The next caravan leaves a few days later, heading to Arefu first, then coming back through Big Town. Amata's in her usual place at the door, ready with the ledger as she comes to see us off.

Colin and Brady greet me with handshakes and smiles, and it doesn't take us long to get set up. We have more cargo than usual, and I pause to warn Amata that we'll take a little longer than normal. She nods and gives me a smile. There's a look in her eyes like she has things she wants to say, but she doesn't, just shakes the guys' hands and wishes us a safe trip.

We take off, guiding the brahmin down the hill and setting our Pipboys for Arefu. The brahmin moves slower under the weight, just like I'd predicted, so we fill the time with idle talk. I find that Colin had been slated to go into engineering thanks to his GOAT results, but he wanted to do something that felt more useful. Brady, with his stocky build, had been picked for the security team, but had jumped at the chance to go outside and leave the Vault. Neither of the stories is particularly surprising; Colin's somewhat mousy and since the results are skewed by necessity and physical ability, he wasn't exactly top choice for much of anything.

They ask about my results and what I'd been aimed toward, both seeming surprised when I reveal my time as a maintenance assistant.

I tell them about a few interesting things Stanley and I had fixed, and about a few things I'd broken, just for laughs. The camaraderie is fun and keeps the trip lighthearted, and it makes the route seem shorter.

We do get attacked nearly halfway there by a group of raiders, but Brady and Colin are on top of things and spot them before we're ambushed. The group seems relatively inexperienced, and that comes back to bite them in the ass; we take them all down without much trouble.

Even though the trip has been easy, it's a relief to get to a settlement and not have to watch our backs all the time.

Colin helps with the sales while Brady stands guard, and I manage to get a few nice prices for the trade. Business is good and the residents of the town seem grateful that we've stopped by. I take on a few extra items that I think the Big Towners might want, explaining my reasoning to a curious Colin.

Brady ducks away a while later, heading off to the bathroom. I take the opportunity to pull Colin aside and talk to him privately.

"You're a smart kid, Col," I tell him, trying to ease the anxiety I see in his eyes. "Don't worry, you're not in trouble."

The young man relaxes a little. "I didn't get in the way during trade earlier, did I?"

I grin. "No, actually, that's what I wanted to talk about. You're doin' good. Good enough that I think you could even run your own caravan someday soon." I allow myself a little chuckle at the astonishment on his face. "How d'you feel about running trade in the morning before we go?"

It'll only be for an hour or so, and I trust his judgement. He's already been watching me enough that I'm sure he can do everything on his own just fine, but I reassure him that I'll be right there watching.

Colin looks flustered but agrees and shakes my hand. "Thanks, Jack. That means a lot."

I clap him on the shoulder. "Be proud of yourself, kid. You're doing good."

He grins at me and Brady returns at the same time. The stocky boy notices the grins on our faces and scoffs.

"Lemme guess, I missed the mushy feelings. Good riddance."

"Shut up," Colin mutters, giving our companion a playful shove.

I wrap an arm around Brady's shoulders and pinch his cheek teasingly. "What, you didn't think we'd let you miss out on all the love, did you?"

He groans and twists out of my grasp and we all laugh, teasing each other a little more before turning in for the night.

Colin does well in the morning, despite a shaky start. He's got a way of pushing his nerves aside and focusing on the customer, and he makes a few good deals in the time before we leave. I write his sales down in the ledger, giving him a proud grin and a thumbs up when we pack up and leave.

The route between Arefu and Big Town takes just under a day and we cross the little moat into the town just after sunset. A few people come up to trade right away, but I wave them away and tell them to come back in the morning.

Brady's itching to be dismissed; he's been holding onto his gift for his girlfriend for weeks now, and I don't blame him for being a little antsy. I get a thrilled smile when I let him go, and he zips off through the settlement in search of his redheaded girl.

Left alone with Colin, I compliment him again on his work in the morning, more proud of him than I know how to express. I wonder idly if this is how my dad felt when he realized what I'd done for the people of Megaton by disarming the bomb, but push the thought away in favor of locking up the brahmin's cargo and heading to the common house.

Colin comes with me, and as we settle in for the night, he does his usual thing and asks me a few questions about the wasteland and my transition from Vaultie to Lone Wanderer. His questions are never anything too triggering and it's nice to talk about the past with someone curious for reasons other than to get inside my head and fix me. Colin's intelligent and seems to know where the boundaries are for me, and he always stays away from them.

We settle into bed a few hours after arriving in town, and are both asleep before Brady returns.

Big Town is good to us and we make a fair sum before heading back toward the Vault a few days later. The trip is easy enough, but we're all worn out so it feels like it drags on forever. At some point during the trip, Colin's boot comes apart and the sole slaps into the dirt with every step.

Thanks to his time with his girlfriend, Brady doesn't get irritated like usual, and actually offers to fix the boot as best as he can that night when we make camp. I'm curious to see what he does, so when Colin's asleep, I stay awake and sit with him for a while.

