While no one could ever call Freeside a quiet city, it was subdued enough to give a young woman a chance to reflect. Leaning against a pile of debris near the north entrance to the Strip, she took another swig from her Nuka-Cola and thought of the people who had led her here. Doc Mitchell, who had patched her up. Sunny Smiles, who had been a teacher and a friend. The King, who lent her Rex and helped to clean up Freeside.

And Benny.

Oh, Benny. He had gotten away from her, ran off to make sure he'd never bother her again. After everything he'd done, everything he'd put her through, she simply wouldn't accept that. Not this time.

"Yes Man, Victor, good to see you. Looks like you got my package home safe," She says with a grin when she sees the two robots approaching, a figure walking in the middle of them. "Go ahead and head back to the Lucky 38, you deserve a rest."

"Of course, glad to have helped!" "You got it, partner!" The two said in unison, doing as she said and leaving the package for her to inspect.

Said package was looking around, trying to maintain his swagger but unable to hide the slight fear in his eyes. When he spoke, however, his voice was as smooth as always.

"Pussycat! Ain't this platinum? What's a girl like you need with a guy like me?"

For a moment she was silent, simply staring him down with that small, sickeningly sweet grin. "Well I needed to show you something, and you were just so far away. That wouldn't do. Come on into the Strip, I think you'll enjoy this."

She didn't need to unholster her pistol, or even turn around and add in an additional threat. She knew Benny would follow—he was one curious cat, and she could use that to her advantage.

Never breaking stride, she marched into the Lucky 38, taking Benny into the elevator and up to the penthouse. Earlier she hadn't been able to bring anyone else there, but a little reprogramming and her Securitrons didn't seem to mind. She hadn't studied science that hard for nothing. Finally turning around, she was pleased but not surprised to see Benny staring up at the large computer in barely concealed awe.

"So, what do you see? More precisely, tell me who you do not see."

There was only one answer to that. "Mr. House…wait, you—?"

"Killed him. I didn't feel like playing by his rules anymore. Caesar's Legion is completely insane, and the NCR doesn't care about the common people just trying to get by. So I figured I'd be a better ruler over Vegas than anyone else here.

"So that leads me to you, Benny. I haven't changed my mind and decided to kill you, don't worry. You're back in as head of the Chairmen, and I'm going to need you to help me out with big decision making here, especially when it comes to money—I don't think scavenging and selling everything I can spare gives me economic knowledge."

"After everything I did to you, you're doing this for me? What's the catch here, babydoll?" He couldn't keep his surprise out of his voice this time. He moved to fold his arms over his chest in contempt, but was stopped when she advanced quickly, pressing herself up against him, lips an inch from his.

"No catch. I want you to see what I've accomplished, how you were the catalyst to my greatness. You're the reason I've taken over New Vegas, your inability to shoot correctly. You couldn't even kill a helpless messenger. You met me in your room alone after only a little smooth talking, so eager to get some hey-hey that you ignored the fact I was after revenge. You let me hold you, and fell asleep without suspecting a thing. You're a terrible strategist, which is why I hold control and not you. You're powerless."

She slowly ran the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip, eyes never leaving his. "Besides, I recall you offering me a second date. And I intend to cash in. So I was a little clingy and came running after you. I doubt you have any objections—you like that, don't you? You're attracted to power. If you thought Mr. House was a human, you'd be inside him faster than you can say 'blackjack'. But Mr. House is gone, sweetie, and now you have me."

In a blink of an eye she had pulled away from him and composed herself, though that mischievous look never left her eyes.

"Now, you can either head back to the casino and tell your boys the good news, or I can give you a tour. Perhaps we should start in the suites?"

She took off without waiting, not surprised in the least when she heard Benny's footsteps behind her. Struck with a realization, she laughed as she recalled an old childhood saying.

"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back."

"You are one crazy broad, you know that?"

Not slowing her stride, she chuckles as she replies, "Oh I know. Let me show you how crazy I can get, Ben-man."