1: Nameless Basis
A/N: This was done courtesy of the Fallout kink meme, which asked for a Courier whose name is Carla (with no relation to Boone's late wife) but keeps it a secret for fear that he'll feel uncomfortable. Angst ensues. Enjoy! :D
It was still dark when Carla finally returned to the dinosaur with Crawford's bill of sale. Wordlessly, she showed it to Boone.
"I guess it's like them to keep paperwork," he said quietly, his voice toneless. She couldn't get a read on his expression past those shaded eyes. She just stood there, waiting for him to say something.
When he remained silent, Carla spoke up. "What will you do now?"
Boone shrugged. "I don't know. Sure as hell aren't staying. Maybe I'll wander, like you."
Carla scrutinized the man for a while. He was a damn good sniper, if not lacking in conversational skills, and frankly, she was worried about what he might do if left to his own devices. Before she could stop herself, she found herself asking the question.
"Why don't you come with me?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"I thought snipers worked in pairs."
Boone considered this. After a bit of deliberation, he nodded.
"Huh...being on your own, you're a lot less effective. I hadn't thought about that. Fine. Let's get out of here."
They sat now in her Novac motel room, Boone quietly smoking a cigarette and Carla nursing a bottle of whiskey. It was near sunrise, but neither sniper or courier was particularly inclined for sleep, so they sat up, awake, staring each other down.
Finally, Boone broke the silence.
"What should I call you?" he asked abruptly.
"Huh?" Carla's head snapped up and she brushed her hair out of her face.
"What's your name?" he repeated.
"Ca-" She stopped herself, remembering the name on the bill of sale. Carla Boone. It was just sheer, dumb luck that she shared the first name of his late wife. She avoided his eyes, afraid that he would see through her.
Perfect. Just fucking perfect.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Just-" She was blushing now, she knew. "Just call me Courier," she muttered.
"Noted."
The rest of the night passed in silence.