Shield

The forest was dead silent. A cool breeze wafting between the trees, and the blinding green foliage added to the serenity of the woods. From beneath the shrubs, littering the forest floor, a small gray rabbit poked its head out. Its small pink nose twitching as it sniffed the air and its eyes blinked several times making sure the coast was clear. Hopping a few feet before it suddenly stopped, the rabbit's ears twitched and its muscles tensed. The rabbit turned in the direction of the sound it had heard, a sound no human would have heard. Raising an ear to listen the rabbit had no more warnings as an arrow pierced its body.

Charlie was very proud of herself as she hopped up from her hiding place, where she had been lying in wait after tracking the small animal for about twenty minutes. Pretty short considering how long it could take normally. Retrieving her arrow and the rabbit, Charlie couldn't help but smile. Maggie made a mean rabbit stew, and Charlie for one was sick of eating stale bread. A proper dinner is just what they needed. Even Miles must have agreed, since he had let her go out hunting. Well, technically they'd gone together, but when they'd come across that rabbit, which promptly dashed away, it had turned into a sort of bet and they had split up. And Charlie had won. She was the more experience hunter between them though. So wrapped up in the glow of victory Charlie didn't notice the soft crunching of leaves behind her, not until he was too close.

"I won fair and square, Miles," Charlie smirked and turned around. The smile fell from her face immediately though when she saw him. "Nate." Almost instinctively Charlie's weight shifted until she was in a more defensive stance. Nate raised his hands in a sign of peace.

"I'm not here to fight, Charlie." She believed him. He looked awful; black circles under his blood shot eyes, clearly he hadn't slept for a while, and his shoulder was badly bandaged. Overall he just looked disheveled.

"Then what are you here for?" She had meant to sound more uncaring, but the way he looked and sounded, she couldn't help but soften a little. And besides, whatever may have happened in that warehouse he did try to help her. Sort of.

"I haven't checked in yet." He said, his voice sounded tired and heavy. "With the Militia," he clarified. His eyes met hers and she couldn't help but feel bad about all this. She had tried staying mad at him, he'd lied to her after all, sold out Miles position to the Militia; but, looking at him now he just looked like a scared kid. She wondered why he had even joined with Monroe's men. That's why she found herself unable to keep that fiery anger going.

She knew what he was asking. And she wasn't sure how to answer. Charlie, were she the one calling all the shots would have welcomed him. Well, maybe not welcomed, more like putting him on a trial basis with conditions. But, then she'd been burned from trusting him before and even though all this seemed sincere there was a little part of her, one that Miles had actively been cultivating, that wondered whether all of it was just a trick. But ultimately the biggest obstacle would be Miles himself.

"Miles'll never go for it." Charlie replied softly, almost apologetically. Nate gave a singly chuckle, the lack of humor was potent. He seemed to be considering her words, or maybe his options.

"I thought you were the one running the show." He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes.

"Get away from her!" Both of them turned to see Miles. He was angry, without thinking Charlie moved to stand between him and Nate.

"Hold on Miles," Charlie started in an attempt to defuse the situation. Miles had drawn his sword. "He's not-"

"I don't care what he's here for." Miles snapped, as he approached, his gaze locked on Nate. "Get out of the way, Charlie."

"No," she replied stubbornly. Giving an exasperated sigh Miles grabbed ahold of Charlie's arm and yanked her over to him, placing her behind him. Before he could start towards Nate though, Charlie wrapped both of her arms around one of his and held him back. "Miles!"

"Let go of me Charlie!" His gaze finally left Nate and locked onto her instead. It was then that Nate, with one last look at Charlie, bolted. Miles tried to go after him but Charlie held fast. It wasn't long before he was gone. "Now our positions compromised. Again."

"Why'd you have to be like that?" Charlie asked finally letting go. She glared up at him. He glared back.

"I was protecting you." Miles started walking back towards camp, and when he noticed Charlie just standing there, hands on hips and a scowl on her face, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her along behind him. "You can't trust him."

"And how would you even know that?" Charlie argued. "You don't even know him!"

"You don't know him!" Miles reminded her, picking up his pace.

"Well I won't ever get to know him if you don't let me." Charlie growled in frustration.

"Good." Charlie gapped at his response. What was his problem?

"You are being way too overprotective," Charlie grumbled irritated.

"Overprotective?" Miles stopped and turned to look at her. He managed to look both completely pissed and highly amused, which just aggravated Charlie more.

"You can't shield me from the world." She pointed out harshly. For a moment he just looked at her. Then he smirked.

"I can damn well try."

Motorcycle

Abandoned cars littered the once busy and vibrant interstate. Now the only life that regularly traversed the road was vines and grass that slowly engulfed the cracked concrete. Miles and Charlie walk through the line of cars, every now and then checking to see whether there were any salvageable goods left behind. Already Charlie had found a change of clothes for herself and for Maggie as well, both girls were in sore need of it. Digging through a glove box Miles pulled out an old Swiss army knife, he smiled faintly before pocketing it. Weaving his way around the line of cars something caught his eye. Charlie noticed Miles had stopped and headed in his direction.

"What is it?" She asked. As she approached she saw Miles had stopped in front of a silver Suzuki motorcycle. Charlie stood on the opposite side of the bike watching him. His hands ghosted over the handle bars, a look of fondness was visible in his expression. Charlie didn't think she'd ever seen him look like that. "Did you use to have one?"

"Yeah," he smiled a little. "Back before… Used to really love the thing." He looked up and saw her watching him, her blue eyes filled with empathy? Sympathy? Something like that, Miles thought. "You would've liked it."

"Well," Charlie started, placing one of her hands on the cool metal of the handle bar. "When we get the power back up maybe you'll take me for a ride." She gave him a grin and he laughed.

"'When' we get the power back on?" Miles asked though a bark of laughter. "Aren't we already saving Danny and 'fixing my mess'"

"It's all part of the plan," Charlie smiled conspiratorially. "Step one, save Danny. Step two, fix the country. Step three, save the world." Miles laughed. A surge of happiness, and a bit of pride, went through Charlie. She was glad he no longer looked so down. The past and Miles didn't seem to get along too well. Her blue eyes watched his, and when his laughter had died down he looked at her.

She looked happy staring up at him, blue eyes shining, and hair blowing in the wind. Their eyes were locked, and Charlie didn't want to be the one to break it. Standing there looking at each other with only a motorcycle between them Charlie felt her heart beat a little faster.

"Okay," Miles' eyes darted away from hers, "moment over." Heading back to walking through the lines of cars Miles left Charlie standing by the bike. Blinking Charlie followed after him.

"What?" Confused by what he had just said. She didn't get an answer though he just waved telling her to follow. She ran to catch up.

A/N

No big changes this time. Thanks for all the reviews!

Who do you think is going to die next episode? I don't know why but I think Maggie or Nora.