31
The ghouls gave Cathy what remained of her supplies and gear. The men from Tenpenny had picked it over, selling off the most valuable parts to traders early on. Fortunately, no one could afford Harkness's gun until he bought it back himself.
She stood at the base of the Tower in the early morning light, staring up at smoke swirling out of a window. Ghouls roamed the yards; moving bodies around like nothing had happened and guilt plagued her soul. Worst of all, Daring Dashwood emerged, from his room and spit in her face. He'd called her a murderer before he'd been kicked into The Wastes.
Trying to help, she promised Daring she'd find him a new place to live. Roy offered to let him send for his things but nothing dissuaded the old man from his anger. Eventually Harkness calmed him down and convened him to follow a caravan towards Rivet City. "If you have enough caps they can always convert a new room on the boat."
In the rosy light of morning the couple trudged towards Megaton. Harkness convinced her it would be best to restock there before heading to the memorial. Supermutant raids made walking into the rubble dangerous within the best gear and the blue dress Cathy wore wouldn't provide much protection. She followed Harkness because he had a plan and she couldn't think very well.
Evening fell when Megaton came into sight. A few ants scurried near but they were quickly disposed of. During travel neither of them spoke much and Cathy felt relieved she didn't have to try to impress him all the time.
As the gates spread open, Cathy stepped into Megaton and she had the nagging feeling she'd come home. The citizens near the gate stopped and looked at them with distaste, avoiding whatever path they took. The ugly looks made Cathy press her hand into Harkness's and he squeezed her fingers assuringly.
A few feet away from her brother's house Lucas Simms stopped them. He seemed older, in his faded brown trench coat and cowboy hat. The air of authority he carried caused Harkness to straighten up and the two exchanged glances ending in her lover bowing his head. His lack of power in Megaton made her feel vulnerable.
"You kids aren't going to clean us out and let a bunch of muties move in, are you?"
"No," Harkness responded. "We are going to buy some supplies, rest up, and get out."
"That's alright by me," Simms said. "No one had any love for Tenpenny Tower, but I won't go down so easy. Got me? With what happened recently I'll go easy on Miss. Irving but you I don't know."
"I am the head of the Rivet City Guard," Harkness said. His weariness made the words extra bitter. "I am a lawman at heart."
"Not what the radio says," Simms responded. "You're wanted for questioning and on probation until further notice."
Paler somehow, Harkness turned to look at Cathy. She didn't know what to say, so she squeezed his hand again. After a few seconds he squeezed back. She'd ruined his life because she had been stupid enough to sleep with Burke. NO matter how hard she tried she could never make this up to him.
"My Pip-Boy radio makes me sick," Cathy said. "I haven't heard what's going on in days-weeks... Burke kept me tied up in the Tower. He beat me and-I tried to stop him. I had no choice but he wouldn't stop and…"
The words failed her, not that she wanted it to tell Simms but he seemed to sense her meaning. Her legs trembled and Cathy squatted down on the metal sheeting in front of her brother's house. Everything spun and she thought for a moment she'd pass out. When she came too, Harkness hovered next to her in the dust, his fingers inches from her body. Simm's seemed sympathetic now.
"I never liked that Burke. I was glad when he left. The radio didn't say anything about any of that."
"I'll feel better when I see dad again," She sniffled. "Getting a hug from him is all that's keeping me going. I want him, me, Caleb and Harkness to all sit together at dinner, like we used to in the vault-well not Harkness-but still. After that everything will be okay, I can feel it."
Simms's face grew gloomier with these words. He shuffled his boot in the dirt, stirring up motes around him. Cathy rose with Harkness's help and stared at him.
"What is it I don't know?"
"I guess you really haven't listened to the radio." Simms's stared at the ground and couldn't look her in the eye any longer. "Isn't my place to say, mame'. I'll talk to the folk in town and make sure they won't give you the stink-eye anymore."
"Thanks."
Cathy felt bewildered by the exchange. The mayor-sheriff tipped his hat and walked away from the couple. She looked over at Harkness, who shrugged and ran his hand through her hair.
"We can overcome anything," he said. "Do not forget that."
"Okay," she smiled. Maybe everything would be alright.
"I am looking forward to meeting your dad again," he said. "He seemed like a good man."
"Me too."
The door to her brother's house slid open with less trouble than she remembered. The MR. Handy swam over, extending long tendril arms in greetings. She watched Harkness with him, asking the robot to tell a joke, wondering how alike they were, really. Looking at them they seemed completely disconnected. Mr. Handy didn't even walk, he floated on a gas cylinder in the middle of his frame and his head was a round dome. How could they be anything alike?
How could they have the same rights?
Nudging the red heart shaped bed on the floor, Harkness grinned up at Cathy. "Want to explain this?"
She opened her mouth to respond but another woman's voice answered. "It's a bed."
Upstairs stood a coffee skinned woman with white hair, wearing power armor, and staring back at them. Instinctually, Cathy moved next to Harkness, fingering the holstered gun at her side. With a novel smile on her face, the soldier moved down the stairs, her feet sounding as if they might crush the steps.
"Your brother asked me to stay here," She said. "He thought you might come by before heading to the Memorial. Have you heard the radio broadcasts?"
