A/N: I do not own or will ever own anything by Bethesda Softworks or by Obsidian and Fallout New Vegas. This is just about a regular soldiers journey through New Vegas and the NCR.
(As a warning I am aware the grammar is rough at best...believe I know. If you can read through it and still make sense of it, then that's all I am asking for.)
The Fallen Sniper Part 2
Prologue
Going over the small hill Tristan spotted the ramshackle gates of Junktown coming into view. Sitting next to him was the Happy Trails Caravan driver, who urged the brahmin to slow there quick trot before turning to look at him.
"You ever visited Junktown before captain?"
Chuckling, Tristan offered the driver an amused look. "I grew up here."
"Okay...I guess I skip the tour guide then."
Leaning around the side of the caravan, he spotted his dog Hawke running beside the right brahmin. "Hawke! That's enough!"
Instantly the female dog stopped running beside the brahmin and made her way back to him. Jumping up the series of ledges, Hawke made her way over to him and sat down in front of his feet.
"You feel better now?" He asked gently patting the top of her head.
Happily barking back at him, Tristan couldn't help but smile in return. "Awe girl...no matter how bad my day can be you always know how to make me smile."
Giving him a quick bark, Hawke stood up and placed her head in his lap. Petting her soft brown fur, Tristan turned his attention back on Junktown. It had been almost five years since he lasted visited his hometown. Back then he was just trying to show his then fiance Jennifer March were he grew up. Things didn't go to well with his ex girlfriend's family or when he found out the man who took him and his sister in was dead.
Now he was back again, but this time it was for business. Tristan's old friend Brain Hawkins (now a lieutenant Colonel) had contacted him about a potential new assignment. Requesting that they meet face to face in the Crash House Hotel.
Reaching the front gates, two NCR gate guards walked over to the driver to check his credentials. Since Tristan was wearing his desert ranger armor and technically on assignment, it was best to not go around announcing his prescience to any other military personal.
"New security guard?" Asked a sergeant who glanced up to look at him.
Shaking his head, the driver smiled back down at the private. "Not exactly. More like a passenger."
Looking down at his credentials once more before looking back up, the sergeant signaled to corporal on the other side fence. "Okay your good to go Mr. Rodgers."
Taking back his credentials, Rodgers made the brahmin caravan start moving forward yet again. Entering the small town Tristan could see things had hardly changed since his last visit. Standing up, he hopped down from the caravan with Hawke quickly fallowing suit.
"You take care Captain."
"You do the same Mr. Rodgers."
Walking down the dirt road, Tristan spotted two orphans delivering mail like he and his sister use to do years ago. Taking a closer look at the young boy he realized it was his nephew Jack March. While he wasn't really relative to his dead wife, that didn't stop him from caring for him like he was family anyways.
Looking down at his watch, he saw that he had 10 minutes before he was suppose to meet lieutenant colonel Hawkins at the hotel. Readjusting his marksmen carbine, captain Walker made his way over to the duo.
Immediately the raven headed girl got the attention of his nephew the moment he started approaching them.
"Relax Stephanie...he's family."
Nodding back at him, the young girl walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. Approaching the 13 year old Tristan opened up his arms and gave the teenager a warm hug.
"I didn't know you were coming uncle Tristan."
"I couldn't tell you,"he said in an disappointed tone,"I am hear on duty I am afraid."
Nodding back at him, Jack pulled away to look down at his dog. "And how are you doing Hawke?"
Barking back at him, Jack laughed heartily as she hopped up on her hind legs and started licking his face. Laughing, his nephew made sure to play with her for a little before she lowered herself back on all four again.
"So...how are things here in Junktown?"
"Good. I finally feel like I find my place here. It's not easy like you said, but to be honest compared to my old life it's a dream come true."
Smiling, he couldn't help but relative to everything Jack said. "Well I am glad to hear it. How's my old pistol fairing you?"
Putting his hand on the 9mm pistol that had a laser sight and extended clip on it, Jack pulled out the weapon Tristan used as his personal side arm for 12 years.
