Rated M: Violence. Language. Suggestive Situations. Possible Trigger.

Part One

New Vegas Strip

December 2281

In the haze of over abundant cigarette smoke, Vulpes Inculta lounged at a Blackjack table, choking down disgust as the grey plums circled around him. Trying to focus on his cards and maintain the unusual winning streak, that had befallen him. Vulpes' solid glare and calm demeanor, infuriated both the dealer and fellow card players. The drunken Profligate beside him, belted out a colorful tirade insults. Then stumbled off without his winnings. This gained the attention of the overly flirtatious female at the table. Her stiff curled hair bouncing as she hopped onto the abandoned seat next to Vulpes. Slyly pocketing the left over chips, batting her eyes up at the Frumentarius as she slid a chip his way.

With a sneer Vulpes, tuned into the mobsters conversation off in the far corner. Benny, the self proclaimed leader. Sat drinking and socializing with woman and men of various distinctions. The spy listened intently, ignoring the woman next to him, and her pawing. Annoyance building at her blatant stroke of his thigh. With a final hit, and bust, Vulpes cashed out. Leaving a gratuitous tip for the perturbed dealer. As he eased off his stool, a small familiar blonde pushed by. Eyes fixed with a dead focus on the unsuspecting Chairman. Recognizing her as the Courier called June, the very one he was sent to find. Vulpes slunk away to the far side of the casino floor. Situating himself to both see and hear the transaction without being noticed.

"What in the blue hell?!" Benny sat up, looking pale, arm unlatching from behind a giggling woman. His eyes going to saucers. "Heeeeeey there blondie, how'd you find me?" He shifts, motioning to his guards. "More importantly how are you not six feet under?"

"Death didn't stick.." June clenched out "And you left a nice trail." She flicks one of his cigarette butts at him.

Benny pays little attention to the discarded trash. Instead he focused on the enraged female, while addressing his entourage. "You wanna give us a moment."

The small group hurried off, eager to put some distance between them and the waster woman. Adjusting, Benny eases back in his seat, producing and lighting a cigarette. He holds the pack out to the Courier, who only snarls at him.

"Look Juni," he starts, cigarette dangling from his mouth. "Ain't nothing personal" he pulls from the tobacco. "Just business." he says blowing out smoke.

June shakes, "You. Shot me in the fucking head!" She takes a step forward, rousing the guards. "I say that's pretty fucking personal!" She choked down tears

Benny, still halfheartedly lounging laughs. Deep

and hearty. "All business, pussycat. All business." He leans forward "This reunions been fun, but it's time for you to Cash Out. Again." he pulls from his cigarette waving at his guards. "Get her out of here,"

The guards move in, June flinched stepping away from them. Hand going to her empty hip, she cursed. Panic setting in as three tall goons moved towards her. Causing her to back peddle. Straight into a solid body, startled, thinking one of the guards snuck up on her. June whirled around, to find a tall pale man staring down at her. The onset panic sucked in by his cobalt eyes. That shone with curiosity and mayhem. A new type of feeling and dread washed over the Courier.

The guards came to a stop, at the abrupt appearance of the silent man. Causing them to glance to their boss, eyes wide and bodies fidgeting. Benny sat up, humor and indifference fading away at the sight of the Frumentarius.

"Ca...n..Can I help you with something Mr. Fox?" Benny heaved out, words unsteady.

Fox? June thought, mind working through the information.… a rather intense young man calling himself Mr. Fox. The mayor's words repeat, her eyes looking up at her quite savior.

Nipton….

Vulpes…..

….looked too the mobster, A far to white smile lighting up his angular face. Benny swallowed, looking between the pair. Hand waving at the guards to back up.

"Just wishing to have a moment with Miss. Reed here." Vulpes drawled out, hand snaking down the side of June's neck.

She flinched, biting back the whirlwind of snark creeping up. Gritting out more as the Frumentarius slid is hand from her neck to her shoulder, slow and methodical. Placed so perfectly to cause both revolution and excitement..

