A/N: This is a rather long transition chapter that leads up to what will be a rather long road trip. I added a few comical scenes because the last several chapters were very intense, so I thought I'd try to lighten it up a bit (I'm a tiny bit worried that I may have jumped the shark with the last chapter, so this is my attempt to salvage a bit…) There is a bit of strategy afoot where we will learn how exactly Miles and Monroe will help the cause of patriot ass whippins, followed by some pure Charloe… More notes at the end.

Monroe is only asleep for a few hours before he wakes up alone. He stumbles out of bed and through the kitchen to use the outhouse. Every other adult in the house is already gathered around the table, including Connor. Breakfast doesn't wait for hangovers to end. Hell, who is he kidding? Monroe's not sober enough to be hung over yet. When he returns to the house he slowly sinks into a chair.

Gene sets a glass down in front of him. Monroe looks at it warily. "What is it?"

The good doctor just shrugs. "Just drink it. It'll help. Slam it though." It is obvious that Monroe doesn't quite trust the strange beverage in front of him. "I'm a doctor," Gene quietly reminds him.

Monroe sighs and downs the contents of the glass, slamming it down on the table when he's done. The look on his face proves to everyone just how vile the drink tasted. Gene starts to count. "In three, two, one…"

As soon as Gene finishes his countdown, Monroe's eyes suddenly widen and he jumps out of the chair and out the back door. After several minutes, Charlie goes to check on him. He's out by the pump. She watches as he cups the water in his hand and then swishes it in his mouth before spitting it out. Obviously, his stomach has pulled a mutiny, but at least he looks a bit steadier. She goes back inside to get the twins up and ready for the day.

Monroe shuffles back into the kitchen a few minutes later. "You're an asshole," he says to Gene as the older man sets a cup of coffee in front of him.

"But you feel better, don't you?" He replies with an unsympathetic grin.

"Shut up," Monroe grumbles as he lifts the cup to his lips. For the first time in his adult life, he's grateful that it's not spiked.

The next several days were spent with Charlie, Miles and Monroe sequestered with Donovan and Connor plotting strategy. Because of the fallout zone surrounding Philly, the entirety of New England was isolated from the rest of the former Monroe Republic. Because of this, they knew that as long as the militia in New Brunswick hadn't deserted completely they would have been safe from any Patriot attacks. That is, if they'd survived the two winters that have passed since the bombs dropped.

The only way to access them via land was by following the northern coasts of the Great Lakes. It took two days of arguing to come up with a basic plan. Miles and Monroe would first go and look for the troops that were supposed to be hiding somewhere near the remnants of Sault St. Marie. From there, Miles would head south with whomever he'd found while Monroe made the journey to New Brunswick.

The problem was that Sault St. Marie was over 800 miles away. The journey would take almost a month. From there, it would take another 5 or 6 weeks to reach New Brunswick, and the truth was they were basing all of their hopes and plans on intel that was sketchy at best.

Charlie was not happy with this plan. "You're talking about going 800 miles north at the worst possible time," she argued. "Winter starts early that far north. I grew up in Wisconsin. Trust me, I know."

Miles stared at the map they'd been looking at over the past several hours. "We can't afford to wait until spring. In four months, the Patriots can turn out another 3,000 zombies. We don't have a choice. It's got to be now."

They continued to argue for another hour or so. Monroe had long since given up and was sitting in the corner of the command tent watching Miles, Charlie and Connor go back and forth with Donovan helplessly trying to calm things down. "You know, there is another option," he finally said after he'd heard enough squabbling to last a lifetime.

Everyone in the tent turned their attention to him. "I've you've got a better idea, we're all ears Bass," Miles bit out, clearly frustrated.

Monroe stood and approached the map. "We head north to St. Louis. It'll take a little over a week, and if we leave in the next week or two, the weather shouldn't be too bad. The patriots have set up to have their supply chains from Louisiana drop off just south of the former downtown area. All we have to do is commandeer a riverboat."

