G.O.A.T.s, Bullies, and Dangerous Daddies OH My!

***Note: Mostly in Trini's perspective as this correlates with the quest "Future Imperfect" but will switch to third person after a page break. ****

"I can't find anything wrong with you. You are a perfectly healthy 16 year old girl sweetie," my dad informed me as I had gone to him early this morning hoping to get a sick day. "Now young lady you have a GOAT to take."

"But Daddy my stomach still feels weird. And besides why is this test so freaking important?" I moaned I was beyond nervous knowing this stupid test decided my future here in this hole.

"Trinity, its just the Generalized Occupational Aptitude Test it only helps in deciding where your skills would be useful in serving Vault life. You will do fine honey I'm sure of it, you're a bright young girl and growing up too fast for my liking, but everyone has to take it. I took it when I was you age, so its just your turn." he smiled helping me down off the examination table. "Take it seriously, the last thing I need is your Mother's ghost haunting me because her only child became a garbage burner, understand me?" He eyed me knowing exactly what I was thinking.

"Ok ok. I got it Dad." I said giving him a hug and grabbing my school bag. "May I borrow this for good luck?" I asked seeing his Medicine bobble head on his desk.

"Sure Honey, you'll do fine though now go before you're late." he said almost forgetting adding,"Oh and here take this down to Stanley afterwards, its medicine to help with his insomnia and headaches."

"Sure thing Dad," I smiled at him then headed through the clinic putting the medicine in my bag for later. I waved to Jonas who smiled and wished me good luck today and if I didn't like my results he'd have a "discussion" with Edwin later that night which made me laugh easing my tension. That tension was short lived as I came around the corner from the clinic heading to the classroom. Butch and his pack of morons were harassing Amata, again badgering her and not allowing her to pass.

"Butch don't you have anything better to do?" I said stepping up to them.

"Stay out of this Nosebleed or you'll be returning to your daddy with a few broken bones." he threatened back.

"Know how to kill a snake Butch?" I stared him straight in the eye, "you cut off his head." I caught him off guard hitting him squarely in the jaw sending him stumbling backwards.

"Why you little bitch! You'll pay for that! tunnel Snakes get her!" he commanded. I saw Wally coming for me next and decided to try and use my wits to save my face. "Always his little pawn aren't ya Wally" I said knowing Wally hated being told what to do. He stopped, "Nobody tells Wally Mack what to do no one." he said. "I'm done with this shit, lets go Paul." Wally commanded his other half and they decided it wasn't worth the effort to deal with me anymore.

"This ain't over Nosebleed not by far..." Butch grimaced as he massaged his jaw a bit, "You will learn that the Tunnel snakes Rule 101 or else." He finished taking off towards the classroom.

"God its like they can't stand to be anything other than worthless assholes. Thanks TJ, I don't know what those garbage burners would have done if you hadn't shown up. Hey want to meet at the Diner after the GOAT? We can celebrate our final passage into slavedom together" she laughed.

"Sure, I just have to run something down to Stanley before I join you, shouldn't take long." I said as we entered the classroom and took our seats.

"Good morning kids, everyone ready for the 2077 G.O.A.T.?" Mr Brotch greeted the class as we all groaned. "Don't worry its not like your entire future depends on how you answer these questions or nothing." He joked with us, as he tried to lighten the mood. "Now when you finish the test bring it to me and you will get your results. Eyes on your own tests and you may begin." He instructed as we all looked down and started filling out our papers.

Question 4: Congratulations! You made one of the Vault 101 baseball teams! Which position do you prefer. A. Pitcher, B. Catcher, C. Designated Hitter, or D. none you wish the vault had a soccer team.

Jesus christ how the hell is that kind of question going to help them decide what job I'd be good at I thought angrily to myself. I tried thinking about how my dad would have answered that one, and decided he would have probably picked hitter, so thats what I chose. I finished my test then reread through it just to make sure I really chose well. I made my way up to Mr. Brotch noticing I still finished before everyone else, though Amata was close behind me, "Here's my test Mr. Brotch God I hope I did ok." I smiled nervously at him.

