The sun was starting to dip behind the horizon as Layla and Boone walked away from Nellis Air Force Base, where the Courier had laid out the plan for the upcoming battle to the Boomers. The NCR brass wanted them to set up a very rigid plan with a timetable, but Layla had decided against it. Now they had an established flight plan for their completed bomber, but wouldn't attack until the signal was given from the flare gun Loyal had given them which now resided in Layla's bag.

Boone hadn't understood the need for the signal flare, but Layla had made it clear to him: she didn't like General Oliver's plan. Chief Hanlon had explained it to her, and she'd found it too rigid and precise. It would fall apart the moment something was out of place.

"And if I've learned anything about war," she'd said, "nothing works the way it's supposed to." The sniper couldn't argue that. The general was just going to have to be happy with it.

They were meeting with Oliver at the dam tomorrow. Layla had never actually met him. They'd missed being formally introduced a few days ago due to the assassination attempt on the president. The Courier had seemed more upset about missing a formal event than the actual meeting; she wasn't exactly happy with either Oliver or Kimball's politics.

It was now twilight, the worst part of the day for a sniper. Just as bad for enemies, though. Since the Legion had gone back to just trying to kill them, he'd been on the guard for sniping positions. If the Legate had any sense, he'd try to have Layla picked off from a distance.

Speaking of which, they were getting in range of the houses that surrounded outer Vegas. Drawing his rifle, Boone began searching windows.

Sure enough, there was a legionary poking a rifle out of one of the abandoned houses. Boone quickly took him out and looked around for others.

One good thing about the Legion; they were terrible snipers. They didn't work in teams, they didn't seem to have much training, and Boone had only ever seen one scope on any of the rifles he'd pulled off their corpses.

"Woah!" he heard from his side, followed by gunfire. Layla had her shotgun in hand and fired at something behind him. More Legionaries had sprung up from a hiding place further back.

That was smart; keep Boone looking in the distance while they snuck up from behind. Double checking the houses beyond them, he turned as Layla fired her eighth shot.

Eight shots. Layla had modified her hunting shotgun to hold more rounds a while back. She'd asked Boone to help her install the new barrel, something he'd been happy to do.

Shaking away the thought, he found three Legionaries coming after them, and two were too close for him to take aim with his rifle. Slinging it quickly, he drew his machete and launched himself at the closest, a Vexillarius, and cleaved his head in two.

Freeing his blade, he barely dodged a thermic lance swung at him by the last Legionary in range. The assassin thrust the weapon forward, and Boone managed to hold it off with his machete. Ducking under another swing, he punched his blade through the other man's chest.

He heard a cry and whipped his head around to find the final Legionary, a Praetorian, had gotten past Layla's shotgun and knocked her over. He now had her pinned to the ground.

Boone felt cold anger pour down his spine as he ran over and kicked the man hard in the face, knocking him off. Before the Legionary got a chance to recover, the sniper's machete was already in his throat. Pulling it out of the man as he died, Boone turned back to Layla.

She was still on the ground, rubbing the back of her head. Taking his offered hand, she let him help her up.

"You okay?" he asked as she checked her hand for blood, then pulled her hair out of its bun as she massaged her skull again.

"Yeah, just bumped my head." Taking her hand away from her head, she looked around the immediate area.

"That went well," she said, smiling. "Thank you, by the way." He nodded, and after quickly looting the bodies, they continued toward Vegas.

"Maybe I should get around to actually paying you for all your hard work," she said after a few moments, making him look back her way. There was a mischievous look on her face as she moved closer to him. Leaning up on her toes, she kissed him on the cheek.

He hadn't been expecting that, and figured it showed on his face when she blushed prettily at him. He held eye contact with her long enough to see her expression change, matching the intensity of his own as she launched herself at him.

His arms were around her in an instant, one hand tangling in her hair as she kissed him like her life depended on it. She was nearly hanging off his neck by her arms, then hiked one leg up on his hip to raise herself higher. A few moments later, they'd broken into an abandoned house. He started working the belts on her armor as she kissed his neck frantically-

Boone's eyes snapped open. He stared at the 38's ceiling for a moment as his head started to clear. He could hear Veronica snoring on the other bed.

Sitting up, he ran a hand over his scalp. That… that was a different version of what had happened last night. Very different. The trip back from Nellis had been quiet, and he'd gone to bed early, alone.

