Hey everyone, thank you for your reviews and following this story :) It took some time, but I wanted to put a lot of story together in this chapter, it is an extra longe one, for you today!

We left Charlie and Bass at the stolen train last chapter. We'll make a little jump in time in this one. As you can see in the first lines of this chapter, things may get kicked into high gear today :)

I still, sadly, do not own Revolution. Just a daydream about what could have happened too!


She was looking for that one black leather jacket. For that scruff. For tanned skin. For blue eyes and that smug smile of his that drove her crazy. She shook her head, brining her attention back to the conversation with Aaron. And then she felt his eyes on her, even before she saw him.

He was leaning with his back against the dark wood of the bar, a drink in his hand. She felt the hair on the back of her neck react. The bar around her slowed down, blurring out. Voices far away. Blue staring into blue.


5 months earlier

Charlie felt restless. After months on the road she was home. Whatever that may mean. She looked out of the window from her bedroom, the same bedroom she had slept in when she had come back to Willoughby, many months ago, with Monroe.

Bass.

It was the moment right before sunrise, the air still cool, the colours of the sky slowly changing. Her grandfather was waiting downstairs. They would leave right after breakfast. She could see him through the window, walking towards the stables, getting their horses ready.

When Charlie had heard her grandfather was going to visit neighbouring towns in the wide area to help out where ever he could with the aftermath from the patriots, she had offered her help quickly.

Gene had raised an eyebrow at her quick offer of help, but he didn't ask any questions. He knew his granddaughter well enough to know that there was something else going on. He could use the help, but more importantly, he was looking forward to spending time with her.

Like so many nights before, she had spent last night tossing and turning. Her dreams and thoughts in the long hours being awake in between dreams , full of the events from the past months.

Locking eyes with Bass after he made sure Neville did not shoot her, the night when they stole the train. Realising he had saved her life, but after he brought Neville. Neville of all people. But the way he had wanted to find her eyes. She could not forget that look.

Jason bleeding out, because of the shot she fired. Miles dragging her through Austin when she was numb. Neville's gun at her head. Almost dying. Walking in on her mother and Monroe and their fighting match. Almost losing Miles.

Philly.

Connor. Charlie had no idea what exactly happened, but only looking at Monroe told her enough. The guy was gone for now. She had felt a shift within Connor, the moment they came back from Austin, but she never thought he was capable of this.

Saving hundreds from the mustard gas that turned out to be ready for use in Willoughby. The patriots were ready to use it, murdering more innocent people. Working alongside Bass again, there was something familiar, but things were simply not the same.

Kidnapping the President. Miles plan worked, showing Texas it was time to go to war.

Dealing with her mother day after day, in this town that seemed too small for them both, yet again.

Looking at Miles, and feeling more and more torn, because she knew what happened in Philly. He still didn't. Afraid what would happen if he found out, what it would do to him. If he would leave. Leave her behind.

Cold looks between her mother and Monroe. Watching her mother put as much distance between Miles and Bass, every chance she got.

Not knowing if and how she ever would connect again with her. Not knowing if she still wanted to.

Charlie felt drained from reacting to everybody else their lives. Stuck in the middle, stuck in her own thoughts, stuck in this town. Dealing with emotions she just did not know how to deal with anymore.

She had been avoiding Bass, not knowing anymore what she felt. Knowing damn well that she felt something, but she did not know if everything that happened around them, their pasts, made those feelings impossible. Charlie missed him, she did not know why, but she missed a part of him. Missed being on the road together, fighting together.

So it was a lot of knowing, a lot more of not knowing. Feelings raw, intense, confusing her. Leaving her without room to breathe.

She had said goodbye to her mother last night, the goodbye was short and uncomfortable. Charlie didn't know what to say to her anymore. Her goodbye to Miles was the hardest part. Looking him in the eyes became harder with every week. She did not like there was something she knew, he didn't. She hugged him, squeezed his hand and had left the room to pack her things for the next day.

She grabbed her jacket and bag, closed the door of the room behind her. If there was no room to breathe here, she needed to find that room herself.

4 months later

Charlie was cleaning up the softly illuminated room. The last patient for the day had left. She felt worn out, exhausted, but it was a feeling she welcomed. It meant falling asleep fast, not thinking about anything else. They were on the road now for a couple of months. The war against the patriots was going their way, driving them out of Texas, freeing more and more villages as time progressed. She made long days, side by side with her grandfather.

