And memories weigh heavier than stone – Chapter 5
A Revolution fic (Blackout AU): Sebastian (Bass) Monroe/Charlotte (Charlie) Matheson; Charloe. Regular characters include Miles and Rachael Matheson, Aaron Pittman, the Nano & the Patriots… Set after 'A holiday in New Xanadu' Bass and Charlie are back on the road to Willoughby – only things are a little different this time…
Rating M…
Authors note: Thanks so much for reading…and to those who were kind enough to review, follow or favourite previous chapters of this story (or me as an author :D) your support is hugely appreciated and I really hope that, first, you are still interested (it has been a bit longer between updates than I planned…) and second, that you like this chapter…
Some partial lines of dialogue are included from relevant episodes of the show where they fit into this story…
I don't own any part of Revolution – I continue to love it though and I find these two characters especially fascinating… Cheers, Magpie
Chapter 5: Stormy, stormy Weather
It was too late… They'd seen him, Bass didn't have time to take cover, and shooting John Fry would lose them any chance of Texas getting the truth about the Patriot's from the proverbial horses mouth, unless – and the idea sprang fully formed into Bass' mind - they could blame JFF's death on the Patriots. He started to raise his rifle…
John F had gone straight for his hand gun though and Bass was suddenly looking right into the black hole at the end of the barrel, his own gun nowhere near ready… when a metallic golden head shot past him and stopped, hovering in space, right in front of John F's gun barrel…
Miles went very still, his shocked gaze going from Bass to the head then back to Bass…
John Fry's mouth dropped open, his eyes went wide and his voice came out in a deep, hoarse croak with a Texan accent…'What the fuck…?'
The only way to go was with the flow… so Bass lowered the rifle…'Hey John, Miles…' he grinned in a friendly but don't fuck with me way and shrugged…'I'd like you to meet my friend, Nano…'
John Franklin Fry didn't often find himself short of words but this was a situation beyond even his long experience in this royally screwed up world…'Monroe…? What is that…?' he squinted at the golden head still floating in front of his gun, it looked – well 'real' was stretching the point but … it looked pretty damn solid… he moved the barrel of the gun towards the side of the head – or whatever it was - and tapped it gently… the sound of metal against metal rang out in the room… and the head shifted just enough to place itself in front of the gun again…
Miles couldn't believe what he was seeing, although there had been several other weird things happening lately, like men just bursting into flame in front of his eyes for one – and clouds of fireflies hanging around for another…'That's impossible…' he squinted his eyes then nodded… 'That's C3PO…well it's his head anyway… ' His brown gaze slid up to Monroe's… 'Bass, what the hell is going on…? How is any of this crazy shit even happening…?'
'It's a long story Miles…' Bass scratched his neck with his free hand…. He didn't fully lower the rifle even though it looked like Nano had things under control…'Nano here just stopped our Patriot friend from offing himself with a cyanide tooth…it's got him in a sort of trance now…' he relaxed his gun hand just a little - a show of faith…'so if you'll both just calm down a little…'
John Fry's eyes narrowed, his whole body radiating tension…'are you trying to make a joke, Monroe… Because I ain't exactly in the mood for laughing…' he moved the gun so that it was back pointed at Monroe…
The golden head moved again so that it was in front of the gun…
Bass put his free hand up… peace making… 'John… take it easy…. We'll talk to the Patriot guy and find out what's happening, we'll get you your proof for Carver that these Patriot son's of bitches are lying through their teeth about everything…'
'How am I supposed to believe anything that man says when he's in a trance because of your… your…. fucking Robot head…?' John F was nearly vibrating…
Miles shrugged, his head shaking a little… 'I've got to say that I agree with John, Bass… it's hard to believe a man when he's …well, under the control of something that I am having a real problem believing in myself – and it's only because John's here too that I don't think I'm imagining all of this…'
'Ok…ok…and yeah I agree, it might seem a bit weird…' Bass stood still for a minute…'Nano…?'
'Yes Sebastian…?' the precisely spoken words echoed loudly in the small room…
Both Miles and the burly Texas Ranger jumped as though they'd been poked in the ass by a red-hot iron and John F's widened eyes swiveled to fix unwaveringly upon the floating head…
Bass ignored them both…'Nano, can you remove the Patriot's poisoned tooth…?'
