Charlie is getting dressed on Thursday morning when Jim calls. Jim Hudson is an old Marine buddy of Miles's as well as his business partner. He had agreed to look into all the major players at Bass's firm and report back to Charlie.
"Hey, Jim, what did you find?"
Jim's voice is deep, "A lot, actually. Andover is in the mob, low level stuff is all that's confirmed at the moment, but he's definitely trying to move up the ladder. Seems he's willing to do anything to get to the top, just hasn't been caught yet. He's not a good guy, Charlie."
"What about Willoughby Limited? That's the other company in the merger."
"Very different story there. Completely above board. No idea why they would want to get in bed with Andover. He's currently under investigation for a lot of illegal activity – everything from human trafficking to murder. The feds have him in their sights. Maybe Willoughby Limited just didn't do their homework? I don't know."
"What about the others?"
"Blanchard doesn't have a record, but is in debt– up to his eyeballs in it. Of course being in debt isn't against the law, so that may mean nothing. Neville is a tough nut to crack. Most of his records are sealed and I don't have any idea why. I found some basic stuff relating to law school and family history, but his financials and criminal records were off limits to me. It was weird, to be honest."
"So Neville is our guy?"
"Could be. Something fishy going on there for sure. I have a friend with the FBI. I'm going to call in a favor. See if we can get to the bottom of this."
Charlie finds she is more curious than ever. What could Neville be up to that would cause the feds to seal his files?
Bass is already running late for work, but doesn't have a meeting scheduled till eleven, so he swings by Northwestern Memorial to visit Miles. When he walks into his friend's hospital room, he sees that Miles is in a bad mood. "What's wrong?" he asks.
"Mostly everything. Hate being here. Hate the food. Hate the no drinking."
"I think I get the picture," Bass says with a chuckle, "Maybe this will help." He hands Miles a Styrofoam container.
"Is this what I think it is? Please say yes." Miles grins as he opens the lid and sees the ribs inside.
"Yeah, I ordered from Carson's last night. Got extra for you. I can ask a nurse to heat it up –" Bass trails off as he watches Miles take a big bite.
"No need," Miles says with his mouth full. "Thank you."
"It's the least I can do after all you are doing to help me out."
"Well, we aren't working for free, so this doesn't count as payment," Miles smirks before licking some BBQ sauce from his lips. "How is Charlie doing, anyway?"
"Okay, I think. She's asking great questions and getting to know the staff."
"But?" Miles cocks an eyebrow. "I can hear a 'but' coming."
She had a couple little episodes. Panic attacks, I guess. Mostly she's fine."
"Shit. Was hoping those were history."
"Speaking of history," Bass says, leaning back in the visitor's chair. "What happened to the old boyfriend?"
"What boyfriend?"
Bass frowns. "When I moved back, you told me Charlie was dating some guy. Said they were serious."
"Oh." Miles nods, remembering. "Yeah, I lied about that. She didn't have a boyfriend. Still doesn't."
"What?" Bass shakes his head. "Why would you lie to me about that?"
"I had this weird feeling that you were asking because you liked her. You know… liked her liked her, and that was not gonna happen," Miles is laughing as he chews.
"You son of a bitch."
Now Miles pauses, looking at his friend carefully. "Bass, what's this all about?"
"The thing you were worried might happen? Well, it did happen, Miles. It happened when you sent her to Philly three years ago. I fell for her then but the distance and the overprotective uncle and the age difference…anyway, I didn't pursue it. When I moved back, I decided to check in and see if she'd like to go out…"
"Well, hell. You did like her."
"Still do." Bass stands and begins to pace. "And now I've wasted the two years I've been back here, thinking she had moved on."
"Hey, I'm sorry. It never occurred to me that you were actually into her. She's so young, and so very - you know RELATED to me. Fuck." Miles throws down the rib he's been chewing on. "Well, I really am sorry. I just didn't know. I thought you just wanted to get laid and I wasn't going to help you do that…not with my niece."
"It wasn't like that – well, not completely like that."
"Stop talking," Miles moans, holding his temples. "I don't want details. I'm sorry. Really."
"Thanks I guess." Bass just sounds sad. So much wasted time to make up for.
