There was always that scene during a dramatic movie where time just seemed to stand still, nobody moving, nobody talking, nobody even visibly breathing. Music faded out as the camera panned around between the characters, trying to invoke a certain response from the audience. Bass always thought that was bullshit, he had been to war and never experienced something that like, but then again facing down a stranger, an enemy, was a lot easier than staring down your friend.

He stood before them, awaiting some sort of logical explanation other than the one that was obviously dancing across his mind, which could be seen by the look in his eyes as they darted between Charlie and then back to Bass. His hands that were typically still, lay by his side, but were shaking with ferocity they would've registered at least a 5 on the Richter scale.

But despite the nervousness that was emitting from his body language, his face remained placid and calm, the only sign of his confusion evident in his eyes.

Neither of them said anything for a whole minute, 60 seconds, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it was a long time for someone to be silent after they had just been asked a very serious question. It was a long time to stare at one another.

When someone didn't immediately answer, the only explanation was that there either wasn't a good reason, or they were trying to think up a lie. Miles knew it wasn't the second one because Charlie was good at coming up with lies on the spot, she wouldn't need this much time, and Miles would be able to see right through Bass' lie.

No, a lie was out of the question at this point and they both realized it. Charlie answered, breaking the icy silence that would give the outside temperature a run for its money, "I'd be more interested in what you were concocting in your head," she said nervously chuckling at the end of it.

Bass looked down at her, mass confusion written across his face that was not the response he would've given, but then again she didn't have to worry about Miles going off and punching her like Bass did.

She interrupted him before he even got a chance to say anything as he made his way down closer to where they were, "ok don't give yourself a heart attack Miles, don't freak out."

By now she and Bass both had discarded the skates, tossing them aside like some fond memory they only brought out to play with in the heat of the moment, and opted for their regular footwear.

Charlie, letting go of Bass' hand stepped forward tentatively, holding out her hands symbolic of waving a white flag, but the ever cautious Bass grabbed ahold of her jacket and pulled her back slightly.

He knew there was no way in hell Miles would ever think of hurting Charlie, but just in case he started throwing punches he wanted her to be out of the way.

That subtle touch was not lost on Miles who advanced forward more quickly, "get your hands off of her Bass, I'm not kidding."

"Don't talk to him like that," Charlie snapped at Miles, "he's your best friend."

His eyes never once left Bass'; "If that were true then he wouldn't have been able to lay his hands on my niece. I didn't think I had to mention that, I thought you would have more sense than that, but I should've known. I've never voiced my opinion about your manwhorish tendencies, but for fucks sake Bass…my goddamn niece?"

Bass didn't defend himself when Miles brought up his less than questionable reputation with women, mostly because it was true, and partially because it wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

"I'm your niece, but that doesn't mean I'm not my own person too. My value and worth aren't defined in terms of who I'm related to," she crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.

It didn't matter how much she spoke because Miles never stopped directing his evil glares at Bass' face. Hell Miles barely even acknowledged Charlie's presence, "this is low Bass, even for you, and then sneaking around like you're a fucking teenager. You should've been the adult and put a stop to this infatuation instead of encouraging it. How exactly did you think this would go?"

"It wasn't his fault, I'm the one who started it and made him go through with it," she said, louder this time hoping to get through to the brick wall, also known as Miles.

That statement definitely reached him, loud and clear, he whipped his head towards her but said nothing. It took him a few minutes to grasp the fact that it was Charlie who started it, still that was irrelevant to Miles, "I don't care if you threw yourself at him and all but begged, Bass should've known better. He should've known it was just a stupid little crush," Miles' words cutting through her like ice as he bit the inside of his cheek to shut himself up.

He knew he probably went too far toying with the idea that Charlie would ever do something like that, that she would throw herself at Bass. The pain was written as plain as day on Charlie's face and Miles instantly wanted to take it back, but the asshole in him wouldn't let him.

It was Bass whose rage grew, finally breaking all control, "what is your problem Miles, do you really think Charlie is the type of person who would do that. If you're mad, pissed, whatever, that's fine, but that doesn't give you leeway to say stupid shit you know isn't true."

"I'm not mad," he took a deep breath and continued eyes softening as he looked at Charlie. Those same eyes that held affection and regret for the callous way in which he spoke to her instantly hardened when he looked at Bass "because this thing," he motioned between the two of them, "can be stopped as easily as it was started."

All of Charlie's fears came rushing back to her and hit her with an unbearable force, Miles was making him choose between being his brother, or being with Charlie.

That was not fair and Charlie saw red before she lost it, "who are you to think you can issue an ultimatum that has nothing to do with you?"

