A/N: This chapter focuses on Dean Domino, so the title of this chapter is from Fats Domino's song Wait and See. Domino may have been part of the inspiration for Dean (as well as Dean Martin). More chapters coming soon dealing with Christine, Dog/God, and possibly one more about Moxie's return to the Strip and reconnecting with Swank...we'll see. Please R&R.
"You know this would go a lot smoother if you just avoided the Ghost people instead of going at them head on…just a thought." Dean took a drag off his cigarette as the woman in front of him worked at hacking the unconscious Ghost Trapper into pieces. Once finished Moxie stood and shrugged at the ghoul, her head spun and her lungs burned from the red haze of the city.
"Sorry, I keep forgetting that there are more of them than just what we see. Keep thinking I can thin them out…" She wiped the bear trap fist absently on her jumpsuit and looked around to make sure they hadn't attracted any more of the Villa's inhabitants, but paused as something caught her eye.
"Well you can't." Dean snapped. "And the sooner you get that through your head the sooner we can get these "bow ties"….hey!"
The coattails on his tux fluttered slightly as he bounded towards Moxie, realizing just a little too late what she'd been staring at. The courier was hunched down by a section of wall, inspecting a glowing handprint, looking over she saw a briefcase and inspected it.
"Another "gift" from the ghost people?" She turned her head to look at her companion, who did not seem pleased.
"No. I did that. You never know when you'll find yourself in a…tight spot. So I've left myself some supplies here and there, in case of an emergency." He wanted to grab it and hide it again before Moxie put her hands all over it, but Dean was, surprised, when she retracted the hand that had been reaching for the latch.
"Oh, sorry…" Moxie smiled sheepishly and stood.
"What? Not going to call this an "emergency" and take what's inside? I'm not stupid, just because I'm a ghoul doesn't mean I don't know what supplies to get." Dean huffed.
"No…just that it's your stash, and not mine to take." She smirked when Dean seemed to study her critically for a moment. "You're the one who went through the trouble of gathering the supplies and hiding them in the first place, not exactly fair of me to take what's yours."
"You won't last long in the Villa playing "fair" Partner…but I do appreciate you giving credit where credit is due." The ghoul drawled as he brushed past the courier and took the briefcase. With a loud 'click' he opened it and took out a few supplies, handing a bottle of water to Moxie.
"Thanks." The courier felt a little thrill of triumph as she took a drink. She was slowly, very slowly, but surely making progress with her new companion. Dean was quick witted and sharp tongued, but she could tell by the way he acted at times that he had a fragile ego, and that bruising it would not bode well for her once the collars were off.
They took shelter in a ruined café, making sure to block the door to keep out any unwanted guests, and settled in on opposite sides of a booth to rest a moment. Moxie sipped at the water Dean had given her and looked around the café's interior, admiring the style of the Villa, despite its less than pleasant weather and locals.
"So…Partner, you said you were a courier? Not a glamorous job, but we can't all be stars." Dean smirked. "Where did you reside before Vera's voice called you here?"
"New Vegas."
"New Vegas?" The ghoul frowned. "Hmm…so House managed to keep the place standing after all."
"Most of it anyway." Moxie smiled, but Dean noticed a trace of sadness in her eyes. "Reno's still there too, it's…not as nice as Vegas, but it manages."
"Let me guess, they call it New Reno." Moxie nodded in reply. "Hah!" Dean shook his head, recalling for a moment his time spent performing in those cities, before the Sierra Madre, Sinclair, Vera, and the bombs. They weren't unpleasant memories, and something about the courier reminded him of a dame he'd known in Vegas, but he needed to stay focused.
"Well, better get this show on the road, don't want the director of this little play to get angry do we?"
"No, I don't think we do." Moxie drained the rest of her water and stood, taking a minute or so more to loot the café of anything useful and awkwardly buy some stims off the hologram behind the counter. Dean moved the blockade from in front of the door and opened it just a hair to see if more ghost people were around, and let out a small sigh of relief to see the street was deserted.
"Coast is clear, for now. Better get a move on, Partner." He held the door open for the courier who nodded her thanks as she went through.
Dean watched the as Moxie looked around for any locals and then at her Pipboy to see where they needed go. The ghoul had to give her credit, she sure didn't seem like much at first, but he felt that if they actually made it into the casino and met this…Elijah, that the courier was going to put on one hell of a show.