Hey guys! Happy Revolution day... which I'd like to celebrate with a double update! Hope you enjoy it, and review and let me know what you're thinking!

Warning this chapter is a little fillery - long flashback, to provide a little relief of the angst.

Miles' birthday was always a low key affair, but this year, her mother had gotten involved, and it had turned into the opposite of what Miles usually longed for. It was dressy, there was a sit down meal, and he had to wear a tie. Monroe had heard enough complaining about it to last him till the next one at least, however, whenever he had suggested to his friend that he politely decline the offer, he hadn't been successful. Truth was Miles was never able to refuse his brother's wife anything. Rachel had become more involved in Miles' life, since Ben's death, and Monroe could hardly pass judgement. Everyone does what they need to to survive. He pulled at his tie, and withheld a sigh. He had tried to get out of it, but there was no way, and now, here he was, dressed up in a grey monkey suit, waistcoat, tie and all, and all he could think about was her... when would she arrive? Would she be alone? Had she been thinking about him as much as he'd been thinking about her? Those questions made it hard to focus on his surroundings, and especially the questions his date kept peppering him with.

"What?" he asked, for about the hundredth time, as Duncan turned around and shot him an unamused look.

"Sorry, was I disturbing your pathetic door staring. Let up Sebastian, obsessive isn't a good look on you" she said, touching his arm as he turned his attention to his ex.

"Right, thanks boss" he muttered as he let her pull him along to the bar of the restaurant Rachel had organised the dinner in. The place was milling with Miles' friends and colleagues, people chatting quietly, drinking quickly, and hoping for the awkwardness to dissipate as soon as possible. He decided to follow their lead. He went to the bar and ordered for himself and Duncan, and waited.

He wasn't sure when he became aware that she had arrived, the babble of female voices by the door. Rachel brushing past him, a reluctant Miles trailing behind, summoning a smile for the only person he really wanted to see. He looked up, and found he could see everything in the mirror over the bar. His eyes swept over her, and he took a long drink of his beer.

Charlotte in a dress, all black lace and peaks of tan skin, her long hair swept up, always looking one small tug from falling around her shoulders. And then there was the guy on her arm. Now, he looked good in a suit, Bass allowed, he looked like he belonged in one, like maybe he was a law student,or doctor or something. He saw the way the guy wrapped his arm around Charlie's waist and pulled her closer to him, whispered something in her ear, as she leaned away and laughed. He ground his teeth, and took a deep breath. Long night indeed. He drained his beer and signalled another, ignoring the look Duncan gave him.

Dinner was a long affair, that involved drinking, picking at the tiny, fancy food, and staring at Charlie and her date. He practically jumped when Rachel appeared at his side, and spoke to him quietly.

"Bass, you how, I was thinking it might be nice for you to give the toast... unless you want me to do it... I could... but I really think it would be better coming from you.."

"I don't think so Rachel... Miles isn't really a toast kind of guy"

"Well, it is his birthday Sebastian..."

"Look – whatever... ok, whatever you want" he didn't have the strength to fight her on it, it was all spent trying to keep it together in front of a certain blonde who had hardly glanced in his direction. She smiled gratefully at him, and left, leaving him to down another glass of wine, ignoring Duncan's warning look.

Charlie sipped her wine, and trained her eyes on her date. He was talking, and she was pretty sure she should respond at some point, the only problem was she had hardly heard a word.

"Charlie? Don't you agree?" Connor was asking, and she forced herself to nod.

"Absolutely" she murmured, wondering what exactly she was agreeing with, as she saw her mother stand up, further up the table and tap on her wine glass for silence. Charlie glanced at Miles, who, strangely, seemed to be having a pretty good time, despite being out of his element.

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming... on Miles' behalf, as I am sure you all know, he can be a little close lipped when it comes to that sort of thing." she said, and there was a small laugh, and some comments that Miles waved away.

"Anyway, I wanted to say something to Miles, on his birthday, and, I'm not very good at this... but, I wanted to thank you... for everything. Since Ben... without Ben, we have all been a little adrift. And Miles... Miles has been there. He continues to be there and I don't know what we'd do without him" Rachel finished, the room quiet now, and Miles was looking at her softly. In that silence, Charlie felt familiar blue eyes on her, and felt her face warm under their gentle scrutiny.

