The stain on my gauze had gotten bigger as we neared Megaton. Charon said not to worry too much about it, and kept walking. He wasn't being as mean to me as he usually is, and I liked the change. Three Dog babbled mindlessly on my Pip-Boy, mainly about where I had disappeared to.

"Maybe you should continue on your quests when you recover."

Charon suggested as he held open the gate of Megaton for me. I walked through, still in my tank top and brown shorts.

"You should head home to rest, I will gather supplies from Moira."

I nodded. Charon helped me up the steep hell and into my house. He dropped off my stuff and took his leave. Wadsworth came down the stairs, and lectured me on seeking medical attention. I shook my head at him, and got myself up the stairs. I didn't feel like sleeping, so I just laid on my bed. I stared at the ceiling, and the small holes that let the sun leak through. I could hear people talking outside, and sometimes I'd hear them talk about me. I had hoped to enter Megaton unnoticed, so then no one would want to ask me for favors, but that wasn't the case. I guess in a small town, word travels fast.

I heard some of the residents talking about me. They were inquiring about who Charon was, and how they had often seen me acting 'suspiciously' close to Gob. I got mad after I heard one nice woman refer to me as 'a service ghouls can afford'. I was not, in any way, sexually intense with Gob nor Charon. Sure, I often wondered what it would be like to kiss a ghoul, and more than once I've caught Gob giving me 'that' look. But it never went further than that. Someone in this town has to be decent to the fellow. He's so nice, Gob I mean. Hell, even the hooker said she wouldn't 'lower he standards' for him. I bet he'd have to lower his. Stupid whore.

I heard Charon coming banging in the front door. Sitting up on my bed, I peered out the bedroom and down the stairs.

"Sounds like you have more than just clothes for me."

Charon grumbled and kicked something out of his way. I heard him coming up the stairs, and smiled when I saw his head.

"You brought me presents!"

I got excited as he dumped a bunch of crap on the floor in front of me.

"I did not."

He bent down and started going through the pile of junk. He tossed me a gray hooded sweatshirt and tarnished green pants. I slipped on the pants, and smiled.

"They fit good."

Charon grumbled and ignored me. I took off my tank top, sitting in my birthday suit. Charon looked up then instantly turned away.

"I would appreciate it more if you told me when you were indecent!"

I giggled at him, turning the sweater right side out.

"Charon, it's not like you give a damn. You're a mercenary. I hear they don't have sex."

"That may be but still, it would be appreciated."

"Alright, alright."

It felt damn good to be in loose clothes. I played with the hood, hiding my face in it and messing with the strings. The junk Charon was sifting through was actually old parts from guns. He was probably looking to repair his.

Standing up, I put my shotgun on my back and smiled.

"I am going to Moriarty's to hang out with Gob. You coming?"

Charon stood up, almost intimidating me with his height.

"I should, yes."

I nodded and shrugged at the same time. Leading him down the stairs and out the doors, I instantly felt everyone's eyes on me. They had heard about the state I came to Megaton in, and I bet they were suspicious. No, I knew they were suspicious. I pulled the hood over my face and jammed my hands in my pocket.

"Dez, what is troubling you?"

"Nothing Charon, forget it."

We walked into Moriarty's and the stench of smoke hit me in the face. I relished it, and got a cigarette from Charon. Gob was cleaning a glass, and like before, Charon slumped in a chair, hiding his face in his arms.

"Gob!"

Gob actually came out from behind the bar and gave me a hug. He was the second person to hug me. Charon was the first.

"Ow, be careful."

I pushed him off and lifted my shirt slightly. He saw the gauze and his eyes widened.

"Aw kid what happened? I told you to be careful out there."

"I just got into a fight, that's all."

He looked at my neck, and pointed.

"That?"

I pulled the hood over to cover it.

"That's nothing. Ignore it. So, how've you been?"

Gob shrugged and walked around back to the bar. He took out a glass and poured me some vodka.

"I've been alright."

"You have a new bruise."

He didn't respond.

"Gob, come on, please let me just take care of this issue. I swear it'll be fast and painless."

"I appreciate it kid, but no. I wouldn't feel right having you do my dirty work."

"I hate Colin."

"Don't we all?"

I sipped the tall glass of vodka on the rocks Gob gave me. Charon hadn't moved or spoken since we arrived and I knew better than to push his buttons.

"So, what's the deal with that stomach of yours? Isn't this bastard supposed to protect you?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charon twitch.

"It's a really long story, Gob. I don't want to talk about it. It's not his fault."

"Yeah well, I never get any nice people around in here. I'd like to keep the ones I do have in tact. He needs to be more careful."

I sighed and sipped the vodka a bit more. Charon lifted his head from his arms and sat up straight. He stared at Gob evilly.

"Coming from the screw-up who got himself captured by Slavers two seconds into the Wastes."

"Charon!"

Charon leered at me.

"I will not be insulted on my performance. Especially by the likes of him."

I sighed.

"Charon! Be nice to Gob!"

Charon put his head back down. I looked at Gob, frowning.

