(A/N: This was originally submitted to the Fallout Kink Meme. I decided to submit it here because, why not? Just an fyi, due to formatting the bits in this story that are italicized represent memories being relived or told aloud. I've had some interest in continuing this but that's hanging in the air right now. Enjoy!)
Even with the dirt and grime, the fresh wounds and weather beaten cheeks, Nick had little doubt who the woman was. Ripley; she was a breath of fresh air. She always had been. An ebony haired goddess who took shit from no-one. At least that was the impression he had as she stepped through the door, rifle resting on her hip.
They stared at each other in silence. Longer than Nick would have liked. He saw the look in her eye and part of him wondered if Ripley remembered him. In the back of his mind he knew it wasn't true. That look was the surprise and uncertainty of what he was. He knew he looked little like the Nick Ripley once knew, particularly with the exposed wires, glowing eyes, and bare metal hand. He was alarmed how he felt about that fact.
They made it out of the vault in one piece, though, unfortunately, they were the only ones to do so. Ripley tried to explain something to him. Ask him to aid her in a search. All echoes of the past. He convinced her to wait until they got back to Diamond City. That he'd be able to sort things out there.
Ripley was a crack shot. Nick had a feeling that he shouldn't have been surprised. There was the barest hint of a memory that it was thanks to Ripley's husband. A man that was barely there in his memories. Someone, he figured, Ripley hadn't talked much about.
"You're lookin' tired, kid. Maybe we should find a place to hold up for a few hours. Just enough for you to catch a second wind."
Ripley shook her head and shifted her pack from one shoulder to the other. "I can keep going." She glanced back at Nick, those green hazel eyes betraying her. "Besides, you're not even winded."
"And I won't be. I have no need to eat and sleep. It's all up to you."
Ripley relented. It was easy enough for the duo to secure a place to rest. Easier still for Nick to convince her to sleep. He'd keep watch. It gave him the opportunity to process the memories and rid himself of the annoyance of it all. Yet it was half-hearted. He watched Ripley sleep and let the memories play out, and the more he lingered on them the more he began to remember.
Her smile.
Her laugh.
She was genuine in her kindness and remembered how he took his coffee. He knew the kind of music she liked to listen to while working.
There were late nights going through files.
Ripley tasted of raspberries. No. She smelled of them. The scent was in her hair.
It was innocent. He said he didn't know why he kissed her. She called him a liar. She kissed him to prove the point.
It happened again. This time there were no explanations.
She looked beautiful in red. He remembers taking her on his desk. Red dress bunched around her waist and his mouth on hers.
Another time, only a room away from colleagues. Her husband. It was New Year's eve.
Nick took a drag from his cigarette and looked down at Ripley. He had the unnerving sensation of déjà vu. He knew it was going to be a difficult trek back to Diamond City.