Six was quiet as she and Boone walked through the darkened wasteland. She supposed she should stop calling herself that, now that she knew her name. She wasn't sure if Caroline felt right, but it was definitely better than Six.

Her mind was considering everything she heard today, and while she wanted to focus on her mission, she found that she couldn't stop thinking about it. She had a brother. One who seemed nice enough, but she wasn't sure she wanted to trust him just yet.

Boone was silent beside her, focusing on the road before them. She wasn't entirely sure she could trust him either, but so far he hadn't shot her when her back was turned. Maybe, just maybe, after Benny was dead, she could go up to Freeside and ask around. If she lived there before, then someone was bound to see and recognize her.

If not, she was back to square one. But she felt pretty resourceful. She could figure something out.

It was a clear, cool night for the Mojave, with a light breeze blowing from the west. The sky was cloudless, and stars twinkled brightly above her. All in all, it was a nice night for travelling.

The one 188 trading post was mostly quiet, things having settled down for the night, so they didn't linger, stopping only to drink water and have a quick snack and then they moved on.

Halfway to Boulder City, Boone spoke up. He actually startled her when he asked his question, breaking the comfortable silence that had been between them all night.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Well, you just did so...yeah, go ahead. I'm an open book." She replied. She'd be as open as she could be, considering she didn't remember before. It was weird to think about, actually, how that whole chunk of her life was missing.

"Do you really not remember before?" He asked quietly, and Six glanced over at him. He wasn't looking at her, instead looking off as far as they could see in the darkness. She wasn't sure if he wasn't looking at her on purpose.

"Mostly….no. There are bits and pieces floating around in here." She tapped her head on the side she was shot, just beyond the scar. "It usually comes out in my dreams though. Flashes of things that happened before, but never enough to really understand what was going on."

One dream she had a few nights ago was beginning to make sense to her, if what her 'brother' had said was true. It was a nightmare, really. It wasn't anything clear, not that she could make out, but after thinking about it, she had known what triggered it.

Walking up on Nipton. The smell of the bodies burning on the fire, the crimson uniforms of the Legion, the men on the crosses. She was amazed they had let her go after that, but the man there, Vulpes Inculta, had wanted her to deliver a message. And deliver it she did.

After waking up, she was constantly hearing stories about Legion atrocities. So when she came upon Nipton, she knew immediately what happened, even before seeing the banners hung up and the bodies crucified. She looked for survivors, at first only finding a man with broken legs inside a store.

She didn't meet Vulpes until she went inside the town hall, where she came face to face with the man and his fellow Legionaries. Frozen to the spot, there was nothing she could do as he approached her. Drawing her weapon would have certainly meant death at this close range, so she stood in his presence, listened to his message, and when he bid her farewell, she nearly tripped over herself in her haste to leave.

She ran nearly the whole way to the Mojave Outpost. She stumbled into the Administrative building and could barely speak. Ranger Jackson was there, and it took fifteen minutes and a lot of water to get her to talk.

Her dream that night, safe within the Outpost's gates, had echoed much of what happened at Nipton, and at first, she thought it was just her mind replaying it, but now, picking up on the differences, she thought it could have been the memory of ten years ago, when their settlement was sacked. The screams she heard echoing in her head were certainly different, as there weren't any in Nipton, just the moans of men dying on their crosses and the fires burning. She also heard hurried footsteps and gunfire.

"Huh." Was all Boone had said in reply, and she looked over at him again, but his stony face didn't give her any look into what he was thinking.

"I don't recommend it. It's hard, not remembering remembering my family. If I had friends. I can't really remember any good memories. Or the bad ones, come to think of it, so I guess it's not all bad." She was trying to be an optimist and hoping they'd come back eventually, but it was really anyone's guess.

"Guess not." He replied in a tone of voice that made her wonder. It wasn't any of her business to pry. She barely knew the man. But goddamn if she wasn't curious.