"Great. Headmaster Mark Jones told me I am improving every time he sees me shoot. Although here lately I have noticed my shots have been off."
Running a hand through his goatee, Tristan held his other hand out. "Do you mind if I take a look at it?"
"Not at all."
Grabbing the pistol from him Tristan quickly pulled out the 20 round clip and handed to his nephew. Flipping the weapon around, he could see there was nothing jamming the inside of the receiver or trigger. Cocking the gun, he took aim at a nearby building. Quickly moving over to a metal street sign Tristan realized the laser sight was lagging behind.
"The laser sight is starting to lose power and therefore lagging behind. It's a quick fix at a work bench. All you need is a new battery,"he replied while reaching inside his back pocket and pulled out a 20 NCR note.
"This should cover it and then some."
Taking the bill and the pistol back, Jack offered him a smile. "Thanks Tristan."
"Don't mention it. Remember, your family...were suppose to help each other out."
It was then Jack offered him a somber look. "I know I told you before when I wrote you, but now that I am actually seeing in person I just wanted to say I am sorry about Jen."
Raising his hand, Tristan stopped him from continuing. "It's okay Jack. It's been almost 4 years...I've come to terms with what happen to my wife."
Immediately he could see that Jack thought he had upset him by bringing up his dead wife. "Hey, it's okay,"he added by reaching down and placing his hand on his shoulder,"I am not upset. I appreciate your sympathy and I won't soon forget it."
Smiling up at him, Jack holstered the custom 9mm pistol. "Well I better get back. Still got a lot of mail to deliver. But it was nice to see you again."
"Likewise Jack. Take care of yourself."
"I will."
Watching the young teenager rejoin his friend Tristan made sure to give him a quick wave before heading down the dirt street once more. Entering the Crash House Hotel, he was forced to leave Hawke inside the front lobby. Making his way over to the front counter he saw Alex Knobbs was taking care of a few guests. Meanwhile, her brother Jacob was busy giving orders to a Mr. Handy robot named 3L2 before turning to his direction.
"How may I help you sir?" Asked Jacob who didn't recognize him at all.
"Yes...I am hear to speak with Captain Whirlwind. I was told he was a guest here."
"Okay... may I ask who asking?"
"The general."
Giving him a strange look, Jacob directly him to take a seat while he searched for his guest. Sitting down, captain Walker couldn't help but chuckle to himself. It was 2 in a half a years ago a massive amount of data on the special forces of the NCR military had be comprised. It was then Tristan, Brian and 10 other field agents were tasked with retrieving the information. Following the trail of data, they eventual cornered a skilled hacker named George Washington inside a warehouse in the central trading district of the Hub.
After recovering the date intact, President Kimball and the general council made it a new mandate that all field agents were given code names. This way all possible existing information that still may be out there would be worthless and no longer pose a threat to Special Task Force.
Thanks to Tristan's years of service he was able to choice his own code name. Which happened to be the nickname that his former drill sergeant gave him during his First Recon training.
"Ahem,"said Jacob Knobbs trying to get his attention,"Captain Whirlwind will meet with you in the back booth, table 16."
Reaching inside his pocket, Tristan pulled out a 20 NCR note and handed to him. "Keep the change Jacob."
"Thank you sir,"he added with a curious look on his face before pocketing the bill.
Making his way through the tables and chairs that were in front of him, Tristan finally spotted the man he considered like an older brother. Wearing a salvaged US Army general outfit, the lieutenant colonel still managed to pull off a strong but yet calm demeanor about him.
Going inside the small booth that was tucked away in the corner of the hotel's lobby, the two STF agents could get the privacy they both wanted. Sitting down, Tristan took off his First Recon officer's beret and gave his good friend a grin.
"You and that goofy grin of yours."
"What can I say lieutenant colonel...I am what I am."
Chuckling back at him, Brian shook his head with an amused look. "It's too bad we don't have more time to just hang out, but unfortunately duty calls."
