Bass and Charlie stop at the top of a rise, looking down over "Sin City." "Never thought that I would set foot in this cesspool again," he grumbled.
"Yeah, me either."
Leaving their horses with a string of others at the edge of town, they gave the attendant two diamonds for each horse. Then they headed for the main drag.
Everything was the same, from the CD festooned banners to the street's drunks, whores, and fights.
"Let's get a drink, and maybe we can get a lead on Duncan," Bass suggests, then guides Charlie into the casino and up to the bar, ordering two whiskeys.
Bass was checking out the crowd when Gould, the sleazy half owner of the wretched town, approached.
"Well! Look who's back. Jimmy King, you've got nerve showing your face here again."
Bass flashes his best charming smile. "Gould."
"You owe me, King. You skipped out before a fight and cost me a lot of money."
"Well, it was kind of unavoidable."
"Then you can make it up to me tonight, and I'll let it slide."
"Alright, when." Charlie isn't thrilled with how this conversation is going. She reaches out and squeezes his thigh. Bass drops a hand and covers hers hoping to reassure her.
"An hour, you'll be fighting André."
"André, huh. I'll be there."
Gould notices Charlie and looks her up and down, making her skin crawl.
"Hands off! Gould!"
Gould just laughs and walks away.
"Bass, really? You're gonna fight? What about Duncan?" Charlie asks.
"I've got no choice if we don't want trouble. Don't worry, we'll find Duncan. Now, we've got some time to kill; how about another drink, and we listen to the band, such as it is."
Bass ordered two more whiskeys and guided her to an empty table. They were sipping their whiskeys when an attractive woman in her forties sat down next to Bass. She has sharp, dark, no-nonsense eyes and brown hair that just reaches her shoulders. Charlie just glares at the woman who just took up residence at their table.
"Ahh… can we help you?" Charlie snarls.
The woman ignores her and turns to Bass. "Sebas…Ah…Jimmy. Funny seeing you here again after how you left."
Charlie is looking at Bass as the green monster is itching to come out and play. Bass gives her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Charlotte, meet Duncan Page."
Charlie hadn't been expecting a woman and was annoyed at Bass for not mentioning it, especially as clearly there had once been something between them. Bass, for his part, was hoping to not have to explain it.
She finally acknowledges Charlie, nodding her head towards her. "You're plucking them awfully young, aren't you?"
Charlie bristled, "I'm not that young."
Duncan laughed, happy that she pushed Charlie's buttons. "So, I heard your fighting tonight…André." She laughs again.
"Yeah, you know him?"
"He's known. This going to be an entertaining fight."
"Speaking of, I gotta go," Bass stood, dropped a kiss on Charlie's head. "I'll see ya after the fight," and went off to the fighter's tent.
Duncan looked over at Charlie, "Come on, Kid, let's go watch the spectacle."
She's irritated at being called "kid" but lets it pass. Charlie's seen Bass fight, but Duncan's comment left her thinking that something else was going on.
Duncan and Charlie, followed by her two security guys, walked up to the fight tent. Gould's bookie was outside taking bets. Duncan approached him, "Louie, here's ten on Jimmy King. Charlotte, is it?"
Only Bass got to call her 'Charlotte'. "It's Charlie."
"Well, Charlie, are you placing a bet?"
Charlie thought for a second, then dropped ten diamonds into Louie's outstretched hand. "On Jimmy King."
The tent was packed, and Duncan's two men made a hole escorting them to the front near the fighter's pit.
André was already there…waiting and dancing around, punching the air and flexing his muscles. Charlie's jaw dropped. He was clearly the biggest man she had ever seen. Bass was six feet, and this guy, this guy was easily over a foot taller with an over-muscled body. (Bass isn't going to stand a chance) she thought as she worried. (This was a really bad idea.)
"That's André? Oh my God!" (Bass…Jeez)
Duncan laughed. "Yeah, That's André as in André the Giant."
Charlie, of course, didn't get the reference.
Gould stepped to the center of the ring and, using an old fashion megaphone, announced the start of the fight.
"The undefeated Jimmmmy Kinggg back by popular demand!" dragging out his name, "vs our very own…Annndré the Giant!"
Bass walked out of the fighter's tent and into the ring, getting a look at André for the first time. (Jesus Christ!)
Then Bass turned, and Duncan got a look at his back, the welts still red. She looked at Charlie. "What the hell happened?"
"He went to find his son… it didn't go well."
"I'd say that's an understatement. What a shame to mar that perfect body."
Charlie gives her a sly sidewards glance, "the important parts work just fine."
Duncan laughed. She liked this spitfire.
A bell rang, and the fight started. André didn't waste any time going after Bass, but Bass was able to avoid his first salvo of punches. André was big, but he was slow, allowing Bass to get in several hits to the only place he could reach, the giant's kidney. André didn't even flinch.
