The Inevitable & The Unimaginable

The next month passes and as the end of the semester nears, Charlie and Bass worry about how they will handle the holiday break without their daily meeting. They've started to find ways to be together on the weekends, but it's always a gamble. Jeremy now knows their secret of course, and has been coerced on more than one occasion in the last few weeks to cover for them although he hates doing it. They know he won't be willing to lie for them forever.

It is a cold wintery day and the snow is falling in fat flakes outside the window of Bass's University office. They are both relaxing on the couch after a very aerobic round of lovemaking and are talking quietly. Both are dressed, though Bass's shirt is open to his waist. Charlie is curled at his side, her head resting contentedly against his heart. He runs his fingers through her hair. They are relishing the warmth of each other even as they hear the howling wind outside.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Miles is having a very bad day. He leaves Ben and Rachel's house in a haze, unsure of where to go next. He suddenly has a yearning to talk to his best friend. Bass has been distant and distracted lately. He has no idea what Miles has been going through. Miles decides the time has come to rectify that. They are long overdue for a brotherly heart to heart.

When he gets to Bass's office, he finds it empty. He grabs a bottle of whiskey from Monroe's well stocked bar and begins to drink. Jeremy's assistant stops by and asks Miles if he needs anything.

"Nah, just waiting on Bass."

Jeremy's assistant shakes his head, "He's not ever here this time of day. He uses his office at the University. He's usually there till 3pm."

"I didn't even know he had an office there." Miles says.

"Yeah, he doesn't tell very many people. Not sure why." With that the younger man shrugs and leaves. Miles decides to go check out this new office for himself. He leaves Independence Hall, bowing his head into the wind and wrapping his coat more tightly around his shoulders as he heads toward Monroe University – still clutching the bottle of liquid heat.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Rachel's eyes burn from all the crying. She had never expected that telling Miles the truth would hurt this much, but then she'd never known how much he'd hoped for an entirely different truth. She never had a clue he'd even considered that things could be anything other than what they are.

She pulls herself together and pulls on a heavy wool coat. She needs to find Miles. She has to see if she can fix this. She at least has to try. She's never seen Miles as distraught as he was today.

Rachel leaves her house, mounts one of Ben's horses and sets off for Independence Hall. She rides low into the wind and biting cold. She nears the stables and runs into Jeremy Baker.

"Have you seen Miles?" she asks him. He's riding next to a younger man who Rachel doesn't know.

Baker shakes his head no. "Sorry Rachel. I haven't seen him."

"I have." The younger man says helpfully. "He went to see Monroe at the University."

Even with the bitter wind that whips snowflakes around them, Rachel sees the worry that settles over Baker's face. "How long ago was this?" Jeremy asks.

His assistant senses something is amiss, but doesn't know what it might be. "Maybe twenty minutes ago. He was on foot. He'd been drinking. Probably not even there yet."

Baker looks at Rachel, "We should get there before he does if we can."

"What's going on?" Rachel asks, worried.

"I'll explain on the way, but we have to hurry. It's about Charlie."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bass kisses Charlie's temple softly. "Christmas." He says.

"What about Christmas?" she asks.

"That's when we tell your family about us. I don't want to wait anymore. I don't want it to be a secret."

"But what about…"

"I don't care. I don't care about what anyone else thinks. I want the world to know you are mine and that I am yours. Nothing else matters."

She sighs against his throat. "It's scary, but I think you're right. It's time." Charlie lifts her head and kisses him. The touch is soft and tender. "I need to tell you something."

"What?" he asks, stroking her back softly.

"I love you Bass." She looks into his eyes and they smile at each other.

"Charlie, I-"

The door to the office opens, and Miles is standing there. He has a bottle of whiskey in one hand, and it looks like it's not his first today. "Hey Bass, We need to talk…" he stares blankly at them for a moment, swaying drunkenly. Charlie jumps to her feet as Miles takes an unsteady step backward. He looks as if he's been smacked, hard. "What the fuck? Charlie?" Miles chokes out, his voice pained.

Bass stands and holds out a hand, "Hey Brother. We were going to tell you, okay? I'm sorry."

Miles shakes his head, his face anguished. "No." he says under his breath, and then louder, "No."

Charlie takes a step forward but she's not fast enough. Miles raises his hand which now holds the revolver from the holster he wears when in uniform. Miles doesn't hesitate. He pulls back the hammer and fires.

