Charlie already hates California. They crossed the border last night, split into smaller groups and made camp. To say that last night was different than the night before would be a giant understatement. All of the wagons full of tents and furniture and the other amenities of Camp Monroe have been hidden in a warehouse just inside state lines. When it was time to turn in, they'd slept in bedrolls on the hard ground. Even the men's uniforms had been hidden away, replaced with old clothes and raggedy hats. The group Charlie was part of, included Bass, Reggie and eight other soldiers.

It is hot and dirty. Although Bass has said that at one time, this area was quite beautiful, those days have surely passed. Twice they have passed corpses hanging from trees, their crimes "Theft" and "Adultery" hanging from signs around their shoulders.

Charlie stares at the bodies in horror. People always said this was a rough and awful place. Now she sees they weren't lying. Monroe walks at her side, and sees the expression on her face. "If anyone asks," Bass says, "You are my wife. That will be safest."

Reggie raises an eyebrow, "Or maybe she should be MY wife. We're about the same age."

Bass glares at the younger man, and starts to snap at him when he sees that Reggie is kidding. Relaxing somewhat, Bass says coolly, "You are lucky Reggie. If I thought you actually had plans to take her from me, you would have been dead before you'd finished speaking." His expression holds no humor.

Reggie's smile fades, "Sorry General. Didn't mean anything by it. Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Does it feel lighter to you?" Bass asks bluntly.

"No sir."

Bass walks to the front of the group, distancing himself from Reggie. Charlie is staring after him, surprised. "I don't know what that was all about." She says slowly. "Everything was fine before..."

"No, it really wasn't. Not when Duncan had you." Reggie's voice is low. "I should have known he wouldn't react well to my comment. I just wasn't thinking. Sometimes I forget that my smartass remarks aren't always the best way to go."

"What do you mean? About when Duncan had me? What did he do?"

"Well, it was strange. He was all calm and cool, but under the surface he was coiled tight. He told us he didn't care what we had to do, getting you out alive was our only priority. That wasn't really that odd. After all, we all could tell you are important to him… I don't know how to explain it. He was just a little off."

"He used to be like that all the time, you know. He's been so much better…." Charlie trails off, thinking about the man she loves, and how he differs from the man he had been.

"You know he had them all killed?" Reggie asks quietly.

"Who?" Charlie asks.

"All that was left of Duncan's clan. Every one of them – he ordered their executions as soon as you were free."

Charlie nodded, "Well, we are essentially at war; and they were going to hurt me. Probably kill me." Although she's surprised to realize it's true, Charlie isn't terribly bothered by this bit of news. "Zeke wanted to help, and Duncan killed him. None of the others even tried to help me Reggie."

Reggie raises an eyebrow at her in surprise, "You two are quite the pair. Two peas in a pod and all that."

Charlie shrugs. "We started out with very different outlooks, but eventually I think we met in the middle." She catches his gaze, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not condoning killing innocent people. Those guys were not innocent."

"Whatever you say, Charlie." Reggie walks to the back of the group, leaving Charlie to walk in the middle. She's surrounded by people on every side, but she feels suddenly very alone. Charlie hates California.

She isn't alone for long. Bass makes his way to her side after a while. "Are you okay?" he asks. He looks sheepish, or at least as sheepish as Bass Monroe is capable of looking.

"Yeah," Charlie replies. "But what was that all about? You got really weird back there Bass."

Bass looks over at her and she can see uncertainty in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you Charlie. I can't lose you. Even thinking about it breaks me out in a cold sweat and makes me go all dark inside."

"You're gonna have to buck up and get over it." Charlie says sharply.

Bass swings his gaze to hers in surprise, "What?" His expression changes in a moment to one she remembers from the pool months ago, when he'd told her nobody was allowed to talk to him that way.

Charlie arches a brow in challenge, and then plows on, "Listen, we don't live in a world that owes us anything. We're both lucky we've made it this far and that we've found each other. We can't dwell on all the 'what if's' Bass. We just can't. We have to be thankful for today and not stress about what may or may not happen someday or tomorrow or later today."