He paused to see if they were still following him. As he gestured to the map, he marked various spots with old U.S. pennies. "We travel north to the Illinois River and ride it out to Chicago. We can take the channel here and then up Lake Michigan. It'd cut our trip in half and then we wouldn't have to worry about grazing the horses along the way."

Miles looked at the points that Monroe had marked along the suggested route. "It could work," he said thoughtfully.

"Absolutely not," Charlie snapped. St. Louis is crawling with Patriots, as you said. You'll be shot the second they see you – or worse."

Monroe wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Then we'll just have to make sure we don't get caught."

Charlie sighed, defeated. "You'll still have to winter over on the peninsula. There's no way you're going to ride over a thousand miles in Canada in the winter," she pointed out.

Monroe shook his head. "We won't have to wait for shit. We take the steamer across the great lakes and up the St. Lawrence. We kept a few ocean steamers in reserve before the Republic collapsed. If we're lucky, one of them will still be seaworthy. We can go around to St. John on the Gulf. If we can't find a ship that can make it, well it still cuts the trip down to less than two weeks."

Charlie looked at the map. "But you'll have to cut across Lake Erie. Won't that take you into the fallout zone?"

Miles thought about it. "No, the winds coming off of the lake would have pushed everything well south. We should be okay," He looked up at Monroe. "Gotta hand it to you Bass, you just might be a genius."

Monroe smiled as he let out an exaggerated sigh. "If only I used my powers for good."

They discussed the logistics for several more hours. The only problem they could see was finding several men to keep the steamer moving. They could steal the ship, but its crew would have to go – even if they were civilians the risk of keeping them on board would be too great.

If they could manage to pull off the theft, they still had to worry about coal. If they were lucky, the depot in Chicago would hopefully have enough to get them up Lake Michigan and later across Lake Superior. From there Monroe knew of several stops along the way in Canada that they could safely stop and get supplies and more coal.

That night, Charlie voices her concerns as they are getting ready for bed. "I'm going with you," she tells him stubbornly.

Monroe is pulling down the covers. He stops and looks at her. "We've talked about this. Someone has to work with the resistance here. You're the best person for it. Besides, if the Patriots show up you need to protect Danny and Angie."

"Connor will still be here," she reminds him. Monroe had insisted that Connor stay behind with Donovan. He tells him it's because he's needed to help to recruit locals, but deep down Charlie knows he's terrified that his son will inadvertently tempt him to take things too far once the militia (if it even still exists) is under his command.

"Charlie we don't know what's going to happen. This is still just a long shot. If something happens, Danny and Angie will need you more than ever," he argues as he climbs into bed.

Charlie follows suit. He pulls her to him before her head even hits the pillow. "St. Louis is such a risk. I won't even know if you pulled it off for months. You want me to spend all that time not knowing?" The thought sends tears to her eyes. If they don't make it out of St. Louis successfully she'll be losing two of the most important people in her life.

He holds her tight. "We'll be okay. This is me and Miles you're talking about. I'll find a way to get a message out to you, I swear." Charlie falls silent now. Before long his breathing evens out behind her, telling her that he's asleep. It is hours before she follows him there.

As November came to a close, things had slowly progressed in the preparations for their mission. The only thing they needed to get started was enough able men to pilot a steamer. Sheriff Beecher did know a guy in Lexington that had worked on smaller vessels going up and down the Ohio River that was willing to assist them, but he only had two other men that had agreed to join them. They were hoping for three crews, but they were one man shy of two.

Several men were considered to be a skeleton crew for a larger paddlewheel steamer, but even Monroe and Miles could help out in a pinch. What they needed were men familiar with the boiler and someone adept at navigating not only the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, but also someone that would be able to get them through the Great Lakes in one piece.

Beecher's friend, Devon Graves had only done the Mississippi run a few times, but he was confident he could get them through. The men he brought with him both knew a boiler well enough to get by, but Devon could not pilot the ship around the clock. Their mission depended on getting to Lake Michigan without stopping. They could not do it with Devon alone.

