My own rendition of the game (creators gets all the credit). We follow a female lone wanderer as she makes her way through the story with added plot lines and some darker scenes. **WARNING** Explicit themes and very mature content. Rated M for graphic violence, and sexuality. PLEASE REVIEW

CHAPTER 1

The small knob squeaked as the irradiated water trickled forth and onto her hand. She sipped the tainted water. It was a bittersweet relief. She felt energy replace yet her stomach argued with the new contents. She bent down to receive some more when a faint clicking sounds became audible. The humming clicks became louder causing her to cease drinking to see what it was. Suddenly an acidic goo was thrown at her. She ducked just in time to see it splatter on the water silo. She backed away on unsteady legs raising her 10mm shakily and firing shots at random. It took nearly an entire mag before she landed enough shots to down the bloatfly.

She wanted to curse her father right then and there. How could he have left her like that? Chased from the vault and now in this – wasteland. Her eyes frantically looked around for any more intruders but a quick gander on her pip-boys radar told her she was alone. Very much alone. The sun left these lands rather quickly. Just a moment ago it was quite light out but in mere moments the sky turned a pinky orange and darkness was to the east. She had to find somewhere safe to spend the night. Thousands of questions plagued her mind and yet, the most important one was 'where the hell is anything safe out here?'

East was the decision. She could see distant derelict houses that either housed evil, or sheltered the good. She hoped it was the second option. She willed her legs to move towards the houses with the 10mm raised in a shaky stance. If one was to survive out here, one had to adapt and overcome very quickly it seemed. As she approached the houses a faint tune carried through the vacant streets. Something was moving back and forth along the road. Curiosity replaced fear and she approached the thing with caution. The upbeat tune ceased as a man's voice came over the small speaker announcing he was the president. He had a firm voice. One that carried authority. As she drew closer she could now see the small little hovering robot lingering to and fro. The Pip Boy called it and Enclave Eyebot. Who or what was the Enclave? What was this robot doing out here and more importantly, why? The small little Enclave Eyebot paid no attention to her as she walked right up to it. It continued on its predetermined path as the patriotic tune carried on. Dismissing the eyebot she wandered over to a dilapidated home. As she approached her wrist device beeped indicating she had discovered a town called Springvale. At least this place had a cheery name despite looking like a shit hole. When she arrived at the home she peered through the boarded up windows she didn't see much. Her attempts to pull the boards failed miserably and she was forced to make alternate plans. She simply nestled on the porch under a patchy roof behind the small brick wall that provided her cover from those who may wander by in the night. Sleep did not come easy out here. The only comfort was the faint fluting of the eyebot off in the distance. Every now and then a gunshot would ring out and she would be shaken awake by the screams to follow that would die out after a minute or two. She just made herself smaller and forced her eyes shut until finally, the sun rose once again.

Once it was light enough out she decided to move and find something out here. The hard ground had made her limbs stiff and her Pip Boy displayed the ailing status of her body making this all feel that much more real. There was a larger building off in the distance. It seemed as good a place as any to check out. Maybe Dad was near there too. With the 10mm aimed at chest level she jogged towards the location in sight. As she drew nearer the device beeped once again. This time the name display indicated this was an Elementary School. Then something red appeared on her screen. Directly to her front – what her Pip-Boy deemed as a threat. She froze not sure what to make of this indication. Perhaps it was just another fly? She had proven to herself she could take those on but when a shot rang passed her ear she knew this was no bloatfly. Turning to V.A.T.S she could now see her attackers. Raiders as the device described. Her chances to kill were displayed indicating she barely had a chance in hell to do a single thing, not with his weapon at least. With no other option, she turned to flee. That's when she heard their laughter. It was maniacal. They taunted her as she ran while their shots whizzed by her. Then she felt it, the sting of the bullet entering her calf. She stumbled forward as the pain radiated up her leg. She had to keep running. Put the pain aside or it will be your life, she thought. She felt another shot – like a dog bite around her thigh as the bullet tore at her flesh. The Pip-Boy didn't lie, she was hurt. 'Run' she thought. 'Just keep running. Don't look back' she forced herself to think despite the pain – fear pushed her on. The will to live pushed her on.

A robotic voice became audible long after the jeers from the Raiders had disappeared behind her. She didn't know how long she had been running for. It felt like hours but it had been more like minutes.

