Bass leaned on the split rail fence and watched the force of nature that was Charlie. She and Connor were training with the men. Right now they were practicing fighting as a team. Back to back they fought off attacker after attacker. They reminded Bass of Miles and himself back in the day. Bass saw the next attacker coming and so did Charlie. She ducked but Connor wasn't as quick and got knocked on his ass. Charlie's laughter rang across the courtyard. They weren't totally in sync yet, that would take a lot more practice and experience. Another attacker came at her, Bass really didn't even need to watch, he knew what she was going to do before she even did it. He could have closed his eyes and watched the whole scene play out. That was the type of connection they shared. They were totally and completely connected, on and off the battle field. He couldn't pin down exactly when it happened but it did. All he knew was that he loved this woman with everything he had and he would fight with her and for her till the end of time.

Conner got off his ass and he and Charlie continued to put the men through their paces. Even though she was still healing from her injuries she was still a force to be reckoned with. It was like watching poetry in motion. Usually he wasn't much for finding beauty in everyday things but there was just something about Charlie. The way she moved, the way she fought, hell everything she did was full of passion and determination. He could tell the men not only respected her but trusted her as well. She instilled a loyalty in them that was downright fanatic. They would follow her through the gates of hell, and they may have too sooner rather than later.

For the past several days they had put their little army to good use, attacking supply lines and sabotaging the Patriots everyway they could. For the first time in a long time Bass could actually say things were going well. And from experience that was usually when all hell would break loose. It was only a matter of time. But he knew they would be ready, for whatever came their way. He, Miles, Conner and Charlie had become one hell of a fighting unit. He actually felt a little sorry for the Patriots, just a little.

Miles came up and stood beside Bass and watched for a while.

"She's still favoring her shoulder a little." Miles commented as he handed Bass his flask.

"She'll be okay Miles." Bass said as he took the flask.

"I know, I just wish she would give herself a little more time to heal."

"Would you? Would I?"

Miles grunted in response.

"So how's the missus?" Bass asked. Since their little run in with Rachel last week things had been tense to say the very least. At least Rachel had been keeping her distance but he knew that wasn't going to last long.

"God you're an ass."

"Just trying to figure out when she's going to try to kill me again."

"Just give her some time Bass. This isn't easy for her and I know she can be a little crazy…"

"A little?" Bass interrupted. "She was pointing a loaded shot gun at Charlie."

"Okay a lot crazy, but do you blame her man? Just give her some space and let Gene and I handle it."

"Well you're going to have your hands full, especially after I say what I want to say."

"Oh god Bass what now?"

Bass took a deep breath and turned to look his best friend, his brother in the eye.

"We've known each other all of our lives. You know me better than anyone left on this earth so when I tell you I love her with everything I have in me you know I'm telling the truth right?"

Miles stared back at his friend, looked into his eyes and nodded.

Bass took a deep breath. He had wanted to do this for weeks but it never seemed to be right the time. Hell it probably would never be the right time but this was important and it was right. He knew it deep down in his bones.

Bass cleared his throat. "I love her."

"You said that already." Miles said slightly annoyed

"Stop interrupting," Bass growled. Miles raised his hands in surrender a small smile on his face. Yeah he'd known Bass his whole life and Miles could tell he was nervous about something. It would be amusing as hell if it their topic of conversation wasn't his daughter.

"You're her father Miles."

"So I'm told." Miles said, smiling again.

"Stop interrupting damit. For Christ sake I'm messing this all up." Bass paused, took a deep breath and finally continued.

"I would like your permission to ask Charlie to marry me."

"What?" Miles asked, the amusement leaving his face.

"You know take the plunge, tie the knot, till death do us part, marry me."

Miles stuck his finger in his ear and shook his head. "Excuse me a minute Bass, I must have something in my ear because for I minute I thought I heard you say you wanted to marry my daughter."

"Don't be an ass."

"Bass, don't you think this is a little fast. You've only been together a few months. Hell Rachel just found out a week ago and she's still freaking out."

