A rough hand was planted on my arm, bringing me from my slumber. I groaned, not wanting to wake up. My hand moved to brush away the hand on me, earning a small chuckle. "Hey, you told me to wake you up in a few hours," Charon`s voice told me. I groaned again, slowly sitting up. The ghoul stared back at me, giving me an accusing look. I simply rolled my eyes, standing. Or at least, attempting to. Dogmeat was still on my feet, so I fell face first onto the floor. Both of my companions jumped, Dogmeat jumping up right over me to lick my face all over. Charon just shook his head, and reached down to help me up. I took his hand, letting myself get pulled up. Once standing though, I stumbled a little, running into Charon's chest. I looked up at him, to apologize, and met his face quite close to mine.

It seemed like time just...stopped. I stared at him silently, my eyes wide. His grip on my arm didn`t soften, leaving me stuck there. My eyes drifted to his lips, and then mentally cursed. That`s stupid. Why would I even think about kissing him? He'd probably just be revolted, I thought to myself. Shaking my head, I slowly pulled away. "Sorry," I mumbled, moving past him to go upstairs. He didn`t reply, but just followed me up the stairs. The hound lay at the top of the stairs, watching his master. I sat down at the table, Charon across from me. Wadsworth came in, bearing two plates. On them held each a Brahmin Steak, and some vegetables. While I start to eat immediately, Charon stared at his food for a while, before going to touch it. He took his time to eat, but he knew no matter how much time he took, I would wait for him. Maybe that was why he was being slow today. Maybe he was trying to prevent something. Either way, I don`t question him.

When he did finally finish, the robot servant took the plates to wash and put away. I watched him for a moment, sighing. Charon raised a brow muscle. "You alright Sam?" he asked, a little concerned apparently. It surprised me, for one thing, that he called me 'Sam', as he usually never did. "Yeah, just reminded me of my...childhood," I mutter, frowning. Charon put a hand over mine, since he knew what it was like. To me, being locked away in the vault was pure torture. I had always read about the outside, always dreamed of it. Now that I was here, well...I never regretted leaving.

Shaking my head, I ran a hand through my hair. He pulled his hand back abruptly, looking embarrassed. I stood, and went back downstairs to change. Charon stayed up, just sitting there, toying with his gun. Downstairs, I changed into a newer dress I'd found while roaming. Wadsworth had cleaned it, and with a little, modifications, I found it perfect. It was a vivid red, the fabric hugging my legs lightly. I`d cut a slid up one of the legs about to the knee, so I could still kick someone's ass. I threw my hair up in a messy bun, a few of the electric blue curls falling around my face. Yeah, my hair was bright blue. They went well with my eyes, which were a smoke-y blue. It was odd. The outer was a dark blue, the middle light, and around the pupil, dark again. My lashes were long, and outlined my eyes perfectly.

"You planning on staying up there all day Sam, or are we going to do something productive?" Charon called, a hint of humor in his voice, but mainly outrun by irritation. I laugh, and head down, after pulling over, and his eyes went wide. I blushed, worried I look bad. "...How do I look?" I ask quietly, staring up at him from my thick lashes. He seemed at a loss for words, really. I took that as an answer, and blushed brightly. I sighed and turned to change. Charon grabbed my hand, spinning me around. I squealed, looking up at him.

"You look...beautiful," he told me, stilling holding onto my hand. I blushed brightly, looking down. Charon just opened the door for me, letting me walk out. I looked down at myself, still blushing. The dress was dirty, obviously, since it was here, in a crater, dirt all around. I filled it pretty well though, maybe a little small.

Charon followed behind me to Moriarty's, trailing behind. I could feel a tension coming from him every time someone wolf whistled, but I just blushed. I hoped it didn't look slutty or anything. Opening the creaky door to Moriarty's, Charon and I headed in. When the door shut, Gob looked up, and just about dropped the glass he was cleaning. Even Nova's eyes went wide. Before Gob could speak, Nova launched forward and embraced me in a hug. I smiled, letting go.

