After the Smoke Clears...

Author's Note: Yeah, I've got Fallout Fever and I've got it in the worst way. Anyway, first fic posted on the site. I decided to write the fic taking place after what happened between the NCR and Legion at Hoover Dam. For some reason, I couldn't figure myself writing a companion story, so I decided to make the Courier a supporting character.

Disclaimer: I don't won Fallout, it belongs to Bethesda and Obsidion (originally was owned by Interplay) so don't sue me for it! I only own the OOCs!

Chapter 1: New Companions

The Courier, aptly named Sam, lowered his glass and sighed as he looked over at his two new companions in the Lucky 38. He had recently escaped Big Mountain (Big MT), and found them along the way, a little worse for wear, and tired. They said they were from the Commonwealth, even further north, and advised them to stay far away from the place at all costs. One of his companions was Alex, a brunette who seemed to hit on him, and he learned to ignore, considering he wasn't attracted to anyone of the same gender, and the second was Rho, an African-American woman who said that she hadn't worn a dress in a long time, and confuses things from time to time. Both of them had wondered around the crater, trying to travel over it and walk away, but it was too steep, so they helped Sam deal with the Think Tank tasks, and then they went their separate ways after being teleported back. So, now they were back, and had some news from back east. Of course, it was more stress than he was willing to take on at the moment.

"Didn't anybody ever tell you two about the Legion up north?" asked Sam

"We parted ways really quickly." Answered Rho, "Didn't really have time to check up on the what's on the horizon while travelling back east."
"Either way," started Alex, "We're stuck, and with two things of bad news to tell the NCR."

Sam quickly drank his vodka down, giving his drink to Vic, who took it away from him, and stepped off his stool. Rho flexed her back, showing off her large chest and flat stomach. Sam took a quick glace at the Ace tattoo that was on her left hip, which he always wanted to ask about, but Rho always deflected certain questions about her. She then bent down and dusted her boots off, holding her cowgirl hat with one hand.

Not much had changed in terms of the strip. People still came and gambled, and they still lost out and got "escorted" off the strip, but this was under NCR rule, something that the three families weren't too happy with, but they were allowed to carry on like they usually did. Sam, himself, had the Lucky 38, and his other companions who seemed to stay sometimes, and travel on others. The only companion that seemed to keep him company was Arcade, which usually meant the two of them were drinking and discussing whatever Pre-War book he happened to read, or whatever else was happening back in Freeside. Then, came Boone, who protected Novac, but the town didn't need his protection that much, considering in the past year, more settlers have been moving to the small settlement, especially after the Legion made splinter factions and been capturing people to add to their numbers. He once mentioned to Sam that the NCR needed new recruits, and sending some to Novac would be spreading them too thin. When he told the settlers this, they didn't seem to care, taking up arms themselves and keeping watch for feral ghouls, and helping the Bright Brotherhood protect their homes. Boone had once confided in him that his place didn't feel much like home, but he shrugged off the idea of staying in the Luck 38 permanently.

Cass worked as the Lucky 38's bartender (and somewhat resident drunk) from time to time, but she was busy taking care of the Crimson Caravan, something that surprised Sam, but she did a good job taking care of routes, and properly protecting her people She also took some interest in Ringo, even though he planned to stay in New Caanan. How she was even able to stay sober enough to be in a committed relationship was anyone's guess. Sam hadn't heard anything from Lilly, except that she was in Jacobstown again, and receiving her treatment at half-doses. Rex was always the ever-vigilant dog that kept Sam company, but he sent him with Arcade, back to Feeside, not wanting him to get hurt in the fighting, and to meet back with Roxie, whom he met back in Big MT. He was pretty sure The King wouldn't mind having two dogs…and a bunch of puppies running around. Raul also frequented the Lucky 38, making repairs, but spent most of his time making repairs around Old Mormon for the Followers of Apocalypse. He often swapped stories with Beatrix, and was her drinking buddy. Veronica had settled in being a protector for Goodsprings with a few of the Brotherhood of Steel members that had taken up leaving the bunker for good as well after the battle of Hoover Dam. Goodsprings had been a great change for them, living the slow and steady life, and not suspicious of people who lived on the surface.

When Sam, Alex, and Rho had reached the NCR Embassy, they weren't expecting much from Ambassador Crocker when they told their story, but it helped to have some credibility with Sam being their friend. Of course, when the subject of how they got such information came up, Alex came up with the excuse of overhearing some Legionnaire deserters talking about the warring factions, and that the deserters had also talked about the inclement weather. Crocker said that they would take their concerns into consideration and talk to the appropriate people, then brushed them out the door. "What an asshole…" muttered Rho

"We did the best we could." Said Sam, "The NCR's already spread pretty thin as it is."

"Still doesn't give them the excuse to brush you off like that." Said Alex, "You saved the wasteland so many times, they should feel privileged that you've at least given them the warning and they should act quickly."
"Maybe there's something we can do if the NCR won't act quickly."
"Like what, handsome?"

