Author's note: First off, thanks for even considering reading this story! Each chapter will be short and sweet, and I plan for it to not go over oh, say ten chapters.

Constructive criticism only, please! I have a tender heart.

This first chapter will pretty much follow the quest "One for My Baby", and that's it, just to get the story situated. Our Courier is based off all the smart-aleck dialogue options that I was afraid to choose in my first run-through, for fear of everyone beating me to a pulp.

Have certain quests that you would like to see in this story, leave a comment or send me a message, and it will be considered!

For now, this will just be a one-sided romance (Courier likes Boone, Boone doesn't really give a damn) and will probably stay that way, unless the story directs it otherwise, or somebody can provide a good argument that Boone could get over Carla, and fall for someone else.

M for bloodshed, violence, cursing, sexual situations, and all that good stuff.

I DO NOT own anything except most of the prose here. All characters, places, items, etc belong to Bethesda Softworks. I'm not getting paid for this.

On to the story, enjoy!

"Molerat men, come up from the Underneath to steal young women with promises of riches and mud mansions with all the latest designer appliances!"

Creaks in the Courier's beaten leather and rusted steel armor sounded reproachfully at her shifting her weight. Molerat men? Somehow the Courier didn't think the strange sniper, Boone, would accept that, and neither did she. Rex seemed pleased with this intel though, the cyborg-dog's even panting continued happily.

But No-Bark had mentioned the run-down excuse for a hotel, and that was a far better start than hunting down anthropomorphic mole-men. The Courier bid him adieu, leaving No-Bark's mannequin-infested shack with echoes of "If anyone asks, we never spoke" trailing behind her.

A few strides over the colorless cracked pavement later, the Courier was in the Dino Dee-Lite lobby. Immediately she was set upon by the elderly landlady, Jeannie May Crawford.

"I hope you're finding everything to your liking" Jeannie twanged out, small eyes blinking behind the overly large glasses. The Courier made courteous small talk and sat on the blotched couch that must have been a crisp white at some point. Running a hand idly over Rex's smooth, flickering brain case, the Courier attempted at nonchalance while scanning the room. Eventually Jeannie left, but not before casting an odd look to the Courier.

'Right back atcha' the Courier thought and stood, awakening Rex with her footfalls as she crossed the lobby, sending stray linoleum panels shooting across the dirty floor with a kick of her equally dirty boots. As per usual, Rex sat up and let off several sharp barks, informing the Courier that he was, in fact, awake. The Courier narrowed her eyes and scolded him quietly, to which Rex wagged his tail, the canine's whole body rocking with delight.

Kneeling down near a promising-looking safe, the Courier reached behind her head. Her fingers knotted in the tangled locks until the tips brushed against metal. Fingertips grasping, she pulled the bobby pin until it snagged on a tangle and – with a small sound of annoyance – the Courier jerked it out. She plucked most the dark stray hairs off and worked the lock with the tiny piece of metal. A victorious click emanated, and the Courier sorted through slightly- bent forks, crunched packs of cigarettes and bottle caps until spying a neatly folded piece of paper. As she read the "Bill of Sale", Rex thrust his head into the safe, sniffing audibly.

The Council Officurum…

purchased from Jeannie May Crawford…

the exclusive rights to ownership and sale of the slave Carla Boone…

and those of her unborn child…

The Courier remained crouched, eyes boring on the phrase "unborn child". She was awakened from this reverie when Rex – not understanding the atrociousness this small scrap of paper communicated – began investigating it with his damp nose.

Immediately standing, the Courier jumped the gray desk, knocking an overstuffed green dinosaur plush off in the process.