"To uncle Miles" she called suddenly, raising her glass, breaking the tension, as everyone toasted and drank. She saw her mother sit down, and was surprised to see her gesturing to Bass to get up. Charlie finally allowed her eyes to fall on him, as he stood up, and raised his glass too. Man looked good in a suit, couldn't deny that, she thought, as she traced the wideness of his shoulders, narrowing into his slim waist, his tight shirt taught against his firm chest, and Charlie could remember exactly how it felt against her own chest, and the line of her thinking was making her blush.

"Happy Birthday buddy... this is much nicer than your other birthdays, that's for sure... and I guess we have Rachel to thank for toast was so good... she's kinda hung me out to dry" he joked, and the people laughed around her, and Charlie couldn't take her eyes off his face. He looked relaxed, natural, in front of all those people, his blue eyes startling, the same shade as his shirt. The worst thing was she remembered pretty well his distaste of shopping. The outfit looked like it had been put together by a woman, and the thought turned her stomach.

"I guess, what I would say to you bud, on your birthday, is... being here, being with your family, and all these fine folks who put up with you on a daily basis is...it's a gift... and you're a lucky man... and you are also my family, and I'm glad to be part of yours... Happy Birthday bro" he finished, raising a glass, and downing it in one fell swoop, to the shouts of encouragement from some of their army friends. Everyone clapped, and then he was sitting down, and the woman next to him, his date, was smiling and speaking in his ear. She could barely stop watching them, who was she? Was it serious? They seemed so comfortable together. Then, suddenly, he was turning his head, and looking right at her, and she froze. Their eyes met, blue colliding with blue, a whole table apart, and she felt that look right down to her toes. His gaze was warm, and she felt as though she had come in from the cold as he looked at her. She allowed her lip to lift in the corner, a smile that deepened as it was returned. He raised his glass to her, a slight nod, which she returned.

"Who is that?" Connor asked from her side, and she saw Bass' eyes drift to her date, look him over, take him in, impassively, and then he looked back to her.

"Charlie?" Connor was touching her arm now, and she looked away after a long moment, his blue gaze remaining burnt into her vision even as she turned to the man beside her.

"What?"

The reception was Miles' choice, and he wanted to go to a local jazz club, live music, good liquor and dancing occasionally. Rachel begged off afterward, and some other couples from the dinner departed, leaving a more intimate group standing in front of the restaurant.

"Charlie... you have to come... it's my birthday" Miles was saying, hooking an arm about his niece's shoulders and pulling her into a close embrace. She laughed, putting her hand on his stomach to balance.

"Sure, ok, but I can't stay late"

"You are no fun, well, Bass, just you and I to the bitter end" Miles said, slapping his friend on the shoulder. They were all standing outside on the pavement, some people getting into cabs, and others starting to walk toward the bar. Charlie was acutely aware of the fact that Bass and her had not spoken to each other yet, something Miles had not seemed to have noticed.

"Whatever you want... birthday boy" Bass was saying, hoping his voice wasn't as strained as it felt.

"You really don't mind" Connor was saying, pausing in the doorway of a cab.

"It's just... I've such an early start, and the new boss" he was cut off by Charlie.

"Don't be silly, of course I don't mind... go... I'll be fine. Speak to you tomorrow"

"You know it baby" the young guy said, before he stepped forward. For a horrifying moment Bass thought he was going to kiss Charlie right in front of him, and couldn't measure his relief as she swung her head to the side, and presented him her cheek.

"Goodnight" she said, smiling tightly as he got into the car and left.

"What a spoil sport, I don't approve" Miles was muttering as they all started in the direction of the bar. It was only a little ways off, and Miles kept the conversation flowing, thank goodness, Charlie thought as she trained her eyes to the pavement and tried to ignore her pounding heart. Monroe's date was trailing behind them, on her phone, and Charlie could hardly help overhearing her conversation. Sounded like she was saying goodnight to her kid. Ironic. Charlie thought, glancing at Bass' face during the interaction, which was as unreadable as usual.

