Author's note: I would like to personally thank JM2788 & Saderia for their reviews of the last chapter—your kind words help me more than you know and even give me ideas for future chapters (lol)—so thank you very much.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 4

Days passed and Charlie and Bass spent much of their time at their house in the woods trying to get it cleaned up so they could move back in. They were antsy to get back home. Charlie was feeling better with each passing day and felt as if the sickness of her first trimester was finally behind her.

Charlie was under strict orders from Bass to not enter the house until he deemed it smoke damage free. She found this exasperating at times but knew where the over protectiveness was coming from…memories' of Shelly and his stillborn daughter had to be flooding his mind; and while she tried to be very patient with him about it all she sometimes wanted to just say, 'I'm not Shelly!'. She was so used to being the one in control she found it hard to hand over the reins to him most of the time. But instead of saying anything there was still plenty of work to be done outside so she focused her attention on this.

Everything from inside their house was brought outside to be washed, aired out or burned if it couldn't be saved. Rob and Emma Colson and their kids were their some days to help, bringing along their big kettle to boil sheets, drapes, towels and clothes before washing. According to Emma it was the only way to truly get rid of the smoke smell. She and Charlie began this undertaking while Bass and Rob worked on washing the walls inside the house.

Gene and Marion showed up on occasion depending on whether or not Gene had patients that day and Marion often showed up with a packed lunch for everyone. Sam and Becca were tasked with getting fresh water for everyone, feeding the chickens and brushing down Flame and Cola on days she was there.

Miles was due home for a break soon and Charlie and Bass hoped to be ready to move back in before he got there.

For the most part, Rachel had kept to herself and had been fairly quiet and they all took this as a good sign. That is, everyone except Bass; he knew Charlie and Gene wanted to believe that things were getting better, Rachel being their mother and daughter, respectively. But he had a nagging feeling that this was not the end of anything and that maybe, it was just the beginning of more to come- therefore, he was always on high alert where she was concerned.

After nearly two weeks of cleaning they were just about done when they all sat down to lunch one day. They were famished and dug in to Marion's cold chicken and potato salad.

"Uhm," Bass sighed as he took a bite of chicken, "this is wonderful, Marion. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you," came from everyone else at the table.

"No problem," Marion said, "I like to cook."

Charlie winked at Gene. "Lucky Grandpa," she smiled.

Gene just grinned taking a big bite of potato salad. Charlie hadn't seen him in such high spirits in all the time they'd been together. She had vague memories of visiting him when she was a child when her grandmother was still alive. She remembered them being happy then- and he seemed happy like that now. She was delighted for him.

"So we're done now?" Gene asked to take the attention off him.

"Just about," Bass said, "We just have the floor in the kitchen and we'll go over the counters again and then let it all air out over night…we can move back in tomorrow." He beamed at Charlie. She grinned back.

After lunch Charlie went and got the bedroom drapes that were now dry on a makeshift clothesline and took them down.

"Are you hanging those up?" Becca asked her.

"I sure am, sweetheart," Charlie replied to the young girl, "You wanna help me?"

Becca nodded and smiled in delight as she helped carry the drapes to the front door.

Just as Charlie entered and started up the stairs, Bass stopped her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he said as he blocked her way, "Babe, you can't be in here yet. I know you're excited to get this done but I think it would be better if you waited. We still have some stuff that needs to be cleaned up."

"Yes and I'm not going in that room. Becca and I are just going upstairs to hang the curtains," Charlie said beginning to pass him.

He reached out and put his hand on her arm to stop her. "Charlotte, I really don't think it's a good idea- you and the baby would be better off outside."

"Bass…I love you but I think you're being overly protective right now. I'm not going anywhere near the kitchen- we're just going upstairs for about ten minutes and then we'll be done," Charlie was growing impatient.

Rob Colson had come out of the kitchen to see what was holding Bass up and was now watching the scene.

"Charlie, no…I mean, it's not safe and I'd rather you go back outside," he said starting to lose his own patience.

"I heard you," she said, "but I disagree and like I said, we'll be back in ten minutes." She was not backing down. She began to walk upstairs and he grabbed her, more forcefully this time.

"Charlie, no. I have to put my foot down. It's not safe for you and the baby in here- please…just go back outside," Bass said insistently.