The door opened, and Layla poked her head in. She saw him and smiled.

"Oh good, you're up. We gotta get moving soon." Looking Veronica's way, she frowned. "GET UP!"

"AH!" Veronica cried, rolling off the bed.

"Good morning!" Layla said as she went back into the hallway. "Get a move on, breakfast is already on the table!"

"Bitch," the scribe muttered as she heaved herself off the floor. Boone shook his head as the last of the dream faded.

*.*.*

Layla rubbed at a spot on her armor's chest plate, then berated herself for being nervous. She was sitting in one of Hoover Dam's many hallways, waiting to meet with General Oliver. She didn't even know why she was nervous; Oliver didn't scare her. Honestly, she was getting to the point where the only people who could scare her wore skirts.

She was starting to think the pressure was getting to her, however. Since Arcade had left to help the Followers prepare, it had felt distinctly like there was no turning back. Everyone at the dam gave her strange, hopeful looks, like she was expected to wave a magic wand and make the problems go away. She certainly hoped she had the answers everyone seemed to think she did.

"Hey," came from her side. She looked over to Boone, who was sitting next to her. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Layla only mildly lied. She noted his unbelieving look, and found herself glad she'd taken him to this meeting. She liked to think the sniper gave her an official air among the NCR. That, and he tending to make people think they couldn't get away with trying to intimidate her.

Official reasons aside, he was a constant calming force. In the last few weeks, she'd really come to depend on him as an anchor while the world around her went nuts.

"He's ready for you," Lt. Colonel Gregory said, breaking up Layla's thoughts as she stuck her head out of the general's office. She grinned. "Try not to get in a fistfight this time."

Layla probably would have laughed at that if she wasn't in such a bad mood. Instead she gave a ghost of a grin and stood. Soon they were ushered to the office space where the general had taken temporary residence.

It wasn't very hard to figure out which one was Oliver. The room was filled with officers and veteran rangers, but only one man wore a hat and shirt covered in stars. He was shouting at the rangers while stabbing the map spread on the meeting table with his finger. One of the rangers noticed them and drew the general's attention.

"Who is this?" he barked. "Are they letting every random idiot come waltzing into the command center? Where's security?" He turned back to Layla. "Can't you see we're busy! I don't have time to deal with this shit! You're not just pissing on me, you're pissing on the whole Bear!" the man growled at her. Layla's mouth hung open, and she found herself unable to form a response.

"Sir… this is the Courier; the one who worked the president's security detail," said the ranger at his side, sounding a little exasperated. The general's ire seemed to suddenly deflate.

"Oh, yes. We've been expecting you." He looked her over. "You're… not what I imagined."

"I'm sure," Layla said, holding back a sigh. The general didn't seem overly concerned with his faux pas, instead gesturing to the map spread on one of the tables.

"I've been told about what you've done for us," he said. "You've got the NCR's gratitude. Are you ready to help us end this conflict?"

"I am," Layla answered automatically, and the general continued.

"We're in a unique position to take the fight to the Legion," Oliver said. "Mainly because of your help. Their position is weakened, and I don't want to lose the opportunity to take advantage of it. Right now we're waiting on reinforcements, then we'll attack."

Layla nodded. "How long?"

"A few more days at most," the general answered. "I want to spend that time refining our plan. We'd like you and you team to stay here until we're ready to attack. And I understand you've managed to find us non-NCR military support?"

"Yes. I think the Brotherhood paladins are already here," she said. "I've spoken to the Boomers about their deployment as well. And the Followers have set up their medical station. That leaves my team, and they have their orders."

"Yes," Oliver answered, sounding a little cautious. "Well, I'm glad we have you on board," he said. "We'll start working your plans in with ours tomorrow."

*.*.*

Raul sat at an old wooden table, cleaning his guns. The whole group was gathered, aside Arcade. Even Lily was with them, despite the slight bouts of severe schizophrenia. A wet-behind-the-ears private had escorted them to their new quarters, where they waited for Layla and Boone to return. The room was lined with bunk beds and a few lockers, with the table in the center.

The others were nervous, Raul could tell. Except for Cass, but that was undoubtedly due to the half-empty whiskey bottle in her hand.

"Well, look who's back," the caravaneer said as Boone and Layla walked in. "What's the good word?"

