"We're going to run out of space," Ian told his mother as he watched another Texan regiment ride through the gates of the base. Cassidy patted his shoulder and smiled.
Her son was as tall as tree and wise beyond his years. Since Wyatt's arrival, Ian had blossomed into a real soldier under his direction with an intuitive insight much like his father. She sighed.
Cassidy trusted her brother's judgment to merge forces and her feelings toward Miles were softening.
"Miles knows what he's doing," she said as glanced at the resistance commander chatting with Wyatt and two lead Rangers.
The Rangers had ultimately discovered the patriots were trying to pit them against California and had overthrown them under the guidance of the resistance with Miles at the helm. Word reached California of the patriot treachery and their leaders also agreed to throw their support behind the rapidly growing resistance headquartered in Oklahoma. The Plains Nation was next on the list to try and broker an alliance.
Jeremy sidled up to Cassidy and she fought back a blush. The man could charm paint off the side of a barn. The wattage of his smile slayed her as well as a dozen of the other women in the district. Even Jenessa wasn't immune, although Cassidy suspected Miles would have a fit if Jeremy made a move on her.
"Are we still having the social tonight?" he asked. The plan was to integrate with new recruits to the resistance with the old ones so partnerships could be formed before they pressed north. It was Charlie's idea, but Cassidy was spearheading this operation.
"Do you have the hangar ready?" Cassidy responded, answering a question with a question. Jeremy grinned. He liked her spunk.
"You bet. Will you save me the first dance?" he asked. Cassidy again fought back a blush and tried to give him a straight face.
"Only if my son doesn't beat you to it," she said, pulling her son between them like a shield.
Ian shook his head at his mother's antics and slung an arm across her shoulders as he eyed Jeremy. He liked the man and found it funny Jeremy could make his mother skittish like their horses. She deserved happiness, he figured.
"Whatever you say, mom," Ian said as he gave her a peck on the cheek and wandered toward his uncle.
The social was a welcome reprieve after three months of hard negotiations and hand-to-hand combat throughout the Southwest. The resistance had experienced loss of a few good men and some had returned wounded for the cause.
Charlie felt the social was a way for folks to celebrate their victories and to unify the diverse troops. Everyone had his or her reasons for joining the resistance.
She leaned against the railing of the stage as she surveyed the hangar. Her husband appeared next to her with a drink for her. She accepted it, sipping the beer before handing it back.
"You're amazing, you know that right?" Bass softly said in her ear. Charlie shivered and shook her head.
"Cassidy's the one you should be commending," she said without taking her eyes off the crowd milling around.
The band on stage was gearing up to play a mix of tunes many hadn't heard in years. Cassidy had coaxed Wyatt to perform. He had feebly attempted to ward her off with the excuse he hadn't picked up a guitar in ages; she sharply told her brother to get over it and handed him a Martin she had been holding onto for such an occasion. As the drums and guitars resounded off the hangar walls, people began to drift to the side.
Bass set the drink aside and grabbed his wife's hand to pull her toward the makeshift dance floor.
"Wait a minute," Charlie said, resisting and trying to separate herself from him. "I don't know how to dance!"
"There's nothing to it," Bass cheekily replied, hauling her close. "Besides, who better to get the party started than their beloved commander?"
Charlie buried her face in his shoulder in embarrassment. This was not what she envisioned tonight.
When she lifted her head, she spotted her father laughing at her. Miles' smile was quickly replaced with a frown when Jenessa promptly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the center.
Jeremy coaxed Cassidy to join him as Ian and Kira cheered him on. Aaron surprised everyone and led Cynthia onto the dance floor, where he proved he had more than just brains going for him.
Roark asked Kate if she wanted to take a spin and she shyly agreed. Lena clapped in delight from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the show.
The dance floor quickly filled up as Rangers and resistance fighters mingled.
"Thanks for putting this together," Charlie told Cassidy as she picked up cups and tossed them in the trash barrel. The social had begun to wound down and people were leaving.
"I owe it to you and Miles for giving us a chance to forget there is a war going on," Cassidy replied as she popped the legs on a folding table.
Wyatt and Bass were nearby sweeping up and gathering up trash. The kids had already left, walking back to the housing addition with Aaron and Cynthia. Kate and Lena wished Charlie goodnight before Roark escorted the ladies out of the hangar.
Jeremy stood in the corner, deep in conversation with Jenessa, when Miles materialized at her side. He gave Jeremy a look that unmistakably said "don't mess with my girl," and for a moment, Bass wondered if he was going to witness a dog fight.
Everyone was caught off guard when Jenessa put her hands on her hips and sized Miles up and down.
"Either you stake your claim on me or you can move on, buster," Jenessa voiced to Miles loud enough that those still in the hangar could hear her.
She was fed up with him stringing her along. He wanted her around and then he ignored her; he didn't mind flirting, yet he didn't want others sniffing around. She had had enough.
Jenessa was equally shocked when Miles yanked her to him and kissed her soundly in front of everyone.
Jeremy hid a grin as he slowly and quietly backed away. He had known all along Jenessa belonged to Miles; he also knew a little friendly competition would eventually spark Miles into action.
Charlie and Cassidy stood there with their mouths hanging open. Bass just shook his head as his friend's tactic, shared a look of his own with Wyatt, and resumed sweeping the floor.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this story. I may post one more chapter as an epilogue. Sorry it took a month to update. I've been so distressed about the fact "Revolution" was canceled. Please take a moment to review and perhaps take a peek at my other Charloe works "Unmasked" and "Say Something." I promise this won't be the last you see of me and my love for Bass and Charlie.