It had not been long since Charlie had heard about what happened in Detroit. First Gavin, then the city. It was devastating. It's why when he walked into the apartment that he now shared with AddieMoretti he was not surprised to find her lounging about on the couch. She had not done well in France, though they had managed to get her at least a little bit of help since then. Some of the doctors they went to see just told her to ween herself off of the morphine. Charlie didn't like that one bit, and he had made it known. Without Billy around anymore, she needed to get off the stuff right away, and he needed to be her rock.

Today was one of the good days though, except for the ungodly heat. He brought one of the bags he had over to the sink and put it down. Then he grabbed a baking tray and took the gigantic block of ice out of the bag and dropped it into the tray before carrying the thing over and putting it down in front of the fan Addie had going by the window.

"Hey there skinny britches, time to get up. I brought you something to cool you down, and some food home too. You want cold cut sandwiches, or are you up for making some pasta today?"

He didn't smile, nor did he smirk. Billy was always quick to smile, it always made people around him like him more. Charlie was not that man, he was always a bit more serious than that. Always ready to solve a problem, but not going to smile until something was either funny, or worth smiling about.

He felt his jacket pocket then to make sure the other stop he made he hadn't lost. It was still there, and he breathed a sigh of relief. The money Billy had been paying him for years was more than enough to retire on, but now he had Addie. That money was going fast. Damned rich family and their lifestyle.

Addie sat up on the couch, but she did not stand up.  "I will make us some sandwiches.  It is too hot to be cooking."  

It was hot and cooking would only add more heat to the apartment, but the truth of the matter was that Addie had not been very ambitious in recent days.  She also had not had much of an appetite -- usually eating only when Charlie encouraged her to do so.  Both were things that the doctors had warned might occur as she came off the morphine.

leaning back into the couch, Addie became distant once more.  On a positive note she appeared clean and neat this morning.  Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail and she wore a white blouse and tan shorts that had been ironed.  

Charlie shook his head.

"I suggested sandwiches because it's one of the few things I know how to make. You stay on the couch, I'll be right back."

He made his way into the kitchen and put together a couple of sandwiches. Slathered with some mayonnaise and lettuce, ham and turkey sandwiches were better than nothing, but they were not up to Addie's culinary standard.

"So, besides it being hot, how are you feeling today?"

Addie closed her eyes and laid her head back.  The question seemed monumental to her.  How did one explain how it felt to simply exist.  How did one explain getting lost in the blackness of nothingness.  The world outside her kept spinning, but she was frozen.  Worse yet, she had no desire to get back on the ride.  

"To be honest I am so tired."  

When Charlie came into the room carrying a tray that held the sandwiches and some water for them she opened her eyes and looked at him.  

"I am sorry.  I am so sorry that I am like this.  I do want to get better.  I know I need to get out there and start hustling again."

Charlie sat the tray down on the coffee table and Addie leaned forward to pick up one of the sandwiches.  She really was not hungry, but she would eat at least a little something for Charlie.

Charlie took a sip of water, but waited until Addie took a bite before beginning to eat himself. He shook his head at her as he watched.

"No you don't. Your cousin left you enough money to live on for the rest of your life, you don't need to do anything ever again except get better than France."

It was something Charlie had adopted. "France" was no longer just a place, it was a mindset, and a state of being that Addie had once had. Charlie was going to do everything in his power to not let her get back there again.

"Listen, I thought today might be a bit hot, so we can't stay indoors all day long. What do you say we grab a big hat for you, and make our way down to the dockside. It will be cool down there with the wind off the water, and maybe if we're lucky we can find something to do."

He put his glass down and picked up his own sandwich then.

"After you finish your lunch of course. And, don't leave anything on that plate, even if you're not hungry, you're supposed to eat."

In truth she did not want to go outside.  She wanted to crawl back into bed and pull Charlie with her.  Despite the heat she wanted his arms around her -- reminding her of his strength and his protection.  She felt safe there.  What had happened to the woman who wanted to live life above everything else.  The woman that wanted to go out and see the world.  Now all she wanted was to crawl inside herself and hide from that world.

Addie nodded her head to Charlie, both affirming that they could go to the docks and that she would eat.  Each bite she would force down and she would make herself get out of the apartment.  She had to.

"Maybe I should pack our swimming suits and we can go to the beach before we come home?"

That was one thing they had never done together before and maybe a little sun would be good for her.

Charlie smiled then, a genuine smile.

