Edited: 10/1/2015, 1:34 p.m.

NEVAEH

I watched Charon take two giant steps forward and jerk Gob up into his arms.

Nova dropped her cigarette, Jericho choked on his beer, both Alex and I just staring blankly, my cigarette burning the sides of my fingers. I looked over at Nova and our eyes met. She gestured wildly to the scene and I shrugged and looked back to the strange thing going in front of me. Gob was hugging back, his eyes were wide on the ceiling, as though he couldn't believe this was happening and he's not the only one. I cleared my throat, taking a drag from my cigarette very slowly. It caught Charon's attention and he promptly dropped Gob and turned to me, fear in his cloudy eyes. Did he think I was going to punish him? Wow, he really was conditioned for pain.

"Charon uh…" I looked between him and Gob. "What's. . .uh going on here?"

He breathed a sigh of relief, Alex chuckling behind him as he moved to sit in one of the chairs around the table. "Don't be such a tight ass Charon," the ghoul drawled and winked.

Charon glared at the back of his head then looked back to me, eyes relieved. "Gob is my brother."

My eyes widened and I dropped my cigarette. "Y-Your brother," Well, I sure as hell wasn't expecting that.

Gob stepped around Charon, nodding slowly, still in shock. "Charon is my brother, I was in a Vault while he was in the National Guard Depot when the bombs fell. We met up again in Underworld, after Ahzrukhal got a hold of him."

I stared at both of them, my eyes flickering rapidly between bulk and slim. I was seriously intrigued in this. They were related? I didn't see the resemblance at all; Gob was small and squishy, Charon was hard and red. Ok, maybe that wasn't the best difference comparison but you get what I'm saying. This just made no sense. I looked between them again, at their face and noticed their eyes were the same icy blue. I smiled and moved to Charon's side as Gob sat back in his seat, talking animatedly to Alex who was pouring more whiskey into his flask. I grinned up at Charon with smug satisfaction, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Do you really think I'm that evil now," I questioned.

He growled and looked away. "Whatever."

I cackled and fell into the seat closest to Nova, waving my hand around in a circle before I grabbed a beer and popped the cap against the edge of the tale. "Whatever to you to buddy. Have some fun now, we're settled in and we got your family back. Relax, have some food, some booze or whatever. We ain't leavin for awhile."

I took a small sip out of my bottle, looking over at Alex who was grinning at me. When I raised my brow, his grin calmed to just a normal smile and he leaned back in his seat, drinking from his flask for a moment.

"Nevaeh I owe you an apology."

I waved a hand at him. "No Alex you don't. You thought I killed everyone and you had every right to, Hell I would have killed me right on the spot. I can't believe you actually listened to my words in the tunnel."

Gob shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "What happened?"

Alex and I chuckled, but he answered Gob's question. "Got back to Megaton a few days ago and found it was nothing but radioactive rubble. Thought the lass here killed ya all so I went out for blood. Caught em in the tunnel over by Rivet City and she talked me outta killin her," he placed one hand palm down against the table. "Lass I don't think I woulda killed ya when I found ya. I'm a lover and a fighter but really I don't like killin unless ya deserve it. I had no evidence you did that, I just assumed. Of course I was right, but I thought everyone was dead."

I nodded. "I understand Alex, but the one thing that really surprised me was you overpowered Charon."

Gob looked at Alex wide eyes. "You overpowered him," he jerked his thumb over his shoulder at Charon.

Alex nodded, taking a sip of whiskey the same time I went for my beer. "Yep, of course he was already occupied with Nevaeh and I was hiding, but still."

Nova leaned onto her elbows against the table, one brow raised. "I don't really remember you. . ." she stated bluntly."

Alex chuckled. "I don't think ya would lass. I don't remember you much either, remember seeing ya headin upstairs mostly."

She nodded and leaned back. "Yeah well you'll never see that again. Moriarty's dead."