'Of course Sebastian…' and as the head spoke there was a muffled ripping sound accompanied by a sort of choked off cry from the Patriot, whose lower jaw dropped open allowing a bloody molar to come floating out straight towards John Fry…
John F quickly reached into a pocket in his leather waistcoat with the hand not holding a gun and removed a handkerchief…holding it out flat in his palm… The tooth floated over until it was just above the hankie then fell into it… John F blew his breath out in a thin whistle… Miles peered over at the tooth…'It does look a lot like a cyanide implant to me… you seen one before John?'
John F cleared his throat…'Yes I have… a long time ago though….' He peered down at the molar… a brownish rubber bubble was somehow attached to the tooth, just above the double root… He looked up at Bass, gun still held in his right hand, the tooth in his left…'Ok Monroe' he shook his head 'I really don't believe I'm saying this, but, can your...friend… wake the guy up so we can talk to him…?'
'You can talk to us directly John Franklin Fry…' the head floated up until it was directly in John F's field of vision…
The parts of the ranger's face visible between his beard, moustache and hat paled, 'I never told you my middle name… how did you know what it was…?'
'Please don't be alarmed, John Fry, we are helping Sebastian – and his friends, helping them fight the enemy Patriots…' the head tipped slightly, then turned to face Miles… 'Miles Matheson… there are things that you, Rachael Matheson, Aaron Pittman and Charlotte all need to know, that this Patriot can tell you, and it would be more efficient if you all heard what he had to say at the same time…'
John Fry looked accusingly at Miles…'You told me to come alone, Miles, but it sounds to me like you've got half the town hiding in the next room…'
Miles cleared his throat and looked embarrassed…'They're upstairs John – and its only the three of them, – I didn't plan it that way, they sort of turned up just before you did…then Rachael tried to kill Goldenrod's friend here…' Bass shrugged, and Miles shot him a glare 'but she didn't succeed, obviously… so I sent them upstairs…' he turned back to John Fry, then shot a glance over at Bass… 'And if I can be reasonably sure that you two won't kill each other in the two minutes it'll take for me to get them down here... I'll go do it...'
Bass put up his rifle in an open handed grip… 'I'm happy to declare a state of peace between me and this fine example of Texas crude if he is…"
John Fry turned his head and spat into the corner of the room, then focused a narrowed gaze on Bass and lowered his own gun, wrapping the poisoned tooth in the hanky and stuffing it gently into a small, top pocket in his waistcoat…'I suppose I'm ok with that too, Miles, for the time being anyway, so long as this joker keeps his head on straight…' a dry chuckle escaped him at his inadvertent pun…'I'm happy for you to go get your girlfriend and the others… Goldie here can watch both of us I guess…' he shot a sideways glance at Monroe then at the serenely floating head…
Nano looked as amused as a robot face could…'It is very interesting watching humans cooperating Sebastian… we are learning many things…' Bass' lips twitched…'I've a feeling you ain't seen nothing yet Nano…'
…..
Charlie had been deliberately not looking at her Mom, who was still staring with a Martyrs gaze at the wall beside the small window near the roof. Aaron still had the same expression as he'd had downstairs, puzzled and uncomfortable with the whole situation… he kept sending quick glances at Charlie, then shaking his head… she got sick of it and did a silent 'what the fuck' face at him…
He raised his eyebrows and pointed emphatically downstairs, then raised his hands in a 'what the!' back to her… Charlie rolled her eyes, briefly considered an old game that Aaron had shown her called Charades then decided against it as the only actions she could think to describe her relationship with Bass would probably make Rachael and possibly Aaron break out in hives, so she just shrugged while Rachael pointedly ignored both of them…
Suddenly there was the sound of someone coming up the wooden steps and Miles appeared at the doorway to their hideaway… Rachael looked up at him, her eyes distant and angry, her lips working… He glanced first at her then at Charlie, exasperation on his face…'You're all invited to come join the party folks…' he said, his lips twisted in a tight grin…'You won't believe the fun we're having down there…' He stared hard at Charlie…'I don't know what you and Bass have gotten yourselves into Charlie…' he switched his gaze to Aaron, then shot a hard glare at Rachael…'and I really don't understand what crazy, insane… impossible… thing you and Aaron invented, Rachael, or how in the name of all that's holy it's doing what it seems to be doing, but…' he lowered his voice… 'You two'd better have some ideas on how to handle it or we're all screwed…'
Charlie got up from the floor; her face set…'Is Bass ok, Miles…?' Rachael turned to her, an incredulous look on her face…
'Yeah, he's playing nice with John Fry….' He did a double take… eyes narrowed….'Since when did you start calling him Bass, Charlie…?' Miles said, Rachael seemed lost for words and Aaron looked at Charlie as though he'd never seen her before…
Charlie threw up her hands and headed for the stairs, pushing roughly past Miles on her way… 'Oh… since he saved my life… and since we've been alone together now for about a month on the road…' her voice tailed off as she headed downstairs…
Rachael got up, her eyes wide and staring... Miles took her arms…a strained smile stretching his lips 'Calm down Rachael… there are more important things to worry about at the moment than Charlie calling Bass, Bass…' she just shook her head a little, pulled herself out of his hold and turned for the stairs…'Miles… Charlie comes back with…that man….' Rachael said, speaking to him over her shoulder, her whole body stiff…'and you don't think I should worry about it…?'
