"You want some help with that Charlotte?" His tone was light, nonchalant even.

"No thank you, Sebastian." Hers was definitely teasing, the fact that his eyes narrowed immediately spoke of how successful she was at it. Not that she noticed, Charlie had already walked off, casually swinging two empty buckets. Miles sighed, whatever was going on with those two was downright weird. Bass actually offering to help with such a mundane task as fetching water would have had him falling off his chair a few weeks ago. Charlies response would have further shocked him into a coronary. But they had been like this ever since they got back from New Vegas. The air around the two of them seemed charged every time they happened to be in the same vicinity. Not only had Bass come clean right away that without Charlie him and his son would likely be dead, but that she had secured the men for them. He'd tried to hide it, but Miles knew him better than anyone and he saw the admiration shining out of his former best friend for his niece. Hell he was proud of the kid himself. But still...

In the weeks since they had returned, Miles had noticed a definite change in the relationship between them and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. They seemed much more at ease with each other, that much was obvious. And they were a hell of a lot more comfortable with giving each other crap.

"What's going on with you two? If she hadn't saved your sorry ass in Vegas I'd swear you've done something to make her hate you even more than usual." Bass said nothing for a second, he was still staring the direction Charlie had gone.

"Hey man, we're trying to get along. Isn't that what you wanted, one big happy family?" His tone suggested that he didn't expect Miles to believe him, but he glared at Bass anyway. "Yeah right. That whole forced to the point of excruciating politeness? That's how Matheson's show they're about a heartbeat away from actually punching each other. And why does it bother you so much when she calls you Sebastian?"

Miles frowned in even deeper confusion when Bass promptly choked on the drink he'd just taken. "Seriously man, if you both developed some third world version of a crack habit while you were away, now's the time to tell me." Bass chuckled, looking a little embarrassed. "Charlie hates it when I call her by her full name."

"So naturally you choose to call her Charlotte at every available opportunity, yeah I get that part. But why do you look like you want to grab her and shake the shit outta her when she uses your full name? Which, if you do by the way, I'll break your face. But seriously, what gives? Do I have to worry about Charlie sneaking into your bedroom in the middle of the night to impale you on her favorite sword?"

'No, but if she keeps looking at me like that you're gonna have to worry about me sneaking into her bedroom late at night to impale her.' But some thoughts were better left unsaid.

He'd been an idiot, letting his feelings show on his face around the others. It was lucky that Miles was an even bigger idiot than he was, cause shaking the shit out of his niece was the last thing on his mind when she called him that. Flashbacks of being ball deep in her chose to return when it happened and the little tease well knew it judging by the look of triumph she took on every single time.

Miles was watching him, clearly awaiting some kind of answer. He tried to focus long enough to come up with a decent one but all he could think about was going after Charlie and banging her against another tree. Maybe in the river too. And then on the riverbank... and then take her again in his bed all over again once they got back. He eventually decided to go with the honest answer. Mostly.

"We've been spending a lot of time together lately brother. Watching each others backs. She really did save my ass in Vegas. And I have been known to save hers once or twice you know. We're not friends," they would never be friends he knew, not when he wanted so much more than her friendship, he realized with a pang of regret. She might lust after him sometimes but there was no way she cared about him in any way, "but for now at least we're all on the same team and making the best of it."

"Charlie's been through a lot Bass-" Miles stopped, unsure how to say what he wanted. Bass turned to him with an expression on his face that blatantly said
"Uh, yeah." Miles shot him a dirty look and continued. "I'm not an idiot you dick." At Bass' raised eyebrow he fought the urge to punch him in the face. "She trusts you." Miles smirked as the other mans facial expression turned comically surprised. "Charlie has lost enough, she's been through enough betrayals and hurts." Bass' face softened slightly at the pained tone in his friend's voice. "If she's not plotting your murder and really is making an effort to build something with you..." He missed the look of sudden longing painted all over Monroe's face. "All I'm saying man, is if you cause her any more pain, physical or otherwise, I will kill you."