Layla looked somewhat irritated as she blew out a long breath. "Oliver's planning to attack the Legion sooner than we thought."

"Isn't that good?" Veronica asked, looking up from the dinner the NCR had provided. "We're as prepared as we're going to be. Why aren't you happy?"

"Because we're waiting on reinforcements," the Courier said exasperatedly. "Officially ordered through proper channels, probably stamped with an important-looking seal so no Legion spies could possibly miss it."

"So they're going to know about this if they don't already," Raul said. shaking his head. "What's the plan?"

"We'll go along with Oliver's strategy until something goes wrong," Layla said, then climbed up on the top bunk closest to her. "I want all of you to be on alert. It could happen at any minute."

"Yes ma'am," Cass said, saluting her. The Courier gave her a tired look and lied back on the bed. Boone settled on the bunk below her and started pulling his rifle apart.

"What's for dinner?" Layla asked, head tilting up slightly.

"Iguana on a stick," Veronica answered around a mouthful.

"Hmph." The Courier's head flopped back down. "Guess it can't always be steak and beers, huh?"

"Well well, someone's gotten spoiled," Cass drawled.

"She's a high-maintenance date," Raul added, making the girl sit up, "Always has to have purified water and unirradiated food when we're traveling."

"I've already had severe radiation poisoning once, thank you. And I'm not nearly as bad as some of you," she grumbled.

"Oh yeah?" Veronica said, looking up at her. "Who's the worst then? It's got to be Arcade. The hair gel costs alone..."

"Nu-uh," Layla said from her perch. "He doesn't even come close."

"Well, who then?" the scribe asked, then pointed a kebab at the other girl. "And repair on ridiculous electronic pew-pew lasers counts toward the total."

"Boone's the most expensive of all my dates," Layla said, nudging him with her boot. The sniper gave her an impassive look, then went back to cleaning his gun.

"What?" Veronica gave him a side-long look. "Did you put him on an all deathclaw omelet/Nuka-Victory diet or something?"

"No," Layla said firmly. "But do you know how expensive his ammo is? Half his guns cost four caps to fire. The .50 cals cost eight a pop."

"Good gravy!" Veronica cried. "I sure hope he puts out."

"Oh you know he doesn't," Cass said conversationally, taking a pull from her whiskey. "Do you think either of them would be so tense if he did?"

"I've got a delivery for Layla Granville!" came a call from door. Raul noticed the girl's relief at the distraction; she'd already turned an interesting shade of red. The ghoul also noted that Boone was making a good show of ignoring them all as he oiled his gun, though he did look up as a private approached with a box in his hands.

"It's from the Mojave Express," the kid said, handing the box to Layla. "Lt. Colonel Gregory said all deliveries for you were to come through directly."

"Thank you," the Courier said. The private nodded and left. Veronica had now climbed up on Layla's bunk, perching on the edge and looking over her shoulder.

"What is it?"

"Care package from Utah," Layla said with a smile, "and perfectly timed."

She ripped the tape off the box and was soon grinning from ear-to-ear as she pulled out a few boxes of .45 ammo.

"I was almost out. Guess I don't have to cancel the war," she said, shaking the box.

"I thought it took weeks to get packages from Zion. Didn't you just sent a letter to them?" Veronica asked, looking at one of the boxes of bullets.

"Trade's gotten much better," Cass piped up. "Since the White Legs retreated all the way back to the Great Salt Lake, caravans can use the better roads. Now it only takes days instead of weeks each way."

"Ah," Veronica answered, soundly mildly interested. She watched as Layla continued rooting through the package.

"Who's the letter from?" the scribe asked as Layla pulled out an envelope.

"Sorry, it's private," she said, then lied back down and nudged the other girl off the bed. Veronica landed on her feet, but gave the Courier a dirty look.

"What? Did you find your true love out in Utah?"

"Hardly," Cass grumbled. Oddly enough, she didn't go any further into it. Usually she'd at least throw a crack in about Layla's love life.

"It's from one of the New Canaanites," Layla answered as she opened the letter. "He's a nice guy-"

Cass snorted loudly.

"He's the one who gave me my .45," the girl continued, ignoring Cass. The Courier quieted as she read her letter, then put it back in its envelope and tucked it into one of the inner pouches of her armor.

"Well," Layla said hopping off the top bunk, "I'm going to bed."

"Do you usually go to bed by getting out of bed?" Cass asked.

