Charlie was out on the old tire swing that overlooked the pond, watching the sun set over the clearing.
She was almost numb to this new revelation. She had come to think of Miles as a second father so it wasn't a huge stretch now that it was confirmed that he was actually her father.
Charlie had always had a very volatile relationship with her mother and this had not done anything to help that situation.
"You ok?" Charlie turned at the sound of Bass' voice as he walked down the hill, hands in the pockets of his jeans.
"Sure," was all Charlie could muster as a reply.
"It's okay to be pissed, confused, sad," Bass said.
"You know, I AM really pissed," Charlie snapped. "I am pissed at my mother for lying to me for so long but like I said, I am not all that surprised. I have always had my guard up with her. The one I am really pissed at is myself, for ever letting my guard down with you."
Bass started to walk toward her again. "Charlie-"
"Just leave me alone, Bass," Charlie replied, "I'm sick of the games and the drama. You run hot and cold all of the time and I may not know a lot about relationships, but I know enough to recognize that this is screwed up. Real relationships where people love each other shouldn't have to be that difficult."
"You're right," Bass said. "I have spent so much energy trying to fight this, trying to get you out of my head."
Charlie was only silent, waiting for him to continue.
"...but I'm sick of fighting this, I can't do it anymore, because Charlie you aren't just in my head, you're in my heart...as much as I have tried to fight it, deny it, drink it away, I am completely and hopelessly in love with you."
Charlie's mouth dropped open in surprise. For everything she had imagined Bass saying, she hadn't imagined that.
"I love you and it completely terrifies me," Bass said, "...this is a scary world and I have made a lot of enemies, but I don't want to run from this anymore. I won't...and I'm sorry for the way that I treated you - I never wanted you to feel like I didn't care about you, I always have...I just didn't know how to handle it."
"What made you change your mind?" Charlie had to ask.
"Just seeing how much time can be wasted," Bass said. "Rachel has spent so many years not being truthful to you and Miles and it has cost all three of you.."
Bass took a step toward her, "I just - I don't want to waste anymore time with you. I need you to know how I really feel about you and from now on, I'm here, no matter what. I'm not running anymore."
Charlie stood up from the swing and took the steps to close the distance. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him close.
"Ya know what, Monroe? It's about damn time."
THE END