Yeah, so this is a little late in uploading, but this is my take after the events of Happy Endings. I have the whole story written, it just needs proofing. So it should be up and completed before the next episode airs! I'm getting myself into the habit of writing the whole story before uploading, so I don't have people waiting ages for updates - how wonderful am I? (jokes).

You'll probably find that Duncan and Connor are (maybe, hopefully not) out of character. I haven't really warmed to their characters on the show yet (as sexy as Connor is) and so tried to write them in a way that would make me like them a little more before the next episode airs. I still hope I've done them enough justice though... they deserve that.

Oh, despite really trying not to make this ship fic, I am a major Charloe junkie, and that probably comes across... a little. Can't help it. Sorry!

Anyway, hope you enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you may recognize. Any relation to my version of the characters and real life persons is purely coincidental. There is no copyright infringement intended.

- Here We Go Again -

The sun was just starting to peek up behind the rows of tents of New Vegas in the distance. The rays of light shining through the town making what was a bright lively place in the dark look cold, lonely and desolate in the day. The tents looked trodden and abandoned; the trailers glowing slightly orange either from the sun's rays or years of neglect and rust.

Charlie hoped it was the latter. She was miserable, she had waited all night for Bass and Connor to show their asses but neither man had appeared. She'd watched as the black sky turned dark grey before merging into a murky blue colour. At first she thought they had abandoned her, it wouldn't be difficult and it was Monroe and Monroe junior she was talking about. But the more the thoughts churned in her head the more it seemed wrong, even implausible to leave her.

For starters, Bass' abandonment issues were on equal par with hers - she was trying not to dwell on that - and his paranoia - which although had died down somewhat now he was with them, she still caught glances of - would mean Bass wouldn't split with Connor after said son had just slept with her. And if that wouldn't stop him from leaving she thought that after spending so much time with him on the road, working and fighting together and the small fact he'd come back for her at the school, it seemed that they'd formed some sort of fragile friendship. It was easier to deal with if she regarded him as a separate entity to the one who had indirectly ordered her family killed. Though at times she couldn't help but think she was betraying Danny, her father... Bass seemed to know when she felt like that and understood she needed her distance. He understood her, and she weirdly understood him. Maybe it was a Matheson and Monroe thing, deep-rooted in their blood. Despite how ridiculous and sappy that sounded she wondered if there was a hint of truth.

That brought her overactive thoughts around to Connor, she'd slept with him but she didn't feel anything akin to caring or needing. She told him he was cute and she was bored, which was the truth, but after their diamond stealing stunt tonight she was starting to see him as a comrade, someone she could hopefully rely on. Someone who would hopefully have her back. When she had channelled her inner Miles and ranted about how doomed they were it was obvious he cared more about her than she did about him. She hoped that would keep him from leaving.

In the end, even if they didn't care, if Bass wanted to stay on Miles good side – which he was barely on anyway – then he had to stay. Charlie figured he wanted to keep on side with Miles, especially after all the trouble he took to get here. On that thought she realised they couldn't have left her, so that left that they'd been caught. Idiots. She sighed in exasperation, debating whether she should go find Miles but realistically she knew there wasn't enough time. That meant it was up to her to rescue the morons. If they hadn't ditched her then there was no way she was leaving them to rot. She had some sense of moral decency and they were relying on her to get them out.

Charlie shuffled her pack over her shoulder, checked her belt for her knife and unclipped her gun to check the how many bullets she had left in the round before replacing it in the waistband of her jeans. She sighed bitterly that she'd left her crossbow back at the wagon. She felt a little reassured that she'd remembered to hide another knife in her boot; a trick she'd picked up from Bass. That could come in handy. She had picked up a lot from Miles and Bass over the past year – even with the short amount of time she'd spent with ex-dictator she had watched him, learned how he moved, how he fought. She told herself it was because it was important to know how he fought so she could fight by his side efficiently when needed. Which was often. She would only to admit to herself, in private, that she liked watched him move. He was graceful, all muscle and pent up adrenalin ready to strike. It was fascinating to watch.

The walk back to New Vegas took longer than she expected. She would have been noticed when she walked into town with Bass, even if he was known as Jimmy here, and would be a prime target just because she knew him. At a guess she would say it was why they went after Connor. That meant she had to keep low profile, be unsuspicious, and walking head high into town with guns blazing wasn't the best way to go about that. Talk first, fight later. Miles' voice was often correct, even when it was in her head.