"TJ I'm sure of it," he said as he scanned my test answers, "See nothing to worry about, Dr. Trinity." He smiled showing that I had indeed tested to start the medicine track.

"Thanks Mr. Brotch! See you tomorrow!"I said smiling to Amata letting her know I'd be at the diner shortly. I made my way from the classroom down the stairs towards the maintenance halls I had grown to know as a kid so long ago. I found Stanley in his office if you could call it that, as it was a rusting out old desk in a dank alcove but it was as private a place he could find. "Hey Stanley, I brought this down for you from my Dad." I said handing him the sack with the new medicine for him.

"Thanks kiddo, so do I get to call you Dr. next?" he asked knowing well what day it was. I laughed and nodded, "It would seem that way yes."

"Good for you kiddo, you do your old man proud ya know."

"Thanks Stanley, that really means a lot." I said, "I gotta go Amata's waiting for me up in the diner."

"Sure kid, tell your dad thanks for me too ok." He said as he waved goodbye to me.

I made my way down a side tunnel taking a back route that would lead me to the diner faster. I rounded the corner and WHACK! The hit sent me staggering back reeling in pain. before I could recover a pair of hands had grabbed me by the hair and chin lifting me up my head spinning in circles.

"I told you we rule this place and I keep my promises." I could hear Butch through the ringing in my ears as I tried focusing my eyes seeing that he was holding a wrench now dripping with some blood, my blood.

"You fucking bastard..."I sputtered out as I swung my free hands out trying to hit him. They were quickly grabbed by another set of hands which looked like Wally's as he pulled them back behind me.

"ah ah ah none of that Nosebleed," Butch said as he sucker punched me hard in the gut. It left me trying to catch my breath as I was being held tightly by now who I assumed were Paul and Wally. He then kicked my left leg forcing it to twist and almost snap but thankfully it didn't. It was enough force that Wally too was knocked off balance and I managed to free my right arm. I moved to try to hit Paul behind me to free myself but he held on tight to my hair and chin making it too difficult to twist around to get anywhere. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Butch raising the wrench to make another blow to my head. An instant mistake I used my right arm to block the blow, SNAP! I screamed out in pain my right arm clearly broken as it hung limp from from my elbow down the forearm bent in a funny angle, blood oozing from the impact. My head was reeling and my eyesight was fading in and out from the first hit of the wrench and the newest assault wasn't helping..

"aww did that hurt you nosebleed, I'm sorry..." Butch spat as he lifted my face to look at him, by this time I was trembling not just from the pain but I was starting to fear for my life tears in my eyes. He had decided I'd had enough and must have given a signal as Paul and Wally released me, in which I immediately fell to my knees and slumped over not having any strength nor coordination to hold myself up.

"Don't interfere again nosebleed, got my point?" Butch gave one last kick to my side knocking me agonizingly over crying out in pain. "Lets get out of here."


Paul slowed down falling behind the other two who were gloating all the way back heading to their gang's hideaway. He felt disgusted and sick that he had allowed himself to be apart of that attack. He decided he couldn't fix what had happened but he damn well was going to make sure he got Tj to help. He ran back down the stairs finding her trembling and limp and dripping blood from her forehead, nose, and arm. Oh god please say they didn't kill her, they were just supposed to scare her. He rushed over hearing her groan as he lifted her up getting under her left shoulder to support her. "Tj I'm soo. sorry... please just hang in there and we'll get you to the clinic. Can you try to walk?" he asked. She hobbled a bit as she went in and out of dizziness and almost blacking out.


Meanwhile back in the clinic James had been pacing a little wondering where Tj had been since that morning, he thought she would have come and told him the news by now. "Maybe she's just lost track of time hanging out with Amata, James," Jonas said trying to calm his friend down.

"Yea you're probably right." Right then the door slid open Amata coming in and looking quite distressed.