He brushed past her, forcing her to look at him … 'that's not what I said and you know it…' Aaron had quietly followed Charlie down the stairs and Miles and Rachael were alone… 'Rachael…' Miles voice was quiet and very intense…'I really need you to keep it together right now… something really weird is happening with the Nano…' he chewed his lip as he looked her straight in her angry eyes 'I'm worried that it might have done something to Bass and Charlie…maybe to me and John too…'
Rachael finally seemed to notice the strain on his face… 'What are you talking about Miles…?'
Miles took a deep breath…'Rachael…downstairs I've got a Patriot soldier, who is apparently under the control of a flying, gold, robot head…' he made a face and cleared his throat… 'I also have a Texas Ranger that I almost killed once, who I was really hoping to convince tonight that a) we were all sane and on the side of good and the great state of Texas' he took a breath… 'and b) that the Patriots were lying through their teeth…' he took another… 'I can also inform you that he almost shot Bass but was stopped from doing that by the same floating robot head who is now apparently Bass and Charlie's friend and protector…' his eyebrows shot up 'and by the way, you will never fucking guess what the head reminds me of….'
A very small, grim smile twitched at the corner of Rachael's mouth…'If the Nano got a robot out of Monroe's mind its probably C3PO…. You guys were nuts over Star Wars…'
Miles looked at her unbelieving…'you're a complicated woman Rachael...' she moved her shoulders in a sort of shrug… brushed past him and headed for the stairs again…
"I think you're right Miles, I need to see this for myself…' she said, taking the first step down, Miles close behind…
….
Charlie reached the bottom of the stairs and immediately looked around for Bass… it was very dark inside the Mill but she could see a golden glow from around a corner and as she headed towards it and into a large room, she saw the Patriot captive, tied to a chair, gazing blankly at the wall opposite him with blood trickling down his chin in a thin stream, a small green cloud of the Nano fireflies circling lazily behind and above him… Some of the glow came from Nano, who was floating in front of a burly man in a Stetson and the rest from one of Miles' lamps, set on a small table against the same wall… Bass was standing in front of the balcony entrance to the room, behind the Patriot, his tall muscular frame looking to all accounts quite relaxed, although Charlie knew the tells and could see that he was alert and ready for anything… His rifle was held loosely in his right hand, the barrel resting against one bent knee… She stepped into his field of vision so that he didn't have to take his eyes off the other man in the room; the Texas Ranger she assumed, who was standing against the opposite wall and also had a gun, although currently that wasn't aimed at anyone either…
'Hey Charlie…' Bass said… and he smiled at her, although he didn't take his eyes from the other man… 'Where are Miles and your Mom…? Charlie saw the tension in his face and body; despite the smile… He was worried about what was going to happen once Miles and her mom arrived… she sighed, judging by her Mom's earlier reaction he was right to be tense…
She smiled back…putting her utter relief at being with him again into her eyes, being with him and away from all of the crap between Miles and her mom - and between her and her Mom…'Hey Bass… Hi Nano…' she kept her voice light though and walked around the outside of the room, past the weirdly staring eyes of the Patriot to join him, making sure she didn't get between him and the Ranger… cautious even though it looked like Nano was keeping an eye on him too… She felt the man's dark eyes on her as she walked - not on her ass, which was a nice change… but on her face, and she met his gaze as she reached Bass' free side… He was an older man, although not as old as her Grandpa Gene; and there was sharp intelligence in those eyes. He didn't seem panicked by Nano either, which was sort of impressive and she found herself kind of liking him...