Before she knew it, they arrived, and went inside, waiting by the entrance as Charlie had her I.D checked. If it bothered Monroe's date that she wasn't checked, she didn't show it.

Inside was warm, and dark, lit only by pools of light in booths, and on the stage. The booths were small, and she saw their party was all scattered around.

"I'll snag us a table..." Miles was saying, already moving away, and Charlie saw Monroe's date following. She hesitated, unsure what to do, horribly aware that she and Bass had been left standing side by side, presumably expected to hit the bar together. She took a deep breath, and turned and glanced at him. He looked as unruffled as always, and bit down her frustration at his unaffected cool, and met his eyes.

"Looks like drinks are on us" she said, nodding to the bar.

"Sure does." he agreed leading the way over to the bar. There was a lot of wines on display behind it, and fancy spirits. Bass handed her the menu, and then looked surprised as she ordered a scotch neat.

"What?" she asked with a laugh at his surprised expression.

"Nothing... good choice. Two more, and a white wine" he told the bartender. Charlie went to pull out her purse and his hand on hers sent her pulse jumping, paying for the drinks.

"Your girlfriend seems nice" Charlie suddenly blurted out, and immediately wished she could take it back.

"She's not... my girlfriend... just, a friend" he said, and saw the way Charlie's fingers were tight on her glass.

"Sorry your date had to go"

"Yeah... he's pretty serious about his job, gets up super early to go to the gym and all that" Charlie said, and smiled uncomfortably.

"Must be difficult with your schedule" Monroe observed, not wanting to pry, but desperately needing to know how involved this girl, his girl, was with this other guy. Charlie shrugged non-committally, not giving anything away. Silence fell between them, as they avoided each others eyes and picked up the drinks, Miles waving to them from their new booth, silently making their way over to Miles and Duncan.

Monroe had lost count of the number of drinks he'd had, a common danger when drinking with Miles. He wasn't sure how many, but it had definitely been enough... enough to start looking at Charlie whenever her head was turned, enough to stretch his legs carelessly under the table, occasionally brushing against her bare legs. Enough not to look away when she glanced at him, something she seemed to be trying to avoid. Duncan had left, and he had barely noticed. Duncan was an ex and a friend, and he had managed to get her to accompany him, guilt tripped her really. It was late, but the bar was still busy, though they had lost track of most of the other people from their party, and now it was the three of them. Miles was having a good time, Bass was glad to see, and so was Charlie. She had been drinking steadily, and he could see form the pinkness of her cheek and lack of focus of her eyes that she was a little drunk. She had started to engage with him more, via Miles, and every word from her toward him he tucked away. They were precious and he had been a long time without any.

Miles suddenly stood up, and announced he was going to the bathroom. He wandered off, and Bass suddenly felt the lack of inhibition that usually follows a night of straight drinking. He smiled at Charlie, seeing how awkward she felt for a moment, decided, in his semi drunk state, he should do something about it. The singer had started a Billie Holiday set, and the music wound around them.

"All of me,

Why not take all of me,

Can't you see,

I'm no good without you"

"You know... Charlotte... we need to find a way to deal with these kinds of social occasions..." she nodded as he spoke, then smiled playfully at him.

"Well, alcohol helps"

"True... but, I... I just wish, we could find some kind of compromise."

"What kind of compromise?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Your goodbyes,

Left me with eyes that cry,

how can I go on dear without you"

"Well... you know... something in the friends department... just because you didn't want to risk becoming the mother of my kids... doesn't mean we couldn't still be friends-" he was rambling, the alcohol making him reckless, and he stilled as he saw a change in her face.

"What did you just say?" she asked, and he could see that it wasn't the booze talking for her, and felt her seriousness like a slap.

"I said... just because the thought of being stuck with me... an unbreakable bond, wasn't to your fancy, doesn't mean we can't be friends, for Miles' sake." he elaborated and felt his heart beat pick up as she smiled a little, her expression strange

"Funny... I thought it was you who didn't want to be stuck with me... you're not exactly one for commitment. Tell the truth... I did you a favour, right?" she teased, and he felt as though she was literally punching in the stomach with those quiet words, spoken with such confidence.