Bass froze. He didn't know what the hell to say to that. Or what Miles was getting at. For a second he imagined that Miles might have actually realized exactly what was going on between them. "Miles... Charlie doesn't give a crap about me or what I do as long as I don't hurt her family." Her uncle at least, more than once Bass had gotten the impression that Charlie wouldn't mind that much if he hauled off and socked her mom one when she was off on one. That he got, Rachel was an annoying bitch. Either way, she certainly wasn't about to have her feelings hurt if he did something bad again. But then the memory of
her, furious and betrayed looking, pointing a gun in his face came back to him and his curiosity suddenly intensified. Was she just worried he'd go batshit again and hurt more of her family, or was she worried she would lose HIM? He tried to clear his thoughts by shaking his head. It didn't work.

Miles' frustration was growing by the second. He had seen first hand just how quick Charlie was to forgive the people she cared about. And if Charlie was beginning to look at Bass as something other than the crazy general, and like it or not he knew she had the second he heard Rachel tell her she saved him
for her, then she would only get hurt if the dick sitting next to him planned on playing some kind of honorary uncle or teasing big brother figure right up until he betrayed them all. The kid deserved better than that.

"You're wrong man. Charlie's the reason you're sitting here now. And I'm not talking about her stupid move in New Vegas." Bass had turned to him, a strange
look on his face. "What the hell are you talking about Miles?"

"Why do you think Rachel saved you in the first place?"

"Because you'd be pissed if she didn't? Because she pulled her head out of her self-righteous, hypocritical ass long enough to see that you need me?"

Miles felt the sting of guilt from that night hit him again. He knew that if it had been just about his feelings that Rachel would have unapologetic-ally let Bass die. The bastard had deserved to to be punished, but that didn't mean he wanted his brother to die. Especially to go out like that, strapped to a chair - completely helpless. His next words cost him more than he would ever admit to anyone. "I tried man, I failed. Rachel was happy to let you die whether you'd be useful or not. Until Charlie had her say." Bass' eyebrows shot up. "You didn't see the kids face... And by the time she'd finished with Rachel I think she knew that Charlie wouldn't forgive her if she didn't do something. At first I thought she was just pissed that we'd lost a fighter. But then Aaron told me that he'd had to pull her away from the courthouse afterwards and I realized what it was." He'd never understand it, the Mathesons all had strong connections to this man, some wanted to save him no matter what he'd done, the rest wanted to slaughter him - all opposite emotions granted, but equally powerful.

He watched as Bass went completely still. There were too many emotions flickering over his face to focus on any single one. "All I'm saying is don't play family and get her to forgive you if you're just going to become the man you were all over again. I wasn't able to kill you before - but if you harm Charlie in any way I won't think twice about it." He realized as he said the words that he really meant them. Maggie had been right, all those months ago, when she had said that if he gave the kid a chance she would save him too. And she had. Maybe, maybe given enough time she'd be able to save his brother as well. It was ridiculous, not to mention a huge burden to lay on his niece, but he couldn't help the spark of hope it gave him.

Finally, Bass spoke. "It was never my intention to cause Charlie any pain." he said quietly, "I know that means dick all to anyone but I really didn't. And I swear to you brother, as long as I'm breathing I'll protect her from any more harm. From me or anyone else." It was all he could manage, his eyes had filled up and it was an intense struggle not to get up and go to her.

Miles looked like he wanted to ask more questions, but after a pause he dropped the subject with a curt nod and a slap on his shoulder. Bass could understand, now he knew it wasn't a deadly feud between the two of them, and had given his warnings there wasn't much else to say. The rest wasn't his business. Bass didn't doubt for a second that Miles would kill him if he hurt Charlie. He'd do anything for that girl. 'Peas in a pod those two,' he thought
and hated himself for the jealousy it brought out in him. Not only that Miles had found someone he loved more than his best friend, but that Charlotte clearly worshiped her uncle. The relationship between them was watertight and from what Bass had witnessed and heard about it - unbreakable. Despite all Miles had done, Charlie forgave him his sins without question or second guessing. It must be nice, to have that kind of loyalty. It was something that he himself would never get from her.