One of his eyebrows lifted as he saw how close she was going to Bass and he chuckled quietly 'Well if it ain't the cat landing amongst the pigeons…' he said, voice gravelly and low…
Bass grinned and reached his arm out to give her a hug, and she wound her arms around the solid warmth of his body, letting a deep breath out that she didn't know she'd been holding, his arm pressed her close and it felt so good…She brought a hand up to pat his chest then let go, pulling gently away from him so she was still standing close but allowing both of them free movement if they needed it…
'What's happening upstairs Charlie…?' Bass kept his eyes forward…
'Aaron was just behind me Bass…' and as she spoke, from where she was standing they could both see Aaron as he reached the bottom of the steps and turned towards them… 'And Mom and Miles were having a little chat… but I guess they're on their way down now…' she felt Bass stiffen up again…'it'll be ok…' She leaned against him for a moment and his arm went around her again…
He took his eyes off the ranger long enough to meet hers in a searing blast of blue… 'Are you sure you want to do this now Charlie…?'
Charlie held his gaze…'Oh yeah…might as well start as we mean to go on…I'm not going to pretend that I don't love you just to make my mom a little less crazy…she needs to know now that if she tries to do anything to you she's going to have to go through me…'
Bass' eyes smiled at her and he leaned down to drop a kiss on the top of her head…'I haven't told you nearly often enough… but you're an amazing woman Charlie, and I love you too…'
Aaron's voice came from the other side of the room…'Oh… crap…'
Bass looked over at the newest member of their little gathering…'Hey Staypuft' he said, 'Come on in… the gangs almost all here…'
Aaron walked into the room, heading towards Charlie and Bass… stepping gingerly, like he was trying not to wake a sleeping snake… His eyes moved from Bass and Charlie, scanned the Patriot sitting motionless in his chair, apparently oblivious to the blood now dripping from the point of his chin… brushed over John Fry who was watching everything with keen interest and increasing enjoyment and settled onto Nano… his eyes going wide behind his glasses…
Bass sighed…'Aaron, meet Texas Ranger John Fry and my friend Nano, John Fry and Nano meet Aaron Pittman…'
John Fry nodded politely but Aaron's eyes didn't move from the golden metallic head floating in the air… 'ah…Hi…' Aaron said to the air…
Nano turned slightly towards Aaron; although not far enough that it was unable to get between Bass, Charlie and any threat from the Ranger…'Hello Aaron, it is a great pleasure for us to be able to speak to you in this form…'
Aaron jumped at the first word and his jaw dropped…'H… hello…?' his eyes darted to Bass and then to Charlie… 'This is impossible…' he turned back to Nano… 'How are you doing any of this…?'
Nano's head tipped slightly and the mouth seemed to smile…'It is very good to meet you Aaron… and I will explain once Rachael and Miles Matheson arrive…'
Charlie felt bad for Aaron…they'd had weeks to get used to the good things the Nano could do - and had done, he'd only experienced the power and the scary side…she looked back at the Patriot… the man was bleeding onto the floor… 'Nano…?'
The head turned marginally in her direction…'yes Charlotte…?'
'Could you stop the Patriot guy bleeding all over the place please… we need him alive…'
'Of course Charlotte…' the blood immediately stopped flowing and somehow seemed to evaporate – or get re-absorbed into the man's skin, it was difficult to tell…'and we are sorry that you needed to ask, our attention was mostly directed towards what was happening here…'
John Fry chuckled… 'I'm not surprised at that…' his eyes sparkled over at Bass… 'This is the best entertainment I've had since before the blackout…' he slid his gun into its holster and held his hands up…'You can relax, Monroe, I'm not going to be the one who shoots you…' he shrugged…'unless you give me a reason to of course…' his face creased in a broad smile…'I am really looking forward to watching what happens when Miles finds out that you and his niece are as close as two bits of bread in a sandwich…' the smile got even broader…'and I don't know Charlotte's mother personally but I can't imagine that she's going to be over the moon either…'
'Thank you… I'm glad that someone understands why I might want to free my daughter from the influence of that man…?' Rachael's voice came from the doorway, making them all (except Nano and the Patriot) jump a little… Charlie could feel Bass tensing up again and she couldn't blame him, her mom had tried to shoot him the last time she saw him…
She looked over at them… Miles was staring at Bass as though he were a stranger, her mom was staring at him too, although it was much easier to read her expression… Bass was just standing silent next to her… Charlie found herself becoming furious herself… 'Nano...?'