"Has Tj come by? I can't find her anywhere!" she said nervously.

"Didn't she show up for the GOAT?" James asked hoping she didn't try and skip or worse.

"Yea, she was going to meet me afterwards in the diner, after she dropped off the stuff to Stanley, but she never showed up and I'm worried sick now."

"Well she couldn't have gone far, I mean its a Vault after all." James said thinking of where to start looking. "Well best start down with Stanley I'd guess," he said as he moved to head towards the clinic door being met by the Overseer coming inside the clinic too.

"Amata there you are, come on now its time for dinner." Alphonse said.

"But Dad we can't find Tj, she's missing I want to help find her."

"I'm sure James can handle that, she's probably just scared to reveal her test results or something silly like that now lets go." He said as he motioned for her to follow. As they turned around to leave they heard a slight groan and an exasperated Paul carrying the now slightly conscious TJ on his back.

"Doc its TJ, she's hurt bad! You gotta help her I'm soo sorry!" He said to the shock of all in the clinic at the sight of Tj's injuries as she hung limply over his back.

"Tj!" James, Amata, and Jonas cried out in shock together.

"Quickly put her down over here, Jonas grab some bandages, rags, and some stimpacks." Paul did so as Jonas helped ease her down onto the gurney so that they could start assessing her wounds.

"What the Hell happened here?" James asked trying to keep his head in all this mess.

"It was an ambush, Butch wanted to make a point and took it too far. I'm sorry I should have maned up and stopped it before it even happened." Paul was beating himself up inside thinking how much of a dick he had been and how Tj had been there in times he was in trouble and this is how he had repaid her, by letting her get all beat to hell.

"Oh my god, Paul! Why?" Amata asked coming over to help but was stopped short by her dad.

"This is for James to deal with lets go and leave them to their business." he said in his usual dour tone.

"NO! Damnit this is my fault and you may not see it but if it weren't for her I'd be on that table!" Amata screamed at her dad.

"What the hell do you mean Amata? Those two have had it in for each other for forever. It's not your fault they squabble like dogs in a dog fight." He said coldly enough that James had to fight the urge again to kill that man where he stood as he just tried to focus on helping TJ. He noticed her broken right arm and the gash with it as he informed Jonas that he had to set it before he could use a stimpack to start it healing. "Jonas put that bit of rag between her teeth for her to bite down on. I have to set this now but its going to hurt." He watched as Tj wasn't really aware of what was going on her head injury was most certainly a concussion and was causing her to black out. He counted inwards to himself taking her wrist in one hand and the upper part of her forearm in the other. On three he gave it a hard twist setting the bone back into position as Tj let out an agonizing scream through her gritted teeth from the sudden increase in pain.

"What I mean Dad, is that Butch goes after me like I'm some fucking prize to be had. He was harassing me today and if Tj hadn't stepped in I dont think I would have even made it to the test. I'd be in some hole somewhere battered and taken advantage of." she said indicating that not only would he have knocked her around he would have had his way with her against her will. That moment a fire flickered in the Overseer's eyes that the bastard was actually trying to take advantage of his daughter and he was not going to stand for it. He looked to James in an understanding of what he had meant about protecting his girl no matter what the costs and now they both were going to put Butch into place.

"James, think Jonas can handle Tj's condition for now while we attend to some business with Mr Deloria?" he said James immediately recognizing the man was going to do something good for a change. "And bring something that may prove our point beyond reason ok."

"Yes indeed, Jonas have Paul help you clean and bandage her up and keep her as quiet as possible, I can't give her pain medicine until I asess that head wound as pain meds would cloud possible brain injuries. Amata help try to keep Tj quiet and as comfortable as possible." James said grabbing a vial of saline solution that wouldn't harm Butch but he'd never know the difference between it and something that could be lethal.

"Got it, lets go pay Butch a visit shall we?" Alphonse said as the two of them left the clinic.