"No," Cathy responded. "People keep asking me but I get radio sickness. I can't turn on my Pip-boy."
"That's what your brother said," She responded. "I am Star Paladin Cross. I escorted Caleb here after the Jefferson Memorial fell to the Enclave."
"What the fuck is the Enclave?" Cathy asked.
"Enclave," Harkness repeated. "Where is her brother and father?"
"I'm sorry." Star Paladin Cross bowed her head and seemed solemn.
For some reason Cathy's brain had stopped working. "About what?"
"Honey," Harkness pleaded. He sounded grim and she couldn't understand why.
"Where is Caleb?"
"Your brother is in Vault 101."
"Why is he there?"
The Paladin ran her gloved hand through her hair and looked around the room for help. Refocusing on Cathy she sighed.
"This would be easier if you'd been listening to the radio."
"Well I haven't. You're going to have to tell me what happened."
"There was an emergency signal from 101," Cross explained. "I assume your brother is doing fine. He is a brave person, I'm sure he's alright."
The next question Nagged at Cathy, she clinched her fists and her mouth felt dry. She turned around looking for help. Biting her lip she laughed nervously and asked, "Dad went with him?"
"I'm sorry," Cross repeated. "That's the part I wish Caleb had been here for. He wanted to tell you himself."
"Dad's hurt?" Cathy stuttered. "Where is he?"
"I am afraid it's worse than that."
A hand landed on Cathy's shoulder, it belonged to her lover. She barely noticed him in the room.
"How could it be worse? He can't be dead."
Once again Cross couldn't maintain eye contact.
"He's not dead," Cathy yelled. Rage settled into her gut. How dare this stranger lie to her like this? "I didn't get to see him again, he can't be dead. It's not fucking fair if he's dead."
The hand on her shoulder tightened its grip and she shoved it off her. Backing up she, slammed into the table holding the bobble-heads her brother collected and scowled in pain at the action. It didn't hurt badly but everything seemed elevated right now.
"He's alive!" she screamed. "You're lying to me."
"I wish I was," Cross said. "He died a hero's death, defending the purifier from the Enclave. They overran it. Dr. Li, your brother, and all of the lab assistants barely escaped with their lives. They are continuing their research in the Citadel and I escorted your brother here to look for you. Trust me; I never wanted to bring another mourning Irving to this town again. Not after your dad."
"He's not dead." Tears streamed down Cathy's face, as she shrank to the ground again. This time she had a bed to fall onto, and her hands flopped helplessly around in the folds of the blankets. "He can't be gone."
Above her Harkness hovered, his mouth a thin line of worry. He wrapped one of the blankets around her and gently tapped her chin with the tip of his finger. Lips distorting in pain, Cathy felt tears flood down her cheeks. The way he looked at her now, full of pitty and worry, she knew.
"I'm never going to see him again, Theo."
"I know Kitty-I wish I could change it."
"If I'd been there," She shuttered, "If I'd never slept with Burke-I wouldn't have ruined so many lives."
"It's not your fault," Cross said. "No one saw this coming. You couldn't have fought them off."
"I could have saved dad," She cried. "I would have shot the man who tried to hurt him."
A caress came down her cheek and she looked at Harkness for help. "Burke kidnapped you, Cathy. He did horrible things to you and you recently broke free. You did everything you can to get back to your dad, it's not your fault he's gone. No one could have known."
Desperate to make this different, Cathy lashed forward at the woman in the metal armor. She remembered the Brootherhood in their steal fortress, refusing to lower themselves to help the common man. Her father risked his life and they did nothing to help. Thinking about him dying in the run down memorial while they sat on stock piles of weapons infuriated her and she wanted to make them pay.
Her hands and legs kicked wildly as Harkness held her back from Star Paladin Cross. He began to drag her up the stairs when Cathy howled down. "It's your fault! All you assholes in the Brotherhood of Steel stood by and watched as he died. You sat in your Citadel, jerking off over old technology and let the rest of us suffer. My dad was a great man. He wanted to make free, clean water and you couldn't even keep him safe from whoever the Enclave is."
"I'm sorry," Cross repeated but Cathy didn't hear.
Inside her brother's bedroom, Harkness threw her down on the bed and held her down by the shoulders. He was gentle but her body hurt none the less. Being restrained made things worth and she found herself willing to fight him. Despite her physical abuse, he kept her at his side until she devolved into a puddle of water and mess. After awhile she hyperventilated then fell into asleep. As quite swirled around her, she thought she heard a door lock and Harkness's steps as he went down the stairs.
In the morning Harkness brought her a breakfast of Mirelurk egg and cheese. The food looked disgusting but he made her eat it. Soft pets to her head made Cathy feel optimistic, as he told her about the trading he'd already done in the town.
"Have you heard from Caleb?" Cathy asked.
"No one has heard from the vault since the signal cut off," Harkness said. "I'm sure he's fine though."
"He has to be."
"He will be."
The assurance made her feel stronger. After breakfast they turned on the radio and listened to the news broadcasts. She wept when Three Dog told the story of how her father died defending the purifier. Smiled when she heard about her brother bringing the lab people to safety and how Li was still working to save her father's project. Then the news shifted to her and Harkness.
