A holiday in New Xanadu - or - Bass and Charlie take a diversion on the road to Willoughby, have an adventure, star in a movie, practice with swords and see each other in a bit of a new light…

A Revolution fic (Blackout AU): Sebastian (Bass) Monroe/Charlotte (Charlie) Matheson with mention of and possible appearance of regular characters in the show: Miles Matheson, Rachael Matheson, Aaron Pittman, Gene Porter, Charloe. Rating M…

Summary: Sometime before the blackout… a very rich doomsday prepper read a poem about a place called *Xanadu… thought that it all sounded like a Really Great Idea and built his own version with a little help from some very creative friends. This is what happened when Charlie and Bass – on their way to Willoughby from New Vegas (the first time) stumble upon a garden, fall into a deep sleep after eating genetically manipulated, intoxicating fruit, veg and Honeysuckle and wake up in New Xanadu's hollow hills. They meet some very interesting people and learn a few unexpected things about each other. I really hope you enjoy the ride as much as they did… The story ends up with them (eventually and, well…mostly) back in canon and back on the road to Willoughby

Authors note:

* I need to apologise to S T Coleridge (even though he's long dead). The poem about Xanadu is of course correctly titled 'Kubla Khan' not 'Xanadu'…' (I did name Sam after S T so hope he's not too upset with me wherever he is now… ). I have edited and corrected the summary…

Thank you so much for reading – I wanted to give Charlie and Bass a holiday together and some healing time so this chapter became mostly about that. I really appreciate reviews and comments so if you have the time please let me know your thoughts, I wanted to particularly thank CandyStars121 for the review of chap 2 it really helped clarify a few things for me…

NB: This is fiction and a fantasy so lets assume - as it seems to be assumed in the show (which I don't own any part of by the way – am a respectful borrower like everyone else…) that as Charlie has obviously had sex during her travels, she has some means of managing things – she's a smart woman So, with no further ado, here is chapter 4 (with Charloe because they wanted it that way…) hope you like it…

Chapter 4. Under a paper moon….

The music swirled closer as they walked past walls decorated with bright and vibrant murals set around the long curving ramp. There were the smells of perfumes – and of rich spices – sweet, sour and everything in between, bread baking, the tang of citrus and curry, rising up in clouds to meet them as they walked over tables laden with food and drink placed around the outside edges of the hall below them…And then as they passed alcoves set into the wall beside them there was the wafting essence of flowers and herbs that seemed to reach out with scented fingers from their vases and bowls as she and Bass followed Sam down towards the group waiting to greet them…

Charlie felt excitement and anticipation lifting her spirits even higher as they got closer – her senses were ablaze with sounds, smells and sights she had never imagined… she felt like she and Bass were together in a kind of shared dream... Then as they passed one of the alcoves she caught a glimpse of eyes from within it – a large, shiny black cat, crouched almost invisible in the shadows of the small space followed her with its green eyes as she passed by, then a quick movement pulled her eyes downwards, and she noticed another on the floor, ginger with white splashes, its eyes flashing orange at her before it turned, running and leaping upwards back along the ramp… She found herself laughing in delight, and something loosened up inside her that had still been tight and hard…even after - she turned towards Bass and found him already looking at her, the hand not holding hers (his thumb tracing circles around her palm… her fingers twining through his…) sliding along the waist high rail of the carved wooden balustrade beside them, guiding them downwards.

His eyes stayed locked on hers as they followed the gentle slope downwards - so much swimming in their blue depths that she found herself tearing up…she leaned closer offering her mouth up to him for a kiss… Bass smiled down at her then touched her lips lightly with his. He couldn't put a name or a number to the emotions he was feeling right now; amazement and satisfaction at what had happened between them, gratitude that she had chosen to share herself with him, pleasure at her obvious enjoyment, admiration for her courage and resilience and the way she went open hearted and so bravely into everything… regret that they would soon be back in the hard and hurting world outside, resolve at the need to go – and sorrow that this was a dream he knew couldn't last…he felt like his heart had woken up after a long sleep – and it was bitter as well as sweet.