"Paul you can help best by bringing me more clean rags and taking the used ones and putting them in that bucket over there. Thanks" Jonas guided as he continued to clean up the blood and dirt from her wounds. Amata stood beside her and took her left hand in hers causing TJ to stir a slightly.

"Amata?...I'm sorry I didn't make...it" she said her voice raspy from the pain. "I'm..."

"shhhh Tj, just try to relax ok, it's no big deal I just want you to get better ok." Amata stopped her friend from talking. "just rest your dad will be back soon and it will be all ok" she said as tears filled her eyes for her best friend not to suffer wishing she could somehow magically make it all go away.

"Don't cry over ...cough.. me its ok..."Tj was having a hard time keeping focused and it wasn't soon before she passed out again.

"Jonas is that ok she do that?" Amata asked.

"Should be ok, for her to do so until the Doc comes back."

"Damn Paul, what were you thinking? Why would you even consider being apart of something like this?" Jonas questioned the boy.

"Dude I don't know. I'm just trying to be who I want to be in this hole. I didn't mean to let it go this far though. Wally and Butch are my only friends I have though." he said.

"Paul if you'd have stopped hanging around him you could have had us for friends." Amata stated.

"Yea but then what be harassed along with you? Not really in my plans..."

"no asshole you could stand up for yourself and be a man. You obviously care a little or you wouldn't have helped bring TJ here." Amata hissed.

"Easy kids, sorry I asked lets just stick with the here and now and do what we can for TJ ok" Jonas intervened not wanting another fight to break out.


Alphonse was about to bang on the Deloria's apt door when James grabbed his arm hearing something in the hallway coming towards them.

"Easy Alphonse, lets do this smart ok. I think our man is coming our way" he said confirming hearing Butch talk to Wally down the hall heading in their direction. Alphonse nodded and listened for James to give the signal. The two waited in silence as the boys chattering got louder as they got closer to them, James and Alphonse had decided to give them a taste of their own medicine an ambush of their own. Right as the boys rounded the corner James and the Overseer grabbed one boy each the much stronger men easily overpowered them as they slammed the boys against the wall.

"What the hell man!" Butch yelled as James shoved against him holding him up against the wall the Overseer doing the same with Wally.

"Did it ever occur to you boys that if you mess with a sleeping bear's cub that eventually the bear is going to wake up and not be very happy when it does."James eyed Butch trying to read what he was thinking and if he was even thinking of showing any remorse for what he had done.

"Look man it's not my fault the little shit ask's for it. Both of them do." he said trying to keep his cockiness to see if it would prevail.

"Cut the crap Butch! If you want to live to see another day I'd answer the Doctor truthfully and without the Bullshit. Same goes for you too Mr Mack."

"Look Overseer sir, I never wanted anything to do with it it was all Butch I swear!" Mack crushed easily under the pressure as he was hardly a boy with any backbone.

"Why you little squealer! Do whatever you can to save your hide Wally, figures." Butch sneered.

"Wally I know who the real problem is here so let me say this once, if I catch you ever again messing with my daughter and her friend it will be more than answering your father that you will have to worry about got it." The Overseer said allowing Wally to go free and he immediately ran towards his apt. Alphonse had informed Mack of his son's problems so he wasn't worried that Wally thought he'd be heading to a welcoming home.

Jame and the Overseer turned their full attention to Butch struggling against Jame's grip all he could.

"If you want to live to see your 30's you best start wising up and leaving Amata and Trinity alone and keep to your business and become a respectable citizen of this Vault." James stared coldly into the boys eyes not sure his point was getting across. He decided he would need to pull out the vial and make his intentions perfectly clear. Butch's eyes widened seeing the vial of what he could only imagine was some kind of poison.

"You wouldn't that's murder!" he said.

"Do you think what you did to TJ was anything less? You practically attacked her with the intent to kill did you not?" The Overseer joined in.

"I'm sorry man, I was only going to scare her so she'd stop sticking her nose into business that wasn't hers."