Charlie hears the boom of the shot and all color drains from her face as Bass falls back onto the couch – a small black hole appearing on the left side of his chest. He looks at her blankly for a moment before speaking. His voice is a hoarse whisper, "Love you Charlie." His eyes flutter closed as Jeremy comes barging into the office followed by Rachel.

"My god, what have you done?" Jeremy asks Miles, his face full of horror.

Miles slumps into a miserable heap, the gun dropping from his hand.

Charlie is holding her coat against Bass's chest wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood. As if in a dream, she hears someone yelling, "We need a doctor. Someone get a doctor. The President has been shot."

The minutes that follow are tense and terrifying. Charlie is pulled away from Bass, her arms dripping with his blood, her face streaked with tears. Rachel has jumped into the fray and is yelling out orders until a doctor can be found. Luckily, two doctors – including Bass's personal physician had been giving a joint guest lecture to the Biology Department on this day, and are first on the scene. They thank Rachel for her help and take over. As soon as the bleeding is in check, they begin the process of moving the President to a location that is better suited to surgery as that is quickly determined to be Bass's only hope.

With Bass struggling to survive and Miles responsible for that struggle, Jeremy steps in as acting Commander in Chief. His first order is for all of the Militia doctors to be summoned to Independence Hall where Bass has been taken. His second act as de facto President is to have General Miles Matheson arrested for attempted murder and treason.

Confession

Charlie is a mess. She's been sitting in Bass's office for three hours. The doctors won't let her inside Bass's personal chamber where the surgery had taken place. Occasionally she can hear them scurrying around on the other side of the heavy oak door, but nobody comes out to give her an update.

Rachel and Jeremy come in from outside. They are both drawn and upset. Rachel rushes to Charlie's side. "Are you okay?" she asks, brushing her fingers across Charlie's tear stained cheek.

"No. They won't tell me anything."

"I'll fix that." Jeremy says before walking into the Bass's quarters without knocking. The door slams shut behind him.

Charlie sags against her mother. "I love him Mom."

"I know." Rachel says, her smile sad.

"You know?"

"Well, Jeremy confirmed it for me but I'd suspected something was up for a while."

"You don't mind?" Charlie is surprised.

"No. Charlie, I've always wanted you to be happy. If Monroe is the one who makes you happy, then he's who you should be with."

Charlie looks down at her hands, still covered in Bass's blood, and she chokes back a sob. "Why did Miles do it? I don't understand."

Rachel sits back against the back of the bench they are sharing and closes her eyes. "It's a long story and you probably aren't going to like it."

"What are you talking about?"

Rachel opens her eyes and they are filled with tears. "Miles and I had a really long talk earlier today and he found out something that he didn't want to know. He… He didn't take it well, okay?" She shakes her head. "I'm not excusing him Charlie. What he did was awful, but he did have a reason."

"What? What did you say to him?" Charlie stares, eyes wide. "What could possibly make him that angry?"

"It's a long story." Rachel says sadly. "It started a long time ago, before you were born."

"What started before I was born?"

"Charlie, back then when your Dad and I were first together, we were really struggling. It was before the blackout. We were both neck deep in student loan debt. We both had two jobs each just to get by. None of our research was going anywhere. We were both frustrated and we weren't getting along. We decided to separate."

"Really?" Charlie is truly shocked. She's always known her parents to have a good relationship.

"Really. And there was more."

Charlie waits without speaking.

Rachel frowns, trying to think of the right words to say. Finally she speaks, "There was another man. I was… I started having an affair with him."

"Did Dad know?" Charlie asks, her voice a whisper.

"Not at first. He found out later."

"What does any of this have to do with Miles?" Charlie asks, trying to put it all together, and then suddenly she knows. She remembers the way her Mom sometimes looks at Miles. The way Miles always looks at Rachel. "Oh my God. You and Miles?"

Rachel nods. "It was wrong and not a day goes by that I don't wish I'd made some different decisions Charlie, but I was young and unhappy. Miles was a breath of fresh air."

"How long did it go on?" Charlie can't look at Rachel. She stares at the heavy wood door instead.

"For several years, whenever Miles was nearby. He was stationed all over, but would come back for visits."

"I ended things with him when I found out I was pregnant."

Charlie lurches to her feet. "Are you saying Miles is my Dad?" fresh tears course down her face.

Rachel shakes her head, "No, Sweetie. Ben is your father."

Charlie sinks back into her seat, "Then what was the truth that you said Miles learned today that pushed him over the edge?"