"Let go of my arm, Bass," Charlie said shortly, having had enough of this. Now Emma and Gene were both at the door having heard their voices.

"Bass, I think its okay," Gene started.

"Stay out of this, Gene!" Bass was angry now but he let go of Charlie's arm, knowing that was not the right way to go about this. He stared at her now. "Charlie, please. You know why I worry. Please…for me."

Charlie exhaled a deep breath. "Bass, I know you're scared…I know why. But I'm not her- I'm not Shelly. I've tried to be patient with your over protectiveness and wanting to take care of me stuff. But I'm an independent woman…I believe that's why you fell in love with me. You can't keep holding such a tight rein on me. We're never going to make it through this if you keep this up."

"I'm sorry, Charlie, I just don't want you in here right now," he said calmly but sternly. "Why are you being so stubborn about it? We can hang the drapes up tomorrow."

"And why are you being such an ass right now? You don't even want to know who you sound like," she said, meaning the old Monroe. She watched his face letting that sink in. When it became clear that he wasn't going to let her pass she let out a breath of disgust. "You're being absolutely ridiculous and are really pissing me off! And don't even think this is about my hormones because it's not!" She turned and marched back out of the house, Emma taking hold of Becca as she began to follow her. She dropped the clean drapes in the dirt in disgust and walked quickly over to the stable. As she began to mount Flame, Bass caught up with her.

"Where are you going?" he asked, concern clouding his voice.

"I'm going for a damn ride, you stupid ass, unless of course, that's not allowed either," Charlie said, tears of frustration brimming in her eyes. She refused to let him see her cry right now. "Don't worry…I'm not going to do anything stupid no matter what you think."

"I never thought that," he said, "you're upset…just stay- we'll send everybody else home- talk to me."

"I already tried that…in there!" she stammered. "You're just being a pig-headed jerk right now and I can't talk to you when you're like that. I'm just going to cool off. Okay? I won't be gone long," her anger beginning to dissipate as she saw the pained look on his face.

"Okay," he breathed, "Okay."

She rode off on Flame in a slow trot through the woods but as she came off onto the road she sped into a fast gallop- it felt good and she needed it. Riding Flame always made her feel free and she needed that right now more than anything. Here, with the wind in her hair and face she was able to block out everything else from her mind. She rode and rode until she felt nothing but peaceful and then she turned around to go back home. She was about three hundred yards from the gas station where they'd once hid when she saw her coming out of the forest. At first she wasn't sure what she was seeing…an animal, maybe. As she drew closer she realized it was a person…the figure turned and saw her and quickly dashed back into the forest- and that is when Charlie saw the flash of blond hair.

Oh no, she thought, not again. As she urged Flame into a gallop she charged into the woods after her mother. It didn't take long to catch up to her and when she did the calming peacefulness that had begun to take shape in her had dissipated and frustration, disgust and anger had taken its place.

"What are you doing here? And don't lie," she demanded.

"Charlie…you weren't supposed to see me here," Rachel stammered.

"I get that. But now that I have, why don't you tell me just what the hell you're doing in the woods right near my house?" Charlie's voice was growing louder, angrier.

"Darling, calm down," Rachel said.

"Don't tell me to calm down…you're hiding out in the woods near my house. I'm not going to ask you again…why?" Charlie stared her mother down.

"I'm just making sure you're okay…"Rachel began.

"Oh, cut the bullshit, mother," Charlie said, having no patience for any of this, "that is not what you're doing and you know it! You're not doing this out of love or concern…you're spying on my family! Who does that?!" She was yelling now.

"I'm not…" Rachel tried.

"Stop it! If you weren't spying you wouldn't need to be hiding in order to do it! You wouldn't have run when you saw me on the road! Now I'm going to ask you one more time…and you better answer me…why are you spying on me and my family?" Charlie didn't back down earlier with Bass and she wasn't backing down now. She sat on Flame, waiting.

"Well, um…listen to me Charlie. I'm sorry I was spying—but I'm doing it for your own good. That man…Monroe…he's not the man you think he is…it's only a matter of time before you see this- he hasn't changed! I saw you two fighting earlier…you know I'm right! He isn't the man you think he is- you and the baby need to get away from him. You can stay with me- I can protect you both; I'll take care of you. You, me and the baby- we can make a life together…you'll see." Rachel smiled hopefully up at Charlie. Charlie looked back at her in sad disbelief and disgust.