Monroe and Miles were discussing exactly that late one evening. They were sitting on the back porch, enjoying the unusually mild weather, whiskey in hand trying to figure out a way around it. "How hard could it be?" Monroe asked. "One of us is just going to have to figure it out. You know, like when we borrowed your brother's car that summer before freshman year."

Miles laughed at the memory. "If I recall, you almost hit the tree in the neighbor's yard."

"I was fourteen – and drunk, thank you very much. But I still got us to Abby Brennan's house in one piece," Monroe protested with a chuckle.

Miles took a drink, still not quite used to the smoothness of the bourbon Daniel made. "Yeah, considering her dad was a cop, that wasn't one of your brightest moves. How long did you get grounded for that one?"

Monroe thought back. "I think it was like a month. You're welcome, by the way for covering your ass on that one."

"Anyway," Miles brought their conversation back on track. "There's no way we're piloting a riverboat on the fly. We still need at least one other man."

Aaron came around the corner at that moment. "Why do you need that?" he asked. So far, they hadn't really shared their plans with anyone. Donovan had thought it best to keep their mission a secret for the time being. If anyone were to let it slip that there might be Militia troops out there, it could undermine everything.

Monroe and Miles took the time to explain what they'd intended to Aaron. "Well, why didn't you say anything sooner?" he asked when they'd finished.

"Huh?" Monroe asked. "You can pilot a ship?"

"I had a little sidewheeler. They're a lot smaller, but the principal is the same."

Miles looked at Aaron in total amazement. "Okay, I can't resist. Why did you have it?"

"Why not?" Aaron shrugged. "It was a hobby and I could afford it."

Monroe just shook his head. "Rich people are weird. Welcome to the boat-jacking party, Aaron." He refilled his and Miles' glasses before handing the bottle to Aaron. "To eminent death, boys." Their morbid toast complete, Monroe and Aaron headed in while Miles took a stroll down to Donovan's camp to inform him that they'd found the rest of their crew.

Three days later, Charlie stood in front of the dresser in Jenny Carter's bedroom, twisting this way and that in the mirror to get a better look. The simple yellow sundress she wore was tight in a few places, but it would have to do. She'd borrowed it from Avery Carter's middle daughter, Katie. The girl was taller than and outweighed Charlie, but at eighteen she didn't have the same curves that Charlie had gained in motherhood. Regardless, there was no help for it. They didn't have the time to find something that fit better – or that was more weather appropriate.

Two nights prior:

"I don't want to wait," she tells him as he comes into the bedroom. She doesn't know why it's so important to do this before he leaves, but it just is.

Monroe comes to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Charlie, you know that there's a chance that things will go wrong in St. Louis. I don't want to make you a wife and a widow in the same month."

She turns in his arms and looks up at him. "All the more reason for us to do it now. We may never have the chance." She doesn't want to think about the potentially negative outcome of what he and Miles are about to do, but it's been looming over them since that night he killed Truman.

"Okay," he tells her as he lowers his mouth to hers.

Charlie finished her careful examination of the dress and went to look at the wedge sandals that Katie had sent over. These were pre-blackout shoes that her mother had saved all these years – something that Katie was quite proud of. Charlie had spent the entire day yesterday trying to walk in them but still hadn't been able to pull it off. She silently hoped that Katie's feelings weren't hurt. Instead, Charlie just decided to go barefoot.

Monroe was already waiting for her in the front room that Jenny had converted into her "parlor." Because the Carter's home was much larger than Daniel's, their neighbors had offered its use. Bob Beecher's uncle, Nicholas was a judge before the blackout. The Sheriff had insisted that his uncle could be trusted with Monroe's secret, so he'd been recruited to perform the ceremony.

Charlie took one final look in the mirror just as a knock came to the door. She opened it and let her grandfather in. "Ready?" he asked her, smiling. With a nervous nod, Charlie joined him in the hallway. "You look just like your grandma," he said as he led her down the hallway.

