It had been a few days after their little talk when they got the call over the radio. Apparently one of the settlements was having a hard time with a group of raiders and while Blue was searching for his son, he'd called on Piper and Cait to help them. Piper had been all for it but convincing Cait had been another matter.

For after being told what she did to Piper she'd taken to staying from her. And while it had been nice having the bed to herself it also meant Cait spent a lot more time at the bar which didn't help her mood. When Piper finally tracked her down, she was collecting her winnings from one of animal fights. She'd just taken a couple swings from a bottle of beer when she spotted Piper and tried to leave. But due to the number of people she couldn't escape in time.

"Cait wait Blue just called over the radio and asked us to help out with something."

"And why the hell should I give a damn about those people?"

"Because it's good to help people." Not moved by her plea Cait took another swing reminding Piper that Cait had little to no empathy.

"Look what's it going to take to get you to help me?"

Intrigued Cait put down her bottle. "Well I could think of a couple things that could motivate me." She said eyeing Piper body.

"Anything that doesn't get me out of my pants please." She said crossing her arms.

Cait only laughed and stood up pocketing her caps and grabbing her shotgun. "Alright I'll think of something along the way then."

Their gear in hand they made their way to Oberland station where the call for help came from.

As they traveled Piper tried her best to try and talk to Cait.

The sun had just set and knowing how dangerous the commonwealth was a night they made camp in an old overturned shipping crate.

"So Cait I know you said you didn't want to talk about it and I'm not about to delve into your past, but can you at least tell me how you're feeling now that your free of the combat zone?"

Cait stared at her for a long minute her eyes shifting from anger to curiosity before changing to an angry blank. "Look Piper if we're doing this then it'll go both ways. And by that, I mean you answer my questions first."

Surprised by not hearing an immediate refusal she nodded in agreement. "So, what do you want to know Cait?"

"Why the hell are you so hell bent on talking to me? Usually people only talk to me when they want caps or to get in my pants."

From the dark tone Piper knew there was a tale there, but she wasn't going to press her. "Well honestly I'm not entirely sure, I guess it's just always been in my nature to get to truly know people. In the past I've thought people were good and trusting only for them to be corrupt. I read in an old book once that it's always better to know then to not."

As the fire flickered in their little safe spot Cait pulled out a small flask and took a swing. For the longest time Piper thought that Cait was just going to get drunk and go to sleep. But instead she extended the flask to Piper who after a moment took a small swing. She'd had alcohol before but whatever Cait had in this quickly burned her throat. She quickly handed back and tried not to choke.

"A warm bed and getting to choose when or if I fight."

"What?"

"That's what my life is now. More then what I've had in a long time. Now you'll get one more question before I get to pissed or drunk, so you'd better make it count."

Piper thought for a moment on what to ask her. She knew if she asked something to personal then Cait would either shut down completely or violently lash out at her. But her journalistic instincts were screaming at her to investigate.

So, after a very long quiet moment of the fire crackling she asked her question. "You keep saying that you want me you know… sexually and I got to know just why?"

She wasn't a prude and in the commonwealth sex and love between anyone was open. Although she'd heard stories of a human and ghoul that had made her shiver.

Cait looked at her for a minute before laughing. "That's your question? And here I though you'd try something better."

Her face burning with embarrassment Piper tired to sound firm, but it came out broken. "Please just answer the question!"

"The answer is simple. Your hot and a woman, before I…" her eyes grew distant and her first clenched for a moment. "let's just say being with a women is the safer option most of the time."

"You think I'm hot?" It was the first time in a long time that someone had told her that.

"Go to bed Piper." She left to go and place a few mines just in case.

When morning finally came and the two stirred from their slumber Piper looked over to see Cait stretching from her sitting position. From their current position it didn't take them long to find the barely populated settlement and hear how a group of raiders had taken up nearby and were demanding a large number of caps or else they'd come back and burn the place down.

Cait had called them pieces of filth and assured them they'd be dead soon. And while Piper didn't really like her tone, she was at least pleased she was helping, at least in her own way.

They pointed out the large building nearly out of sight where the raiders had taken up before wishing them luck.

Halfway toward the goal they took out their guns. Cait took point turning back to Piper. "You stay behind me and for fucks sake don't hesitate. I'd rather not have you die before I get my payment from you."

"Geeze Cait you sure know how to make a girl feel safe." She said loading her pistil and following after Cait as she snuck up on a lone watchman and beat him with the stock of her shotgun before Piper finished the job.

Once inside Piper took a deep breath and reminded herself that these people would kill her given the first chance they got. But that still didn't make it any easier when Cait kicked in a door to three of them playing cards before unloading her gun in rapid fire into two of them. Piper seeing one reaching for a grenade pulled the trigger hitting him between the eyes.

The more that they killed the more Cait seemed to lose control of herself devolving to her baser instincts and more ruthless tactics. After witnessing her blow someones head off from close range the last of them ran off with her right after them. Fearing what could happen Piper rushed after just in time to see Cait injecting herself with jet the man she'd been chasing dying on the ground.

"That all you got you son of a bitch!" she cheered shooting him again.

"Cait that's enough they're dead!"

Cait turned her eyes unfocused and red from the jet. "Damn and I was just getting warmed up."

Piper decided that she needed some time away from Cait and searched their supplies finding some caps and stimpacks. She'd also found a stash of jet and other drugs, but she quickly hid those not wanting to feed Cait's addiction. Once outside she lit up one of her cigarettes trying to calm down and come to terms or simply block out what just happened.

When Cait finally caught up with her outside the jet was fading from her system. She spit out some blood and cursed at her minor injuries before walking alongside a shaky Piper.

"Well that takes care of that then."

"Yeah, let's just go and report to the settlement."

She couldn't bring herself to look at Cait, sure she knew that Cait had issues, but she didn't think she'd happily kill someone while high.

The settlers were happy to hear that they wouldn't have to deal with the raiders and Piper gave them some caps as well as informing them that they should probably build a wall or some kind of defenses just in case.

Just as they finished talking Cait pulled Piper aside and down the hill pinning Piper against a tree. For a moment Piper was fearful that Cait had shot up again and something really bad was about to happen. But after looking in here eyes she saw that they weren't bloodshot anymore and she didn't seem high or drunk.

"I know what I want."

"What?"

"My reward, I know what I want from you."

"Cait please don't tell me you still want sex."

Instead she pulled Piper closer and wrapped her arms around her stunning Piper.

Is this really happening? Is Cait really hugging me? Their little hug continued for a few minutes Piper being unable to move under her tight grip.

Either she's no good at this or she really doesn't want to let go.

"Don't give up on me." She quietly heard as Cait pulled away.

"What did you say Cait?"

"I said let's head to the city I heard they got some pretty good food. Also I'm running low on booze and need to restock."

But as she followed after Cait she replayed what just happened.

Don't give up on me huh? Hopefully this means I'm getting through that tough shell of hers. Or maybe it's just the drugs talking, either way I'll see this through.