"I think that is a great idea. You pack the swimsuits and I'll get the car ready."

He finished his sandwich and took the plates and glasses to the sink to wash them. He donned his old boss' apron to do so. Stains and all, it was one thing that Charlie let himself take that Billy left behind in Detroit when he disappeared. It was the one thing that Charlie had to remind him the big man wasn't gone forever.

After finishing the dishes and wiping his hands he called out down the hall.

"Addie, I'm going downstairs, you come down in just a minute after I open all the windows in the car and let some of that hot air out."

He very rarely liked to leave her alone for more than a moment or two. Today though seemed like a good day. She was clearly still tired, but he was chalking that up to the heat.

He made his way down to the car then, started the engine and walked around opening up each door. He patted himself down to make sure he had everything he needed before they left, and then he stood by the passenger door, holding it open for the second Addie came outside.

Seeing Charlie smile made Addie truly smile, as well.  It was why she would eat a sandwich for him when she was not hungry, or venture down to the dock when she had no real desire to go.  She wanted to please him.  She wanted him to be happy.

She went into their bed room and pulled out their swim ware and placed them into a large woven bag with some towels.  Then she went and pulled out her gun.  For a moment she just stood there looking at it, remembering the last time she had used it.  Then she slowly backed up to sit down on the edge of the bed.

"Addie, I'm going downstairs, you come down in just a minute after I open all the windows in the car and let some of that hot air out."

She looked towards the door to the room and towards Charlie's voice.  Instantly she was back in France in the little room where she had been deposited in as she was going through the worst of the physical withdraws.  Next to the door stood Garnier as he positioned himself to the side and awaited whomever might come through that door.   She called out to Garnier in a desperate plead.

"No, please Garnier," she called out as she as she tried to sit up.  She was to weak though to get out of the bed.  "Please don't do this."

As she somehow managed to sit up in the bed she looked down at her hand.  She had not even realized that she had drawn it from its holster, but there it was in her hand.  As if it were someone else she watched as she raised her arm to take aim at Garnier's back.  A part of her hoped that Garnier would look back and see her, but he apparently believed the only danger he truly faced was outside that door, not behind him.  He never did look back.

As the door handle turned, she felt her finger pull the trigger.

She watched as Garnier cried out in pain and was pushed forward by the force of the strike.  Immediate blood began to flow from the wound the bullet created and his white shirt began to become soaked in red.  The man who had just shown her so much tenderness, who had been by her side comforting her; now laid dying on the floor by her hand.

Addie closed her eyes and swallowed hard. She tried to steady the shaking by taking several deep breaths.  When she opened her eyes again she was back home in her apartment in Chicago.  Her whole body slumped in release.  It had just been another flash back.  It happened sometimes.  Mostly they were just in her dreams, but occasionally she would experience these waking dreams.   She wondered if Charlie had bared witness to any of these.  If he had, he had never said anything about them.  

She put the gun into the bag of clothing and threw it over her shoulder before heading down to meet Charlie at the car.

Charlie closed the door gently as Addie climbed inside and he quickly drove off onto the street.

"You feeling alright? The heat's really getting to you huh?"

He asked as they made their way toward the pier. He checked his wristwatch then, they had plenty of time, he could take it nice and easy if Addie wasn't feeling well.

"I know this heat is a killer, but I really do think the breeze off the lake will do you a whole world of good. You'll feel right as rain in an hour or so."

He looked up to the sky then, part of him hoped for rain to break this heat, another part of him really hoped it didn't ruin their day together. The sky didn't give him any indication one way or another. Partly cloudy the papers would have called it. At least it kept the sun from beating down on them directly.

"No I will be fine.  This heat is nothing compared with the heat of the Las Vegas dessert."

For a time they drove in silence.  At one time in their relationship, the silence would have been awkward, but now there was a peace and comfort of just being with each other.  After a while Addie looked at Charlie and asked, "Do I ever talk in my sleep?"

She wanted to know.  There were some things in her mind that she supposed might cause some confusion in Charlie if there were no context to them.  She needed to know if the guilt she held inside her over what she had been willing to do in France was coming to the fore front while she slept.

Charlie grit his teeth in response to the question but nodded all the same.

"Everyone talks in their sleep a little bit Addie, it's pretty normal. Most of the time I don't even know what you're saying cause I'm half asleep myself."