Up until the point they were forced to work together during there chase of the hacker George Washington they never each other were STF agents. But that was how the Special Task Force worked. Only the president and ruling general council was ever aware of the exact personal of STF, which helped with there work behind the scenes. Also if one agent was comprised they couldn't give up any other agents as they themselves didn't know who else was in the STF.
"I have an offer for you handled down by the President himself."
Judging by the seriousness of his tone, Tristan could see this was important. "I am listening colonel."
Taking a deep breath, Brian reached inside his overcoat and pulled out a paperboard envelope that had the NCR's presidential seal on it. "A month ago the STF team called Ace's Wings disappeared without a trace. All of there badges have stop responding, and no one has heard from them ever since."
"What were they doing at the time of there disappearance?"
"Just some scouting near Cotton Wood Cove along the Colorado River,"he said trailing off as Tristan finally understood he was talking about New Vegas.
Since the first Battle of Hoover Dam captain Walker hadn't set one foot inside New Vegas in four years. He knew the primary reason was the fact general Oliver still didn't like him ever since he saved the president's son right under his nose and got him demoted. Even when his sister Samantha married her boyfriend Charles Woodcomb, they were forced to chance venues to Dayglow as he couldn't get the proper clearance to enter New Vegas.
The mere fact that the president was overriding one of his most trusted friends and generals told him this was more than a simply one mission job.
"Your not telling me everything?"
Taking off his officer's beret, colonel Hawkins ran a hand through his goatee. "This is off the record...okay?"
"Yeah of course,"he said eagerly nodding his head.
"I only spent a week in New Vegas and already I can things have gone to hell since you were last there in 2277. Caesar's Legion has come back and now are stronger than they have ever been. With the Legion threatening there position all along the Colorado, the NCR isn't in any position to attack and are in a holding patterning across all fronts. This has allowed groups like the Great Khans and Fiends a chance to raid supply lines. This in turn has many caravan companies being bogged down at Mojave Outpost since they can't protect them anymore. Not to mention the NCR still hasn't made any leeway with Mr. House or the families. All in all...New Vegas isn't a place any trooper wants to go to,"he told him while trying his best to hide his concern in his voice.
"Um...that's a lot to take in. Do you mind if I take some time to consider the offer?" He asked looking down at the paperboard envelope before bringing his gaze back up once more.
Pushing the envelope towards, lieutenant colonel Hawkins stood up. "As usual you have 24hours to make a decision. But coming from a friend, I think you should accept it. I know New Vegas might not be your favorite destination since your wife died. But I think you should know Mr. House personally requested your prescience when he heard we were looking to bring someone else in."
"Really?"He asked with a surprised tone.
"I wouldn't joke with you about something like that."
Taking a deep breath, Tristan placed a hand on top of the envelope. "I will think about it Brian...I promise."
"Well, I hope you do. You take care of yourself Tristan."
"You too old friend."
Leaning back in the booth, captain Walker was once again forced with a decision that could change his life. Staring down at the white paperboard, he wondered if he was truly ready to return to New Vegas. The four years since his departure wasn't what he would call fulfilling work, but he still felt like he was doing some good for the people. He didn't know how long he sat there thinking about it but when he looked down at his First Recon wrist watch he realized it was time to go and meet another friend at the Brahmin Baron Casino.
For the first time in a long time Cass was anxious about seeing someone. Staring up at the neon green lights of the casino, she hesitated to go in. People have called her a number of things in the 31 years she had been alive, but a failure was not one of those. Or at least they didn't after she beat the shit out of them with her fists.
"Come on Rose...it's time to bite the bullet."
Taking a deep breath, Cassidy entered the Brahmin Baron casino. Scanning the crowds of noising guests she spotted her target sitting at a table near the back of lounge area with a relaxed looked on his face. Readjusting her rawhide cowboy hat, Cass made her way through the masses and stood right in front of him.
"So you wear sunglasses indoors now?" She asked Tristan who offered her a smile before taking off his sunglasses.
"Only when I am trying to look cool."
Shaking head, Cass couldn't help but return his smile. "I see you still got that smart mouth of yours."
"Speak for yourself Rose."