Three Dog crooned, "Apparently they helped the ghouls slaughter the entire tower, ladies and gentlemen. Citizens of Rivet City have asked Theo Harkness be brought up on charges for his assistance in mass murder and other factions are interested in finding out Cathy Irving's role. A new rumor has surfaced that Harkness helped the ghouls to save his woman from a nefarious member of the tower, but this story remains unverified. Dead dad and a Wasteland turned kangaroo-court; I'd hate to be Cathy Irving right now."
"I'd hate to be me too."
Rubbing her face, she focused on the Paladin, who sat on a chair near them, deep in consideration. Whatever weighted on her soul, Cathy decided she didn't care and went down stairs to pretend to tidy something.
"You can't run away from this," Cross called out. "You did something evil."
"I saved myself and killed several monsters in the process. My hands aren't as dirty as anyone in that tower's were."
Cross started blankly in disapproval while Cathy did the dishes. She refused to care about what the old woman though. Truthfully, Harkness had been distant since they got to Megaton and that bothered her more.
"I guess you are right," Harkness said from his place on the floor. "I cannot go home, I am afraid."
"They have no right to put you on trial," Cathy said. "You did what you did to save me. Only evil people lived in the tower and they deserved to suffer. Didn't you say most of them were slavers?"
A knock came from the door. Cathy's heart rose as she ran to opened it. On the other side stood her brother and she wrapped both of her arms around him.
"You're alive," she called out. "You're alive and okay, I'm so glad."
Saying nothing, Caleb pushed his way past her and into the living room. He walked to the back wall, picked up a bottle of liquor and took several gulps. When he finished he looked at his sister with disgust.
"Back from a day's genocide?"
These words felt like a slap to the face.
"I didn't do it," She said. "I killed Tenpenny, that's all."
"Like you had to kill Moriarty, right?"
Since they parted Caleb had aged considerably. Glee used to surround her brother and now faded into scorn. This wounded her deeper than her father's death. They had both changed so much and she didn't know who they were anymore.
Falling into the chair she wept, since they'd returned to Megaton everything made her cry easily. Caleb didn't care and Harkness didn't stir from his perch overhead. Maybe he thought they needed to hash this out on their own. Dishes clinked in the kitchen and Cathy assumed her brother had been hungry.
"Is the vault okay?" She asked.
"They will be," he said. "I convinced most of them to stay safely inside. A few wouldn't listen. Your Butch is ever the stubborn child."
Another name, more pain. "Is he well?"
"Sure." Caleb sounded exasperated. "Peachy-keen. Smoothed faced baby still thinks he can make it as a raider out here. Wouldn't listen to a damn word I had to say. Told me to tell you hi and that he'd try to find you after he'd lived a little."
"Idiot," Cathy groaned.
"That's what I'm saying," Caleb responded. "Of course I didn't tell him how you'd turned into a mass murdering harlot."
"I haven't killed anymore than you have." All of the pity she felt for her brother washed away. He had to be grieving for their father but he didn't have to be a dick.
"You killed innocent people."
"Name me one," She punctuated this by crossing the room and driving her finger into his chest. "What innocent have I slaughtered? Tell me the name of one man I killed that didn't deserve to die just like all those raiders, mutants and ghouls you've killed."
A sneer came from Caleb and he turned to put a package of Dandy Boy Apples on a plate. The sight of them made Cathy wretch. Reaching into his Pocket, Caleb pulled out a key attached to a red ribbon, with a bird in a cage at the bottom of it. He dangled the thing in front of her face and thrust it into her hand. Her eyelids pressed open hard and she looked down at the tiny bird in its tiny cage, terror gripping at her being. How could this be?
"Guess you didn't kill everyone in Tenpenny Tower. He told me to tell you not to worry, he still loves you."
This made Cathy feel like she would vomit.
"Who told you that?"
Rolling his eyes, Caleb asked, "Who else?"
"But he's dead."
Before she could do anything else, Harkness came down the stairs, rounded the room and stood beside her. He took the red ribbon from her and held it up to the light. They both stared at it with terrified fascination. Resigning himself, Harkness pressed the item into her palm and closed her fingers over it.
"Phillips lied to me."
"Or Burke made him a better offer."
"What are you two talking about?" Caleb seemed genuinely confused.
"Your sister had nothing to do with the raid on Tenpenny tower. I lead it to free her from Burke, my condition being that he dies and Daring Dashwood live."
From the chair Cathy had been occupying, Caleb crossed his legs and sat the plate down. He took a bite of the small white snack cake, chewing without savoring-like you did with all the bland Wasteland food. When he'd finished he shook his head and studied to two.
"You tried to kill Burke to win my sister's hand," Caleb repeated. "You're just as disgusting as she is."
"You're not listening to your sister or Harkness," Cross said from the top of the stair. "I spoke with Mr. Harkness for quite some time last night and he gave me the whole picture. Burke is the evil one; he tied your sister up, abused her and did unspeakable things-things no man should do."
"I don't get it," Caleb said. "She slept with him before. How do I know she didn't consent and lied to Harkness about it later?"
