Chapter Eight

Evelyn stretched languidly, letting out a breathy sigh. She opened her eyes, smiling softly. The smile turned to a frown as she examined the empty bed next to her.

"It would kill you to cuddle?" She grumbled aloud, rolling off the bed. But Charon wasn't in the house. Wadsworth floated over, as cheerful as ever.

"Good morning Madame! How may I serve you?" He exclaimed.

"Waddy I need something to drink, got any water for me?" She asked, stretching her arms.

"Certainly Madame! Here you are!" The robot replied, depositing a bottle of water into her hand.

"Thanks Waddy, you're a peach." She said as she walked away.

The storage lockers held many of her worldly possessions. She was meticulous in her organization. Organization of all her junk. She snorted derisively. Evelyn smiled fondly as she recalled her first few weeks out of the vault. She had gotten over any squeamish apprehension when she realized everything that wanted to kill her had something of value on it. Someone, somewhere, would buy anything she brought them. The look on Moira's face when she had plopped down a large bag dripping blood onto the counter of Crater Side Supply was priceless. Forty-seven mole rat fillets.

She rifled through the locker and pulled out the object of her search. An emerald green cotton sundress. It was the most beautiful thing she owned. She had never worn it before. The Capitol Wasteland wasn't exactly the place for a beautiful sundress. But she would wear it soon. She very carefully placed it in her pack, along with her ugly lounge pants, clean underwear and a few tank tops. Then she pulled on some denim pants and a loose brown shirt, followed by her combat armor and boots.

She pulled her long blond hair into two braids, then twisted them into a knot on the back of her head. She secured her hair with a few bobby pins and aimlessly smoothed any flyaways. She rummaged through her pack and frowned. She needed more microfusion cells for her Gauss rifle. She was pretty good with her Power Fist but nothing stopped a deathclaw in its tracks like the Gauss rifle.

She checked her ammo locker and grinned. A large ammo box full of at least three hundred microfusion cells. She would still check with Moira, and hopefully she would catch Lucky wandering through before she left. That man ALWAYS had at least two hundred just for her.

After emptying the ammo box into her pack she headed out the door, only to run into Ian West.

"Ian!" Evelyn exclaimed happily, throwing her arms around the young man. "When did you get here?"

"Hey Evie! Got in earlier this morning. Man was Lucy mad! But happy to see me I think." He laughed, returning her hug. "She also thinks you're mad at her. Something about making a pass at your man?"

Evelyn gave him a confused look before she remembered. "Oh! Right! No. Not at all. Just drunken foolishness." She assured him.

"Ah. Well I was surprised to hear you were, uh, with someone." He grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Evelyn grinned. "Well I couldn't wait on you forever!" She teased.

Ian's ears turned red. "Actually. That's kind of why I came." He admitted. "You haven't been through Arefu in about a month and I was starting to miss you."

Evelyn stared at him with wide eyes. "Ian that's such a dangerous trip to make alone! You came just to see me?" She chided.

"Seems kinda dumb now. But I just wanted to see you. I was hoping-" Ian faltered. "I was hoping you would come back."

Evelyn tilted her head, confused. "Come back to Arefu? Well sure, eventually." She replied.

"No. I mean yeah, but with me." Ian said miserably, his face flushed.

"Ohhh! You want me to get you back home safely!" Evelyn exclaimed. "Of course I will! Silly, you're like the little brother I never had!"

"No!" Ian blurted. He groaned in frustration. "I want you to come back to Arefu with me, to stay there with me." He explained.

"Stay in Arefu?" She asked slowly. "With you." Suddenly realization washed over her features. "Oh Ian." She said softly, shaking her head.

"Don't!" Ian commanded, holding up his hand to cut off her words. "Don't give me the little brother shit. You have to give me a chance." And with that he leaned down and pressed his lips to Evelyns.

She didn't pull away, nor did she kiss him back. She just waited. He drew back and looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "Nothin huh?" He asked sadly.

"Ian I love you. I do." She began. He hung his head. "No, look at me. You're an amazing guy. And the girl who lands you will be the luckiest girl in the wasteland. But I'm leaving."

He looked up. "Leaving?" He asked.

"Headed towards New Vegas. It's a long long ways from here." She explained. Inspiration struck. "Ian have you ever been to Big Town?"

"Nah. It's not far from Arefu though." He answered, still looking miserable.

"I'm going to Big Town tomorrow. Would you come with me? They need some help and I think your skills with guns would help them a lot." She explained.

"I guess." Ian shrugged. "Got nothing better to do.

"It'll be fun." Evelyn assured him. He didn't reply, just stared at the ground. "Love you kid." She said, hugging him.