They both knew that someone had to do something - and if not him and Miles – and Charlie, as well as the rest of her motley little tribe then who? If someone didn't act – and win - against the Patriots this place and any others like it would be found and poisoned eventually no matter how much they tried to hide away…

'Bass Monroe' he said to himself 'stop thinking so much and enjoy the moment…' then he had a thought of a different kind (although it had really just been hiding behind all the others...) and brought her hand up to his lips, kissing her fingers and catching her gaze… slowing them both down (the two guards behind them abruptly stopped and exchanged eye rolls...). Lust – he very definitely felt quite a lot of lust… her eyes widened when she saw the hunger for her sweep over his face and she licked her lips, tasting his traces on her, watching his eyes follow the path of her tongue... For Bass, the images and feel of her – and of him inside her - that he had so firmly fixed in his memory were running like a movie in his head and he had to keep reminding himself that there were people around them and that having a raging hard on was (damn it…) so not a good thing right now…

His hand let go of hers to circle her slim waist, pressing her tight against him, his fingers gripped her smooth skin through leather fringes for a moment then moved downwards, stroking over the flexing muscles of her ass before moving back up to brush the side of her breast in its soft leather sheath…their bodies moving again in an easy rhythm down the ramp, his fingers moved down again…caressing her hip, following the sway of her flesh and the bones underneath as she walked. One of the guards caught their breath, missed a step and had to shuffle to get back in time… Bass chuckled to himself – they'd better get used to it he thought as he felt Charlie's hand move around behind him, slipping between his pants and top – smoothing over the flesh of his back…because at the moment he didn't think either of them cared who was watching… He leaned down and kissed her again… meeting her lips and tongue with his, and for a while for Charlie there was only the feel of him kissing her, one of his arms around her, hers around him, his other hand still holding the balustrade and guiding them both as they kept on walking slowly, in time to the music, with the sounds of people laughing and talking coming and going as they moved around the ramp and the colours and the scents and the warm air swirling around them…

Sam looked back at two of them and sighed… it looked like they had something really good happening between them… and if they chose to leave and keep on with their interrupted journey, he hoped that that something would still be there for them afterwards… But, and he sighed again, he was pretty sure the 'if' was a 'when' – they had the look of people making the most of every second of something because they knew there was an end coming to it…and he was sorry for that. They made a nice couple though…he mused, and so what if he was a bit older than her – that sort of connection was a rare thing and they were lucky to find it… He shrugged and turned forwards again, laughing to himself – the two Scouts walking behind them would have some pretty good stories to tell later…

When they eventually had to come up for air Charlie felt Bass slowing his stride to match hers step for step - she was acutely aware of the lacing down the side of his pants brushing against her hip and leg through her skirt… finding that and the feel of the light and silky fabric swirling around her bare legs achingly erotic as they moved down the ramp towards the people below. She felt clean for the first time in a long, long time… and her body felt so good… She shivered, her insides dissolving to liquid again as she remembered the feel of Bass, full and hard, inside and then around her in the shower, then again in the bath… It didn't help her keep things under control that at each step she took the leather of her top rubbed a little over her still sensitive nipples and the leather and bead fringes gently brushed against the bare skin of her torso… The obviously new and silky underwear someone had very kindly provided had become very damp between her legs, her folds still swollen and tingling from earlier… and she really, really couldn't wait until she and Bass could be alone again… She slid a glance over at Bass – he had lifted his left hand off the balustrade, his fingers clenched, the knuckles white – she smirked, it looked like he was having the same trouble she was…only for him it was a little (she looked down – well ok, a lot…) more obvious… She poked him under the ribs with a pointed finger and he jumped – his breath hitching, and he caught hold of the rail again… 'Charlie? what…?' she pinched him this time – not too hard…and sent her wide grin and sparkling eyes heading his way… 'Thought you might need a little help keeping your mind on the here and now Jimmy…', he chuckled ruefully, eyebrows arching… 'You weren't wrong Charlotte…' he cleared his throat… 'Do it again would you…please…?'

They were getting closer to the bottom of the ramp and the people waiting there for them… Bass and Charlie reluctantly let go of each other – fingers lingering over skin that remembered the touch of the other and didn't want it to end… and in the end, they simply kept their hands loosely together… neither wanting to let go entirely…

Bass took a deep breath, determinedly regaining control and focus – and he noticed a tall woman standing behind Petra and the girls… Her alert but relaxed stance and bearing shouted seasoned warrior… and he would take a little bet that this was the weapons master Petra had mentioned. She was easily as tall as he was – if not a little more, her dark hair cropped close to her scalp, body long and lean with an aura of physical power and confidence and the dark skin of her bare arms (the rest of her clad in a close fitting, black, jump suit and practical boots) covering taut and well defined muscles.