"Welcome To Megaton" the robotic voice chimed as she approached the 'ally' identified on her wrist device. This whole town appeared friendly. She approached with caution gazing up at the massive walled in fortress. Megaton it was called apparently. The left over aircraft material was put together to form walls like a 3 year old mashing puzzle pieces together. Nothing fit just right but somehow it came together. She approached with massive doors and peered through the tiny space between them. Seemed descent enough inside. Maybe Dad was here. With no other option in sight that appeared more favourable, she took her chances and entered the settlement.

She entered and prepared for the worst however, she was greeted with a friendly face who introduced himself as Lucas Simms.

"Welcome to Megaton" he expressed with what she could only interpret as a warm greeting though his tone was somewhat monotone and unimpressed. "What brings you to our city?" he asked nonchalant.

"I – I am looking for my father" she explained in a weak voice. "Have you seen him? Middle aged man in a vault 101 jumpsuit?" she asked hoping he had some information to offer.

His expression went a little softer. "You want to talk to Colin up in his Saloon. I saw your Dad come in and go right for him when he came" he said as he folded his arms across his chest.

Instantly her eyes lit up. "So he is here!" she blurted out. She was about to take off with no direction when his voice reeled her back to reality.

"Now hold on, I didn't say he was still here. I just said talk to Colin Moriarty. You're Dad came and went I'm afraid" he finished noticing the changing expression across her face from thrilled to devastated. "Look, just go talk to Colin but be careful kid. Colin is a sly guy. I don't trust him an neither should you. Just play his little game and you'll get the information you need" he added.

Her heart sank. He was gone – but at least she had more direction as to where he had gone now. She just had to find this Colin fellow and with some helpful direction from Simms, she was on route.

Megaton was like nothing she had seen before. It all appeared to be put together with scrap metal, glue, wood and nails of any size available. The pipes leaked spilling water onto the narrow pathways. The high up walkways looked as if they would crumble under your weight at any moment. She didn't dare trust the guard rails. Nonetheless she made her way up to Moriarty's Saloon and invited herself in.

She just about jumped 10ft into the air which would have put her right through the tin roof ceiling. 'What the hell is that?' she thought when she saw the barman behind the cash. She didn't take a step forward. As a matter of fact, she was about to run back out the door when she noticed other people casually sitting around. Still, she lingered in the doorway for a while just to gauge if everything was as it seemed in this place. No one even took notice to the creature behind the bar. Slowly she walked in but her eyes were locked on him. His brow raised when his own eyes met her cold stare. "What's the matter? Never seen a Ghoul before?" he mumbled in a deep raspy voice like his vocal chords had been overworked or he was suffering from laryngitis. She took it all in for a moment. It was now speaking directly to her. It addressed her in a casual manner. It even noticed she was starring. "Uuuh" she began but his words cut her off. "Smooth skins. Always the first ones to pass judgment. What? You hear to laugh at me? Maybe even hit me? That's what the others like to do" he informed in a bitter tone. At his words she felt guilt take over. On sight she had judged him just as he knew she would. With that she felt damage control was her best option. "Apologies" she began as she stood more relaxed. "I didn't mean to offend. I don't have anything against Ghouls" she said, though her words were somewhat forced. With that his attitude changed entirely.

"Wow, really? I'm not used to pleasantries. Especially not in this place. I am Gob. Welcome to Moriarty's Saloon. I am the bartender here but I also do a little trading on Mr. Moriarty's behalf" he informed her. It had been awhile since anyone really –talked – to him. Especially to be nice about it at the same time was a plus. As he his eyes sized her up he could fully comprehend who he was conversing with. A vault dweller it appeared. Her blonde hair was tied back in a messy bun. At first he had mistaken her for Lucy West but in a different get-up than usual but she was much younger looking than Lucy. Her features were softer in her youth. She looked afraid and very tired. She leaned on her left leg more, compensating for a wound to her right leg. The poor girl looked like she had gone to hell and come back without her soul. Her eyes were listless and weary with fatigue. Her vault jumpsuit clung to her slender frame. She carried a 10mm but he guessed she had as much familiarity with is as he had with smooth skin women.

