A/N: I'm a little disappointed how this turned out but also glad I could finish it. Chapter stories are not my strong point LOL also sorry for turning this into a segment thing, I did not want to go into detail of what we already know from the PreSequel.

It was strange to be back on Elpis.

Athena never thought she would have to return except for maybe helping Moxxi move back down to Pandora, that women moved locations every so often, keeps things fresh and puts her name out there for business is what she told her.

But months passed, she would get the occasional echo call, have a small chat but that was it for months on end while she did mercenary work. She would visit Scooter and Ellie, stay at the now empty Red Light bar when she wanted a roof over her head and a somewhat comfortable bed. Though, money and food started drying up, the people of Pandora weren't exactly known for having an abundance of wealth, except Marcus but she really didn't like him.

Athena was too stubborn and prideful to ask Moxxi for help or her kids, so luck (if you could call it that) would have it when she gets a message on her Echo about vault hunting on Elpis from Jack. The Hyperion goon who went and blown up the Underdome after Moxxi broke up with him, did she really want to work for this guy?

Her hunger pains and pounding headache reminded her she really couldn't afford to be picky right now, plus Jack was flashing some serious cash for this.

At least she would be able to visit Moxxi while she was there, hopefully.

Of course, things never work out as you expect them to. From the rocket that was suppose to take them to Helios getting hijacked by bandits, getting shot down by Dahl soldiers and crashing into the Helios space station among well everything else; Athena was annoyed and hoping the cash was worth this.

Though, Athena could say once she got on Elpis or crashed onto it, she didn't exactly expect to be saved by Janey Springs. At the time though, she didn't notice considering the whole suffocating from no air. It wasn't until they had gotten somewhere with atmosphere, that she noticed. Athena wasn't sure if it shown through her actions or anything really about how surprised and well glad she was to see her. While they did talk a bit, she was still on the clock and needed to get to Concordia, during that time of killing Deadlift and making her way back she couldn't help wonder where was Steph.

She unfortunately got her answer.

Athena had only known the other woman for a brief amount of time, but she could say (to herself at least) that she enjoyed her company. And from what she could tell, Janey still held that sting, both emotionally and physically if her new scars were any indication.

If Moxxi showed she was surprised by Athena being back on Elpis or that she was working for Jack, she didn't show it. She did show her concern privately once there was a moment to themselves, plus having Moxxi to help did ease some sense of anxiety Athena had with the trouble they were having with the Lost Legion.

Though there was a different problem that a gun couldn't fix.

As Athena jumped towards the next platform as she made her way towards the next area, she just had to ask. "Moxxi, not to sound… presumptuous, but literally everyone and their grandma hits on you. What about Springs bothers you so much?"

Moxxi's tired sigh cold be heard over the Echo. "It's not her that's the problem, she just… reminds me too much of Scooter and Ellie, y'know? Owns the moon buggy system and deals with junk selling, a little too close to home if you ask me."

"Oh. Sorry." Now that she thought about it, Springs also kind of reminded her of Moxxi's kids, she wouldn't be surprised if they got along if those three ever met.

"It's no trouble, sugar. It's perfect for you to make your move though?"

Athena nearly rammed herself into a wall. "W-what?"

"Oh sweetheart, you can't fool me. If you need advice in sedu-"

"NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS."

This was bad, this was all very bad.

With each new step forward they took, Jack grew more and more power hungry and if he gained control of that laser who knows what he could do with it. Killing bandits and psychos are one thing, Athena could care less about them, but he's clearly shown that he was more than willing to kill innocents without a second thought or even have remorse over it.

Athena needed to do something but what?

When everyone else had split off to finish up some job for the weird guy scientist, Athena opt out to clear out the Dahl soldiers down the corridor while they were busy. As soon as she left, she made a detour to find a empty and clear spot and called Moxxi.

She had wasted no time when the other line had picked up. "Moxxi, Jack is losing it and I need help stopping him."

"Oh. Well, perfect timing, sugar. I've been cooking up a plan with Lilith and Roland, let me fill you in."

Athena watched from up top the catwalk as Wilhelm messed with the injectors, out of the corner of her eye she kept watch on Jack. If things went as planned, the explosion from the laser implosion would be enough to not only destroy the weapon but hopefully kill Jack, if it didn't then they really kicked the hornet's nest on this one. All she needed to do was quickly and quietly make her way to the fast travel station and get the hell out of there before anyone noticed or that was gonna be her plan before Jack stopped Nisha from pushing the button. Athena froze where she stood, she could hear over the Echo as Moxxi tried to ease Jack but it proved fruitless as he left to go back to the Lunar Launching Station.

It was too late.

If Athena left now, it would be too suspicious and then all their hard work to set this up would be lost; so as she hovered over the fast travel location, Athena decided to make one last call.

