Word Count; (3064 (ex notes)

Notes at the bottom

CHAPTER 16:

He was jealous. It was absolutely ridiculous, he knew. He was, after all, the one who practically told Connor to keep her warm. Maybe he should have thought that plan of action through a bit better, then again, he wasn't really known for thinking things through, doubly when Charlie was concerned. So now he was sitting by the fire looking at her in his sons arms and he felt jealousy course hotly through his veins. It should be his arms around her, not his sons. It should be him holding her, protecting her instead of his son. It was a futile want he knew could never be, Rachel once more made no secret of not wanting him anywhere near Charlie.

Ever since that first night he'd basically ordered Connor to keep Charlie warm his son had taken it upon himself to keep her warm every night. This was the third night in a row he'd had to watch Charlie sleep in his sons arms and it was starting to really bother him. He hadn't expected the feeling he got deep down in the pit of his stomach when he saw her wrapped in Connor's arms though. Maybe because the sight was too close to that night in New Vegas when he'd walked in on them. That is, as much as you can 'walk in' on people who just had sex in an open field. Maybe he was still afraid that the young woman felt more for his son that she had let on, that the whole 'it was a one night thing' was a lie.

The fire was warm against his front but his back and arms were cold because he was only wearing his shirt. He didn't regret giving his jacket to Charlie one bit, though. She'd needed it a lot more than him to keep warm and if she needed he'd give her the shirt on his back as well. Every morning she gave it back to him but every night he walked over to her and placed the worn leather back around her shoulders. On the other side of the fire Miles and Rachel were wrapped around each other and another bout of jealousy hit him, he wondered for a moment what that would be like. To have someone who knew you through and through. Who knew and had even seen the absolute worst of you and still forgave you, loved you, like Rachel did Miles. Another bout of jealousy coursed through him and he wondered what it would be like to be loved like that.

On the other hand he pitied Miles. Because it seemed that most of the time Rachel was just waiting for him to screw up so she could blame Bass for it and tell Miles what he should do instead. It seemed like she was controlling him and changing him, in Bass' eyes not for the better. Miles had gotten soft, too soft and he listened to Rachel, who was in her turn influenced by Gene, too much without even logically thinking it through. People say that Bass was too emotional, that he needed to keep his anger in check because it caused him to make rash decisions but Rachel's decisions were the ones that endangered them.

Shelly had loved him but she hadn't know all of him, she'd only seen the good parts of him, not the deepest, darkest parts of his mind he'd kept hidden from the world. On the other hand, Miles had seen the worst of him and left him the moment he realized just how dark Bass could get. In the silence of the night he sometimes regretted all the lives he'd taken but to him at that time there had been no other choice, it was sink or swim, kill or be killed and like he'd told Tom, if it came between his life and that of another, screw the other.

Only the past few months he had found there were actual exceptions to that rule, both Connor and Charlie had become more important than himself. The realization that he was actually willing to die for them should it be necessary had surprised him. After all that had happened, Shelly and the baby, his family, Miles' betrayal, he hadn't thought himself capable of those feelings any longer. He had been wrong.

With Connor it had been instantaneous, he was his son and Bass would do anything to protect his own flesh and blood. Connor not only brought the protective side in him to the surface but also a little bit of father/son competition and a need to do right by the kid.

It had been different with Charlie, though. It had started out with him needing to protect her because he'd done so many bad things this was just the first thing on his 'to do' list to start making amends. It had been nothing more than a job, a mission. It had all changed though, and she was to blame, hr actions, her courage had intrigued him. Every moment of every day they spent together he found himself more and more impressed by this young woman, from the moment she'd stood up to Strausser he had been increasingly fascinated by her. In the beginning that's what it had been, fascination but then fascination turned into respect, respect into lust and lust into... whatever he was feeling now. Love? Maybe, he was man enough to admit to himself that he was falling in love with her but being in love and actually loving someone he found were two very different things. All he knew is he would gladly give his life if it meant she'd get to keep hers.

The next morning everyone was cranky, cold and hungry. Not the best combination for a small, would-be army. Miles and he decided that they would take a couple of them and go on a hunting party. Not the kind that hunted for food, food they could get, what they needed was blankets, weapons and some other stuff to keep them safe and warm.

Miles, Connor, Mark, Devon and Bass would go out and see if they could go about getting these important things while the rest would stay in camp. Charlie, naturally, protested that she wanted to come with them but Bass and Miles agreed that with her injuries she would just be a risk for them in stead of an asset. Bass insisted Pete stay behind, not because he was the biggest of Charlie's men but because he knew that he was the one of the four left that actually cared for Charlie and wasn't just following orders when he was protecting her. They left Roger with the camp as well just in case before they headed out for supplies.