She kept her head low as she avoided the few people still dotted around, although she figured by their shielded eyes and stumbling feet that most were too hung-over or still drunk to notice a young girl wondering through town. She didn't want to risk it though, so she kept her head down, hair shielding her face as she made her way through town. She looked inconspicuous at passing glance but if anyone looked closer they would notice one hand was resting on her belt, a few inches from her knife and her eyes were sweeping the area; for any danger or signs of disturbance. There had to be someone who knew something.

She hit gold when she turned the corner into the trailer park. There were two men leaning against a large rock, they each had a beer in their hands and their guns had been disguarded by their feet. She shook her head half in amusement and half in irritation at their stupidity. These fools obviously hadn't been in many fights or they would know to be on guard at all times. Anyone could attack.

She tensed her body, hand moving to the hilt of her sword and she gripped it tightly. She pushed herself back against a rusty blue trailer behind her and edged towards the clearing where the two men were animatedly talking. Hopefully one of them would know something. She was about to peer around the corner when she froze, their conversation was one too familiar, and not in a good way.

'Yeah, Jimmy King, he isn't who he says he is.'

'And how would you know that?'

She flattened herself against the trailer and listened.

'Think about it. Who would be brave enough to go up against Gould? Only someone with a past.'

'He could just be stupid… and desperate.'

'Have you seen that man fight? He's trained, for sure, been through way to many fights to have that many scars.' The man's voice lowered. Charlie wasn't sure if he was suspicious someone could be listening or if he was trying to be dramatic. 'I bet he's dangerous.'

The second man scoffed. 'I think you're being overly paranoid.'

'I think you're unprepared for surprises.'

'What surprises? Gould has the man, and the boy too. The death match is tonight, and then Gould will probably shoot the other anyway. We have nothing to worry about, it'll be over by tomorrow.'

Charlie held back a gasp. The thought of Connor and Bass fighting till the death sending a shock wave through her. Though she supposed it shouldn't be a surprise, it was probably the way things were dealt with around here. She needed to find them fast because Bass wasn't going to kill his son, Connor she wasn't so sure about. She eavesdropped back on their conversation, hoping they'd drop a hint as to where they had been taken.

There was a pause. 'They weren't alone. There was a girl with them.'

'She isn't a threat.'

'Don't judge a book by its cover my friend. It will often surprise you.' Another pause. 'Plus if she was travelling with them then they've gotta have some reason to be keeping her around.'

'Could simply be because she's a pretty piece of tail; you got to admit she wasn't bad to look at.'
Charlie rolled her eyes.

'I don't think that's why she's with them. She was all lean muscle and the knife at her belt looked pretty sharp. She's no simple eye candy… though I gotta admit I wouldn't mind a piece of that ass.'

The conversation fell silent again and there was the sound of bottles clinking together. She crinkled her nose, so she had been noticed, that wasn't a surprise. She couldn't help the small smirk that crept onto her face. It was a rare thing for a guy to notice she wasn't simply a distraction for the men she was with. Although she didn't appreciate the crudeness with which they regarded her. She decided it was time she announced her presence, stepping out from behind the trailer she kept her hands by her sides, a small smile playing on her lips. 'Hi.' She would tagged on something witty or sarcastic but the way their eyes widened and they choked up their mouthfuls of beer was satisfying enough.

They rearranged their expressions; they had both settled for guarded but appraising. Their eyes swept over her, lingering a little too long on her more feminine features. She held herself back from going for her knife and forced her smile into a wider one, trying to make it look as though she was not a threat. Which was going to be harder considering their earlier conversation. She swept her eyes over them, trying to figure out which one was the first man talking earlier.

'Hello sweetheart.' That was the second man. Her eyes flickered to the other one, he was smiling but his eyes were careful. That one was going to be harder to convince.

She kept her smile sweet. 'Hello.' She waved a hand, trying to look as innocent as possible. 'I don't suppose you have seen my friends?' She arranged her expression into one of desperation. 'I lost them earlier and now I can't find them.' She knew they knew what had happened, but maybe they would let slip where they were being held.

The second man shook his head. 'No, sorry sweetheart. What they look like?'

He was outright lying to her and she had stop herself from glaring. She kept her expression innocent, widened her eyes a little and focused her attention on the first man, he seemed to be coming around a little, but she didn't know how long she could keep the act up. It was already becoming exhausting. 'One's around my age, dark curly hair, he's wearing a suit jacket. The other is taller and older, wearing a leather jacket.' She smiled coyly. 'Both are really good looking.'