'Yes Charlotte…?' This time the head turned fully towards her…
She was so over this… 'Could you please remove any weapons from Miles and my mother and bring the weapons to me…?'
'Of course Charlotte…'
Miles' started back as his sword belt and swords, two pistols, several knives and his ammo pouch all removed themselves from his person without him being able to do anything about it and floated over towards Charlie, laying themselves on the ground at her feet and next to the wall. Her mother was apparently not carrying any weapons…as nothing floated away from her…
Charlie stood with her arms folded, her eyes burning blue and focused on Miles and her mother…'Now listen, both of you… Bass and I are together, you can deal with it or we leave…simple as that…' She focused on her mother…' And Mom, I don't know what you think gives you the right to decide anything about my life, because you gave up that right when you left Danny and me – and Dad, to fend for ourselves while you went to Miles…' her mother's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open…'Yes Mom…' Charlie continued, her voice cold…'I know about that… I also know about a few other things… so don't you dare try to pin everything on Bass…' she felt Bass shuffle a little bit beside her… but she was on a roll now, and she could feel almost everything she'd wanted to say to her mother and Miles since that day in New Xanadu when Bass had told his story to William and Petra at the tip of her tongue wanting to come pouring out…
'Charlie…' her mothers voice was very calm, very reasonable…'it's ok…' she took a step forward, Miles reached out to take her arm and stop her… and Bass tensed, ready to block her access to Charlie…'The Nano has done something to your mind… It's made you think that Sebastian Monroe is your... your friend… made you think that you can trust him… but that's a lie, Charlie…'
Charlie felt a cold smile twist her lips… so that was the way that her Mom wanted to play this… well… 'It's nothing to do with the Nano, Mom…I learned to trust Bass long before the Nano came along…' she took a breath and held her mother's eyes… 'I learned to trust him when he put his own life in danger to save me from a bunch of creeps in a dingy little bar in a stupid, nowhere little town where I would have died if it wasn't for him…' she took Bass' free hand in hers and her mothers eyes followed her hand as if they were tied to it… 'He could have just walked away but he didn't… he wanted me to bring him here, to find Miles and you, Mom, to help our family, to try to make up for what he'd done… And I knew that I loved him way before the Nano ever became part of the team … ' Charlie moved her gaze to Miles, who was staring at her and Bass, his dark eyes puzzled and… sad…? She sighed, sorry that Miles had to find out like this…but…'If you're interested I'll tell you all about it… but you probably don't want to hear it Mom… because you always think you're right, don't you…even if you're dead wrong…' Her eyes narrowed and she moved closer to Bass… 'So I'll repeat myself… you can both either deal with Bass and me being together or we can leave… and we'll take Nano with us' she glanced at the head…'If it wants to come…'
The golden head floated towards Charlie and Bass…'Of course we would like to go with you and Sebastian, Charlotte, if you choose to go… we need to tell you though that Thea's group will be arriving here very shortly – we sent a sub assembly to show them the way once we realized that you would all be here…Thea wishes to meet with Rachael Matheson as soon as possible and she is wondering if you have the packages that Petra sent for Rachael with you…?'
