Halfway through the trip home Miles and Bass switched places. Thank god Miles didn't press the issue as to why he wanted to sit in the back with Charlie. Hell it was more than want it was need. He needed to see her and hold her. He was about to crawl out of his skin sitting up front driving the wagon. So when they had to stop to water the horses he took his opportunity. Now Bass was sitting in the back holding Charlie tight, trying to keep her as still as possible, which was no easy feat considering Miles was racing the team like they were in the Kentucky Derby. He had nestled her securely between his legs her back pressed up against his chest. They hit a bump and Charlie whimpered.

"Shhhh, Charlotte, its okay. You're going to be okay." He whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. His other arm was wrapped around her, his hand on her heart monitoring the erratic beating and the shallow rise and fall of her chest.

She hadn't regained consciousness and for that Bass was somewhat grateful. In the dim light of dawn he could see she was covered in scrapes and bruises and her shoulder was obviously dislocated. He didn't even want to think about any other internal injuries she might have. When she woke up she was going to be in a lot of pain. If she woke up, a sliver of doubt whispered in his mind.

Bass pushed the doubt away. "You are going to wake up and you are going to be fine." Bass whispered more to himself than to her. He couldn't think about the alternative, not right now. Right now she was alive and safe and his arms. Going nuts thinking about the worst case scenario wasn't going to do Charlie any good.

Miles hit another bump causing Charlie to cry out. Bass tightened his grip on her. "I've got you baby and I'm not going to let you go. We're almost there, you just have to hold on a little bit longer."

"How's she doing?" Miles yelled from the front.

Before he could answer Charlie started gasping for breath then fell still. "Charlie! Charlie!" Bass yelled. "Miles, hurry! She can't breathe!"

Rachel was pacing, again. Hell she felt like she had spent half her life pacing. It was either walk up and down the porch or start screaming. She figured pacing was the less crazy option. She had no idea where her daughter was, or if she was even alive. Miles and Monroe had said nothing after they found out Charlie had been taken. One minute they were here, then next they were gone. But she had seen the look in Miles' eyes when he heard the news. She knew he would bring her back, or die trying. She prayed like hell it was the former.

"Rachel will you come inside, you're making me dizzy." Gene said from the door.

"Don't you have something you could be doing besides hovering over me?"

"Nope, not at the moment. Conner is resting and the Neville's are doing god knows what, so that just leaves you."

"Yeah me."

"Rachel come inside and get something to eat. You haven't sat still since Charlie was taken."

"I'm fine dad."

"It wasn't a request young lady, you are going to eat and you're going to sit down before you fall down."

Rachel recognized her father's stubborn look, and knew he wasn't going to back down. At this point it was pointless to argue with him. She nodded and followed her father inside. As she sat down at the table she watched him calmly fix her plate.

"How can you be so calm? Aren't you worried, don't you care?" She asked.

Gene whirled around, anger flashing in his eyes. "Of course I care. How dare you ask that?"

Rachel looked down at her plate. "I'm sorry dad. I shouldn't have said that, I'm just so worried."

"I'm worried too Rachel. I just keep thinking about how much I need to apologize to her. And I pray like hell I get that chance. She's been through hell and I said some things that I shouldn't have." Gene closed his eyes and sighed, "Sometimes I still see her as the little girl in pig tails who wanted ice cream for breakfast and piggy back rides. I have a hard time reconciling that with the warrior she's become. How can a little girl who was so full of giggles be able to do the things she does?"

Gene and Rachel were interrupted by the door being kicked in. She instinctively reached for the gun she always carried with her now days. Miles came rushing through the door with Monroe hot on his heals carrying an unconscious Charlie.

Gene was instantly on is feet rushing to Charlie's side.

"She took one hell of a beating and is having trouble breathing. It's gotten worse over the past few minutes." Miles filled him in.

Gene quickly looked her over and motioned for them to bring her into the makeshift exam room he had created.

"Put her down here." Gene pointed to the bed.

Bass couldn't move. He didn't want to let go of her. He couldn't let go of her. He stood frozen in the doorway, clutching her tightly.

Miles put his hand on Bass's shoulder. He turned his head to look at him. Miles couldn't miss the anguish in his eyes. He last time he'd seen Bass so lost and upset was when he lost Shelly and the baby. Understanding suddenly dawned on him. "It's okay Bass, put her down, let Gene help her."

Bass slowly nodded but didn't move. "Come on man put her down." Miles said in a low voice.

Bass finally moved and put her on the exam table. Gene instantly got work checking her injuries. Bass stood there, feeling detached and helpless.

"She has some bruised or broken ribs and they are putting pressure on her lungs. I need to relieve the pressure or she is going to suffocate to death." Gene turned and started to ready his instruments. "Everyone needs to clear out."

"No!" Both Miles and Bass bit out between clenched teeth.

"We are wasting time Charlie doesn't have. Now get out."

Reluctantly Miles and Bass walked out the door. Gene turned and put his hand on Charlie's head. "What did they do to you?"

"Dad?" Rachel said in a shaky voice.

Gene looked up at his daughter. "Can you do this Rachel? I need you to be strong for her."

Rachel nodded her head. "Good, I'll need some tubing and a scalpel."

Miles walked outside to find Bass sitting on the steps, head in his hands. At the sound of his footsteps Bass raised his head. "What if I lose her Miles? I can't lose her, I just can't."

Miles was totally taken back by the sheer grief in his voice. He'd only seen his former friend like this twice before. Once at his family's graveside and again after he lost Shelly and the baby. If he had his doubts before, he didn't now.

"Son of a bitch Bass," Miles groaned.

Bass just looked out into the distance. Finally he sighed, "I love her Miles."

"Dammit Bass, what are you thinking? How could you? She's my daughter for Christ sake."

"Do you think I want to feel like this for her? Charlie of all people. That I want to go through this again. I didn't mean for anything to happen, I really didn't. But damit she just got to me. She makes me feel things I didn't think I could anymore. She makes me want to be better, for her."

"She deserves better then you can ever hope to be."

"Yes she does." Bass paused and then gave Miles a sideway glance. "Are you going to shoot me?"

"I'm really considering it." Miles growled.

"If we lose her I really hope you do. I don't want to think about what I'll become if she dies."

Against his better judgment Miles sat down and put his hand on his former friends shoulder. "She's going to be fine. She's strong, stronger than either one of us." Miles hoped like hell he wasn't lying. Because if he did lose her, it wouldn't be just Bass who would go off the rails, he'd be right there with him.