"I know, I know. But if I've learned anything is that you have to hold on to what makes you happy with both hands and don't let go. There is no later for us Miles, you know that. In the old days we would have dated for a year, maybe even moved in together and then I would have saved up to buy a ridiculously large ring, made reservations at an overpriced restaurant, put the ring in a piece of cheese cake or in a glass of champagne, gotten down on one knee and popped the question. That world is gone. I wish I could give her that, but I can't. She deserves the church, the white dress the whole mess but we both know that isn't going to happen. But I can give her this. I can ask her father's permission and I will get down on one knee, I will give her a ring and we will say our vows in front of our friends and family. I want to be with her Miles, I don't just want her to be my woman, I want her to be my wife."

"Who knew you were so traditional?" Miles stated as he stared at his oldest friend. Never in a million years had ever envisioned himself in this position. He never thought he would have kids, now he had a daughter and someone was asking for permission to marry her, and that person was Bass. Good god this was fucked up on so many levels. He may not completely understand their relationship or why it worked, but he had to admit it did. They made each other happy and in this world that was a rare thing. Finally deciding to put Bass out of his misery, Miles nodded. "What the hell, alright Bass, go ahead, ask away. You have my permission and my blessing."

Bass let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "Really?" he almost squeaked.

"Yes really, but if you hurt her I will kill you, you know that right."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Bass smiled as she stepped up toward Miles and gave him a man hug and to his surprise Miles hugged him back.

"I have to ask," Miles said as he took a swig from his flask. "Have you thought about what you two are going to do, you know in the future, assuming we have one?"

"I guess it all depends on Charlie. Once we put these Patriot dogs down if she wants to stay here we can start a bar, get some cattle, hell I don't know maybe settle down, have some babies."

Miles looked at Bass in surprise. "You'd just hang it up? Just like that? Give up this little army you're building and become a farmer?"

"If that's what she wants than yeah." The clash of swords caught his attention and he watched Charlie spar with Conner. "But you know that's not what she's going to want don't you Miles."

"Yeah I know. She may say she'll want to settle down, live a quiet life but you and I both know it won't last."

"Once we tear the Patriot's apart she's going to want to help rebuild. She won't be able to help herself. The least we can do is do it right this time." Bass sighed.

Miles raised his flask in a salute then handed it to Bass "Here's hopping. And do me a favor, please hold off on those babies. I'm not ready to become a grandfather just yet."

"No promised brother, no promises." Bass chuckled as he took a drink.

"Bastard." Miles growled, taking his flask back. "Do you have a ring?"

"Yeah," Bass said as he dug in his pocket. He pulled out a beautiful silver and gold band. The two metals where intricately entwined.

"Where the hell did you get that?" Miles asked looking at the delicate, one-of-a-kind ring.

"One of the guys was a jewelry maker back in the day. I had him working on it for the past week. He finally got it done this morning. I just hope it fits."

"She's going to love it brother." Miles said as he smiled.

Bass didn't miss the fact that Miles had called him brother. He hadn't done that in years, and that fact he did it now meant a lot. He noticed Charlie and Conner walking over to them and quickly pocketed the ring.

"Hey dad!" They both called out at the same time.

"Hey kid." Miles and Bass responded at the same time.

Charlie just shook her head. "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing." They both responded.

"My god it's happening," Connor exclaimed. "They are starting to share a brain."

"Now that's a scary thought." Charlie laughed as she leaned in and kissed Bass.

After she pulled away Bass's hand came up and started to rub her sore shoulder.

"You okay kid?" Miles asked. You were favoring your shoulder a bit.

"Yeah I'm fine, it's just a little tight." She sighed as Bass hit a particularly sore spot. "I'll give you a bag of diamonds and my best cross bow if you keep doing that."

Bass leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I'll settle for a kiss."

"Deal!" She exclaimed.

"God your easy" Miles teased. "I would have gone for the cross bow."

Bass couldn't help but smile. This is how it should be forever. He, Miles, Charlie and Conner, teasing each other, having each other's backs. He looked at Charlie and knew it in his bones that now was the time to ask. He just needed to get her alone.

"Alright gimpy, why don't you help me check on the weapons and ammo we got from our last raid," Bass asked Charlie.

Charlie leaned her head back and sighed. That was the last thing she wanted to do, but she guessed it needed to be done. "Sure, but there was a hell of a lot of boxes why don't you give us a hand Conner?"