What hurt the worst is the way he spoke about her. He acted like she couldn't hear him. Didn't he see her standing there? The little girl who came from the same womb, who shared a lifetime of memories, the only one who mourned their father with him?
"She was kidnapped trying to guard you," Harkness corrected him.
"I found the note on Charon's corpse, Cathy."
Stirring from her thoughts, Cathy realized everyone in the room watched her. She started at Caleb, the hate on his face beating into her chest like a hammer driving a nail. Fidgeting with her hair, she looked up at the railing and realized she'd ruined everything. She'd never be free of Burke and Harkness would continue to pay for her mistakes.
"I haven't written a note in a long time." She finally said.
"You wrote one nearly a month ago when Charon died."
"No," She shrieked.
The memory of that day came pulsing back, just like the memory of the giant mutant and the night Burke crawled into bed with her. Everything churned into a cesspool of memory and she choked on filth as she tried to return to the top. "They threw the grenades in the window before everything went black. I remember the smoke."
"There wasn't much of him left," Caleb said. "What did you do to him Cathy? Punish him for being mean to you?"
"He saved me."
"So you killed him."
"No."
She felt desperate for something to cling to and everyone seemed too far away to reach. If the gap closed she wasn't sure she'd be safe anyways.
"Charon tried to save me from Talon Company. We opened the door and they had a bounty with my picture on it. He lifted me up through the window and they used either to knock me out. I knew he died but I blacked out and when I woke up-Burke…"
"I wish I could believe you," Her brother said. "Watching our father die in that room changed me, Cathy. I can see all of the injustice in the world. I can see how the Wasteland eats people up and the need to restore society. The purifier is the first step in making everything they way it should be, with law and order ruling above all else. You swing in and poison that at every turn. Innocent or not, you're part of the rot that has robbed people of their humanity for far too long."
He stood now and she couldn't face him, couldn't see the monster in his shadow anymore. Had he given Dad one last smile before he passed into the afterlife, been the child he could be proud of forever and she'd been to far away to matter. Probably their father hadn't given her a second though; after all he'd left Harkness alone to save her from peril.
"Dad wanted me to forgive you for Moriarty," Caleb said. Maybe he could read her thoughts. "He told me you'd tried to do the right thing, asked me to acknowledge your part in disarming the bomb. I told him I believed if it wasn't for me, Burke would have manipulated you into killing everyone. You deserve him, Kitty. I'm just sorry you've ruined this man's life in the process."
"I love your sister," Harkness said. "You do not know what she has saved me from."
"A happy life," Caleb smarted. "Success. A bright future."
"I am the android," Harkness said.
Grasping his arm, Cathy shook her head. They couldn't trust Caleb and he had to know this.
"You're crazy too," Caleb said. "Good, I needed to feel good about getting rid of you two."
"You do not understand what I am telling you."
Her brother's hands swept wide, landing on his thighs with a pop as laughed in frustration. "Well what then? Explain it to me like I'm five."
With a weary glance up to Paladin Cross, Harkness looked back at Caleb and sighed. He opened his mouth again, then stepped back and laid his head in his hand. Resignation forced Star Paladin Cross to express a sudden need to go for a walk. They waited until she'd shut the door to continue.
"Zimmer hunted an android in Rivet City. I am that android. Your sister saved me from slavery, just like she freed a slave in Tenpenny tower before the raid, just like she freed Gob and Nova. In every instance she has gone to great length to restore the fundamental rights of those held in bondage. Your methods are different but you wish for the same thing."
"You're full of it," Caleb countered. "The lies you two tell in a moment of desperation are sad."
"I can prove it."
Pulling a knife from his hip, Harkness looked to Caleb, trying to assure him about the lack of violent intent. The twin settled down, his fingers moving away from the holster they swung to in defense. Bringing the tip of the knife against his finger Harkness pierced his skin and a white bead of blood oozed out. Caleb's face showed that he didn't know how to react and Cathy watched the whole thing with a welcomed numbness.
"It's a trick," Caleb responded.
Turning the knife so the handle faced Caleb, Harkness offered him the blade. "Cut me, prove it to yourself."
Taking the knife and tossing it to the floor, Caleb picked up his own and grabbed Harkness's hand. He carefully cut a line down the palm, pulling back in fear as the white blood oozed out. Immediately he wiped the liquid off his blade and shrunk back from Harkness, who gave him an annoyed look and picked up the knife.
"You're with a machine," Caleb said to his sister. "How can you fuck a machine?"
"He has a dick. Remind me to explain how they work."
Caleb looked like he might slap her but she felt satisfied. Hatred for him festered up to the surface as he tried to process the secret he'd just been trusted with. She decided to take advantage his thinking to get the most important part in.
"Burke knows it," She said. "He threatened to use the information against him if I left and now it is only a matter of time until he rats us out. We can get Pinkerton to change Harkness's face again but then he has to be dealt with."
"Dealt with," Caleb repeated. "You mean he has to die. More death. You'd change your lover's identity to save him at the cost of a man's life. Who are you? Were we raised by the same man?"
"I can't win," Cathy groaned.
Behind her sat her new laser rifle, which she grabbed off the bookshelf and headed towards the door. She'd reached the handle when Caleb stopped her.
