Chapter 10: Heartburn

Monroe wakes up slowly and stretches. He's sore but feels rested, which is a nice change. It's been a while since he slept thoroughly enough to feel rested afterwards. His head is foggy though and he opens one eye and then the other, slowly acclimating himself to his surroundings.

Oh yeah. New Vegas. Fighting for Gould. Fighting for Duncan.

He sits up and stares at the tub.

Lucy.

She was here. Lucy was HERE. In his god-damned room. He is assailed by hazy memories of warm, firm fingers massaging tired muscles. He remembers the feel of hardened nipples against his back and the soft brush of long hair against his throat. And that kiss. Shit. That really happened.

He kissed his kid's killer and the truth is that he wanted to do a hell of a lot more than kiss her. Bass runs a hand through his hair, trying to gather his thoughts. Nothing makes sense. All he wants is answers, and he's tired of waiting patiently to get them.

He needs answers now.

The only way Lucy could possibly have known where to find him, is if someone told her where he'd be. Bass gets up and slowly starts to dress in the clean clothes that are lying out on a chair by his bed. Only two people knew where he was staying last night. Duncan and her man Scanlon.

Bass needs to find Duncan.

Aaron and Charlie are heading out of New Vegas in a manner that differs greatly from how they had arrived. "I could get used to this." Aaron says with a smile as he pats the wagon seat.

"Are you ready to admit Duncan isn't so bad?"

Aaron's smile fades a little, "Not just yet. You ready to tell me why we went all the way to New Vegas only to turn around a day later?"

"I need to wrap this thing up, Aaron."

"This thing?"

"Monroe. I need him to know the truth."

This gets Aaron's attention. "The truth? Thought you wanted to drag this cat and mouse thing out?"

"Not anymore."

"What changed?"

She doesn't answer right away. "I want to know him. I want him to want to know me. I want him to not look at me and see the person who ruined his life. I want…"

"You want him."

Charlie lets out a long sigh. "Yeah, I want him."

Aaron has known Charlie longer than just about anybody. He knows when she's determined. She's determined now. "So what's next?"

"We lead him to Philly. Seems like it's time he has a heart to heart with his best friend."

"She's not here." Duncan doesn't even glance up from the ledger she's writing in. She'd been expecting Monroe for the last hour.

"Where is she?" The relaxed feeling he'd woken with is long gone. Now he just wants to find Lucy and get to the bottom of all of this.

"Gone. Left town this morning."

Bass has had it. "No!" He sweeps an arm across Duncan's desk, clearing it of papers and small leather bound ledgers and all the other odds and ends that had sat atop it.

Duncan stands slowly. Monroe has her full attention now, and she is pissed. "You don't talk to me like that. Not now. Not ever."

"I need to know where she is."

"I've known you for twenty-four hours. I've known her for years. I'm not going to tell you shit. Besides, she doesn't want you to follow her yet."

Bass looks at Duncan blankly, "What are you saying?"

"You have a fight tonight. When it's over, I'll tell you where she went. I'll even give you a horse."

"Why tonight?"

"She wants to get to her destination before you catch her."

President Miles Matheson stares at the letter in his hands. It's from Jeremy, who is stuck in the Plains leading the damned army that Bass was supposed to have in his control. He hears a knock on the door and looks up to see Major Will Strausser.

"Come in. Did you get what I needed?"

"Yes, all of it. Notes from interviews and interrogations. There are old court documents from before the blackout and even hospital records. That shit was hard to come by, and that's why it's taken me this long to deliver it."

Miles thumbs through the reports and smiles at Strausser. It is the first genuine smile he's worn in months. "Finally, we have proof."

They've been traveling in silence for over two hours. This isn't unusual for them. Over the years, they've developed a familiarity that flourishes even in complete silence. Aaron is getting antsy though and Charlie notices. "What?"

"Did you have time to really talk to her? Duncan, I mean."

"I totally knew who you meant. Yeah, I really talked to her – obviously." She motions to the wagon.

"Did you talk about…" he takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Cynthia?"

Charlie sighs, "Maybe she came up."

"She wasn't there. In New Vegas I mean. I asked around while you were doing….whatever it is you were doing…and nobody's seen her in a long time."

"If you'd found Cynthia, what would you have done? What would have you said?"

"I would have told her I was sorry for how things ended last year. I shouldn't have told her that she was wasting her life working for Duncan. I would have apologized for all of it. I'd say I was sorry for losing my mind, but I wouldn't stop there. I would also tell her that I love her and that I've thought of her every day since…"

"Wow."