Sam rolled his eyes and took a glance over at the Lucky 38. "We can't fit everyone in the wastes there." Said Alex, "Besides, we won't get any privacy."
"Knock it off…" groaned Sam

"He needs to get laid, " whispered Rho, "you know any gay guys you can hook him up with? He's been driving me crazy since we got here."

"Just one…" Sam whispered back

"So what now, handsome?" asked Alex

"I need to see a few friends in Freeside." Answered Sam, ignoring the flirting

"You actually have friends there? Most of Freeside are a bunch of junkies."
"A few friends."

The trek back to Freeside seemed to be a short one, but his two friends seemed to notice how much admiration the people on the strip had for Sam. Freeside, not so much, but they did notice the kings either whistling at Rho, or shouting out compliments at Sam for his heroics.

The Followers of Apocalypse made Rho's head spin. It was almost like being a time capsule, remembering her childhood of going to different camps before all of the madness in her life started. Raul and Beatrix were in usual high spirits when Sam greeted them, and he led Alex to meet Juile…and Arcade. Rho took a back seat to sitting next to the two ghouls. "Where did he find you two?" asked Raul

"In Big Mt." answered Rho, "Long story but, just glad to be out of that creepy place. Too bad we can't go back east…"
"Back east?" asked Beatrix, "What's back there?"
"Alex and I are from back east…waay back east."

"Like Texas or something?" asked Raul

"No. Think more like "Delaware" and "Pennsylvania." Eastern Commonwealth."
"Eastern Commonwealth? You parents slavers or something?"
"No! My Dad was a doctor and my mother was a lounge singer!"

"Lounge singer?" asked Beatrix, "The whole Eastern Commonwealth's got nothing but raiders, slavers, and rape gangs."

Rho looked at the ground at that statement. Was she really that much out of the loop? "You okay?" asked Raul

"Yeah." Answered Rho, "I just miss the East that's all. I what I really miss are cars."
"Cars? You sound like us old folks. What do you know about cars?"
"Only that they used to run and getting here would take less than three months cross-country."

"You look to young to be talking about driving."

Rho looked at them with a perplexed look. "Right…" she started, "too old…"
"Hey sis!" yelled Alex

"Excuse me, I have to kill my idiot brother for yelling." Said Rho, getting up

She folded her arms as she glared at her brother. She leaned to one side, stomping one of her boots. "What's so important you have to yell from a very short distance?" she asked

"I just met the cutest blonde ever!" squealed Alex

Rho sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose "I hate you sometimes." She sighed, "You act more like a giddy girl than the farm boy you grew up as."

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a guy whose your type out here in the wastes?"

"Do you even know what-you know what? I don't wanna know."

Julie Farkas looked at Sam strangely as he talked about his plan. The first plan of using the Garrets as a supplier was skeptical, but had worked, even if Old Mormon Fort had become somewhat of a revolving door. Some had gotten better and clean, helping out at the fort, but many ended up being back on chems, and back on the streets. If this inclement weather was going to be as bad as Sam had let on, they may have to relocate for a while, even finding new ways to get around Freeside. "Do you think the kings will be accepting of the plan?" asked Julie

"Probably." Answered Sam, "I know they wouldn't leave this place. I think we might need to help them upgrade their school for the upcoming weather."
Arcade looked at Rho as she bent her arm and rubbed her elbow. She took off her elbow pad and looked at the bruising at her arm joint. "Damn geckos…" she muttered, "at least we got some meat out of the deal…"

"Let me look at that." Said Arcade

"It's fine." Said Rho, "I get bruises like this all the time. I got some home remedies I can use to alleviate the pain."

"Still, I'm a doctor. Let me look at it."
Rho hissed a bit as he glided his finger down her arm. "You've got a bit bruising like you said, but your bones feel off." He said

"The gecko whipped its tail at me." She said, "My idiot brother missed his shot and I had to keep him from getting hurt. Damn things can get in close if you don't line your shot up."
"Excuse me for asking but…is he really your brother?"

"Not by birth. We found ourselves in a precarious situation for many years and then ended up depending on each other in the wastes. He's the closest thing I have to a family."
Arcade wrapped her bruise up after getting a medicated salve. "Do you think there will be a nuclear winter coming?" he asked

"I'm pretty sure." Answered Rho, "The ex-Legionnaires were talking in this bar back east about it. They said their former leaders had scientists in their ranks, talking about inclement weather, and using the weather to invade New Vegas. Of course, they said the leaders were crazy, hence why they left."

"I'm not surprised. Cut off the head and the rest will desert."
"Not really…I've seen things out here, people replacing others in cold bood, it takes more than cutting off a snake's head to take care of the rest of the body."

"You are speaking in metaphor, right?"
"Of course I am. Don't you know anything about snakes?"
"Only in theory and what I've read."
"Right…"