They had fallen into silence, each brooding about Charlie and each other. Miles was the only reason he was still sitting here and not down at the river wrapping himself around Charlie. He knew that she didn't want him to die, she had risked her neck to save his ass in New Vegas after all. But he had never imagined that she would be upset if he did. There was a difference between knowing you need someone around and actually wanting them to be. His chest felt heavy and constricted. Pretty used to the idea that nobody would give any kind of crap if he were gone, Bass wasn't sure what to do with the knowledge that Charlotte of all people cared enough to want him to live...

She was his best friend's niece, (and an irritating little Rachel-a-like when she wanted to be), he shouldn't have ever touched her let alone allow himself to feel anything for her. It would destroy the fragile friendship they had retrieved if Miles found out. The best way to keep his brother, and his mind, was to stay the hell away from Charlie and protect her at all costs. But as he sat there staring out the path she had taken he couldn't stop the memories of being inside her assaulting his mind. His dick twitched in his pants. God, it had been far too long since he'd had her. Staring at her beautiful face every damn day and not getting to kiss it was killing him. He'd been jerking off like a schoolboy who'd just discovered porn as it was. For some reason, now that he'd been told she actually gave a little bit of a crap about him he could feel the need rise in him even stronger than before.

As his head began to replay for him the way her nails had felt gripping his back, and the way her hot wetness had gripped him as he had slid home inside of her he sprang to his feet. He loved Miles, he really did, but if he was going to ever be able to walk properly again he needed to get Charlie out of his system. Without a word, he marched off after her.

It didn't take long to find her. She stood with her back to him. Bass wanted to yank her pants down and take her just like that, her bent over for him, taking all he had to give. But then she half turned towards him and he caught the look on her face. She was miles away, lost in thought. And she looked so beautiful and so sad that his breath caught. This girl, no- this woman, had been to hell and back. She had endured things that had sent people mad. And she had come out of it stronger, with her faith in herself and others intact. She was amazing. And somewhere along the way she had decided to care about a hopeless prick like him. Did he want her with an all-consuming need that made him act like a complete idiot? Yes. But did he care about her? Really care, like she deserved to be cared about? He hadn't believed himself capable of it. But watching her now, he realized that she was the only truly good, pure thing in his life and he'd cared about her for so long he could no longer remember when it started. 'Fuck Miles. And Rachel. And Connor. Fuck all of them.' All of the reasons he and Charlie were a bad idea could go to hell.

Charlie filled her buckets with water feeling pleased with herself. Nothing gave her more of a rush than her little word battles with Monroe. Mainly cause she always won. Leaving aside the fact that he was a crazy ex-dictator who may or may not be planning on becoming one again - he was, as a man, just about perfect. On the surface anyway. Beautiful eyes, stunning smile, adorable curly hair... Not to mention the incredible body he had and the fact that he was an unbeatable warrior.. She sighed softly, feeling the dampness pool in her underwear. And he was, as a lover, beyond anything she had ever imagined. It was hard not to feel smug, knowing the effect her mere words had on him. The power of it had her intoxicated and she finally understood how someone in control of others could go mad over it.

Ever since they had returned to her family she had avoided alone time with him. And knew exactly why. Sebastian Monroe had gotten under her skin thoroughly, if she were to find herself alone with him for even a few minutes she knew she wouldn't be able to stop herself. And regardless of the fact that
somewhere in her heart she knew she was coming to terms with the idea of forgiveness, it still felt like a betrayal. Not just of the family that were no longer with her, but of her uncle Miles and her mom.

Nobody knew better than Charlie did the deep love and conflicting feelings Miles had about the man he had called brother all his life. Not only would he be angry if something were to happen between them for all the usual reasons; much older man, (bad boy- type was the understatement of the decade, but still counted), trust issues and tendency to obsess over anything he cared about... But Sebastian Monroe was also his best friend. She got the feeling that even if he accepted the first things this one would be tougher. Those two had a bond that was just them. She didn't know how he would take the idea of her squeezing in on it, even just as someone Monroe was sleeping with. And the worst one of all - her mother. Miles was clearly like a puppy holding a kitten over her. Not only was that little fact highly gross on about a thousand different levels... but she had no doubt that her mom would probably kill her along with Monroe if she ever found out.

