On Thin Ice

Chapter 2: Mistakes make friends

Hancock nestled himself deep into one side of his favorite couch. He had just finished a small trip of Jet when he decided to light up a cigarette. Nothing was more pleasing then a good trip and a cigarette. Well most things weren't as pleasing, except sex and a cigarette. His attentions perked when he heard the door open downstairs. The Mayor wasn't expecting anyone this late. Most of his guardsmen remained fairly quiet during this time. Those coal black eyes darted over to Fahrenheit who seemingly wasn't even phased about their guest. It must have been one of the citizens wanting to beg for chems. Yet the very person who had walked into his room caught him a bit off guard. It was the Vault Dweller.

Fahrenheit had promptly gave the mayor the news shortly after Bobbi had broken into his warehouse. It didn't surprise him the Vault Dweller had been swept up into Bobbi's escapade. She was no stranger to slinking around in all the dirty paths. Yet he chose to not get his, lack of nose in her business. So long as it didn't effect him or anyone innocent. If she chose to play dirty, she chose to play dirty, it was her business. Dragging others into it was not acceptable. Specially in Goodneighbor.

Fahrenheit looked over to see the lone woman standing in the doorway. Pulling herself off the wall, the red haired woman excused herself from the room and proceeded to walk down the hallway. Ruby watched briefly before turning her attentions back towards the Mayor. She was surprised to see him so relaxed. Seeing him motion her in the room, the woman slowly pulled herself closer, her palms gripped tightly in small fists. Moving over, she slowly sank down into the couch acrossed from Hancock, it was surprisingly comfy. Unlike the couch that rotted in her old home back in Sanctuary. Running her hands down her thighs she took in a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.

"Look, I'm sorry about breaking into your warehouse with Bobbi… if I would.."

"No, she had no business sweeping you up into that mess like that, sister." Hancock interrupted her.

Ruby was immediately surprised by his revelation.

"You kept your cool, nobody got hurt. Nothing got stolen. To me, you are fine in my book." The Mayor smiled, tipping his head.

"I have to be honest with you, I was not expecting this." Ruby laughed weakly.

Hancock didn't say a word, leaning back against the couch, he flicked his cigarette and took a drag, those dark eyes gazing over Ruby's thin form. The woman was slowly growing more comfortable, he could see it in the way she stopped fidgeting with her own fingers, her eyes grew more soft. The Mayor didn't wish to keep a tight leash on anyone, what you did with your own life was your choice. He firmly believed in that.

"I've been lookin' for an excuse to leave Goodneighbor, I think you just gave me a good reason." Hancock leaned forward, smiling warmly at the woman.

The woman's face turned pale, if it could lose anymore color she would be transparent. Raising an eyebrow, Ruby glanced at him sideways.

"But you're the mayor, can you just leave?"

"Look sister, I'll always be the Mayor of Goodneighbor, whether I am here or out there. Besides, nobody in power should be sitting in comfort for to long. I should get the boots muddy and the guns hot."

Ruby only laughed, this particular Ghoul had a distinct sense of humor, a bit morbid but she was beginning to admire that about him. For what little time she had spent with him. She knew him tagging along as a companion was going get interesting quick. Ruby was going to appreciate his company though, she needed that unique set of charm in her day.

"Well if you don't mind running around getting shot at with a ex housewife, then you are more then welcome to join me." The woman tipped her head.

"Sounds like my kind of freak-show." Hancock smiled warmly

#

Ruby was leaning against the side of the dresser in her motel room, Her boots sitting near the base of the bed. The woman had been mulling over what to say to Nick. She felt guilty about the thought of sending him back to Sanctuary alone. The woman knew the old detective could handle himself, though it didn't help her nerves. He had been practically glued to her side ever since meeting him in the abandoned Vault. Like Codsworth, Nick had been a good helping hand out to the woman, being her moral compass was what she needed during these trying times. The woman was only just beginning to get a handle on the world. She still had so much more to learn though. With Preston Garvey practically making her General of the Minutemen, Ruby felt even more at a loss. She knew many had relied on her, though it gave her a small sense of purpose outside of finding her son. Something she never really had before, not even in her work. Straightening herself up from the dresser, Ruby moved over to her bag and pulled out a worn hair brush. She knew it would take up space when she picked it up off a feral ghoul but it was the little things like hair brushes and a clean set of cloths that made you feel just a bit more human. Running the brush through her dark hair, the woman winced softly as the teeth of the brush dragged against the growing knots. Pulling the brush down and away from her hair, Ruby glanced at herself in the broken mirror hanging lopsided on the wall. She tossed the brush against the dresser and dragged her fingers over her face. Nate would have been disappointed to see how far she had let herself go.