"oh like you trying to get in my Daughter's pants?! Is that the kind of business you talking about?" The color ran from Butch's face at the sound of the Overseer was on to him and his actions of late. The Overseer continued, "There are three kinds of people you really don't want to piss off my son, and those are people who prepare your food, those who are here to heal you , and lastly the guy in charge of your safety Period. Are you catching my drift Butch?"

"Ok man I will promise not to bother them anymore, just please dont let the crazy doc here kill me!" Butch started to plea and had realized they were very serious about taking matters into their own hands.

"I think the boy is learning what say you James?"

"I think he now understands the boundaries. Am I right Butch?"

"Yes Sir I do man really!" He said as James released him from his hold. He was quiet for a moment thinking to himself before saying, "May I see her, I'd like to tell her I'm sorry, I let my anger get the best of me and I took out something on her that was never meant for her or Amata and I'm sorry."

James eyed the boy he actually looked remorseful for what he had done, he knew he really had no role model in his mother and without a father he was really just a lost boy looking to make himself known. Granted it was still no excuse for what he did James felt slightly sorry for the boy and maybe he could help him a little and give some guidance these next few years if he'd allow it.

"Alright but it will have to wait until tomorrow, you gave her quite a nasty head wound and it needs some looking after tonight. I'll call you tomorrow to let you know when she's awake ok."

Butch grimaced as the fact of what he had done really sank in, he wasn't a completely heartless bastard but he sure wasn't helping his case lately. "Alright man, I appreciate it and I really am sorry I've been an ass to both Tj and Amata sirs, I just am looking to fit in in here and doing a lousy job of it."

"Butch its tough but you'll get the hang of it soon I hope. Thank you for coming to your senses and I shall see you tomorrow I'm sure." the Overseer stated acknowledging the boy and allowing him to leave.

"I think that went rather well don't you think?" he said.

"Yes, shame he couldn't have come to this realization before taking his agression out on our kids but maybe now he can at least find a way to coexist with them." James stated as they headed back to the clinic.

"Amata time to go I promise you can spend all day tomorrow here if you'd like but I think James needs some time with Tj tonight ok." Alphonse said as Amata wished her friend goodnight and that she'd be back in the morning as Tj was still unconscious since she had passed out earlier. She left with her dad he also bidding farewell to James and Jonas.

"Paul thank you for your help you can go home now too if you'd like." Jonas said and Paul nodded wishing Tj a speedy recovery and apologizing again to James. James went over to where his daughter was laying now mostly bandaged and resting through all that had happened. He gently took her hand trying to get to wake back up so he could see how bad her concussion was.

"She's been out almost since you left with Alphonse, I wasn't sure if we should have let her stay out like that. She was in so much pain I figured it was her body coping with it." Jonas said worried he had made a mistake.

"Tj come on now honey I know it hurts but you have to wake up for me for a little while." He coaxed trying to rub her shoulder a bit as she started to stir.

"Dad...?" she said opening her eyes slightly, she grimaced as she moved to look at him.

"Try to stay still sweetie, I need to check that gash on your head and see if you have more than just a concussion. I'm sorry this will hurt a bit but as soon as I know I'll give you plenty of medicine for the pain, just stay strong for a little longer for me ok."

"Alright..." she said as he started to gently lift the temporary bandage on her head off. She winced slightly as he gently palpitated the wound weighing whether it was going to need stitched up or not. It wasn't as deep as he had thought it just had a lot of swelling behind it already. He decided it was best to just leave it alone and let it close up naturally, though it would probably leave a small scar on her forehead.

"I think you got lucky with this one Tj, just rest now and I'll give you some morphine to take away the pain, will probably knock you out as well but it will guarantee you get a full rest tonight." said sweetly kissing her on the cheek. He then injected her arm with a large amount of morphine to take all the pain away at least for the night. "I love you honey with all my heart."

"Love you too Daddy," she said as the morphine quickly took affect and she drifted off to sleep.