Maya was huddled together with the rest of the group of escapees in the Vertibird. She was sat next to Ramos again and tasked with helping out with his treatment. He was severely wounded during his interrogation, but luckily they were able to procure some temporary treatment for him from the doctor at the Hidden Valley Bunker. For the moment Ramos was alright, but they needed to get to a group called the Followers of the Apocalypse to get him proper treatment. Maya didn't know who these Followers were, but they sounded ominous and not at all like a group that would be able, much less willing, to help an injured individual.
They were currently waiting for McNamara to get back to the Vertibird. He had gone with a scout to make sure that their tracks were covered and they weren't being followed.

"Urngh…" Ramos grunted, fumbling at his safety belt trying to loosen up one of the seat straps.

"Hey! You're not supposed to be moving around" Maya reproached him, loosening up the strap for him, "There, sorted. Now relax."

Ramos looked at her insipidly, "Since when do you give orders?" he asked.

"Since now" Maya stated firmly, to which Ramos laughed weakly, coughing between laughs.

"Why's that funny?" she asked, a bit insulted.

"Well… you're a little young to be ordering me around" Ramos replied.

Maya pondered for a second, then grinned, "No, I'm older than you"

"Ha! Yeah right" Ramos joked.

"What year is it again? 2291?" Maya asked.

"Yeah….so?" replied Ramos, shaking his head and looking puzzled.

"That makes me…303 years old" Maya retorted, a wide victorious grin on her face

"Huh…" Ramos mused, his expression not hiding his defeat very well. "Well….you got me there" he conceded.

Maya rummaged out a bottle of purified water for Ramos and a blanket to keep him warm during the flight, when Irvine, the pilot, exclaimed that McNamara was on his way….with company.

'With company? Who else managed to get away' thought Maya optimistically. She looked out of the door and shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight. Surely enough, McNamara was making quick pace to reach the Vertibird along with the scout and…someone else. He was dressed in military cargo pants, what many decades ago must have been a pristine white shirt, and a heavy duffle bag and sniper rifle over his shoulders, and a red beret on his head. Curious…

McNamara signalled the pilot to start the engines up, and all three hurriedly jumped in.

"Go…" panted McNamara, and the pilot jerked the craft forward and upward, making a sharp right turn to get the craft out of the valley and above ground. The man with the red beret didn't get enough time to grab hold of something and started to slide toward the open side of the craft…

Maya gasped and reached out her arm, grabbing hold of his wrist tightly.

"Wooah!" cried Boone, as he grabbed his saviour's arm. He looked up at and to his surprise he saw a woman. Her eyes were closed shut, her teeth gritting, her expression strained as she was fighting against the g-force they were experiencing and the weight she was holding onto…

Boone flung his left leg around and caught the edge of the opening, and with the help of the woman he pulled himself up.

"Thanks!" he gasped, "I owe you".

"Don't mention it" she panted, wincing and nursing her arm that now had a noticeable dark red hand print on the wrist.

Boone quickly studied her. She didn't look like a member of the Brotherhood, nor did she look like your typical wastelander. Her appearance…her clothing, looked very old world but…different somehow. She was wearing dark denim jeans, a loose black sweater with a hood, and her shoes…

"Conv-erse" Boone muttered out loud.

Maya looked at him a bit puzzled, then saw he was studying her shoes.

"Oh…yeah, that's the name of the brand" she affirmed.

Boone was puzzled, "Your shoes have a brand?"

"Well… Yeah…I guess" Maya said, still feeling a bit confused and not knowing how to tackle these types of questions. In her time you didn't need to explain or question your shoe brand, and the only comments she ever got for wearing Converse trainers was "Chuck's All Stars? Niiiiiiice man" from undergrands that may...or may not...have been wasted and/or a little bit...high. That was the seal of approval. She also didn't want to reveal any information to this stranger.

"Huh…" was all he said before leaning back into a chair.

Maya winced at the pain that was shooting in her wrist up her arm. She clutched at it and tried to soothe the pain by rubbing her wrist.