Nodding her head in agreement, she pulled out the chair that was in front of her and took a seat. "So what's with the Bounty hunter duster clothes?"
Staring down at her clothes, the cowgirl offered him a sheepish look. "I got pay the bills somehow soldier boy. Not all of us work for the military."
Leaning forward, he gave her a troubled look."From your letters I knew you had run into some hard times...but I didn't realize it was this bad."
Taking off her hat, Cass ran a hand through her medium long reddish brown hair."I am afraid it's much worse than that."
"How much worse?"
"Let's just say you won't ever see your sizable investment any time soon. In fact...Cassidy Caravans is no longer in business."
Staring at his face, Cassidy could see he was trying his best to remain calm. "How did this happen Cass?"
"I have been asking myself that same question too. The beginning of 2277 for Cassidy Caravans started off well. Our orders were full and our delivers were on time. Our reputation as a honest and fair company gave us plenty of loyal customers, who were more than willing to pay market value for food and water. But then I notice trouble was looming over the horizon."
"What kind of trouble?" He asked giving her his complete attention.
"When Caesar's Legion was defeated at the battle of Hoover Dam, the big caravan companies like the Crimson Caravan, Gun Runners, and the Happy Trails started swooping in full force. With larger resources, man power, and money they were able to offer the people of New Vegas a great rater of deliver than I ever could. In response to this, I was forced to take on new contracts at below market value just so we could even compete. But, by the year's end Cassidy Caravans saw the smallest profit margin of it's entire existence,"she told him while hoping that she didn't come off sounding too pathetic.
"Go on Cass. Then what happen?"
Taking a deep breath, Cassidy turned her gaze down to the shot of whiskey that was in front of her. "In 2278 I was forced to cut labor in hopes of stopping the steadily decline of the company. In response to me letting go some of my employee's, several backers pulled out there investment. It was then I asked you to take on there investment, giving you 25% control of my company in exchange for 500 caps a month. This was only suppose to holding measure until the downturn passed by. But try as I might I couldn't stop the decline and saw a negative profit margin for the whole year."
This next part was going to be the most difficult to tell him. While Cass never considered herself a model citizen, she did like to think her word still meant something. Grabbing the shot of whiskey, Rose downed the shot before turning the glass over.
"The last 2 years were far worse than I ever let on to you. By 2279 my labor force was a 1/3 it was 2 years ago, and you were my only investor. I tried everything I could to find more investors, but with the roads becoming more and more dangerous I couldn't guarantee anyone anything. It was then I started using your 500 caps to keep my business a float. I kept thinking if I could just hold on until things got better than I could make a quick turn around. But they never got better and by August of 2280 I knew the end had come. Delaying the closing for 3 months, I made sure to pay off my remaining employees with the money I owed them. During the last week of operation for Cassidy Caravans I sent 2 caravans loaded with supplies to pay off my last remaining debt. Unfortunately they never reached their destination and all I could do was sit at Mojave Outpost with my thumb stuck up my fucking ass!" She shouted in frustration causing several people around them to stare at her.
"What the fuck are you looking at asshole!" She shouted at a group of gamblers who were giving her a disgusted look.
Quickly turning back to there drinks, Cassidy could still feel the anger boiling in her veins. Keeping her eyes on the group, Cass didn't want to have to face him now. Tristan was her friend and one of the few people she could trust in this messed up world they lived in. He never wanted anything from her but for her to be happy. But if she ever need something from him, Tristan was more than willingly to help her as much as he could. That made this situation feel that much more worse.
"Cass...please look at me?" He asked in a soothing tone which finally forced her to meet his blue eyed gaze.
"I must admit, I am more than a little hurt you couldn't tell me the truth. The money was never important to me. I gave it to you because you deserved a chance to make your goals a reality. But more than that I thought we were friends. No matter how bad things got, you should have known you could have told me anything. We have known each other for 7 years and I would have thought that should have countered for something,"he said crossing his arms and giving her a stern look.