After a moment, he returned her embrace. "Love you too vaultie." He mumbled into her hair.

"I've gotta get moving, but you need to be ready nice and early tomorrow. Okay?" She said, pulling back and punching him in the arm playfully.

"You got it." He replied, nodding his head.

She watched him walk away with his head low. She sighed deeply. She turned and gasped as she stared at an amused Charon.

"That was almost painful to watch." Charon said, clearly amused.

"Jesus Charon, how long were you standing there?" Evelyn gasped.

"Long enough to know that you have broken that boys heart." Charon said mockingly.

She swatted him on the arm. "Shut up! Ian's a good kid." She smoothed her hair. "But that was kinda unexpected."

"I would advise that the next time another man kisses you, he should be warned that I have broken mens spines with one punch." Charon growled irritably.

Evelyn pressed herself to his chest. "Noted." She said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Let's get moving. I've got to go see Moira. I need more ammo."

He watched as she sauntered away, swaying her hips purposefully. She turned her head briefly to wink at him. He couldn't stop the small smile from creeping onto his face as he followed her. She made her way up the metal walkways until they reached a shanty with the words Crater Side Supply written sloppily on the side. Evelyn pushed the metal door open and they stepped into the dim store.

A small plain woman greeted them immediately. "Hi there!" She chirped in an overly cheerful voice. "Evelyn! It's so good to see you! Oh my! You've brought a friend! A handsome friend!"

Charon wanted to recoil from the overly happy creature in front of him. Instead he gave her his best glare. She seemed unfazed as she continued to rattle off things about some book. Evelyn seemed to know what she was talking about.

"So we are definitely helping people!" The shopkeeper exclaimed. "Now how can I help you and Tall Dark and Handsome over there?"

Evelyn laughed. "His name is Charon, and paws off Moira, he's mine."

"Well dang. All the cute ones are taken or crazy." Moira said sadly. Charon snorted. Crazy indeed.

"I just got lucky I guess." Evelyn replied, smiling at Charon. "Do you have any microfusion cells Moira?"

"Do I ever!" Moira exclaimed, perky once again. "Had a cranky guy in here about a week ago, didn't even know what they were. He brought me over five hundred, but I sold two hundred. So I've got three hundred and ninteen of them for you. Between you and me, I hope he doesn't come back. I heard he got real mean with the whore at the saloon."

"Moira she has a name. Nova." Evelyn admonished.

"Oh I know. But who has time to remember names?" The ditzy woman exclaimed, not at all put off. She dug around under the counter. "Aha!" She crowed triumphantly. She pulled out a large ammo box.

Charon was having a glaring contest with the mercenary in the corner. He was impressed. Most hired muscle was intimidated by his sheer bulk. Charon gave him a nod and watched as Evelyn counted out caps.

"Moira I'm headed out to Big Town tomorrow. I'll swing by one last time before I go though." Evelyn said as she dumped the microfusion cells into her pack.

"Okie dokie!" Moira exclaimed. "Such a big adventure! Do you think you'll ever come back?"

"Probably not Moira." Evelyn said softly. "I think the Capital Wasteland will be okay without me."

"You've fixed just about everything haven't you? You're a nice girl." Moira said, already fiddling with a foul smelling experiment.

"Thanks Moira." Evelyn said solemnly. She and Charon left the store and walked down to the clinic. The doctor was on his way out of the door.

"Holy hell that's a big zombie." The startled doctor exclaimed.

Charon growled. Evelyn was quicker. "Say that again Church and I'll knock your fuckin teeth out."

The doctor didn't look concerned. "Calm yourself woman. No need to be so damn touchy." He drawled. "I assume you want to buy out all my stims?"

"Yup. And for your little crack there I want a discount." Evelyn snarled, drawing herself up, squaring her shoulders.

The doctor scowled at her for a long moment. "Fine." He snapped. "I've got twenty-five."

"Sold!" Evelyn declared smugly, handing the man a pitiful amount of caps.

"I'll be glad to see you go." Church grumbled sourly.

"Oh Doc, I'm wounded!" Evelyn called mockingly as she strolled away. Charon followed, frowning.

She caught his frown and sighed. "Let me guess? You feel emasculated."

Charon rolled his eyes. "It is unwise to ruin a good business relationship to spare my feelings. Doctors are few and far between." He scolded.

Evelyn scoffed. "Oh please. That hack isn't half as well trained as I am. Besides, I refuse to associate with bigots. It doesn't have anything to do with you. It's my own morals. I know what's right and wrong. Willow and I are exactly alike, except she doesn't have skin. It's bullshit that I have more rights. Human is human." She raged, her raised voice drawing the attention of the settlers.