They looked at each other and the first man shrugged. 'No honey. We haven't seen them. How about you come with us and we'll go find them.' He probably thought he was looked convincing, but really he was leering and Charlie felt a chill creep over her.

She shook her head slightly, making a show of stepping back. 'No thanks.' She pointed her thumb over her shoulder. 'I think I'll find them myself' She shot them a smile.

'No, you don't want to be wondering around here on your own. It's not safe. Come with us, eh sweetheart?' The second man matched her step forwards and Charlie knew this act wouldn't last that much longer. She wasn't going to carry it on past here.

'Call me sweetheart one more time.' She grumbled under her breath.

'What you say?'

She looked up and sent him a bright smile. 'I don't want to cause any bother… I'll find them on my own.'

'Oh no you're no bother, trust me honey, you come with us.'

She regarded him carefully, tilted her head a little and tucked her hair behind her ear. Her smile faded a little, she wasn't very good at pretending to be intimidated; even when she was still inexperienced and naive she still stood up for herself and those she cared about. It was hard to intimidate a Matheson. 'I'm okay, really.'

The second man stepped forwards, he obviously thought she was going to be a push over. She stepped back, hand going to her belt. His eyes flickered downwards and he smirked, obviously not seeing her as a threat. But before she could move his eyes had widened and he froze, eyes pinned over her shoulder. The first man mirrored his position, beer paused halfway to his mouth.

'Miss?' She closed her eyes briefly and slowly turned on her heel. She came face to face with three men, one of which she recognised as he was with Gould earlier. His smile was hard and cruel. 'We've been looking for you everywhere.'

She cursed herself for being too distracted to sense them, they'd managed to creep up on her. Miles would be so disappointed, still he wasn't here to judge. She shot them a smirk, finally dropping the innocent persona and shrugged a shoulder. 'Guess you weren't looking hard enough.'

They didn't like the taunting, she watched a particularly beefy looking guy as he narrowed his eyes at her, hand going for his gun. The man she recognised from earlier held his hand out to stop him before eyeing her. 'We don't take kindly to sarcasm.'

'I don't take kindly to being interrupted-' She rolled her eyes, keeping her face carefully blank and gestured behind her. '-when I was obviously busy.'

The man looked over her shoulder noticing the two men who she had been talking too. She half turned - keeping her hand on the hilt of her knife and one eye on the three men behind her - to gauge their reaction. The men balked, staring in obvious fear at Gould's right hand man.

The man in question turned his head back towards her. 'You're going to be coming with us now.'

She frowned. 'And why would I be doing that?'

He grinned, his teeth yellow and breath rancid, she scrunched up her nose in disgust, stopping herself from turning her head away. God known what he'd eaten last, it had to be rotten whatever it was. 'Boss has asked us to bring you in.' He shrugged his heavy shoulders. 'Will you make it easy and come willingly?' Despite asking the question she could see in his eyes that he hoped she'd disagree, she had brushed the guy up the wrong way and he obviously wanted some payback. 'What's your name sweetpea?'

She raised an eyebrow. 'What's with the pet names?' She shuddered. 'The names Charlotte.' She only gave him her real name in case they knew who she was, it would be worse if she was caught in a lie. There was no flash of recognition in his eyes so obviously he had no idea who she was. 'And I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline.'

'Good.' He smirked and before she could answer he lashed out, fist aimed for her face.

She ducked, swerving under the arm and spinning to a stop a few feet back. She watched his mouth open a little in surprise and smirked. 'I'm not that easy.' She shot the guys behind her a hard look, with which they looked at in shock. She noticed the elbow the first man nudged into the seconds side, trying to show his point.

'I like a fight.' He lunged towards her and she sidestepped, letting him run past her. He spun around and came at her again. She repeated the move and raised an eyebrow when they came to a stop.

The other two he was with were watching in amusement, like this was some sick game to them. 'Give me your best shot.' She smirked, letting herself slip into the mask she wore when in battle. Compartmentalising. She felt everything fade away but the task at hand. 'Come on.'

The man shook his head. 'I'm not playing some stupid game with you.' He gestured at the beefy man who stepped forwards, the butt of his gun flying towards her forehead. She ducked, swinging out a fist and hitting him in the gut. He grunted but it didn't stop him charging at her again. She pulled her gun from her waistband and shot him twice in the chest before he could reach her. He stopped, falling to his knees. She turned and aimed at the other man who was with them. He was taller and skinnier, dirty blond hair slightly over his forehead. He was probably a few years younger than her. She pulled the trigger but the gun only clicked, she'd forgotten she only had two bullets left in the round. The kid smirked but before he had time to move she dropped her gun and yanked her knife from its sheath and threw it at his chest. It lodged itself deep and the boy barely had time to look down before blood was gurgling from his mouth and he fell forwards.

