Later on in the day, Miles made his way to meet Bass. When he arrived, Bass was already waiting.
"Hey brother," Bass said smiling.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Miles pushed him.
"What are you talking about?"
"You had Charlie rob a casino? Then you let yourself and your kid get caught so that Charlie was on her own in New Vegas as a wanted criminal?"
"I realize now that was a poor decision. I'm sorry Miles."
Miles had a dumfounded look on his face,"Well, that was…easy."
"You know I spoke with her last night. She's in a dark place Miles, and I did that to her. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"You're serious?" Miles hadn't meant it to sound like a question. He was just surprised.
"I'm trying Miles. I really am. I have Connor now, and I think that's certainly given me motivation to change."
"I know. I tried to explain that to Charlie. I've got to pull her out of this."
"I'll help…as much as she'll allow me anyway. I owe her that much. We can't let her become what I was." Bass couldn't believe how honest he and Miles were being. They hadn't spoken like this in a long time.
"She won't ever be what you were, Bass. She's not that far gone."
"You didn't hear her last night. She thinks she's not going to make it another 6 months, and she's ok with that. I'm responsible for that. I know that now."
"I appreciate your concern, Bass. Really. But when did you and Charlie become so close?" Miles was confused. Just a few days ago, Charlie was doubting whether or not to forgive Bass.
"Well, she told me you talked to her, so thank you for that. Then, she got pissed at me when I didn't agree with her that we should be so hopeless. That's when I realized, I did that to her. I did it to Rachel & you too. You've got each other though. I think Charlie feels like she's on her own. You know that's exactly how I started down the rabbit hole."
"So did y'all sit around and paint each other's nails too," Miles asked sarcastically.
Bass rolled his eyes, "I'm being serious Miles."
Miles knew he was being serious, he just couldn't imagine Bass & Charlie speaking so deeply. "I know. As least I know I've got someone else looking out for her now. That means a lot man."
If Miles only knew how Bass really felt towards Charlie…
Miles continued, "So, you're contact, the one with the homicidal maniacs, you just had to sleep with her, didn't you?"
"How'd you know that?"
"Charlie."
"How on earth does she know that?" Monroe didn't want Charlie to know about him & Duncan. It hadn't meant anything, but now he felt as if he'd betrayed her in some way. He would have to explain things to her.
"She wasn't born yesterday, Bass. She's a grown woman." Miles knew that was the truth. She could take care of herself, but he was always going to protect her. "So, what's going on? Does she think you're dating now? Is that why she agreed to help us?"
"Look, she was displaying some signs that suggested she was still interested. I saw my opening, and I took it. She wasn't just going to let me come back here. She made Charlie & Connor leave without me."
"So you're purely using her, right? So what happens when she figures that out?" Miles was worried. There weren't many women around, so Bass may be able to stay in line and just stick to Duncan. But this was no ordinary woman. This was the leader of a war tribe.
"She won't."
"Oh, and you're just so sure about that?" Miles was not convinced.
"I'm taking care of it, Miles."
"Jesus, Bass. Don't screw this up. We've come a long way. We actually may have a chance now."
"I won't," Bass demanded. There was no way he'd let everyone down again. "You can trust me."
"I hope so." Miles continued, "so what's the plan?"
"Well, with Tom & Jason here, I'm not sure. They think I'm dead right?"
"Yea. About that. We let Truman go, and he knows you're alive. It's only a matter of time before word gets out that you're not dead. Then again, they could also be too embarrassed to share with the world that they can't properly carry out an execution."
"So then what do you want to do," Bass asked.
"I say we keep you and the tribe hidden for now. We still don't know if we can trust them anyway. Even if they found out you were alive, I definitely don't want them knowing we have a bunch of killers in our back pocket."
"Alright, so are we just going to sit tight for now? Like you said, we got a bunch of killers sitting around."
"We'll try not to wait to long. A week, two tops. But I've gotta feel out Tom & Jason a bit more before we go making any major decisions."
"Sounds good."
"Let's plan on meeting again tomorrow evening. I'll send Connor."
"Thanks brother. I appreciate it."
"Sure thing."
With that, they parted ways. Miles was hoping that Bass could keep up that little act with Duncan long enough for the tribe to be of actual use. He was also glad to hear that he was equally, if not more, worried about Charlie. It calmed him knowing he had someone else watching her back.
Bass couldn't stop thinking about Charlie knowing about him & Duncan. He had just started to win her over, and now she surely must've been disgusted with him. And now it was too late to change his strategy. He could try, but Duncan was a smart woman. He just prayed Charlie wasn't thinking it was anything more serious than it was. He didn't want to disappoint her. That was something he couldn't stop thinking about. He did not want to disappoint her. He couldn't deny it any longer. He felt something for Charlie. He wasn't sure to what extent, but it was something he hadn't felt in a long time.
—
Jason & Connor had gone out a little later in the evening to hunt. While out, they came across a Patriot patrol. Just two soldiers.
"I don't know why were even bothering looking here. Monroe is long gone by now, and if he's not, he's a fool," one soldier said to the other.
The other spoke up, "How on earth did he even survive that execution?"
"Truman is saying it was Gene Porter and the rest of his family."
"That makes sense I guess considering they were responsible for carrying out the execution."
Jason & Connor looked at each other. Jason shot out the bushes back towards the house. He had to let his dad know that they now have to change their strategy.
Connor ran right behind him. He had to let everyone know that Jason & Tom would now know Monroe was alive, and that they were the ones who saved him. Little did he know, Tom & Jason already knew exactly what had happened.
When Connor got back to the house, Jason was already inside with his father. They were off in another room, so he quickly informed Miles, Rachel, Gene, and Charlie what was going on.
Miles spoke first, "Shit. Well, it was going to happen sooner or later."
"So, should we tell them I'm his kid," Connor asked.
"I think once they see the two of you together they'll put two and two together. You look similar, and you act a lot alike." Everyone was surprised to hear Charlie suggest that. They all looked at her questioningly. "What?" She didn't see what the problem was.
"You know them both that well," Rachel asked.
Charlie just rolled her eyes. "So should I go get him?"
Miles responded, "Yea. Connor, you go too. I know Bass wants to see you. Also if there are patrols out, we should only go out in groups from now on." Charlie and Connor started to move out the house, but Miles stopped them, "Nobody mention Duncan or her men. For now, that stays between us." They nodded and left.
—
"These damn Patriots are fools." Tom was furious. So much for the element of surprise.
"So what are we going to do now," Jason asked.
"Well, I'm sure they'll bring him out now. God knows where they've been hiding him. We'll make our move tomorrow. You'll keep the group distracted, and I'll get him alone and take him out."
"Are you sure you can handle it dad?"
Tom was pissed, "You watch your mouth boy. I took that man down once, I can surely do it again."
Jason nodded, knowing his place.