"Well, that's it. I didn't know till today, but for all these years Miles thought you WERE his daughter. He has always believed that to be true and today he said something that made me realize it and I blurted out that he was wrong. He didn't take it well. He… he said I'd taken from him the only thing he'd ever been proud of…you."

"So he was upset that I'm NOT his daughter?"

"Beyond upset. He was just…. He was broken, Charlie. I don't think he knew you were a preemie. He was in Iraq when you were born so he just did the math wrong. That's all."

Charlie just shakes her head, "But why shoot Bass? I don't get it."

"He left our house after we had this talk and he started drinking… a lot. He was in a really bad place and he decided he wanted to talk to Bass. He wanted to tell him what had happened. He wanted to tell Bass that his heart was broken… and when he didn't find Bass here, Jeremy's assistant told him where to go. Miles was completely drunk by the time he got to the University… He wasn't thinking clearly."

"But why shoot him? Miles has been drunk before and never shot at Bass. Why now?"

"Don't you see? You are the most important person in the world to Miles. He felt I'd stolen you away from him, and when he saw you with Bass… he felt like he was losing you all over again."

"How do you know all this?"

Rachel takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "I went to see him at the prison after he was arrested. Jeremy went with me. That's why we didn't come straight here. I wanted to try to explain or maybe apologize I guess. He'd stormed out of our house so quickly that I didn't get a chance to say much. He's so sorry Charlie. He's devastated about what he's done."

"Good." Charlie says, wiping away tears with one hand. "He should be."

"That's not fair." Rachel says.

Charlie is on her feet again, pacing. "No. It is fair. It's very fair. What's not fair is that Bass is in there with a hole in his chest. What's not fair is that we've been hiding our relationship to spare Miles's feelings. What's not fair is that Bass might die all because Miles is bad at MATH!" Charlie's voice has risen with every word and by the end of her little speech, she is yelling.

Jeremy comes out then, looking concerned. "Are you okay?" he asks them.

"Is Bass okay?" Charlie asks – ignoring his question - her tone begging for good news.

"He's a tough son of a bitch Charlie. The doc had some problems during surgery. That's why nobody came out. He's doing better now. They got the bullet out, but it was tricky. It missed his heart by only an inch. They stopped the bleeding and his vitals are steady. He's still unconscious, but they said they think he might pull through. The next twenty-four hours are crucial."

"Take me in there." Charlie says.

"I don't think he's supposed to have visitors yet." Jeremy says, nervously.

Rachel interrupts before Charlie can argue. "Jeremy, is there somewhere she can go to clean up? Maybe someone can find her a change of clothes?"

Jeremy looks relieved and nods, "Yes, of course. Come with me Charlie. Your Mom is right. You should get cleaned up before you see him."

Charlie hesitates, staring at the closed door, but then looks down at herself. Her school uniform's short skirt and vest are caked with dried blood. She feels like a wreck. When he wakes up – and she won't consider any scenario in which he doesn't – he'll need her to be at her best. "Okay." She says, following Jeremy across the hall.

He opens a door very similar to the one that lead to Bass's quarters. "I know it might feel a little awkward, but this is the closest place where you can clean up in privacy."

"Why is it awkward?" Charlie asks, as she trails behind them.

Jeremy looks uncomfortable, "Well, these are Miles's rooms, not that he'll be using them anymore."

"What does that even mean?" Charlie asks, distracted.

"Charlie, shooting the President…even if you are second in command… it's not the kind of thing they grant probation for." Jeremy won't meet her eyes. "Bass might give him a pardon, but if he doesn't… Miles will probably be executed."

"But you can't do that!" Rachel blurts, her voice shaking.

"It's not me Rachel. It's the law of the Republic. It's a law Bass and Miles wrote themselves."

Rachel's eyes fill with tears, but she says nothing more. Charlie wanders deeper into the room, taking in her surroundings.

Jeremy starts to leave, "I'll have some of the staff bring hot water for baths, and some clothes you can wear. Make yourself at home. I'll let you know if anything changes across the hall."

Because We're Family

"How did I not know Miles had rooms here?" Charlie asks. She is exhausted, but strangely curious as she looks around.

Rachel frowns, "When they started using Independence Hall as their headquarters back in the beginning of the Republic, they both lived here. This was Miles's apartment. Across the hall where Bass is now, was where Bass lived. After a few years, they both found permanent residences but kept these rooms as office suites."

Charlie walks to the large fireplace that takes up over half of one wall. On the mantle is a triangular box with a glass front. Inside in an old American flag, carefully folded. "This is like the one Dad has." Charlie says quietly.