She turned back towards Gould's henchman and raised an eyebrow. 'I don't play games either.'

He growled and lunged forwards, crashing into her and sending them both to the ground. She wrapped a leg around his thigh and used his weight to roll them over so she was on top. She dug a knee into his stomach and glared. 'Where is my family?' She barely had time to register that she'd called the Monroe's family before the man sneered, spit gathering at the corner of his lips as he threw his weight up and knocked her back.

She scrambled to her feet and fell into a defensive stance; feet slightly apart, one leg bent forwards. When training her Miles had called it the half crouch. She thought it was a pathetic name, but it helped her balance herself when he came at her again, she pivoted around using her leg to sweep his out from under him. He fell down hard. She barely had time to glance at the two men from earlier - they were still frozen and presented no threat – before the man grabbed her shins and pulled, causing her to topped forwards. She dropped, twisting her body and rolled up into a crouch. He grinned at her, spat out blood and jumped at her. She fell back, her elbows stopping her head from smacking against the ground. She spotted the now dead beefy man's gun lying just a little distance away. She reached for it as the man tried to pull her back clawing at her legs, she threw her weight forwards and grabbed the gun, swinging it around and bashing the man in the head. His head flew back, eyes going into his head and he slumped forwards, landing on top of her but thankfully unconscious.

She dropped her head back against the muddy ground and sighed in relief. She allowed herself a few seconds to catch her breath before pushing at the heavy body, he rolled falling to the side next to her. She pushed herself to her feet, grabbing the gun in the process. She had it aimed at the man's head, finger on the trigger when someone cleared their throat. 'Um, lady?'

She sighed, at least she'd graduated to lady, and lowered the weapon a fraction, tilting her head slightly in the direction of the two men. 'What?'

When he didn't answer she turned in annoyance but his eyes weren't on her they were on a group of people surrounding them. Guns were pointed and she stared at them, eyes scanning over the new threat before she sighed, holding up her hands and dropping the rifle. There was no way she'd be able to take on so many, she knew when to quit. 'Thanks for the heads up.' She glowered at the two men but they just gawked back. 'Useless.' She muttered under her breath.

'Well, haven't you been busy?' Hold up, she knew that voice, she slowly pivoted on her heels with hands still raised to face the familiar woman. 'Hello Charlotte.'

She dropped her hands and acknowledged the woman in front of her with a nod of her head. 'Duncan.' She wasn't sure what to expect here, she'd pointed a gun at her earlier so it was probably fair they were pointing theirs. All's fair in love and war, and so on. Still, the whole purpose of the trip was to get this woman's assistance. So far it wasn't looking so good. 'Can I help you with something?' She was trying to keep her voice civilised but she was struggling, and by the look in Duncan's eyes she knew it. The woman had a past with Monroe, and for some reason it brushed her up the wrong way. She didn't know why, just that she didn't like it.

Duncan half smiled, her hand resting on her hip which Charlie had no doubt was hiding a probably very sharp knife. 'I'd like you to come with me.' She raised an eyebrow, gesturing at the bodies around them. 'We need to talk.'

'You're the third person to ask me that tonight.' Charlie glanced at the unconscious man, he was still out cold. She'd hit him good. 'Didn't work out so well for them.' She looked at the two men. 'These two are pointless… and not with me.' She gestured at the two men, who had now finally unfrozen and were standing very close together. They hadn't even thought to pick up their guns, so much for a tough front. 'Kill them or let them go.'

'How about we take them with us. The men need some entertainment.' Duncan's smile was mocking as she regarded the men, but she could see the slight glint of seriousness in her eyes. It must be hard to lead rowdy men at times. Charlie couldn't help feeling slight sympathy for the woman and hoped she had some women for company.

'Whatever. Take them.' She shrugged. 'As I said, they're not with me.'

'But you're coming with us too.'

Charlie looked at the group of men surrounding them, guns still pointed, and raised an eyebrow. 'It's not as though I have another choice is it?'

Duncan smirked. 'Nope.' She gestured with her head. 'We should go before moody here wakes up.'

Charlie glanced at the man on the floor who was finally starting to stir. His head turning to the side. 'Why can't I just kill him?'