The fight continued with Bass going in for body punches and dancing away and managing to avoid most of André's hits. (This is going nowhere) … Bass thought. Then André got in a lucky swing coming in from Bass' left side, his blindside, no peripheral vision. Bass was knocked to the ground, and the crowd roared as the giant danced around.
(Fuck'n Bull Shit! This has gone on long enough) … Bass wiped the blood from his lip and jumped to his feet. Then before André knew what was happening, Bass grabbed onto a stunned André's shoulder, leaped into the air, and landed a knock-out punch to his jaw. The giant went down like a fallen tree. Fight over.
Bass turned, wiped the blood from his chin, and gave Charlie a smug grin. She was awed. She couldn't believe what she had just seen him do.
The tent was in an uproar, and Gould declared Jimmy King the winner. Bass went over to Gould, collected his winnings, and left to get cleaned up.
"Well, Kid, let's go collect our winnings," Duncan chuckled. "Then we can head back to the casino. Jimmy will look for us there." Duncan and Charlie got thirty diamonds each… (Not bad. With Bass' take, we will be in good shape for a while…)
Duncan and Charlie took seats at the bar to wait for Bass.
"How do you know, Jimmy?" Duncan asked.
"He was my uncle's best friend."
"Was?"
"They had a falling out."
"So that would make you a Matheson then."
Charlie was surprised. "Yup. You know my uncle?"
"By history only."
They turned back to their drinks, waiting for Bass to show.
"Why was Jimmy looking for me?"
"We better wait for him."
"Speak of the devil…." Duncan says.
Bass walked up to them and gave Charlie a quick kiss. Charlie reached over and touched his lip gently. "It's nothing," he says. Then takes a seat next to her, dropping his arm over her shoulders.
"Well, congratulations, Jimmy," Duncan says. "That was some move."
Grinning, "Used it back when I was in the Marines."
"They let you fight to a KO?"
"No, it was a bare-knuckle fight at a fight club. I was drunk, and this Army ass-wipe was hassling us. You know, Marines vs Army, that sort of thing. Anyway, he challenged me to meet him at this club the next day. Dude was huge."
"I take it you won?" Charlie asks.
Bass snorts, "Huh, yeah," he said smugly. "I took a fair beating, though. My CO wasn't real happy with me when I showed up on base."
"So, Jimmy, you came looking for me. You found me. Now, what did you want?"
"Not here."
"You come by horse?"
"Yeah."
"Where'd you park?" a tongue-in-cheek reference to the before.
Charlie sighed, she really hated the before blackout stuff, but she thought she got this one.
"We left them with that guy that's boarding horses just at the edge of town."
"Good, get your mounts and meet me behind the casino tent."
Duncan was waiting with the two bodyguards that had been with her all night. She was sitting on a magnificent black stallion warhorse.
As they rode up, Bass whistled. He loved horses, and this one was a beauty. "Where did you find him? That's quite a horse."
"His name is 'Mad Max'."
Bass laughs, and Charlie frowns. There it is again…she hated feeling left out.
"The name comes from a post-apocalyptic movie, 'Thunder Dome'. Mad Max was the hero," Bass explained.
"He belonged to Titus Andover, the Andover Clan," Duncan continues.
"Yeah, I know it. But how did you come to have him?"
"Let's ride, and I'll tell you about it."
Charlie rode on one side of Duncan and Bass the other so that they both could hear her story.
"These US Army Wanna Be's," Duncan starts. They've been going after the clans. Titus was attacked, and we joined the fight. Titus was killed. We managed to wipe out the US guys, but not without a cost."
"What happened to the Patriots?" Charlie asked.
"Is that what they call themselves? Dead, all of them."
"So, what happened to the Andover Clan?" Bass wondered.
"It is no more. We absorbed twenty-five tents. That was all that was left."
"Well…that's why we're here, the Patriots," Bass says to her.
"Let's finish up this talk at the camp," Duncan says and then takes off to ride with her two men.
Charlie had never seen a war clan encampment before, and she was in awe. There had to be close to one 75 tents. It was like a small city.
They handed off their horses to a clansman and were shown to Duncan's tent. Duncan was waiting for them. She walked in, then turned and stopped Bass before he could enter. "Not you, just her. You lost the privilege of being in my tent. Go and get something to eat and wait by my fire."
Bass was dumbstruck. "Close your mouth, Sebastian; you look like a fish. Pete, show Monroe to an empty tent and then where he can get some grub." She laughed as she ducked into her tent. "Ahh, the look on his face! It was so worth it! Sit," she said to Charlie, indicating a camp chair. Duncan went to her desk and poured them both a drink.
