Chapter 7

One week later

It's been a month. A whole fucking month and still no sighting or a word about where the bastard could be. Two of his best soldiers and one scout with him, and they couldn't even find a foot print.

Miles was beside himself. Not only was Bass missing, Charlie was gone too. If something happened to her, he would never forgive himself. He sighed and looked around the area where they stopped for the night.

It was surrounded by trees that provided enough coverage and strategic position to overlook the road. The men that were with him started to set up camp with the scout climbing one of the trees and starting first shift.

Miles sits next to the camp fire and takes a map out from his bag.

There were circles surrounding the areas that he thought Bass might be. The first place that came to mind was New Vegas but he thought after what happened the last time, Bass would never be so stupid as to go back there. The other place that was circled was Austin. If Bass was looking for information, he could find it there with some old contacts he had that didn't want to shoot him at first sight.

Deep down, Miles was hoping Bass just ended up in a bar somewhere drinking himself to death. But he knew better.

"Sir!" he hears one of the men calling.

Miles quickly gets up and walks towards the tree where one of his men is taking watch. "What is it Dan?" He whispers loudly.

"Someone is heading this way. Can't tell if it's a man or woman," Dan says.

Miles takes out a pair of binoculars from his backpack and throws it up to Dan.

Dan looks through the binoculars. "Well?" Miles asks him

"Still can't tell but he or she is getting closer. Stay right where you are!" Dan yells.

"Don't shoot! It's me!" A man calls out.

"Mitch? Is that you?" Mitch was one of the Texan soldiers that have been assigned to Miles's team. He was tall but very skinny guy with exceptional shooting skills.

"Didn't recognize you man. Thought you were some woman." He said and tried to hold back his laughter.

"I'll show you some woman dick!" Mitch said and threw a small rock at him.

"A hmm." Miles said clearing his throat. "If you two are done playing around, I'd like to know what you're doing here."

"Sorry sir. President Blanchard sent me here to find you. Said he needs you to come back right away."

"What are you talking about? I can't come back now. Blanchard knows I gotta find Monroe."

"Well sir, he said to give this to you and you'll know what to do."

Mitch takes out a piece of paper from his pocket and gives it to Miles. He then goes to sit by the fire with the rest of the men.

Miles opens the note and reads,

"They're here."

Miles puts the note in his back pocket.

"We gotta go!" he yells to the men.

General Bauer was a regular at the saloon. It was his favorite place to be at night after a long day at the office dealing with the lowlifes of the city.

He stands at the entrance and sighs. Today was another long day. It was getting harder and harder for him to keep up and deal with everything. His second wife died a few years after the blackout and his daughter was too far away for him to see every day.

Life definitely took a toll on him.

He enters the bar and sits down on his favorite stool in the corner. It was his quiet place.

The owner made sure the seat was kept open for him when he came in.

The general signaled the bartender and waited for his drink.

"Make that a double," he hears a voice saying next to him.

He turns his head and sees the man standing next to him. He recognizes him right away.

"Thought you were dead. Again."

"You know I got nine lives Jack," Bass says.

"Huh!" He says and takes a sip from his glass of whiskey.

"What do you want Monroe?" he says in an agitated voice.

"Information," Bass says and sits down next to him. He takes the bottle from the bartender and pours them both another drink.

"I'm guessing this has something to do with your son," Jack says.

Bass nods and takes another sip. "There isn't much that gets passed you. You know everything that goes on around here. So tell me, who could have possibly done it?"

"Could be anyone, Monroe. You're not short of enemies."

Bass shakes his head. "No. This felt more personal. Like it was someone close that wanted to send a message."

"I can ask around but I'll need you to tell me more about that day. Where you found him. Was it close range? Things like that." Jack said.

"I'll get you all the information you need."

Jack turns his head "And most important. A list of people closest to you. You said it felt personal, so I'm going to need that list."

Bass nodded and left the bar. He felt heavy hearted. The thought that the person that killed his son could be close to him brought back old feelings of paranoia. The only person that is keeping him grounded is Charlie.

She is standing across the street waiting for him. Her long hair covers her shoulders, and she is wearing the tight jeans he loves so much. She is smiling at him, and it warms his heart. In all the craziness, she is the light that he has found and he doesn't plan on letting go.

Bass puts his hands in his pockets and crosses the street. He walks over to Charlie.

"Everything go ok?" she asks.

"Yeah. He said he'll gather some intel and get back to me."

Charlie nods.

Bass takes his hands out and covers hers with his.

Charlie looks at him with a worried look. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." He says and takes a deep breath as his heart is filled with worry.

"Let's get out of here." He says to her and they walk to a little inn Bass found earlier for them to stay in.

The lady in the front desk was nice enough to give them the cleanest and quietest room she had. The bed was big and covered in clean sheets and large pillows. On one side, there was a small table next to the windows and a vase filled with flowers, and on the other a bathroom that was surprisingly clean.

"Are you nervous?" He asks

Charlie is standing in front of the bed staring at it. She knows she is ready and this is something that she has wanted for a long time.

"We don't have to do anything if you don't want to." He tells her.

Charlie turns around and looks at Bass. His blue eyes are beautiful and also comforting. She has never felt more relaxed and ready to be with someone like she is with him. She doesn't have much experience but she wants this one to be special.

She takes a step forward and kisses him. It is soft and reassuring. She wants him to know that it's ok. That this is what she wants.

Without breaking the kiss, Bass slowly removes his jacket. He then kisses her neck softly. She takes off his shirt and he removes hers while looking at her beautiful eyes. He can see so much in them.

After removing the rest of their clothes and boots, Bass slowly places Charlie on the bed. He starts exploring her body with his mouth, starting from her neck, moving down to her breasts and stomach. This sends waves of pure ecstasy through Charlie's body, and she clenches the sheets trying to not explode with desire.

Bass lifts his head and kisses her. He takes his hand and puts it between her folds. As he is rubbing her clit with his fingers Charlie feels like she is about to go over the edge.

"Bass," she whispers. "I'm going to come."

"Not so fast," he says and removes his hand.

He then places himself between her legs and slowly enters her. With every movement, he makes Charlie's orgasm grows closer and closer.

Bass grabs her breasts and picks up the pace. "Bass. I'm so close," she whimpers. A few more thrusts and Charlie yells out his name as the ecstasy runs through her body.

This sends him over the edge and he comes hard deep inside her.

They both eventually collapse on the mattress breathless and unable to mutter a word.

A few minutes go by and Bass turns to her removing a stray hair from her face. "Are you ok?" He asks.

Charlie smiles at him. "I'm perfect"

He covers them both with a blanket and she falls asleep in his arms.