"I'd bet there's a few things you want to forget. I'm sure everyone has one or two." She remarked as casually as she could. Getting the man to open up would probably go a long way, but if she was reading him right, he wouldn't. Not for a long while.

"Yeah." Well, he was definitely succinct.

"Don't suppose you'd share with the class, would you?" She asked, not really expecting any answer. His silence confirmed her thoughts.

And now it was awkward. At least to her. They continued on for a while, and Six spoke up again.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to bring anything up." She apologized, her fingers tracing the lines of her pistol. She felt anxious now.

"Don't worry about it." He replied gruffly. Six sighed.

"Listen. I, ah, well, it's not like I really know anything about this, but if you ever want to talk about it. Or you know, anything. I'm around." She told him, kicking a rock down the road. It clattered against the debris, and besides the light wind whistling across the Wasteland, it was the only sound.

Three things happened seemingly at once. A gunshot broke the near silence, followed immediately by the sound of a bullet ricocheting off the rock at their feet, and Boone grabbing her and throwing her to the side. It took Six a fraction of a second to recover from the schock and then she was reaching for her pistol and looking for the source of the sound.

In the darkness beyond them, back-lit by the moon, three figures moved towards them, peppering them with more gunfire. Boone had dropped to one knee, his rifle already in hand. Raiders, most likely, but she'd shoot first and ask questions later. She scrambled to her feet and took aim.

Boone's rifle cracked and one figure dropped. He was already pulling the bolt back and aiming up again. She fired two shots from her pistol and the closest one to them dropped, crying out in pain. She scowled and squeezed the trigger again, fairly sure that he was dead now.

Boone's rifle cracked again and the last one dropped to the ground, undoubtedly dead. "We're clear." He said after scanning the horizon, and Six lowered her pistol. Once again, she was amazed by Boone's skill with his rifle. Back at the REPCONN test site, she was impressed, but here in the open, he really shined.

"Thanks for that." She breathed, tucking her weapon away. She reached over to her left arm and flipped her Pip-Boy light on and wandered over to one of the bodies. It was just a raider.

"It's what I'm here for." He said, wandering up to another one. He flipped the body over on its back and examined it.

None of them had anything useful to scavenged besides some ammo, which Six pocketed. Their guns were in horrible condition, not even worth hanging onto for salvage.

"Hopefully Boulder City isn't this exciting." She remarked as they continued on.

Turns out, it was more exciting. She couldn't decide which part she liked better, the fact that she managed to resolve the situation between the NCR and the Great Khans, or that she ran into one of the Khans that Benny had with him on the night he shot her.

Truth be told, she almost shot him, but she didn't think she could solve the other situation after that.

She returned to Boone after securing the release of the NCR hostages, turning Benny's lighter over in her hand. She ran her thumb over the engravings on it, and then tucked it into her pocket. She wasn't gonna shove it up Benny's ass (gross) but maybe she'd set him on fire with it. She did have a few sticks of dynamite in her pack…

Boone waited impatiently by the gate, his arms crossed over his chest. She had him wait outside. She remembered someone somewhere saying something about First Recon and Bitter Springs, and felt like it'd go smoother if there wasn't a glowering man with a red beret shadowing her.

"Well, looks like I was too slow. Benny made his way back to the Strip. He's some big shot at the Tops." She growled and stomped away, not even giving Lieutenant Monroe a second of her time. Anger was bubbling away in her stomach, and she kicked at some debris. "Motherfucker!" She yelled.

She'd never touch him in the casino, surrounded by his own. Getting into the Tops probably would be easy enough, but there's nothing stopping him from bolting when he saw her. If he even recognized her.

"Well, now what the fuck do I do?" She said, mostly to herself, but she looked over at Boone to see if he had any suggestions. He was predictably silent, but it did seem like he was thinking about it.