Hanging at her left side he recognised the hilt and hang of a sabre (a Light Cavalry model he thought…) and on her right, the familiar shape of a machete… both suspended in their sheaths from well fitting crossed leather belts and thigh straps… He gently nudged Charlie and indicated the woman with his eyes – she got it straight away, as she seemed to do most of the time now… and studied the tall figure, her eyes bright and laughing… 'I think she might actually be interested in what you can do with a sword Jimmy' she said in a stage whisper… Sam turned to her with a grin 'Thea is something else' he said proudly 'no one has ever won against her in the practice ring…' Bass studied her with a sudden new interest… and realised that she was looking directly up at him – her eyes a golden brown in a striking face – the lamps casting highlights and shadows over the bones under her dark, smooth skin…There was a cool assessment of him in those eyes that seemed natural in the circumstances but there was something besides that in her focused stare that he couldn't quite work out… It was like she was trying to make up her mind about something…

…..

As they reached the bottom of the ramp, Petra and the two girls came forward to greet them…Alice (or Brown eyes as Bass still thought of her…) was of course Petra and William's niece, and Sophie, her blue eyed friend, their adopted daughter (Sam told them later that both Alice and Sophie's parents had been away together in Georgia on a trading run when the bombs fell; and as neither had any other family, William and Petra considered them theirs. Then they had been introduced to William – or Bill as he asked to be called – both of them finding the older man charming and intelligent, both sorry to see his obvious physical disability. Bass was careful not to put much pressure on the frail hand held out to him to shake and Charlie smiled down at him and took his hand very gently in hers when it was her turn to greet him… a question in her eyes… 'Rheumatoid arthritis my dear' he said calmly, 'Petra helps as much as she can…' he looked at the other woman, a tender smile on his face… 'She keeps pain at bay for me with her magic pills and potions…' Petra put her hand gently on his shoulder, he reached up and lightly patted it with his crooked fingers…'But I still can't find a way to stop or cure it …' she whispered - her eyes full of unspoken sorrow and a deep frustration... she looked at Charlie, something else in her gaze that Charlie couldn't interpret…'yet...' she said.

Sophie had shyly asked if she could take some photos for an animated film she was making, but Petra and William exchanged a glance; all the adults in their little reception party – as well as Sam and their guards…had noticed the couple with arms around each other (and the kiss) as they came down the ramp…and Petra caught Charlie's gaze – understanding sparkling in her eyes… '

Sophie dear…' Petra said quietly… 'I know you are excited about having new people to photograph but it might be better to talk about that tomorrow after we've all had a chance to rest, ok?' Sophie's face fell…'Oh Petra…please?' she said, begging…' The older woman shook her head 'Charlotte and James must be very hungry and tired tonight', she went on, 'they are our guests and we need to think about what they would like…' Sophie nodded, frowning, still disappointed and Alice stood close, putting her arm around her then looking up at Bass and Charlie 'could we talk to you tomorrow then, please?' Bass looked down at the two eager faces, both girls dressed tonight in what looked like white ballet gear? 'I really hope so' he said, 'but we'll check with Petra in the morning… ok?' When their faces fell again; he shook a finger at them and gave them his full on, toothy, ear to ear grin… Charlie thought it just wasn't fair that a smile could light up someone's face like that – but it worked… they were looking up at him and smiling as though the sun had just come out…

'You know' he said, shaking his head in wonder 'it looks to me as though you might be dancers as well as astronomers and photographers and singing scouts…' they both blushed and smiled even wider - Sophie answered brightly 'We were doing Swan Lake and we were two of the cygnets…' 'You were?' he said, blowing a breath out between his teeth… 'You are both totally amazing…!', Charlie studied him – there was that broad and easy smile again that softened his whole face and made his eyes kind and sort of gentle. She wondered again what on earth had happened to turn this man into the General Monroe she had first met in Philadelphia – the man she had wanted so much to kill...