"Now, what is it that you two wanted?"
Charlie went on to explain what had happened with the Patriots in Willoughby and how her family was trying to fight them. They know that they don't have the numbers to take them straight on but that they are trying to disrupt them.
"My uncle and Bass think that once Texas gets their head out of their ass that they will declare war against them. Then maybe the Patriots can be driven out."
"As you've heard, we have no love for these Patriots. They're going after the clans and systematically taking them out. It's only a matter of time before they come for me. I'm surprised that they haven't already. I'm in."
"That's fantastic! How many men can you give us and how much?"
"All of them and nothing. I'm picking up camp and following you back. We're coming with you."
Charlie was speechless. Then she grinned. This was so much more than was expected. Miles is going to shit.
Duncan refilled their glasses then pulled a knife from her boot. She stood in front of Charlie, drew the blade across her palm, and then handed the knife to Charlie. Charlie understood what was expected and copied her, drawing the blade across her palm, and then handed back the knife. Duncan clasped her hand firmly, placing her left hand over the top of their joined hands. Charlie matched her gesture.
"We're family, clan sisters, from now and forward."
Charlie gave a nod, "sisters."
They broke apart. Duncan gave her a strip of cloth to wrap her hand then did the same. She handed Charlie her drink.
"I want to make this clear," Duncan says, "I take orders from no one. We'll be equal partners in all decisions."
"Agreed."
"Alright, let's go find Sebastian. I think I've made him suffer enough," she says with a snicker, and Charlie laughed. Messing with Bass could be fun.
With the drinks from the casino and then in Duncan's tent, she felt more than a little bit tipsy.
Bass had had his eyes glued to the front of Duncan's tent, so when he saw them emerge, he jumped to his feet. Duncan had just said something that made Charlie laugh, and he breathed a sigh of relief… all was well.
"Sebastian!" Duncan called out as she walked up to him. Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a quick kiss on his lips. "Charlie will fill you in on our meeting. You'll be leaving at first light. MARCUS!" Duncan called out.
A large, tattooed man went over to her. "Round up the section captains and meet me in my tent. Oh, and bring me whatever is in tonight's pot." Duncan returned to her tent.
"Are you hungry?" Bass asks Charlie.
"I'm a little drunk, and I'm starving."
"Let's get you something to eat. What's with your hand?"
"Evidently, we're now blood sisters."
Bass gave her a stare. "Jesus, that must have been some meeting."
"Yeah, Productive. I'll tell you everything while I eat."
Bass led Charlie to the tent that they would be sharing for the night. "Relax, I'll be right back with some food."
Bass had already lit the lantern. There was a sleeping pallet on one side and an old carpet on the floor. Charlie sat on the floor with her back leaning against the bed, got comfortable, and waited for Bass.
Bass returned a few minutes later with a large bowl of stew and some fresh bread. He handed her the bowl and bread, then poured her some fresh water. Charlie dug in.
"This is really good," she said around a mouthful.
"Yeah. Even better when I didn't have to make it. Okay, 'sister'… spill it. What happened?"
Charlie told him everything. When she told him that Duncan would be joining them, he was speechless.
"Charlotte, you are amazing. You did good. Miles is going to shit a brick."
"Ouch," Charlie said, laughing. "Duncan was just looking for an excuse to get into the fight."
They were up the next morning just before dawn. Bass and Charlie met Duncan at her fire for a breakfast of bread, jam, and coffee. Bass gave her the map that he had drawn for the location of their camp.
Duncan walked with them to where a clan member was waiting with their horses.
"What's all this?" Bass asked as he looked at the assembled group.
"These are ten members that will answer to Charlie. They are hers even after I arrive with the rest of the Clan."
"Well, alright then," Bass said as Charlie had a wide grin.
"You have a wagon loaded with supplies. Good luck. It's gonna take a few days to get us all packed up and ready to move, but we'll be behind you."
Charlie reached out her hand, and Duncan grasped it, pulling her in for a quick hug and backslap.
"Safe travels," Duncan says.
"Thank you, you as well."
Then Bass shook her hand, "It was good seeing you, Duncan."
"Yeah, you too, Sebastian."
Mounting their horses, they started out with the wagon driven by a man and a woman following behind them. Then there were five walkers and three more clan members in the rear of the caravan on horses.
An hour into their ride, Bass and Charlie rode to the back of the line to introduce themselves. They started with the mounted riders. Chatted for a while, and then Bass sent Marcus and Cecil forward to ride ahead on point.
"Check the road conditions and watch for any hostiles. I'm sure you know this already. Let us know if you find a suitable camp for the night." Bass ordered.
Next, he and Charlie dismounted and walked with the others for a while, getting to know each other. After an hour, they returned to their place at the head of the column.