"I'm not ready to head that way. Not yet. I need a plan. Lets….let's go back to the 188, rest, get some food, and see what we can come up with." She sighed and ran her hands over her head. She had a headache brewing, and wanted to sit down somewhere and rest for a while. Maybe get a nap. The sun overhead was annoying, although it wasn't quite as hot today.

"Lead the way." Boone said, nodding forward. His silence was particularly annoying right now, but she held her tongue and moved on, heading back towards the trading post. She'd really like his opinion, but it seemed like he was too busy thinking about it.

At the trading post, Six dropped her pack onto a table and sat down next to it. Boone sat across from her, setting his pack down next to her but keeping his rifle slung over his back .Six dropped her head into her hands and groaned.

"No offense, but you look like you've traveled a long way down some bad roads." Next to Six, a woman wearing rough brown robes sat down. She had a hood of the same material pulled over her head, and Six looked over at her. Well, she wasn't shy, that's for sure. "Where ya from?"

"The grave." Six muttered, looking back down at the table. She wasn't feeling all that chatty at the moment, but she didn't exactly want to be rude, either. She'd leave the total silence to Boone.

"Huh. Well. In that case, I take that back. You look pretty good, given the circumstances." The woman said, and Six chuckled at that. "Well, I'm Veronica. I live in a hole in the ground."

"A hole in the ground? Really? Sounds comfortable. My name's Six - I mean, Caroline." Six responded.

"Well, a bunker, if you want to get technical. I think it sounds better my way. But I'm not around much. I'm usually out getting food and supplies for my family. Whatever they need." Veronica said. Six frowned. Did she mean like one of those Vaults that were scattered across the country? She didn't look like a vault dweller.

Six then wondered how she knew what a vault dweller looked like. The only example she really had was Doc Mitchell in Goodsprings.

"So you just leave your family in the bunker when you go on these supply runs?"

"Yeah, I'm not worried. They can handle themselves. And actually these days, I think they'd rather have me out here anyways. But that's a whole other story. Anyways, can I ask you something?"Veronica continued. Six wondered if she was about to ask for help with something. It seemed like everyone in the wastes needed something done.

"Sure, go ahead." She replied, folding her arms onto the table and dropping her head down on them. It might have been a bit rude to do so, but damn it she was tired and more than a little pissed off.

"I had a run in with this group calling themselves the Brotherhood of Steel. Pretty strange bunch. Do you know anything about them?" The woman asked in a pretty neutral tone of voice. Six wondered if it was a loaded question and picked her head up to stare at the other woman. Boone spoke up before she could.

"They're enemies of the NCR. If you know where they are, you should turn them in." He said, and Six looked over at him.

"Who's not an enemy of the NCR these days? I don't know much about them, but they're usually pretty harmless, unless you use some kind of advanced technology around them. Laser weapons and the like." Six said, mostly to Boone. He just shrugged.

"If you say so."

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem for me. I can't afford anything like that. So, If I can ask….where are you headed?" Veronica shrugged too. Six still wasn't sure if she could trust the woman.

"I just go wherever. Drift place to place." She wasn't about to tell Veronica of her plans. Could be a plant by Benny. Or anyone, really. It wasn't like she hadn't pissed her fair share of people off in the days since she woke up.

"Just wherever the wind takes you, huh? I like that. Keeps things interesting. I'll be honest, you look like the first couple of people I've seen out here who look like they can really handle themselves. There are places I've never been to that'd be too dangerous for just me. What do you think? Could I join you guys, help you out?" She asked a little eagerly.

Six considered it for a moment. It was a strange conversation, but she was at least chattier than Boone was. She did like the company too. It felt better knowing she had someone watching her back. Having two sets of eyes on her wouldn't be a bad idea, and the idea of having some feminine company in general appealed to her. she didn't trust Veronica, not yet, but it wouldn't be a bad plan.

"Where are you hoping to go?"