William had been looking bemused at the little group, and several of the others around them had indulgent smiles as they saw the easy way that Bass diverted the girls attention away from their disappointment…'I think it's getting late you two' he said lightly but firmly, 'it sounds like you might have a big day tomorrow and it's time you got some sleep…' they went happily enough after some parting glances at Bass and Charlie and goodnights to Petra and William – running and dancing quickly together up the ramp with the easy grace of the young and healthy… William followed them with his gaze, his eyes fond but full of worry… he turned back to the others…'I'm frightened for them' he said… 'I'm frightened because I'm not certain we can protect them from what I think is coming…' Petra laid her hand on his shoulder, her face calm but tense…

William turned to the tall woman 'Thea' he called, and she strode smoothly forward, flanked by two of her Scouts – in solid black uniforms, on duty and armed, Bass noticed… 'Yes William..' her voice was as smooth as her stride – low and melodic… William turned to Bass and Charlie, 'Charlotte Masters and James King, I'd like to introduce you to Thea Anderson, our Master of arms…' Thea nodded a greeting and when Charlie saw only calm interest – and anticipation - in her golden brown eyes – she was almost disappointed...no sticks then… 'Thea was in charge of the group who brought you to us James', William continued, 'She saw you performing your sword drills and would very much like to ask if there is anything you can suggest we add to our training routines – again I wouldn't ask you to do that tonight but tomorrow perhaps?' he looked directly at Bass then at Charlie…'Petra offered you our hospitality for tonight whether or not you decided to join us, but I would like to invite you to stay as long as you wish – I ask only that you provide us with whatever advice you think may be helpful in defending ourselves…' Charlie reached out and placed her hand on Bass' forearm, he turned to her…and they shared another moment of that strange understanding. They both knew they needed to get to Willoughby and soon, but if they could be of any assistance here it would surely help them all in the long run… Bass turned to William and Petra, and then looked back at Thea – she was waiting for an answer, her eyes calm but intent on his…

He was certain now that at least some of these people knew who he actually was…even though they seemed happy to continue the charade… He remembered Sam's words about the past being the past for people here – perhaps that was their philosophy…? They also seemed to understand the extent of the threat that the Patriots posed to all of them - and were willing to ask for help. He wasn't completely sure he was the person they should be asking (losing a republic – and even a city - was hardly a great recommendation), but he was here, and did know a great deal about military strategy, he was very, very good at killing...and apparently, was pretty good at surviving too…

And if they knew about him, it was highly likely that they knew that Charlie was the daughter of the woman who had been a major player in creating something that had altered their world completely in a few short minutes…and who might conceivably still be able to work out a way to get the power back on – or at least use the technology in other ways… and if they knew that they would also know that she was the niece of his former (?) best friend, possible equal in infamy and ex - General of the Monroe Republic Miles Matheson… Bass nodded and placed his free hand over Charlie's, squeezing hers gently where it still rested on his arm, 'I think we would like to talk it over tonight first regarding how long we can stay'; Charlie nodded her agreement… 'But I for one would be happy to help in whatever way I can while we're here…', he went on, 'I would too…' agreed Charlie, the thought of what would happen to this place – and the people in it, if the fanatics who created Randall Flynn found it, made her blood run cold…

William sighed heavily…'thank you, it means a lot to me, to all of us…' he smiled up at them from his chair…'and we are most grateful…' he reached up and found Petra's hand…'now, please enjoy some food and our very good wine, Sam will stay with you as your host…and I think we can dispense with your two followers…' he smiled but looked very tired… 'But I am afraid that I must retire myself now…' he sighed.. 'Sam will come for you in the morning and we will have breakfast together, yes? We can discuss things further then…'

The two Guards who had followed them from their room nodded a slightly regretful farewell at them (their duty had been entertaining to say the least…) and stepped back behind Thea. Petra moved behind William's chair, took hold of the handles and smiled her thanks 'we'll see you in the morning then…' she said 'enjoy yourselves, and have a good rest…' she glanced between the two of them and some mischief returned to her eyes 'well, enjoy yourselves anyway…' she smiled and pushed the chair away… Thea turned to Monroe, and inclined her head very slightly towards him… 'Thank you' she said simply, then swung round to Charlie, her smile wide and bright 'I like your style with the crossbow Charlotte, three rabbits and each one a clean shot…' 'Please call me Charlie…' Charlie said '…and thank you..', she was proud of her skills and even though it was unsettling to think that they had had no idea that this woman had been close enough to their camp to see how cleanly she had shot the rabbits...she found herself liking her. There was another bright smile, 'you're very welcome Charlie, and now I must go too I'm afraid, I have a lot of work to do…' She nodded a farewell to Sam, turned away and said over her shoulder 'I'll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow '…