And Miles would be caught in the middle of that. Nobody in her family had ever chosen her over anyone else before and they probably weren't about to start now. So she could lose her uncle over something as stupid as a good lay. Okay, a really good lay. A mind blowing, soul-shaking, explosion of a lay - but still just a lay.

'Keep telling yourself that.' a traitorous voice whispered in her head. 'He's not just a lay to you and you know it.' "Uh!" she grumbled to herself, hoisting her now heavy buckets up, "just shut the hell up and get out of my head." Who she was talking to she had no idea, but she didn't have any time to think about it because as usual, she was interrupted.

"I haven't said a word yet."

Of course it was him. She must be mentally sending off signals to him cause every time she thought about the bastard he showed up. The bastard.

She turned towards his voice, ready to be met with a smirk and a cocky comment. But he looked deadly serious as he stalked towards her. The way his gaze held her in place would have terrified her if she had been thinking anything other than 'don't kiss him, just don't.'

She watched as he stepped closer, eyes never leaving hers as he took the buckets from her and set them down. Reaching out - he took both of her hands and pulled her against him.

Charlie breathed in sharply, "Monroe don't."

He ignored her, hands coming to cup her face, the intensity in his eyes dialing up a notch.

"Seriously, we can't..." Her voice held no conviction in it whatsoever.

Already her body was humming with need for him. As his lips descended to press against the pulse point on her neck she found herself pressing closer, gripping the front of his shirt. Monroe kissed a trail up her neck to her ear where he whispered, "Seems I have more reason to appreciate you than I realized."

Charlie opened her mouth to ask what he was talking about and he took the opportunity to shut her up before she even started by quickly devouring her mouth with his own.

The pressure of his lips on hers made her knees tremble. Yet again she was ashamed of herself for the way her body reacted to his touch. It was like she was programmed to respond to his body this way. There was no way it was normal. He'd probably had his militia do something to her brain while he'd held her captive. Mind control tactics or something. The bastard.

Of course, being blessed with the same kind of intelligence as her parents, she was able to think all of this whilst wrapping her arms around his neck and exploring his hot mouth with her tongue, adding a desperate moan at one point as well.

But as intense as their kissing was, neither made a move to go any further. Monroe seemed content to just hold her against him and that was just fine with
her. She'd been furiously getting herself off every night since they got back and the memory of having him inside her just wasn't cutting it anymore. Which meant if she went there with him again there was a pretty big chance she'd never be able to turn back and that was a terrifying thought.

When he finally broke the kiss he was holding her tightly enough to leave bruises, but his gaze was surprisingly tender.

"What-" she was trying desperately to get her breathing under control. "What was that for?" His fingers drew across her cheek, the soft way he was looking at her was so un-Monroe-like she began to worry about him. His expression made him look years younger - boyishly handsome even. He was staring at her with-with - no, she was not even going to contemplate thinking that.

"For saving me." His voice was barely above a whisper when he finally responded.

"Sebastian..." Charlie's chest tightened and before she could summon anything else to say, he was gone.

She tried to ignore the pounding in her chest but she couldn't. Sebastian Monroe being the guy she she went to when she was horny was bad enough - but him being the one who looked at her like she was the reason the sun rose - well, she wasn't sure what to feel about that.

"Well if it isn't the little pain in my ass."

The voice of one Tom Neville broke through the fog that had descended onto her brain. Slowly, she turned to find herself staring down the barrel of his gun.

Fuck.

Where the hell had Monroe gone off to? The man never seemed to leave her sight yet right when she needed him he was off somewhere being all soft. The dick.

"What do you want Tom?" Her voice was steady, unlike her mind.

The sneer on Neville's face grew more pronounced as he stepped closer. "I want Monroe little girl. And from what I just witnessed, it looks like you're the one who's gonna get him for me."

A/N - thanks everyone for the reviews and follows I appreciate it. Big thanks to Amy, who looked over this chapter for me and helped fix it up. Reviews people! Or I'll make Bass have sex with Rachel in chapter 5 :D KIDDING! I swear, don't flame me I was joking :)