"I'm not done." Aaron says a little more forcefully than he'd meant to. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Go on."

"I would tell her I love her and if I still was the millionaire I once was, I'd rent a stretch limo and I'd stick my head out the moon roof and I'd have roses and she'd be on her balcony and I would sweep her off her feet…" he stops then, out of breath.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Charlie says. "Stretch limo?"

"It's from an old movie. This guy falls for a hooker…"

"Ah! I get it." Charlie smiles. "You really love her?"

"Yes, I really do."

Charlie lets out a long sigh. "I'm going to miss you."

"What does that mean?"

"Duncan told me where Cynthia is. She told me to tell you if you ever got your head out of your ass."

"Where is she?"

"After you two had your thing and you tried to break her out and got run out of town instead, she went to Duncan. She said she wanted a fresh start. Duncan agreed. You know, she's not the wicked slave master you always made her out to be…"

"Whatever. Where is she, Charlie? Where did she get a fresh start?"

"She's teaching school in a little town in Ohio. I can drop you off on my way back to Philly."

"What if she doesn't want to see me? What if she can't forgive me?"

"She already has, you big idiot. Duncan wouldn't have told me anything if Cynthia hadn't been on board."

Aaron smiles slowly, finally his grin is so wide, it almost splits his face. "We should be driving faster."

Bass knows Duncan would like him to leave, but he settles into the chair across from her desk instead. He watches as she collects the things he'd knocked on the floor. "How do you know her anyway?"

Duncan sighs, "She was sixteen or so. Came into town with - " She stops, tilting her head and watching Monroe carefully before continuing, "with her friend."

"Aaron. She let it slip once. I know his name is Aaron. Why were they here?"

"She was hunting her first bounty. Followed the guy here. He was staying with one of my girls, and the girl you call Lucy came to me. She told me why she was here and detailed her plan. She was respectful and wanted my approval before making a move in my territory. I liked her spunk and I helped her get access to the room where he was staying."

"So, last night wasn't the first time you've let her into a guy's room?"

"No. Not the first time." She smirks.

Bass watches her curiously. Duncan is attractive and feisty. Under other circumstances, he might pursue her. His head is wrapped up in Lucy though. "She told me she lost her virginity in a whore house. Your doing?"

Duncan laughed, "She was itching to experience it for herself and she was far too beautiful and innocent. I was afraid she'd be hurt or taken advantage of. She was hunting for me by then – tracking down anyone who owed me money. It was a good relationship. I had another guy working for me in a similar capacity. I merely put the wheels in motion for the two of them to get together."

"And?"

"And it was done and over with. She came to me and said she didn't know what the big deal was. She and Aaron moved on not long after. They come back now and then. They were back a year ago and Aaron and I had some issues."

"Issues?"

"He fell in love with one of my girls and tried to steal her. He also made a big scene in my casino, accusing my dealers of cheating."

"Were they?"

"Yes, but that didn't mean I wanted to have it advertised."

"So, where are they?"

"I'll tell you tonight after you fight."

Scanlon steps in just then. "You might want to move up your timetable Duncan."

"Why would I do that?"

Scanlon hands her a piece of paper. She reads the words on it and looks at Monroe. "Do you know a guy named Neville?"

"Yeah. He's an asshole. I know him from back home. Why?"

"Because he's here and he's asking if anyone has seen you around. Word is he was spotted talking to a group of Patriot soldiers."

"Shit."

"Maybe the fight is a bad idea. Maybe it's time for you to go home?"

"Home?"

"Pennsylvania is your home, isn't it Monroe?"

"Yeah, but why – "

"I think you should skip the fight and go back home to Philly."

"Wait, is that where Lucy is headed?"

Duncan looks at him for a moment, deep in thought. She seems to make a decision and nods. "Yes, she's headed to Philly. She assured me you'll get all your answers there."

Bass was already on his feet. "Can I buy a horse from you?"

She nods to Scanlon, "Help him get whatever he needs so that he can get on the road, and if you see this Neville character, let's make sure he doesn't ask any more questions. "

Bass is given a bag of provisions and a fast horse and is on his way within the hour.

Monroe smiles grimly, determined to find Lucy well before Philly. She'll have no way of knowing he's a day ahead of schedule, so it shouldn't be too difficult to catch up to her.

As dusk settles, Aaron and Charlie find a place to camp for the night. It is not far from a creek. Charlie grabs her soap and a change of clothes and tells Aaron she's going for a swim. He readies the camp after she leaves, singing softly to himself as he works. His mind is on Cynthia and the fact that he'll soon be seeing her again.