"You can't stay here Cathy," He said. "I know you're in danger and because of the love I have for you I'll give you time to sort it out. Dr. Li needs a thing called a GECK from a vault. I'm going to get it for her. It should take me three or four days to get there, find it and come back. By the time I get back, you need to be gone. I'll spread a rumor about your death to keep the heat off but I never want to see you again. If I ever hear about you anywhere near D.C. I will hunt you down."
"Like a dog," Cathy said to the door. She'd never turned to face him. They weren't family anymore and she didn't need too. She saw his face everytime she looked in the mirror anyway. "I'll leave Caleb, but you need to know that if we ever see each other again, I'll defend myself."
"You'll lose. Don't come back."
"I won't."
With nothing else to say, Cathy walked out the door and into the blistering sun. The heat on the metal radiated up through her shoes and she put her hands in her pockets as she walked down the hill. With each step the things she'd left in her brother's house began to run through her mind and she assumed since she didn't hear Harkness behind her, he would take care of their things.
When she left, she didn't have a destination planned and stopped walking in front of Burke's house. Why had she come here? No, she knew she would the second she saw the key. Tossing the red ribbon up and down in her hand she debated going inside. The bird cage charm mocked her when she moved towards either decision.
At last gave in and opened the door. Ripping the gun from her holster she swung around the shack, looking for any sign of a human inhabitance. The beams of light from the holes illuminated the darkness with a hazy orange glow that intensified on the table in the kitchen. On top of it lay the red dress with sequins, the one she'd worn the first day out of the vault.
Lowering her gun, Cathy stepped over and inspected the dress carefully. Half expecting a booby trap, she used the muzzle of her rifle to lift the cloth up enough to see under it. A noise came from behind her and she fired in the general direction of movement. When she opened her eyes Harkness stood in the doorway, over burdened with their gear.
"I am glad you are a shitty shot when you are scared."
"So am I," She laughed.
"I saw you slip in and followed."
He pushed in and set the excess on the floor. Instantly focusing on the red dress he stepped near the table and fingers one of the sequins before picking the garment up. Rolling the fabric around, he watched the sequins sparkle in the light, saying nothing, and avoiding the pain in her eyes.
"The key opened this house up, did it not?"
"Yeah."
"This is your dress."
"Yeah."
"Why is it here?"
"Burke."
"I know that." He seemed mad and she didn't blame him. She hadn't told him much about Burke or how they hooked up. He had a right to know.
"I had that on the day I left the vault." She explained and then realized she should be more upset. Had the dress lost all meaning or would things always be this detached?
"I want to see you in it." Harkness said. "You would look good in that color and I want to know what he saw that made him fall in love."
A tightness formed in Cathy's throat and made her wish he'd asked for anything else. She hadn't seen his eyes lighten this much in awhile and she couldn't imagine refusing him. With a slow hand she reached over and slid the red fabric across his hands, balling it up and pressing it to her chest.
"I'm afraid of it," She whispered.
"It is only a dress," he said. "I want to see you in it, see the sweet girl I met from the vault again. We were both different and I want a moment of that to return."
"It will," she said, "but I need a moment."
"There is a bathroom over there."
The door shut from his hand not hears. She didn't remember moving into the bathroom but did it really matter? Truthfully, many parts of today were hazy-her emotional state remained cut off and disjointed. Caleb's voice still nagged in the back of her mind. How evil could she really be? It didn't seem fair but she knew better than to argue with him. At least this drowned out the thoughts of how her dad had died.
Putting on the dress felt stupid and hollow, yet the sight of her made Harkness hold his breath. She could understand why, unlike the first time she put it on she filled out the bust while her waste sunk in more. Her body changed while she was in Tenpenny tower and she didn't like it.
"I know why he cannot let you go," Harkness said. "You are like a Cardinal with frost across your chest. How could any man ever see you like this and let you go?"
Despite his kind words her devils got the better of her. She couldn't accept that he wanted her or would be good. Her father's passing and brother's rejection made her afraid to hold anyone close.
"What if you have to?" she asked. Tears in her eyes.
"I will not," he said. "I have been considering our options and have a plan."
"You're doing better than me," she said, "But maybe you should think about letting me go."
"No," he insisted. "I love you too much."
"We barely know each other." She wanted this to end already. Didn't he see that she'd ruined his life and would continue to?
"You could go back to Rivet City with your new face, get another job as a guard."
"And slowly work my way back up," He said. "No. That wouldn't be wise."
"It would be safer than following me."
"I have gone too far, done too much to leave you now. Run away and I will find you."
"You'll hunt me." A desperate laugh escaped her lips. "Just like Caleb and Burke. Hound me till I die."
"Not the same." His palm moved along her shoulder. Fingers squeezed in and she slumped forward against his arm. "They do not love you like I do."
He lied like a human too.
"What's your plan then?" She asked.
"To enjoy you in that dress a few moments longer. After you change and we will go. We shall get our faces changed at Pinkerton's and you and I shall travel west. I hear there are societies that way. I've heard travelers tell stories of a great city in the desert and a huge country where Arizona used to be. Rumors say they thrive while others die out."