Charlie missed the panicked look on Bass's face, but Miles didn't. He knew his friend too well. He also knew the ammo got sorted early this morning because he's the one who did it. Before Conner could respond Miles jumped in.

"Sorry kid, I need junior here to help me with a few things first. Why don't you two go ahead and I'll send him along when we're done."

Charlie looked at Miles quizzically. "Okay…" she drawled. "Come on Bass let's get started."

As they walked away Bass turned and lipped "Thank You" to Miles.

"You want to tell me what that was all about?" Conner asked.

"You'll find out soon enough I guess."

"Thanks for the strait answer."

"Any time."

Before Bass and Charlie could reach the storage area where they were keeping what they took from their raids Rachel came running up. "Great," Bass muttered to himself. "This is exactly what I don't need right now." For the past week Rachel had been avoiding them like the plague and that suited him just fine. He felt Charlie's hand tense in his.

Rachel's eyes wandered down to their joined hands, and Bass could see the muscles in her jaw clench. Good god he did not want to have this fight with her right now.

But to his surprise the next words out of her mouth where calm and non-threatening. "Charlie I'm glad I caught you. You're Grandpa has been looking for you. He needs your help with something."

"Fine, I'll find him when I'm done helping Bass."

"He said it's really important, Charlie. Believe me I wouldn't be here if it wasn't."

Bass knew the best way out of this situation was to tell Charlie to go with her. He couldn't help but be disappointed. This was the universes way of punishing him for all of the horrible things he'd done in his life. Yep it was a cosmic up yours, because as soon as he put the ring on Charlie's finger he would be cursed with the mother-in-law from hell. A small price to pay to be with the woman he loved. The universe could kiss his ass.

"Fine," Charlie ground out through clenched teeth. Then she turned to Bass and kissed him. "I'll catch up with you later."

Bass nodded, he could wait a just a little bit longer.

"Thanks Charlie." Rachel said as she smiled. Then something he couldn't quite identify flashed in Rachel's eyes. He didn't know what it was but it put him on edge. As he watched them walk away he tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that crept over him.

He rounded the corner and was met with a solid fist to the face.

"Hello General, it's nice to see you again."

Through the stars and the fog Bass recognized the voice. "Go to hell Tom."

"Eloquent as always." Tom sneered as he tossed some rope to Jason. "Tie him up." Then he turned to a Patriot soldier standing to his side. "Tell you men to ready the gas."

"That wasn't part of the deal dad." Jason yelled as he tightened Bass's ropes. "You promised her to only go after Monroe and not hurt the rest of them."

"Yeah well…. I lied."

To Bass's horror he watched as a handful of soldiers put on masks and gas tanks. He had a feeling they weren't spraying for bugs. He had to get to Charlie, he had to warn the men. Bass strained against his bonds but it was no use, they were too tight.

"Stop struggling General, it will all be over soon. At least for your precious Miles and Charlie. For you, your pain is just beginning. The Patriots have big plans for you." Tom taunted.

Then he heard Charlie's voice in the distance, she was arguing with Rachel as usual. "Mom I told I'm coming. Something doesn't feel right so I just want to check to make sure Bass is okay."

"He's fine Charlie, the man is capable of murdering thousands of people, I think he can sort through a few boxes on his own."

Before he could yell out Tom jabbed a needle in his neck, the sedative taking effect almost immediately. Bass looked up at Jason, pleading with him to save Charlie as his world went black.

Charlie rounded the corner in time to see Tom Neville and a group of soldiers load a very unconscious Bass into a wagon. Before she could even react Jason started waving his arms and yelling. And what he said made her blood run cold.

"Poison gas! Run Charlie Run!"

She didn't want to leave Bass, she couldn't. She started to run toward the wagon but Rachel grabbed her hand and yanked hard.

"Don't be stupid Charlie, we have to get out of here."

Everything that came next happened in a blur. She started running and somehow she was being shoved into an underground storage tank by Miles. As the hatch closed and the world went dark three thoughts went through her mind. 1. She was going to kill Neville once and for all. 2. She would get Bass back if it was the last thing she did and 3. There was a traitor among them. It was the only explanation on how Tom had gotten a patriot squad through their outer patrols. And when she found him she would make him wish for death.