Chapter 26

4 days later…

Bass walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. He opened the cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. He needed liquid courage for what he had to do.

He gulped it down in one smooth shot and put the glass down on the counter. His head was throbbing but he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

He slowly walked towards the room where Connor was locked up and opened the door.

Connor was awake. "Hey Dad, changed your mind?" he said in a cocky voice.

Bass didn't say anything. Instead, he went behind him. He pulled out a small knife from his belt and cut the ropes that held him to the chair, making sure to leave the ones around his wrists intact.

"Get up," he said, trying to keep his anger at bay.

"Where are we going?"

Bass lifted Connor from his chair forcefully. "Walk," he said and shoved him out of the room. He led him towards the front door, opening it up and led his son outside.

"What's going on?" Conner asked.

Bass picked up a bag from the porch and dropped it at Connor's feet; Connor looked baffled.

Bass sighed and spoke. "I loved her."

"Who?"

"Your Mom. I really did love her. I just thought that you should know that," Bass said.

"Yeah, you told me that," Conner said. He was trying to figure out if there was a point to this.

"I also loved Shawna. Maybe not as much as I should have, considering we were going to get married, but I did. She was a good woman."

Bass walked back and forth on the porch trying to process what he wanted to say next. He rubbed the back of his neck as he continued. "You know the day of the explosion at the camp, I found something out; she carried it with her for years and she never told me. Never um- never reached out and let me know the truth."

"What are you talking about?"

Bass took out a small picture and gave it to Connor. He took a long look at the little girl in the picture. "Who's this?"

"That little girl is someone whose mother died because of your pettiness Connor. She died because you wanted a kingdom so bad that you blew up an entire camp to do it." Just let him have it, Bass thought to himself. He deserves it.

Connor's face turned white. "Are… are you saying that she's my sister?"

Bass gave a small nod and continued. "You know all you had to do was talk to me. I would have helped you get it. Despite everything, I would have. I would have even forgiven you for Shawna.

"But you crossed a line Connor! When you went after Charlie, you crossed a line." He was so angry.

"Oh this is rich. The great General Monroe is upset because of a woman," Connor said with disgust. "Look at you. You're pathetic. You have an opportunity to get the Republic back; to get your army back and you're trading it for what? Love?"

"You don't get it do you?" Bass shook his head. "I'm not the same man I was. I'm not the same because she changed me, because she showed me hope and love."

"What about me? I'm your son!" Connor yelled.

"Yes, you are," Bass nodded, "and that's the only reason you're still alive right now. It's why I'm letting you go, but if I ever see your face again I won't."

Bass cut off the ropes from Connor's wrists. "Leave," he said through his teeth.

Connor picked up the bag from the and walked off. After a few moments, Bass fell on his knees and caved into the tears.

"I'm Sorry."

He turned his head and saw Miles standing behind him. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked as he wiped the tears from his face.

"Long enough." Miles sat next to Bass on the stairs and handed him a bottle of whiskey.

Bass took a sip and put the bottle down. "You know, I really thought I could make it work. Despite him having practically grown up with a psycho, I thought there was something good in him. Something he got from Emma."

Bass tried to fight the tears as he spoke. "I know I've done some terrible things, but what he did—I…"

"I know Bass. I know," Miles said, trying to comfort him.

Thank you to WhyNotItsFun for all your help!