"I think I can take it from here" he winked at Benny, fingers going to Junes hip, in a possessive flourish. "You enjoy the rest of your night, Mr. Chairman."

=

On the way out of the casino June kicked the double doors, shouldering her now returned satchel. Holstering her gun to her hip.

"I don't need your fucking help!" She pulls away from the Frumentarius hand.

Stomping away towards a planter. Her blonde hair catching the afternoon sun, As she plops her bag onto the concrete. Dirty hands rifling through its contents. Checking to see if anything was taken or replaced.

Rolling a Tops poker chip through his fingers, Vulpes leans on a solid pillar next to the woman.

"I never offered it, Femina."

He runs the chip, along is knuckles a few more times before storing it into his pocket with its brethren. The same hand going to his suit and pulling out a cigarette. He hands it to her, as one would a treat to a skittish dog.

June glances at the offering, chewing her lip. Knowing well enough that He did not smoke. Tentatively she took the cigarette, holding it between her lips. Hands patting her soiled jeans and worn duster. She lit it, sucking in the sweet nicotine. A flood of euphoria trickling down her back and arms. Breathing out a plum of smoke

"Thanks" June said, taking a seat on the planter, legs pretzeling over each other.

Vulpes acknowledged her with a small nod, one leg hiking up to press his foot against the concrete behind him.

"What was your plan, exactly?" He tilts his head. "Rip his head off bare handed, right there?" He nods at her, smile growing again "Would be rather impressive, given the circumstances."

June says nothing, lowering her look to her boots. Cheeks heating up from the burning sun. or embarrassment... she didn't know.

"Or" Vulpes starts again, pushing off the pillar. "Did you plan on seducing him?" his hand goes to her jaw. "Dressed like that?" He makes her look at him, other hand fingering the matted and dreaded parts of her hair.

"Could you have done it?" he leans in, breath brushing over her lips. "Convinced him to fuck you?"

He holds her in place, Eyes pulling her apart, piece by piece. Words untangling her sappoused thought out logic. Fueled by hate and revenge.

"If he touched you, would you take it or recoil? The very man that, left you for dead."

"What do you want, Vul..?"

"Ah." He grips tighter.

Tears stirred behind her eyes, "Mr. Fox" she swallows.

Vulpes eased his hand from Junes jaw. Fingers coming to rest on her chest. The thundering pulse of her heart sending pleasant chills to his stomach.

"Don't," she groans, flinching. Shifting away .

"Don't." his fingers trail over her clavicle."What Femina?"

"Touch me." She whispers. "Please."

He catches the dilation of her pupils, as they lock eyes. "You just hate it don't you?"

She chews her lip, breathing out as his hand slid down to the dip in her throat. June fidgets, dropping her half smoked cigarette.

"Yet, here I am. Why is that?" his fingers find her neck.

June swallows, cold running down her back. She sniffs, willing her tears to stay back. Its Nipton...

all over again...

"Quid est nomen tibi, Femina?" He had asked her.

Without hesitation in perfect Latin(like the idiot she was) answered with "My name is Juniper Reed. And you?"

With an arrogant smirk, he responded in kind with "I am Vulpes Inculta, Head of Caesars Frumentarii."

Time stopped for a moment, She knew him. Or atleast of him. Her own family being on the outskirts of legion territory. Yet her mouth just couldn't stop moving before the words. "I've heard of you," where out.

He had straightened, her omission feeding into his already raging ego. Vulpes own intrigue pushing him towards her. His fingers threaded into her hair, pulling it towards him. As he asked various questions, testing her knowledge. Touching...

Her so boldly...

As he dlid now, on the Strip...

Now, Vulpes leaned closer to June, breathing in her scent. She heard the soft hum in his throat as he took in the stench of sweat and old blood. Little did she know how the salt and copper scent roused a deep primal urge in the man. He ached to run his tongue along her neck.

