August 30, 2029

Frank Blanchard made an appearance last night. He does that whenever he wants us to do a little something extra. Technically, we work for him as scouts – well, we work for Texas, but he gives the orders.

It was late and we were ready to turn in. He came tromping into our camp like he owned the place. He's a strange guy and I don't like the way he looks at me at all. I always feel like I need to bathe after he visits.

Miles and Bass were discussing the details of Frank's latest 'special assignment'. I thought the old guy had already left, but then out of nowhere he was right behind me – with his hand on my ass.

"Aren't you just a tasty little morsel?" He leaned in close and his breath smelled like cigars and garlic.

"Don't touch me." I said. I kept my voice quiet. No need to make a scene.

"Ah, don't play hard to get, Little Matheson. I'd make it worth your while."

I started to say something in response but he went weirdly still. I looked back and saw Monroe was there, with his sword pressed firmly between Blanchard's thighs. "Step away from her or I'll remove your nuts one at a time." His voice sounded conversational, but his eyes glittered with rage.

Blanchard's hands moved away from me with lightning speed, and he took a very slow step backward, with his legs spread awkwardly. "Sorry. Sorry. Don't know what I was thinking."

"I'd wager you weren't thinking at all." Bass said, moving to stand between me and Blanchard. "You don't ever touch her, Frank. Don't even look at her."

"Fine. Fine. Jesus." Blanchard chuckled nervously. "Message received." He'd walked off then.

Monroe turned to face me, "You okay?"

"Yeah. Didn't really need any help. I could have taken care of him."

"I know that." He said. "Sometimes you stand up for people even if they can take care of themselves."

"Oh."

We just looked at each other then. I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes it feels like he's looking into my soul. Kind of unsettling to be honest. Makes my stomach flutter a bit.

September 2, 2029

Miles and I have been staking out this old farm south of Austen as part of Blanchard's special assignment for the last two days. Monroe has been gathering intel in a small town nearby. We haven't seen anything yet on our stakeout, but supposedly Patriots are using this place as a safe house.

"Stupid fucking Patriots." Miles muttered. "I am too old for all this cloak and dagger shit."

"What's so hard about lying around and watching a house?"

"You mean other than the bugs?" he swats at a mosquito.

"Yeah, so what? We mostly live outdoors. We're used to bugs. How is this any different?"

"Just don't know why I'm stuck up here while Bass is down in that town boozing and whoring for the sake of Texas." Miles looks decidedly grouchy.

"Wait… I thought Monroe was getting information for us?"

"Yeah, from bartenders and hookers and the like. Lucky jerk."

I punched him in the arm, "I'm sure Mom would love to hear that you are wishing for some time with hookers."

"Shit, Charlie. That's not what I meant, but I'd much rather be sitting in a bar then lying up here in the damn dirt. That's all."

"Whatever." I muttered. I don't know why, but after that, the whole stakeout thing wasn't nearly as fun as I thought it was previously. By the time we rendezvoused with Monroe later that night, I was in an awful mood.

Miles and Monroe talked for a while, comparing notes. Monroe had found out a few things that might be helpful. After they'd wrapped up their little meeting, he came over to talk to me. "Brought you something." He said.

"Let me guess," I muttered. "Syphilis?"

He looked surprised, "What in the hell are you talking about?"

"Miles told me you've been hanging out with hookers the whole time we were up in those hills being eaten to death by mosquitoes."

Monroe's surprise turned into something else. He smirked at me and that just made me madder. "What's wrong Charlotte? Jealous? You wishing you were being eaten by something other than mosquitoes?" He moved in a little too close, his breath hot on my cheek.

"No. That is NOT what I was saying."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better – I wasn't getting any more action than you were. Mostly I sat at a bar, talking to some bartender who was old enough to be my Grandma."

"Oh." I was a little breathless for some reason. He hadn't bothered to move away.

"Aren't you going to ask?"

"Ask what?" I must have been really tired. My brain was mush.

"What I brought you?"

"What did you bring me?"

"Two things." He held out two packages. One was much smaller than the other.

I took them both. The weight and size of the bigger package made me think it was a book – a big one. I opened it first. "The Stand?" I looked at him questioningly.

"Yeah. It's really good. I read this one a couple times, though it's been a while. You're gonna like it. It's sort of an end of the world type story."

"So non-fiction?" I teased him.

He laughed, shaking his head no.

