He didn't really pay attention to her when she stumbled into The Third Rail, but his eyes shot in her direction when he heard Whitechapel Charlie raise his voice at her, yelling at her that no, this wasn't a hotel, and if she wasn't looking for a drink she should get out as quickly as possible.

She didn't leave, though. He flicked his eyes from Winlock and Barnes for just a minute to see that she was standing in the doorway of the room he was sitting in, eyes darting between him and the Gunners that were currently giving him a harder time than he would have preferred, after having already left their company.

Despite the threats being thrown his way, MacCready didn't deter. No way would he be returning to the Gunners – they were ruthless, more than even he could handle, and they would have to kill him before that would happen.

Now that he thought about it, they probably would.

Finally, he got Winlock and his girlfriend to leave him alone, pushing past the girl standing in the doorway. If they wanted caps, fine. Maybe he could use his charm to get a couple hundred caps out of this girl, pay back the Gunners, and then send whatever was left to Duncan.

She approached him meekly, as if afraid of him. He finally got a good look at her, and if he was being honest, she looked awful. She had a slight limp in her left leg while she walked, her face scrunched up in pain every time she put weight on it, but she tried to hide it nonetheless. Hair disheveled, bags under her eyes, she looked like she hadn't slept in weeks, and he'd be surprised if she actually had. But he could also see naked hope written in her features, in the way her eyes watched him as she approached, and he hadn't seen that in a good-long time.

Maybe she was a Vaulter. They were always the worst off when entering the Wasteland, the Commonwealth – anywhere above ground, really.

It didn't matter, though. The sleepless ones were always the easiest to get a couple more caps out of, anyway. Top that off with a history in a Vault, and he would be walking away with his pockets brimming from this deal.

As soon as she stood in front of him, he spoke, "Well? You looking for a merc? Then I'm the one for you, and from the looks of you, you need me."

She looked up to him and stared for a moment, her eyes searching his, and he frowned when she didn't respond.

"Actually I'm looking for a hotel," her voice was soft, but he could hear the sassy tone hiding behind her weariness, "But you're right. I could use someone watching my back. What's your price?"

"Two hundred fifty caps," He usually went for one-fifty, but she didn't need to know that, she really did look like she could use some help, if the way the hand holding her gun was shaking said anything.

She dug into her pocket with her free hand, and came back with a handful of caps. After counting for a moment, feet fidgeting in place, she looked back up to his face, "Two hundred?" There was that hope again, shining in her eyes, bottom lip trapped between her teeth.

He sighed. It wasn't like he was planning on getting other jobs any time soon, and it was still more than he would usually make. "Fine," he grumbled, and she handed the money over to him without another word.

"Perfect," she sighed in relief, "Okay, well – I'm really tired, so we'll leave in the morning?" It was more of a question, he noticed, "And… I'll come get you in the morning, then?"

His eyebrows raised in disbelief, "Really? You pay me, then you're gonna just leave me here? What if I run off before you come back in the morning?" First rule of the Wasteland, right there. She really was fresh.

She stared at him incredulously, "You wouldn't do that… would you?" She straightened her back, and although he saw she was still nervous, she tried standing her ground, "It's not like you have anywhere else to be if you took my deal for less than you're offering, so of course you'll be here in the morning."

He shrugged, "I wouldn't count on it, but throw in ten caps for a bed and a pack of cigs, and I'll even direct you to the nearest hotel."

He could see her relax instantly, and she flashed a hesitant smile his way, "Alright, then…?"

"MacCready."

"…Artemis."

"Alright, I'll lead the way."

A/N: Sorry if I got some of the dialogue wrong, but I thought some original dialogue would be interesting as well!