That was a bold faced lie. Every time he heard her say something in her sleep he wrote it down in his notepad and put it back in the drawer. He wrote down the days she ate normal, and the days she didn't. The days she slept normal, and the ones she tossed and turned. He wrote down when she cried, when she smiled, when she just sat blankly staring at the wall.

Everything about Addie Charlie knew, everything except what was in her head. The only thing he knew about what was in her head was that she loved him, and that he loved her and she knew that too. That was it, and that was all that mattered. He told himself every time she begged for Garnier to make it stop that was all that mattered.

"I have a surprise for you waiting at the docks if you're up for it. I'm hoping today is a good day for you, you seemed alright up until you came downstairs."

He pulled the car into a parking space right next to the dock and  turned to look at Addie.

"If you want though, we can just go to the beach instead, it's no big deal. Up to you. Let me just roll up all the windows in the car in case it does rain."

He got out then and started to roll up each window individually, stopping with Addie's and holding the door open for her.

Addie was quite certain that Charlie knew more than he was saying.  The guy was the most observant man she had ever known.  She should have realized that he would be able to tell when she had a spell.  He probably knew her own behavior and mannerisms better than she knew herself.

Getting out of the car she forced a small smile for him, "I would like to see your surprise." 

She adjusted her hat and the large bag as she waited for him to lock and close the car door.  Then she slipped an arm around his waist and pressed against his side as they walked to the docks. 

"You do know that it is alright to ask me questions, right?  I mean if you hear me say something or don't understand why I do what I do.... I give you permission to ask.  I don't want to hold anything back from you, but it may take some coaxing.  A lot of the things that are going through my mind right now they are hard to put into words.  Though I would like to try to find the words with you, if it is something you need to hear."

LoBo is feeling great in Sea'  atm.In a new family he deeply enjoys The Rebel Alliance,nice to work for and a fair CL,, if ever in LA join in our jails and OC's   everyone is welcome'

Charlie nodded once to Addie's explanation. Suddenly he watched as a young rough-looking individual came up to them yelling something about a Rebel Alliance in Seattle. he made sure to put himself between the clearly crazed man and Addie before he ran down the boardwalk yelling to others.

"Must be trying to sell something."

Charlie shrugged. It was unfortunate what people would do for a dollar these days, but he wasn't one to judge. Instead he walked side-by-side with Addie to the pier and then down to the docks.

"I promise I will ask you any questions I want to. I just don't know that you want to broach every subject with me right away. I figured if you needed me, you would talk to me, and that it's not my place to ask."

He pointed then toward a small sailing vessel made for a dozen or so folks at once.

"How are your see legs?"

He smiled then and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and whispered.

"Surprise."

The smile that broke out on Addie's face was genuine and bright.

"Oh thank you Charlie!"  She return his kiss on the check with one planted hard against his lips.  "Thank you," she said again a bit breathlessly as she looked deep into his eyes.

Just then a gust of breeze came in from the lake and threatened to take her hat.  She held it on and laughed in delight.  For the first time in a very long time, Addie seemed like her old self.

Charlie took her by the hand and lead her to the sail boat.  It held a small crew, but it appeared that they were the only customers.  The first officer assisted them up the gangplank and onto the ship. Once on board they were greeted by the captain and the stewardess who offered to stow Addie's bag.

Addie thanked her and handed the bag over to the woman as the captain informed Charlie that they would be ready to set sail within a few minutes.

When they were left to their privacy, Addie smiled lovingly at Charlie.  "Thank you for this.  Really.  It is the best day I have had in a very long time."  She reached to take hold of his hands and he pulled her to him.  Closing her eyes she tilted her head to kissed him deeply.  She poured all the love and affection she had for him into that kiss.

Charlie melted. There was no other word for it. For all of his stoic demeanor he had no choice but to melt when Addie showed her affection for him. He of course showed her his in kind and before they knew it, the Captain was coughing loudly enough for the two of them to pry apart fom one another.

"Well, good afternoon to you two lovebirds. Today we'll be sailing out for about 3 hours onto the lake, which means we'll be back in time for a romantic candle-lit dinner. On board we do have some snack for you though should you get hungry, and some drink as well. None of the hard stuff, but there's pop, and water in a cooler below decks. The ship's name is Roma, mostly because I want to retire to Italy one day and sail the Mediterranean."

He chuckled then and made his way to the wheel. The rest of the crew fell in line and were all doing their jobs.

"I had them stock the boat and also add in some fishing poles, so if you want to  stop at some point and do some fishing, we can."