"You're sick, mom," she sighed, "You need help."

"That is what he wants you to believe! Charlie, I'm fine! In fact, I'm the only one seeing things clearly in all this…he has you all so fooled. But that is what he's good at- he manipulates you 'til he gets what he wants. If you could just see him the way I do you…"

"Stop it! Just stop it! Bass is no longer the man you think he is…he's changed! You just can't see it because you don't want to…and something is wrong with you. You're thinking and doing things that you would've never done before…like stalking my family!" Charlie was seething. "This is what's going to happen now…you're going to leave and not come here ever again. You're going to stop stalking me, stop talking badly about my husband because I'm not going to listen to it…and unless you get help for yourself you will never get to meet your grandchild or see me again…you will be dead to me. It's time for you to leave now."

"Now Charlie, you can't be serious," Rachel said a small smile upon her face, disbelieving what she was hearing. "You're not thinking clearly because of your pregnancy…those hormones can cause all kinds of things."

Charlie laughed- she couldn't help it, "Oh my God, mom, you're blaming this on hormones? You have got to be kidding me." She took a deep breath, "Leave now and don't come back- or else…"

"Or else what?" Rachel yelled, getting angry now.

Charlie put her hand over her gun, "Or else I'll make you leave."

"You can't be serious," Rachel scoffed.

Charlie took hold of her gun and pointed it at her mother. "Don't ever underestimate me or what I'm capable of…don't ever underestimate what I'm willing to do to protect my family. Enough is enough. Now leave!"

Rachel's jaw nearly touched the ground. She couldn't speak, only stare- she saw the look in Charlie's eyes and knew she shouldn't push it- that Charlie was done listening to her. Slowly she turned and began walking out of the forest; Charlie followed her on Flame, still holding the gun. Her hands were starting to shake but she was determined to make her mother leave. She followed her out to the road and stopped there, watching Rachel walk away. She continued to watch until Rachel was at least a mile down the road. Then slowly she turned Flame around and headed for home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rachel's journal entry:

My daughter has turned against me- I guess I hadn't realized how much control Monroe has over her. Even so, they're fighting now which is a good thing; I saw it firsthand. Dad just got back from their house and I heard him tell Marion that Charlie will stay in town tonight while Bass stays out at the house to finish it up. Perfect!

Thank God she didn't see what I have hidden in the woods—and now I know the perfect time to use it: tonight! He'll never know what hit him…he'll sleep right through it…until it's too late.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As Charlie approached the house she saw Bass pacing in the front yard- everyone else had left. When he looked up she saw such a wave of relief wash over his face that she regretted everything from before. She didn't want to fight with him; he was everything to her.

"Oh my god…Charlie, I was so worried," he said, rushing to her, "you said you'd only be gone for a little while…" he trailed off. He pulled her down off the horse and she sank into his arms, utterly exhausted. "My god, you're shaking…Charlotte, what happened?"

She held onto him not wanting to let go, "I'm okay."

He walked her to the front porch and sat her down in her favorite chair, the Adirondack from the gas station; he handed her a canteen of fresh water and watched her take a drink. He gently kissed her cheek and said, "Just rest while I go brush Flame down for the night." He saw the questioning look on her face and said, "We're both staying here tonight; its okay and you were right, I was being too rigid and over protective before…I'm sorry, I really am. I'll be right back and then we'll talk." He took her hand in his and kissed it before he went to take care of their horse.

Charlie watched him, her hand resting on her womb; as he disappeared into the small stable she said quietly to the child inside her, "we're both very lucky, you and I. Your daddy is one in a million." She closed her eyes, concentrating on peaceful thoughts about the baby inside her.

When Charlie woke up later she was in their bed, Bass snuggled up beside her. She turned so her forehead was touching his and she could feel him close. He let out a sigh and slowly opened his eyes, smiling as he saw her.

"Hi," he breathed.

"Hi," she smiled, "guess I fell asleep on ya, huh?"

"Yea, you were out cold; I just carried you up here and you never woke up once. You were exhausted," he said.

"Bass, I need to tell you something…something that happened on my ride," Charlie said softly.

"Okay…"Bass waited.