"My name is Elise" she told him as he smile now grew as she felt more at ease in his presence. "I am looking for my Dad. I was told he came in here" she explained as hope once again trailed in her voice. Gob was thankful he had some information from her even if it was simply pointing out the man who had all the fact, Mr. Moriarty himself sitting in his usual bar stool at the end. Her eyes followed his pointed flesh eaten finger to the older gentleman sitting with his hands fixed around a beer despite the time of day being so early. Passing Gob another smile she moved towards the character who owned this place. Before she could even muster up a word he got his in.

"You must be James' kid huh? Don't look so surprised. When one vault dweller enters the town it becomes town news but two in the span of a couple days is a freaking story. Plus, you look just like him. I thought you were suppose to stay in the vault like Daddy said so" he directed with an almost cruel tone. Elise eyed him for a moment gauging whether this man was friend or foe.

"Look, can you just tell me where my Dad is, please?" she pleaded.

"I could tell you where he has gone but what's in it for me?" he asked with a sly smirk. Instantly Elise felt sick. She could only guess what he had in mind but before she could tell him off he cut in. "This bitch, Silver out in Springvale ran off with my caps. Deal with her, get me back my caps and I'll tell ya where Daddy is" he spoke.

Elise looked perplexed. He wanted he to do what? Did she look like his little servant? "Can't you do your own dirty work?" she asked with attitude.

"Look kid, you want the info I got. If you want that info, you're going to do this or I will just keep it all to myself" he informed her. Where did he get off withholding this kind of information from her? It made her more than angry but her options were limited. She doubted she could threaten him into telling. This guy looked as though he had more fight in him than anyone she had ever met.

"Alright" she finally caved as her pride took an all time low. This was just pathetic. With no other direction she left Megaton in search of Silver in Springvale. This woman had done nothing to wrong her. In the back of her head she hoped there would be another way. Finding Silver's house was quite easy. It was one of the few not boarded up. She almost wish she had found it the night before. She didn't knock, the door fell open with the turn of the nob.

"Who the hell are you" a female voice interrogated as Elise entered the home. "Did Moriarty send you?"

Elise was caught off guard a little. "Yeah" she began. "Said you owe him caps" she added trying to sound tough. That's when Silver got bent out of shape. Accusations of lying and other treachery became apparent. Suddenly Elise didn't know what to believe. "Look, give me what you can spare so I can tell him I got it off you're body. Just flee. I'll tell him I dealt with you" she told her hoping that would work. Silver looked intrigued.

"Really? You'd do that for me?" she questioned while Elise simply nodded. "Thank you" she added as she handed Elise what she could spare. "I'll get out of here now and - thank you" she mused with a kinder wasn't heroic but it was better than killing her and taking the caps.

She returned to Megaton with the caps and the story for Moriarty. As promised he shared what information he had on her father's whereabouts. Something about Galaxy News Radio and that she should head there. It wasn't great news but it was a direction. As she left the Saloon the sun was setting once again. At least she was in a safer location this time but it didn't excuse the lack of roof over her head. Everyone seemed to have some place to go. When night finally fell - the place was quiet. As she sat leaning up against Craterside supply trying to rest her eyes she felt her stomach growl and the pain in her leg was getting worse from the wounds she sustained the day before. Moriarty's was the only place she was familiar with. It was the only place she felt may carry what she needed. It wasn't going to be the right thing but it was the only thing to do in a time such as this. She needed help and if it meant breaking in to get it, that's what she was going to do. Fortunately for her there was a piece of metal loose in the wall. She peeled it back and entered the dark Saloon. Only one person remained at the bar. A drunk who was beyond inebriated that they must have just left him there. No chance he was going to catch her. She walked behind the counter and opened the fridge. There were a couple stimpacks and squirrel stew. Just delicious, she thought lying to herself with a flare of sarcasm.

Moments before, Gob had woken hearing something rustle from outside his small cramped room. He pulled himself to stand from the mattress he called a bed - well, what Mr. Moriarty called a bed on the floor of the musty room. He peered around the corner seeing the faint shadow move across the Saloon and to the fridge. Fucking Junkies he thought. No doubts Mr. Moriarty would blame him if anything went missing. Perhaps for once he would receive praise if he caught a thief. With those thoughts in mind, Gob moved behind the thief and prepared to lock his arms around her when he kicked a beer bottle that had been lying on the ground. "Shit" he scoffed and in that second Elise turned only to see the decaying face of the Ghoul in the dim light. She didn't scream. All the fear seemed to hit her at once. It had overwhelmed her senses and she felt her body go limp before the world went black.

Gob was stunned and stood in awe for a moment. He stared at the limp body crumpled at his feet wondering if he had scared her so bad that she was actually dead. He noted her chest rising and falling. Thank god she was alive. Now he wouldn't be praised for catching a thief, he would be beaten for attacking a girl. He had to do something. He grabbed her by her arms and looked around. The drunk was still comatose on the bar, drool spilling from his mouth onto the dirty bar surface. Relief came over him as he dragged Elise into his room and shut the door. He placed her on the dirty mattress but respectfully stood far away from her until she came around. He looked at her limp body. The wounds on her legs looked worse than they had the day before. She needed help. It was no wonder she resorted to stealing as she had. This girl had nothing. He knew that. Her father was gone, she had barely any currency, she had no home, no friends. It reminded him of himself. Completely isolated an alone. An intruder on a world that didn't except her. It only took a few minutes before he eyes began to flutter and they opened ever so slowly. It was a lot for both of them to take in. Upon his sight she didn't scream. He must have known was she was doing. She accepted the fact that she was busted so stared at him until he made the first move.

"You alright?" he asked. The question seemed a little inappropriate given the circumstances. He was worried about her health? She didn't say anything. She just looked at him. "Look, it's alright. Here" he said as he held out a stimpack. "Let me help" he offered as he came towards her. She didn't interject even when he knelt at her side and touched her leg. He rolled up the bottom and injected the contents into the affected tissue. She winced at the prick and smiled at him. It felt better already. In the dim light of the lamp she could see he was troubled. Every action he took was a risk at damaging his already thin self esteem. How many people had been cruel to him? He was kind, gentle and sweet and yet people couldn't look passed how he looked. The nocturnal slitted eyes like that of a cat. The torn up flesh, discoloured and infected looking. The thin patchy brown hair that stuck into his exposed scalp. And yet, beyond these features there was a human somewhere still in there.

"Thanks Gob" she said sincerely and placed a hand on his shoulder. She noted the stained and torn up shirt he wore. The grayish green fatigue pants that were clearly from some one else cause they only covered down to half of his shin. His black worn out combat boots placed in the corner. He could clearly see her eyes were investigating him. Instantly he became self conscious again. The only smooth skin woman who had been relatively kind to him was Nova, the town whore. There was no way in hell this one would go the distance to make him feel anything more than a useless ghoul but how she looked at him made him cling to a hope that it was real.

"You can stay here if you like. It's not much but it's a roof and it's kind of warm. I can get you something to drink if you like" he offered trying to be even more pleasant so that she would stay but when she raised both brows he back tracked. "But I bet you are probably staying with some one in town who has better arrangements..."

"I'm not" she cut in but he went on before her words finally sunk in.

"...Probably for the best because I have to work early and Moriarty would kill me if I had...wait what?" he questioned.

"I don't have anywhere to go" she mumbled as her eyes fell to her hands which were now intertwined.

"Then stay. I'll, uh. I'll just sit over here" he said trying to hide his excitement as he began to move towards the opposite side of the room. She thought about it all for a moment. This was the kindest any man had been to her yet. Despite the fact that she had been breaking in, he was being very helpful. She knew it wasn't right. But hell, what was right in these days? There was nothing wrong with returning the pleasantries received even if it was a Ghoul expressing them in the first place.

"You can ... stay over here if you like" she offered as she moved over on the mattress. "It's big enough for both and I hate the idea of forcing you out of your own bed" she added with a warm smile telling him she really was alright with the idea. Now a woman wanted to share a bed with him. This was the best day of his life. Without a word he returned to her side and lay on the bed beside her. They both lay somewhat facing in with arms tucked beneath their heads like makeshift pillows. Neither spoke another word. Gob pretended to shut his eyes only to open them and see her were shut. He never smiled like that before. He had made a friend. A true friend in this girl. His thoughts of Nova every night would be wiped from his mind. He could feel her heat radiating through the mattress. As she slept she looked so beautiful. He wanted to touch her face and feel her soft skin and the warmth it held but he dared not disturb her. Finally, he too succumbed to the necessary sleep feeling happy for the first time in ages knowing she'd be there with him tonight.