She shook her head looking at the mess in the small practice, and quickly organised the desk for another day ahead. Her eyes fell on the little calendar against the wall. September. Her eyes got pulled to on date in particular. September 16th.

Her shoulders hurt and she needed some air. The air outside was crisp, the days growing shorter. There was a nip in the air when she walked outside, the small town they were visiting this week slowing down for the night. Charlie crossed her arms before her chest. The days of hard work had done her some good. She felt needed, and although she knew this was not forever, not her life to live from here on, for a first time in a long time she felt there was room to be, room to think, and more importantly to feel. It was like the feeling when a room stopped spinning around her, and she was finally able to see things more clearly.

September 16th. Miles birthday. And for the first time, the feeling of hurt and confusion wasn't the first thing that filled her mind when her mind wandered back to Willoughby, to the people she left behind. There was a hint of longing. Longing to go back.

She felt her grandfathers hand on her shoulder.

'Are you okay, sweetheart?'

'Yeah, I think I am.' Charlie turned towards him.

Gene watched his granddaughter, she had changed the past weeks. Her face was less tensed, her step lighter. Her eyes got their determination back.

'I'm afraid you'll need to visit the next town without me. There is something I need to be.' There was a smile in her voice.

One week later

Sunset was not very far away anymore and Charlie found herself on a well known road. It was the road to Willoughby, it was the road she had taken so many times before.

The time they got back from the tower.

The time she had come back with Bass.

This time, it was only the road and her. This time was different from the other times. This time she felt she chose this road, the decision had been all hers.

She walked through the town gate, still open. She had to swallow away a small lump in her throat, looking at the streets and houses, like she never left. When she reached her grandfather's house, she found the house empty.

She quickly threw her bag and other stuff on the couch, she freshened up, changed into a clean pair of pants and chose one of her favourite tops. She then changed her mind, and chose a simple black sleeveless dress, that followed the curves of her body naturally.

She used a comb to go through her long blonde hair, throwing it back over her slender shoulders. As a finishing touch she chose a necklace, a small deep purple stone in the shape of a little raindrop on a silver chain.

With a smile she realised there was only one place Miles could be on his birthday.

She looked through the window of the small town bar. It was almost dark and the light from the candles and the fire in the fireplace within the bar, casted a soft glow outside. The buzzing of voices and typical bar noises reaching her from the inside .

She took one deep breath before she walked in. A smile forming around her lips when she saw Priscilla laughing at Aaron, when he made one of his jokes Charlie knew so well. Aaron placed a hand on Priscilla's belly and Charlie realised with a warm feeling of surprise that she was pregnant. It was crowded and warm in the bar, many familiar faces surrounding her.

And then she saw him. Miles back was turned towards her, but she would recognize him everywhere. She decided to have a little fun with this.

'Can I help you?' It come from behind the bar.

'Yeah, I'm looking for my Uncle?' The memory from the first time she met Miles in Chicago going through her mind. He had changed, she had changed. Everything had changed. She never told him, but she loved him. he became a part of her.

Charlie noticed how Miles put his drink down slowly in front of him while he straitened his back

'His name is Miles Matheson, I'm his niece Charlie.'

Miles turned around and Charlie looked directly in the warm, dark surprised eyes from her uncle. He pulled a hand through his air, looking at her, and away from her. The voices around her had died down.

'It is good to see you, kid,' His voice a little hoarse.

'Seriously Miles, after everything we have been through, it's still kid?'

She raised an eyebrow at him, giving him a warm mocking smile.

' Well, if I am still a kid, that makes you what? A freaking dinosaur?'

Laughs around her.

Miles looked at his niece, a genuine laugh on his face. He closed the distance between them in seconds, throwing his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. Charlie eyes were filling with tears, which she stubbornly pushed away.

'Happy birthday Miles.' She mumbled into his neck.

'Wasn't sure you were going to make it Charlie.'

'Wouldn't want to miss your birthday for the world, Miles.'

Miles let go of her, and took one step back. 'Get some more bottles out, the next round is one me!' Approving cheers around them, filling the bar.

Charlie tilted her head back and bursted out into laughter. It was the first time in a very long time she laughed liked this, felt a lightness like this. Aaron walked her way, giving her a hug that almost took her breath away.

'Glad you are home Charlie,' he then turned to Priscilla, 'This is Priscilla by the way.'

Charlie looked at Aaron in confusion. 'Yeah, I know, Aaron. We've met before.'

