Author's Note: Thank you to all who left review's for the last chapter- I so appreciate the feedback and you all have been so kind. I had fun with this one; I hope you enjoy it. FYI: I only have 1-2 chapter's left for this story.
Chapter 9
Three days had passed since they'd come to the gas station. In that time Connor had awakened for brief moments wanting to drink some water and had spoken to both Bass and Gene. He was in quite a bit of pain, although not to an overwhelming degree. Although showing improvement, he was still quite weak from the blood loss.
Meanwhile, Charlie was feeling less dizzy when she moved and could sit up for periods of time, watching as everyone moved about her. She could now drink water without getting sick and was starting to eat some of the apples from the tree they'd found outside. The swelling was slowly going down and she still had a pretty bad headache most of the time; but she was just happy that she was no longer getting ill whenever she moved her head.
Gene had found an herb outside the first day they were there and he and Rachel made a tea from it that they gave to both Connor and Charlie to help with the pain. As Charlie noted, 'it took the edge off'.
One morning as Charlie and Bass lay curled up next to each other asleep, they were awakened to hear some scuffling and then heated whispering.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" It was Miles' voice.
"I've done what you guys told me to do for the last few days," Scanlon whispered haltingly, "now it's my turn; I'm going into town to get my revenge on these Patriot bastards! They killed my men- MY brothers!"
Miles hissed, "The very last thing we need is you goin' into town all half-cocked, bent on revenge, swingin' around your pistol. Just how many do you think you'd get before they shoot you dead? One…two, maybe…three at best? And believe me, your best case scenario is they shoot you dead on the spot…because worst case…and more likely…they take you prisoner and slowly torture you to death to get every inch of information outta you that they can about us and our location before leavin' you on the street to die like a sewer rat, getting' pecked by the damn birds!" He let this sink in, watching as fear settled into the young man's face. "Is that what you want? 'Cause let me tell you something…even if it is which I doubt- there is no way in hell we are going to let that happen." His eyes nod toward Bass who is now standing behind Scanlon ready to grab him if he tries to make a run for it.
"You don't want us tying you up, kid, now do you?" Bass eyes him seriously.
"No," Scanlon backs down, all the fight having left his voice and demeanor. He looks as if he were wilting.
"Believe me, kid, you're makin' the right decision," Miles continued. "Hey, we want revenge as much as you do- but we gotta go about this the right way. We've got to figure out a plan…and in case you haven't noticed- we're not exactly at full strength right now. Hell, even if we were we'd still need a damn army to take on these fatheads!"
Scanlon nodded, going back to his blanket in the corner and sitting down without another word.
Miles and Bass eyed each other, both knowing without words that they will need to continue to keep a sharp eye on the kid. If they lost track of him at all they would assume the worst and have to pick up and leave at a moment's notice to find a new hiding place.
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They spent their time foraging for supplies and food around the surrounding area; the gas station was forefront to some woods beyond which they figured would be good cover if they needed to make a run for it.
They had so far only hunted small game, mainly rabbits caught in snare traps but as Connor became more alert the hungrier he started to become. Gene said they needed to supply him with a high protein diet as much as they could now, as it would help his red blood cells regenerate to replace the ones he'd lost- with the regenerated blood cells would come renewed energy and vitality.
As they sat around their fire pit one evening eating some freshly killed rabbit they discussed hunting on a larger scale. Charlie had started walking around more and came out to join them; they gave her the most comfortable chair—an old plastic Adirondack which the shopkeeper had kept out back under a tin patio roof. The only other chair to be had was a straight backed dinner chair found in the house where they'd gotten the mattress- Gene sat on that one.
"Why don't you all go deer hunting tomorrow and I can stay with Charlie and Connor?" Rachel looked around the group.
Charlie immediately went tense and Bass started to speak but Miles spoke over him.
"While it's great of you to volunteer, Rachel, I don't think that'd be a good idea," he said, maintaining a smile on his face. "The person who stays also has to be on guard duty and well…hon; you're not always so quick to take the shot." He was picturing the Patriot kid, Dillon, who they'd both let go in error and she knew it. While Miles wasn't about to make the same mistake twice he wasn't so sure Rachel would be up to the task.
"Exactly what do you suggest?" she asked icily.
"I think Bass oughta stay here with our two invalids" he winked at Charlie, "and the four of us can go."
Rachel wrinkled her nose at this. "I'm no good to you hunting; I'll just slow you down and don't know what I'm doing anyway. I'll stay here with Bass- he can do guard duty while I tend to Charlie and Connor."
"There's no sense in both of us staying," Bass tried.
"Rachel, you're coming with us and that's that." It was Gene who spoke this time. "I took you hunting with me plenty of times when you were a girl and you'll be just fine and you know it. No arguments." He stared at her to get his point across.
Wow, Bass thought to himself. I'm lovin' take charge AARP. He looked down to his lap as he smiled.
Rachel stared right back at her father then at Miles. The anger and tension on her face were clear to everyone sitting there even if they weren't looking directly at her. She clenched her fists then stood up quickly and walked away into the direction of the woods.
They all sat there in silence for a moment. Then Miles got up saying, "I better go after her." Charlie smiled at him in gratitude then looked to her grandpa bestowing upon him the same look of thanks. Gene let out a deep breath and then stood up and began clearing their remnants from dinner.
"Charlie," he said, "you should go lie back down- I don't want you up too much at first, especially with all this stress." He tried to smile back at her. Not wanting to give him any more grief than his daughter just had, she acquiesced, Bass walking with her back inside in case she got dizzy again.
Dusk began to settle and Scanlon busied himself putting out the fire and getting ready for first watch. As the sun disappeared behind the horizon, he settled into the straight backed chair on the store's porch.
As Gene locked up the back of the store where Connor lay sleeping, Bass came in. "I just wanted to thank you for that," he whispered softly, "I know that couldn't have been easy for you." He rested his hand on the older man's shoulder.
Gene looked at Monroe appreciatively. My, how this man has changed, he thought; and I think I have my granddaughter to thank for that. "I did it for the good of the group; and for Charlie. Lord knows, she doesn't need that kind of stress right now. And Miles is right- she is not someone to leave on guard duty, not on her own at least." Bass nodded.
Just then Miles and Rachel walked back into the store; Rachel walked straight to where she and Miles normally slept, grabbed her blanket and walked to another area and laid down for the night. Miles, noticing Bass and Gene watching the scene just shook his head and went straight to his blanket. An early night it was for all of them; Gene and Bass did the same thing.
Bass approached Charlie on the mattress and she had been waiting for him; he looked down at her and smiled. The last thing his girl needed right now was stress, he thought, as he took her in his arms and curled up for the night.
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The next morning Charlie slept late, waking up to find Bass already gone and seeing sunlight streaming through the front windows of the store overhead. She felt really good and realized with delight that for now, at least, her head wasn't aching.
She could hear Bass on the other side of the counter from her moving some things around as quietly as he could. Every now and again she heard hissed obscenities muffled under his breath and she couldn't help but smile.
She slowly and quietly got up to see Bass standing in the middle of the room with his back to her, unmoving. She quietly walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his middle back. His body almost instantly relaxed and he laid his hands on hers, exhaling deeply.
"How did you know I needed that?" he said as he turned around and took her in his arms. She smiled against him and they stood there, holding each other in a deep embrace for a long while.
Charlie looked up at him and they locked eyes, both pools of blue glistening at the sight of the other; she cupped his face in her hands and brought his mouth down to meet hers and kissed him softly.
"Uhhmmm…" he smiles into her cheek, "how'd you know I needed that?" He places his hands on her hips and pulls her closer to him and they kiss again, this time deepening it, exploring playfully with their tongues. He pulls back just a little, looks at her and then picks her up and sets her down on the counter where they proceed to go into a full on make-out session.
They are breathing heavily, both of them not being able to get enough of the other. Charlie gently slides her hand under his shirt and reaches up to stroke his back, feeling the taut muscles there. He softly moans and nuzzles her neck, breathing in her scent while kissing her throat. His hand moves up the outside of her tank top and he lightly caresses her breast sending delighted shivers down her spine. He pushes into her suddenly feeling much need and desire; he can't think of anything but her; only her- always her. She feels him growing hard against her and smiles into his neck as she gently bites his ear.