After a long silence, Miles finally speaks, "So, you really like her?" He plucks a biscuit from the container and takes a thoughtful bite. Bass nods and Miles continues, "Tread carefully, okay? She's still skittish. I guess she's best when she's got a handle on what's going on. Not that she needs to be in charge or anything, but she likes to be in familiar places doing familiar things. Don't throw her into some situation where she feels out of control. Okay?"
Bass sighs, "Yeah, okay."
"And don't break her heart or I'll have to hurt you."
"Got it." Bass turns to leave. "See you later."
"Yep. See ya. Tell her I said hi." Miles watches his friend go, calling out as the door closes, "Oh and thanks for the ribs!"
Charlie and Scanlon are having lunch in the cafeteria. She hasn't seen Bass all morning. He came in late and immediately went to a meeting. She'd been away from her desk at the time, and only even knows he's in the office now because he'd left a post-it note on her desk:
Status? Meet at 1pm.
Charlie is nervous for this afternoon meeting. She'd poured over the Andover files most of the previous evening but isn't sure she's getting anywhere. She's starting to wonder if she isn't cut out for this after all.
"Earth to Charlie," Mickey says. "You okay?"
"Yes, just preoccupied."
"Anything I can help with?" He gives her a friendly smile.
Charlie is tempted to tell Scanlon everything. She feels like she can trust him but she knows Bass doesn't. Also, since Scanlon seems to be connected to Neville, telling him too much would probably be a bad idea. She sighs, "No. It's just personal stuff. I'm fine."
"Personal boss stuff?" Mickey's eyes twinkle. He reminds Charlie of her brother sometimes with the way he teases her.
Charlie feels her cheeks go hot, "I don't think I should talk about it. Everything is so complicated."
"But you like him? Maybe a lot?"
"Maybe."
Their conversation is interrupted as Duncan Page walks into the cafeteria. She's wearing a grey dress that is far too short and heels that are far too high. She looks amazing as she walks along with another female attorney. The two women walk with the confidence of super models. Duncan is laughing at something the other woman is saying. As they pass by Charlie and Mickey's table, their conversation is easily overheard.
"I think he's going to surprise me. Not sure what he's got planned. I just know it will be amazing." Duncan's voice is low and suggestive.
The blond grins, "You two make a hot couple. Maybe you'll be the one to convince him to settle down."
"Mrs. Duncan Monroe does have a nice ring to it."
Their voices fade away, and Charlie stares at her salad. She picks at it with her fork until Mickey reaches over and stills her hand. "Ignore her. I have a feeling that a lot of this is in her head. I don't think she's going to be Mrs. Anybody anytime soon."
Charlie doesn't say anything.
"Are you going to be okay?" He asks.
Charlie nods. "Yeah. It's not like I didn't see this coming and Marion will be back soon, anyway. This is all like a dream really. I'll just have to get used to not seeing him all the time again. Shouldn't be that difficult."
"Liar," Scanlon says softly as he pats her hand.
Bass is sitting in the weekly Partner meeting. His jaw is set in a grim line and he feels a headache building. Neville and Blanchard rarely speak to each other, using Bass as a go-between. He always feels like one of those children of divorced parents who don't get along. They've been sitting at the conference table for an hour before the Andover merger comes up for discussion.
Bass hands the most recent version of the merger proposal to both men. He explains the most recent changes. Andover has made some new demands and Bass isn't sure if they'll be accepted. "Everything is detailed in the file I've given you." He doesn't mention that each file has a 'misplaced' post-it note stuck to the last page which details incorrect information. The two notes are completely different, as Charlie had suggested.
As the meeting wraps up, Bass glances at his watch. He's late for his meeting with Charlie. He walks quickly through the corridors until he gets to his office. He slows, takes a deep breath and enters the outer office where Charlie usually sits at Marion's desk. She's not there.
He tries not to be disappointed, but he had really been looking forward to seeing her. He's been so busy that he feels he hasn't been able to give her the attention she deserves. He walks through his inner office door and stops. She's here, standing at the large window. Her back is to him and this allows him an opportunity to appreciate just how beautiful she is. Today she is wearing a dress that is a buttery yellow with a white belt and strappy high heels. She looks professional and lovely.
He walks up behind her slowly, but he makes a point to make enough noise that she'll know he's there.