"West." Cathy forced the word out on the edge of her breath, and resolved to follow this part of the plan. West felt good on the tip of her tongue.
"Come with me to the west," He said. "We will start a new life together, find a home somewhere. The Commonwealth and D.C. will be so far behind nothing here will matter anymore. They cannot touch us."
Her smile could freeze a fire. "Only one problem."
"What is that?"
"We'll still be the same people, even if our faces are different."
"I do not see how that will matter."
Wringing her hands, she turned away from Harkness. The look on his face hurt too much. She knew what she needed to do and how she should go about it. The man had moved a mountain to save her and she owed him a debt deeper than she could ever repay.
"Let's get you to Pinkerton," She said. "We'll work out the rest as we go."
"I love you, Cathy."
"I love you too, Theo."
32
The Muddy Rudder lacked anything worth paying attention to. Cathy downed another whiskey, waiting for enough time to pass to go collect Harkness from Pinkerton. She'd had her face changed first, her nose sharpened and her chin modified. After shaving her hair off, except for bangs and side fringe, no one seemed to recognize her.
Drinking made everything fester in a pit so deep it created a false calm. She'd had a few too many in hopes more booze would equal greater peace and didn't intend to stop. Yet nothing could stop the constant flood of nightmares moving across her eyes at any given second, so she had another glass. A man walked past her in the bar and she tried not to startle as Burke settled down into a table. Waiting.
Of course he'd come here. Harkness and she had to return to change their faces and kill Pinkerton; everybody except the Pinkerton seemed to know this. A strange compulsion settled over Cathy, she ordered another whiskey and stood up to move towards the stair. Half way up the passage she found what she knew she wanted.
On this section of the ship a bronze pipe emerged from the wall, with a slick green coating to it. Freeing her knife from her hip Cathy scraped a healthy section of gunk onto her knife and stirred it into the drink. Unsatisfied, she removed another chunk of the verdigris and resumed mixing it in. Blending it well, she walked back into the Muddy Rudder and over to Burke.
Sitting the drink down, she smiled at him and he ignored her. She felt a little irked yet relieved when he didn't recognize her. Pressing her drink closer to his she smiled over at him and he pointedly looked away.
Shifting her voice into a higher register, mimicking an accent she'd heard in a movie, she spoke. "You look lonely."
"I'm not interested in talking to a creation like you. Kindly leave."
"Fine."
As she stood she palmed his drink and wandered back over to the bar. Downing his whiskey, she slammed the glass down and started to leave. By the time he'd finished the glass his guts would be bleeding out and she'd be free forever. For a moment she felt sad but the memory of him forcing his body on top of hers eased the pain.
When she rounded the stairs her heart stopped as a hand came down on her shoulder. Whipping around, her hand on a knife tucked into her belt as she prepared to fight, she yelled "What the fuck," before stopping cold. Butch stood in front of her with the same curled hair and worn leather jacket he'd always worn. Breathing hard, she walked over to lean against the wall near the bathrooms and tried not to start crying.
"Cathy?" His voice asked softly.
Watery eyes turned and met Butch, who smiled back at her. Doubt fluttered across his features, he lifted his hand as if he realized he'd made a mistake and would let her go. Before he changed his mind, his eyes settled on hers and he started towards her with determination. Afraid, Cathy grabbed him by the lapel and drug him backwards into the women's restroom.
A toilet flushed and an annoyed citizen stumbled out of the stall, shooting them a dirty look.
"Aren't you going to wash your hands?" Cathy screamed after her.
Butch laughed and she knew he recognized her now.
"You changed your face somehow," He said. "I'd know your eyes anywhere."
Taking pause to consider his words, Cathy thought about Burke sitting down in the bar, curelessly drinking his poisoned liquor. Laughter rocked her body backwards, as she leaned against the wall opposite the sinks. She felt desperate to cling to any moment of happiness, and it visibly worried Butch.
"Why are you hiding like this?" he asked. "Did you get in trouble?"
"Yes," She snickered. "Obviously. Do you really need to ask?"
"Don't be harsh, baby," Butch countered. "Caleb said you'd changed, I guess I didn't take it so literally."
"Caleb's an asshole-He made me do this. I have to leave Butch, I'm afraid I'll never see you again."
"Starting the raider band without me?"
The sweet smile on his face made her want to slap him back into the vault. Sure, he gave off the macho-guy vibe as always but having been around actual hard asses made his bluff obvious. From some bruising around his left eye, she assumed everyone here could see it.
A finger touched her bare scalp and Cathy jerked away defensively. Her hands wound to repel him if she needed to and he looked at her with pity. She felt disgusting standing in front of him wounded and broken. He knew her at best and most innocent. Every girlish mistake and awkward moment etched into his memory and she wished he'd never met her out here.
"Someone ruined your hair," he said. "I worked so hard to make it look good."
"I forgot you were a barber." She relaxed, because in the end this was Butch. "Life in the Wastes isn't' like life in the vault, dude. You can't just touch people."
"I guess you're right." His arms crossed and he tried to look tough. "You can't do a lot of things out here I thought you could. Did you see the monster's surrounding the city? Man, I'm not leaving this boat if I don't have to."