"I'm not asking you Charlie," his eyes caught hers for a moment before panning over to Bass, "I'm telling Bass to make the smart decision and stop this now before you end up kicked to the curb and brokenhearted over him."

"Come on Miles, you have to know that I would never do anything to hurt her—"

"Not intentionally but I know you Bass, you break hearts, that's what you do."

Bass shook his head, "maybe usually, but I don't think it was ever a question of her getting her heart broken by me, if anything it would be the other way around."

Miles sighed, "look I don't care about the semantics, we're done. Just cut the shit and end this, I'm asking you Bass. Think about this choice, I know you've had your fun flirting around and—"

Light bulb going off in Miles' head made him halt right there. He realized for the first time that he didn't really have any idea how deep their relationship went. Relationships were like rivers; from the bank you could see above and come to the conclusion that it didn't really look all that deep. But once you left the comfort of the shore, you realized that you had been fooled by your own depth perception.

All he knew was that he stumbled across a very intimate moment where their lips were inches apart. "And what else exactly has gone on between you two?"

When neither of them said anything Miles knew the answer to that question, at first realization swept over his face, followed by him taking a step back, then rage took over. He advanced towards Bass, "oh you son of a bitch," was all he got out before Charlie plastered herself against Bass' body.

He tugged at her arm, trying to push her away but she wouldn't back down from this, "now who's being childish, really Miles, a fistfight because we've been sleeping together?"

"Sleeping—You mean…that's…..it's been more th-than one time?" He barely forced the words out of his mouth before anger took over.

Bass could see it in Miles' eyes and he didn't care at that moment how stubborn Charlie was, Bass was stronger. He pulled at her arm, pushing her aside, but he wasn't quick enough to stop Charlie's own left fist from swinging out and catching Miles in the face.

He stumbled back a few paces, not realizing it was Charlie who hit him. Momentarily stunned, Bass snapped back into action, shoving Charlie away, and as soon as he did Miles' fist connected with the side of his face.

Naturally Bass wasn't going to fight back, he knew that eventually it would result in this, and Miles deserved to let some of his anger out. Bass wasn't going to fight back, not until Miles started playing dirty, "I can't believe that you would use her like that Bass, I trusted you with the most precious thing in my life and this is what you do? Screw her behind my back?"

Going from dodging Miles' blows and simply blocking them, he went on the offense and shoved at Miles, "don't fucking pretend to know how I feel, and don't fucking say things like screw behind your back and turn Charlie into some cheap whore I just picked up. This was a fucking hard decision, you're my best friend, my brother, but I love her."

If a pin were dropped on the snow in that moment it would've sounded like an explosion. That's how deafening the silence was. Miles gave up all pretenses of trying to conduct a real fight because he was too emotionally charged.

Instead he straightened up, dropping his guard, which made Bass relax once he realized the threat of a fight was gone. Miles' face paled as white as the snowflakes falling heavier now than when they first came outside, "you what?"

It was the calm way that Miles said it that made Bass gulp. He didn't mean to say it, not at this point in time, and especially not to Miles before he even said it to Charlie.

Charlie, who was standing there just as shocked as Miles was, stood with her mouth agape. It was the first real time she had ever heard someone say they loved her and meant it as something more than just in familiar relations. It was also the first time she felt what it was like to be in love herself, because she was, she loved him too.

Only she didn't get the chance to say it because Miles interrupted, "ah hell, Bass you really fucked things up you know?"

Charlie had enough and strode over to them after Miles was done throwing his temper tantrum, "I stood by you Miles after everything you did, after the affair you had with my mom, after you lied and snuck around, hiding it behind our backs—"

"Oh don't give me that bullshit Charlie, these two situations are not the same in the slightest. We we're two grown adults in love, it's not like it was just some sort of fling that—"

"You don't get to tell me what this is and if it's similar to your fucked up relationship. I wasn't asking for your opinion or your anything. I am an adult, Bass is an adult, so by your standards everything should be hunky dory."

"Charlie this is far from okay," Miles said deadpanned, not understanding her logic.

"Well that may be, but it is what it is." She sighed, "Miles I would forgive you no matter what the fault was. I would stand by you and I would never make you choose between anything because you're one of the most important people in my life. I would do anything for you…" her voice cracked at the end. Taking a breath she started again, softer, "so if you can look me in the eye, and tell me right now that you can't honestly handle us being together, then okay."

Cautiously Miles looked at her for any sign of a bluff. Was she really saying that if he told her that he just couldn't live with this then she would put an end to it?

"I honestly don't think I can Charlie," he said, staring straight into her eyes. He knew that it was selfish, hell he didn't even know why he was saying those words, but he was trying to speak from his heart and that's the only thing that came out when he opened his mouth.