'Well, believe me, you didn't. But that's another story for another day,' he sighed.

She looked from Aaron to Priscilla, shaking hands with her and pressing a kiss on Aaron's and then Priscilla's cheek. 'Congratulations, you guys.'

Charlie finished her third drink, making her cheeks glow. It was good to be surrounded by familiar faces, making stupid jokes and catching up. Her eyes were scanning the room, and without realising it at first, her eyes were searching for him.

She was searching for that one black leather jacket. For that scruff. For blue eyes and that smug smile of his that drove her crazy. She shook her head, brining her attention back to the conversation with Aaron. And then she felt him, even before she saw him.

He was leaning with his back against the dark wood of the bar, a drink in his hand. She felt the hair on the back of her neck react. The bar around her slowed down, blurring out. Voices far away. Blue staring into blue. Charlie could not stop the small smile that playfully appeared around her lips. An unexpected jolt in her stomach when he smiled back at her with his eyes, lifting the drink towards her and giving her a small nod.

'Earth to Charlie?' Aaron's voice breaking her out of the moment.

Aaron looked at Charlie, looking at Monroe. Great, many months ago he had to watch how Monroe stared at Charlie in concern when Milles went missing in action. And now he was pretty sure Charlie smiled, yes, actually smiled at her arch enemy. Fantastic.

Hours went by fast, the bar emptied and Miles pressed a rare kiss goodbye on the top of her head, leaving with her mother. Charlie had talked to her for a moment, the conversation feeling forced. Charlie made sure she stayed out of her way for the rest of the evening.

This night was about Miles, was about being back, and she wanted to hold on the light feeling that was in the air tonight.

Charlie decided she would follow later, needing some time for herself. Her mind went back to him, to his blue deep eyes. God, she forgot what it was to lock eyes with him, to be in the same room as him. It was too big a feeling to fight back. She did not talk to him all evening, and somehow he had disappeared.

She walked outside the bar. After only a couple of steps his voice stopped her in her tracks.

'Look who's back.' His tone low.

She turned his way. Charlie felt goose bumps on her skin when she took him in.

'Missed me so much huh?' A smirk grin around his lips.

Bass was leaning against the wall of the bar, his jacket open, another drink glued to his hand, one foot up, resting, against the wall.

'God, you can be a self centred full of yourself son of a bitch Monroe.' Eyes with fire piercing his way. She took a couple of steps closer, standing right in front of him, one hand on her hip.

'But yes, I missed you. Not much though,' She shrugged her shoulders at him, challenge filling her eyes.

She watched Bass put his drink on one of the tables standing outside. She watched how he took one step closer.

Charlie knew there was so much to say, questions to ask, answers to find, to fight their way through. But right now, it did not seem to matter. She let her eyes do the talking. She placed a hand on his jacket, his hard chest beneath it.

'Let's save the fighting and battling for tomorrow, you know, when you are sober and can use all your mental capacity. Just wanted to give you a fair chance' a soft smile around her lips, lifting one of her eyebrows.

'Is that so?' a smirk around his lips, followed by the a raw need starting to build up in his eyes that Charlie felt within herself.

He leaned in, making it difficult to breath for a moment. First she felt his breath against the skin of her neck.

'That's some dress you are wearing tonight, Charlotte,' his voice a low whisper in her ear.

She was finally admit to herself that she wanted this. She wanted him. She wanted Bass against all odds, amongst all the impossibilities. She was not sure off a lot of things, but she felt no doubt when it came to him.

And even before she realised she was moving closer, even before she realised she had parted her lips, Bass moved his fingers softly over her cheek and to the back of her head. Charlie felt the hotness of his breath against her mouth, felt the pressure of his lips, his scruff against the sensitive skin around her mouth. The sensation drove her crazy.

She grabbed his jacket. Their kiss deep, passionate, causing her to almost drown in it. She vaguely registered that he picked her up and moved her to the little alley next to the bar. He pushed her against the brick wall, and she felt his movements change. There was hunger and want in his touch. She pressed her breasts against his chest.

In the darkness of the alley, in the coldness of the night around her but with his arms firmly around her, she gave in. She gave in to Bass. And giving in to him was like all the other things between them: it was fierce, it was intense, passionately and going all in.


Thank you for reading! Another chapter is on its way, while I also work on It takes two and Things Change. Reviews and your thoughts are, as always, welcome! Until the next chapter...ciao!