Authors note: This is going to be my first multi-part fic so I would very much appreciate feedback. Enjoy!
Introduction
The Courier was a man of many questions; I had first observed this on our first meeting in angel cave. I had been inspecting endless amounts of .45 pistols when a tall gentleman wandered in. Red dust from the valley covered his boots and duster, worn and dirty boxing tape covered his hands like gloves and most notably he sported an eye patch on his right eye. The boy introduced himself as Tex and then began asking questions at a mile a minute. Aren't you dead? What is this place? Where are these people from?
In that moment I did not realize how much of a trusted ally Tex would become. He would aid me in defeating the White Legs and somehow in my blind vengeance he led me to reconcile my past and put old demons to rest. I was not surprised in the least when word reached Zion that he had made New Vegas an independent state from the Legion and the NCR. The Courier had a way about him that enchanted everyone he met; he spoke of the future and hope, second chances in my case. Listening to him speak was like sipping the Lords enteral water. Tex brought a new beginning to a jaded and broken world; I could never thank the good Lord enough for creating a young man like the Courier.
Once every month or so Tex would visit Zion to see if the tribes needed any supplies. During these times he would always come prepared with a new round of questions, something that I had come to welcome and expect.
On this particular visit Tex took a seat across from me while I was reading scripture by the campfire. The sun was setting behind his head and his good eye shone with its usual boyish excitement.
"Good evening, Mr. Graham." Tex began with a lopsided smile.
"Good evening." I responded and placed the scripture down knowing that this was the beginning of a lengthy conversation.
"May I ask you a personal question?" This was not the normal topic for us to discuss. Mostly he asked for advice for what to do within the Mojave and I usually tried to have him figure it out for himself by asking my own questions. He was a smart young man that didn't need to be influenced by a former warlord in any way.
"I do not see why you couldn't." I responded trying to smile through the bandages covering my face.
"How did you get mixed up in all the Legion stuff? Didn't you say you were a missionary? How did it all start?" He asked while picking at something under his fingernail. Perhaps he was nervous I would get upset with him for drudging up the past.
"That's a simple question with a rather complicated answer, Tex…" Members of the Dead Horses had started to wander into camp to turn in for the night. "Let's take this conversation inside; it's getting dark."
We sat ourselves at a worn wooden table. The Courier presented me with a pack of yellowed playing cards and began to deal out hands.
"I hope in telling you my story that you can learn from my mistakes so you do not make the same ones." I said while looking at the hand I was dealt.
Tex nodded and motioned for me to continue. I was glad that I had changed my bandages earlier in the day- I wasn't going to get the chance that night.