"Oh, no where in particular really. Just hoping to see more of the world. I want to see how different groups have adapted to survive in the Mojave. See if there's something I can learn from them." She tapped her fingers on the table, and Six watched them carefully.

"You don't look like much. What do you bring to the table?"

"Huh. Good. That's the look I was going for. Trust me, though. You'll be glad you brought me along. But if I turn out to be a burden, we can part ways at any time. No hard feelings." It was then Six noticed the power fist the woman had on her right hand. That was a little more advanced than a set of spiked brass knuckles. Curious.

"If Boone here is okay with it, feel free to tag along." Six looked over at her other companion. He shrugged and got up from the table.

"Up to you. Your adventure. I'll be back." He said and walked away. At first, Six thought he was leaving her, but she noticed his pack still sitting on the bench. So he was going off on his own for a little bit. Hell, maybe he just needed a piss. No big deal.

"Okay then. Welcome aboard." Six smiled at the woman and extended her hand. Left hand, as she didn't think it'd be fun to shake hands with a power fist. Veronica shook it and grinned back.

"Now you're talking. One thing you should know first. It's good your friend got up, because I asked you about the Brotherhood because I'm one of them." Veronica's grin turned sheepish. "I know, I know. But I had to know how you'd react when I told you. We've made a lot of enemies. Like the NCR."

And there was the catch. Six didn't mind, not so much. From what she knew of the Brotherhood (wherever that knowledge came from) they weren't so bad. Started fights they couldn't win, sure, but everyone did that now and again. Boone would be tricky. She liked the sniper.

"As long as you're honest with me from now on. I do feel better knowing you've had some training, though."

"Not gonna lie, I'm great at punching people. It's a gift. Just, uh, don't ever ask me if your outfit makes you look fat. So, about your NCR friend…" Veronica said, and Six tapped on the table, thinking.

"We'll….just not tell him. Not immediately. Let him see that you're not so bad. Just, uh, don't actually turn out to be Legion or something. I don't think there's a power in the world would stop him from putting a bullet in you then." Six didn't like that plan, but it was the best she had. Someone else needed to make the plans. Hers turned out badly.

"No problem there. So, uh...what's the plan?"

"Honestly? I couldn't say. I was chasing after this guy, Benny, but he's on the Strip, and I'm not ready to head there yet. Maybe I can do a bit more out here first. Explore. Try and remember…" Six interlaced her fingers and brought her hands up to her lips, tapping them against her mouth idly.

Nipton had triggered memories of the past for her, perhaps other places could too. She wouldn't know where to start, but she had to start somewhere. The guy who claimed to be her brother was likely heading to Goodsprings to question the doctor who patched her up, so that gave her some time to explore. She'd head up to Freeside after a week was through.

"Remember what?" Veronica asked. Footsteps behind them signalled Boone's return, and he had a bottle of water and some skewered meat on a plate. Six's stomach gave a rumble at the sight, reminding her to eat. Travelling was hard work.

"About a week and a half ago, I woke up in Goodsprings. Doctor there told me I had been shot in the head and left to die in a shallow grave. I was a courier, supposed to deliver a package, but it was taken from me. By Benny. He also took my memories. I don't remember who I was before." Six admitted. Veronica's eyes were wide.

"Wow. So, is that why you're name is Six Caroline then?"

"What? No. I had been calling myself Six, since I didn't know my real name. I just know that I was Courier Number Six of the Mojave Express. And then I met someone who claimed to be my brother and said my name was Caroline. I just haven't gotten used to it yet." Six still wasn't sure if Caroline was a good fit. Christine wasn't either.

"So now you travel the wasteland helping people. Admirable thing. Is that what we're gonna do next?" Veronica asked.

Helping people didn't sound too bad. She could earn some caps, buy some better equipment, and then figure out a plan to take on Benny.

