"Miles how can we trust Jason? He has turned to the other side so many times?" Rachel hissed.
"I don't know if we can, but I do know one thing. He has feelings for Charlie and he wants to make things up to her. If I can use that to get her out of this fight with the Patriots, then I am going to do it," Miles rested his hands on his hips.
"Miles she is going to fight no matter what we do. She is a fighter. Plus being with Monroe doesn't make it any easier for her to get into fights," Rachel was seething.
"Look Rachel, I did what I thought was best at the time to keep her safe. I'm sorry that you can't see that," Miles stormed out of the farmhouse.
It was time to find Neville junior and fix this situation. Charlie would hate him. He knew that she would not go for this scheme but it was better than her stuck in the Rockies with the remaining members of the Militia.
Charlie settled into the fortress within a day or two. She and Monroe were also settling into a routine themselves that involved daily briefings about the Patriots. Charlie was treated by the Militia as Monroe's equal and was seen as one of the generals as well. She hadn't realized until now that she was backing the Militia. The very source of all her heart ache and pain. She was truly believing that this time it was going to be different, that with her by Monroe's side, he wouldn't lose himself.
"Charlotte, are you ok with this?" Monroe startled her from her thoughts.
"Yes. It is necessary to protect the people. Who is going to stop the Patriots if we don't?"
"I know how much pain that I've caused you, but I want you to know that this time is going to be different. We are going to protect the people. We are going to be the force of good that Miles and I intended it to be," Monroe smiled.
"Sir, may I have a word with you?" Adams motioned for Monroe to go out into the hallway.
"Anything you have to say you can say in front of Charlotte," Monroe stood his ground.
"What if the men do not accept her? She was once a Rebel who tried to kill you?"
"If I didn't believe in this, then why am I here?" Charlie felt the disapproving stare coming from Adams and she knew that there was going to be a long road for her to travel before she earned everyone else's trust.
"Here's the deal. You and I are going alone to Charlie. If I even suspect that you are leading us into a Patriot trap I will not hesitate to put a bullet into your brain. If you tell daddy dearest that you are going with me then I will put a bullet in your brain. Do we have an understanding?" Miles glared at Jason.
"Fine by me, but what do I tell my dad. It's not like he isn't going to notice that I'm gone," Jason felt that if Miles could kill with one look then he would be six feet under right about now.
"Make something up, tell him you have a lead on another bounty for all I care, don't mention Charlie. Don't mention Monroe either, your dad and half of the Patriots will want to be with you then," Miles waved Jason off.
"Hey Nipples!"
"What?"
"You have one hour and then I'm gone. Meet me at the farmhouse," Miles didn't give Jason time to respond.
Miles just wondered how Jason was going to react to finding out that Miles had sent Charlie off with Monroe of all people. This was going to be interesting to say the least. He just hoped that Jason understood that it was for the best. Besides, Charlie had tried too many times to kill Monroe, so it wasn't like he was going to be heart broken when she left with Jason.
"Alright I'm ready let's go," Jason had interrupted Miles thought process.
"That was quick," Miles grabbed the last of his stuff to get it into his pack.
"The faster we get on the road the faster I get Charlie to safety," Jason crossed his arms and tried to show that he was too impatient for Miles to be taking his sweet time.
"Well, we need to ride as much as possible. It's going to take us at least a month to get there and then we only have a few weeks to get out before the winter storms hit and snow us in for the next six months," Miles looked around making sure that he had everything.
"Where the hell did you send her?"
"A place I knew that the Patriots would never look and that I knew she wouldn't get into trouble unless she really tried," Miles got up on his horse.
"Please tell me you didn't send her to Alaska or something like that. You know that the Rockies are hard to pass and that there are war clans that kill first and then attempt to ask questions," Jason got on his horse as well.
"Well there aren't any more war clans, but there is something that you need to know before we get there," Miles kicked his horse into a gallop.
"What?" Jason kicked his horse into a gallop trying to catch up.
One month later
"You sent her to hide out with the Militia in the Rockies?" Jason was livid.
"Listen it's the safest place for her right now," Miles waved to Tyson as they rode their horses up the muddy trail.
"Probably will be locked in a cell somewhere in this fortress they built," Jason galloped ahead pushing the horse to its limits.
Miles and Jason didn't talk for the rest of the trip to the fortress which made the two day journey feel like it was longer than it actually was. They both seemed impressed by the fact that it was so massive and appeared to be heavily armed.
"Why do I get the feeling that we are going to die in this place?" Jason craned his neck backwards.
"We aren't. We're former Militia," Miles smiled and held up his arm showing the brand.
"I never thought that this thing would come in handy ever again," Jason began unwrapping his wrist to reveal his brand.
They were greeted by a couple of privates who escorted them to library that had a roaring fire.
"General Monroe will be with you in a moment," one of the privates stated and then closed the door.
"Don't start," Miles held up his hand before Jason could speak.
A few minutes later the door opened and Monroe walked in and sat down. He motioned for Jason and Miles to do the same.
"You've started the Militia again?" Miles couldn't believe that he hadn't seen this one coming.
"Yes Miles, I did and this time it is going to be what we wanted it to be. It is going to be the protector of the people, not the boogey man. I have already started negotiations with the different war clans of the Plains Nations and California. I am working on drafting a treaty with Texas as well," Monroe kept calm and watched Jason carefully.
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Like anyone is ever going to trust you not to turn into the old General Monroe," Jason looked at Miles for support.
"My wife thinks that I am a changed man and that the Militia is the best thing to support and protect the people," Monroe glared at Jason.
"And what dumbass bimbo did you con into marrying you?" Jason couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Monroe stood as a door behind Miles and Jason opened.
"I'd like to introduce you to my wife," Monroe smiled as he extended his hand.
Miles and Jason turned around at the same time and both had looks of confusion.
"Hi Uncle Miles. Jason, good to see you too," Charlie smiled.
I am already working on the next chapter. I have enjoyed the feedback. I know someone said I had made this mushy with the pregnancy but this is my first fan fic. I used to write them a few years ago and I must put this out there, everything in the story has a purpose. Everything will tie into a bigger picture that may not be evident at this time. Sometimes you just have to bear with me because I will always work towards the bigger picture of the story.