Charlie wakes in a bed and for just a moment she can't remember why or where or even when she is. All she knows is she's never felt so relaxed or so rested. She stretches lazily, and a warm muscled arm wraps her into a tight embrace. "Bass." She sighs, suddenly everything slides into place and she smiles sleepily. "This is amazing."

"Yeah, not too bad, huh?"

"I could get used to it." She says with a grin. "But you never did tell me, where did all this stuff come from? One minute, we're roughing it sleeping on the ground, and the next you have a full blown army."

"Well, I owe it all to Reggie and his Mom."

"Reggie's Mom? What are you talking about?" Charlie raises up on her elbows to look at him.

"After Duncan took you, Reggie came to me and admitted that he was only pretending to be part of her war clan. He's actually President Affleck's step son. I think I mentioned that the President's wife and I knew each other?" he chuckles nervously.

"Oh God, please don't tell me your're Reggie's Dad?"

"No! No!" Reggie is Allison's son by her first husband. He was twelve or so when I met him, which is why I certainly didn't recognize him when he joined us."

"Okay, but why would she giving you an army, exactly? I mean, I know you're really good in bed, but that's pretty extreme…" Charlie raises one eye brow in question.

"Funny," he laughs, before explaining as much as he knows of Allison's plan to overthrow her husband. "She wants the Republic as an ally. Once she has California, we'll sign a treaty which will make both of our nation's stronger.

Charlie frowns at him, "I am not sure what to think of this. She's giving you a damn army. You guys have history. How do I compete with that?" Her expression becomes pensive, "I can't give you anything but me."

"First of all, you don't have to compete for anything. I'm already yours. Allison and I were friends and very briefly we were more than friends. It was a decade ago, Charlie. Yes, she's part of my past, but you are my now. You are my future. Okay?"

"Okay." She smiles a little, stroking his bare chest slowly, "You talk as if the Republic is already back. Surely it takes more than uniforms and a flag?" Charlie sounds skeptical.

"Very true. We still have a lot of work to do." He pulls Charlie closer into his embrace, "but it's a start. With an army and a friend like California in our corner; the rest should fall into place for us."

"Us?"

"Yes, Charlie. This time I'm not going to let it screw with my head. The best way to do that is to lead as part of a team. You, Me, Miles, Connor and Aaron. Hell, maybe even your Mom and Gene though I'm not making any promises about those two bleeding hearts. We'll see who all wants in."

Charlie smiles up at him, "Consider me in." She reaches a hand beneath the sheet to grasp his hardening cock. She begins to stroke him and Bass groans.

Bass moves to nuzzle Charlie's neck, and when he hears her purr he grins into her throat.

"Actually, I'm the one who wants to be in right now." He deftly rolls, moving into her arms and between her legs, entering her smoothly as she arches to accept him. Their mouths tangle as their bodies surge and pulse as one, even as the sounds of the camp come alive all around.

By the time they emerge, the camp is mostly dismantled. "Wow," Charlie comments. "They really know how to move."

"It's a well-oiled machine." Bass says proudly, looking around as wagons are loaded. He's wearing the grey uniform again. He looks amazing and Charlie marvels at how much things have changed in the weeks since they left Willoughby.

"What do you think Miles is going to say when you show up in General Monroe mode with an army behind you?"

"Good question." Bass looks thoughtful. "I think the key will be to send someone back before us, help grease the wheels so to speak. Maybe Reggie if he'd be willing. He's a charmer. Miles probably wouldn't kill the messenger if the messenger was someone like Reggie." Bass smiles, but his smile is a little uncertain. "I'd say that the whole General Monroe news will pale in comparison to the 'General Monroe is sleeping with my daughter' bombshell."

Charlie nods. "Yeah, maybe Reggie can introduce that idea to him too." She reaches out for his hand, and he takes it. "Whatever happens, we're in this together."

Bass grins at her. "Together."

They travel with the men and the wagons that hold all the tents and other things that make up the Monroe Republic for the moment. The sheer size of the group slows things down, but by nightfall they reach California. When they approach the large gates, Charlie begins to feel nervous. There is an old sign that says, "Welcome to California, the Golden State". At the bottom of the sign, someone has spray painted, "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave."

Charlie shudders quietly. She's heard things about California her whole life, and doesn't remember much of it being good. "Why are we just marching up to the front gate? Shouldn't we be more – I don't know - stealthy?" Charlie asks the soldier who she's been riding with. Bass and Reggie are both somewhere at the front of the group.

The soldier (Charlie can't remember his name) smiles, "The border patrol is loyal to Mrs. Affleck. They are ready to welcome us. Don't worry."

Sure enough, the gates open and they are allowed through with no problem. The group splits into several smaller groups. Charlie is with Bass and Reggie and twelve or so soldiers. "Why are we splitting up now?"

Reggie is tense, but gives her a tight smile, "The border patrol is largely loyal to my Mom. We won't be so lucky the closer we get to Sacramento. My step-dad is a terrible leader and a complete idiot, but he would notice an army invading. We have to split up so that we can blend in better. We'll all meet again after we've caught up with my Mom. She and Bass will need to meet with the Confederation Council to state their case if they want to have a peaceful coup. Well, mostly peaceful anyway. Affleck won't go down without a fight."

Charlie can hear the worry in her friend's voice. "Hey, it's going to work out."

Reggie looks at her in surprise, "Really? Look at you all rainbows and sunshine. Didn't you tell me a few weeks ago that we're all going to be dead in a year so none of this matters?"

She smiles ruefully, "I guess you could say that I've had an outlook change."

Reggie laughs, "Yeah, I guess getting laid on a regular basis by the man you love would help anyone's outlook… not that I would know."

"Well, you're right." Charlie smiles at her friend, "Being with Bass has made me look at the world differently. I'm not going to pretend it isn't still scary, but I'm hopeful and that's a start."

"Yes. Yes it is."

Author's Note: I know. Too short! Sorry. It was either cut this one short or make it a very long chapter. This just seemed like the right place to break it up. Lots of action in the next chapter.