"I know, I know, I know,"she said pounding on the table with her right hand,"I fucking messed up. I know there's nothing I can say that make this better, but for what it's worth...I am sorry Tristan. I never meant to lie to you like that. I just didn't want to end up like a failure. But in doing so I betrayed the trust of one of the few people I considered a good friend. I didn't come here trying to ask for you forgiveness. I know that's not even a possibility. I just...you deserved to know the. And to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if you never talked to me again."
Instead of turning away from him like she did early Cassidy was determined to face him. It was high time she own up to her mistakes and this time she was going to do that no matter the consequences.
Reaching down, he grabbed his side arm and placed it on the table. "Read the engraving."
Looking down, she could see the word loyalty was spelled in all caps while the definition was engraved right beside it.
"I don't understand Tristan."
"It's not always the word that matters, but the meaning you put behind it. My wife gave this to me years ago as a gift. She told it was something that I should never stop doing. And I don't plan on stop being loyal to the people I know I can trust. Despite what you think of yourself, I know how much courage it took for you to tell me you made a mistake. It's that gentle reminder that allows me to forgive you and think none less of you either,"he told her before grabbing the auto pistol and putting back into his holster.
Cass didn't really know what to say. Never in her wildest dreams she thought this conversation would go this way. But she wasn't going to let herself off the hook that easy. Reaching inside her duster she pulled out a piece of paper.
"What's this?"
"The amount that I owe you. I kept track of it and plan on repaying you for every cent I took from you."
"Cass...you do realize that's almost 5000 in caps...right?"
Shaking her head, Rose pointed to the amount. "5,192 to be exact."
Giving her a smile, Tristan leaned back in his seat once more. "Well it turns I might have a way that you can actually pay off that debt if your determined to go down that route."
"As long as I don't have to sell my body I am all ears. I mean I am still a lady...barely,"she added with a grin causing him to chuckle lightly back at her.
"It turns I have been given a chance to return to New Vegas. While nothing is for certain at this moment, I believe I am going to be able to select my own STF team. I would like you to be apart of my team."
"Um, unless you forgotten soldier boy I am not part of the military. They won't allow that to happen."
Chuckling, captain Walker leaned forward once more and grab the whiskey bottle. Pouring two shots, he passed one to her before raising his glass. "That's where you are wrong whiskey Rose. You will be working for me and as STF officer with more than 5 years of experience I may pick my team as I see fit."
Shaking her head, Cass couldn't by give him an amused grin. "Well since you got me by my nonexistent balls, I am really in no position to argue with you...am I."
"Nope,"he said raising his shot glass,"to new beginnings."
Clanking glasses, Cass quickly down her shot and turn over the empty shot glass. "Come Rose I need to take care of few things before we leave Junktown."
Exiting the Casino, Tristan was surprised at how good he felt. Maybe that was because he was finally getting a chance to go back to the place he called home New Vegas. Or maybe it was the simple fact he wouldn't be traveling along anymore. One of the down sides of being an STF agent meant he often spent a lot of time alone. As his situation with Jennifer was unique even among the higher ranks of the military. Turning around, he offered Cass a warm smile before Hawke nearly tackled his friend to the ground.
"Okay, okay, easy girl,"added Cassidy to the eager dog,"I am happy to see you too."
Grinning at the two of them, captain Walker turned his attention once again on the street that was in front of him. Heading up the street, he turned right and entered the apartment district. Scanning the numbers on each apartments he finally found the one he was looking for.
"What are we doing here soldier boy?"
Reaching inside his desert ranger duster, he pulled a pair of dog tags and a small letter. "Just delivering the final wishes of friend of mine who died 4 years ago."
Kneeling down, he placed the dog tags and the letter inside the mail slot. Staring up at the door, he hoped Amy Granger's parents would finally understand the sacrifice their daughter made in order to keep the NCR safe.
"Aren't you going to knock?" She asked him, wearing a curious look on her face.
"Nah...Somehow I know all I would do was make things worse. It's better this way for everyone,"he told her before going down the flight of stairs to join her in the street.
Nodding her head in agreement, Cassidy gave him an annoyed look. "Are we done here Tristan, or is there another reason were still standing in the middle of the street.."