"You look stunning, although who you're dressing up for it beyond me," she laughed. I blush, looking down. Nova smiled, letting me sit down. Gob froze for a moment, before coming over from th back of the saloon. I smile at him gently, taking the whiskey bottle from his hands. He sheepishly smiled, watching me. I took a sip from the bottle, sighing.

"You alright kid?" the ghoul asked, concern obvious. I nod, and he smiled, taking back the bottle once it was half empty, from full. I groaned in protest, hating when he got all protective father on me. Before I could say more, someone came up behind me and pulled me off the stood. I gasped as a very drunk Leo kissed me. I growled lowly, but gasped again when he pushed me into a wall.

"How about we leave this dump and head back to my place?" he slurred, winking. I almost gag, looking at him in disgust. He pushed his lips on mine, taking me by surprise. Angered, I shove him back, basically throwing into the table. Charon had his gun out, the barrel trained on his head. Nova and Gob slowly backed off into the back room. Leo's eyes were wide now, but he didn't really assess the threat.

"What, zombie, you gonna shoot me? Moriarty will kick your ass outta here so far you'll be up at Canada before you come down!" he screamed, drawing attention. I launched forward, knocking him back again. He moaned in pain, and I stood. Leo stood up, and suddenly, drunkenly, pulled out his pistol. Charon took a step forward, threateningly. Moriarty ran forward, very angry.

"Leo! Get your ass out of here!" his Irish accent shouted. Leo scrambled to get out. Colin shot me a glare and left. Charon put a hand on my shoulder, making me jump. With concern, he asked; "are you ok Samantha?"

I slowly nod, and move forward to go find Gob and Nova. As I enter the back, I hear Gob speaking.

"I just...I don't know Nova. I love her, but she's found that...other ghoul. He's obviously a much better choice for her. He can protect her, what can I do? Serve her fucking drinks?" he said, obviously crying. It broke my heart completely. I heard movement, and froze.

"You don't know she'll go with him. He stays with her because she has his contract, she told me in a letter," Nova replied. It was true, I had actually. I asked her not to tell Gob though. Gob sighed, "Just talk to her, I'm sure she'll understand. Samantha's a kind person, she won't hit you," the prostitute reasoned. Gob sighed once again, leaving me with a terrible feeling. My legs forced me forward. My hand raised, and knocked on the door. There wasn't a reply at first, then Nova opened the door.

"Can I speak to Gob?" I asked. Nova looked behind her, then slipped beside me, leaving. I looked at Gob with a small, but sad smile. Slowly moving forward, I embraced him in a hug. His rough arms circled around me as I hid my face in his shoulders, tears falling.

"Shh, it's ok kiddo," he whispered, rubbing my back. I pulled him closer, crying. I missed you so much," I whispered, all conversation I heard earlier forgotten. "It hurt to see the Underworld and not have been with you for so long," I told him, a little unsure why I was so emotional. Slowly Gob led me onto his bed. I fell beside him, clutching his hand. He rubbed my back reassuringly, whispering soft things in my ear. I shut my eyes, my shakes slowly deceasing. I could feel Gob's body rigid, but didn't ask why. I just relaxed with my head on his chest. His even breath lulled me into sleep.

-X-

"Samantha!"

Gob called my name, waking me. He sounded panicked, but I should have been more worried. I could feel air rushing around me as I got picked up.

"What the hell did you do to her?" Charon growled at Gob. I was confused, but kept my eyes shut. "I didn't do anything! One of my wounds re-opened. It just bled on her, I swear!" he yelped. I heard shuffling, then a strangled gasp.

"If I find her hurt, I will fucking hunt you down," Charon growled lowly, dropping something heavy, probably Gob. I felt myself being picked up again, making me yelp.

"Shh, it's just me," Charon whispered in my ear. I wiggled out of his grip, and dropped beside Gob. He looked up at me with fear-stricken eyes. I turned to look at Charon. My anger grew, and I knew I shouldn't lash out on him, but I couldn't help it. "Charon! Go back to my place, and that's a fucking order," I growl, watching him leave after a hard glare at either me or Gob.