Bass reached for Charlie's hand and gave it a squeeze. "They're good men."
Three weeks later, they were finally approaching the area of the Matheson camp.
Miles knew that they should be back soon, so he started keeping watch from a hillside near the main road. After the third day of his vigil, he saw the advance riders, and as he watched, he noticed what looked to be a patrol coming down the road behind them. Taking the binoculars, he saw that it wasn't a Patriot patrol but Bass and Charlie returning. He grabbed his pack and his rifle and headed down the hillside to meet them.
As the column got close, Miles stepped from the brush and held up his hands as Bass gave the signal for the Clan to stop. Charlie called back for the group to 'stand easy'.
Miles looked up at them and smiled. "Bass, I've got to admit, I didn't think you could pull it off. What have you got here? Ten men or so? Could have used more."
Charlie rolled her eyes. Bass was tired, hungry, and cranky. "First of all, Miles, stuff it. You should be grateful. Second, - It was all Charlie. She negotiated and won over the War Lord."
Miles looked slightly contrite, which said a lot for him, especially when he realized he wouldn't have to give Bass credit. Then, "you did good, kid. You'll need to follow me in. We had to bug out."
"Where to?" Bass asked.
"About ten miles from where we were, we're at an old hydroelectric plant upriver on the Quequechan. The dam forms a small lake giving us plenty of water and a chance to fish."
"Take Mazy, Miles, and you can lead us in," Charlie says. Charlie had Pete ride ahead to bring their scouts back. Bass and Charlie doubled up, not that they minded.
An hour later, they approached the new location of the base. Charlie called her Clan to a halt. "Miles, where can they set up camp?"
"Anywhere they can find room."
"Alright!" Charlie called out. "Pick a spot and get yourselves situated." Her fighters fell out and started to set up their camp.
Rachel spotted them coming in and rushed over with Gene. "Charlie, you're back. I've been so worried." Not surprisingly, she completely ignored Bass, which was okay with him.
"I told you we would be fine, Mom. Hi, grandpa."
"Missed you, Pumpkin."
Charlie, Bass, and Miles dismounted, and two clansmen came forward to care for their horses.
Aaron and Cynthia wandered over. "Glad your back, Kiddo."
"It's good to be back." She hugged them both. Bass shook Aarons' hand and bussed Cynthia's cheek. Rachel scowled. (How can they even acknowledge him.)
"Miles, we need to get something to eat, and then we need to talk," Bass said.
"There's a pot of stew ready at the main firepit. Help yourselves. I'll join you.
Charlie and Bass dug into a bowl of stew, and Miles broke out the whiskey.
Sitting next to Bass, Charlie discreetly squeezed his thigh, and he rested his hand on top of hers for a quick moment. Rachel was sitting next to Miles and glowered at Bass. (How dare he touch her. How dare she let him!)
Charlie and Bass told them about their time in New Vegas. Then Charlie dropped the bomb and told them about Duncan.
"Seventy-five tents? Over fifty fighters?"
"Probably closer to seventy-five," Bass added. "Plus the ten that we brought with us."
"We need a place for Duncan to set up camp," Charlie says. "Also, terms of the agreement…Duncan is an equal partner in all battle decisions. She is not relinquishing control over her men. That is except for the ten that came with us. They answer to me."
"They answer to you?"
"Yeah," Bass interjects. "She's the boss."
"I'm going to get cleaned up. Is there access for bathing at the lake?" Charlie says as she stands.
"Just follow the trail that runs along the shore; you'll come to an open area," Miles tells her. Charlie gets her pack and heads off.
"Charlie!" Bass calls out. "Take Pete with you!"
"Jeez, Bass, I'll be fine."
"Please…?"
"Alright," she went to find Pete.
Rachel was watching and listening to the exchange. She didn't like Monroe's protectiveness and Charlie's agreeable response, even if it was in Charlie's best interest. She wasn't liking this one little bit.
"So…how did this all come about? I thought that this Duncan was your contact." Miles asked Bass.
"She was."
"She?"
"Yeah, Duncan is a she, and, well, she was a bit upset over the way I left."
"Huh. There's a surprise. So, what happened?"
"I don't really know. I wasn't allowed in on the negotiations. Evidently, Duncan liked what she saw in Charlotte; not to mention she was somewhat pissed at me."
"What a shock. Did you kill her firstborn or something?" Rachel snarks.
"Stuff it."
"So, Charlie goes into the tent with the war queen and comes out a war princess. That girl is amazing, Miles. I had nothing to do with it, and I know only what Charlotte told me about what went on. And evidently, they are blood sisters or something…she's Clan."
"Jeez, damn."