A sudden laugh startled Charlie into looking back towards Duncan. 'Oh kid. Either way Gould's going to know something's up when they don't come back with you in chains.'

She couldn't see the problem. 'So what difference does it make if he's dead or not? The world's a much better place with one less asshole polluting the atmosphere.' She kicked the man's leg out of the way.

Duncan narrowed her eyes slightly and shook her head at Charlie's questioning expression. 'You remind me of someone…' She tucked the thought away. 'For another time.' She looked at Charlie. 'Let's go.'

Charlie pulled her knife from the blond boy's chest, she'd learnt the hard way to never to forget her weapons, and before Duncan could comment she yanked the unconscious man upwards and slit his throat in one fluid motion. She wiped the blood on her jeans and sheathed the knife. She met Duncan's eyes with a steely look of her own, daring her to comment. 'Now we can go.'

Duncan surveyed her, eyes sweeping from feet to head and back again. Charlie wasn't sure if she was judging or trying to figure her out. She guessed it was the latter because to earn the kind of reputation as a warlord that Duncan had can't have come from letting enemies escape and live to tell the tale. She seemed to collect herself, straightened her shoulders and set Charlie with a firm stare. 'We're leaving.' With that she turned on her heel and walked away, her men closing in around her. 'Leave the other two, my men will deal with them.'

Charlie wondered if she just let them walk how long it would take for them to notice she wasn't following. Though as soon as she took a step forwards the remaining of Duncan's men surrounded her the way they had Duncan, though it was more of a cage than the protection it was for Duncan. She stared at the woman in front of her. Duncan had planned this, she'd planned to find her – Charlie just hadn't figured out how she'd found her, she was pretty discreet. Charlie had to admit she felt some respect for the woman. She hadn't gotten where she was by being a push over.

They were barely two feet out the trailer park when two shots rang out, echoing in the air. She thought about the two men who'd tried to goad her into going with them and figured it was no loss to the world. The spectacle of Duncan's war clan drew people out of their trailers as they walked through New Vegas. They stared in amazement. They'd seen Duncan around, but never quite known who she was. Charlie wasn't sure what she'd gotten herself tangled up in here, but she squared her shoulders and followed Duncan to a large camp set up on the outskirts of town. There was a large tent set up in the middle with a few campfires scattered around, spit-roasts with sizzling meat cooking above them. She stared at the food, wondering when was the last time she'd eaten something, as far as she could remember just before she'd slept with Connor. That was what, nearly nine, ten hours ago? 'Hungry?'

Charlie looked up, only just noticing that Duncan had stopped at the opening of the tent and was looking at her in amusement. Charlie pushed the thought of her empty stomach away and focused her attention on Duncan. 'Not the time to be thinking about food.'

Duncan repraised her for a second and nodded. 'You're quite right, though soldiers can't go hungry or they'd never have the energy to fight.'

Charlie bristled and immediately protested. 'I'm not -' At Duncan's raised eyebrow she cut herself off.

'You're obviously well trained, you're battle worn and by the looks of you that isn't going to be changing any time soon.' She thought about it and then tagged on. 'Plus you're with Sebastian. And he doesn't let just any girl stick around.' The last bit was bitterly added and Charlie wondered what had actually happened between them. 'Hate to break it to you hun, but you're a soldier alright.'

'I'm not with him.' Charlie shook her head. 'He killed my family.' That sounded like an excuse even to her ears. 'Plus he's way too old for me and I already slept with his son.'

Duncan didn't looked surprised. 'Age is only a number, especially in the times we live in.' She gestured into the tent, eyeing her men silently telling them to stay outside but on guard. As Charlie followed her inside she continued talking. 'Sometimes you have to lose what you had for it to become obvious it's what you wanted.'

'You sound like you're talking from experience.' Charlie noted, taking the drink Duncan offered her. Whiskey. Perfect, she really needed a good drink. She regarded the woman as she poured herself another and leaned against a wooden desk set up in the middle of the room. They'd been here a while then Charlie figured.

Duncan only smiled the corner of her lips ticking up slightly, a hidden secret smile full of mystery. Charlie wondered how much history you had to be able to smile like that and for it to actually mean something. If she would be able to get away with it if someone asked her why she was fighting against the patriots, or why she was friends with Sebastian Monroe after everything he'd done. She doubted she would ever be able to pull it off as well as Duncan though. 'Why are you here Charlie?'

Charlie frowned at the sudden turn in conversation, refraining from downing the drink and taking a small sip. 'You brought me here.'

'Good answer. Now really, why are you here?'