For Charlie and Bass the first part of the evening with Sam as guide passed in a blur of food (delicious), wine (equally delicious although Charlie had to admit she preferred whiskey), loud and energetic music – a band played songs that Charlie was amazed to find Bass knew many of (and sang along with in…although it was hard to hear him with all the other noises…). Then Sam's wife Jennifer (she preferred Jen she told Charlie) joined them after finishing her role in meal preparation – her hair bright henna red, dressed in flowing rainbow colours as bright as her husbands and they all went dancing…the floor crowded with bodies moving to drumbeats, guitars and voices, everyone was sweaty and hot, the music was loud, lamps were swaying from the ceiling in the breezes created by the dancing and the rising heat. There were lots of slightly drunken and disjointed, laughing conversations, with the many people who came up to meet them – any questions were mostly about what Bass and Charlie thought of their home – and Charlie was surprised to find that absolutely no one asked about what was happening outside… or what she and Bass/Jimmy did out there…or even how they got here… It was as though nothing existed for them but here and now… She had both men and women ask her to dance – and so did Bass although after many polite and friendly but increasingly firm refusals from both of them, people seemed to realise that they really were sticking together and the requests tapered off…

While they were dancing, Bass did see some faces that were familiar from places and times before the blackout but, as Sam had said, here they seemed to be just part of the group, receiving no apparent special attention and seeming perfectly happy with that… and on seeing them – older now (like him he thought…) he was suddenly deeply and profoundly sad; so many and so much had been lost…

He remembered a time when little, trivial things had seemed important, like who won the football or what was trending on twitter – or in his case getting pleasantly drunk and laid as often as he could… They had all taken so much for granted…

He knew that it was possible to live well in a world like theirs had become – even the Republic had started out with the best of intentions and had been good for people for a while anyway… But the world at the moment seemed caught in a sort of Darwinian nightmare. People got eaten up by whatever or whoever was bigger or meaner than them unless they gave in or hid away - and even then, like William, they lived in fear that the next predator would find a way in…or they tried, like the residents of New Xanadu, to pretend that the predators didn't exist…

And now there were the Patriots…the bastards who dropped the bomb on his city were threatening everyone he had left, threatening Miles - and Charlotte…his grip on her hand tightened involuntarily... Startled she looked up at him, her laugh fading when she saw the look in his eyes… concern at the anguish and building fury she saw there making her reach up and hold his face in her hands…holding his gaze with hers she drew him down to her and his arms came around her in a tight and convulsive hug… 'It's ok, it's ok…' she said, and she was a rock in his storming sea, saving him from being pulled under… he shuddered and wound himself even tighter round her; she could feel the tension and barely contained need simmering through his body… 'Charlotte…' he breathed and caught her mouth in a kiss that felt as though he was trying to capture her soul and keep it safe…

Sam saw and thought he knew what it was – many people arrived here traumatised by things they had experienced on the outside… and the contrast could be a lot to take in…so when he could get their attention, he and Jen led the two of them to a part of the hall where it was quiet and away from the crowds... 'Hey' he said, 'I'd like to show you something…' he stopped by a closed, arched wooden door, picked up the lantern that was on the floor next to it, lit it and opened the door. 'Come on in then...' he said. They followed him, Bass walking in a sort of daze, Charlie's arm still around him, then both of them stopped... just looking… Sam and Jen lit several large candles set on sconces around the curved walls. There were large cushions and rugs on the floor; a table with jugs of water set out and in the ceiling a few metres above their heads was a wide skylight – open to the stars… 'William calls this our chill out room' Jen said 'why don't you two have a bit of a break and we'll come back in an hour or so… Outside, Sam put the yellow sock hanging on a hook next to the door over the doorknob…some things never change he thought… He took Jen's hand in his and kissed her palm…'Poor things' she said…'I'm so grateful we're here Sam…' he nodded and they walked off to find somewhere to wait.

