's a fair deal.'

Gould narrowed his eyes. 'I don't.' He took aim, gun pointed at Charlie and prepared to fire. Bass saw red and before the trigger could fire he launched himself at the man, dropping the small blade into the dirt, throwing them both to the ground.

The gun still went off, the shot going wide, and Bass wrestled it from him. Immediately throwing it away, his hands closing in around Gould's neck. He didn't say anything, he didn't need too, the fury was in his eyes. He tightened his grip around the struggling Gould, digging his knee into his sternum. He watched as the life faded and his grip went slack around his hands. Bass stayed in position for a few seconds, breathing heavily before loud shouting brought him back to the present.

'CHARLIE!'

He turned, spotted Charlie who was staring at him in shock. At first he thought it was because he killed Gould but she would have killed him had she had the chance, then his eyes trailed downwards and he froze. Eyes pinned to her hands on her stomach, blood soaking her fingers. The shot he'd thought went wide hadn't gone quite as wide as he'd thought. 'Charlie.' He whispered. He scrambled to his feet running over to her as her eyes fluttered closed and she slumped forwards. He caught her, manoeuvring her to lie back, the best way to stop a bullet. He just had to keep her from going into shock. He looked up at Connor and the others who were surrounding him. He pushed his hands over the wound, trying to stop the blood flow. 'What the hell happened?'

'She stepped forward to help you when you barrelled into Gould. She was too close when the gun went off.' The man Charlie had nicknamed knelt down beside her. 'Matheson, can you hear me? You're an idiot.'

Her eye lids fluttered open and she glared at him, well as well as she could muster. 'Shut up.' It was barely audible but her retaliation was there.

'Charlotte.' Bass gently turned her head in his direction, watching as she pinned her hazy eyes on him. 'I need you to stay with me okay? Listen to my voice. You can't go into shock or you'll die.' He kept his voice firm, as he was talking to a fellow soldier. He knew with Miles it was the only way that worked and by the way she blinked her eyes she was listening. Good. 'You work through the shock and it's gonna hurt like hell. So pay attention to me and I'll get you through.'

Charlie focused on Bass' voice. He was quiet but firm, and the way he was talking reminded her of Miles or when he told her to put the gun down when she'd pointed it at Duncan. As a general rule Charlie was pretty shit at following orders but regarding Miles' and it seemed Bass' she couldn't help but listen. He was talking about how stupid she was for coming to help him and she would have told him he was the idiot for launching himself at an armed man when he was mostly unarmed, but she couldn't speak.

As she listened she could feel the numbness of her body fading away, replaced by a searing pain that started in her stomach and branched out through all her limbs. She couldn't help the scream of pain, and felt a hand clench her own, fingers interlocking with her own. She tightened her grip – needing the support. She was pretty sure if she clutched any tighter she'd brake the person's hand. Her vision went hazy and then thankfully blackness engulfed her.

Bass felt Charlie's body go limp and he pulled his hand from her own, shaking it a little to get the feeling back, the girl had a strong grip. He gently scoped her into his arms. 'We need to move. Now.' He was never more grateful than now that his orders were still listened too as he settled himself down in the back of the wagon, Charlie in between his legs so he could support her. He kept his hands tightly pressed to her stomach.

Connor climbed up next to him, staring down at Charlie, he ran a hand through her hair and Bass had to restrain himself from pulling her back. She wasn't his, he didn't have a claim over her, he had no right to stop his son from displaying his affection for the girl. He couldn't stop the jealously though, and his grip on her tightened just a little. Connor seemed to notice because he pulled back. He looked at his father. 'She's going to be okay, right?'

Bass looked down at her, his hands still pressed tightly to her wound. Her blond hair was a matted dirt clumped mess, bruises and scratches marked her body and her clothes were bloody. He swallowed back the panic, she was never supposed to be this defenceless. She was supposed to snark back at him, tell him to get off her. But her eyes were closed and her breathing was ragged, her head unconsciously buried into his chest. He looked at his son, eyes swimming with emotion, for once not hiding the extent to which he was feeling. 'She's a Matheson.' They were fighters, survivors, she wouldn't give up now. Not when she knew they had a war to win. She wouldn't leave him, she just wouldn't.

He repeated his mantra as Duncan drove the wagon back to camp, refusing to let his mind stop until she woke up. Which she would. A Matheson always did.

A.N/ I went for something a little different here... I shot Charlie. Miles and Bass are always in the wars, I decided it was Charlie's turn. I do love an emotionally struggling Bass - how evil am I? ;D.

Thanks for reading, reviews are loved and appreciated. Love to hear your thoughts.