Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews, faves and follows after the last chapter. Really, I can't thank you enough! I hope you enjoy this installment.

Chapter 3

Charlie woke up the next morning and stretched her arms out to the sides, releasing a big yawn. She had slept very well and her throat felt a little bit better. She smiled to herself and looked to her side for Bass. Most mornings he woke up before she did and this was no different- she felt his side of the bed and it was still warm- she snuggled into his warmth, taking in his scent.

When Bass came out of the bathroom this was how he found her and he smiled. As he leaned over the bed moving into kiss her good morning he said, "Hey there, beautiful."

She opened her eyes turning to look at him and froze. It was only for a moment and then she recovered, kissing him on the lips. "Hey yourself," she said.

He sat down across from her. "Yea, I had to shave the beard," he said, "I just kept smelling smoke- it didn't seem to be coming out- but I'll regrow it." He paused. "You were remembering me in Philly, weren't you? When you met me there, when I held you pri…"

She stopped him with a hand on his arm, "Yes, for a moment I was…but only for a moment- it was just a shock- you didn't tell me you were shaving it."

"I just decided this morning…all night long I kept smelling it; decided it needed to go," he said softly.

"You look a little funny now because the rest of your face is so tan and then you've got this," motioning to the clean whiteness where his beard used to be. She smiled at him and ran her fingers along his jaw line.

He took her hand in his and said, "I'm sorry I scared you."

"You didn't scare me, Bass. I was shocked for a second, yes; but scared? No- not even close. I know who you are now…in here," she placed her free hand over his heart, "that's all that matters."

He took her in his arms and held her for a long while.

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Bass, Charlie and Gene made their way to Miles' house after breakfast- it was only a half mile down the road and on the other side- Gene had the spare key and after letting them in he handed it to Charlie.

"Your new home…for now," he said gently.

She looked from him to Bass, "How long do you think you'll be?"

"We'll be back no later than early evening," Bass replied. He and Gene were going to their house to assess smoke damage and whether or not they could move back in right away or not. Gene also wanted to check in on the Colson family; he had expected them to show up on his doorstop after the fire but they never had.

Charlie watched them leave town, Bass on Flame and Gene riding Cola, the horse he'd gotten after the Patriot's had been captured by the Rangers. She walked back inside and locked the door behind her. She got a glass of water and took a look around; Miles wasn't big on decorating but seeing as he was rarely there it was understandable. A couch, chair and desk were the only things in the living room, while a small kitchen table sat in that room. She assumed there was a bed upstairs but didn't want to venture up there quite yet. Marion was coming over in a little while and she busied herself opening all the curtains to let in the light.

Oh, I miss that man, she thought as she moved around Miles' space. He was due back in a few weeks but only for a short time; she couldn't wait to see him.

A loud knock on the door shook her from her reverie.

She opened the door, a huge smile on her face, fully expecting Marion. Her grin disappeared as quickly as it had formed.

"Hi Mom," she sighed not even trying to disguise the disappointment she felt.

"Hey," Rachel ignored the look and walked right in. "Wow, Miles has no taste," she laughed, the bitterness she felt for him ebbing its way to the surface.

"What are you doing here?" Charlie asked ignoring the dig at Miles. She was not in the mood for this.

"Well, I just wanted to see if you'd settled in okay…can't a mother do that?" Rachel tried.

"Funny how you show up right after Bass and Grandpa leave…timing is everything, huh," Charlie groaned.

"Oh are they gone already…I didn't know," Rachel smiled.

"Mom, I'm expecting company so what do you want?" Charlie wasn't in the mood for any of this.

"Oh really, who?" Rachel asked then stopped, taking a good look at her daughter. "Charlie, are you okay? You don't look so well."

Charlie bent down, suddenly feeling sick; she ran into the kitchen and leaned over the sink. There was barely anything in her stomach but the little there was came up anyway as Rachel held her hair back.

"You know, I'm convinced you are having a boy," Rachel said, delighted. "Wouldn't it be great if you did- you could call him Danny. He'll have your blond hair too." She refused to give Monroe any credit. "I can watch him when you're busy or just need some time to yourself and it'll be so great- he'll love me just like…"

Another knock on the door interrupted her rambling-Charlie just stared at her, positive the next word that had been about to come out of her mom's mouth was Danny.

Rachel was quick to go answer. "I'm sorry, Marion, Charlie's not well right now and isn't taking visitors," Charlie heard from the other room.

"Mom!" she screamed. She still felt sick but enough was enough. She slowly walked into the living room and was glad to see that Marion had walked in despite Rachel's protests. She smiled weakly at her before addressing her mom once again. "Marion is welcome here- I was expecting her, unlike you who just likes to surprise me." Rachel smiled. "No, no, no," Charlie said, "that's not a good thing so you can stop smiling; you can't just barge your way in here whenever you want. Just because I'm in town right now doesn't mean you have an open invitation here…in fact, I would like you to leave now."

Rachel looked incredulous, "But Charlie you need me- you're so sick. I can help you…remember, I've been through it already with Danny. So now I can help you- it's like fate…"

"Mom, stop! You need to leave," Charlie said. Something about Rachel's behavior was making her very uncomfortable.

Rachel started to argue and Marion stepped in, "Rachel, come on- she's not feeling well. I think it would be better if you left now."

Rachel scowled at her but turned to leave anyway. "I'm just down the street if you need me, baby," she smiled and walked out the door. Charlie hurried over and locked the door behind her.

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When Bass came back late that afternoon he was surprised to see that Marion was still there, sitting in the living room. Charlie wasn't with her and immediately he knew something was wrong.

"What is it, where's Charlie?" he asked, a worried expression casting its way across his face.

"She's lying down- I think she's finally asleep," Marion said. "She's been sick all day, can't keep anything down."

"Oh, well thank you for staying with her all this time, that was really nice of you; I know you've got a bar to open," he said thinking she was probably ready to leave.

"Bass," she hesitated, "When I got here this morning Rachel was here…seems she had watched you and Gene leave and showed up right after. She really upset Charlie…I don't know what all was said but we had a hard time getting her to leave at first; once she did Charlie was really nervous about her coming back- went around and locked all the doors and windows. I was only able to get her to lie down and rest when I promised I'd stay until you got home."

The look on Bass' face was a mixture of pure anguish and anger. He went upstairs to the door to Miles' room and gently opened it, peeking in- Charlie was asleep and he shut it once again.

He came back down the steps. "Thank you for staying with her, Marion- I greatly appreciate it and I know she does too. Look, I know you have to get to your bar but could you stay for just a little bit longer? There's something I need to take care of," he said pointedly.

"Of course, Bass, I can stay…you're not going to do anything you could get in trouble for, are you?" She felt like she needed to ask, the look on his face was starting to scare her.

"No," he said looking at her directly. "I'll be okay—just some things that need to be said."

"Okay," she replied, feeling better.

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When Rachel got home she saw that Gene was in the back stable brushing down Flame and Cola.

Good, she thought, I don't want to talk to him right now. And now Monroe is back and that Marion woman stayed all day- how the hell am I supposed to be with my daughter and the baby if she's being chaperoned?

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath. She was just about to go write in her journal when someone walked in the front door. Doesn't anybody knock anymore, she thought to herself? "Please have a seat in the living room- I'll have to go get my father…" she trailed off.

When Bass walked into the kitchen the look on his face was pure hatred. Unconsciously, Rachel began ringing her hands. She waited for him to speak. At first, he didn't- he just slowly turned about the room never taking his eyes off her.

After a long moment he finally said in a hushed yet rigid tone, "I want you to listen to me very carefully…do you understand?"

Of course she understood, what was this? She nodded at him.

"Stop watching the house. Stop pouncing on Charlotte the minute she is alone…do you understand?" he asked, staring her down.

"Pouncing? Who said anything about pouncing? I have a right to visit my own daughter, Monroe," Rachel stood her ground.