"Hey, Charlie," he says quietly. He doesn't touch her, but he's close enough that he can smell her jasmine shampoo.
"Hey," she says. "Sorry I came on in. I was just enjoying the view." She turns, realizing at the last moment just how close he's standing behind her.
"Me too," Bass says with a soft smile. He hasn't bothered to step away. Now face to face, their closeness is heavy with tension.
Charlie sucks in a breath, "So you, uh, wanted to talk about the case?"
"Yes," he says, his voice just a whisper. "What have you found out?" His eyes are on her mouth and her heart is hammering wildly.
She can't think when she's this close to him. She steps back and looks anywhere but into his piercing blue eyes. She tells him about the information Jim Hudson had provided. Bass sits down at his desk and listens intently. "So Frank is broke and Neville has secrets?" He shakes his head. "I don't know what to think. I guess Blanchard in debt makes sense. He probably has a bigger gambling problem than I'd figured. No clue what the Neville secrecy is all about, or how the Andover merger fits into any of this."
"I guess the problems are a little more complicated than we first thought,," she says quietly.
"You're right. Everything is complicated." He pauses for a moment. "Hey I used your idea, by the way. I gave them both different bits of bad information today. We'll see what happens."
Charlie nods and starts to leave. He watches her for a moment, his chest heavy with the knowledge that she at least feels something for him. It's not just the picture that he's not supposed to know about. It's the tension, the chemistry…
"Wait, Charlie." Now that he's certain she's single, a plan begins to form in his mind. He clears his throat and then continues, "Listen, I know this isn't what you signed on for, but I need some help with a personal matter."
"Uh, okay?"
"This will seem weird and I apologize in advance, but could you plan a date for me? It needs to be kind of perfect. You know? Romantic and thoughtful? I know that this is short notice because I need it for tomorrow night. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important. This is the kind of thing Marion would have helped me with." Bass knows he's rambling, but he can't seem to help himself.
Charlie looks stunned. "What? You want ME to plan a date for you?"
"Yeah. I really need to impress this girl and I just don't have the time right now to get details lined up."
"And you think I could… You want me to do this? You want me to plan your perfect romantic date?"
"Please? It would mean so much to me."
Charlie falters. "Uh, well… okay, I guess I can. How do I know what this woman likes? What kind of date do you have in mind?"
"Just pick stuff you would like. Plan it to your standards because I think she's pretty similar to you in many ways. I'm sure anything you pick will be perfect."
Charlie struggles to keep her disappointment in check. In spite of what she'd told Mickey earlier, she had still held out a shred of hope. Now that hope is shattered and Charlie feels heartbroken. She remembers Duncan saying that she had plans with Bass and that he was going to surprise her. She takes a deep breath.
So, Bass wants Charlie to arrange the perfect date for him and that witch? She tries to think about what someone like Duncan would enjoy. Charlie draws a blank. She has no idea. One thing is certain:. Duncan and Charlie are in no way alike and the fact that he thinks they could be makes Charlie doubt everything she's held dear about this man. Clearly the connection she thought they'd shared was not at all the same for him.
She reminds herself that this is a job. Everything else needs to take a second seat. "Okay, I'll do it." She plasters on a fake smile and leaves his office without waiting for a reply.
After taking a seat at her desk, she toys with the idea of picking things she knows Duncan would hate – a monster truck rally, a volunteer opportunity at the homeless shelter, maybe a visit to the snake exhibit at the Zoo? Charlie grins at these thoughts but shakes her head. Even if he doesn't care as much for her as she'd secretly hoped, she still cares for him and wants him to be happy. If he wants a date with Duncan planned around Charlie's interests, then that's what he'll get.
If Duncan hates it, well that is definitely not Charlie's fault.
Bass is confused. Charlie seems less than excited about his plan. What had he done wrong? Surely she realizes the date is for her? He wants to let her pick everything so that she will feel comfortable and at ease. He thought his flirty smile would have made her realize it was all for her. Now he realizes he should have been direct. But how to fix it without looking like an idiot?
He's deep in thought when Duncan Page breezes in.
