What is Family?
Summary – James's thoughts of Scarlettt and Ben, after the battle.
Note – Season 2, Episode 6 – after the battle but before Scarlettt and company leave the Lockre.
Disclaimer – I do not own or pretend to own anything from either the Fallout games or from Nuka Break, the web-series (but I'm very happy to be a huge fan!)
"Get...our family...outta here!"
Closing his eyes, he could see Ben again – and hear that last raspy command that kept circling his head. James punched a big rock next to him, feeling slight satisfaction at the throbbing ache in his knuckles. Sure, he had gotten everyone out, that particular order had been fulfilled (twice at this point), but he knew, deep down in his soul, that there was an underlying, unspoken order to continue protecting their family. Family...
That word wasn't the problem, exactly. While he had been connected to Ben by blood, truthfully, in the Wastelands, blood was more a factor of living or dying than family ties nowadays. Just, how was he supposed to treat her if he didn't know what type of family Scarlett was?
Had there been a bud of romance, cut down before it bloomed? Was Scarlett a proto-Clem? Eventually, going feral aside, would Ben have had another ring, gently clinking on his chain?
James snorted. The trigger ring from a gun, maybe. Scarlett didn't seem the type to want fripperies, and a marriage ring would pale in comparison to a weapon made just for her trigger happy hands. Maybe even an energy weapon...but practicality didn't dismiss the idea of marriage, and what usually came with it. Scarlett. Naked. With a ghoul who was more like a father than a great great...
His mind went down that path for only a minute, but it was enough for him to shake his head quickly, running a hand through his short, curly hair.
"Eye bleach, dammit." He muttered, reaching for a cigarette. "And some brain bleach too, while I'm at it."
A flicker of light, then a deep, calming breath. There were other types of relationships too, he reminded himself – he didn't need to think of that particular one again for a bit, at least until his brain could stop supplying pictures to match.
Was Scarlett like a sister instead? One watched over by a protective, morbidly joking older brother? Not knowing her before, James wasn't sure if the snark and sarcasm had come before or after joining up with Twig and Ben. Well...Ben at any rate. Twig being sarcastic would be like meeting a Deathclaw who spoke both eloquently and elaborately.
But in Eastwood, she had been the one cheating at cards...and while card shaving didn't necessarily equate to sarcasm, the two did often go hand in hand. And she was too fluent in it to have picked it up recently...on the other other hand, she had known to give Ben space to talk with him when he had first appeared, even going so far as to hold back Twig, and that was a very sisterly gesture.
Or, could Ben have been more like a father? A replacement for Ron? James hadn't missed their reunion, even in the midst of grief – that pair were definitely father and daughter, even to the point where Ron had needed to outline what should be done after Ben had died, the correct path to walk on. Scarlett wouldn't have listened to Twig, let alone an unknown ranger who had held her back when Ben sacrificed himself. She had needed Ron, who had thankfully pierced Scarlett's despair so that she would finally listen to the rest of them.
Maybe it was something else entirely...the funny and crazy uncle who was always there to help you out?
Or...than this was a tiny flutter of a thought that grew along with the cigarette's ash...had Ben deliberately left it open? Using the word "family" instead of any other specific, relationship defining word?
James could be the older, protective, snarky brother.
James could be the protective, crazy, always-there-with-a-hand uncle.
James could be a father figure, guiding her, protecting her, showing her the right path.
James could be the romantic, friendly, protective boyfriend...or even husband, with time.
On the road beneath his vantage point, Scarlett, Larry, Twig and that other girl were walking up the trail. Reattaching his helmet, James angled his bit of broken mirror, giving a small grin as only Scarlett picked up on it.
He would catch up with them, maybe in a day or two. Heading in the direction of Goodsprings, from there he had already greased enough contacts that he would know whichever direction they would choose.
But for now, a descendent's task awaited him, with time aplenty to decide which way he wanted to go afterwards.
For once, he wouldn't be simply tracking or chasing. He would be making his own way.