No..

Now wasn't the time to go thinking about her dead husband. Nate was no longer alive, that no longer mattered. Ruby had left that all behind when she saw the last little bits of life drain from his eyes. This wasn't time to be looking back. Dropping her hands down against the dresser, Ruby dug her fingers into the soft wood, those dark eyes glancing back up into that cracked mirror. Her own gaze scared her, she was no longer that lawyer, she was no longer that house wife, she was no longer that mother. Ruby was slowly turning into a monster. Pushing herself off the dresser, the woman softened her eyes, her right hand reaching up to her pale colored face. The woman still had fresh gashes running down her face, without proper treatment, they were taking an awful long time to heal. She gained the beauties during her fight defending the Minutemen. Preston had recommended she jump into a suit of power armor to take on a force of Raiders. Little had she known, a Death claw decidedly join the fight. The woman was able to take out the Raiders easily, but the Death claw was something else entirely. Not knowing how dangerous the creature really was, she stupidly ran after it, only for the retched creature to knock off her helmet and gash her acrossed the face. Ruby was very surprised she didn't lose an eye in the process. Though it was her daily reminder of her very own stupidity and to not go jumping in without properly preparing first. A lesson she learned rather quickly. The woman did admit though her gashes did add a sense of bad-assery to her once innocent looking face.

Sighing inwardly, Ruby broke her train of thought and picked up the hair brush once more. This time she was more gentle in brushing out her hair. Her dark tresses always seemed to glisten when she finished brushing them. Her attentions snapped to the door, hearing it creak open. Lowering the brush, the woman turned her small form. Her dark hues glanced up to see Nick walk in, those golden glowing hues gazing back at her. Smiling over at him, she leaned back against the dresser, placing the brush down and crossing her arms in front of her. Nick was just about as emotionless as ever. The old detective was hard to gauge at times. Nick always seemed so deep in thought, just observing. Most likely observing the woman. Ruby was sure he was just as curious about her as she was about him. The two never talked much initially, that until Ruby had to talk about her dead husband and missing son. Then Nick always seemed to hold a pitying attitude towards her. Ruby never wanted pity though, she just wanted to get things done.

"Nick.." Ruby's voice dropped.

"Well don't keep me in suspense." Nick tipped his head, his synthetic brows pulling up.

"I need you to go to Sanctuary. It's time we part for now." Ruby dropped her arms down by her sides.

"Well, I can't agree that leaving you is a good idea, I'll head over there. If you need me, just come and get me." Nick sighed.

Without even a second guess, the old detective walked out of the hotel room, leaving the woman a bit curious as to why he never asked why she wanted him to head over. Though she appreciated the fact he respected her wishes. Sanctuary was a safe place, she knew he would be ok there. The woman considered Sanctuary home, at least for now. It felt wrong going back to see her own home blown apart into a skeleton. For now though it would do the job, until she could set up a home all of her own.

#

Ruby sat alone on a bench just inside the gates of Goodneighbor. She packed up her personal belongings and had her trusty rifle at her side. Keeping everything in a small light pack, the woman was beginning to learn quickly that you wanted to travel light, and only have enough supplies with you to last a few days. You kept everything important back at home base. Reaching up, Ruby rubbed one of her eyes, before dropping her hand back into her lap.

"Tired of me already?"

A voice from behind spoke up.

Ruby turned herself in the bench, those dark hues resting on the form of the one and only Mayor Hancock, a big smile spreading acrossed her face.

"You took to long." She snarked back.

"Humor.. I like you already!" Hancock chuckled walking past the bench.

Ruby stood herself up, her feet almost aching knowing about the long travel she was going to have in front of her. At least she had humor for company. Hancock opened the gate to the outside, following him through, Ruby closed it behind her. Taking lead, the woman walked a bit ahead, pulling out her rifle just in case something if anything decided to attack. Her dark hues observing the tall buildings surrounding around the pair. Walking along, Ruby hears a voice from her pipe up. It was John making small talk.

"So.. Do you've got a ride of choice? I'm a mentats ghoul myself. Makes me feel more intellectual."

Ruby only smiled. Turning her head a bit to gaze back over her shoulder she gave a gentle no.