It was a long walk before they saw any signs of civilization and after an hour and a half of walking they finally came across a fairly large town. They scoped it out first to make sure that there weren't any Patriots there because the risk of being seen wasn't worth the supplies they needed. After convincing themselves they were okay to head in they split into two groups, each of them a small list of things to get.

Connor was bartering with a merchant for a pile of blankets. They wouldn't be nearly as warm and comfortable as the sleeping bags had been but it was better than nothing at all. Bass and Miles were staying to the side to keep a good eye on their surroundings. "So, wanna tell me what the hell was up with you a couple of nights ago when we were attacked? I mean, you were pretty fucking upset that Charlie had gotten hurt, anything I need to know about?"

Bass eyed his former best friend and shook his head, on one hand he wanted to tell someone about the conflicting feelings he felt for the young woman but he was pretty sure her uncle wasn't the person to share them with so he opted for something else.

"Rachel asked me to keep her safe, back in the Tower. I promised her that I would not let her lose another child. I caused the death of Ben, of Danny... I wish I could take those things back, but I can't. I made a promise to Rachel that I would keep her last living child safe, that I would keep Charlie safe. That's what I'm gonna do" He paused and checked on Conner for a moment, satisfied the young man was charming the merchant so much the man had actually pulled a couple of sleeping bags out of hiding. Kid had the Monroe charm, that was for sure.

"And you know what, I was pissed as fuck that the kid I TOLD YOU was a danger turned out to be the one that nearly did her in, after you and her mom set him free, no less. So yeah, that had me seeing red and I lost it for a second. You should have listened to me, Miles. I know Rachel means a lot to you and that it was 'just a kid' but you and I both know that I was right in that moment. The kid should have never left and yeah, maybe I was a bit radical with wanting to kill the kid but letting him go... that was a dumb-ass move, Miles."

Miles cleared his throat and searched his face for any lies, Miles knew him too good to be lied to. That was also the reason Bass had kept his answer truthful, it just wasn't the entire truth. He'd left the part about sex with Miles' young niece out, which he thought was pretty damn smart of himself. "You care for her." Miles' voice was incredulous "Somehow my annoying, infuriating, stubborn little niece has gotten under your skin." It wasn't a question. "What, you're thinking you'd better protect the possible future mother of your grandchildren." Luckily Miles didn't notice the cringe those words sent through Bass' body. "What is up with that, by the way?" Miles continued, obviously meaning what was going on between Charlie and Connor.

Bass couldn't imagine a more uncomfortable subject of conversation, right now he was seriously contemplating telling Miles it wasn't Connor but him who was sleeping with Charlie, just to change the subject. "From what I understand it was one time, in New Vegas. Nothing more." He opted instead for the words that wouldn't send Miles into a murdering rage.

"Hmm." He could hear Miles didn't really believe him but he was grateful the other man let the topic go. "Seven blankets, five sleeping bags. Am I amazing or what?" Connor walked over to them holding two very large bags in triumph and Bass had to give it to him, that was a pretty impressive barter.

Both he and Miles took a bag from the young man and slung it over their shoulder "You're a rock star, kid" Bass teased "Okay, let's go see what the others have been able to find." Along the way Bass managed to barter a frying pan, a small jar of disinfectant ointment and a thick sweater from another merchant. He wrapped his treasures in one of the blankets and used a rope to strap it across his back, making it easier to carry.

The other group had gotten a couple of crudely fashioned knives and some venison. All in all their little barter sessions had paid of pretty well. The blankets and sleeping bags the most welcome of them all. It was midday now and about time to go back to the camp when Bass spotted another stand "Hold up one second." He jogged over to the lady and traded something on her stand against one of the diamonds he kept hidden in the cuff on his left wrist for emergencies. "Thank you."

Bass shoved the item in his bag before joining the rest ignoring Miles' questioning looks. "Okay, lets head back." Miles told Mark, who was an excellent marksman to keep his eyes out for any birds, rabbits or other small pray that would be easy for them to carry back to their little make-shift camp. By the end of their hike back Mark had shot a couple of ducks and some rabbits. It wasn't that much considering their numbers but it was more than they had the night before.

The camp was quiet and Gene told Miles that they hadn't heard anyone in the vicinity. To their surprise a dead wild boar had been hanging from a quickly-fashioned rack and was waiting to be gutted and cooked. That together with what Mark had caught should hold them over for a couple of days.