"I'm gonna get settled," Bass said and got up from the fire to get himself settled with the Clan. He was feeling a bit melancholy. After having Charlie to himself for two months, he was going to miss having her close. But they had talked about it; at least for now, they wouldn't shove their relationship in Rachel's face and, therefore, Miles. Bass wasn't happy about it, but he went along with it for Charlie.
Charlie would have her own tent with the Clan. Bass would be sleeping with Pete.
The following morning, Charlie sent two riders out to meet Duncan and escort the Clan to the area for their camp. The Paige Clan arrived two weeks later, and they were guided to an abandoned airfield. Duncan used the hanger for her headquarters and for a place to store their provisions.
One month later:
The Matheson-Duncan army has managed to engage the Patriots regularly, hitting supply trains and forward bases. They've been such a nuisance that the Patriots are now actively seeking them out, and there are regular skirmishes.
Charlie and Bass manage to sneak some alone time when things were quiet, occasionally in her tent and sometimes in the woods away from prying eyes. One afternoon, during a lull, they decided to sneak off.
Rachel always had her eyes on Bass, so she noticed when he headed into the trees shortly after Charlie did. Charlie was carrying her crossbow, presumably hunting. (So what is Bass up to? I don't trust that son of a bitch)"
Following him, Rachel was determined to not let him touch Charlie. (Whatever the hell went on during the trip to Vegas stops now!)
Charlie was waiting for Bass in their special place, a pine grove near the lake. There was a thick bed of pine needles to lay out the blanket. She had some jerky and apples along with a flask. They planned on spending a quiet afternoon together.
Coming into the grove, Bass smiled as she stood to meet him. They shared a long, luscious kiss.
"I've missed you," Bass whispers into her hair.
"Missed you too."
Their lunch forgotten, they started undressing each other as they continued to kiss and caress.
Bass had just laid Charlie down on their soft bed of pine and was starting to make love to her with the sweet smell of the pine and the sound of the birds around them.
Rachel burst in on their cocoon with the noise of a shotgun being cocked. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! GET YOUR DISGUSTING HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER, YOU PIG!" The shotgun pointed right at Bass' back. "I SHOULD KILL YOU RIGHT NOW! WE DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE. WE HAVE ENOUGH FIGHTERS. NO REASON FOR YOU TO BE HERE.
CHARLIE! GET DRESSED AND GET BACK TO CAMP!"
When Rachel came screaming at them, they immediately broke apart, Bass rolling and grabbing his gun. Charlie grabbed Bass' shirt. Still holding the shotgun on him, Rachel demanded that he put on his pants.
Charlie was furious. "Put the gun down, Mom! NOW!"
"Oh, I don't think so. Get dressed!" she said, raving.
"You're the one going back to camp. We'll leave when we're ready to leave. You followed me? Really? What am I twelve?"
"I didn't follow you; I followed him. I DON'T trust him, the pig, and I was right!"
While Charlie was distracting her mother, Bass managed to grab the shotgun and clear it. After several more minutes of hate talk and yelling, Rachel finally realized that Charlie wasn't leaving, so she left to find Miles. "I'll let Miles deal with you!" she said to Bass as she stomped off.
They sat down on the blanket, the afternoon in ruins. "I guess we might as well be going," Charlie said sadly. Disappointed, Bass agreed. They got themselves put back together, everything packed up and made their way back to camp holding hands.
"Why do I feel like I'm seventeen and just got caught in my parent's bed?" Bass laments.
"You did that?"
"Once."
Charlie chuckled and squeezed his hand.
He kisses her again. "This is torture. I want to be with you, as a couple, like adults, no sneaking around. Those two months on the road were beautiful."
"I know, me too."
Ten minutes later, they broke through the trees holding hands.
Aaron looks up, "This looks like trouble," as he watches Rachel and Miles marching towards them.
Miles is in a rage as he stomps up to them while bellowing, "YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU COULDN'T DO IT, COULD YOU! YOU COULDN'T KEEP YOUR DICK IN YOUR PANTS!" Miles landed a punch square to the jaw, sending Bass down hard onto his back.
Bass recovered quickly and was back on his feet, and the two brothers went after each other. Charlie was yelling at them to stop while Rachel stood by with a satisfied look and a twitch of her lips. The fight brought several clansmen over, ready to jump in if Charlie gave the command.
"MILES! MILES! STOP!" as she grabbed onto the back of his shirt. When that didn't work, she turned to Marcus to break it up.
Both Bass and Miles looked battered. Miles wasn't done. "WHAT THE FUCK, BASS! SHE'S HALF YOUR AGE! SHE'S MY NIECE, FOR GOD'S SAKE! Lunging for Bass again, but Marcus held him back. Miles shook him off. " Back off!"
"Only if Boss or Monroe tell me too," was his reply.