"As soon as I can find someone to help, yeah. I'll probably go on up to Freeside in a week or so, meet up with that 'brother' of mine and see what he's really about, but helping people sounds good. The waste is shitty. Time to be a paragon of hope and goodness." Six grinned. Maybe not a paragon, but at least less of a jackass than most people.

"If I could make a suggestion?" Boone spoke up. Six tilted her head towards him.

"Of course. I'm your friend - well, hopefully somewhere in that ballpark- not your commanding officer. If you've got something to say, say it." Six told him and he took a deep breath before responding.

"I say we go to Camp Forlorn Hope. They could always use a little help." Boone said and took a sip of his water.

"Veronica, your opinion?" Six asked the other woman. Going to Forlorn Hope wasn't a bad plan, but Six sensed there was another reason for it. It was awfully close to Nelson and the Legion. Boone was itching to shoot some of the bastards. Honestly, after Nipton and the attack, she was too. But she wasn't about to drag the other woman into the fray without at least asking.

"Hey, I'm up for anything. Bonus points if I get to punch things." She waved her arm around.

"Alright then. Forlorn Hope it is, after I get some food."

"Ooh, Michelle makes a killer gecko steak. Get that." Veronica said and Six pushed herself up from the table to go find Michelle. Gecko steak sounded fabulous.

As she waited for her meal, Six thought about things. How her life was strange. Was it always this weird before? She wasn't ready to march into a casino but she was perfectly okay taking down a town full of Legionaries. She had a pistol strapped to her thigh and a hunting rifle in her pack Boone had said he'd clean for her and if they had time, show her the proper way to shoot it. If the rest of her weapons skills were anything to go by, she'd pick it up in no time.

That man, Mickey. Her brother. He had said she had been taught how to shoot by a Ranger. They were the best of the best from what she had heard. It made sense then. Things became muscle memory after a while. Instinct. She didn't think that the bullets in her skull had scrambled that part. Just the part that told her who she was.

Back at the table, true to his word, Boone had a hunting rifle broken down in front of him. His own was leaned against the table next to him. He was focused on his work, examining each piece carefully. A weapon repair kit sat in front of him too, and slowly he was fixing the rifle.

Veronica was thumbing through a copy of Pugilism Illustrated. Six didn't disturb either of them, instead sitting down with her food and eating quickly. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until Boone came back with food of his own. She really needed to eat more. She noticed that she was thinner than most other women, and even the leather armor she had liberated from a raider was a bit loose on her.

Sliding the plate away once it was empty, she realized that she could probably eat more if she wasn't so uncomfortably full. It looked like it was something she'd have to work on.

"...never take care of yourself. Just like your mother…."

Those words drifted through her mind, echoing in a voice she didn't recognize. She wondered who it was.

"Here, I've done what I could. It's not perfect, but it's usable." Boone slid the bolt back into the rifle and looked at it one last time before handing it over to Six. She came out of her thoughts and took it carefully, examining it herself. She slid the bolt back and peered inside. The interior was clean and she looked at the rest of it. The stock had seen better days, but she'd be willing to bet that she could find a shop with some parts for her. Lifting it up to her shoulder, she pointed it off in the distance, well away from where anyone was standing, and looked down the sights.

"Thanks. Now all I have to do is find a scope and a red beret and we could be twins." She joked with him, setting the rifle back down. Boone turned to his pack and shifted through its contents before pulling out a small roll of red cloth. He passed it over to her and she unrolled it and grinned.

"Don't know if I'm accurate enough to live up to these words, but I'll do my best." She pulled the beret onto her head. "How do I look?"

"Patch goes over the other eye." Boone remarked. Six adjusted the beret and he nodded his satisfaction.

"Nice! Does the NCR have any unarmed units? I want to see that beret. Bet it looks like a big bruise. Our patch would be a glowing fist, with the words 'Saving People, Punching Things'" Veronica said. Six laughed, and she swore she saw the corners of Boone's lips twitch up like he wanted to smile.

"C'mon, you two. Lets hit the road."