A/N: So, I said I wasn't going to start another story… and I'm not… this just happens to be the first of many one-shots set in the same universe and posted in chronological order… yeah, that's what it I just LOVED the last episode and I really love Charlie/Connor! I totally did not see that coming. And since I can't seem to find any fanfic's for them I figured I'd write some more. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Revolution. Contains spoilers for Happy Endings and before.
"So, what's your grand plan for getting us out of this one?" Connor dropped onto the dirty ground and leaned against the wall to their makeshift prison. Saying the casino heist hadn't turned out exactly like they had planned was a bit of an understatement. It seemed like everything Connor did with these people ended up going south, but then again he was still alive so maybe they weren't too screwed, yet.
Monroe sat opposite of him, resting his head in his hands. "I have about ten but they all end in our deaths."
"If we try to escape, we die. If we try nothing, one or both of us will die in a death match tomorrow. Great, very encouraging."
"What do you want me to say kid," Monroe said looking up. "We knew this was a high risk mission. I just thought it would be Duncan who tried to kill me," He laughed.
"What about Charlie?"
"What about her?" Monroe stared intently at him making Connor feel suddenly like a teenager again. Sure, he didn't know his dad for very long but it was still embarrassing getting caught by him in that field.
"It doesn't sound like she's been captured. Maybe she can figure something out."
"Even if she wasn't killed, or worse, she wouldn't be able to do anything. Even Miles would have a hard time getting us out without help and I doubt Charlie's fond enough of us to risk it despite your little romp."
Connor scoffed, looking away. He was not going to live that down for a while. He thought back to his earlier conversation with the girl. She was a lot different the any girl he'd ever met, it was kind of refreshing. She was strong, confident and didn't mind pulling a gun. He thought back to his earlier attempt of flirting with her and realized how dumb he must have sounded. If she was with this group she must have seen a lot of action, which could explain her bleak outlook on the world, even if it was a bit disconcerting.
"So what's her story anyway?"
"Seriously," Monroe gave him a weird look. "We're probably going to die in a few hours and you wanna gossip like a seventh grader?" he smiled grimly. "That girl has got you wrapped around her finger already."
"Hey, it's not like that," Connor tried hard to keep the rising emotions off his face. He didn't know what he felt for Charlie but he wasn't sure if he wanted to follow her "not care" policy. He shook his head, that wasn't the point right now. "Just something she said got me curious. I don't know, it's like she's got a death wish or something." This got his old man's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"She was saying stuff like, we'll all be dead within a year. That we can't beat the Patriots but she plans to go down swinging. She said it like she didn't even care if she died or not."
Monroe swore, "I should have seen it, should have talked to her after she pulled on Duncan. Dammit, she is just like Miles. Stupid kid probably is going to try something after all."
"What are you talking about?"
"Remember how I said everyone's got a sob story?" Connor nodded. Monroe looked uncomfortable for a minute before continuing. "Well most of Charlie's happen within the past couple of years. Long story short: she was there when the Patriots pushed the button that dropped the bombs and they lost a good friend, one of many. It was the last straw for her. Miles said she was really screwed up, took off for a few months on her own. Frankly, I'm surprised he let her out of his sight. Matheson's have a habit of putting themselves in harm's way, especially when they're in that type of 'everything's hopeless' metal state."
"Is she Miles daughter or something?" Connor had noticed right off how close the two of them had acted back at the barn. They said she was Rachel's daughter but anyone could tell there was tension there. His dad just chuckled.
"She might as well be, the kid's got more of Miles in her than her dad," he shook his head. "Besides a couple times before the blackout, they met for the first time a couple of years ago, when all the crap started. But he would do almost anything for her. And he will bring me back from the dead just to kill me again if something happens to her."
Connor was quiet, soaking up everything his dad told him. Everything he finds out about this girl makes him want to get to know her more. And if she was as crazy as the rest of her family, and attempts a rescue, maybe it wasn't too insane to think that it might work. Despite how much he bitched to his dad, he wasn't lying to Charlie was he talked about having hope. They would find a way to get out of here, they would get their mercenaries, and they would get back the Republic. And maybe, if he was lucky, he was be able to get to know more of the mystery that is Charlie Matheson. He could show her what having hope could do.
"So," He said after a few minutes. "What's the plan?"
Monroe looked at him with an unreadable expression. Then suddenly he smiled. He couldn't explain it but Connor felt like he just past a test or something. The idea made him smile in return.
"Oh kid," Monroe said. "You're finally starting to think like a Monroe. Well, Gould will probably give us a cage match, no weapons to make it go longer. It will be on the edge of town so it can get a bigger crowd. If Charlie is going to try something—"
They spent the next hour going over a couple different plans. Connor labeled them plan Awful, Bonkers, and Crazy. But he was getting the feeling that was par for the course so he didn't dismiss them right away. Listening to his dad plan and strategize he was starting to get a better feel for how he thought. Also, what kind of stuff he might be in for when they try to retake to Republic.
"Now," Monroe said, "All of these plans count on Charlie. If for some reason she doesn't show, that she's halfway back to Willoughby by now, we need to talk about one more thing."
Connor didn't look up from where they had made a map in the dirt. It helped that his dad knew the area and Connor was trying to burn it all into his memory. He wanted to prove that he wasn't just a rookie. That he could handle leading the Republic when the time came. "Yeah, what's that?" he asked.
"I need to teach you how to kill me."
A/N: It's not that long but I hope you liked it. It's going to be a long 4 weeks until the next episode… so please review!