Boone was watching her behind his sunglasses. He realised that when she was holding onto him she might have sprained her wrist.

"Don't" he pointed at her wrist, "it will make it worse".

Maya stopped and looked at him. She could barely see through those opaque sunglasses, but she knew he was looking right into her eyes. It sent a chill down her spine…

She sighed and rummaged for a bandage through the medic bag that was under her seat.

Boone got down to his knees and got the medic bag out for her. She had already saved his life, the least he could do was help bandage her arm up.

"I'm sorry I hurt you" he apologised, his voice a bit softer.

"No, you didn't" Maya shook her head, "I can fin-" she insisted as Boone rummaged through the bag.

"Got it" Boone interrupted her, fishing a bandaging roll out and making quick work on her wrist. He secured the bandage in a rough double knot and returned the bag back in its original place.

Maya studied his handiwork. It was crude, but it would do, and her wrist was already starting to feel a bit better.

"Thanks" she said with a smile, "feels better already".

With her approval, Boone nodded and got back into his seat opposite her. He didn't know whether or not she could see could see his eyes behind his aviators, but he made sure not to reveal any expressions of emotion, although…he couldn't get her out of his sight… Her smile made him hopeful that there was still some good left in the wasteland.

"I'm Maya" she said, reaching her bandaged arm out for a handshake.

"I'm…" Boone reached, but hesitated for a second, not sure whether to reveal who he is. Years of failed trust between those he thought were his friends made him weary of making new ones, but…he felt that this time it would be different.

"I'm Boone" he said firmly, taking her hand gently in his. And again, that smile…

"Just Boone?" she asked amused. He nodded affirmatively. "Okay, Boone. It's nice to meet you"

Maya smiled, happy to make another friend. He may not be very talkative, but he was definitely warmer towards her than some of the other members of the Brotherhood group. And that made her feel at ease a bit. She didn't know why or how, but she felt like she could trust this man.

She relaxed back in her chair, put her hands in the pouch of her sweater, and stared out into the bright blue sky until the gentle lull of the flight helped her doze off into a dreamless sleep; all the while being watched by a protective pair of green eyes hidden behind opaque aviator glasses.

An hour passed before Maya was roused awake by the jolts of the Vertibird as it began its descent. With groggy eyes, she looked around at the others who were all getting ready to disembark. Ramos was up and trying to chat with Boone, although Boone wasn't proving to be much of a conversationalist….at all. But Ramos didn't seem to mind, it looked like they knew each other from way back.

Boone noticed Maya stirring and turned his attention to her.

"Good, you're awake" he said. Maya detected a hint of relief in him at not having to converse with his acquaintance anymore. She nodded and stretched her arms, but stopped abruptly after feeling a painful twinge from her sprained wrist. She muttered to herself, annoyed for forgetting her sprained wrist.

Boone's gaze never left her, and Maya caught him looking at her arm.

"It's okay" she affirmed, "it'll be back to normal in a few days".

He nodded and his gaze drifted down to her feet. Maya had a sense that he was feeling remorseful maybe for her wrist as an almost awkward silence grew between them. She looked at him and noticed his beret had an insignia on it.

"What's that insignia on your beret?" Maya asked, breaking the silence.

Boone looked up at her and proceeded to explain.

"First NCR Recon. It's a sniper battalion. Sees a lot of action" he stated simply.

Maya was intrigued, "I figured you were in the military, given your appearance. How did you end up being in a sniper battalion?"

"They pick you out if you do well at the firing range. Pays a little better, so I said okay", he replied.

She studied the slogan on the insignia, squinting in an attempt to read the letters.

"What does the slogan say?"

"The last thing you never see. Pretty accurate, and so were we" Boone answered.

"Is that a First Recon beret then?" she asked.

"Yeah. You can tell by the patch. Bear skull with crossed rifles behind it"

He was particularly talkative when it came to the NCR, whatever that was. Maya decided to ask him about that and he succinctly explained that NCR stands for the New California Republic and how and why it was created.

"You're a veritable fountain of information NCR, we should have hired you long ago as a spy" joked Ramos. Boone did not humour him with a response, but he didn't look amused.

A high pitched whine sounded as the landing gear extended, followed by a thud.

...They were in the middle of nowhere…

Everyone except the pilot started to disembark.

'I suppose that means me too' thought Maya as she undid her straps.

Boone took it upon himself to help Maya out. He didn't want her injuring her wrist any more than it already was. In the wasteland you need as little distraction as possible so you can keep your wits about you. However, that wasn't the only reason he didn't hesitate to offer his assistance wherever possible…

He swung his rifle over one shoulder, the duffle bag over the other, and helped Maya out with the medic bags she had to carry out.

"Right" McNamara said, loud enough for his group to hear him, "everyone changes into the clothes provided in this bag". He threw two large black duffle bags on the ground in front of them. "No one is to even suspect we are nothing more than your ordinary wastelanders who happened to run into some trouble with a couple of Raiders and need medical assistance from the Followers of the Apocalypse" McNamara continued giving their fabricated backstory, to use in case they were questioned by anyone. "All clear?" he asked.

A resounding "Yes Elder" came from the group, and everyone started digging for their inconspicuous clothing.

Paladin Watkins tossed Maya a pair of brown and beige overalls that could have passed for rags, a belt, a baseball hat, and a pair of worn out leather shoes that were two sizes too large for her and had multiple holes in the sole, big enough to let little bits of gravel through and into. One whiff of the clothing and Maya gave serious thought to staying behind with Irvine in the Vertibird. She looked around and everyone was getting undressed. It made her feel uncomfortable…

"That includes you Maya" McNamara pointed at her absentmindedly while putting his "new" boots on, then making his way over to the pilot to inform him of their route.

'Well….no getting out of this I suppose' she thought grudgingly and slowly started with her shoes…

Boone felt a bit uncomfortable being next to Maya as she was undressing. He could feel his hands getting clammy and his ears burning slightly, so he turned and walked a few steps away from the group to give them all a bit of privacy since he had no need to change his clothing. This way he could also keep watch and make sure that they weren't going to get a nasty surprise from a radscorpion or fire gecko…or worse.

With her own clothes now in one of the black duffle bags and the rags hanging loosely over her figure, she couldn't help but put a hand up to her nose. It seemed she was given the worst of the pile, as she was the only one who stank of bad BO, motor oil…and damp.

On top of that there were large holes in her shirt and pants.

"Ugh...is this even sanitary?" she silently muttered, more to herself than anyone else. But Paladin Watkins overheard her.

"You're still wearing your t-shirt underneath those clothes. Get rid of it" Watkins commanded.

"I'd like to keep this shirt on underneath if that's okay" Maya replied, "there are too many holes…it would be inappropriate"

'And I really want to limit my skin contact with these...clothes' she thought, disgusted.

"Your noncompliance is inappropriate, I said take it off" Watkins scolded, her tone derogatory.

"No" Maya held her ground.

"Hey, leave her alone" Ramos called out weakly, but Watkins ignored him. She was glaring at Maya. Watkins marched towards her, ready to enforce McNamara's orders physically if need be.

Maya stood her ground but was starting to feel a bit shaky. She wasn't one to get into arguments, in fact she actively avoided them at all costs.

Boone heard the commotion and turned around to see Paladin Watkins making her way angrily towards Maya. In half a dozen long fast steps he intercepted her and stood in front of Maya, shielding her.

"Enough" he said looking down at her.

"Out of my way NCR, she's not obeying orders"

"You're asking for it" said Boone, his voice threatening.

At those words Paladin Watkin's face turned red.

"I have no trouble killing you…" she spat, "in fact…your death… it would honor my parents" Watkins spoke the words angrily through her teeth. But Boone just loomed over her, his lips pressed tightly together trying to control his rage.

"Not a good idea" he replied threateningly, "you need to leave".

"Watkins!" Came McNamara's voice.

The Paladin's back straightened, her expression devoid of hostility but her face still red.

"Yes Elder" she replied.

"What's going on?" McNamara demanded as he walked over and stood in front of all three of them. Maya was trembling and feeling embarrassed that she had caused such a stir of events.

"I..I'm sorry..I just wanted to -" she stammered, but Boone stopped her.

"Don't. You did nothing wrong" he assured Maya. Turning his attention back to Watkins, he continued "Your paladin was behaving threateningly Elder", not letting his eyes falter off of Watkins.

McNamara looked perplexed by what he was hearing.

"What happened?" he asked, his gaze now upon Watkins.

Paladin Watkins was still shaking slightly with anger, but she took a breath to compose herself and refrain from showing hostility towards the NCR sniper and the stranger.

"She was not obeying your order, Elder. You specified that we should change all of our clothing in order to remain inconspicuous. She's still wearing her old world shirt under the rags" Watkins sneered.

McNamara turned to Maya and realized Watkins was correct: Maya was indeed wearing her old world grey shirt underneath the disguise. But….she didn't stick out from the rest of the group. If anyone were to see her they wouldn't think twice…except for maybe her unusual hair which was long and reached down past her waist. No one in the wasteland had long hair like that, too easy to get yanked during a fight and get you killed. He heaved a deep sigh before he replied.

"Maya you're…okay. Apart from your hair, you don't stick out" he stated, but upon seeing the horror on her face he quickly added "but, don't worry! I'm not about to ask you to chop it off….just….tuck it in so it's hidden" he suggested.

"Okay…" Maya nodded.

"Watkins, come with me" McNamara pulled her away from Boone and they walked back to the group that was staring at them not 10 feet away.

"I tried to tell her but she wouldn't listen" started Ramos.

"Don't! Just...don't" replied Watkins, busying herself with the bags of supplies.

Boone didn't move until Watkins backed off and returned to her crew. Only then did he shift his gaze to Maya, watching her expressions change.

"You alright?" he asked.

"Yeah" sighed Maya, nodding and reassuring him with a smile, "thank you".

'Why do I feel there's a but somewhere in there?' thought Boone. Maya was fidgeting, shifting her feet a bit and scratching the back of her head. She appeared to be a bit…. embarrassed?

"I could have handled it" came the 'but' Boone was waiting for.

He nodded in agreement, "I know".

Maya looked up at him. He was a full 5…maybe 6 inches taller than her, but he wasn't imposing…towards her at least.

"Why?" she asked, "why are you helping me?"

Boone gave considerable thought about his answer…

"Because…" he started, not knowing how to express the thought fully, much less the feeling he got from being around her, "you're different…very different…like from another time"

"How" Maya pressed?

Boone sighed, taking off his sunglasses and trying to avoid her gaze; it was clear he wasn't completely comfortable talking about this. But Maya wanted to talk. Ever since she got to this forsaken time, no one was willing to talk to her like a normal human being. Everything is about survival, words had to be succinct and efficient.

"I can't explain it. It's like you're from a better time. You smile…. a lot. You do things to help others, even if it means you might get hurt in the process. People here are not like that, not unless there is a reward for it" he said.

Maya couldn't stop herself. She was smiling again, and feeling very self-conscious about it.

"There it is again" said Boone, the corner of his lips curving upwards so slightly that if you blinked you'd miss it.

"Okay, I get it" she chuckled, "I'll …try to be more doom and gloom to fit in".

"No!" Boone exclaimed. His emotions betrayed him and his aviators weren't there to shield Maya from it. He had an air of concern, if but for a moment. Catching Maya's curious glance, he tried to regain composure before proceeding.

"No, don't…it would be a betrayal of who you are. And besides, the world is filled with too much despair. Maybe it's high time people and things start to change…" his voice trailed off and he found himself staring into Maya's eyes…. blue eyes…he didn't notice that before.

"What?" Maya asked curiously.

Blue eyes, almost like the Cottonwood cove lake on a clear day, speckled with hints of green…and a golden ring encircling the pupils...

Boone tried to remain expressionless, but his face was betraying painful memories. He quickly put his aviators back on. They helped act like a physical shield for him, reflecting nothingness back at whoever was trying to peer in the secrets that hid behind his eyes. He wasn't ready for this…. not yet….probably not ever.

"Nothing" he said, breaking his gaze away from Maya and tilting his head back to observe the Brotherhood group that were almost ready to embark on their journey, "Let's get out of here". He turned on his heels, Maya keeping pace behind him.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"The Old Mormon Fort" he replied.

With their gear in hand and Ramos safely strapped in a wooden stretcher, they left the safety of the Vertibird and, for the first time since she arrived in this new world, Maya was plunged into the terrors and despair of the Mojave wasteland…

The Mojave wasteland was treacherous territory. Many who were foolish enough to traverse its expanse unarmed did not make it out alive. Fire ants and geckos, coyotes, ghouls, radscorpions, and deathclaws were plentiful, but the worst of these dangers were large and aggressive flying insects called Cazadors. Their stingers were enough to fatally impale you, and the poison that would be injected into your bloodstream if you were unlucky to get stung was potent enough to down a full grown Brahmin. And if you were lucky enough to avoid the wildlife, there were the raiders to contend with. Powder gangers were no longer a threat, the NCR saw to that when they swept through the Mojave after Hoover Dam. The Khans left peacefully after the Courier helped them to bury the hatchet with the NCR. All that's left of that tribe are the battered and scavenged remains of their tents.

McNamara was focused on getting the whole group to the Old Mormon Fort in one piece. But after getting Ramos the much needed treatment to get him back on his feet, McNamara would have to plan their next objective.

'Treat Ramos, get Hidden Valley back' he thought to himself, prioritizing his current objectives. He needed everyone in his team to be in top condition. But the other thing that was bothering him was Maya...

He hadn't anticipated this outcome when he took his team on the mission to the particle collider. She was an unknown variable, and frankly McNamara didn't know what to do about her. Right now he was keeping her busy with menial tasks, but soon he was going to have to ask her some questions about her time. He had to figure out what went wrong the first time. They couldn't give up on this, not when they were so close.

'After Ramos gets treated' McNamara said to himself. He looked over his shoulder and saw Maya conversing with Boone in the back. He couldn't catch what they were talking about, but it looked like Maya was doing most of the talking. Funnily enough it didn't appear like the soldier minded. It was unlike him. Granted McNamara didn't know this soldier very well, but even when he was helping the Courier many years ago, it appeared he was trying his hardest to keep his distance from everyone. He didn't say much, and didn't seem to listen to conversations that sounded pointless to him. However, he seemed to listen to every word Maya said. This made McNamara feel a little uneasy, because either Maya was giving him some sensitive information...or he was considering taking her to the NCR...

McNamara was going to keep a watchful eye on Maya while the soldier was around. Hopefully he wasn't going to stay for long.

Although McNamara was grateful for his desire to assist with the situation, this was McNamara's dispute and he didn't want any unnecessary information leaking into the NCR's ever curious ear...

'But if he refuses to leave...I'll have to convince him...' thought McNamara, as he lead his group onward...

After about an hour and a half of backbreaking hiking through the desert, Maya heaved a sigh of relief when they saw signs of civilization. A sign reading "North Gate" was mounted wonkily on one of the gate doors. The entire area was surrounded by a high fence, but the view inside was blocked off by layers upon layers of sheets of plywood and metal. There were no people outside of the gates, but Maya was hoping that there would be people in there that could help them out.

McNamara proceeded to open the doors. What Maya saw inside made her heart drop into her stomach...

It was like shelter for the homeless, and despair was palpable. People dressed in nothing but rags were either meandering through the streets, or passed out on curbs. Maya was pretty sure that one of those individuals they were walking by who was passed out was actually deceased...their skin grey, mottled, and their body was in an odd position with one arm outstretched and legs spread shoulder length apart, as if they were dragged by someone...

But the group kept walking. No one stopped to help, or to at least show some respect for the deceased man by covering his body. Maya couldn't hide her shock and pain, but instead turned her gaze down to her feet, watching as a tear left her eyes and dropped onto her dusty shoe.

Boone noticed a change in Maya's demeanor and turned to face her. She didn't look up at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, curious.

Maya shook her head, not wanting to say anything in case the others heard her. They already didn't think much of her, and she didn't want to talk because she knew her voice would break with sorrow.

Boone stopped walking and put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him. But she still kept her gaze down and tried to look away. This concerned him.

"Maya what's wrong?" he gently insisted.

The group had stopped too at hearing Boone's questions. McNamara turned around and saw Boone pulling Maya aside. He felt a twinge of anxiety and started towards her.

"Everything okay here?" he asked, turning to face Maya, "what's the matter?". He was eyeing Boone

Maya shook her head again.

McNamara sighed, "Maya, why can't you tell me what's wrong?"

Taking a few silent deep breaths, Maya tried to regain her composure before answering their questions.

"It's...I've never..." she stammered, but frustrated with trying to find the right words she decided to answer bluntly, "there's a body back there".

McNamara and Boone looked over her shoulder to where the lifeless body of a man lay on the curb.

"That's all?" McNamara asked. Maya looked up at him, hurt by his insensitivity. Her eyes were welling up and one of her cheeks had a wet trail running down to her chin. He inhaled sharply, realizing he shouldn't have been so insensitive towards her. After all, she wasn't from this time. This was all new to her, and no doubt she had never seen a corpse on the side of a road before. He had to keep this in mind...

"I'm sorry Maya" he said, his expression apologetic, "unfortunately we can't help everyone in the wasteland, I wish we could". He tried to comfort her, but he became uncomfortably conscious of the fact that Boone's gaze was following him.

Maya tried to hide her face as she was wiping away her tears. Then she thought about Ramos. She was delaying his treatment...

"Okay" she nodded, "I'm okay. Go and I'll catch up" she replied.

Before McNamara could protest about everyone sticking together as a group and not leaving behind any stragglers, Boone said "Don't worry, I've got her back".

'That's what worries me' McNamara thought to himself, but he nodded and led the group forward at a slightly slower pace, giving Maya some space.

Boone looked at Maya who was wiping away any tear remnants from her face. He wished there was something he could do or say...then he realized he had a tent sheet in his dufflebag. He removed it and made his way to the corpse. Taking a look at the lifeless shell of what was once a human being, he couldn't help but imagine Carla and what she looks like now...

"No...don't think of her like that" he whispered to himself.

With one quick motion, Boone unfurled the sheet and covered the corpse. Boone turned to see Maya, who was watching him with a sad yet grateful expression. He took off his aviators and made his way back to her position. He wanted her to see that he wasn't heartless, he did care...

Swinging his bag over his shoulder once again, he could tell just from one look that Maya was deeply scarred seeing that corpse.

"You're not alright, are you" he said, more of a statement than a question.

Maya shook her head, "No...I'm not" she replied as she shifted the bags on her back to a more comfortable position and followed the group that was some 100 meters in front of them now.

"Aaaah!" Ramos yelled in pain as a doctor looked him over in the Old Mormon Fort.

"Yeah, that's two broken ribs there" she said as her gloved hands moved along his sides, "You've also got a break in your left arm, and a fractured femur..." she continued.

"What the hell happened?" the doctor asked turning to McNamara.

"We were attacked by raiders" he replied.

Julie Farkas didn't believe that, this man looked like he was tortured. But she decided not to press the matter. They must have their reasons for not revealing their information.

"Alright...the good news is there is no sign of internal bleeding" she stated.

"Will he be okay? Can you treat him?" asked McNamara.

Julie sighed as she took off her examination gloves and wrote some information on her medical clipboard.

"Yes" she said, "if you hadn't given him that super stimpack immediately after you were attacked, he wouldn't be here right now...but...his recovery will be slow" she continued.

McNamara looked at her pleadingly.

"Is there no way to speed up the healing process?" he asked.

Julie shrugged and thought for a second before replying hesitantly, "There is another doctor nearby...Dr. Usanagi, who has a clinic that can insert implants in patients to help them with whatever they need" she said, "But! It is extremely costly, about 12,000 caps. And given your...friend's...condition right now I would not recommend experimental implants" she insisted.

McNamara nodded in agreement, "Yes, that is...dangerous and costly" he said.

"I recommend you stay a few nights until we can assess the level of therapy treatment we can give your friend" Julie said, "in the mean time we will treat his immediate injuries, but you must leave him with us overnight" she continued.

Upon seeing McNamara's concerned expression, she reassured him that Ramos would be treated well and that he is safe.

"We have some free beds at the fort for your group" the doctor continued, but after counting their members she realized that not all of them would be accommodated, "however I believe we can only accommodate two of you at most, as we'll need beds for patients".

The group looked at each other, waiting to see who would volunteer to stay behind.

"Well...don't you all jump in at once!" Ramos quipped sarcastically.

"I'll stay" Ibsen came forward, and before anyone could volunteer for the second bed Maya stepped up next to Ibsen.

"I'll be here, too" she nodded.

McNamara's head tilted up in surprise, he didn't expect she would volunteer for this.

Julie Farkas nodded, "Alright, I'll notify my staff and let them know we'll have guests tonight. But in the meantime I will need you all to vacate the room so I can treat my patient" she said. That was everyone's queue to leave, so they all gave Ramos a few words of encouragement before exiting the tent.

Boone was waiting for them in the fort, sitting on a battered chair with some other guards in front of a slight wall of sand bags. He was using his combat knife to carve a short wooden stick into a spear point. If Maya didn't know any better, she would have said he was bored.

Everyone pooled together at the entrance to grab the gear they had left there with a guard, except for McNamara who walked beside Maya.

"Are you sure you want to stay here this evening, away from the group?" he asked.

Maya didn't want to say that the reason for her desire to stay was because she would feel more comfortable away from the group. She didn't know these people very well, but she built a good relationship with Ramos and Ibsen and they both showed her more kindness than the rest. Also she had just found out that the Followers of the Apocalypse were all just a group of doctors who were trying to help people. She couldn't think of a safer place to be. And she was curious about them...

"Yeah..." she nodded, "I'll be okay, and Ramos looks like he could use the company".

They had reached the gate when McNamara pulled out a walkie talkie out and gave Maya a serious look, "If you need anything, or if anything changes, you use this" he handed her the communication device, "it's set to the correct frequency, all you have to do is turn it on".

"I will, thanks" Maya acknowledged.

"Alright," McNamara replied, and turned to Boone, "You coming Boone?"

Boone stopped carving, tilted his head to one side slightly and took a few seconds of thoughtful pause before replying "No".

Maya noticed McNamara tense up a bit. He straightened his back and folded his arms over his chest, "They don't have enough room for 3 people" he said, "what do you plan to do?"

Boone noticed the change in McNamara's tone but chose not to react to it and just resumed carving.

"I've got my own sleeping bag" he replied in his usual monotone voice.

McNamara wasn't amused, but he didn't want to escalate things.

"Fine" he sighed through gritted teeth. He turned to Maya again, "Please...promise me you'll contact us if anything goes wrong. And...don't give Boone all your trust" he warned.

Maya furrowed her brow in confusion.

"He's keeping something from us" McNamara continued, "I don't trust him".

"..Okay..." Maya nodded slowly.

'I can't say the same' was all she thought.

A smile crossed McNamara's weary face. He nodded, "We'll stop by to visit tomorrow".

Grabbing his gear he led the Brotherhood group out of the gate, leaving Maya, Ibsen, and Boone together in the Fort. As they made their way through Freeside to find some overnight accommodation, McNamara was hoping that he didn't just make a grave mistake...