And just like that Alex passed out. We all watched his eyes roll back and he slumped to the ground in one big heap right in front of us. I looked around the room, everyone looked really confused with what just happened. I pushed myself up and looked over the table at him, saw him definitely passed out.

"Hey hand me that bottle of water," I pointed to the shelf behind Nova.

She twisted around and grabbed a bottle, passing it to me. I stepped around the table, unscrewed the cap and stood over Alex, tilting the bottle so the water poured onto his face. It took a minute but he sputtered and shot up, looking really confused and happy.

"S-Sorry bout that," he stuttered, pushing himself to his feet.

I shrugged, tossing the bottle into the corner. "What the hell was that about?"

He looked down at me, taking a breath. "Oh uh. . .Moriarty's dead."

"And?"

"It just shocked me is all, can't believe I actually passed out though," he rubbed the back of his exposed neck.

I chuckled and walked around the table again, sitting down in my chair. "Well believe it honey, now drink up," I held my beer in the air. "We got plenty booze to spare."

So we were down there for two hours, drinking every second away. I laughed until I cried and all that good shit, Charon standing behind me and Gob until I moved over to sit next to Alex and play some card game with him. I think he called it Caravan or something, I didn't really pay attention to the name he gave me. I didn't notice a lot, aside from the fact that I was super fucked up and a little detail like Nova watching Gob as she drank. There was this weird emotion in her eyes as she watched him, something like possessiveness or protectiveness. That would have been very interesting if I wasn't as wasted as I was right now.

I looked over at Alex, who looked like he was lost in the ceiling, jaw slack as he stared straight up, then looked over at Charon. "Ch-hic-Aron," I stumbled to my feet and fell onto Charon, letting his arms catch me. "I think we n-hic-eed to get back to the tower."

He sighed, nodding slowly. "Yes I do as well."

I grinned and raised my arms above my head, spinning in his arms for a moment before I walked back to the table. Nova looked up at me when I made the table shake, one of her eyes closed. She smiled at me with a lopsided grin and looked around for a minute. She found the shot she was looking for and raised it up to me, kicking it back hard. I laughed and reached for my own shot, cringing when the alcohol stung my teeth. I smacked my lips and held onto the back of my chair tightly, arching my back, stretching.

"Aaaah that feeeels great," I burp out.

I looked up to see Jericho giving my crotch a sleezy glance and picked up a beer bottle, chunking it at his face. Alex watched Jericho hit the ground with a blank expression then started laughing in a weird way. Gob and Nova gave Jericho a sideways glance before they too started laughing, falling into each other. I chuckled and watched the old man sit up over the edge of the table, his haggard, drunk eyes on me. There was so much venom and bloodlust in those old eyes. Alex chuckled and reached over, grabbing Jericho by his head.

"Don't even think about it lad," he muttered, taking a sip of whiskey.

I grinned, crossing my arms over my chest and stuck out my tongue at Jericho. He growled and jerked out of Alex's grasp, pushing himself up. My eyes grew wide and I jumped into Charon's arms. He stumbled back, surprised from my sudden attack, but didn't let me go. I clung to him, pointing at the door then Jericho.

He nodded and we left, Charon running and jumping over rubble, he even jumped over a few sleeping people. I could hear Alex cursing and saying sorry behind us but didn't pay much attention. As we passed Roy and Bessie I waved goodbye, giggling when she laughed at us.

"Maybe a little warning your jus' gonna up and. . .and leave me next time," Alex slurred beside us as we walked through the night air.

I kept my eyes closed, nuzzled against Charon's breast plate. "I pointed at the door, I need something heavier to hit him with next time."

"Next time you need to stay sober," Charon grumbled.

I rolled my eyes and lifted my head, groaning when everything spun. "Ok. . .ok Charon, Alex stop. They won't let me in if I can't walk on my own because I'm this wasted."