"I can assist you with the Profligate, if you so wish." The slow words brought June back.

"Why." she swallows. "What's in it for you?" she met his gaze

"My reasons," he dances his fingers across her chest "are my own."

Mojave Wasteland

Somewhere south of New Vegas

This is stupid.

June thought as she paced behind Vulpes. The blazing mid day sun motivating her body to cool itself. The light fabric of her shirt clung to parts of her, that she'd prefer to hide from the Frumentarius. The worn cotton encouraging her sweat to pool under her breast and along her back. She fidgeted, pulling at the fabric. Fanning it out, in hopes of cooling off.

I hate this,

To the one side of the boulder, looking out to the desert horizon.

Stupid Benny.

And past Vulpes back again. She stared, he had changed out of his suit. Into something more waster appreciate he had said.

Stupid Inculta and his stupid face.

And back to the other side. Boots kick up sand.

Stupid me for...

"If you continue with that wasted and distracting movement, I will be forced to restrain you." Vulpes quipped from his vantage point.

With a huff and eyeroll, June plopped behind the small cluster of boulders next to Vulpes. Her eyes wandering up his aloof form, stopping at his face, eyes hidden by dark road goggles. He paid her little attention as he observed the vast boiling wasteland for their prey.

"How do you even know he'll head this way?"

Vulpes didn't turn at her question, far to fixated on his task. June fidgeted at his lack of response, and he soon sensed her eyes boring into him for ignoring her.

"If you must know, a group of dissolute mercenaries often camp just over that ridge. I believe the Chairman is somehow aware of this." He shifts his stance, focus still on the desert. "After your, actions today. I'm certain he will seek one out for hire."

June screwed up her face, anger and frustration brewing inside. A tinge of self loathing crept up her neck, snaking into the forefront of her mind.

"Pretty clever though. Even if it's sleazy." she mumbled, pulling her knees up.

This, brought the Frumentarius' attention to her. He stared, watching June work out a knotted mass in her hair.

"Do not, give the Profligate such credit Femina."

June snorted, fingers working in her hair. Green eyes glancing up at him, before focusing on the knot again.

"Just, smart is all." She shrugged. "Pulled the same thing out in Good.."

"He is a coward." Vulpes interjected, turning back to the desert. "Having others do what he should be capable of doing on his own." he sneered. " You are one woman. It is pathetic."

June shifted to her hip, so she could face the Frumentarius. The little rant poking at her nerves. A flicker of emotion peeking through his otherwise stoic demeanor.

"What's that sup…."

Vulpes abrupt hurdle over the boulder startled June. A small yelp falling from her lips as she bent away, avoiding the mans heavy boot.

"Stay here." Vulpes commanded.

"Where are you going?"

"Stay, Femina"

Crossing her arms, she watches his back "That's not answering my question!"

"Stay There" He called over his shoulder before disappearing in the distance.

The Courier, shifted to her knees. Looking for the Frumentarius. Defeated, she plopped behind the cluster of boulders. Eyes wandering to the duffel bag Vulpes had left.

Don't even June.

She turned away from it, pulling her knees to her chest. A moment passed before she glanced at it, chewing her lip.

Just a peek.

She worried her fingers, the idea itching away at her.

Real fast, he'll never know.

Looking around and over the boulders, she inched towards the worn out bag. Unzipping it halfway before peeking inside. Various types of clothing greeted her, reaching her hand in she felt around. Finding a small impressive med kit, knives of different sizes, ammo, and at the bottom.

"Shit." she retracted her hand, shoving her fingers into her mouth. "Ow"

Blood oozed from her index and middle finger. Pushing aside the other items, she discovered her assailant. A Ripper. A well used Ripper.

Digging deeper to the other side, she found different types of tender and a well maintained repeater. Disappointed she retracted her hand, fingers brushing against something leather. She stilled, hand groping at the item. A book, pulling it out, she discovered it was a leather bound journal. Her fingers stroked the front of the cover.