"They aren't human." A voice rang out. Jenny Stahl stood tall with her mouth set in a grimace of disgust. "They're mutated animals, who knows how many Geiger ticks from going feral. You and Nova are disgusting. Of course Nova always was. But I thought you were better than some dirty ghoul fucker!" She screeched.

"Jenny!" Andy snapped, admonishing his sister with a humiliated look at Evelyn.

"No! That filthy whore and nasty vault bitch are ruining our town with their filth! This used to be a nice place. Now it's degenerates and ghoul fuckers. What's next? Fuckin cannibals?" Jenny snapped, her voice almost at full volume. Evelyn spared a glance towards Ian and Lucy. Lucy had her arm on Ian's and she was glaring with all her might at the only Stahl woman.

"Jealous Jenny?" A male voice called mockingly. "Can't even get a ghoul to fuck ya?" Billy stepped forward with a mean grin on his face.

"Fuck you!" Jenny screamed back. "I wouldn't degrade myself by letting one of those disgusting animals touch me!"

"THATS ENOUGH!" Andy bellowed. "Jenny get your ass inside or you won't have a fucking place to live. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Jenny gaped at her older brother in rage. Her face turned purple. She stomped inside, shooting Evelyn one last dirty glare.

"Evelyn I'm sorry for what my sister said. We weren't raised like that." Andy sighed.

"Don't apologize Andy. But I'm warning you, she needs to stay out of my way." Evelyn retorted.

"I understand." Andy agreed.

Evelyn stomped all the way back to her house, dimly aware of Charons quiet footsteps behind her. She stomped inside, then she stomped all the way upstairs, kicking off her boots and armor as she went. She flopped down onto the bed and kicked off her pants furiously, making soft, irritated noises as she did so. Charon stood in the doorway, silent. Evelyn stared at the ceiling.

"A dirty ghoul fucker." She spat. "I saved this fucking wasteland. I saved this TOWN from a megalomaniac with skyline issues. But I'm a dirty ghoul fucker, ruining THE FUCKING SANCTITY OF THIS FUCKING RUSTING TRASH HEAP!"

Charon remained silent. He had warned her that humans wouldn't approve of her fraternizing with him. But that did little to assuage his guilt. He had ruined her reputation. A reputation she had bled for, fought for, nearly died for. He had been selfish. He just stared at her sadly.

"I'm sorry if they hurt your feelings." She called to him softly.

"Their opinions are not of any importance to me." He said stiffly.

"Come lay with me." She pleaded suddenly.

He couldn't refuse her. Not with the sad look on her face. He sat down on the bed, slowly removing his boots and armor. Very carefully he lay down next to her. He had been careful to leave space between their bodies but she ignored that completely, curling into him. She nuzzled his shoulder and wrapped her and around him. He reached out and carefully removed the bobby pins holding her hair in place. She made no move to stop him, so he slowly unraveled her hair from the braids she had secured it in. He ran his fingers through her long hair, loving how soft it was.

"You like my hair huh?" She asked.

"I have never seen a woman with such long hair. Have you ever cut it at all?" He asked as a reply.

"It's been trimmed and I won't let it get much longer. It's not very practical. But I'm vain, and it makes me feel pretty." She admitted.

"You are beautiful." He stated.

"Thanks. So are you." She said. He rolled his eyes. They rested there quietly for a few minutes.

"I think you should give the West boy a chance." Charon told her reluctantly.

"Excuse me?" Evelyn said as she pulled back to stare at Charon with confusion and hurt.

"You could build a life with him. No one would call you names in the town square. You could grow old with him. Have children." Charon explained quickly.

"You think I care what some bitch calls me? I can grow old with YOU. And what? You and I couldn't have kids?" She dismissed fiercely.

"We could not. Ghouls cannot reproduce." He answered softly.

"We can adopt." She shot back.

Charon sighed. "I will outlive you."

Evelyn grinned. "Kinda cocky aren't you?" She teased. "Are you saying you won't find me sexy anymore when I'm old and wrinkly?"

"If I still had skin I imagine I would be wrinkled." He said. "I am already quite old."

"I done care. I want you." Evelyn said firmly. She crawled on top of him and gave him a hard stare. "And you want me. Why are we having this conversation? You do want me don't you?" She asked, suddenly looking unsure of herself. The fear in her features made his chest ache.

"Of course I do. I just want what is best for you." He replied, reaching up to cup her chin in his large hand.

"Loving you is the best thing that's happened to me in a long time." She whispered with a smile.

"Your love is the best thing that has ever happened to me." He admitted with a smile of his own.