"I'm really sorry about that. Charon's been especially prickish lately."

Gob shrugged like he couldn't give two shits.

"It's fine kid, don't worry about it. The old man is just sore about his shit."

I sighed. I swear it was beginning to seem like they were two little kids. I was the mother who needed to drink it all away, so I did.

I laughed manically as I slammed my fist on the bar.

"And then I was all 'MWAHAHA' and they were all 'oh no the evil and sexy girl from Vault 101! We're doomed!' it was hilarious!"

"I remember it slightly different, Dez."

I looked at Charon through my beer-goggles.

"You shut up. You…you don't know anything why? Why? Because you are a mean, mean person. Yes…a mean one."

Charon rolled his eyes. Gob laughed at me from behind the bar as I hiccupped. I caught his smile, and waved my hand for him to come closer. He bent down and smiled.

"Yes?"

Gob loved to humor me when I was shitfaced.

"Gob, hey Gob…what's it like to ya know…kiss a ghoul?"

Gob stepped back from me, laughing.

"I don't know kid, I've never kissed one."

I reached over the bar for his arm. I was laughing, I had two ghouls standing near me, and I was shit drunk.

"Gob you gotta let me try this…you gotta."

I pulled him close and pressed my lips on his. I had only ever kissed Butch, so I was pretty fucking rusty and inexperienced. But Gob didn't seem to mind. I mean at first he resisted and tried to pull away, but then he got the hang of it and wrapped his hands around my shoulders. It felt…cold. Cold and moist and…rough and hard all at the same time. It wasn't disgusting or rotting, and it wasn't like he had no teeth or anything. I actually found I enjoyed it more than kissing Butch.

I pulled away from him, smiling and satisfied.

"Ya know that's not really that bad. I expected something like…roar…Charon I am a monster!"

I bared my teeth and made claws with my hands over my head. Charon sighed loudly, and tugged on my arm.

"I think it's time to go. People are beginning to stare."

I nodded and toppled off of the barstool. Charon had to pick me up and help me to the door.

"Goodnight Gobbykins!"

I waved to him and he shyly waved back. Outside, the cool night breeze made me smile.

"You think Gob is all embarrassed I did that."

Charon shook his head.

"No, but I am."

I stuck my tongue out, stumbling over my own feet.

"Oh whys that huh?"

"Steady yourself."

I gripped a rail and looked out over Megaton. The lights were mesmerizing. I smiled at it, resting my chin on my arms. Charon stood a few feet behind me.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the waters of life freely."

"What is that?"

I picked my head up to look back at Charon.

"My mother's favorite bible verse."

Charon leaned next to me, his arms on the rail. I was seeing two of him and I smiled stupidly.

"I heard there was a secret chord, that David played and it pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music do ya?"

I hiccupped and burped.

"I like some music, but it gets repetitive. Three Dog doesn't have much a selection, does he?"

Charon looked at me, shaking his head.

"It's a song I used to know. I thought you liked Biblical metaphors?"

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

I nodded and pushed myself off of the rail. I almost fell, but Charon's steady arm caught me. He hummed as he led me back to the house.

"What are you humming?"

"An old song."

"It's very beautiful. Will you write it out for me?"

Charon cocked an eye at me. I burped once more and put my hand over my mouth.

"The notes…I used…aw forget it. Help me."

He opened the door for me. I walked up to my bedroom, with him guiding me.

"What were you saying earlier, about notes?"

He asked me, leaning against the door frame as I laid on my bed. I smirked stupidly, yawning.

"I used to play the piano. In the vault."

He nodded and left. I never told anyone about that. Ever. My music teacher was the only one who knew. On those lonely days I used to have, which was pretty often, I'd sneak into the music room and play the old piano. My teacher caught me in there so much that he gave up on yelling at me. He would sit with me, and teach me notes and how to read music. It just came natural to me, I guess. I would put my fingers on those keys and forget everything around me. I'd close my eyes, and let it all come out on the keyboard. Charon's humming reminded me of it. I don't even think my father knew that about me…

I put my hands in the air in front of me. Closing my eyes, I played on invisible keys and hummed to myself, trying to mimic the song Charon had. Wadsworth floated outside, but I ignored him. I was in the zone, the peaceful zone. I hadn't played music since my dad left the vault, and I was beginning to miss it very much.

"What are you doing?"

I jumped up at the sound of Charon's voice, snapping my eyes open. He was leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed.

"Charon…you scared me."

"What were you doing?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. Looks like my tough chick persona was dissolved in front of Charon.

"I was pretending I was playing the piano…"

He nodded, and walked over to me. Taking my hands in his, we pretended there was a piano in front of us.

"Like this."

He said, separating my fingers. I began to move them, smiling. He moved his beside mine, and I couldn't help but stare at his hands. What had they gone through? I've had a fascination with of things since I was little. Like hands. Soft hands meant that the person never worked, they meant they never saw rough times. Everyone's hands in the vault were smooth and soft. Mine were growing calloused and rough, not ladylike. Charon's hands were red and raw, ragged, rough, but…but at the same time the bare flesh that was on them was soft. I couldn't see his whole palm because of the gloves he wore, but I could tell they were strong hands. Working hands.