He is standing next to Judge Beecher, waiting for her. The party gathered is small, intimate. Their immediate household is there, as well as the Carters, Bob Beecher and his wife and a few others that had supported their cause early on. Because it is December 4th, there are no flowers, no bouquet. Jenny has done her best to decorate the house with what she had on hand: some old artificial flowers from before the blackout, some Christmas garland and ribbons.

He waits in what could be considered his nicest looking pair of jeans and shirt. If there'd been more time, he'd have tried to find something more suitable, but it's hard to plan a wedding in 2 days, even one so simple. After the ceremony, they will celebrate in the dining room.

The longer she keeps him waiting, the more nervous he becomes. What a way to begin a marriage; married today, off to raise an army two days later. Nick Beecher clears his throat. Monroe turns to see Charlie in the doorway of the room. He's never seen her in a dress before, and he has to admit that she looks beautiful. Miles stands next to him. Being by far her closest friend still living, Aaron waits next to where Charlie will stand, her man-of-honor of sorts.

When she's at his side, Monroe glances down to see her bare toes. "Nice," he says with a smirk.

Charlie leans in "This floor is freezing," she whispers in his ear.

Monroe bites back a laugh. "Better get this over with, don't want you getting cold feet," he whispers right back.

The judge waits for them to knock it off. The look he's giving them is rather stern, as if he doesn't feel they're taking this business seriously. Monroe does his best to force a straight face. Getting himself under some semblance of control, he nods at him to proceed. The entire event seems so surreal that Monroe is having problems focusing on what Beecher is saying.

"Before we begin, is there anyone here that has good cause to believe that this couple should not be legally wed?" The judge asks.

Monroe can't help himself. He turns to lock eyes with Rachel, cocking an eyebrow at her in challenge. She only rolls her eyes at him. Charlie elbows her groom in the ribs to get him to turn back around and pay attention. Monroe turns back around and offers the judge a look of apology as he makes a concentrated effort to not grin like an idiot.

The judge speaks for a while longer before he addresses Monroe, asking him to repeat his words:

"I, Sebastian, take you, Charlotte to be my lawful wedded wife, and do promise before these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

The judge now turns to Charlie. "Repeat these words: I, Charlotte…"

"I, Charlie," she emphasizes her nickname, even now refusing to call herself Charlotte. This has earned a few chuckles from her family. The judge gives her another stern look and then he begins again. Just as he'd done with Monroe, he feeds her the vows she is to repeat a few words at a time.

"I, Charlie, take you, Sebastian to be my lawful wedded husband, and do promise before these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

"Do you have rings?" the judge asks them.

He wishes that there'd been time to arrange for something, but at least she has the engagement ring he'd given her. "No –" Monroe begins.

Daniel stands and cuts him off. "Yes, they do." He slowly comes forward and hands Monroe two simple gold bands. "These were mine and Annie's rings," he says as he locks eyes with Monroe.

Monroe's first instinct is to say he can't accept something with so much sentimental value, but he understands the meaning behind it, and accepts with stinging eyes and a nod. Patting him on the shoulder, Daniel returns to his seat.

Monroe hands what will be his wedding band to Aaron to hold for a few moments. The judge instructs him to place the ring on Charlie's finger and recite more vows. "With this ring, I wed you, and pledge you my love now and forever."

Charlie repeats the process, placing the gold ring on Monroe's finger. They hold hands and look in each other's eyes as the judge finishes the ceremony. "By the power invested in me by the true United States of America, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

Monroe offers Charlie a wicked grin before he pulls her into his arms. He lifts her off the ground as their mouths meet for the first time as a married couple. Just to annoy her family a little he swings her around as he takes the kiss a little deeper than he should. Seeing their mother being swung around, Danny and Angie giggle and squeal with glee and struggle to get down off of Rachel and Priscilla's laps.

Monroe sets Charlie down and they bend to pick up their children that are now standing at their feet, desperate to be included. As Connor steps over to congratulate him, Monroe gives him a quick hug with his free arm. Holding the twins, they receive well wishes before heading into the Carter's dining room for dinner.