"I don't know how to do that."

"Well, you'd damn well better learn. I am not going to spend the rest of our life together worrying that you're going to go crazy all the time. You have to snap out of it, and just be happy with me right now. Stop thinking about everything so damn much."

"The rest of our lives, huh?" Bass' voice goes a little quiet.

"Yeah, and for the record; I plan on that being a really, really long time because I have a feeling you are going to age very well, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it." She grins at him, and holds out a hand.

He takes the outstretched hand, and smiles back at her, "You are an amazing woman Charlotte Matheson."

"And, you Bass Monroe are the reason I'm a very happy amazing woman." She grins cheekily at him. "I don't suppose we can sneak off into the brush for a quickie?"

He groans, "Not along this road Charlie. It's just too dangerous. Hopefully we can make camp tonight in a place that will offer some shelter as well as being defendable. Out here, we're sitting ducks."

Not long after, the group stopped near a stream to refill canteens and have a quick break. Charlie went behind a small grove of trees to relieve herself. She'd just buckled her pants and was ready to get back to the others when an unfamiliar voice said, "No so fast sweetheart. You can just take them back off."

Charlie looked up quickly to see three strange men hovering. She truly must have been lost in thought to not notice them approach. They were dirty and disheveled. They were each leering at her as if they hadn't seen a woman in months. Maybe they hadn't.

"You need to move along fellas. I'm not alone and my husband would not like to hear you talk to me like that."

"Funny," said the short one, "I don't see your husband…" with no warning, a knife snakes around his throat and blood is gushing.

"That's because I was behind you." Bass says with fire in his eyes. He makes quick work of the other two and steps over their bodies to Charlie, wrapping her in his arms. "Why are you this far away from the others with no weapon?"

Charlie can feel him shaking. "I'm sorry Bass. I just wasn't thinking."

He steps back far enough to look her in the eye, "If you want me to not go crazy, you have to make sure you are armed always. I will do everything in my power to protect you, but I need you to help me do it." Bass presses his forehead to hers, "I love you so much, Charlie."

"I love you too Bass. Thanks for saving me, again."

"You know what else I loved?"

Charlie looks into his eyes expectantly. "What's that?"

"I loved," Bass takes a finger and traces her jawline, "I loved hearing you say that I was your husband."

"You did?" She grins at him.

"Yeah, and I want you to know that once the dust settles and things are kind of normal…"

"What?" she asks when he stops, just watching her thoughtfully.

"When things settle down, I want to make it official."

Charlie feels her chest tighten. Her heartbeat accelerates. "Official?" she asks breathlessly.

"Yes. Charlie, will you marry me?"

"Oh God Yes." She says, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. They are both laughing and kissing and completely lost in each other, when they both hear someone clearing their throat. In a split-second, Bass has moved between Charlie and the sounds; sword drawn.

"It's just me, Boss." Reggie is standing just a few feet away. He looks sheepish until he sees the three dead men at Charlie's feet. "What happened?"

"Some idiots were pestering Charlie. I stopped them."

"Yeah, I can see that. I'm not sure why killing three guys inspired you to propose, but congratulations." He's chuckling. "You guys are kind of weird, but perfect for each other."

"Thanks." Charlie says with a wide smile.

Bass is still grinning down at Charlie, but they both know their little moment is coming to an end. Bass drops her hand and is all business again, "What did you need Reggie?"

"Just wanted to let you know that we have maybe fifty miles till we get to Sacramento. I sent Bixler ahead to let my Mom know we're close. He'll pass that along and come back with any news or change of plans."

Bass likes this kid more every day, and vows to himself that he'll reward him when this California business is over. "Thanks Reggie. Let's go on another twenty or so and we'll find a place to camp.

"Yes, Sir." Reggie responds before starting to walk away. He turns back suddenly, "We have to bury these bodies though. Three dead locals might bring us the kind of attention we don't want."

"I agree." Bass says with a nod. He walks toward the wagon to get some shovels. Soon all three of them are digging a big hole to dump the three bodies into. When they are done, they finish packing up their things and head back to the men at the wagon.