"Well, thanks." I smiled then, suddenly not as irritated as I had been. "And this one?"

He shrugged, looking off at the sunset. "There was this peddler in town. I was trying to get some info from him and he wouldn't talk unless I bought something. This reminded me of you."

I opened the small package carefully. Inside was a necklace. A small arrow shaped pendent hung from a simple silver chain. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, it is." And then he walked back over to Miles before I could even say thank you.

September 19, 2019

So today was weird. Miles, Monroe and I had gone to Willoughby for a much needed R&R break. We all needed to clean up, get a real meal and some fresh clothes. I visited my Grandpa and then met the guys for dinner at the bar down on Hickory Street. We were eating and talking and then Miles went really still. "Bass." He said, his voice tense and his eyes on the door.

Monroe turned, and then he froze too.

I was the last one to look at the door and then all three of us were just staring like idiots. Connor was back. Gone for months without a word and Bam! He's back.

I stood and was headed over to say hello, but Miles grabbed my wrist hard, "Not so fast, Kid."

"What am I missing?"

Monroe stood slowly, and I noticed he was holding a gun in his hand and it was pointed right at Connor. Monroe's eyes were glued to his son, but he answered me. "Last time we met, Connor tried to kill me."

"What?" I was shocked. "Why?"

Connor walked in slowly, his hands raised. "It's a long story, Charlie. I was pissed and…" he looks at his Dad, "I'm sorry. I'm here to apologize and maybe start over."

Miles was standing by then too, also with a gun pointed at Connor, "Yeah, that's not gonna happen."

They all talked and argued for a while and I was pretty sure Miles was going to kill Connor but in the end there was a truce of sorts. Connor had some crazy stories about Neville losing his mind and talking to Jason's ghost. I can't lie. That bit stung. I left for a while so that I could get my bearings. I hate being reminded of Jason. His death will haunt me forever.

By the time I got back, things were tense but civil. Connor moved over to sit by me. "So, you seeing anybody?"

Miles snorted and Monroe just watched us with a really weird look in his eye.

"No, and not gonna start now." I told him. He left it alone but I have a feeling he's gonna come sniffing around again. Connor always did think that thing in Vegas was more than what it was. I tried to be nice about it, but it might be time for not being nice. We'll see.

September 26, 2029

I couldn't sleep tonight, so went for a walk. Our Willoughby vacation, as Miles calls it, is about over. We'll be on the trail again next week, scouting for Texas once again. It's been weird sleeping in a house after getting used to living under the stars. I miss it, to be honest.

I wandered for a while. I didn't have any destination in mind – just wanted to clear my head so I could go back and sleep. Connor is joining us on this next mission, and I don't know how I feel about it. I am glad that he and Monroe seem to be working through their issues, but sometimes Connor bugs me. I know Miles feels the same way.

"Hey."

I whirl at the sound of a voice not far behind me. Monroe is there. "You scared me."

"Obviously. You should pay more attention. I could have been a bad guy."

"You were a bad guy for a long time."

He chuckled, "True. Glad you at least are using past tense."

"Well, for now anyway."

"You okay with Connor coming along?"

I hesitated, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"Maybe you are more than okay with him joining us?" he frowned. "Do we need to bring along a tent so you two can have some privacy?"

I shot him a dirty look. "It's not like that. Listen, I don't know if I'm okay with him coming along or not. I guess I need to see how he fights with us. I've come to trust you guys and I feel like I know what you're both thinking when we're in the middle of it…"

"But Connor?"

"I don't feel like I know him at all."

Monroe smirked, "Seemed to me like you knew him pretty well in New Vegas."

That was it. I'd had it. "Jesus, Monroe! Haven't you ever screwed someone once and regretted it? Am I the only damn person who's ever done that? Can we go one god-damned day without you acting like I want to jump Connor's bones? " I turned away from him and was stomping off when he jogged up behind me and grabbed my arm.

"What?" I demanded, turning back to face him. He was too close, but he wasn't letting go.

"I'm sorry." He said, and he looked sorry. He reached up and pushed some hair out of my eyes. His touch was very gentle. "I'm really sorry."

I wasn't even sure if we were still talking about his insinuations about Connor or if we were now talking about something else. My heart was beating fast and I swear he could hear it. He released me slowly and took a step back. His eyes looked sad. "Good night Charlotte."

And then he was gone and I walked home alone.

A/N Comments make me update faster. Just sayn.