Charon nodded and stopped by the front gate, letting me down slowly. I stumbled forward for a moment but Alex caught me by my elbow to keep me upright. I smiled at him lopsidedly over my shoulder then looked down at my shorts. I pat my pockets, front and back, looking for my cigarettes. The pack floated into view and I took them, grinning at Charon. He grunted and lit a cigarette for me, keeping the lighter and pack to himself. I guess that made sense, I'd just lose it anyway. I cleared my throat, smacking my forehead a few times before I pressed the tiny black button at the bottom of the speaker.

"Hey uh Gustavo? It's Nevaeh."

My voice was barely sober but the gates still opened, raining sparks down on us. Guards watched us as we walked through, their eyes narrowed and guarded. They wouldn't attack us, Burke liked me way too much for them to attack, same went for Tenpenny. The lobby was empty, not surprising considering the time. I was more than thankful for the silence in the elevator. Alex kept a firm hold on my elbow, so no crawling to my door for me tonight. Ah, I'm gonna miss those days.

"So where do I sleep," Alex asked inside the suite, thrumming his fingers on Rex's brain case.

I looked around the room. There was only one extra bed in the room so that meant someone might have to share with me. I grimaced at the thought, I really didn't want to share with anyone. . .

"I'll sleep on the floor," Charon announced.

"Aw Charon come on. . ." I groaned.

Alex looked over at me then sighed. "Nah man I'll sleep on the floor."

Charon glared, leaning his gun against my bookcase. "I will sleep on the floor."

I groaned and threw my head back. "Yo, I'll sleep outside in the chair. Alex you get my bed. Charon you get the other bed, fair?"

"No!" they both yelled at the same time.

I grumbled and folded my arms over my chest, glaring at the ceiling. "Idiots. . ." I looked down at the ground.

"I'll sleep outside, you sleep in your bed and you sleep in that bed," Alex glared at Charon.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the sheet from my bed, walking towards the double doors. "Alright so while you guys argue I'm gonna go outside and get some sleep."

They seemed to ignore me so I just went outside like I said, curling up in the chair with the double doors cracked. I closed my eyes against the wind and pulled the blanket up to my nose. I opened one eye to see Rex nudge the door open, he and Fluffy came out from the suite, Rex whining. He laid at my feet, licking my leg for a minute before he rested his head on his paws. Fluffy scuttled under my chair, I could hear her clicking as I smiled.

"Aggravating aren't they," I mumbled.

Rex grumbled and moved closer to me. I sighed and tucked my head into the blanket and closed my eyes. I didn't sleep well, I drifted in and out of R.E.M. sleep most of the night. Maybe it was having these two animals with me outside or two hulking ghouls inside arguing. I hadn't had any company since I left the Vault. My body was on edge, anticipating one of them snapping and trying to attack me, kill me or worse.

I think the arrangements will work out fine, having Alex and Charon tagging along. Alex hadn't promised anything but I hope I can talk him into following us around as I go on my little adventures. He's fun to be around, funny and a great drinking buddy. I know Charon is happy, I reunited him with his family and I know Alex is happy because the whole town is still here and alive. I smiled faintly and rubbed my toe against Rex's furry side. I could hear Godfrey humming around inside, could hear his motor shutting down as he returned to his station. Constance. A constant sound, a constant atmosphere minus the two ghouls arguing inside. I missed having normalcy. It was another thing I hadn't had since the Vault. I think I can adjust. I adjusted to life out here rather quickly, even if I missed the Vault sometimes, it was never my home.

I was born out here, in the Wasteland, and it was my father who kept that fact from me. He lied to me so many times now that I think about it. I think my father hates me. I think that way because every time the Overseer called me and him to his office about anything I had done my father said whatever. He never took interest in my academics or my job as the Vault mechanic, never cared about any fucking thing I did.

Why didn't he care? Was it because he thinks I stole the love of his life from him? I didn't steal her looks, I stole her voice though, from what I can tell her personality, her brain. I don't understand why he would never sit with me when I watched old holotapes. I don't understand why he didn't keep any of my drawings when I was a kid. Why didn't he ever come to my baseball games in the atrium, or come to work to walk with me home?