Rachel walks up behind her daughter, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They both got them at their Dad's funeral. He was a Marine too."

Charlie nods, remembering the story of the Grandfather she never met. She looks at the only other thing on the mantle. It is a framed color photo of Bass and Miles in uniform before the blackout. They are grinning at the camera, full of youthful hope. Charlie moans under her breath at the sight of Bass smiling.

There is a knock on the door and two housekeepers come in with steaming buckets of hot water. They pour the water into a big cast iron tub inside the second room. This second room is bigger and was clearly a bedroom at some point. In addition to a big bed, one wall is lined with bookshelves. Rachel helps Charlie shrug out of her filthy clothes and settle into the hot water. Rachel turns to leave, but sees Charlie staring into space. "Can I help you wash your hair Charlie?" she asks.

Charlie doesn't say anything but nods. When she feels her mothers' fingers massaging shampoo into her hair – just like when she was a little girl – she is so very thankful that her Mom is here. She needs her Mom's strength right now. She needs to pull herself together and be strong herself. And she will be strong, she vows silently. She will be strong just as soon as she has a much needed meltdown. Charlie soaks up the feeling of her mother washing her hair. She is suddenly overcome by everything that has happened. Tears stream down her face and her shoulders shake. Rachel finishes with her hair and sooths Charlie with soft words. After some time, Charlie takes in a ragged breath and squares her shoulders. "Thanks Mom." She says quietly. Standing, she takes the towel offered and dries her hair and body.

Rachel disappears but returns after a few minutes, a change of clothes in hand. "Here. Your Dad just got here and he brought these. Do you want to see him?"

Charlie thinks about her Dad and tears threaten to well once more. She nods, taking the clothes without really looking at them. Rachel exits the room while Charlie pulls on the jeans and sweater her Mom had given her. In a few minutes, Ben is here. He doesn't say a word, but pulls Charlie tightly into his embrace. "I'm so sorry." He says, kissing her forehead and holding her tightly. "So sorry about all of this."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Dad." Charlie says fiercely. "This is all on Miles. I'll never forgive him if Bass…" She can't say anymore. She takes a deep breath.

"Hey, I get that you are really upset and you have every right to be. Let's not close Miles out just yet, okay? When Bass comes around, and I am just certain he will – he's proven to be pretty invincible – he will probably forgive Miles himself. You don't want to be the only one who doesn't, do you?"

"I don't know…" she trails off.

"Yeah, you do." Ben smiles sadly, "We stick together Charlie, because we love each other… because we are family."

"I do love Miles…but all of this… It's too much."

"I'm going to bet that's about how he felt when he saw you and Bass together. You knew that wasn't going to go well. Why didn't you tell your Mom and me? Maybe we could have helped ease him into it."

Charlie gapes. "You mean, YOU are okay with it?"

Ben chuckles, ruffling her hair. "Not at first, but your Mom has had suspicions for a while now, and she kept harping about it. I wasn't convinced until I saw the way he looked at you at my birthday party. I was frankly kind of worried for that Neville kid. Your Mom was crazy to think bringing him in would be a good idea."

Rachel shrugs with a sly smile, "It worked, didn't it?"

"You mean that you weren't really trying to set me up with Jason?"

"No sweetie. I could tell your heart belonged somewhere else. I just wanted to see for myself if my guess was right. As usual…it was."

Charlie smiles for the first time since Miles had walked into Bass's office. Her parents have always been supportive, even when she didn't deserve it. She closes her eyes for a moment, soaking up the love that is in this room. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Ready for what?" Rachel asks, her smile fading.

"They are going to let me in to see him now." Charlie states firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

Ben shrugs, "Well, let's go see."

The three exit Miles's rooms and walk across to Bass's quarters. Jeremy is just coming out. He grins at Charlie, "He's awake and he's asking for you."

Charlie pushes past Jeremy and through the heavy oak door without saying a word.

A/N So I wasn't going to have Miles shoot Bass…that wasn't part of my plan but then the story took on a life of its own, and there you go. Although now that I've done it, I'm glad that I did. I don't know how many times I've read (or hell – written) fics where Miles threatens to shoot Bass, but he never ever does it. Decided I'd shake things up a bit. What did you think? Did I go too far? Okay?

I know I said that the third chapter would be the last, but I'm a liar. You'll get one more – complete with smut and the obligatory LemonSupreme happy ending. Comment please…. Tell me what you think.