The Crucible Prologue

The hammer of a gun clicking into place was the only sound heard in the hallway for the span of several heartbeats as Sergeant Strausser slowly raised his hands.

“Throw your weapons aside,” Charlie ordered, watching as he obeyed. “Now, down on your knees.”

Will did as she ordered, dropping to his knees on the marble floor. “Mrs. Monroe. I heard that you were up and around.”

Charlie slowly circled around the man, never lowering the gun from his head. “So, this is what it feels like,” she said with a hum.

“Excuse me?” Will asked, confusion written all over his face. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. Perhaps we should have someone send for the President if you’re not feeling well.”

Charlie chuckled as she watched him,

He was acting so much like the Bass from her dream that she wondered if he could possibly understand. “I came down the stairs and he was just there, standing with his back to me in the hall and all these memories came rushing through my head and the next thing I knew, I had him on his knees. Then, when I pulled the trigger, it felt like it balanced out all the horrible things he’s done. But then I remembered that none of that’s real and I don’t know what’s happening to me,” she whispered, tightening her grip on his shoulder, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned her forehead against his jaw.

“Ethan, here comes Cook,” Bass called out, waylaying the child who was making a beeline for his mother. “See if you can help while I get Momma and Sunny settled, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy!” the little boy called back happily as he raced towards the woman they all addressed as Cook.

“It’s ok, Baby. We’ll figure it out,” Bass breathed against the top of Charlie’s head, his mind racing as he pulled her closer.

XXX

After eating lunch and playing with the children till they were ready for a nap, Charlie turned to a subdued Bass. “Feel like playing with

You always refused, preferring to use your bow or sidearm.”

Charlie straightened up to look at him. “I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.”

“We taught you in your dream?” he asked softly, with a tilt of his head.

Charlie nodded.

“And is that how you know about my vision loss?”

Charlie nodded again. “We were in New Vegas with Connor. They found out who you were and that Connor was your son. They were going to make you fight to the death and you were going to let Connor kill you.”

Bass watched as her head fell forward, reaching out to grasp her arms. “You loved him didn't you?” he demanded harshly.

“No! No, it wasn’t like that. I slept with him just the once and it didn’t mean anything. I cared because you did, and because his leaving hurt you,” she cried out trying to explain.

The thought of anyone other than himself being with her like this was enough to drive Bass nearly crazy. “You’re mine, Charlie. Only mine and God help anyone who gets in the way of that!” he spit out harshly, grasping her head roughly as he pulled her lips down to his, his cock rock hard as he twisted her to her back on the couch, slamming into