He caught me staring and put his hands on his knees, balling them into fists.

"I'm sorry."

I said, putting my hands at my waist.

"It is alright."

I burped again and sighed. I was never a good drunk. I felt sleepy, but I didn't want to sleep.

"Charon? Are you tired?"

Charon shook his head and looked away from me.

"I want to leave for Rivet City again. Tomorrow."

"What is there?"

"My…my father."

I put my hand on my neck, covering the burn from the baton. Charon shifted uneasily and I felt my bed creak.

"May I ask you something, Miss Dez?"

I knew Charon was being serious. He hardly ever put 'Miss' in front of my name.

"Sure."

"What happened with your parents?"

I felt my heart jump in my throat. No one ever cared to ask me. No one ever wanted to know.

"She…my mother, died when I was born. I wasn't born in the vault, I found that out from Colin. My father had taken me there when I was barley one, and since then…since then he's never been the same. I mean, I don't know how he used to be…but…he didn't act like I was his daughter. He…he worked a lot and didn't have time for me. I've always thought he blamed me for my mother's death. If I wasn't born…he would still have her. Maybe that's why he never spent time with me growing up…"

I stared into space as I spoke, as if I was in a trance remembering it all. Charon didn't say anything, and I felt I was supposed to continue my story.

"Most of the time, I was playing the piano in the classroom. I didn't have friends. I got beaten up a lot as a kid…and then there's Butch."

"Butch?"

I nodded, closing my eyes tight and gripping my pants in my fists.

"Are you sure you want to hear this, Charon? It's…personal. I've never told anyone."

"Only if you want to share it."

I nodded. Maybe if I did, and heard myself say it aloud, I'd be able to finally get over it.

"Butch DeLoria. He was the leader of this gang in the vault, the Tunnel Snakes. Kind of a sexual innuendo I always figured. Anyways, he used to beat me up when I was little, but once I hit sixteen…I kind of…filled out you know? I got the tits and I got the ass and I got the whole female gig and whatnot…so he took interest. I was so desperate for attention, that I did anything he asked of me. Even if it was crazy and insane. I started getting into a lot of trouble because of him, but I didn't care. Someone wanted to spend time with me, you know? So I did things I'm not too proud of for a guy who tossed me away like I was shit. I got him back, though."

"How?"

"I'm not proud of it…but as I was leaving the vault…he stopped me. His mother was stuck in her room with a bunch of Radroaches. He asked me to get her, save her, but I didn't. It was the first time I felt I had any power, and the first time someone innocent suffered because of me."

I opened my eyes and looked at my still-closed fists.

"I am sorry that happened. You did not deserve it."

I looked at Charon through foggy eyes. No one…no one ever gave me the kind of time he was giving me. If I was sober I wouldn't have shared so much with him. I would have put up a fight or told a lie, but I was glad I didn't. Someone knew me now, someone did. I felt a sad song I used to play on the piano going off in my head. I felt a lump in my throat and tried to swallow it down.

"You don't know what I did and did not deserve. You didn't know me then."

"I know you now. And I know people. I know that as a young child, no one should be neglected or treated badly. I am sorry that it happened."

I nodded, and took a big, deep breath in. Charon's cheek muscle was exposed on both sides, and his neck, too. I wanted to touch it, to see how it felt. I wanted to examine him all up and down, in and out. I wanted to know why someone like him, someone who only sees me as a 'job' is taking such interest in me.

"Charon?"

"Hm?"

"Why…why are you being so nice to me?"

He turned his head away from me more. The muscles in his exposed neck stretched, and I wondered if it was painful.

"I feel I owe it to you to be kinder."

"Why?"

He shifted again, not looking at me.

"Because I am sorry for what I had to do to you back with Clifton."

"Charon, it wasn't your fault, you had no say in the matter."

He shook his head.

"No. I am sorry for it. I should not have caused you such great pain. I did not want to, but I am honor bound to do as I say. I expected you to hate me after I had tortured you like that, and when you didn't, I realized how cruel I had been. Believe me when I say that I would not have scarred you like that."

Charon's heartfelt apology really hit me hard. I put my hand on his knee and squeezed it.

"I'm not angry with you about it, Charon."

He stood up, letting my hand fall off of him. He walked to the door, not looking at me. He stopped in the doorway, and I heard him take a deep breath in.

"I will wake you early tomorrow. Goodnight, Miss Dez."

"Goodnight Charon, sleep well."

"Yes. You too."

He closed my door behind him. I could hear him walk into his room, and I heard him remove his armor. I heard the sofa creak under his weight, and then silence. I looked at the spot where he had sat with me, and I touched it with my hand.

"You're really throwing me up in the air, Charon."

I said to myself as I laid down. Closing my eyes, I used my hands as a pillow and pulled my knees up in the fetal position. I wasn't sure how I was feeling, it was a sad feeling, but a comforting sad. I could hear people walking by outside, and I closed my eyes tighter. Charon, you really messed me up.