"Are you serious? How would breaking it off with me be doing me a favour?"

"Because... why would you want the drama? A pregnancy scare with me... Miles' niece... can you imagine if it hadn't just been a scare?" she joked.

"Ok, I get it... having my child would have been the worst thing that ever happened to you... you don't need to remind me" he muttered, wrapping his hand around his glass. She shifted across from him, pulling herself closer, the music swelling, and making it hard to hear.

"No, I mean... it would have been the worst thing to happen to you" she said, leaning into his ear to speak over the music.

"You took the best,

Why not take the rest,

Baby, take all of me"

"And what made you decide that?" he asked in wonder, leaning away to see the confused look on her face. His heart started to beat strangely, making him almost feel light headed as he leant back toward her and swept aside her hair, which had long since fallen over her shoulders and spoke into her ear.

"Charlotte... if you have been... if it hadn't been a scare... I'd have gone to Miles that day, that hour and told him everything, your mother too... I – would have done everything, to have a family, to have one with you – I'd have asked you to marry me, and I'd have counted myself as the luckiest bastard in the world." he leaned away slowly, and saw the emotions crossing her features.

"But... you never commit to anyone, you're a player, a womaniser... why would you want to be tied down to – to me? I've never been anywhere, or done anything..." her beautiful eyes searched his, and he could barely resist reaching out to touch her cheek. He leaned back in, cupping his hand around her ear, not wanting to shout, he spoke quietly, her head leaning into his.

"Because – I was falling in love with you... hell, never mind falling... I was in love with you" he admitted, and steeled himself as he looked at her face, the stunned expression. She looked dumbstruck.

"You never said anything, you just left..." she muttered.

"I thought it was what you wanted, I thought you were horrified at the prospect of... something tying us together so resolutely... I thought I was setting you free"

"So did I" she said, a lopsided smile not concealing the tears that had gathered in her eyes. They stared at each other, and he felt as though she had reached into his chest, and filled the gaping hole that missing her had torn.

"What are we talking about?" said Miles as he flopped down on a chair, and looked at them expectantly.

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"I dunno, I think I kind of dodged a bullet. We both did" Connor was saying as Monroe packed up his belongings, half-listening. They were moving on, had a lead on another small camp, a couple of days away.

"In what sense? Who?" he asked, distracted, half listening, his mind stuck between needing a new distraction, and worrying that if they left... how would she find them again... if she came back? He admonished himself at that. She wasn't coming back.

"Charlie and me... what if she'd gotten knocked up.. all that throwing up – gave me nightmares" Connor laughed, and Bass glanced up at his son.

"Classy Connor, what if Charlie heard you" he muttered, wondering at the maturity of him. Surely, if you were mature enough to have sex, you had to be ready to deal with the consequences. He thought of himself and Emma, and winced. How would he have felt, at his age, if Emma had come to him and told him? He couldn't be sure, but, he liked to think he would have manned up.

"Well, I'm sure Charlie is relieved as me... can you imagine her as a mother?" Connor asked, laughing a little at the prospect.

"People can surprise you Connor... Charlie would like kids" Monroe rambling, grateful to have a chance to talk about the person who was currently haunting both his unconscious and conscious thoughts.

"How would you know that? How does that come up in conversation?" Connor asked, and Bass only shook his head.

"I don't know... just guessing, I suppose" he said, as he heard someone clear their throat outside the tent.

"What is it?"

"General Monroe... a messenger has arrived. A patriot messenger" Bass snapped to attention, striding outside.

"Where is he?"

"He left something, and ran away, the message is only this" his man was saying, holding out a small leather pouch. Monroe scowled at him, and his carelessness for letting the man get away, and snatched the pouch from him. He impatiently pulled at the tie, and finally got it open, thrusting his fingers in, he felt the world stop turning for a moment, as his fingertips brushed the long, silky strands. Willing it not to be true, even as he knew it was, he looked inside, the long, blond lock curling around his finger, mocking him with it's implications.

"What is it?' Connor was asking, yet, his voice seemed to come from afar, as Monroe tore back to his tent, snatching up sword and gun, his blood beating a war drum in his head.