They make camp at dusk near a small lake surrounded by oak trees. It's a beautiful spot. Charlie looks around, and says "I thought California was all palm trees and sand."

"This part of the state is a lot greener. You'll still see palm trees," Reggie says pointing to a few in the distance, "but also a lot of others. This is where I grew up you know. I love it here." His voice is wistful.

"I can see why. It's beautiful."

The lake is a strange curvy thing, and once the camp is somewhat settled, Bass takes Charlie by the hand and leads her through some trees to a tiny meadow next to the lake. The water is still, and shimmery – reflecting the moonlight. Charlie strips and dives in. Bass does the same moments later. They bathe quickly, watching each other by the light of the moon. Once they are both clean, they walk ashore, hands clasped. Charlie lays out an old wool blanket and they both settle down on their knees, never losing eye contact.

"Is this a safe place?"

"Yeah, Reggie and the guys know we need some time. They're standing guard until we get back."

"How did you manage that? Everyone looked so tired. I would have thought they'd want to turn in right away."

"It wasn't me. Reggie told them we'd gotten engaged and they agreed to let us…." Bass pauses, taking her face in his hands, "Celebrate."

"Mmmmm" Charlie sighs, "That does sound pretty wonderful." And then his lips are on hers and they stop talking.

Bass lowers her to the blanket without removing his lips from hers. There is an urgency today and they both feel it. He intensifies the kiss; bringing heat and frustration and fear of the unknown into every movement. His hands shake slightly as he cups her breasts and then moves to spread her legs. Still kissing her, he maneuvers between them. He is rock hard, and ready. She responds in kind, rolling her hips to welcome him. He breaks away, just enough to look at her. She nods. She's as ready as he is, and he needs nothing further. With one swift stroke, he pushes into her tight, wet sheath with a throaty moan.

It starts hard and fast, Bass thrusts and retreats. He's hammering into her and she is arching her back and rolling her hips to welcome his every movement. He's losing himself in her, and knows he won't last much longer at this pace. Glancing at Charlie's face tells him she's not even close and he pauses.

Bass has always prided himself on being a generous lover and suddenly he realizes that this entire encounter has been about him – about his needs – his feelings – his fears. Charlie hasn't complained, but he knows she has every reason to. That is simply unacceptable to Bass Monroe. He rolls onto his back, holding Charlie close to him so that he is still buried deep inside her heat. He guides her into motion and she begins to ride, keeping up his momentum. After just a few moments, he puts his hands at her hips to slow the tempo. Finally he lets her set her own pace, and he can see the change in her expression as she finds the perfect stride. Bass reaches up and cups her breasts, pinching her nipples lightly as Charlie throws back her head, freeing herself in the moment. She lifts almost all the way off his hard cock, and then sinks down, taking him in and again and again. Her breathing is ragged. She reaches down to stroke her clit, but Bass beats her to it and he strokes her nub. She comes hard, digging her fingers into his arms, clutching at his hard cock with her vaginal spasms. She moans as she goes over the edge.

With her pleasure no longer in doubt, Bass sits up. She still rides him but now he can kiss her and rub his hands up and down her back and once again he can control the pace. He is so close, and feels her orgasm subsiding as his erupts. He cries out, and bites down on her shoulder – not enough to break the skin, but enough to let her know that she is his. It will leave a mark, but in the moment he can only think of how amazing it feels to come inside the woman he loves, the woman who will soon be his wife.

They collapse against each other, still joined. "I love you Charlie."

"Love you too Bass."

Relaxed and sated, they untangle and dress. Back at camp, they guys all pretend that they don't know what Bass and Charlie have been up to. Everyone turns in, except for Reggie who has first watch.

Tomorrow they will be in Sacramento. It goes unsaid, but both Bass and Charlie can't help but think about the odds that this may be their last night together. They both want a shared future, but neither of them are completely confident that there will be one. Putting on brave faces, they lay out their bedrolls together and fall asleep holding hands.

Tomorrow they will go to Sacramento, and together they will face whatever is in store. For now, they hold on to whatever hope they still have left, and they sleep