They made their way to a new base of operations, taking back roads and riding through rough brush to hopefully stay off the Patriots' radar.
Charlie was lost in thought. She had no idea what was next for them. She had noticed Miles' worried expression, even though he tried to hide it. That could only mean one thing, it was about to get a whole lot tougher. Not like it had been a picnic so far. She wondered if she had the strength to make it through to the end. Of if she would even live long enough to see it. Probably not, she thought.
Conner rode up next to her, interrupting her thoughts. Charlie still didn't know about this guy, but she had to admit, he kept his cool back in Willoughby.
"I was wondering if I could get a do over." He asked smiling at her. "I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier, I made some assumptions based on previous experience and I'd like to apologize."
Charlie's eyebrows rose, but kept silent.
Conner sighed and stuck his hand out to her. "Hi I'm Conner, from Mexico. The charming, ruggedly handsome son of Sabastian Monroe."
Charlie snorted, but returned his handshake. "I'm Charlie Matheson and I'm not interested."
"Oh I gathered that." He smiled as he looked over his shoulder at Monroe. "But I was hoping we could be friends."
"Friends, huh." She asked skeptically.
"Yeah well, considering we're the only two people in our age group it seemed like the thing to do."
"What if I don't like you?"
"Give it time, I can be very likable."
"We'll see." She said shaking her head.
Bass watched their little exchange with a mixture of curiosity and jealousy. He had no idea what his son was up to. Then again it made sense that they would be friendly with each other, they were practically the same age after all. God if that didn't make him feel like a dirty old man. He knew he shouldn't feel the way he felt. He couldn't help it. Charlie was his and he would kill anyone who said otherwise.
"Don't worry pops, I'm not moving in on your territory." Conner said as he pulled his horse up next to him.
"It's not like that. It's Charlie, she's Miles' daughter."
"So she's free game." Conner asked.
Bass looked at him with murder in his eyes but didn't say a word.
"That's what I thought." Conner said chuckling.
They were lucky to find a little abandoned town and set up shop in a large home that Rachel said was a bed and breakfast before the blackout. Charlie didn't care what it was before. It had bedrooms and plenty of real beds. To her it was a small slice of heaven and she was going to enjoy it while she could. But from the sound of Miles and Bass' conversation she wouldn't get to enjoy it a long she had hoped.
"We need men Miles."
"I know that Bass, but it's not like I can put an ad out in the paper. It takes time to recruit good men and you know it."
"So we don't recruit, we buy them."
"Buy them? What you just going to head to Wal Mart and pick a few up?"
"God you can be such a dick. No I know someone who can hook me up with some mercenaries. Real killers. Just the kind of men we need."
"Mercs, you want to buy mercs?" Miles asked, not even bothering to hide the edge of disgust in his voice.
"When did you become such an elitist? Besides, you've got a better idea?" Bass challenged.
"So where is this merc dealer of yours?"
"New Vegas."
"New Vegas! What we're supposed to waltz in like the Rat Pack?"
"Sure, I'll be Frank and you can be Dean."
"Like hell you'll be Frank." Miles grunted.
"What the hell are you guys talking about?" Charlie interrupted.
"Never mind." They both answered.
"We can't all go, it will be suspicious as hell. Plus someone has to keep an eye on these Patriot assholes." Miles groused.
"Fine, Charlie, Conner and I will go. I'll find Duncan, get us some men and be back in a week, two tops."
"So much for my nice comfy bed." Charlie sighed. "All right I'll grab my crap and we can get going."
Charlie and Conner waited outside one of the gambling tents while Monroe looked for this Duncan person. Over the past few days they'd formed a pretty easy friendship. Charlie had to admit it was kind of nice having someone her own age to talk to. Even if he was cocky and annoying some times.
Monroe came stomping out of the tent. "Let me guess." Charlie said crossing her arms over her chest. "No Duncan."
"No damn it." Bass growled.
"So this whole trip was a bust?" Charlie asked.
"Not totally, you got to see Brett Michaels and the mummified remains of Steven Tyler."
"My life is complete." Charlie groused.
They started walking out of town. As they passed the tents, drunks and prostitutes the hairs on the back of her neck started to stand up. Charlie knew better than to ignore the warning. It wasn't until they reached the edge of town that something caught her eye. They were being followed. Charlie reached for Bass's arm in a silent warning.
"I see them," he whispered.
Conner was behind them, talking away, clueless to the danger they were walking into. "Maybe we could stay a little longer and take in a little of the night life." He said nodding to a scantily clad woman.
Charlie looked back and was just about to tell him to shut the hell up, when she noticed the look in his eyes. Yeah he may be babbling like an idiot, but he knew exactly what was going on. Score one for the new guy.
"I don't think so son, not this time." Bass said a little too loudly, obviously playing along.
"Aww come one." Conner whined.
They walked around a bend in the road. Bass shot a look at Charlie. He didn't need to say anything. With a few quick movements of his eyes and his head she knew exactly what needed to be done. She took a quick breath and on a silent count of three, they both drew their swords as their attackers came out of the darkness.
Completely in sync they fought together. Charlie took one out in swift stroke and as another rushed her she grabbed his arm and pivoted, swinging him onto Bass's waiting sword. The both nodded to each other and continued on with the fight. She stole a quick glance at Conner and he was finishing up with the two who came at him, Bass was on his knees thrusting his sword up into one of the last guys. She saw another coming right at him, sword raised over his head, preparing to strike. She took off running, planted her foot on Bass's back and launched herself up in the air and brought her sword down, nearly taking his head off.
"Nice move," Conner commented.
She nodded at him and looked at the carnage around her. "They look like bounty hunters." She commented. Then looked at Monroe. "It looks like word got out that your still alive Bass."
Bass bent down and pulled a piece of paper out of a pocket of one of the dead men. What he saw made his heart stop.
"It's not me they were looking for." He said in a whisper.
"If not you than who?" she asked as she cleaned the blood off her sword.
Bass turned the paper around to show it to her. "You, Charlie."