Another breathy laugh and Cathy felt like an old hag standing next to a toddler. "What happened to the bad ass raider wanna-be I left in the vault?"
"I'll get there," he said. "I'll save up with my job in the Muddy Rudder, get a gun, get some men and make a good living."
She laughed again.
"You think Raider's live well? Have you ever seen a raider?"
"I met a guy in the bar who says he used to be one."
Shaking her head, Cathy couldn't express how she felt to him, it would only hurt his feelings. She looked at the drying cloth hanging from his belt and assumed his shift just started. This seemed to be punctuated by the sound of Bell, the owner, yelling for something in the bar.
"Look chick," Butch started. "The Tunnel Snakes are gonna ride again-or slither-or whatever. We are gonna be bad. We are gonna be all knives and fangs and venom and no one will know what hit them. All the guard's here already know my name; they asked me like fifty questions before they lowered the bridge for me to get across."
"Uh-huh," Cathy nodded.
"I'll start out small. Sure, I cut some hair like I did in the vault, but mostly I clean up after drinkers. No one drinks in the vault but my mom. I'm living on the edge. I've met the underbelly of Rivet City and it is only a matter of time till they see my potential."
"So they've given you jobs but no gun?"
"No way," Butch said. "I don't want to get in trouble. Plus I'm keeping it open; I want to work for myself."
"You need a gun." She pinched her chin than extended her hand towards him.
"Nah, I can't afford one."
The corner of her mouth folded up around her eye and Cathy came so close to Butch her nose almost touched his. Her brown eyes glared into his before he turned away in shame and moved to the other side of the bathroom. She elongated herself, drinking in the victory.
"If you can't afford a weapon, you kill someone and take one. Get a pipe and bash in the head of a raider-maybe his gang will follow you for showing some initiative."
"Don't be mean." She'd hurt his pride and only when she remembered how she used to love him did she back off.
"I'm not mean, I'm realistic. You need to look out for yourself Butch, at least until you get some thugs to help you."
Cathy scratched her head and looked the other way to avoid provoking him further. A thought occurred to her and she pulled the birdcage key ring out of her pocket. The bauble interested Butch and she passed it to him carefully.
"I got a job for you," she said. "Give that to the man in the bar with the hat and sun glasses. The gruff one who is waiting for some chick to show up?"
"Why?" Butch seemed suspicious. "He means something to you?"
"It's a secret," she said. "Wait until he's finished that glass of whiskey and taken a few sips off the next one. He'll start to feel sick to his stomach, so give this to him when he's looking green."
"You didn't hurt him did you?"
The concern on Butch's face made Cathy snicker again.
"Nah, Butchy, it's a practical joke."
"Well as long as he'll be alright," Butch said. "When he found out I'm from Vault 101 he started tipping good. Asked me a bunch of questions about you, then told me to stop answering when I told him you and I had been sweethearts. I told him about that red dress you were wearing the night you left the vault and he seemed to get pissed."
Covering her mouth, she bobbed from side to side trying to hold back her amusement.
"How perfect," She gloated. "I bet you ruined his night."
Butch didn't seem impressed. He rubbed his arms and stared at his foot as he ground out an imaginary cigarette.
"I got to get back for my shift."
"One more thing, Butchy," she said. "He doesn't know me like this and can't. No one ever can. Tell him you got a letter; don't tell him you saw me."
"Why?" Butch seemed concerned.
"He's a bad man, baby," she said. "Real bad. Time he got his due."
"You really have changed," Butch said. "I don't know if I like it."
"You'll change too, I promise."
"I heard about your dad," he added. Looking for a reason to stay. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah I am too," she said. "I really need you to give the key ring to that guy though. Do it and you can come back and talk to me. I'll wait for you in the bathroom for the next few hours. I got a book to read, and your mission won't take long. He's probably half finished now."
"Sure," Butch said.
"See yah." Cathy smiled and watched him leave before mumbling, "Idiot."
33
Waking up from the anesthesia, Harkness looked at his face in the mirror. No one would recognize him, so he shot Pinkerton in the chest and walked out the door. For a moment he felt forty-two percent guilty about his actions, a low amount, so he resumed his previous protocol.
Inside the Muddy Rudder he found no trace of Cathy but noticed Burke drinking at a table in the center. As if it were timed for his benefit, he watched a young woman walked over and place the red ribbon on the table next to Burke. The scoundrel stood up from the table, then doubled over and began to vomit a disturbing amount of blood.
Cathy did it-Harkness deduced with eighty-seven percent certainty. Running this information through his system he found an ninety-two percent chance she'd fled and a twenty-two percent chance she'd been alone. As Burke vomited another round of poison, the citizens called for a medic, and Harkness calculated favorable odds he'd been poisoned. Deciding he had a high chance of winning Cathy over if he could catch her, he began pursuit.
The drawbridge moved three seconds faster than normal but felt far less efficient. Running along the path lining the river, he headed towards the path leading to the Citadel. A black helicopter flew over head as he crossed the water, making him look down to make sure the pavement wouldn't shake apart and drop him in the water. That is how he discovered the body floating nearby.