Bass had been very quiet during the walk over to the 'chill out' room (what was that about anyway Charlie thought, it was lovely and warm in here…) but he had never let go of her hand and as soon as Sam and Jen were out of the room he took her in his arms again…holding her as close as he could although gently this time…'I'm sorry Charlotte…' he said quietly although she could feel the tension still in his arms around her and in the tight muscles of his chest pressed against her… 'I'm so sorry for everything I did… for what you and your family went through,' he sighed heavily, his lightly furred cheek resting on her smooth one… he was very still for a moment, then he let her go and stepped back, waiting… the rapid rise and fall of his chest, the tightness in his face, the lines around his mouth and his hands clenching and unclenching the only signs of how much her response meant to him…

Charlie didn't know what to say, she didn't think she was ready to forgive him for everything that had happened…for Danny… her dad… and didn't know if she ever would be ready…but…'Bass…' she stopped suddenly, remembering that he was supposed to be Jimmy here, '…Jimmy', and she faltered, it just felt wrong… 'I want to try and understand…' He stood there, a big part of him expecting her to condemn him utterly – even after what they had had together…. or maybe because of that… She let out a deep breath and looked up at him, her eyes so serious that he could feel his heart start to seize up…and he braced himself although he knew he would fall anyway… 'I don't know what will happen to us later…' she swallowed and looked away 'and I don't know if I will ever be able to really forget…' his hands tightened, waiting for the blow… but then she turned back to him and she smiled (she smiled at him…), a small, sad smile but it was still a smile… and he would take anything he could get…from her… 'But I do know that I want to get to know you…the real you, that I want to try…that we seem to have something, …' he started breathing again…coming back from the edge of the precipice…

Then she frowned, her eyes a wild blue with unshed tears… 'Why the hell did you have to pick a name like Jimmy anyway' she said 'It's a really stupid name…' he choked out a laugh 'It's a long story… and you can't talk – Charlie…' she punched him hard on the bicep of his right arm (he'd treasure the bruise...), then stepped towards him, her arms reaching up to circle around his neck, her mouth finding his like it was coming home… and then, as he bent forwards to meet her, she sent her hands downwards to his belt… her fingers frantic, undoing the bat buckle and working on the buttons of his pants… he framed her face with his hands for a moment, their mouths still joined, lips and tongues exploring, then he stroked his way down her body – his grip pressing her leather clad breasts against his chest – soft globes erupting above leather seams…then moving down to her ass, his fingers like hot brands against the springy flesh, then lower and he caught the edges of her skirt – flipping it out of the way and going underneath to stroke up along her strong lean legs, the little hairs on them catching on the skin of his palms and sending tingles along his nerve endings straight to where she had succeeded in freeing his cock – hard and ready and waiting for what had seemed an age…with her clever fingers…

He gasped, then in one movement he hooked his thumbs over the top of her panties and slid them down past her knees…then he brought his hands back up her legs and – finally – reached her core, finding her molten and so wet that he'd be glad to drown in her… 'Charlotte…' he breathed against her open mouth… her glazed blue eyes focused on his… 'If you ask me one more time if I really want to do this …Jimmy, I swear I'll…' he choked on a laugh…'Believe me that is the last thing I want to ask you Charlotte…' and suddenly she was in the air – his arms strong beneath her knees and back… 'I just wanted to warn you that I was…' then she was on soft cushions, her skirt up around her waist, her panties flung – somewhere… '…going to do…' then he was above her, his face in shadows and flickering lights from the candles, obscured briefly while he stripped his pullover over his head and flung that too, his body broad and strong and warm, settled between her thighs - she brought her legs up and wrapped his hips…'this…' and he was suddenly all the way inside her – hot and hard and it was so damn good… she laughed… her hands roaming over the hard muscle of his arms and shoulders holding his body up above hers as he plunged in again to meet her…

Up above them, through the skylight…she could see the stars…dancing their long dance to their own music…

She laughed again – there was even a shooting star….

AN.. I didn't get as much done in this chapter as I wanted so there might have to be an extra one at the end… anyway, thanks again for reading and hope to see you at the next chapter, I won't say anything about it now because it could change a little…all the best