Chuckling, he offered her an amused look. "Now that's the smart ass whiskey Rose I remember so fondly. No my friend we have one more stop to make before we head back to Shady Sands."
"By all means...lead the way the captain."
Making there way farther down the street, Tristan stopped in front of Darkwaters General store. Visiting the family of his ex-girlfriend didn't go over so well the last time he came home. But he hoped this time would be different seeing how he and Trisha met up a year ago inside the Hub.
"Problem Walker?"
"No, not really. Just doing some reminiscing."
"Well would you hurry up, I am getting bored of watching you stare out in space with a glazed look on your face."
Rolling his eyes at her, Tristan pushed the door in and went inside. The general store was exactly as he had remembered it, although it looked like Diamond had upgraded the shelving and counter tops. Making his way through the rows of shelves, captain Walker spotted Diamond Stone sitting behind the counter near the cash register.
Immediately he thought this was odd. From her letters she told him she was the new mayor, usually spending most of her time in the NCR barracks, leaving Sarah and Trisha in charge of the store. Another thing that was seem wrong was at the fact there was an African American man wielding a 9mm pistol standing guard over the door which led to the back rooms.
He knew from experience Diamond never trusted guards or mercenaries. So the fact one was standing in front of the back room door raised his suspicions even further.
"Something's off,"he whispered to Cass, while picking up a box of detergent and abraxo cleaner.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know...yet."
Lowering his hand, Hawke immediately sat down on the wood floor. Moving around the last shelve, Tristan and Cass finally came into view of the Miss Stone and mercenary.
"Tristan! What the hell are you doing here?" She asked him in a surprised tone.
Before he even could answer her question, Miss Stone jumped up and embraced him. Returning the embrace, he was about to pull away when suddenly she held onto him even tighter.
"Help me Tristan. They are holding my children and grandson at gun point,"she said before pulling back with a fake smile on her face.
Returning her smile, he turned to Cass. "This is my good friend Rose Cassidy."
"Nice to meet you Rose."
"Please...call me Cass."
"Okay Cass."
"So...what brings you here?"
"Oh you know,"he said looking around the shop,"I couldn't miss all this. And besides, I really do need to clean my armor. I mean look at this scuff mark."
Pretending to laugh at his comment, Tristan turned to Cassidy and dumped his cleaning supplies into her hands. "Rose can you put these on the counter for me. I kinda want to see if they have any Nuka cola toy trucks, call it a guilty pleasure of mine."
Seeing the serious look he had on his face, Cass nodded her head. "Okay soldier boy. But remember I am not your personal brahmin."
Offering her a fake grin, Tristan made his way around to the back shelf. Pretending to looking for the toy he made sure to keep an eye on the mercenary that hadn't taken his eyes off him.
"Hey buddy, do you know where they are at?"
But instead of responding the man ignored his request. Standing up, Tristan made sure to grab one of the throwing knives he had on his gun belt and safely put into his hand.
"Seriously, can you help a guy out?"
"I don't have a clue. So stop asking me?" He fired back in an agitate tone.
"Wow...talk about rude customer service. Diamond you really should teach him better manners."
It was during that split second that the mercenary took his eyes of him to to look at Miss Stone he made his move. Remembering everything Jen had taught him about throwing knives, he flipped the blade around and tossed it forward. Bringing his attention back on him, the mercenary was suddenly hit with a throwing knife right between the eyes. Running forward, he managed to catch his body before it would have fallen back and made a loud noise.
Setting the dead body on the ground gently, Tristan reached down and pulled out his throwing knife from the man's face.
"What the hell is going on?" Asked Cassidy with one of her .357 magnums already in her hand.
"Later. Diamond where are they keeping your daughters and grandson?"
"Sarah and Trisha are in storage. Adam is being held at gun point inside the bathroom."
Nodding his head, Tristan pulled out his auto pistol. "Okay stay here. We need them to believe that nothing has happen."
Taking a deep breath, Diamond put away her saw-off shotgun. "Just hurry please."