"Charlie," he gasps, "we have to stop." He slowly, reluctantly pulls back but she pulls him to her again.
"No, I'm ready now, Bass," she breathes.
Bass looks at her, his eyes glowing- it's unbelievable to him how much he loves her- how much he wants her…now…right in this moment. "Your head," he says to remind her as much as himself. "You're not supposed to engage in any wild activity, remember? Doctor's orders…and I'm pretty sure he meant this." He smiles and kisses her on the nose.
"Since when do you care about doctor's orders?" she asks still trying to get him to come back to what they'd just been doing.
"Since it concerns you," he replied, pulling away from her for both their good.
"What if I stripped right here in front of you? Are you saying you'd still say no?" she teased, beginning to pull up her shirt.
He laughs gruffly, clearing his throat and says, "It'd be hard for sure…pun most definitely intended…but yes- if it means your health then absolutely. Besides, if I laid you down on our mattress right now, on your back, what's the first thing you'd feel?"
She pulls her shirt back down from its halfway mark and grimaces, thinking about the pain she feels anytime the bump on her head touches anything.
"Talk about a buzz kill," she grumbles, releasing an exasperated breath.
"Sorry babe," he kisses her on the lips once again, "but I'm happy you want to be with me."
"Of course I do," she says, slightly shocked, "did you actually doubt it?"
"No," he admits, "it's just…guys like me; we don't get women like you…sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the fact that you want to be with me."
She kisses him on the lips speaking between each one. "Bass Monroe….you…are the man…I want." Then she sits back, looking at him, deep in thought. "You're judging yourself as the old Bass, the one my mom still sees you as. You need to stop doing that- even my grandpa can see you've changed. You're a good man, Bass; you fight for what you love and that's what I love about you. So you better get used to it…me loving you…wanting you… 'Cause you're my man!"
He smiles at this. "What I love is you," he strokes her cheek, "and I'd do anything for you, baby."
"I love you calling me baby…although every time you do it leaves me a little breathless." She clears her throat, "so maybe just say it when we can actually do stuff." They both laugh.
He lifts her from the counter and hugs her. "Let's go sit outside- we could probably both use some fresh air," he laughs, pulling back and running his fingers through his hair. "I know I could."
He sits down with his back against a post; Charlie eases herself down to sit between his legs, sideways so that her knees are draped over his thigh and she can rest the side of her head on his chest- she listens to his heartbeat, a sound which never fails to comfort and soothe her.
They sit there for a while in silence, listening to the sounds around them; Bass drapes his arm around Charlie's back for support and caresses her arm with his fingers- his other hand rests on her knee.
"This is the first we've been alone since before the attack," Charlie points out. "I like it- almost feel like I could stay like this forever." She snuggles deeper into his chest.
"I second that," Bass smiles.
"You mean you wouldn't get bored?" she asks.
"With you? Never," he responds. "Charlotte, from here on out whatever we do, we do together, okay? Any major decisions we have to make we make together; we're a team now."
"Okay," she says smiling up at him, "sounds like a good plan."
Just then Connor calls out and they get up to go see him.
"I want to come sit outside with you guys if that's okay," he says hopefully.
"Of course it is!" Bass exclaims.
Bass helps him up and walks him outside while Charlie grabs a blanket; she drapes it across the Adirondack chair and they settle Connor into it. He makes a slight grimace of pain but then relaxes himself into the comfortable chair.
"It feels good to be out," he says directing his face up into the bright sunlight and sighing.
"I know it!" Charlie agrees, "We've been too cooped up in there, you especially." She is now sitting in the straight backed chair having turned it around and straddled it so she can lean on the back. Bass sits down against the post again.
"How's your head? I hear you fainted at the sight of me," Connor laughs. A look passes over Charlie's face that only Bass notices; she looks far away and her expression is cloudy- she quickly recovers.
"Ha Ha Ha," Charlie replies sarcastically. "My head is doing better today, thanks for asking. How are you feeling?"
"Hungry," Connor replies, "any food in this joint?"