They were both a little drunk and more than eager by the time they made their escape to the guest house behind the Carter's main residence. The rest of their household had been preparing to leave when they'd slipped way. The fireplace was already lit, courtesy of Jenny Carter. The fire cast a warm, dim glow on the room, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

Monroe had barely closed the door when he yanked Charlie to him and claimed her mouth. She hung her arms around his neck and opened for him. With a groan, Monroe swept his tongue inside and lost himself in the kiss. Tonight was just for the two of them; tomorrow his departure would loom over them again; for now they had nothing but each other.

The guesthouse was little more than a one room cabin that Jenny had lovingly fixed up for her eldest daughter when she'd been married two years prior. Ashley and her new husband had lived there for just a few months until he'd managed to find a place to settle them in a few towns over. Despite its small size, the guesthouse did have one major advantage: privacy. This was something that was always in short supply in Daniel's home.

Monroe slowly backed Charlie further into the room. "In case I forgot to tell you earlier, you look amazing," he told her as he placed gentle kisses down the side of her neck. He slipped the jacket she'd worn on the way to the cabin off of her and continued to trail his mouth down, pressing his lips lightly on her shoulder.

The feather light touch of his lips on her bare skin sent a shudder through Charlie. She grabbed his face and stood on her toes to reach his mouth for another kiss. She caught his bottom lip between her teeth, nipping at it lightly. He shrugged out of his own jacket and started to run his hands up and down her back. Their tongues met again as they slowly made their way closer to the bed.

Monroe drew one hand up to the nape of her neck and then wound her hair around his fist to get it out of the way while he sought the zipper to her dress with the other. He drew it down slowly, sending a shiver down her spine as his knuckles brushed her skin. When he'd reached the small of her back, he slowly worked his hand back up to the tie that was keeping the halter top of her dress in place. He fiddled with it for a second, but the knot only tightened.

Charlie went to reach up to help him, but before she could touch the tie he turned her around. She pulled her hair to one side so he could see it better. With one hand now splayed on her belly, the other began picking at the knot. Charlie could feel his breath behind her ear. She let out a quiet moan as the sensation left her tingling.

Encouraged, he brought the hand on her belly down and slowly began to play with the fabric of her skirt, drawing it up little by little. Once he had the hem pulled up high enough, he slid his hand under her dress and began to rub the heel of his hand on her pelvis. He pushed her up against him. Charlie could feel him hard behind her. She began to move her bottom in slow circles against him, driving him wild.

When he'd finally worked the knot around her neck free, the top of her dress fell forward, giving him full access to her bare breasts as the dress had not allowed her the luxury of a bra. He brought his other hand around to tease them. Charlie's breath hitched in her throat. She could feel her heart beginning to race as he cupped one breast in his hand, his calloused palm stimulating her nipple exquisitely.

She squirmed in his arms and turned to face him. Her dress caught on her hips, providing him with an enticing view. She yanked his shirt out of the waistband of his jeans as she pulled him with her to close the remaining distance between them and the bed. She felt the mattress hit the back of her knees, and let herself fall back. He made quick work of the buttons of his shirt, tossing it aside as soon as he shrugged out of it.

Monroe leaned over her, kissing her briefly before working his way down to take the hard bud of her nipple in his mouth. He slowly encircled it with his tongue before sucking on it lightly. Charlie could feel the pooling between her legs as his mouth teased and tortured her breast. Without warning, he started to kiss her lower. He paused for a moment on her navel before he started to sink to his knees.

Charlie wiggled her feet out of the boots she'd worn on her way across the Carter's yard. She'd not bothered to lace them, so they were no trouble at all. Monroe reached under her skirt and drew his fingers under the waistband of her panties. He tugged on them lightly and drew them off of her before spreading her thighs. He pulled the material up and placed light kisses atop her pelvic bone.

