A/N: This is a series of short bits that I wrote to flesh out a FCourier/Boone romance for one of my personal Couriers, Elaine. Their interaction is the focus, not the happenings of the game's storyline. We all know what happens in game, so I didn't want to rehash all that. This was meant more like little appendices... to be stuck into the story at set points as you please. I do hope you enjoy.
Boone shifted from one foot to the other in the head of the dinosaur, doing his best to stay awake. It was difficult on slow nights. He imagined day shifts would at least be more interesting - in the middle of the night, there was rarely anything going on. He checked to see that his beret was on straight, more out of habit than necessity. Looking through his scope, he checked the horizon for threats. Cactus … cactus … coyote … wait wha- no just a cactus … he kept meaning to go out there and cut down that cactus during the day. Its damn silhouette looked too much like a person. He yawned and continued … finally, he sighted movement on the road south. Squinting through his scope, he could tell it was a woman, wearing leathers. She held a black rifle with a scope, and walked slowly and cautiously along the road north.
As she came closer to town, she paused, swinging her rifle into the sling on her back. She stood there, hands on her hips. Boone felt like she was looking right at him. He was pretty sure she couldn't see him, but still. It made him feel odd, like he was spying on her. Well, he kind of was. After a while, she shook her head, pulling off a grey bandanna and flipping her head upside-down to tussle her hair. He chuckled lightly and shook his head. Women. She tied her long medium blonde hair back in a ponytail, and carefully replaced her bandanna.
The woman started up the hill, toward Novac. She spoke with a female traveling merchant who was camped outside town; he couldn't hear what was said. She sold the merchant several items - he noticed a few handguns, sticks of dynamite. She then produced a couple sets of Legion armor and some throwing spears. Interesting. She rummaged through what the merchant had for sale for a while. She pulled out a big, floppy Pre-war bonnet hat and tried it on, smiling. She handed over a few caps and stuffed it in her bag. He shook his head again, mildly amused.
The traveler then motioned up to the dinosaur, gesturing in a confused manner. Had she seen him? The merchant replied, and the woman laughed and shrugged. Seeing her up close he could tell she was of a slight build, and maybe in her mid-late 20s. Despite her small stature, she stood with confidence, one hip slightly off to the side. He wondered if she was just putting on airs, trying to seem tough - lots of people did that in the Mojave. Then again, any woman wandering the wastes alone at night could probably hold her own - either that, or she hadn't been at it long.
He noticed a fresh scar on her right temple - previously hidden under the bandanna that had shifted when she put on the bonnet. There were older ones on her exposed wrists, as well. He decided she must be able to handle herself alright.
Why do I care? he chastised himself - he was supposed to be watching for threats to the town. The woman and the merchant finished chatting, said goodbye to one another, and the newcomer walked into Novac, out of his sight.
In the morning, Boone descended the stairs from the dino; his shift finally over, he could get some damn rest. And then do it all over again tonight. As he walked into the main courtyard of Novac, he saw the woman again, talking to Manny. Approaching the two, he noted that her body language differed completely from the previous time he'd seen her. She was stiff, and defensive, standing at a distance from Manny. Uncomfortable, even. Not a friend, I guess.
As Boone passed, she turned sharply toward the sound of his footsteps, an uneasy look on her face. She studied him, as if assessing an enemy. He met her green eyes, but only for a moment, then turned and continued on to his room without looking back. As he walked away, he heard Manny say something about the REPCONN test site and ghouls.
After entering his room, he slumped down on the bed. He probably should have told her not to listen to Manny. That asshole is going to get her killed. Ah, well. She wouldn't be the first to die out here. He couldn't help her... He shook his head, trying to stop thinking about it. He turned on the radio to dull out the noises of the people outside and lay down to sleep.