"Hawke, protect Miss Stone!"
Giving him a short bark, Tristan turned back to the door and went inside. Upon entering they could her the voices of several men accompanied by the sobs of two women. Going along the narrow walk way Tristan spotted a man with his back turned to them.
"Yeah look at those tittes bounce!"
"Oh man your a good cock sucker!"
"Hey! I didn't tell you to stop!" Yelled a voice before a loud smacking sound could be heard echoing off the walls.
Looking at Cass, she gave him nod before they both quietly started down the hall again. Creeping along Tristan grabbed the man from behind and snapped his neck with one quick motion. Holding onto his dead body, he dragged him back a few feet before lowering his corpse to the ground.
Pointing towards the bathroom, Cassidy turned right while he continued to go forward. Peering inside the warehouse, Tristan was greeted with the horrible sights of the rape. Sarah was on her knees, nude from the waist up while being face fucked. Trisha on the other hand was bent over a table with a man fucking her from behind. A third man had his dick out and was trying to get Trisha to suck his cock with little success.
Grabbing the same throwing knife he used to kill the one mercenary, Tristan charged into the room. Approaching Sarah's rapist first, he stabbed the man under chin, forcing the throwing knife deep inside his head. Leaving the throwing knife inside his body, captain Walker spun around and fired once at the man that was raping Trisha from behind. The .45 bullet hit the man right in the left eye before exiting out the back of his head.
"What the fuck!" Shouted the third man as some blood of his dead friend had hit him in the face.
Taking quick aim he fired again hitting the last rapist right in the middle of the chest. Off in the distance Tristan could here the sounds of a heavy pistol going off, quickly fallowed by dropping of a body to the ground.
Running over to his ex-girlfriend, Tristan managed to catch her before she could fall over. "Shh it's okay Trisha."
"Tristan,"she replied weakly as he could see her face was puffy and bruised,"Yes it's me."
"Adam your okay!" Shouted Sarah who spotted Cass carrying her 7 year old son in her arms.
Taking him from Cass, she immediately embraced her son as tears of joy streamed down her face. Taking off his desert ranger duster, Tristan took out the spare .556 mags and walkie talkie before putting it around Trisha's nude body.
"Can you stand?"
Giving him a soft nod, he gently helped her back up to her feet. "I thought I would never see you again."
"I know Trisha. But I am afraid I can't stay."
Sighing heavily, she suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace. "Thank you Tristan."
Holding onto her, Tristan let her cry into his shoulder for as long as she need. Finally after a minute she pulled away from him. "Come on. I know your mother will want to know everyone's all right."
Grabbing the whiskey bottle that was in front of her, Cass poured herself another shot. Picking up the shot, she quickly down the brown liquid before setting the glass down. Leaning back in her metal chair, Cassidy use her foot to draw the nearby chair close enough to her so that she could prop up her tired feet. Looking around at the motel room that Tristan had rented for them during there lay over in Shady Sands, Cassidy couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive about the whole situation.
Returning back to New Vegas with her tail between her legs wasn't the way she envisioned that ever happening. But if she was frank about herself, most of her life was ideal either. Most nights she was content to have a bottle of whiskey in her right hand and her pistol in her left. Some of those nights she would find some company at the local tavern. But by morning she was long gone, as Cass wasn't interested in relationships or love.
She had seen first hand how devastated her mother was when her father John Cassidy never came back from one of his adventures. Her mother died when Cass was 16, but even then she spoke about how she still missed him terribly. It was after her mother's death she swore to never deal with the pain and heartache love brings. In her mind it was better to be alone the rest of your life than dealing with the pain and suffering of losing someone you cared so much about.
To her right Rose heard Hawke wake up from her nap she was having on the couch that was near the front door. Hopping down from the couch, the dog immediately sat in front of the door wagging it's busy tail. A few seconds later Tristan appeared in the doorway as Hawke immediately started running around him in an excited manner.
"That dog is too smart for her own good."
Laughing at her comment, Tristan knelt down so that he could show the loyal dog some much need attention.