Returning to the shore and wading out, Harkness pulled back the corpse of a young man with a Pip-Boy. He had greasy black hair and appeared to have taken a plasma pistol to the stomach. Running different scenarios through his processor, Harkness tried to decide who killed him, Cathy or someone else.
Footsteps behind him lead Harkness to break off his computations and he turned to see Burke standing behind him. Green and winded from exertion, Burke stared out over the water before doubling over and vomiting more blood onto the bank. It took him awhile to recover.
Between gasps for air Burke spoke. "I Knew it had to be you when you ran out of the bar like that. Figured you'd get your face changed and when they gave me the key I knew she'd been the girl who sat at the table. I like her new nose."
"You seem ill," Harkness said. He felt ninety-eight percent sure he couldn't respond better.
"Bitch seems to be the end of me," Burke gasped. "I hope she falls into a Deathclaw nest."
"Why would she leave without me?" Harkness asked. He really didn't know. His system input assured him he felt sad and he wanted to know why she'd allow him to suffer.
"Because either she loves you too much to keep hurting you or she never loved you at all."
A high probability of both, Harkness sought more input. "Explain."
Burke bit down on his lip and leaned back, his hand wrapped around his stomach with the pain. His eyes seemed cloudy and the blood made his lips disturbingly crimson. "Women are fickle. I should have known better, you can't keep a bird like that caged."
"You are aware, she is not a bird."
"Yes." In all likelihood Burke's response indicated annoyance. "I thought when she saw what I had to offer… No, why lie? I wanted her because you had her."
"Her possession by another does make her more desirable," Harkness admitted. "I am trying to decide if I need to pursue."
"You'll never catch her," Burke chuckled. Blood began to trickle out of the corner of his eyes and it seemed likely the poison had moved into an advanced stage. "Even if you do-she will end up feeding you poison."
"Everything I know about her says she is a good person."
"What do you think Butch there would tell you? He was her first love and look how that turned out."
"He died from a Plasma Pistol. Cathy did not poses such a weapon when I saw her last."
"I'll have to trust your superior intellect. I hope you know I'm going to do everything I can to stop you."
"Of course. Nothing you have done before now would lead me to believe otherwise."
The two men looked at each other quietly. Harkness ran several scenario's through his brain and in all of them he could over power Burke easily. The man didn't have long to live and proved little threat.
"Good then," Burke said. "Did you know I've done business with some good ol'boys in the Commonwealth? They taught me a thing or two, gave me information you wouldn't expect."
Danger percentage ninety-eight point seven. Burke is wounded, near death and full of vengeance. Exit at easiest point.
Picking his feet up, Harkness moved through the water and prepared to cross the river. His body made him too heavy to swim, but he did not need oxygen for eight minutes and twenty two seconds. Right before he backed all the way into the title basin, Burke began to recite something.
"Restore-factory-memory file-"
A ca-chunk came from a laser rifle and Burke's head split open as Harkness submerged himself in the radioactive water. Turning towards the other shore, he slowly walked up the bank, using his hands to pull him up over the rocky shore. As he emerged from the water he saw a pair of familiar legs waiting for him.
A helping hand descended and Harkness looked up to see the brand new face of his lover smiling at him. Holding on to her dry fingers, he let her pretend she could help him up. Stepping back, she readjusted her laser rifle and his mood dropped when he saw a Plasma Pistol on her belt. Incapable of calculating the likely hood of her killing butch with this information, he chose to let her explain. Before he could ask any questions he followed her eyes to the shore where both of her ex-lovers lay dead.
"Enclave," she explained. "They got the drop on us in one of those helicopters. I killed them both-I told him to stay behind."
This answer satisfied him.
"Misery follows you always," he said. "Perhaps in the west we will find our lucky charm."
"You're sweet," she responded. "Let's get out of here before we run into Caleb and The Boob's of Steel."
He felt certain laughing would be a proper response so he did. Emotions were becoming completely natural and every time he looked at her they radiated into him. A signal from his cortex suggested he take her hand, so he did.
Together they headed off towards the western horizon and he turned on his compass to keep a safe bearing on the direction. Her face turned white and he paused to look at her. Paleness could denote issues with human biology, it would be best to inquire.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
"I turned on my Pip-Boy radio is all," she whispered. This made her feel nauseous so he needed to find out what she hoped to learn.
"What does it say?"
"I died in outside of Megaton-Revenge for what happened at Tenpenny Tower. It looks like Enclave abducted Caleb from the vault. He got the GECK and destroyed their base escaping since I've died; they started calling him the "Lone Wanderer," and keep saying how sad it is to lose a twin and a father in a matter of days. They only have good things to say about dad-"
Water leaked out of the side of her eyes and Cathy began to sob. Harkness had been prepared for this. Every day his brain calculated a greater chance she'd break down and need him. He wrapped his arm around her and vibrated imperceptivity when she pushed her face into his chest. The smell of her hair calmed him and he felt strong enough to protect her from anything.
"Your brother will be okay alone."
"We both will be," She responded, "But I think it's better to be with you than alone."
He believed her.
"Come on baby." He spoke softly and then his voice boomed across the Wastes. "The west is calling. Let us start over again."