Drawing her lips together in a tight line, she nodded her head, fighting the urge to let one single tear fall. "Ok, then I guess I can't be in your life," she said hoarsely. She only said 'I' because she didn't want to speak for Bass, she didn't want her decision to affect their friendship, but if he couldn't accept them as a pair, then Charlie would make it easier on him and take herself out of the equation.

Astonished at her proclamation, Miles could do nothing but stand there. He wanted to tell his feet to move, to go after her, to say something, anything, but he was stubborn and convinced that it would end badly if they continued down that path, especially when love was now involved.

It was sad, but Miles mostly felt this way because of the affair that Charlie brought up mid rant. He had his heart broken and crushed, and though it was his own fault, he couldn't bear to see either of them end up in that situation.

He didn't even stop to think that he was forcing heartache and suffering on them, in efforts to avoid heartache and suffering.

He shook his head, clearing out the thoughts that were taking up what little room he had in his mind when he realized Charlie had started walking to her car, already out of sight, and Bass was on her heels.

Bass caught up to her quickly, and gently tugged on her elbow to bring her around to face him. He was expecting to see a pissed off Charlie, an upset Charlie, some sort of emotion, but he was met with just a blank stare.

"Charlie…don't made rash decisions, you don't mean that," Bass' soft voice broke her out of her reverie. He ran his hands through her hair in a calming motion, pressing his forehead against hers. His face mirrored they way she felt inside, broken and fragile. "I would never ask you to choose me over Miles."

For a moment she didn't say anything, but the left side of her mouth twitched up into a sad smile as she pulled back to look him in the eyes, "I know you wouldn't, truthfully I didn't think Miles ever would either—"

"He's just upset right now, he doesn't handle confrontations well, as you could hear his emotions get one up on him and get the better of him." It was a rushed explanation that probably didn't even make sense, but as soon as he saw the look on her face when talking about Miles, he had to say something. He would defend Miles before he even asked if he was in the wrong or not, there wasn't anything that Bass wouldn't do for Miles, but right there in that moment, he was doing it for her.

"I know, I just wanted it to be easier on him, and on you, so you didn't feel obligated to make any sort of decision because, like I said, it was me who instigated it." She held her hand up before he could rebuke her claim, "ok fine we're both at fault here…and I don't hate Miles or blame him for anything, I don't think I ever could you know?"

Bass nodded his head absentmindedly; he knew that feeling all too well when it came to Miles. There had been times before, only a select handful, where he wanted badly to hate Miles, but he never did…he never could.

"When Miles gets his head out of his ass, then maybe we can talk like adults, but until then I stand by this decision. He can't just come around and issue out ultimatums and expect me to just accept that. He can't sit up on his high horse and judge our relationship when he has done no better. But I understand Bass if you need time to decide. He's my uncle and I love him more than anything, but he's your brother, and I couldn't tell you what I would do if it were Danny."

Just when he thought she couldn't surprise him anymore, Charlie proved to be the most amazing human being on the planet. So good that he wasn't even sure that she was real, but one thing was for sure, Miles or Bass one sure as hell didn't deserve her.

Touching her lips lightly to his cheek in a tender kiss, she went to go around him to the driver's side.

Before even thinking about it, Bass pulled her back by the bottom hem of her coat, crushing his lips against hers. His hands trailed down to relax at the small of her back, as hers wound themselves in his unruly curls, tugging at his hair until she had to come up for air and break the kiss.

Smiling a little brighter than before, she placed one last kiss upon his lips, as she climbed into her car and was out of sight in minutes, leaving Bass to linger there, just looking at the void space. She had let him make his own decision, and fully understood that it was a lot harder on Bass than it was on her.

Pain was replaced by fury remembering Miles, probably still standing frozen in place in the backyard. He marched back to where Miles was intending to tell him off, but was surprised to find him sitting down, legs bent with his elbows on either knee, hands covering his face.

Bass sighed and sat down on the porch step next to Miles who only humorlessly chuckled, "I really screwed things up didn't I?"

"Oh yeah," there was no use in sugar coating it, that didn't make the medicine taste better or go down any easier.

"God and all that shit I was saying, I don't even know where any of it came from. I felt like…I felt like I was her father in that situation, though I think Ben would've handled it better than I did."

"Hell I would go so far as to say Rachel would've handled it better," Bass silently laughed, but the funny part was that it was most likely true.

Miles just sighed, uncovering his face, looking at Bass, "why her…why Charlie?"

This was a question he kept asking himself repeatedly after the first few times. Why did he have to encourage Charlie? What was it about Charlie? Just why in general.