"What?" He asks absently
"You. Me. This weekend. I'm thinking my Daddy's beach house on the shore of Lake Michigan. Expensive wine, caviar. Quality time between the sheets…." She sits on the edge of his desk, showing off a lot of leg. "You know, everything that would make us have a fabulous time?" Duncan is making a point of keeping her voice low and husky.
Bass pushes away from this desk and walks to the side of the room, leaning against the far wall. "What are you talking about, Duncan? Beach house on Michigan?"
"Yes. I'm tired of waiting for you to come around. I'm taking the bull by the horns here, Monroe."
Bass runs his hands through his hair, "Listen, I've tried to be nice about this, but I am not interested. Okay? I'm not going to a beach house with you. I'm not doing anything with you."
Duncan shakes her head stubbornly. "No. You don't mean that. This is going to happen."
"No. I have plans."
Duncan pouts, "But I told everyone I was going out with you."
"Why would you do that?" Bass can't believe what he's hearing., "I never said I'd do anything with you."
"Fine." She gets up and stomps to the door.
Almost five minutes pass before Bass groans, realizing he has no idea who all Duncan has been telling about this imaginary relationship she thinks they've been having. Maybe this is why Charlie is being distant. She thinks he's going out with Duncan. Oh God. Charlie thinks he asked her to plan a date for him with Duncan. No wonder she's being weird.
He glances out and sees Charlie is gone from her desk. Bass is worried. What if he's screwed everything up?
Charlie spends some time in the law library going over the case file. She couldn't stay in Bass's office right now. Being near him, and knowing that she had him all wrong...knowing that Duncan is the woman he wants… well, it was messing with her head. She had to get away.
It's just as well. The firm has a fantastic library and she needs a quiet place to review the case one more time. Something is gnawing at her about this Andover case and she can't figure it out.
She's reading page twenty for the third time in ten minutes. Charlie rubs her temples and is almost ready to give up when she hears someone approach. She looks up to see Mickey Scanlon standing next to the table where she's been reading. He's smiling that friendly smile that she is starting to really rely on.
"Hey, Mickey," she says.
"Do you need any help? Never knew a secretary - and a temp one, at that - to be so engrossed in a case file." He cocks an eyebrow and Charlie groans inwardly.
She's made a mistake. He's right. Why would a temp care this much about a case? Before she can even try to come up with a plausible excuse, he sits down next to her and takes the file. "It doesn't matter. I'm sure Monroe appreciates all the help he can get. This case is an odd one."
"Yeah, it is," she sighs, thankful for Scanlon's willingness to overlook the huge hole in her cover story.
He thumbs through the file and frowns. "You know this isn't the latest version?"
"What do you mean?" Charlie is immediately on edge.
"This is a recent version, but not the most recent. The merger was restructured three weeks ago. The proposal was expanded to include two additional chunks of Andover's business. The new pieces are a shipping dock and a warehouse. The changes aren't huge, but they are changes." Mickey shrugs.
"I thought you just started on Monday too?" She asks. "How do you know about all these different versions?"
"Uh, well, Monroe had me go through all the files on my first day. Looks like you have the earlier breakdown of the merger."
Charlie wants to believe him, but he isn't meeting her eyes.
Scanlon digs through the stack of folders he'd sat on the edge of the table when he came in. "Here's the latest proposal." He hands her a different file. She starts to look at it.
He is clearly uncomfortable, and changes the subject., "There's a band playing at this little dive bar on Rush Street tonight. Some of us are going. Want to come along?"
She shakes her head, eyes still on the open file. "No, but thanks for asking."
"What are you going to do? Stay home and drink wine and wallow in your unhappy girl thoughts?"
Charlie laughs at his teasing tone, "Yes to the wine. No to the wallowing. I have a date to plan and I think I'll work on that tonight."
"A date? Who's the lucky guy?"
Her laughter fades. "Monroe."
"And the lucky gal?" He nudges her with an elbow and grins.
"Isn't me." Charlie stands and looks at him sadly, watching as his smile fades. "Hey, Scanlon, don't worry about me. I'm tough. I've been through far worse than this. I can survive anything."
"Even planning a date for your dream guy and some other girl?"
"Even that."
A/N: Another HUGE thanks to Romeokijai for helping me with this chapter. I really think the changes you suggested were aces. You rock. :) Leave a comment if you have a moment. I love hearing what you think.