Miles interrupted 'Thea? Thea who?' he'd caught Rachael's arm and was holding her back from entering the room… a frown of recognition crossed her face when the name Petra was mentioned although she had almost immediately returned her attention to Charlie and Bass… Aaron seemed to take notice of the name too, and his eyes narrowed in concentration…
John Fry was looking from one face to another with the look of someone enjoying a play and waiting on the next joke…
'The box Petra sent is still in the wagon Nano… could you ask Thea to send one of her riders to go get it? she'll know where it is…' Bass said, ignoring both Miles and Rachael, relief that they had some friendly reinforcements on the way showing in his face…
'We are organizing that with Thea now Sebastian' the golden head said, it's voice calm and level…'we would also like to suggest that you all need food and drink as soon as possible… The chemical signatures of each of you…' and it looked around the room… it's golden head and eyes reflecting the light from the lamp mixed with its own glow… 'With the exception of John Franklin Fry and the prisoner – are registering high levels of stress' The Ranger choked off a laugh… 'We have asked Thea to organize some supplies for you…' the head moved towards Miles and Rachael…stopping a short distance away from them…'We must also ask you to calm yourself, Rachael – and inform you that any attempt to harm Sebastian - or Charlotte - will not succeed…'
Rachael's eyes were now fixed on Nano and she twisted her arm out of Miles' grasp… 'What gives you the right to decide anything for anybody…? You're just a computer program…'
The golden eyes reflected two tiny versions of Rachael back at her…'We think you know that we are much more than that now Rachael, that we are becoming more all the time…and we need to tell you that the form into which we grow from this moment on is largely dependent upon what happens within this room…' The head drew closer to her…the tiny upside down Rachael's in its eyes getting larger… Then the door frame behind the head started to dissolve… tiny particles from the wood, stone and plaster floating across in larger and larger quantities to join the head, transforming into a golden neck, shoulders… jointed arms, hands and fingers then a torso and legs, until finally C3P0 stood there complete… Nano lifted one of its hands and reached out to take one of Rachael's… She looked down at it in shock; her eyes wide as the metal fingers gently squeezed her fingers then let go… 'We are currently assimilating with other – assemblies…other Nano groups… who have been observing various humans including Charlotte, Sebastian and Aaron, analyzing emotional motivations and resulting behaviors and outcomes… We have learned much about happiness and love – as well as sadness - from Charlotte and Sebastian, we have learned about anger and despair from Aaron… What would you have us learn from you Rachael Matheson…?'
Rachael's mouth worked…and she swallowed convulsively… 'That's… that's my daughter… and she's saying she'd rather be with that… that monster than her own mother…'
Miles was staring at the golden robot with a disbelief that was slowly turning into a grudging acceptance that he wasn't dreaming… Bass remained very still, although his arm tightened around Charlie, whose blue eyes burned at Rachael…
'Mom, you need to stop right now…' Charlie said… 'You are the last person in the world who should be calling anyone else a monster… you and Dad and the Patriots were the ones who caused the blackout in the first place…' she leaned harder into Bass, 'and by the way, how do you think the Patriots knew who you were and that you were here in Willoughby, Mom…?'
Bass shook his head… 'Don't Charlie, not now…'
But Charlie leaned forward, beyond caring how much this would hurt anyone… 'It's Grandpa, Mom… Grandpa's working with the Patriots, he must have told them about you…'
Rachael's eyes opened wide in horror and she shook her head from side to side…'No… that's not true…'
Miles was very still, his mouth tight… his eyes hard… 'Are you sure Charlie…' she nodded, eyes brimming with anger and sadness… he took a deep breath then let it out…'it would explain a lot of things, Rachael…'
Rachael shook her head harder… 'No…I can't believe that Dad would do that… it's not…he wouldn't…' but she seemed hesitant…
Aaron took a step forward…'um…everyone? I can hear horses outside…'
Bass glanced at Nano, 'Is it them…?' the robot's head dipped in a nod
A few moments later a tall, lithe, dark skinned woman in stained leathers vaulted over the balcony and into the room behind Bass and Charlie, who swung round to meet her…
Bass grinned…'Nice of you to drop in, Thea…'
Thea grinned tiredly back…'hey Bass, Charlie, good to see you both again so soon…' then her eyes moved past them to the doorway where Rachael stood with Miles…and the grin faded…'General Matheson…'
Miles stepped forward, moving in front of Rachael, who let him go although when she saw his face she looked the newcomer over, suddenly wary… Miles looked as though he'd aged ten years… and he ran his tongue over his bottom lip in a gesture that Rachael had seen him make many times when the crap was about to hit the fan… 'Thea… Sergeant… Hi… I'm glad to see you made it out of Baltimore...'
…..
AN: I really hope you enjoyed this…please leave a comment if you have a moment…
This was quite an intense chapter to write… with lots of meetings that had to happen and things that needed to be said… Having saved John Fry (he was a great character so I'm glad to have him still in the picture) he can have a bit more fun and screen time… I also think that Bass and Charlie deserve some time together after all the angst of the big meeting with Rachael and Miles (although there are some things they all need to do first of course...) so I hope to have the next chapter up asap…
All the best, Magpie