"Ohhh, right now we've got apples…and some stale crackers…and did I mention we have apples?" Bass said drily. '
"Aw, man," Connor said, "hand 'em over—I'll eat anything right now."
"Well, we do have venison coming," Charlie said hopefully.
"Good," Connor said while chewing on stale crackers.
After a while Charlie moves to the shade of the porch saying the sun is starting to bother her.
"Are you okay?" Bass asks, concerned. "Maybe you should go lay down."
She shakes her head saying, "No, I'm okay. I can just tell if I stay out there my headache is going to come back." She stands, leaning against an old empty ice box.
Connor stops eating. "I better move up too- I feel like I'm baking out here; Gene won't be happy." Bass helps him up and he leans against a post while Bass moves the chair up onto the porch. Connor sits back down and relaxes once again.
Bass takes a look at Charlie, picks her up and sits her down upon the ice box; he leans back between her legs saying, "Lean on me." She smiles appreciatively at him and does just that.
The three of them chat amiably and laugh; Bass looks around smiling, feeling relaxed and happy for the first time in a long while- both Connor and Charlie are okay and getting better by the day. He feels good and wishes there could be more moments like this. The only thing missing is some ice cold beer, he thinks to himself.
Connor looks at both of them. "Do you ever think of leaving? Starting over somewhere else?" he asked. He notices their startled expressions and says, "I don't know, I've just had a lot of time to think in the past few days…and I don't know if all this is worth it."
After a moment it is Charlie who speaks. "I have to admit it does sound tempting- I don't blame you for wanting to. But I know Grandpa would never leave his hometown."
Bass considers this. "Would you ever go without him…or your mom?" He turns around to look at her.
When she replies there is no hesitation in her voice and she looks him directly in the eye. "Yes."
Bass considers all this new information. "I hadn't really thought about it but I do get your point, Connor. A week ago I almost lost you…between you and Charlie I think twenty years was shaved off my life." He runs his fingers through the curly tendrils of his hair and Charlie rubs his neck and back. "And we lost all those men; one more loss would be one too many at this point."
He's about to continue when the hunting party returns- Scanlon rounds the corner of the building first carrying a twin mattress over his head. Sweat drips down his face as he carries it inside. Rachel rounds the corner behind him and without a word to anyone enters the store, a pissed off look written clearly across her face.
"Nothing new there," Connor smirks.
Miles and Gene come around the corner last, Miles with a young buck strewn across his shoulders. They both look weathered and tired. The three on the porch look to him questioningly; he knows they mean Rachel and just rolls his eyes.
Miles sets the deer down and they all clap their hands and smile. "Bass, will you help me skin this thing?"
"Sure thing, brother," Bass replied.
Bass and Miles carry the buck to the other side of the store. Scanlon walks back outside and takes a spot sitting next to Charlie on the ice box. Gene pulls up the straight backed chair and sits, letting out a deep sigh. He takes a long swig of water from his canteen before asking his patients how they are doing. They answer and he seems content for the moment.
"What about you Grandpa, you look tired," Charlie says, concern showing on her face.
"Oh, I'm okay Charlie. Just a long day out there—just need to rest up a bit and I'll be fine."
"Plus, he'll be sleeping good tonight," Scanlon adds. "He's now got a mattress."
Gene smiles and nods.
"Oh good," Charlie exclaims, "you deserve it after all we've put you through this week," motioning to herself and Connor.
"You do," Connor agrees.
"Thanks guys," Gene smiles. "Have to admit I am looking forward to it." He winks at Charlie.
"Guess you gotta be hurt or old to get one," Scanlon laughs. They all chuckle at this.
The four of them sit there and chat, relaxing in the shade of the porch; every now and then a bit of laughter eschews from among them. They are all getting along so well and enjoying each other's company—so much different than a week before.
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Miles and Bass are standing under the tin roof patio area with the deer laid out on an old, partially rotted picnic table. It's a hot day and they are already sweating. Miles barely has said two words since asking Bass to help.
"So…you wanna talk about it?" Bass asks.