Charlie let out another moan as he worked his way down further. He traced his tongue up and down ever so lightly. Charlie responded by flexing her hips, willing him to strengthen the contact. He flicked is tongue at her clit. "Please," she begged. With a chuckle, he slowly slid his tongue inside her. She reached down and ran her fingers through his hair, urging his mouth closer to her. As he licked and tasted her intimately, she started to pant.

Suddenly, he stood up. Charlie moaned in frustration, not wanting it to end. He grabbed her dress, finally freeing her from hit completely before undoing his jeans. He paused only long enough to loosen the strings of his boots so he could kick them off. Charlie sat up on the bed and yanked his jeans down. He kicked free of them and his socks, finally fully unclothed. Charlie backed up on the bed so that her legs were no longer dangling off the edge.

Lying down again, she held her arms out to him. With a groan he climbed on the bed and settled himself between thighs. She felt the tip of him probing at her entrance. His mouth found hers as he slowly pressed himself forward to enter her.

Charlie let out a sigh as he sank into her depths. He was sheathed to the hilt within her. He lay there unmoving for several minutes as he kissed her, just enjoying the feeling of being buried in her. Charlie began to buck under him, encouraging him to move. He slowly pulled out half way before sliding back into her again. One hand was under her neck supporting her, while the other found her hand and held on tight. Charlie's free hand flew to his ass, where she dug her nails in.

He groaned in half pleasure, half pain as her nails cut into him. He slowly increased the pace, each time he sank back into her, Charlie rose her hips to meet is. The steady rhythm had her panting, encouraging him to give her more. She began to moan louder with every thrust, her entire body building up slowly. Soon his own moans matched hers. Their fingers locked, they squeezed each other's hands as they both got closer.

His tongue delved deeper into her mouth as they swallowed each other's cries. He was trying desperately to maintain control, but each time he thrust back inside her wet heat, it became increasingly difficult. Their mouths parted and he buried his face in her neck. "I love you," she said into his shoulder as she felt herself climbing closer to her release.

Those words snapped what control he had left, and he began to thrust desperately, madly – his pace becoming erratic. The feel of her tight walls around his pulsing erection became the only thing he was aware of as he pushed them both over the edge. Charlie screamed his name as she started to shatter. I felt like her entire body was exploding as the waves of her orgasm consumed her. As her sheath contracted around him, he erupted. With a shout, Monroe spilled himself deep inside her, splashing her cervix. Overwhelmed with the strength of his own release, all he could do was hold on to her.

They lay there panting with hearts pounding, still joined as one. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes, losing himself in her gaze. This was now his wife, an extension of him. He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her tenderly. As they slowly came back down to earth, he withdrew from her and rolled off to the side before he crushed her. Their chests rose and fell heavily as they struggled to catch their breaths. The slick sheen of sweat that covered their skin glistened in the dim light from the fire.

Their bodies slowly returned to normal as they lay in the bed just watching one another. Before long, the draft from the window across the room started to make her shiver. He reached down and grabbed the blanket that had worked its way off the bed and drew it over the both of them. Charlie turned to her husband and laid her head on his chest. She drifted off to sleep to the sound of his heartbeat with his arms wrapped around her.

MORE NOTES! So yeah, I went there. I did a Charloe wedding scene. So sue me (and if I hadn't jumped the shark then, I may just have now) I can't help it, I'm just a sentimental creature. I know that a lot of fics have done this, and I hope I managed to pull it off without accidently copying others. I mean there's only so much you can do with that type of scene.. A wedding is just a hell of a lot of repeat this, repeat that…

I tried to do my research regarding the riverboats, and I'm hoping I got it right. From what I can tell, the route is indeed possible, but the time frames are tricky. There's not a lot of info to go by.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me this far folks. I can see maybe 3 or 4 more chapters including the epilogue (which is actually completely done). I appreciate any and all comments or thoughts that you have sent my way, and am grateful for any future ones you may bestow upon me. I admit it, when I post a chapter, I kinda get that feeling you get when you send a risky text, and I keep going back to the traffic graph to see if anyone's bothered to read it.