I thought parents were supposed to love their children no matter what. I was told it was an instinct thing, once you had a child your instincts kicked in and you'd do anything to make them happy. How come he was never like that?

Because he hates you, duh. You stole his lover's life, how can he forgive anyone for that? Even if you are his daughter, a tiny black voice hissed in the back of my head.

My eyes snapped open against the sunrise. The faint rays of the sun peeked over the mountain tops, making green rays across the desert sand. I could hear Deathclaw cries and heard a faint boom somewhere in the distance. I looked towards the cracked door and noticed the silence coming from the room. So they had gone to bed. When was that?

I pushed myself up a little and stretched, the blanket sliding off of me a little. Rex stood stretching as well, ass high in the air and he nudged my hand. I looked down at him, one brow raised as Fluffy came out from under my chair.

"Need to go piss don't cha," I asked, standing.

Rex whimpered and slipped inside the suite. Fluffy and I followed, me trying my best not to trip over the little insect. The suite was lit faintly by a big fat candle by my bed and I could make out Alex lying on the mattress. I chuckled a little and tossed the sheet over him. I looked over at where I guessed Charon was, seeing a lump under the sheet. Rex and I slipped out of the suite quietly, hearing nothing but silence. The lobby was empty too, well except for the guard asleep at the front desk, but he was nothing more than furniture right now.

Rex pushed past me and barked his way towards the open gate, out into the desert. I raised a brow at Gustavo, stopping beside him. "Why's the gate open?"

Gustavo looked over at me then grunted, looking back out into the desert. "Waitin for the caravan, you left those ghouls alone?"

"Gustavo their not ferals, their military men. Trust me, they're fine."

I passed Gustavo and followed Rex over to the metro entrance. He pawed at the gate for a moment but I shook my head, walking past it towards the Pink & White. I stepped inside, remembering I didn't have any weapons, just Rex's teeth. I hear the faint sound of Maybe by the Ink Spots, but didn't see a radio or any speakers, just broken shelves and old empty cans.

Rex went into the bathroom, sniffing around while I headed towards the back of the store, towards the door. "Rex come on, let's go to the next one."

The pink store was a little trashed, which made me arch an eyebrow; no one ever stayed in here, passed through, so who took the time to stop in and trash an abandoned store? I realized I was barefoot and dug my toes into stale, crunchy, squishy carpeting as I eyed the rude, gangly mouth drawn in black on one of the mannequins. I looked around, noticing Rex standing in the middle of the room and growling at the back of the store, hackles hitched.

"Come on boy, the place is empty," I muttered, not bothering to wait for him before I stepped around a paper separator.

I screamed immediately, seeing the woman hung from the wall. Her stomach had been ripped open and nailed open against the wall, her intestines hanging down to the floor, ribcage exposed. Her head hung and her eyes were gone, so was her nose. I held a hand over my mouth, but leaned forward anyway, puking up everything I had eaten in the past few days. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and turned back to Rex, stumbling backwards a little. Rex looked up at me in concern, head cocked but he immediately went back to growling at the scene in front of us. I could smell the blood and the rot from the corpse being stuffed up here in the heat. It was disgusting.

"Let's get the fuck out of here," I mumbled, hurrying through the back door.

Rex followed me closely at my heels and we started heading back towards the tower. I knew Raiders mutilated people and everything, I knew they raped and enjoyed themselves with things like that but I had never. . .I had never ever seen something like that. That looked like it was set up like a piece of art work. That wasn't the normal Raider shtick.

"Where have you been?"

I looked up at Alex when I entered the lobby of the tower, kind of surprised by how fast I had moved by just speed walking; that shit back there must have scared me more than I knew. I shook my head and slipped around him, briefly eyeing the mug of coffee in his hand. Well, someone made themselves at home fast.

"Hell," I explained and stepped into the elevator.