"I've been given my own quarters," Layla said, then exaggeratedly looked down her nose at Cass. "The NCR feels I shouldn't have to bunk with the riff raff."

*.*.*

The cot they'd given Layla was lumpy. She didn't complain though; she was relieved to have a few minutes to herself.

She had expected Boone to raise a stink about this set up, not wanting her to get murdered by Frumentarii in her sleep. She'd pre-empted his protests by taking along ED-E, who hovered around the room, ever-alert for trouble.

However, as she sat in the quiet she'd been hoping for, she started feeling like the walls were closing in on her.

"ED-E," She said to the robot, who turned his cameras her way, "play something quiet, would you?"

'In the Shadow of the Valley' began playing from the eyebot's speakers. Layla smiled.

"Thank you." She tried to get comfortable in the bed again, wondering if the robot knew that song was her favorite. She almost felt herself slipping off to sleep, but her mind started turning in directions she didn't want it to.

Just as she was thinking about finding something to read, there was a quiet knock on the door, and she sat up.

"Come in," she called, beyond grateful for a distraction. She found herself mildly surprised to see Lily hunch down to step into the room.

"Hello dearie," she said cheerfully. "I thought I'd check in on you ."

"Oh, you didn't have to do that," Layla said. "I'm fine."

"Mmm hm, you can't fool me," the super mutant admonished. "You need rest, but you're up and it's late."

Layla frowned; she thought for a moment to put on a brave face, but Lily always seemed to know when she was upset. "I guess I'm a little nervous."

"Aw, is this your first battle, dear?"

"Well…" She frowned again. "I've been in a few skirmishes. But this is… big. Really big." She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them.

"There, there dear." Lily sat on the bed next to her. The metal groaned from the super mutant's weight, but held. "It'll work out, you'll see."

Layla hadn't expected that to push her over the edge. She hadn't even known she'd been on the edge, for that matter. Nonetheless, she suddenly burst into tears.

"W-what if we don't win? Or what if I get someone killed? What if I get them all killed?"

Lily gathered Layla into her arms as she started sobbing. "Sssh, it's okay dear. They chose to be here, and you've done everything you could to make sure we win." She looked down at the girl. "I can't promise we'll all make it, but we're fighting because we have to."

The Courier sniffled. "I know… but."

"No 'buts,' missy, you've done all you can, and you've got nothing to regret. You fight as best you can when it comes."

Layla nodded into the super mutants arms. Lily hadn't said anything she didn't already know, but hearing it from someone else did make her feel better.

"Thank you, Lily."

"That's what grandma's are for." She gave the girl a squeeze. "Even pretend ones."

The Courier smiled, then leaned her head on Lily's huge arm as ED-E played her song again.

*.*.*

The sun wouldn't rise for another two hours, but the moon was large tonight and provided plenty of light. That proved both a blessing and curse. Orianus knew he could been seen just as easily as he could see his target. The NCR position, Ranger Station Echo, overlooking Cottonwood Cove, usually had a standing force of six rangers.

Rangers were a dangerous target, smart and quick. And this particular station was always on alert for Legion movement. Fortunately, Orianus and his contubernia had come across the Colorado river further north, and were able to stealthily approach the ranger station from the hills.

A ghoul ranger was standing by the entrance, smoking a cigarette. That the NCR would let such a creature into their elite troops just further proved the need to destroy them. Orianus put his disgust for the mutant out of his mind. There was work to be done.

Signaling to the men behind him, he raised his spear and threw. The projectile caught the ghoul ranger in the thigh. He let out a raspy cry, which was soon joined by shouts and shooting from the compound. The four men he'd sent around to scale the station's walls had clearly done so. By the time Orianus stepped over the dying ghoul, there was only one profligate standing.

The last one had managed to take down three of his men before Orianus put a spear through his heart. He sputtered and fell to his knees as his blood drained from the gaping wound in his chest.

"Make sure that radio is destroyed," the Prime Decanus called, and one of his veterans nodded and stalked off.

No word had been sent out, and this station wouldn't be expected to check in for another few hours. He would send a runner to let the others know of their success. Gaius Magnus, his centurion, would be pleased; they would be able to quietly get their soldiers across the river with no interference.

The NCR didn't know it yet, but the final battle for the Mojave had just begun.

Saints alive! I can't believe we're at this story already D: