Later in the wasteland…

"Hey kid!" Jericho said, "How far to Rockland?"

Nate checked his Pip-boy.

"We have about 5km or so to go, Jericho."

"Fuckin' god damn it."

Then out of nowhere a deathclaw charges and pins Jericho to the ground. Nate pulled out his trench knife, jumped onto the monster's back, and stabbed the blade into its eye. The monster roared, grabbing Nate's leg and whipped him against a rock. Fawkes opened fire with the Gatling laser, Paladin Cross fired her mini-gun and Butch fired his AK-47 (Chinese assault rifle) at the Deathclaw's feet. The creature fell to the ground with a shriek of rage. Before it could get up Nate leaped up with a super sledge in hand and with one final blow smashed the monsters skull into the rocky ground.

There was another roar and a second Deathclaw darted out from behind the rocks. Nate switched to Lincoln's Repeater, and fired. The bullet went through the creatures right eye and out the back of it's head in a spray of blood and gore. He had to Admit, for a roughly 400 year old weapon it still packed one hell of a punch. He switched to his Gauss-Rifle and popped another Deathclaw in the chest.

"Fallback to the rally-point!" Nate ordered firing another shot.

The party broke into a run and made it to the Rockland entrance. The Deathclaws backed away when they saw the force guarding the way to the tunnel. Once inside the party walked down the maintenance shaft and in to the partially collapsed tunnel. They made their way to Paladin Tristan.

"Well, well," He said seriously, "Look who's back amongst the living. Some of us were starting to wonder if you and Sarah were going to pull through."

"Good to see a friendly face, we're here to help." Nate said.

"Is that so, well it's always good to have a few good soldiers we can count on. Just a basic rule of thumb on these operations: Keep your heads down and let the robot do the heavy lifting. He can take it better then we can."

"Anything we can do?"

"I need you to keep your head on straight, no heroics from any of you, understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!" Nate and his party said in unison.

"Liberty Prime was called in to assist with the initial assault. Once we've cleared ourselves a nice staging area, we'll re-assess the situation. Come on. Things should be underway by now."

The Paladin walked off.

"You heard him, Cross, Fawkes keep the heavy weapons out at all times. Butch, you and Charon are with Jericho; keep up suppressive fire, but when ordered to fall back."

"And what are you going to be doing, sir?" Butch asked.

"I'll be back picking 'em off." Nate said pulling his Gauss-Rifle again, "You know what needs to be done, Move out."

The party snapped a salute and moved out the back. When they got out side they were greeted by a Virtibird that Liberty Prime had just shot out of the sky. After he took down the shield blockade the Enclave set up the BOS moved in, sticking to their plan of action as they cleared the Highway. They came to a large building, heavily guarded by Enclave troops, but between the BOS, Liberty Prime, and Nate's companions they didn't stand a chance. But suddenly, Liberty Prime shouted out:

"WARNING: Orbital strike imminent. All troops and Civilians get to minimum safe distance." Within a second of him saying that a missile fell and killed three knights as they ran to fall back, one of them was Paladin Tristan.

Nate and his party got away along with the remaining Brotherhood troops, but Liberty Prime was stuck in the middle of the Explosions.

After they detonated Nate ran to the head of the once great Giant robot.

"S-s-s-s-system e-e-error-r-r al-l-l power-r-r-r to m-m-memory core. LP-1 unit s-s-s-shut do-w-w-wnnnnn." And with that he was, the robot equivalent of, dead.

Nate retrevied the memory core and walked back to the remaining troops.

"What the hell just happened?" A soldier shouted.

"I don't know, all I know is that we need someone to take charge." Another trooper said.

Nate gave a sharp whistle and all the troopers looked up.

"Alight, now that I have your attention, listen up." Nate barked. "We lost four good men just now, including Paladin Tristan. That Doesn't matter now, what matters is that we defend this position, get a solid defense back up, and hold this position In the event of a counter attack. Further more-"

"Why should we listen to you? Who the Hell are you anyways?"

"I am Nathaniel Alexander Crowe, better known as "the wanderer" or "101" and as of now you will listen to what I'm telling you, or your ass is going to be tied to a Brahman and thrown to a pack of Feral Ghouls, do you get me?"

"Sir, yes sir!" The 20 troops, including Nate's group, shouted.

"Know then, the troops we lost shall be remembered once I've collected their holo-tags. The rest of you are under command of my seconds: Star-Paladin Cross and Butch DeLoria. When I return I want this position strong enough that not even a Behemoth could penetrate it. Is that under stood?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"Then get to work." Nate ordered.

One day and two hours later…

"You did well, Nathaniel, or should I call you commander?" Elder Lyons chuckled.

"Just Nate, sir. So, how's Sahara, any improvement?" Nate asked.

"Come with me, Nate."

The two walked down the hall to the Infirmary.

"Before we proceed Nate, why do you care about my daughter so much?"

"You don't care about her or something?"

That comment ended with Nate getting punched in the jaw. For an old man, Elder Lyons punched like an angry super mutant.

"If you say that again I just might have to kill you. Now answer the question."

"Well let me see here," Nate said thinking for a moment, "She saved me from those mutants at Chevy Chase North, she was the first to welcome me to the Citadel with open arms. Over the time I was here we did a lot of talking and getting to know each other."

"Where is this leading, Nate?"

"Well we found out we like a lot of the same things and I think she is the most beautiful women I have ever seen in all my life. I will not lie, sir, I believe I am in love with your daughter."

Then suddenly the door to the infirmary flew open and Sahara to come out and throw her arms around Nate took little less than a second. Then, without warning, Sahara pressed her lips against Nate's in a rough and caring kiss, which Nate accepted immediately. The moment would have been perfect had Elder Lyons not been there. He cleared his throat, then the two broke the kiss, and looked to the old man.

"Well, You to should probably talk a bit, but no funny business, if I hear anything about you two, I'll…I'll… I don't know what I'll do, but it won't be pleasant."

And with that the two walked into the Infirmary and shared another kiss.

"Glad you fell the same way, Sahara, you know what I said is true right?"

"Yes, Nate, and I love you too. You gave me the will to awaken from that never ending sleep, I dreamt of you and all you've done while I was unconscious."

Then they sat and spoke for a few hours before going to their separate quarters for the night.

Sorry if you were expecting a lemon here, but no not yet, maybe next chapter. The actual story I have planned will start either next chapter or chapter 4 or 5, depending on where and when I write the lemon. Review please. Next chapter will be up ASAP.