Charlie steps in again. "Miles! Stop it! NOW! Both you and Mom! I'm with Bass because I want to be. I'm an adult, and I make my own decisions, and that includes who I want to be with."
"Well, you're not acting like an adult, your acting like a hormonal teenager!" Rachel sneers.
Bass has been standing by, fists clenched, breathing heavy, and ready to defend himself again.
Rachel is wound up tight, and she lets loose with her usual tirade. "Have you forgotten your father, your brother, what he did to me! I was his prisoner! He's evil! You don't know him; he's poison, a monster! He…he…made me sleep with him!"
Miles lunged at Bass again and managed to land another punch before Marcus restrained him. Rachel watched Charlie for the reaction that she expected from her reveal. She didn't get it.
"You Bitch! Miles! You know me better than that! Come on, man!" Bass roars.
"He didn't force you to do anything, Mom. We've talked about everything. He told me what happened, and I believed him. Miles left, Bass went to see you. He was drunk; you comforted him, at least that's what you made him think. It meant nothing, and he was disgusted in the morning. Don't you dare try and make him out to be a rapist."
"Miles, we don't need him anymore with all of the extra fighters. I don't know why he's even still here." Rachel continues with her same line.
"And that wouldn't have happened without, Bass." Charlie retorts.
"The way I heard it, it was all you," Miles says while glaring at Bass.
"And how do you think we got to Duncan? It was a joint effort."
"Charlie, are you acting out because you are angry with Miles and me? Are you trying to get back at us? Are you trying to hurt me?" Rachel whines.
"What? No! This isn't about you! Not everything is about you. You know what, I've had enough. You're both hypocrites. Mom, you slept with Miles while you were married to Dad, and don't try and deny it. Miles may even be my father."
Rachel goes after Bass, "You son of a bitch! What kind of crap have you been spreading?"
"Don't look at Bass; he didn't say anything. I'm not blind and stupid. I know what I know, and I can do the math.
And Miles! You know I love you, but you were just as much a part of the Republic as Bass, maybe more, but you won't own it. When Bass was falling apart, did you try and help him? Your brother? No, you shoved a gun in his face and then took off. Let him take the fall for everything. No wonder he got paranoid.
And Mom! If it weren't for you and Dad, there wouldn't have even been a Republic. There wouldn't have been a blackout, and all of this shit wouldn't have happened. You're responsible for more death and destruction than Bass ever will be."
Miles still isn't ready to let it go. "What the hell's wrong with you! She's just barely an adult. You be the adult and walk away. You'll only end up hurting her. Why not do the right thing for once in your miserable life, and leave! If you care for her, you'll leave. Let her find someone her own age."
"You're right; I don't deserve her. She's special, but as long as she wants me, I'll be there for her. I'm not going anywhere!"
"You've slept with her, didn't you, you manipulative SOB." Miles snarls, fists clenched.
"That's enough!" Charlie shouts. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here, not a part of this. Yes! We've slept together, alright?! Bass tried to discourage me, but I couldn't and wouldn't deny my feelings for him. I came on to him. He couldn't deny his feelings for me either. You may think our being together is just a fling. It's not. I want to be with him. I love him."
Bass had had enough and pushed past the crowd and went to pick up his pack. He saddled Chamberlain and left the camp to be alone and think.
Rachel starts in again, "Charlie…. He's going to hurt you. He's a womanizer; he doesn't do relationships."
"No, Mom, Miles, no more, we're done. This is done," turning away and heading to her side of the camp. She watched Bass leave but knows he just needs some space. He'll be back.
When Bass first left, he wasn't sure where he was going, but as he wandered, he found himself in Duncan's camp. He dismounted, secured his horse, and went over to see Duncan. She was sitting around her fire, sharing some whiskey with some of her clan members.
"Sebastian! What drags your ass to my fire?"
"Ahh, I need a place to stay. Can you spare a tent?"
"Trouble in paradise?" she snickered.
"Not with Charlie, no. But the rest of the bunch. Let's just say I'm persona non grata. Rachel drew a shotgun on me, and believe me, she would use it given the chance. I wasn't their favorite before, but now that Charlie and I are officially outted,… well, I can't stay there."
"I see. You can, of course, stay here. We'll get you a tent. Will Charlie be coming?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
When Bass returned, it was late. He settled Chamberlain then went to find Charlie.
He found her sitting with Marcus, Pete, and Little John, around a fire. Charlie had been waiting for him and had seen him ride back into camp. "Bass, come sit, have a drink. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but we need to talk."
Charlie never liked hearing that phrase; it always meant trouble. "Okay, my tent then. Goodnight, guys."
"Night, Boss," they collectively responded.
Charlie took Bass' hand and led him to the tent. Their secret was out, no reason to hold back any longer.