"I saw my mom…in the woods. She's been spying on us," she stated.

Bass sat straight up in bed. "Are you serious? What the hell? Charlie, we have to do something about this…this can't go on. You said it yourself- something's not right with her."

"I know," Charlie said sitting up next to him, the pain of it all showing on her face. "I think we should go to the sheriff tomorrow and report her, report what she's been doing and that we think she's unstable. I'm sure Grandpa and Marion will go too, especially once they find out this."

"Okay," Bass said squeezing her hand, "I know this can't be easy on you- I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault- it never was. She's convinced that you're the old Monroe, leader of the Republic…Bass, she even knew we'd been fighting; she mentioned it like it was nothing, like spying on us is normal. Bass….I….I pulled a gun on her," her voice broke.

Bass stared at her, shocked; then grabbed her and held onto her tightly as she began to shake and cry. He knew how hard it must have been to take such drastic measures against her mother.

"It's okay, baby, its okay. She gave you no other choice. Where is she now?" he asked into her hair.

"I waited on the road and watched her walk at least a mile…she was headed back to town. I think I shocked and scared her with the gun; she's gone now," Charlie breathed, her shaking subsiding.

"Good…good," he said kissing the side of her head, "You're right; we'll go to the sheriff first thing tomorrow and see what can be done…but for now, let's get some rest. No wonder you're exhausted…and Charlotte, I'm so sorry for the stress I've been causing you with all my over worrying- that's the last thing you need and I promise to work on it. I know you need your space and your freedom. It's just that I love you so damn much…just the thought of anything happening scares the hell out of me…I'm so sorry, babe." He hugged her even tighter.

"Bass, I love you too…and I completely understand why you are the way you are; but you're right, I need my space too. I love that you care but you have to trust me too…I'm not going to do anything to put our baby in danger," she sighed.

"I know, baby, and I do trust you, I do," he said turning to look her in the eye. He kissed her gently on the lips and they laid back down, holding each other and looking into each other's eyes- for as long as they'd known each other they'd been able to communicate with just a glance. Charlie had once hated that fact but now cherished it.

Eventually, Charlie's breathing became even and she was asleep. Bass, however, was wide awake. After everything she'd told him about Rachel he didn't know if he'd ever sleep well again. He lay there for a long time, a nagging feeling sinking into his gut. Finally he got up just wanting to take a look around the property.

He walked downstairs and made sure the doors were locked; he then checked the windows and decided to close and lock the ones they'd left open to air out the space. He thought he could hear Flame making a fuss out in the stable and decided to go check it out.

He was only half dressed with just pants on and put his gun in his waistband around his back. He unlocked the front door and took a step out onto the porch, looking around. There was a half moon and he could see okay- everything looked fine to him but he still couldn't shake the bad feeling in his gut.

He started to walk over to the stable where he'd heard Flame just a few moments earlier; as he approached he saw her shadow and began talking in a soothing tone, "Aww, girl, what is it? What's bothering you tonight?" As he got closer to her he noticed she was out of her stall.

"What the…?"

Bass never got to finish his sentence as he was struck by something hard from behind, pushing him hard into a wooden pole on the way down. He fought the darkness that was overtaking him and tried to open his eyes. They were wet; something was dripping into them and something told him it was his own blood. He had to get up; he had to fight the darkness. Something was most definitely wrong- he had to get to Charlie. And then she was leaning down next to him…except that it wasn't her. It was another blond woman.

"Rac…" he could barely whisper her name.

She smiled at him, patting him on the cheek while smiling, "Give that boy a gold star." She laughed, "Don't worry…it'll all be over soon."

He heard Flame neighing above him but Bass could not move. Rachel stood up and lit her kerosene lamp and walked on over to the other side of the house. She set the lamp down on what turned out to be a trail of kerosene in the woods and kicked the lamp over, letting out a laugh as it quickly caught fire.

"Like I said," she laughed in Bass' direction, "it'll all be over soon." She grabbed the horses rein and trotted away.

Bass' last thought was of Charlie. I'm so sorry I failed you…I'm so sorry I couldn't stop her…please, Charlie, wake up, he thought.

Then Bass Monroe's world went black.

A/N: Hope this ending doesn't give anyone a heart attack (just kidding). So what'd you think? Leave me a review- I'd love to hear from you.