Once the other line clicked, Athena didn't waste anytime. "Moxxi, I'm going to make sure Jack is where he needs to be, but you'll need to immediately leave if this doesn't work out."

"Athena, sweetie, we can still work something out..."

"No. If I leave now, it would only give away our plan. Just… thank you."

Cutting off the Echo call before Moxxi could reply, Athena breathed out shakily and clenched her hands; she was about to walk to her death, ironic that after everything with Atlas she would just end up back in a similar situation except this time, she wasn't walking away from this..

Maybe this was karma, if that existed.

She just hoped Janey wouldn't be too sad when she found out.

They had beaten the Sentinel, Lilith phase punched Jack, the mission was over and now Athena was lost on what to even do anymore.

Everything had started off so easily even with the crash and their first objective, but had quickly lost itself in the chaos, at least Moxxi had safely made her way back to Pandora once the laser was destroyed. But considering she refused Jack's blood money, Athena was back to square one and now stuck on Elpis for who knows how long.

At least she didn't have much competition for merc jobs up here, it almost felt like she was the only one considering it was mostly either Scavs or just other junk dealers.

And there was one in particular that she was interested in.

Athena stood outside the Emporium, debating on whether or not to go in, Janey was probably worried and wondering if she was okay, they hadn't spoken to each other since the laser got destroyed and it hadn't occurred to her to call until she got back to Concordia. Seemed pointless now since she was already here and could just talk to Janey in persona, but now Athena wondered maybe it would've been better to have?

It used to be so easy to ignore that sense of consciousness that would spring (ha) up from time to time, but now it was almost impossible and starting to sound suspiciously like it had an cheery Elpis accent.

As she stared at the image of Janey on the shop's wall, Athena wondered if this nagging guilt she had over her now obvious attraction to the other woman would ever stop. As much as she tried to fight it, old Atlas habits that should've made it impossible for these feelings to even be a possibility but also the feeling of betrayal in the memory of Steph.

She only knew her for a short time, but their short friendship still meant a lot to her.

Athena wondered if she should've taken Moxxi's advice when she had offered.

Actually no.

Moxxi's advice usually involved something... unpleasant and embarrassing.

Since she refused to take Moxxi's more aggressive advice, she figured she would take the more practical approach, so Athena took a deep breath before stepping into the Emporium.

"Since when do you serve coffee?" Athena sipped her latte that Moxxi had put in front of her, if the option of the beverage surprised her then the cup presented in it was even more surprising. She didn't think she owned anything that booze couldn't be served in, but here it was the dainty cup that seemed almost brand new, with no dirty smudges or scratches in the porcelain that some of the steins tended to have from Moxxi's past customers.

"Oh sugar, this is only for you." Athena was glad that the bar was empty save for Hammerlock in the corner, but she liked him and figured he wouldn't go blabbing to anyone about the actual surprised expression she gave Moxxi. "I know Sanctuary isn't exactly your favorite place and while Lilith and you have come to an agreement, I know you still find it a bit unpleasant to come around here. I figured having something to calm your nerves would do you good."

Athena thinks about about how similar this moment was years ago, sitting ramrod straight at the bar as Moxxi served her a glass of water, her Crimsons Lance armor gleamed a dark red as the lights in the Red Light bar twinkled. Now here she was, drinking a latte and while most of her old armor had to be retired due to heavy use, most of the pieces were re-used to reinforce the chest plate and her new leg armor, the colors were less red and more dark grey; Athena stared at the wedding band on her hand, the moonstone embedded in the metal shined brightly in the bar lights.

It was weird how differently things had panned out in a short amount of time.

"I've also been meaning to ask, should I start calling you 'Springs'?"

Athena rolled her eyes. "No, I'm pretty sure that would get confusing."

"And yet, you seem to enjoy it when it happens."

Athena huffs as smile pulls across her face, reminded of all the times when she was with Janey and someone would call for "Springs" and they would both answer. She knew that they weren't asking for her, but that didn't mean she didn't enjoy the joke of it all, plus it made Janey laugh.

Moxxi reached out and place her hand on top of Athena's, "I'm glad after all that trouble, you found some happiness, Athena. I never thought I'd see a smile on your face when I first met you, guess Springs proved me wrong."

Athena could feel the feeling built up beneath her chest, that she would have cried in the moment if it was only Moxxi and her here but considering Hammerlock was sitting not that far away and soon the bar would fill with regulars eventually when they knew she wouldn't kill them just because she was inside; she's learned to let her emotions just "be" but crying in public was still a big no for her, the crying at her wedding was an exception only because she loved Janey and she didn't care if anyone else saw as long as Janey was there.

"Thanks Moxxi, for everything." Athena turned her hand around to grasp Moxxi's.