Charlie raised a hand then to the sun that peaked out from the clouds and let the breeze cool him. It was a good day to go sailing if for nothing but the breeze.

"So, what do you want to chat about while we have the whole boat to ourselves and three hours to kill?"

Taking hold of Charlie's hand she lead him to the front of the boat and found a place they could sit down to enjoy the view.  As they settled down Addie took his hand and held it with both of hers in her lap.  She rubbed her thumb gently against his palm. 

"I want you to know that I do need you.  More than you probably realize."  She raised his hand to her lips and kissed the soft sensitive skin over the palm and then the wrist before pulling it to her to press it against her chest where she held it.  "I just don't know where to start and frankly I don't want to needlessly..." she paused knowing there was no returning after she spoke the next few words, but she had faith in their love.  She knew they could work through anything.  Charlie had seen her at her worse and still he had remained rock solid beside her.  "needlessly hurt you."

Squeezing his hand gently she released it and let her hands fall back to her lap.  She had to give him the space to pull back if he needed too.  She had had days, even weeks, to work through things.  He had not.

"I know the things that I have been dwelling on during my waking hours.  I can only assume that these things would also be what my mind focuses on when I sleep."

Charlie nodded, and slid his hand from her chest to the small of her back. He slid his own body in closer to her then before he spoke up.

"Do you know what my mind focuses on?"

He waited for her to give a slight shake of the head before continuing.

"You. I miss Billy and Aurora, I even miss Oscar and Betty and the kids. I see them often enough don't get me wrong, but it's not the same. You are it for me Addie. I chose you. I could have left to keep protecting Billy. I could have left the life and found a way on my own. I didn't. I chose to stay here because you have my heart now."

He paused a moment and leaned over to run his hand along the side of the ship. It sat low enough in the water, and wasn't a big enough boat that he was actually able to just barely graze the water with his fingertips. Addie wouldn't be able to unless she lay down on the deck, but he could lean down to one knee and still manage it. He took a second to splash a little bit of water up at Addie.

"You and I are probably going to needlessly hurt each other once in a while. That's part of it. Sometimes we are going to say or do things that hurt. Sometimes it's even going to be on purpose because we are mad at each other. but as long as you're willing to stay here with me, and me with you, that's going to be alright."

As he pulled back up from the water, he used that to cover his movement of his hand to his pocket. He produced a small navy blue box and slowly opened it. Upon the cushioned interior sat a gold diamond ring, a Cushion cut diamond sat in the center setting surrounded on either side by two smaller Marquis diamonds that were fused directly into the band.

"So what do you say, will you stay here with me and let me stay with you?"

With a gasp she covered her mouth in surprise as she looked at the ring.  Her eyes drifted up to Charlie and then back to the ring.  It was obvious that she had not expected this to happen.  The moment must have felt like an eternity to Charlie as he patiently waited for an answer.  Finally she nodded in the affirmative and removed her hand from her mouth.  

"Yes," she smiled and offered him her hand.  "Yes I will stay with you always."

He removed the ring from the box and slipped the box back into his pocket before slipping the ring on her finger.  When he was done she threw herself at him in a massive embrace and nearly sent both of them over the side of the boat.  She laughed as Charlie caught them and stopped them from taking a plunge of a different sort.  Addie did not care.  She showered him with kisses.  

"I love you Charlie Bryant.  I love you with all my heart."

Charlie hadn't smiled this wide, or this genuinely in his entire life. Right up until he almost fell off the side of the boat. He returned Addie's kisses with passion and joy, and just a tiny bit of fun thrown in for good measure. That's when they both heard a loud pop behind them and Charlie turned them both to see the crew had assembled and each had a glass of Champagne.

"Welcome aboard Addie, to your ship. She's small, but she's got her own crew, and she's built to sail. As an engagement gift I bought the boat, and the crew for one year. We can do anything we want. We can go anywhere you want. And if you decide to keep the crew on after that, the only stipulation is that Captain Roberts over there gets to choose when he retires."

Charlie placed his hand on the small of Addie's back and took one of the glasses of champagne offered to the couple.

"To Addie!"

The crew repeated the cheer and drank before clapping. It was nice to be out on the water with nothing around them but a breeze. Alone in the world with nothing to worry them.

"So, do you like your gift? It's big and flashy just like Billy would have done, but I can only afford it once or twice before I'm tapped out, so it's this and a house I think."