Chapter Two

Charon awoke to a slim body slipping over him. A pale leg brushed by him slowly and he reached out idly to graze his fingers across her calf when a sharp gasp brought him full awake.

"Evelyn! I- My most sincere- I'm so sorry!" He stuttered, horrified.

"Relax. You just tickled me. I didn't mean to wake you." Evelyn replied, tearing into the can of pork n beans she had ordered the night before. "Eat some breakfast if you want. Then we will head on over to see Tulip. You need some new shit as bad as I do."

Charon was silent as he gulped down the Salisbury Steak. He couldn't recall his last meal. Generally he didn't eat until Azrukhal remembered to allow it. Azrukhal wasn't very good at remembering. He quickly finished all that she had provided him. He looked up to see her watching him sadly.

"Been a while huh?" She asked softly.

"Yes." He answered stiffly.

"That guy was a piece of shit. You're gonna eat when I eat Charon. This is a partnership. Okay?" She stated firmly.

"Thank you Evelyn." He said, surprised at how genuine his thanks was. This girl seemed to have good intentions. Only time would tell if those intentions would remain good. The wasteland had a way of killing the good in people.

"No problem buddy. Let's get rollin. Got a lot of shit to do these next couple weeks. Getting ready for that big trip I told you about. You sure you up to it?" She asked as she pulled on a pair "sort of" clean leather pants. A loose fitting black shirt completed her outfit.

"Where you lead, I shall follow." He answered her blankly. She sighed.

"Of course. Don't bother getting that armor back on, it's in shit condition. We can get you some new shit when we go pick up the supplies from Tulip. I need some new combat armor myself." She said as he went to pull on his armor. So he pulled on his boots, lacing them up quickly.

She pulled on her own boots and moved for the door. He reached out and grabbed her arm. She gave him an agitated look.

"What?" She snapped.

"Please allow me to leave the room first, I want to look for possible threats. It is my duty to ensure your safety." He requested.

She rolled her eyes but nodded. "If you insist."

Charon slung his shotgun onto his back and exited the room, examining the immediate area. He saw no immediate threats and informed her that the area was safe.

They made their way downstairs amongst stares and whispers of the locals. Everyone had heard what had happened to Azrukhal. Charon was accustomed to being stared at, being nearly seven feet tall. Evelyn seemed unfazed. She smiled and greeted everyone brightly.

Tulip looked dighted to see Evelyn but her smile faltered when she saw Charon. "Hey human. Good to see you back!" She called out.

"Tulip you need to stop being so gorgeous. You might steal Charons heart!" Evelyn teased the shopkeeper. "Hell, you might steal mine!"

Tulip let out a raspy giggle. "Are you here to buy? I hope so. Got lots of good shit from Quinn."

"Tulip my darling, not only am I here to buy out all your ammo, I need to fully outfit Charon. Got anything that might fit him? We need armor, clothes, boots, maybe some sexy pajamas? I dunno, but we want it all." Evelyn winked lewdly at Charon. "We will be here in underworld for about three days. If anything new shows up let me know."

Charon paid little attention to the women, choosing instead to thumb through an old magazine. Tumblers Today was boring but informative. By the time he finished reading, Evelyn was wrapping up her transaction with Tulip. She started handing off her neatly folded purchases to Charon, who took them immediately.

"Charon, if you could be a dear and run these up to our room?" Evelyn asked sweetly. Charon simply nodded in response before swiftly disappearing out the door.

He deposited the pile of things on the bed, paying little attention to what the stack was comprised of. He needed to return to Evelyn.

He returned to Tulips shop but Evelyn was gone. He scanned for her quickly but there was no sign of her. His alarm grew when he realized he had no idea where she would go. His eyes darted around, searching for her.

"Lose something Charon?" Winthrop asked him conversationally.

"Have you seen Evelyn?" Charon asked, glowering down at the man.