"No…you don't," he replied menacingly. "Charlotte has told you repeatedly to leave her alone- you do not listen. You have no rights here, Rachel, and as her husband I am telling you….leave….my wife….alone. You go near her again and you will regret it."

"Oh, I don't have to listen to this…you always pushing everybody around with your threats," Rachel said as she began to leave the room.

Bass blocked her way- he inched right up into her face and stared at her, the hatred pouring down off him like rain. She could feel it- she could feel every shred of it and a shiver ran down her spine. Still, she stood her ground.

"She is my daughter, Monroe, and nothing you will ever do will change that- so stop trying to scare me…Jesus, you're acting like you did when you had your republic," she smiled at this hoping he was falling back into his old ways, "and I have every right to help that baby. If that Marion woman hadn't stayed all this time, I…" she stopped, immediately realizing her mistake.

"You have got a serious problem, lady. Stop stalking Charlie, stop harassing her or I will have you arrested!" he seethed. "And you do not have any right to our baby! Have I made myself clear?" When she didn't answer he asked again, "Rachel…Have I made myself clear?"

She nodded slowly. Just then Gene came in staring at the two of them. "Bass, I could hear you yelling from outside- what is going on here?"

"The problem, Gene, is that your daughter won't leave my wife alone. She was stalking the house and showed up right after you and I left. Charlie has been so upset she couldn't relax and sleep unless Marion promised to stay," he said, still staring at Rachel, the hatred distinct in his voice.

"Are you sure? I mean stalking…" Gene tried.

"Charlie locked all the doors and windows, Gene! Afraid she would come back! And it's a hot day! That can't be good for her or the baby- thank God Marion is still there with her."

Gene looked from Bass to Rachel. "My God, Rachel, what are you doing? To your own daughter no less?" Rachel just stared at the floor not answering. "Go on home now, Bass. I'll be there in a few minutes to check on Charlie and the baby," Gene said putting his hand on the man's shoulder. He couldn't believe the tension he felt there.

"Thanks Gene," Bass said finally taking his eyes off Rachel for the first time since he'd entered the room. He turned, looked at her one last time and left.

When they were alone Rachel started to speak, "You don't believe all that crap, do you? I mean, Dad, come on."

Gene sighed, "You need help, Rachel- help that I apparently can't give you; if you don't find some way to get over this hatred for Bass…and now this hovering harassment of Charlie…well then, I'll have no choice," he took a deep breath, "no choice but to ask you to leave my house. I can't have you staying here."

Rachel stood there, incredulous, as Gene left the room and then the house.

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"Something just seems off about her," Charlie was telling Bass and Gene as they sat in Miles' living room. "She was waiting for you guys to leave; and no matter what I said she wouldn't go. She's positive I'm having a boy…and she wants to name him Danny," she paused to take a breath, "and she just kept smiling." Her hands were shaking and Bass took hold of them and squeezed.

"Because you're so sick," Gene said remembering how sick Rachel was with Danny. "I'm sorry Charlie…I've tried to help her but instead of getting better she seems to be getting worse- I don't know what to do."

"It's not your fault, Grandpa, she doesn't even know she has a problem, I think," Charlie said. She then looked at Bass, "Sometimes I think we should've moved when we had the chance."

Bass nodded, "If you weren't so sick maybe we still could- but it's been great having Gene right here to look after you."

"Look, I can stay here with you tomorrow while Bass goes to the house," Gene began.

"Thanks Gene but that won't be necessary," Bass said, "I'm going to stay here with Charlie." He held his hands up as Charlie started to protest, "Listen, as it is, I have work I need to do for Blanchard anyway- I can get a start on that before the guy kills me and you can get some rest."

She sighed in relief, the surprise visit from her mom having caused a bit of an anxiety attack earlier. Bass put his arm around her and caressed her shoulder.

Just then there was a knock on the door- it was Marion with dinner. After they ate Gene walked her home, leaving Bass and Charlie on their own.

Bass locked the door behind them, turned and took Charlie in his arms. "Charlotte, are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't like the fact that I let her get to me but yea, I'm okay…especially now that you're here," she smiled.

