"Hsu got a command sent down from General Oliver's office to discharge you," Gorobets shrugged as he said this, but he looked concerned, "Because of your connection to House and the Families; I guess he thinks your history makes you a liability for the NCR right now, with the war and all. Can't worry about where you allegiance lies."

"What? Haven't I proven where my allegiance lies?" I was livid at the thought that my career in the NCR was being ripped from me after all that I'd gone through, "Where does General Oliver get off saying I might not be faithful to the NCR? I'm a god damned First Recon sniper and got there faster than anyone ever had. I deserve my spot in the army, I worked damn hard for it. How dare he?"

Gorobets stood from his chair and tightly gripped my upper arm, "I know, Leanne. You're a damn fine sniper and it'll be a great loss to the Recon, but I can't do anything. My hands are tied in this. I tried convincing Hsu to demand you stay on, but he agrees that your past might hurt your commitment."

"I sighed and looked down at my boots; they were pristine, spit-shined this morning. I had heard that there was a call from the Dam about me. I was hoping it would be a promotion to Second Lieutenant, even though I knew I was still too green to even be considered for the position.

"Kid, go do what you have to do. We all know what happened to you back in Goodsprings must've left you with some mighty cravings for revenge. We all know what the need for revenge feels like here in the First Recon. You need to find closure, whatever that might be for you," he slid his hand down my arm to grasp my hand before pulling me into a hug.

I was barely holding myself together when he released me a few moments later, "Go pack your things, turn in your uniform. You can keep your beret and boots. Say goodbye to the squad and hit the road… but don't forget to come back and see us when all your loose ends are tied."

I left and went into the First Recon's tent to gather my things and say my goodbyes. The squad was there waiting for me with expectant looks on their faces. Spades was the first to pipe up, "S-s-so what'd th-the Lieutenant want from you? Did the President send for you to personally become his bodyguard?" He laughed at his own joke.

"Oh, shut it, Spades," Betsy flicked his beret off his head and into the floor as she passed him to stand in front of me, "Kid, what's up? You look like you've seen a ghost?"

Betsy's calm and concerned gaze was all it took for the emotion to break through the wall I had built up. Tears started streaming down my cheeks and onto my boots. The entire squad was up and out of their seats and at my side in an instant, all gentle pats and questioning eyes. "Lieutenant got a call from the Dam; I'm being discharged because of the whole courier deal."

"Say it ain't so," Betsy chimed, "I was getting tired of being the only woman in this sausage fest of a camp until you came along."

"Apparently Hsu agreed with General Oliver that I couldn't be trusted to stay faithful to the NCR."

The squad agreed that there was no way I'd ever be unfaithful, but it didn't matter. My time with the NCR was up and I had to move on, had to finally take care of business that had been left unattended for months. I finished saying my goodbyes and gathering my things, and made my way to New Vegas on the monorail for the last time. It was time to deal with Benny.