He did not acted appropriately, Charon knew that. But the moment he saw the little girl in Kate's arms he had completely reverted. Despite knowing Kate was happy, knowing that she loved him and chose to spend her life with him, that baby made him question everything. It was what she deserved, but what he could never give her naturally.

There had been several times his confidence in their relationship had faltered, but none had been enough to convince him he had ruined her. So, instead of opening his arms to the little girl with no family or anyone to protect her, he made her his biggest enemy. Besides, what kind of child, even an orphan would want him for a father?

It hurt to see Kate look at him like the monster he always considered himself to be. He knew she was confused, angry, but most of all hurt. Despite knowing it was selfish of him to deny her the one thing she wanted, his insecurity kept him grounded. What should have resulted in happy and tearful embraces brought upon a screaming match and the biggest fight they ever had. Worst of all, her father witnessed the whole thing.

Of course the baby came back to Rivet City with them. Charon, although he had tried never expected to win. Kate didn't order it, but she made it clear to him that the choice was her's to make. They didn't speak the whole way back. When they returned Kate gave him one long hard stare and slammed the door to their room in his face.

James, surprisingly wasn't angry with him. Instead the two found themselves in the Muddy Rudder drinking.

After his first and Charon's third, James turned and said, "I know you're scared."

Charon rarely felt scared, but this time that word didn't cut it. He was terrified, even more so after pushing the only person he loved away.

James sighed, "I was too when Kate was born. I didn't know if I could be enough for her."

Charon just looked straight ahead, studying the interior of the room. How did he always end back up at a shitty bar? Was it fate trying to tell him that Kate was too good for him? That, despite his best efforts, he could never give her the life she needed? The thought made him drink more.

"Kate's too excited to consider your feelings...not that either of you have done a great job with that today." Normally Charon would lash back at a comment like this, but its James. And he's right.

"You know she loves you. She just wants the two of you to settle down once all of this is over."

All Charon can think about is how he's not the right man for that. No child deserves the burden of being stuck with him. Even Kate's dealt with it for long enough. Once again the doubt seeps into his mind. He pictures Kate with someone less dead-looking. A real man that could give her as many children as she wanted. All with her dark hair and eyes. None of them would look like the little girl they picked up, blonde hair and blue eyed. She might as well have "I'm not their's" tattooed on her forehead. As if his condition didn't say that enough.

In their current state, they would both have to live a lie.

James tried to keep him their, but Charon had to get out. He had to leave the Rudder, the City, everything. He wanted to go as far as he possibly could. The last thing he heard James say was, "You're her father."

Charon bolted out of the city, only stopping at the bridge when he felt a strange absence. His shotgun. He had discarded it at the room, shorty before his girl had kicked him out. He scoffed at himself, if he could even call her that anymore. Charon doubted Kate would want anything to do with him after the way he acted. Even more reason to leave.

With a heavy feeling setting in his heart he retreated back into the city. He very well couldn't run from his problems without protection. When Charon arrives at their former room, he finds the door still closed, but surprisingly unlocked. Something about that doesn't make sense, Kate isn't careless. Without giving it much more thought he opens the door. He doesn't find Kate, but the hotel's Mr. Handy.

"Where's Kate?" He growls, concerned someones hurt her in his absence.

"Sir, I was instructed to watch the baby while Miss Kate is out."

Charon looks past the robot to see a small crib, the little girl placed inside. Her small eyes peek over at him. Something in Charon's stomach turns.

"I'll watch her." He says feeling stupid, waving the machine off. As much as he hates her he wants the robot gone, and he can't leave her alone. And really, Charon knew he could never leave. The contract, and his own feelings keep him their.

The Mr. Handy attempts to argue, but ultimately leaves Charon with the baby. I am her father after all.

The ghoul pulls up a chair and prepares himself to wait for Kate to return. Despite knowing he can't leave, Charon grabs his shotgun and returns it to its rightful place on his back. It at least helps him feel a bit normal.

Charon attempts to ignore the feeling of the little girls eyes on him. He tries staring at the ceiling, the floor, anything but her. Finally, he has nothing left to distract him, he stares back. Her eyes are even more striking than he remembered. Something about them reminds them of his own. The thought makes him shake his head. Charon gets up, unable to sit still any longer.

When he rises and turns his back to the girl, she makes a strange cooing noise. Charon turns back to look at her, surprisingly smiling face. She coos at him again, stringing together incoherent noises.

Something makes him walk over to her crib, something he's surprised Kate was able to dig up so quickly. This is the closest he's been to the little girl since they hauled her back from the ruins of DC. She's not a newborn, and while she can sit up she doesn't appear to be old enough to walk. When she smiles again, Charon can see a few teeth seem to be pushing their way in.