Mind racing with apprehension, and excitement. Looking over her shoulder again. Throwing whatever caution that remained to the wind. June opened the book, its spin making that splendid crack, one could only get from well used literature. Beautifully scrawled Latin filled the pages. Her eyes squinting, picking out the few words she did know. Scanning over the pages June discovered it was not the Frumentarius journal. It was something deeper, something religious. It spoke of ritual, and beliefs. It spoke of old practices, of sacrifice.

"Femina."

She jumped. Yelling, snapping the book shut. "Holy! Hell!" Turning to look up at the man. Then back to the book in her hands. "I…" she looked back up. "I'm sor.."

He grabbed her before she could finish, lynching her up onto her feet. Hand forcing into her hair, and began to pull her with him.

"Ow! What the fuck! Let me go!"

Vulpes jarred her head, fingers digging into her scalp. "Bite your tongue, whore."

He dragged her further, her boots digging into the dirt. As she tried to gain traction, it failed, poorly. Causing her to stumble and annoy the angry man further.

"Ow! Hey! Stop!"

Vulpes wrenched her neck as he threw her to the ground. Junes knees going into tiny rocks. He paced away from her, June looked up to yell out to him. The threat dying in her throat as she looked up at the barrel of a gun. The same gun, she'd started at a month before.

"Lets see you live through an entire clip, yeah?" Benny shook out, eyes manic.

No.

June looked to Benny, the gun, then to Vulpes. Who stood just to the side, face as empty and void as it was when he spoke about Nipton.

No

She shifted, only to get a swift tsk from the Chairman. Her stomach flipping, cold spread down her arms and back. June sniffed, closing her eyes.

Don't you cry. Don't you give either of them that.

She breathed out, mind racing.

"Looks like we are ba….."

He stopped,

June's eyes shot open. Behind Benny, stood Vulpes, his hand pressed right into the fleshy part under Bennys ribs. Blood ozed out as the Frumentarius twisted his knife, making the Chairman drop his gun. Vulpes wrapped an arm around his victims chest pulling the Chairman back.

"You Profligates"

Bennys eyes widened, at the word and shift at the other man's tone.

"And your money" Vulpes soothed. Twisting the knife again. "How you think it will undo all your" he pulls the knife out "transgressions."

He sauntered over to June, licking the blood that had dripped onto his fingers. The red liquid contrasting with his light skin and dark hair. Making him look more like a deranged daywalking vampire then a mortal man.

With a loud groan Benny collapsed to his knees, hands pressing into his wound. Skin becoming pale, and grey. He looked to June. She stared at him, dumbfounded and lost. The fear of death still swimming in her vision.

"Femina."

She startled, looking to The Frumentarius. Anger seeping up at him. He clicked his tongue tsking down to her.

"Now, don't look at me like that." He crouched down, bloody fingers trailing down her cheek. " You, are a horrible actress. You know." His fingers slid over her snarl. Smearing blood on her lips "It had to be convincing, he would have known you were faking." he cooed.

"Fuck. You."

Vulpes smirked, finding the ground more interesting than the angry woman. He breathed out, hand seizing Junes jaw. Slamming her onto her back before straddling her, inching his face forward. Hands pushing her struggling shoulders down.

"We, can play that game later." His finger's squeezed into her flesh. "I assure you, it won't be one you win either." Vulpes ran his tongue across the line of blood he had left on her face.

June stilled, her eyes glistening with tears. Vulpes catches the slight trembling of her lip, his thumb running across it. Making her whole body shudder. She choked out a sob, tears pooling out. Vulpes cocked his head, shushing her while easing his hold.

"None of that. Such a waste." He let her go, thumb wiping away tears. "Take all this Femina, and unleash it on the Profligate." He nods to Benny. Then fixes her, " You understand?"