Miles glances over at the back door of the store to make sure it's closed. "Oh, she's still pissed that we made her go with us. Complaining about not needing a babysitter and how she only has Charlie's best interests at heart, yada, yada…she's makin' me nuts with this shit!"
He stabs his knife hard into the deer and starts cutting, blood oozing all over the table.
"Whoa, take it easy there, Jack!" Bass said, referring to Jack the Ripper. "We wanna be able to eat this thing, remember?"
"Sorry," Miles grumbles. Bass takes over skinning the deer.
"Look, I'm sorry she's having so much trouble accepting this…accepting us," Bass said, referring to he and Charlie, "but she has to—we're in it for the long haul, Charlotte and I- we love each other."
"I know. It's as clear as day to everyone here—I see it, Gene sees it, she sees it! She just won't accept it as being real- she says you're manipulating Charlie when Charlie isn't thinking clearly."
Now it's Bass' turn to grumble, "If she keeps pushing and gets to Charlie she may lose her."
"I know," Miles agrees, "that's what we try to keep telling her but she won't listen. She has it in her head that once Charlie is thinking more clearly that she'll thank her for setting her straight! Can you believe that shit? Seriously, man, it's starting to affect our relationship!"
"Sorry, man," Bass said, feeling genuinely bad for his best friend.
"She refuses to see reason," Miles continues, "like today…we found another house to scavenge- we ended up sending Scanlon to do it alone so Gene and I could try to reason with her. I told her that I honestly haven't seen you this happy since Shelly- and that Charlie just seems to light up every time you enter the room. Gene even said he thinks you're a changed man- changed for the better because of Charlie…"
Bass smiled at this. "I am, man, I am."
Miles pauses a moment and looks at his friends face, "I'm happy for ya', man, I truly am. And I know you'll take care of her, I know it. I have no worries for either of you."
"Thank you, brother," Bass said. "That really means a lot to me."
"The thing is," Miles goes, "I think deep down she knows it too—she knows it but she can't stand the thought that it may be true so she's refusing to believe it. Hate to say it but it's going to take Charlie to shut her down…and even then she may still refuse to accept it. I don't know anymore, man…" he trails off.
Bass looks at him, sympathy clear upon his face, but he doesn't know what else to say. Rachel is no fan of his and vice versa—he has no faith that she'll ever accept that he and Charlie are together.
They finish skinning and slicing up the deer in silence.
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Dinner is a hit! Roasted venison cooked on a spit, in all its mouth-watering goodness puts just about everyone in a good mood, even Miles.
Rachel, however, chooses to eat hers inside alone.
The conversation is livelier without her, so despite themselves, they are all quietly grateful that she chose to eat alone. She goes to lay down on her blanket directly after.
Connor is exhausted after a long day of being up and about and being social so he turns in after dinner also, taking with him some of the herbal tea Gene has made so he can sleep in as little of pain as possible.
"Charlie, you ought to be going to bed soon too, sweetheart," Gene encourages her. "You've had a long day too."
"I'm one step ahead of ya', Grandpa," Charlie smiles as she gets up, gives Bass a kiss and starts heading inside. "You should be coming too," she says to Gene, "You look tired…and you've got a new bed to try out." She winks at him.
"Yep, I'll be there in a minute," Gene replied, smiling warmly at his granddaughter. He helps to clean up, says good night to the guys and heads inside.
Scanlon heads to his spot on the porch as first watch while Miles and Bass put out the fire.
"You gonna be okay?" Bass asked.
"Oh yea, just peachy," Miles responded sarcastically, and with a bit of a snarl.
Bass laughs, "Same old Miles."
"Hey…thanks," Miles said seriously.
"Any time, man, any time," Bass responded. They both turn in.
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When Bass gets to his bed with Charlie she is already asleep, a peaceful expression on her face. She is on her side facing the spot he will soon take and he wonders if she was trying to wait up for him. He lies down next to her and takes her hand in his, kissing her palm, and then as tradition dictates- he leans over and kisses her on the forehead. She breathes contentedly and moves closer to him and squeezes his hand, all while still asleep.
Bass whispers, "I love you, Charlotte. You have my heart now and always."
A/N: As always, reviews are requested and most appreciated. Thanks!