The baby attempts to stand, arms reaching for the top of the crib to support her. But just as he suspected, she has yet to take her first steps. Her attempt is met with a hard fall to the bottom of the crib. Despite it being padded, the little girl wears the saddest look on her face before bursting into tears.

Charon isn't sure if its pity, or pure idiocy that causes him to scoop her up, cradling her in his arms. Once she's in his arms, he has no clue what to do. His mind races and once again he feels like the shouldn't even be here. This is not his child, he shouldn't be holding her.

But the little girl smiles and reaches for him, her small fingers brushing the rough skin on his face. Charon stays still, frozen, wondering when the sight of him up close will cause her to cry again. Poor girl doesn't realize the monster holding her is her supposed father. He can only imagine what she would say if she could talk.

The little girl continues to smile, her soft fingers touching and exploring his face. Charon is careful not to startle her, even when he breaths. He watches, just as curious about her as she him. After a while he notices the little thing begins to slip, even his strong arms have gone lax holding her weight. Without thinking he pulls her up, almost bouncing her. Immediately he worries he's hurt her. Something in her face changes, for a split second the curious smile is gone. Before he can convince himself to put her down out of her own good, the smile comes back twice as wide and the baby giggles.

Instinctively, Charon does it again. She laughs a bit louder the second time. He does it again and again, wanting to keep her happy. The little girl is in fits laughing and giggling when Charon realizes a smile has broken out on his own face. Again he wonders if this is all wrong. She may like him now, but if he stays, this little girl will have to grow up with him. Charon has felt bad enough about burdening Kate, but she chose him. This child didn't.

She would only end up resenting and hating him for taking her in. He knew that as she grew she would be the laughing stock of those around her. She too would catch the same shit Kate always has for being associated with him. Charon can see the future children of Megaton bullying her because she is his child. Then there is his contract. She would be another person he'd have to worry about hurting if anyone else got their hands on it. Then theres the fact that he just doesn't fucking believe in himself. Charon shakes his head, he can't taint innocent lives anymore.

Charon looks at her hard, feeling a bit of regret as he places her back in the crib. He doesn't know what to do with her. Maybe him and Kate can find her a good family to live with. Or Kate can send him away if that's what she wants. He prepares himself to find out and go looking for the woman he loves. Charon decides he will ask the robot to come back and watch over the girl while he's gone.

He turns his back to her a second time, mind running wild with the day's events and what will come. Before he can even take another breath a loud cry shakes the room. He turns back to see the little girl struggling to her feet, arms clinging to the railing of the crib. Tears are running down her cheeks, her desperate wails filling the room, her hands reaching out for him.

Without a second thought he turns on his heel and scoops her back up. He's quick, but careful not to hurt her. The little thing doesn't stop crying, but puts her arms around his neck. Charon tries everything he can think of. He pats her back, bouncing her up and down like before.

"It's okay..." he desperately rasps as his chest tightens, "It's okay...I'm here...your daddy's her-"

It feels like everything hits him all at once. His throat closes and his chest gets even tighter. Charon holds it together as long as he can, he doesn't cry often. But he feels it, whatever it is. This love for the small thing he holds in his scared arms. He couldn't leave her alone. He couldn't let her feel the way he always had. She's not his by blood, but he can't help feeling that she's his for a reason. In the end he decides he'll just have to do his best for her and hope that its enough.

After a while he gets tired of standing, he holds his little girl with one arm and removes his shotgun with the other. He knows he could have put her down, she fell asleep a long time ago. But this time he holds her for his sake, not hers. Charon rests back into the chair he pulled by the crib, letting his daughter sleep on his chest.

He wonders what life will be like with her until he hears soft footsteps and the opening of a door. Charon turns his head to see Kate, a soft smile on her face and wet streaks covering her cheeks.

"I see the two of you made up." She whispers with a sniff.

He smirks, she always gets her way, even without trying. It would bother him if he didn't love her so damn much.

"How long have you been out there?" He asks, rubbing the little girl's back.

Kate's voice wavers, "A while."

Charon smiles and motions for her to come over. Kate wraps her arms around his neck and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Charon enjoys the warmth of her breath against his neck as the two stare at their sleeping girl.

"What's her name?" He finally whispers, knowing Kate already has one picked out.

"Violet." She sighs, "I named her Violet."

AN: I just felt like writing this out! I know this whole situation is mentioned in my main Violet fic but I wanted to do it justice. Also in that fic it says it took longer for Charon to come around...guess i'll have to change that! lol. I hope everyone enjoyed it!