"Aren't you worried about the wardens?" Bass snarked.
"Hey, knock it off. And, no, I'm not." They went into her tent, and Charlie laid on her cot, patting the spot next to her. "What's up."
Bass stretched out next to her, lying on his back. Charlie snuggled into him with her head tucked in on his shoulder.
"Charlotte, I'm leaving…."
Charlie sat up like a shot. "What?"
"Maybe we shouldn't… I don't want you to lose your family because of me. Family is important."
"Bass! Stop it! We're back here again? This is where I want to be. They're the ones losing, pushing me away. It's on them." She laid back down and draped her arm across his middle. He covered her hand with his own while he stroked her back and shoulder, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm moving to Duncan's camp. She has a tent for me. Maybe I won't have to worry about Rachel slitting my throat in the middle of the night."
"I'm coming with you then. We'll move in the morning. I'll leave Marcus in charge."
Charlie leaned up and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you too. Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure. I want to be with you. Haven't I made that clear?"
Bass leaned over and kissed her head, then they settled in and fell asleep.
Rachel was with Miles when Bass returned, and she watched him go over and sit with Charlie. Then to her horror, she watched as they left the campfire and went into Charlie's tent.
"Miles! You have to do something! This can't happen; I won't let it happen!"
"Rach, I don't like it either, but there isn't much I can do. You're… we're, going to lose her. She's right; she gets to make her own choices."
"Miles, she doesn't know what she's doing. He's done something to her."
"She's a young woman, Rachel, not a child. Pre-blackout, things were different. But now… people die young, and you need to grab happiness where you can. She's happy with asshat, I don't like it, but there it is. Fact is, eventually the moron will do something stupid, and you know Charlie; she won't put up with his shit."
The sun was just showing itself over the horizon when Charlie slipped out of bed. Bass was sleeping soundly, and she didn't want to disturb him. Dusting a kiss on his forehead, she left the tent in search of Marcus, hoping that he would be up.
"Marcus! Hey," Charlie greets him.
"Morn'n, boss."
"Marcus, Bass and I are moving to the main camp. We can't stay here. I want you to take care of things. Let us know if anything important comes up. Once the camp is up, I'll speak to the group."
"Yeah, I get it, Boss."
Charlie got some coffee and went back to her tent. Bass was just stirring when she walked in.
"Rise 'n Shine sunshine!" She handed him his coffee. Bass took a sip then left to take care of his bladder. When he got back, Charlie was sipping hers as she waited for him.
"I spoke with Marcus already. Once the camp is awake, I'll hold a meeting and speak to the group."
After Charlie spoke with her Clan, she and Bass packed up. Then Bass went to ready their horses while Charlie made her way over to Rachel and Miles to tell them they were leaving.
"We're leaving. We'll be staying with Duncan's camp."
"So, now you're war clan? What's happened to you? This is what he's done to you?" Rachel snarls.
"Did you ever stop to think that I would be happy to stay here? But you make it impossible."
"How can you be so stupid! He killed Ben, he killed Danny! He's a monster, and he's poisoning you and turning you against me."
"Shut up, Mom. I've had enough. Neville killed Dad; he didn't order that. And Danny… it was war, Mom. He chose to fight. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. He was determined to join the fight. You were there. You saw what happened. Danny chose to be a soldier. So, enough already! If you decide to be reasonable, you know where to find me. Miles… I'll see you during our next planning session. Marcus is in charge; I'm leaving him and the men here, should you need them. Take any issues that come up with him."
Gene had wandered over when he heard all of the commotion, Charlie and Rachel going at it again. He overheard part of the ongoing battle. "Did I hear that you are leaving camp? Going to stay with the war clan?"
"Yes, Grandpa. Bass and I will be staying with Duncan's Clan. I know you and I haven't really spoken about what's been going on, but I'm sure that you side with Mom and Miles."
"Well, I know that you have been spending a lot of time with Monroe. Charlie, we all only want what's best for you."
"What's best for me, grandpa? What's best for me is to live my own life, not some version of my mother's or Miles, or yours even, Grandpa."
"We worry about you, sweetheart. You're so young and have so much life ahead of you. You can meet a young man your own age. Start a family."
"Really, Grandpa? What, go with someone like Henry Watts, I suppose? Yeah, I know all about the conspiracy to get us together when we were in Willoughby. Do you really think I would be happy with some milk toast farmboy weeding gardens and raising a brood? Like it or not, I'm a warrior. Someone like him would never understand me."
"We've done this to you, Miles, and me, bringing you into this lifestyle," Rachel whined.
"Don't make this about you, Mom. You can't seem to get it through your head that I am my own person."
"You're jumping into this with Monroe. Slow down! Think about what you're doing!" Gene says.