"She's not herself, babe…it's only natural that that would bother you. It bothers me," he exclaimed. He ran his hands up and down her back- he could feel the knots of tension there. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "My girl needs a massage…let's go to bed so I can give you one."

She smiled as he led her into the bedroom.

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Rachel wrote in her journal:

The nerve of that man! I can't believe all the things that he said—I'm stalking Charlie? My own daughter!? She needs me! But he's got it in her head that I'm no good and now even Dad believes it.

But I saw something interesting tonight—he showed his true colors—the old Monroe is alive and well and while everyone else is blind to it I see him for what he truly is: a monster! It's only a matter of time before he shows himself to the world again- and when he does I'll be there—laughing to myself the whole time but showering my daughter with love…the love she really needs, not his sick version of 'love'—please! The man doesn't know the meaning of the word. And then Charlie and the baby will be with me…as it should be.

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Charlie slept late the next morning and woke up feeling much better than the day before. She walked out into the living room in just a t-shirt and found Bass sitting at Miles' desk going over files Blanchard had sent him. She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, bending down to kiss his neck, his face and finally, his lips. He quickly pulled her around and sat her down upon his lap and kissed her again.

"Just what I needed," he breathed into her hair not being able to get enough of her. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," she sighed against his neck, "don't feel sick…yet. I see you've got a nice five o'clock shadow going on here…I like it." She ran her fingers along his cheek and jaw line. "You also removed your bandages, I see."

"Well, I couldn't very well write wearing those mittens now could I?" he smirked. "And look…they're healing," he held his hands out for inspection. "That stuff Gene put on them works great!"

"They do look much better," she said kissing his fingertips. "In fact, I'd say overall, you're looking great…very sexy."

"Is that so?" he said, his voice turning all gravelly. He wanted her so badly—he couldn't imagine there ever being a time when he wouldn't want her.

"You know," she purred, "we haven't christened any of Miles' furniture yet."

He laughed at this but then said seriously, "Do you think we should? I mean because of the baby and all…"

"Bass, its okay- we're not going to harm the baby, remember? Grandpa even said…" She blushed remembering the conversation they had had.

"Well, in that case," he said smiling at her blushing face. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the couch where he laid her down. He bent down over her, kissing her deeply this time—more passionately.

"Hurry Bass," she murmured against him, "I don't think I can wait this time." She grabbed the ends of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He stood and took off his pants and underwear, showing that his need was as great as hers. He pulled off her panties.

"Oh, Charlotte…" he breathed lying down between her thighs. "I want you so much…I need you…" His words were cut off by her kiss.

No amount of foreplay could staunch this animal need they both had at that moment—the need to be together as one. They pushed every other thought out of their heads…Rachel…the house damage from the smoke…this moment was truly just about them and their love and desire for each other. Just before he entered her he kissed her womb…as he looked up at her the look of love he saw there was so deep and eternal…it didn't matter what happened to him or came his way in the future…as long as he had her…and their child…he'd be fine.

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Afterwards, they lay there, limbs entangled, his head upon her chest. He softly caressed her womb.

"You know, we haven't talked about baby names at all," he said. "Have you given it any thought?"

"I've been too busy being sick to give it any real thought," she sighed.

"Well, I was thinking," he said, "if it's a boy and you wanted to name him Danny that would be nice."

She knew this was hard for him and saying it took tremendous courage on his part. "Bass, I have come to terms with Danny's death—you know it wasn't your fault; he was a casualty of war. I know you still feel guilty but I wish you wouldn't. Naming our baby Danny won't bring my brother back—and I think it would be a constant reminder to both of us about that day…a day that you weren't even present for…..Besides, my mom wants him to be named Danny…she's so sure it's a boy…and frankly, right now I think that would just feed her instability. I think she wants this baby to be Danny or something…or replace him. Our baby will be his or her own self no matter what anyone else says or does." She kissed the top of his head.

He took hold of her hand and kissed it. "I love you so much, Charlotte."

"I love you too," she whispered.

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A/N: Please leave a review if you have a moment…thanks!