We reached Cottonwood Cove in an uncomfortable silence. I should have been more relieved to be leaving, but part of me still feared the whole thing was an elaborate ruse, like I'd go to see the Weathers and then, surprise! I'd be put in the slave pen with them. Or they'd be killed right in front of my eyes to demonstrate just how far Caesar was willing to go to get me to do what he wanted.

When Vulpes offered to take my bag, I practically threw it at him. Let him act like the slave for once. He'd hoisted it easily over his shoulder and gave me a pointed look, even through the darkness of his goggles, I felt it. He knew exactly what I was thinking. He always seemed to know. I hated how I noticed the muscles of his arms as he walked ahead of me. I hated how I started blushing thinking of those naked arms all around me. Naked arms and naked other things.

The sooner I was away from him, the better.

"Ave Vulpes Inculta," a man I hadn't seen before was waiting for them. Large black goggles were situated atop his head, the bottom half of his face was covered by a cloth. The man himself had skin like dark, fertile soil. He was uncomfortably tall and large. An imposing figure for sure.

"Ave Decanus Severus, true to Caesar," Vulpes replied. They saluted each other. Severus was giving me a look that was both curious and hostile. It would be better to be ignored, I thought. "I am here to oversee the release of the Weathers slaves."

I could see Severus's eye twitching. "They are in their room. Vulpes Inculta, why are they being set free? And who is she?" He barely glanced at me, so underneath him I was.

"She carries the Mark of Caesar," Vulpes said casually, but I could hear the warning in his tone. "Caesar's machinations are unknowing, Decanus, and not for us to question."

"Ita vero, Vulpes Inculta, I meant no disrespect. I will take you to the slaves."

We walked to the slave pen, but the Weatherses weren't in there. Severus took us to a small office building adjacent to the pens. He unlocked the door and held it open for both Vulpes and I.

"Dr. Eve!" Sammy cried out, running up to us. She stopped when she saw Vulpes and Severus and looked at me with uncertainty. It did look like they were being taken care of. The room had only one bed, but it was big enough for all three of them to sleep in. There was a rundown couch, a table with only two chairs, and lights. The family themselves looked clean, well-fed, and otherwise healthy.

"Hi Sammy." I took a few steps and knelt in front of her. "Are you feeling better?" She nodded absently, still looking at the two legionaries with distrust.

"Come," Vulpes ordered, not unkindly. "We have to make it to Nelson before nightfall."

"You're coming with us?" I thought we would just be on our own from the cove.

"Of course. Caesar's will is that you are to arrive safely. You of all people should know what happens when a woman is out in the Mojave alone." Insufferable bastard. I hope the glare I was giving him was enough to make his tiny heart stop beating, but he only looked back at me calmly.

"Who is Nelson?" Sammy asked me innocently.

Yet it was Vulpes who replied to her. "Not who, where. Nelson is a Legion settlement up north." Sammy ran and hid behind her mother, terrified to be spoken to by Vulpes. Kenny, bless him, puffed up and crossed his arms threateningly.

"You're taking us to another Legion camp?" I asked through gritted teeth. I couldn't believe it.

Sighing, Vulpes held up his hand. "Quies. It's on the way and it is the safest place between here and Freeside. Or would you rather sleep outside with the radscorpions and raiders?" I started pacing. I knew Myrna and the children were watching me with a terrified fascination. They had no idea what was going on, or why. Vulpes continued, "sometimes it is best to acquiesce to the demons you know. You still carry the Mark of Caesar."

"All right."

Vulpes.

They made it to Nelson a little after nightfall. They would have made it sooner if not for Eve's distrust. Not that Vulpes blamed her, he would be mistrustful too, but it was a hinderance. Eve had spent the walk entertaining children of this abomination named Fawkes. How interesting that her mutant friend's name was so similar to his own alias. He doubted any of the stories were true, even if this Fawkes existed, everyone knew super mutants could barely string two sentences together. Still, it kept the children entertained for the duration of their walk. Their mother kept peering at him with fear in her eyes. It annoyed him.

Vulpes had to take them off the road through some rough terrain, but the alternative would be to walk through Camp Searchlight, something he didn't think the group would appreciate. Camp Searchlight had been another stroke of fortune for Vulpes, one which earned him high praise by Caesar, and one of many acts he'd done to secure his place at his imperator's side. Turning the NCR profligates into ghouls had been a sweet side effect of his plan. They deserved no kindness from him or the Legion. Yet sometimes the ghouls, mindless as they were, walked aimlessly from the camp and had to be put down. It was easy enough, but children and women were unpredictable creatures so who knew how they would react to be chased by one.

He was glad it was dark, as he had made an oversight in regards to the crucified NCR soldiers decorating the camp. A sight meant to intimidate any NCR snipers who might be watching, and to mock them.

Decanus Dead Sea was there to greet them, having been told of their arrival by the scouts keeping tabs on the outskirts of Nelson.

"Wait here," Vulpes told the group.

"Ave Vulpes Inculta," Dead Sea saluted as Vulpes walked towards him.

"Ave, true to Caesar." They saluted each other. "I am here with Eve of the Capitol, she carries the Mark of Caesar." Dead Sea's eyes widened as he looked at the woman glaring at him from beyond Vulpes. "The family with her are going to Freeside with me. They are not to be harmed."

"Ita vero, I will let my men know."

"The mother and her two children will need a room of their own. A guard must be posted outside their door, though I do not think they will be any trouble."

Dead Sea nodded. "And the other?"

"She will stay with me." Vulpes didn't like the smirk that Dead Sea had on his face. "She already caused the death of one legionary with her wiles. I only trust myself to watch her."

"It will be done, Vulpes Inculta."

"Another thing; have the crucified men covered by morning. They can be shown again once we are gone." Vulpes knew it was the most strangest of requests, and he could see Dead Sea trying to process it. The decanus nodded slightly and shrugged.

"Ita vero."

Eve.

"I'm not staying in this room with you," I hissed to Vulpes. We'd dropped the Weathers family off in their room. I had assured Myrna that all was well, and though I could see the uncertainty in her eyes, I knew she trusted me. I was, after all, the reason her family was doing so well and would, hopefully, be free soon.

"You are," Vulpes replied with a finality. "I have not yet forgotten your escape from the wagon, mea lepusculus."

There were two single beds in the dorm type room. It wasn't glamorous, but it would work. "You better just stay away from me," I hissed, stomping over to one of the beds and laying on it, my back towards Vulpes. I heard him chuckle, which only infuriated me more. I heard him take off his boots, and the other bed creaked as he lay on it. I had forgotten to take off my sneakers, but I wasn't going to give him any satisfaction, no matter how badly my feet were going to sweat. If I were alone, I would have tried to escape, but I had the Weathers family to think about and I wasn't going to put them in any more jeopardy than I already had.