Winthrop seemed unperturbed. "She went into the Chop Shop. Probably getting some medical supplies." He said.

Charon nodded and made his way to the clinic. He opened the door and Evelyn glanced his way. Seeing him she fully turned and smiled. "Charon! I thought you'd be in our room. I'm just buying some supplies from the handsome doctor, then we can head up." She said, flashing the ghoul a bright smile.

Charon watched as she skillfully bartered with the old man. She had a silver tongue, that was for sure.

They exited the clinic and Charon immediately voiced his opinion on her little disappearing act. "It is my duty to ensure your safety." He began. "I cannot do that if you do not tell me where you are going or at least let me escort you to these places. There may be danger everywhere."

She looked surprised. "Charon, I didn't go far. Honestly, it's Underworld, not The Mall. No one is going to hurt me here. Besides, I'm armed, as always. I've been out of the vault five years now. Give me some credit." She said.

"You are from a vault?" He asked before he could stop himself.

She sighed. "Yes. Vault 101."

His eyes widened. "You're the one-"

She groaned. "Yes. I'm the one Three Dog never shuts up about. That's why I'm leaving. My work here is beyond done."

He was surprised. All of the Capital Wasteland knew who she was. She had scoured the land for her father, doing good deeds along the way. She had taken on the Enclave and won. She was a hero.

He followed her upstairs to their room. She had much less bounce in her step now. He frowned. He hoped he hadn't upset her. She perked up at the sight of all the stuff lying on the bed.

"Oooo Charon I want to show you all the stuff I got!" She squealed happily.

She held up a small stack of shirts, all black. "These are for you. Tulip says they are huge and will definitely fit you."

"Thank you Evelyn. They are very nice." He said. She stared at him expectantly.

"Well aren't you going to try one on?" She asked after he stared at her blankly.

"Oh." He said. He stared at her shyly. She made no move to look away, not noticing his discomfort. He sighed and removed his shirt.

"Holy crap Charon! You're skin and bones!" She exclaimed. "Well, uh, muscle and bones anyways. You need some meat on you!"

He didn't have the skin to show it but he felt his face get hot. He quickly pulled on the black shirt. It was indeed big enough for him to wear.

"Looks great!" She said softly. "We've just got to get a few pounds on you and you'll be breaking hearts in no time."

He didn't reply, staring down at the floor.

"Charon?" She said.

"Yes?" He answered, not looking up.

"I'm gonna do my best to make you healthy and happy okay?" She said.

His eyes found hers. "My happiness is irrelevant. As is my health. As long as I live I will serve you. You are my employer." He answered dully.

"It's not irrelevant to me. You're my partner." She said firmly. "Now take a look at THESE bad boys. Tulip calls them lounge pants. I have some too!"

Charon gazed at the black and white checkered cloth in disdain. "Lounge pants? They look like a tablecloth." He grumbled.

She laughed. "Yeah? Look at mine! Pink and green. I'm pretty fabulous."

She tossed him the pants. She pulled down her own pants quickly and Charon turned around, his face burning. She laughed again.

"Oh shut up, like you haven't seen underwear before. Put yours on." She admonished.

"Evelyn. I- would you avert your eyes?" He asked.

"What? Why? I wanna see how they look!" She said, confused.

"Yes. Well. You see, I do not have any undergarments on. And I do not wish to disgust you." He said, staring at the ground, his face aflame.

"Ohhhhh. Well lucky for you, Tulip had six pairs of boxer shorts. Soooo here are those and I will be facing thataway. Lemme know when you're ready." She said, tossing him a pair of the aforementioned underwear.

He had never dressed more quickly in his life. And at roughly 235 years of life, that was saying something. He cleared his throat and she turned around.

"Look at you!" She crowed. "Lookin all lounge-y. You'll be excited to know that the rest of the shit I got for you is manly armor and boots. Got myself some manly ass boots too. It's a shame I've got such huge feet. Tulip had some really pretty little slipper things."