His blue eyes searched the ground and he breathed a sigh of relief when they settled on Charlie and Pete sitting by the fire. Her hair was obscuring her face from his view but he was just happy to see her up and about. He dropped his bag with the sleeping bags, blankets, skillet and everything near Gene and Rachel so they could figure out what to do with them. The only thing he did take for himself was the disinfectant cream before making his way over to where Charlie and Pete were sitting.

When Pete noticed him the other man smiled knowingly and got up so Bass could take his place. Bass had noticed these looks before but he chose not to say anything about it, let Pete think what he wanted. As long as the bearded man kept his mouth shut, he was fine with it. Charlie was looking up at him with a smile "Hey, you." She took the jar he was offering her and unscrewed the cap. "I see the spoils of your little bartering session are good and plenty" She brought the jar up to her nose and sniffed, a grimace at the not-so-pleasant smell of the ointment "What the hell is this?" He couldn't stop a chuckle "For the scrape on your brow, the cut on your cheek... it's disinfectant." He explained "It's not supposed to smell good, it's supposed to make sure those cuts heal well."

She smiled gratefully and placed the jar next to her, the cap firmly back in place "Thanks, I'll ask mom or grandpa to help me with it later" Her eyes wandered over to the two just mentioned and she frowned "That is, when they have the time."

He cleared his throat and pointed at the jar "If you want to... I mean, if you don't mind..." God, he felt like a little boy who'd just realized girls didn't have cooties "I could help you with that, if you want." He finally got the words out. Part of him was terrified of her answer and he didn't know which terrified him more, her acceptance or her refusal. "Oh, yes, please" She smiled gratefully once more and handed him the jar "Looks like mom and grandpa will be busy for a while."Without him having to ask her she straddled the rock she was sitting on and scooted closer to him. He could smell her now, it wasn't the flowery scent he was so used to it was something warmer, something more alive and darker, musky and it had him hard within seconds. It had been too long. Really it had been only a couple of days but his body had been craving her, hungering for her the moment she'd stepped away after their last encounter.

"Hmmhmm" Her clearing her throat shot his focus back up to her face and he noted the amused look in her eyes. "Seriously, now?" The chuckle in her voice made him grin and he shrugged his shoulder "What can I say, even bruised, bloodied, broken and un-bathed... you're hot, and I'm a red-blooded male" His eyes widened at the blush creeping up her face and he realized he'd never told her he thought she looked good before. Honestly, with the way she looked he was damn sure it was implied but he figured maybe no one had said the words to her in a while.

His finger dipped into the jar and he proceeded to smear some of the ointment on the scrape above her left brow, careful not to hurt her in the process. It was starting to heal already but he didn't want to take chances, before the blackout infections could be easily helped with a little antibiotic but nowadays something as stupid as an infected cut could kill you if it wasn't looked at properly. Gently he massaged the ointment into the cut, his eyes intent on his task "You are, you know" He whispered softly partly embarrassed partly wanting to make sure he wasn't overheard by anyone "Hot, I mean."

To his surprised and probably a bit of horror she leaned in close and pressed the softest of kisses against his cheek. When she pulled back he glanced around to check if anyone noticed but it seemed their little indiscretion hadn't been caught by anyone at camp and he coughed to hide his embarrassment. It had been years, literally, since anyone had shown him affection like that. He wasn't talking about sex, as the General of the republic he'd never had trouble finding bed partners. But actual affection without anything behind it, it had been years since he'd had someone express that towards him, the last one probably being Shelly.

Bass swiped his thumb across her cheek under the guise of taking care of the bruise there but his eyes were telling her a different story. He hoped she could read in his eyes how much it meant to him, how much her tiny little touch affected him. By the smile of her face he was pretty sure she knew and he wondered what she would do with that information.

He made quick but careful work of her other cuts and bruises before he screwed the lid back on the jar and handed it back to her. "You keep it, you're a little accident prone." The joke came out soft and easy and once more he was surprised at how easy everything was when he was with her. She chuckled and punched his shoulder "Shut up, Bass." He didn't think he was ever going to tire of her calling him 'Bass'.

Authors Notes;

Getting a little bit more lovey-dovey here. Hope that's to your liking. I'm not making them too lovey though. they're not going 'gaze lovingly into eachothers eyes as they walk off into the sunset' Because lets face it, it's still Bass and Charlie ;p

My muses are still going strong and with all the stuff I still have planned it's probably going to be a long ass fic, 40 chapters or more. I hope you guys are in it for the long haul. I have rough drafts done for about 30 chapters now and I'm still adding more chapters, editing and writing more daily. I will continue updating every 2/3 days so you guys won't have to wait to long.

Thanks for taking the time to read and review. It's always wanted, welcomed and appreciated :D

Love, Marisa