June, to scared to speak, nods. Her locks falling from her braid. Her acknowledgment making the Frumentarius smile.

"Good." He stood, helping her to her feet. Hand resting on the small of her back. "Now," he whispered to her. "Be a good girl. And go open the present I've given you."

She felt him slip a knife into her hand, nudging her towards the groaning Benny. He caught sight of her, panic rising up into his plump features.

"Noow, Juni." Benny stammered, crawling backwards "I know you're upset, but. Let's talk about this, yeah?" He stops looking up to the Courier. "Doll?"

June stared at the knife Vulpes gifted her. The Chairman's pleading faded out. Leaving the deafening wiring static. The scent of cold fresh dirt is all she smelt. She fights off the cold creeping up her back. All to suddenly she's back there, back in Goodsprings...

On the ground, tied up, bag over her head. The clank and scrap of shovels in earth, the voices.

His voice

Someone, help me.

She wants to scream, but there's a handkerchief in her mouth.

Please. Anybody.

The salty taste of sweat, male sweat.

Don't bury me.

Shes confused, lost.

Delivery, on delivery. Kahn's. And

"We can't kill a Courier, you're nuts."

No. No no.

Her bladder relaxes, warm liquid pooling under her. Soaking the earth.

"I can and I will. Don't need loose ends."

She cried, her sobs obscured by the gag in her mouth.

Please, don't kill me...

"Hey, look whos..."

..."Heeeey, Doll."

It's his voice, again.

Except closer, in the now. In front of her, and he is scared. June refocuses on her surroundings. Finding Vulpes watching her, head cocked like a curious, cautious. Fox. Rustling, dragging weight on dirt pulled her away from the Frumentarius. Back to Benny, he held his hand out trying to placate her.

"We can make, a…" he trailed off, seeing the rage on her otherwise pretty face.

June stepped towards him.

"I can pay you!" He shrieked, both hands going up. Wincing at the movement

The Courier inched closer, standing over the man that caused her pain and anger. Now he was reduced to a sniffling pile of shit. Cold fingers caressed her waist. The rich earthy scent of the Frumentarius eased in behind her. His heat seeping into her back.

"Would, you like for me to get you started" he practically groaned into her ear. "I can" he grabs her hips, pulling her into him. "Show you, how to make him suffer" he nuzzles into her neck. "I can show you, how to fed that rage."

June, exhaled. Relaxing back into Vulpes, his warmth a subtle odd comfort for her distraught state. Without a word, she slipped the blade back into her companions hand. He slunk away, crouching behind Benny. Who fought when the Frumentarius touched him. Vulpes put the Chairman in a headlock, motioning for june to come.

"You can start here" he imitated cutting benny from armpit to navel. Before holding the hilt out to her. "Go on" he smiled.

With a nod, she grabs the blade. Before she can start Vulpes, shifts. Ripping the suit jacket off the man and tearing open his shirt. He shimmies back into his previous position. Tapping Bennys chest. Swallowing, she presses the blade onto bennys chest.

"Not to hard" Vulpes pipes up. "Just the first few layers." He grips her hand, "like this" pressing down for her.

His blue eyes shining with the type of excitement a friendless child would have, showing off his secret hiding spot to his selected new friend. It's the strongest emotion she's seen from him. She does as she's told, delighting in the sounds Benny makes. Vulpes continues to show her all the painful yet survivable cuts she can make on the man before he gives into exhaustion or shock. Once that edges in, he stops her. Moving away from the Profligate.

"Make a choice, you end him now, or you wait. Let him rest for an hour or so, and continue the same torture."

June stills. Looking from the unconscious man, to the standing Frumentarius. She wanted Benny to suffer. Suffer till he felt what she had felt. Yet, she was tired. Both men and their antics wearing her out. She was done, mentally, emotionally and physically. All she really want now was sleep, long dreamless sleep.

A.N: Like? Hate? Comment or Follow.