He looked down. "I see nothing wrong with your feet." He observed out loud. She laughed.

"Thanks Charon. Ya sure know how to woo a girl." She grinned at him. "Greta is bringing some lunch. It's about one now isn't it?"

She didn't wait for his answer, instead opting to open a bottle of whiskey and take a long drink. She grimaced and held out the bottle to him. He took it after a moment and took a small drink.

"We are so not even leaving this room today!" She declared, reclaiming the whiskey. "We are celebrating our new pants!"

Charon just stared at her as she swallowed down the whiskey. No good ever came of a woman drinking that much, that fast.

"Sit with me Charon!" She giggled. He obliged, sitting a respectful distance away. She tilted her head to the side. "Do I smell bad? Bet I do. M'sorry." She said after a moment.

"You do not smell bad." He answered, nonplussed.

"Why the hell you over deer, ahem, there for?" She squeaked out.

"I am respecting your personal space." He answered simply.

"Oh. That's nice of you. Thank you." She said, pulling herself together a bit. She crawled over to Charon and flopped down, her head on his lap. Enormous brown eyes, slightly glazed over, looked up at him. "I'm not so good at personal space. I get melony. Melocolony. FuckIT. I get lonely. I like havin you here." She babbled.

"I am pleased that my company pleases you." He said. Charon was amused with how quickly she had fallen under the whiskeys spell. Less than an hour and the girl was sloshed.

A knock at the door surprised her. "Ooo company!" She squealed. She pressed a second bottle of whiskey that he hadn't even seen her open into his hand. She rolled and hit the floor with a thump. She hopped up immediately and threw herself at the door. She flung it open with a wide smile.

"Greta! You gorgeous woman, how'd you know I wanted a romp?" Evelyn giggled lewdly.

Greta laughed. "Smoothskin, you couldn't handle me."

Evelyn pouted, then glanced at Charon. "'S okay, I've got all I need in my bed." She said slyly.

Charon would never get used to blushing. He was a grow man after all! He took a drink. Evelyn paid Greta for their meal. Some sort of meat on a skewer that smelled amazing. Evelyn took two skewers, passing Charon the remaining four. They ate in a comfortable silence, Evelyn leaning up against him.

It took about an hour for the whiskey to take its toll. Evelyn started getting sleepy. She fought it, but in the end dozed off. She was still leaning against him. Very gently he moved her up the bed and rolled her onto her side. Just in case.

She slept for three hours. In that time he cleaned all of her weapons and looked through the things she had gotten him. All expensive, all in great shape. He pulled on the new boots, excited at the prospect of having no holes in his sole.

Evelyn awoke with a groan. She stretched and sat up. He looked at her passively from his place on the floor. She peered down at him with a grin.

"Been busy?" She asked.

"The weapons are clean and I am wearing my new boots. Thank you for everything." He answered with a small smile.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"I feel fine, why?" He answered.

"I'm feeling lazy. Come lay with me?" She requested. "We can sleep until dinner."

Charon rose, carefully removing his new boots. "If that is what you wish for me to do."

"Ya know? I do. Lay with me and sing me a lullaby." She grinned.

"I do not know any lullabies." He answered dryly.

"Well that's a shame. Guess you'll just have to lay here and talk to me." She mused.

"What should I say?" He asked as he slipped into the bed next to her.

"Tell me about before the war." She said.

Charon told her about everything he could remember. From ants that were only an inch long, to giant green fields full of apple trees, Charon kept talking until he was sure she was asleep. He wouldn't admit it, but he was very pleased when she moved over to snuggle into him. She surprised him.

"Bet you had a beautiful wife." She mumbled.

"No. I have never been married." He replied.

"I can't believe no one snatched you up. Even without skin, you're beautiful." She said.

Charon remained silent. He felt oddly proud. He reached up to brush his thumb across her cheek.

"Thank you." He whispered softly.