"I have, Grandpa. Who knows how long any of us have in this messed-up world. You, Mom, and Miles don't want to hear it, but the truth is I love him. I've forgiven him. He deserves a second chance, just like Miles. I want to be with him; he makes me happy. End of discussion."
"Charlie," Rachel starts again. "You can't know that; you haven't had the chance to…."
Charlie interrupts, "The chance to what? Live without fear? Sleep in a real bed with a real roof over my head? How about drive a car, or go to the movies or college? And who's fault is that, Mom? Not Bass'. You're so sanctimonious. I'm living the life I have, the only one I have.
We're leaving for Duncan's."
"Don't forget us, Charlie," Gene says.
"I won't, Grandpa, but unless Bass is welcome, I won't be back."
Rachel wiped frustrated tears from her cheeks and turned away. Charlie hugged her Grandfather and Miles, who had been surprisingly quiet through the whole discussion, then she went over to where Bass was waiting for her with the horses.
"You hurt her, moron, and I'll finish you. Next time I won't hesitate to pull the trigger." Miles turned and stomped back to Rachel. Bass just watched him go. There was nothing more to say.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in." Duncan greets them with a smile and a hug for Charlie. "I'll have Eli show you to your tent.
Eli brought them to their tent, which Duncan had set up near her own. They stowed their gear. Inside their tent was a double pallet made up with a soft pad and some blankets. On the floor was a carpet. There were two camp chairs and a small table with two lamps. Bass and Charlie were welcomed to the camp, and they settled in.
"Bass, the tent is perfect. She's really taking care of us."
"Don't forget, Princess. You're Clan Sisters. You have rank."
"I hadn't thought about that."
Charlie was disappointed and sorry about how things were left with Miles and her mother. She wishes it could be different and that Miles would forgive Bass for whatever he had done to make him leave him like that. But it felt good to be accepted and welcomed and not have to hide her feelings for Bass or his for her.
They've been in Duncan's camp just over a week, and Bass is feeling insecure, letting his head run away with him. He knows that Charlie loves Miles and AARP and even Rachel; after all, she is her mother. Family is important, and he doesn't want to be responsible for Charlie losing her's. He just wants Charlie to be happy. He'll get out of her life, and she'll move on. He decides to leave. Rachel is right; with Duncan's Clan, he really isn't needed anyway, as she continuously lets him know. He's not sure how Miles feels anymore except for how he feels about him and Charlie.
That night Bass makes love to Charlie slowly… sweetly, taking his time and savoring every moment with her. She falls asleep in his arms as tears track down his cheeks. Bass had his pack ready; he left it by the tent entrance. After being asleep for a couple of hours, he carefully releases Charlie from his hold, quietly gets into his shirt and pants, picks up his boots, and pack, then silently slips from the tent.
Charlie felt the loss of him lying next to her almost right away. At first, she thought he needed the woods, but then she noticed that his pack was missing. (He's been acting squirrelly all day. He's done a runner…)
Distressed and hoping that she's not too late to stop him, she throws on her clothes and rushes to where the Clan's horses are kept. He was there, saddling Chamberlain. As she stomped over to him, he turned to face her. (so much for a quiet getaway)
"Charlotte…"
"What the hell do you think you're doing? You're leaving me?" She's furious and hurt. Standing with her hands on her hips, she gets in his face. "Why? And just slipping away without so much as a goodbye? How dare you!" She pushed hard against his chest again and again. She's crying now, almost whispering, "Why Bass? I thought we were past this. Please don't leave me, don't go. I need you. I love you."
Bass takes a step closer to her and pulls her to him. "I'm not needed here anymore, Rachel said it, and Miles didn't disagree. They have Duncan now. I'm just a hanger-on. I'm not good for you, Charlotte; your mother is right."
" Bass, don't…just stop. I decide what's good for me. Not you and certainly not my mother or even Miles. And it's you! " Charlie sniffs. "Don't listen to them. Listen to me! I need you!"
"Charlotte, I don't want to be the reason that you lose your family. Family is important, and I know that it's important to you too."
"Bass, you idiot. You are my family. If you leave, you'll rip my heart out. Please, Bass, please, don't do this. Don't go…come back to bed."
Bass' pooling tears now released down his cheeks. Cupping her cheeks, he kissed her deeply. " I love you, Charlotte. I just want you to be happy."
"Then come back to bed. You make me happy, not Miles and Rachel. You! Yes, they are my family, and I love them, even if Rachel is…well…But I need you. Miles and my mom, they have each other. Stop this bullshit and come back to bed."
Bass pulled her close and kissed her like a drowning man, then he removed his saddle, picked up his pack, and followed Charlie back to their tent, where he again showed Charlie how much he loved her. All thoughts of leaving vanished.