"Never really been big on chems. Liquor.. is more of my choice of.. poison."

"You were pretty drunk when I offered you work." Hancock chuckled.

"Drowning away the sorrows." The woman sung.

Silence fell between the pair once more. Ruby had never really been one for small talk. The woman even so many years ago was quiet. She would never say a word unless someone spoke to her first. It was a respect issue, something Ruby grew up learning from her mother.

"So, sister.. Where will you be whisking the Mayor off to?" Hancock piped up.

Ruby began to slow her pace, waiting for Hancock to catch up, she turned her head over to him, now walking in time with him.

"I.. decided to take things into my own hands with the Minutemen. I overheard Preston talking about taking back the Castle eventually. It's along the East coast. I would like to take it over so then the Minutemen can have a decent base of operations. Something a bit better then Sanctuary." Ruby sighed. "I am the General after all." A small smirk tugged at the sides of her lips.

"Look at you taking charge." Hancock smiled warmly at her.

"I'm just winging it, after all." Ruby laughed.

#

The pair ended up making good time with their quick pace. Ruby noticed that whenever she traveled with Nick. The old detective preferred to take a slightly longer path, hiding in the trees to avoid what conflict they could. Hancock on the other hand, charged right into battle, guns ablaze. Taking gentle steps along the broken road, rocks would pop and crack underneath the pair's boots. Ruby walked slightly ahead of the Mayor, her eyes vigilant. Hancock had better hearing then her so he kept a better ear out. She was the eyes and he was the ears. Keeping her rifle tucked close to her, the woman looked up into the sky, stopping in her tracks. Leaning her weight to one leg, Ruby looked back at the Ghoul.

"I think we should camp for the night, it's getting dark out." The woman's brows rose.

"Good idea."

Ruby turned her head back around, her dark hues gazing off into the distance. Abandoned, wrecked homes and office buildings dotted the landscape of the Commonwealth. Finding shelter was not a hard task to do. Trailing off the path, Ruby began wading through thick brush. Her boots pushing the dead plants down with every step. A small warehouse caught her eye. Looking back over her shoulder, the woman smiled.

"What do you think about that warehouse there?" Ruby inquired.

"Looks fine to me." Hancock's voice was soft.

Nodding, Ruby turned herself back towards the warehouse and pulled her rifle up close to her chest, readying it just in case she needed to clear out the worn out building. Ducking down a bit, the former lawyer trudged forward, keeping her footfalls light but quick. Hancock followed her motion, keeping himself low to the ground. Ruby ran up along close to the wall, keeping her form tucked to the side tightly. Quickly moving up to the door, she knelt down on one knee and reached slowly up to the handle. Her thin fingers wrapped around it and slowly pulled back the door. The woman could feel her heart hammering. Clearing out unknown buildings had always been stressful on her. She never enjoyed the thought of an impending battle. Leaning back up a bit, the woman rushed into the building, her rifle held up tight against her shoulder, her finger hovering over the trigger. Yet to her surprise, and relief the small building was empty.

"Well no wasted bullets tonight." Ruby turned herself just enough to gaze over at Hancock.

The mayor waltzed into the warehouse, lowering his shotgun to his side. His dark eyes gazed around, taking in what could be seen. Walking over to one side of the warehouse, Hancock lowered his pack off of his shoulder and dropped it to the floor, placing his shotgun down on top of the pack, turning himself back around, his gaze was immediately met with Ruby's. The woman didn't turn away like most would when caught staring, she only gave him a warm smile and leaned her weight over to one leg. Yet just as quickly as he caught her staring at him, Ruby moved herself out of his gaze and placed her backpack down along one of the corners of the tired looking warehouse. Sighing inwardly, Hancock leaned back against the wall and pulled out a cigarette. His dark eyes continued to follow the woman's movements, taking in how she carried herself, how she was so observant and curious. It was like watching a child discover the world. Lighting up the cigarette, Hancock took in a long drag, blowing out the smoke in small quick puffs.

Ruby sat down next to the wall, her dark hues gazing up at Hancock. A warm smile spread acrossed her face.

"Hey I just want to say thank you for hearing me out again." The woman continued to smile.

"It's not a problem sister." Hancock returned the smile, taking another drag from his cigarette.

Authors Note

So the first few chapters might be a bit of jumping around going on until I can get a plot fixed. I don't want to follow the game to closely with it. Until then Happy Reading!