"I got your favorite girl...banana yucca fruit,"he added by putting the fruit on the small plate that was on the floor for her.
Giving him a series of happy barks, Hawke immediately started eating the fruit. Standing back up, Tristan made his way over to the small dresser than Cass had already put her duster, boots and gloves on. Taking off his armor, shoes, gloves, and first recon beret, Tristan turned to look at her.
"What? You never seen a grown woman drinking before?" She asked him while grabbing another shot of whiskey and downing it in one gulp.
Giving her an amused look, Tristan took off his marksmen carbine and placed it next to her hunting shotgun along the right wall. Unclasping his gun belt, he draped it over the back of another chair before pulling out another chair so that he could sit down.
"So...what's the word soldier boy?"
"Depends on what your talking about?"
Rolling her eyes, Cassidy took a deep breath and tried again. "Don't try my patience Tristan. You forget I can still punch even piss drunk."
"Yeah and you forget I use to spare with my wife to solve our disagreements."
Staring at him for moment, Cass couldn't help but smile back at his charming grin."Your lucky I like you Walker. Or else I would have decked you with a right and then a left for good measure."
"Whatever you say Rose."
"Okay enough batter. So what's going on, are we heading back or not?"
Nodding his head, Tristan grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured himself a shot. "Yes indeed my good friend. I just got back from meeting with the president himself. I have been authorized to form my own team and deal with the situation in New Vegas as I see fit."
Grabbing the shot glass off the table, captain Walker quickly downed the brown liquid and placed the glass back on the table.
"What is that,"he said choking slightly from the drink,"That stuff is stronger than your average whiskey."
Chuckling, Cass nodded her head. "Yep...that's because I put a little moonshine in it. Adds that extra ass kicking I need sometimes after difficult days."
Shaking his head, she could see the potent whiskey mixture was already taking it's toll on him. "Man you handle your alcohol like a fucking girl Walker."
"Yeah...well you drink like an fucking old man."
"Touche. So when are you going to tell me what this big mission is all about?"
"Tomorrow. This way I won't have to tell you twice since I doubt you will be remembering much of anything, seeing how that bottle is empty."
Staring down at the bottle, Cass grabbed and finished it off quickly. "Now it's empty."
Smiling back at her, Tristan stood up and made his way over to the couch. "What are you doing?"
"There's only one bed. Or are you so drunk your seeing two now?"
Standing up herself, Rose gave a stubborn look. "Tristan were both adults here. It will be okay if we sleep in the same bed together, I promise I don't bite that much."
Chuckling, he made his way over to the bed and took the right side. Taking the left, Cassidy was now really starting to feel the affects of the alcohol hitting her system. Dealing with Tristan and stopping the rape of his ex-girlfriend's family made her want to forget for a night. It was at times like that a good fucking could cure a lot of her pain. Seeing how she always thought he was attractive and they were already in the same bed, Cass felt bold enough to try.
"Cass...what are you doing?" He asked as she had reached around his side and placed her hand on his chest.
"Shh,"was all she said before lowering her hand down to his crotch.
"Cass your drunk."
"When am I not,"she added trying to going inside the waist of his military khaki's.
"Rose stop!" He said grabbing a hold of her wrist.
"What's a matter?"
"I don't want to take advantage of you."
Sighing, Cassidy pulled her hand away from his grip. "Your not Tristan."
Turning around to face her, Tristan shook his head. "I don't sleep around you know that. Besides, I respect you too much as my friend."
Even in her drunken stupor she could appreciate the sentiment of his words. While she was still a little upset he didn't reciprocate her advances, it did allow her anger to fade away.
"Your loss soldier boy. I could have made you a man."
Laughing, he pulled the cover over there bodies and rolled over to his side again. "Goodnight Cass."
"Night,"was all she said before she finally passed out.
A/N: If you haven't read my Part One story, I recommend you do. As some of the background and characters might not make sense to you then. I welcome reviews and comments about my story. Even if it's to address my poor grammar and spelling. This story will take me a while, but I promise to finish it.