Bass had caught up to them by mid afternoon, but stayed far enough back that they hadn't spotted him. He's been waiting for the right moment to approach. From his vantage point on a nearby hill, he sees Charlie leave Aaron at the camp. Perfect. It's time. He carefully makes his way down the hill, leaving his horse tethered to an ancient maple.

As Monroe walks quietly past the camp, he can hear the fat guy singing to himself. He shakes his head. It's been a while since he heard anyone sing Pour Some Sugar on Me and the sound of this guy's off key version makes him smile.

He finds Lucy's trail easily and soon he is hearing the sound of moving water. The setting sun casts gold and pink lights through the trees and when he finally sees her, he sucks in a deep breath.

Lucy is a beautiful woman, but naked and wet - she is exquisite. Her back is to him. Her skin glistens in the waning light. Her wet hair hangs heavily against sculpted curves. The water moves around her, lapping softly at the perfect curve of her ass.

Damn.

She doesn't turn, but when she speaks, it's clear she knows he's there. "Do you like what you see?"

He does not hesitate. "Yes."

"How about now?" she turns slowly and Bass feels like his body might explode with the rush of lust that fogs his brain and turns his cock to concrete. She walks slowly through the water toward him. His eyes are glued to her perfectly rounded breasts and rosy nipples. His gaze slides down her flat belly and across the luscious swell of hip as the water moves and swirls around her thighs, lapping at dark wet curls.

"Still yes." He says, his voice hoarse. Bass has to make a conscious effort to drag his eyes from those luscious tits as she emerges from the water and approaches. He meets her eyes. They are a startling blue. He realizes that even though they had kissed just the night before, this is the first time he's seen her up close. Really seen her.

He sees her, and she is even more exquisite up close.

"You are supposed to still be in New Vegas." She says, placing a damp hand on his chest.

Her fingers are burning through the fabric and singeing the flesh beneath. He knows he should hate her. He knows he should reach into his waistband and pull out the gun nestled there. He should pull out that gun and shoot her dead.

He should.

He can't.

This time when they kiss, they both are fully aware of what they are doing and who they are doing it to. The heat is expected this time, though it burns no less vividly than it had the night before. As if they have a mind of their own, Bass's hands move to grasp the smooth globes of her ass. He squeezes gently, pulling her close. Bass feels her body, bare and smooth, under his exploring fingers.

She sucks his tongue between her lips and bites down on it firmly. He growls against her mouth, smiling in spite of the sting.

"Sorry." She says.

He chuckles, "It's okay. I like it rough."

"Wasn't apologizing for that."

Bass is only half paying attention to her words. He's far too busy reaching between her thighs, delving past the curls, finding her wet – and not just from the water. He loves the feel of her hot pussy around his fingers. "Then what are you sorry for?"

"This." Aaron Pittman says from behind him, and then the world goes dark in a flash of pain.

Bass wakes up with a throbbing headache and the realization that he is tied to a tree. "What the hell?" he yells in frustration as he yanks on the ropes.

"She tied you up pretty tight. There's really no point in trying to get free."

Bass focuses for the first time on the man sitting across from him. It's the fat guy, Aaron. Aaron is casually eating an apple and watching Bass curiously.

"What?" Bass asks, irritated.

Aaron shrugs, "Trying to figure you out."

"That why you hit me?"

"Nope. I hit you because she isn't ready to – "

"To fuck me? I beg to differ. She – "

Aaron holds up a hand, clearly uncomfortable, "Don't be crude. It's bad enough that I had to witness … that. Ugh. I shouldn't have those images of her in my head, okay?" He shivers just a little, "No, what I meant is she wants you to know the truth before anything else happens between you two."

"The truth?"

"Yeah. It's a pretty big deal for her. She needs you to know why she did what she did."

Bass's head feels like its splitting in two. "Just fucking tell me! Why all this secrecy? I know she did it. Why can't she tell me why? Why can't you?"

"It's just not that easy. You need to go to Philly. She's pretty stubborn and that's her plan. That's where the answers are."

"And then?"

"Then we'll see."

Bass sighs. Clearly he's not getting what he wants tonight. "So, what now?"

"Well, I need to apologize." Aaron says, taking another bite from his apple.

"For what?" Bass asks blankly.

"For this." Lucy says from behind him, and for the second time tonight, Bass Monroe's world goes dark.

A/N: One more chapter here, I think. Maybe two. Leave a comment if you have a moment.