Turning back to Gob, I saw the blood on his shirt. I looked at myself, to see heavy bleeding on my shirt as well. "Oh god Gob, what the hell happened?" I yelped. He winced slightly, and then looked up at me. "Moriarty..." he trailed off, like it answered it all, which it actually did. I frowned, lifting his shirt to see the wound. If he could blush, I'm sure he would have by how he nervously shifted. The conversation him and Nova had came back to mind, and I frowned.

Focusing on Gob again, I found some make –shift gauze and bandage, wrapping the wound. Gob winced, gripping my arm. I worried for a moment he wanted me to stop, and then realized he was just in pain. "It's ok Gob, it's over," I whispered to him, moving my hand to grip his lightly. He looked up at me, a scared look still on his face. "Shh, it's ok Gob," I whisper again, pulling him into a hug. He leaned into my grip, shaking slightly. I hug him close to me, slowly standing and pulling him to the bed. He followed willingly, sitting on the bed. He shut his eyes, shaking his head slowly. I lightly rubbed his back, smiling slightly at how the roles seemed to be switched from earlier. I told him gently to get some sleep, lightly kissing his forehead. He smiled lightly, going into a light sleep. I headed downstairs, and asked Nova to keep an eye on Gob. She frowned, stopping me for a moment.

"What's up Nova?" I ask, a little worried. She hesitated, and smiled lightly. "Gob is like, a brother to me. I care for him, no matter how much I don't show it, and, um..." she trailed off, giving me a hopeful look. "Hurt him and I die?" I suggested. She smiled in relief, and laugh. "Yes, that," Nova nodded. I nod firmly, then turn and leave. I head back to my house slowly, worried to meet up with Charon again.

When the door opened, I couldn't hear anything, just Wadsworth. Not even Dogmeat ran to greet me. I called Charon's name. No reply. Worried, I went upstairs to find Dogmeat, dead on the table. His head was chopped off, blood all around it. I screamed, backed off. A rapid knock was heard a few moments later. After no answer, the door burst open, and two men rushed in. Lucas Simms, and Jericho. They looked confused, then saw me, shaking against the wall. Jericho led me out of there, taking be downstairs.

"Come on, I'll take you to Moriarty's. Probably safest place for you," he said gruffly. I almost laughed, seeing as how I just left there. Nodding though, I let him take me there. Gob and Nova were downstairs, behind the bar, looking nervous. Gob ran forward, and embraced me in a hug again. I was shaking incredibly bad, worried like hell. Gob pulled me to a chair, Nova pulling a bottle of vodka from the shelf and placing it in front of me. I thank her, but I am much too shaky to pick it up, much less drink from it.

I looked up at Gob, scared. "W-what if Charon k-killed D-Dogmeat? W-What if some t-took the contract!" I cried, my shakes even worse. Nova looked over at Gob warily, rubbing my back. I kept rambling to myself, freaking out to myself, muttering, looking down. Lucas came in a little while later, slowly giving me a small note. I take it, but the words are blurred from my shaking hands.

"Come on Sam," Gob told me softly, taking me up to his room. I sat slowly on the bed, my entire body wracked with trembles. I was scared for Charon. What if someone worse than Ahzrukhal took him? I couldn't stand that though, and hid my face in Gob's chest, crying badly. Gob embraced me tightly, reassuringly. I couldn't help but wonder what happened to Charon. I then remembered the contract was in the lock box in the bathroom. If it was still there, Charon had to be nearby. It filled my heart with hope, as I looked over at Gob. He raised the remnants of an eyebrow, motioning for me to tell what I was so happy for. I told him my theory, and he nodded. "That might be a good idea to check, let me come with you," he said. I don't protest, just nod. I stand, taking his hand and pulling him with me. Nova cocked a brow, but didn't ask anything. I made my way home with Gob in tow, not caring about how mad Colin would be. I run into the bathroom, pull the safe open rather quickly, searching for the contract. What do I find?

The contract is ripped to shreds.