But somewhere along the way it stopped being a question. He no longer had any thought of a question in his mind about her, it…just was. "If I said I would take it all back if I could…I'd be lying, I sure as hell wouldn't, but would it make you feel better?"

Without a moment's hesitation Miles was shaking his head, "no it would probably make me feel worse than I do right now because I would've known that I was the cause of her unhappiness, hell your unhappiness too. Both of your unhappy—no, no…that sounds weird, I can't group you together as…well, you know….together."

Bass laughed because Miles was making a disgusted face, but his voice was emptied of all the disgust and anger that was previously there, "don't think so hard, you'll hurt yourself."

Miles just looked at Bass as though he was crazy for laughing, why aren't you more pissed? You're not usually this calm."

"Yeah well I figured only one of us could be out of control at a time, plus there was Charlie too, and she is about as hot headed as I am," Bass chuckled when he mentioned her name and Miles just scrunched his face up again.

He touched his eye where he could feel the shiner she gave him starting to swell up, "did she really sock me in the face?"

Laughter took over and Bass couldn't control it when Miles joined in, "yeah man, she really hit you, and from the looks of it she has a damn good left hook."

"I never thought for a moment she was weak, but shit, I didn't know she could pack a punch like that. Must've been all my genes wearing off on her," Miles beamed proudly at his statement.

Bass just rolled his eyes at his boasting. Miles always liked to take credit for things every chance he got, "or maybe she's just learning a thing or two from me," he smirked.

"I just got over being pissed at your idiotic self, so do us both a favor and don't make any more of those kinds of statements," this time Miles really did look disgusted, but again, all Bass could do was laugh at the situation.

Coming down from his high of laughter, Bass turned his head to meet Miles' solemn face, eyes twinkling as they reflected the lights surrounding the ice skating rink. He sat for a few seconds, just gazing at it before he spoke again, "how long do you think she's going to stay upset?"

"Depends, is your head out of your ass?" When Miles nodded his head Bass chuckled, "then I'd say soon. She's coming to the bar tomorrow to have dinner and exchange gifts with friends right?"

He thought about it for a moment, but of course right now Bass knew her better than he did. He simply nodded, "she was supposed to, but after this I don't know."

For a tough person who never gave a damn about what anyone else thought, he was sure vulnerable when it came to Charlie. He might not have said it as a question, but Bass could hear the longing in his voice, and the silent plead as he looked into his eyes, "she'll still show, she's Charlie, any chance she gets to rub it in your face about being wrong she takes."

"You gonna be there with her?"

"Again it depends, are you gonna wake up with amnesia and go bat shit crazy on me again tomorrow? Because if so I might just have to get Charlie to hit you again," and there it was, he was never going to let Miles live this down.

He grumbled, "Shut up you dick." For the second time that night he looked out at the rink again, "did you really do all of this by yourself?"

Bass smiled, thinking back to moments before when he was watching Charlie on that very ice, skating, gliding, as though she was an angel…and she was. "Yeah, yeah I did."

Suddenly leaping up Miles exclaimed, "ah hell I gotta go, I can't take anymore of this lovey dovey thing you're doing with your face." He laughed as Bass stood beside of him and gave him a shove off the porch, shaking his head, "I kind of feel like the Grinch who stole Christmas, except that I kinda ruined it."

At the mention of the Grinch Bass choked on his laughter, causing Miles to look at him weirdly until he understood, "shit are you kidding me right now? Did that mean something sexual all those times you two were blabbing about it?"

Bass just smirked instead of answering, he figured that would piss Miles off more and would incriminate himself less. Miles groaned, looking up to the sky in exasperation, then looking back down, "by the way, are those my skates?" He indicated the ones Bass had been wearing before.

Nodding he answered, "yeah I asked you earlier if I could borrow them and you said knock myself out."

"Well I wouldn't have said yes if you asked, 'hey Miles can I borrow your skates to seduce your niece?'"

He was always trying to impersonate Bass, lowering his voice in order to try and create that deep, low sound, but he never got better at it. No matter how much he tried, and how long they were friends, he still sucked at it, but his attempts made Bass snicker.

When he was almost out of sight he came back around the corner, "hey, for what it's worth, you know I didn't mean all of that shit before. I mean I still think you're a manwhore, and Charlie could definitely do better, but everything else…"

He trailed off and Bass knew what he was referring to, "I know." Was all that Bass said in response. He could see Miles rolling his eyes from his peripheral vision, gripping about him being a conceited asshole, and Bass smiled. It had definitely not gone like he had expected, but nothing ever really goes as planned. You can try to be prepared as well as you can, but in the end, you just have to leap and hope like hell the net appears.