Charlie sighed, it didn't seem like Duncan was going to accept vague answers. 'To rescue my friends.'

'Sebastian Monroe, the General and President of the Monroe Republic, is your friend?' Duncan seemed suspicious, appraising her from behind the rim of her glass as she held it up to the candle light, swirling the liquid and the resulting patterns on the wall of the tent blinded Charlie for a moment. 'And his son? You trust them?'

'I don't see how any of that's your business.'

Duncan stopped swirling the liquid in her glass and set Charlie with a firm glare. 'Do you trust him?'

'Probably no more than you do.' She was still avoiding the question but Duncan seemed to take it as an acceptable answer. The truth was she didn't actually know if she trusted them, with some things she did and others she didn't. She knew Bass had her back in battle, she trusted him enough not to switch sides and join the patriots. He hated them just as much as she did. But when it came to other matters, she wasn't sure. It was only earlier this morning that she was debating in her head if they would ditch her or not. 'What's it matter anyway?' She tried to guess at Duncan's angle but the woman was a mystery to her. She shrugged. 'Bass is no longer General and his son, well…' She trailed off, what about Connor? She didn't really know all that much about him, well except that he was good for a roll in the hay.

'What if he wants it back? You think you're going to win this war with the three of you? What's stopping Sebastian from restarting the republic?'

Charlie balked, she hadn't thought about that. What would happen if Bass decided he wanted the Republic back? What would Miles say? Would Connor join him? Would he still fight with them against the patriots or would she and Miles have to fight a war on two sides? She shook her head. 'He started the Republic with Miles and he would never allow it.' She paused, taking a sip from her drink. 'It's why we're here, to buy some of your men so we don't have to result to that.'

Either Duncan had zoned out or she was ignoring the second part of Charlie's sentence because she froze before recollecting herself. Slowly and deliberately setting her drink down on the table. 'Miles? Miles Matheson? Sebastian Monroe and Miles Matheson are back together?'

Charlie grimaced, wondering if she had just given away their biggest play. She sighed, knowing she couldn't take it back so she set her shoulders, straightened her spine and steeled herself, staring at Duncan with what Bass would call a trademark Matheson look, this one was stubborn and determined. 'I brought Bass to Miles. The only way we're going to win this war is if they're fighting together.' She scowled at a thought lingering in the back of her mind. 'How do you even know Miles?'

'I met Sebastian and Miles when they had just finished setting up the Republic. I was just starting up the clan when they came marching through on their way to Texas.' Duncan waved a hand, dismissing the fact. She stared at Charlie. 'Who are you to bring him back to Miles? How is it your place?'

Charlie remained silent, taking her time in polishing off her drink. She didn't know if she should be telling Duncan who she really was. Remaining hidden, under the radar, had worked for them so far. They'd decided to do that with Connor too, tell as few people as possible. No one really needed to know that there were younger generations of Matheson and Monroe running around, and that they weren't exactly sitting at home drinking tea. She stared at Duncan, she already knew about Connor that much had been clear earlier, but did she need to know about her? The young woman Miles had been travelling with the past year had to have gotten around, how many knew who she was?

Duncan started at her for a minute and Charlie matched her glare, stood straight with shoulders back. After a few minutes Duncan sat up straighter, suddenly alert and pushed herself off the desk. Charlie's hand immediately went for her knife at the sudden movement but she dropped it when there was no immediate danger. 'Wait. Charlotte?' Her eyes were slightly wider and Charlie inwardly sighed, so much for under the radar. 'Charlotte Matheson? You're Miles' niece?' Charlie kept still, remaining silent, not utterly sure how Duncan was going to react. 'I knew there was something familiar about you. You're so much like your uncle. How did I not see it earlier?'

Charlie shrugged, moving forwards a little to place her empty glass on the table and moving back to her original position. Duncan had figured her out, what was there to say? She contemplated lying to the woman, telling her she had gotten it wrong but it would be pretty pointless if Duncan joined them. She would find out then anyway.

'That's how you killed those guys so effortlessly. It's in your blood.' For some reason Duncan seemed very… pleased? Excited? 'This is good. Very good.'

Deciding it was time to speak Charlie cleared her throat a little. 'And why is it so good?'

Duncan glanced at her before hollowing for one of her men to enter the tent. She looked back at Charlie as she slid over the desk and started to root through draws, and shot her a smile. 'Because now we have a chance of getting Sebastian and his son back.'

A.N/ Thanks for reading, reviews are very much appreciated. :)