Brady ends up using a bobby pin as a nail and sticks the boot back together. It's nothing fancy, but it should hold until we get back to the Vault. He sees me watching him and raises an eyebrow, setting the boot aside and rubbing at his face wearily. "One of us oughta get some sleep."

"You can go ahead," I offer, nudging at the campfire with our stoker. "You deserve some shut-eye after all the work you've been putting in."

Brady pauses and gives me a wary look. "Okay...?"

I roll my eyes at him. "It's a compliment, tough guy. I appreciate your hard work and I'm glad you're working with me. Take it or leave it."

Brady grunts a little and settles down onto his cot. Before he rolls over, I catch a glimpse of the pleased smile on his face.

It's early afternoon when we arrive back at the Vault; we haven't bothered to stop for lunch, and once I dismiss them, the boys head to the cafeteria, joking around with each other as they disappear into the Vault.

I hear the sole of Colin's boot come loose and start slapping the metal floors as they disappear and smile to myself, shaking my head as I help the crew unload.

Amata's not here to meet us, probably because she wouldn't have been expecting us until this evening or tomorrow. I don't bother being disappointed; I have to go and deliver the ledger so I'll see her anyway.

The guards take over and I get my pack off the brahmin, turning to observe the Vault's main entrance area.

A few wastelanders have ventured in and are haggling with some of the braver Vault dwellers, and I walk among them, listening and observing. Some of the stuff the Vaulties are trying to sell is useless in the wasteland, but they're pushing it so hard that I'm pretty sure the wastelanders are being tricked into thinking the items are worth something.

The people that have come in to trade look a little worse for wear, and the prices I hear being thrown around are far beyond the means of just about anyone, except maybe the far-away residents of Tenpenny Tower.

One of the wastelanders looks disgusted and starts to leave, and I catch his eye and give him an apologetic look. "I'll work on it," I promise him, knowing that the Vault's resources could really help the wasteland.

He scoffs and turns to leave, and the Vault dweller turns to search out a new client.

Even some of the guards are in on it, and I see one or two of them being offered matching dark sets of combat armor. That strikes me as strange; no one just sells a good set of armor for no real reason. I wander over and pretend to be interested in what the men are selling, studying the armor and listening in on the conversation instead.

"Please, we're just tired and hungry," one of the sellers says. He brushes some dust off the breastplate and I notice the same strange scuff marks there that I'd seen on the Vault guard's armor. "A quick visit inside is surely worth our armor."

The Vault security guards being offered the armor are studying it carefully, exchanging excited looks.

"Where are you guys from?" I interrupt, directing my question to the sellers. Their pale skin and the armor are familiar and I can't quite place it.

They give me uncertain looks and exchange a glance before one of them clears his throat. "Sorry, miss. We're in the middle of an important deal with these upstanding officers. It's a special deal for Vault members only."

I lift my arm and show them my Pipboy. "Where are you from?"

"Jack," one of the Vault guards whines. "C'mon, they're just trying to make a few caps."

I shoot him a look and he falls silent. "Don't you feel how shady this deal is? They didn't want money; they wanted in."

The sellers shift uncomfortably, muttering between themselves.

I turn to them and rest my hand on my pistol. "I dunno who you are, but I think you'd better leave."

They look furious, but seem to know better than to start a fight surrounded by Vault security guards armed with energy weapons. One of them flips me off and the other grabs the armor and they leave.

I watch them go, making sure they've left before turning back to the guards. "Some security you are. Think twice about who you let in the Vault," I tell them, aware of how sharp my tone is. The thought that those guys could have gotten in and sabotaged the Vault or hurt people eats away at me and I narrow my eyes. "I'm gonna let the Overseer know about this."

The guards look incredibly offended, but keep their thoughts to themselves, marching off to patrol by the door.

I stay in the entrance for a few more minutes, making sure nothing else feels off before heading up to the admin level.

Amata's alone in her office and reading through some information on a clipboard when I enter, but she looks up at my intrusion and smiles wearily. "I didn't know you were back yet."

"Just got here a few minutes ago," I tell her, setting my pack in the chair and digging through it for her ledger. My fingers close around the leather bound book and I pull it out and hand it to her. "Your security squad is a complete fucking joke."

Amata hesitates, taking the ledger from me and fixing me with an unreadable look. "What makes you think that?"

I drop my bag on the floor and settle in the chair, letting out a relieved huff of air. It's nice to be sitting down, and her presence is calming. "I was helping unload your brahmin when these two guys started trying to sell your guards some armor. I didn't trust 'em, and they didn't want money; they wanted inside."

Amata purses her lips, fingering the edge of the ledger quietly.

"That's too risky for my tastes, so I stepped in and sent those guys out." I'm a little pleased with the peaceful solution I'd ended up with, but the look on Amata's face makes me pause. "... What?"

"That's what the security detail is there to do."

"Get taken in by dangerous deals that could have sabotaged the Vault? I thought they were supposed to be protecting the Vault from threats." I'm immediately on the defensive at her tone, shifting uncomfortably in my chair.

Amata drops her gaze to the desktop, her face hard. She's quiet for a few moments, and when she looks back up her eyes are cool. "Jack, you're a valuable asset with the caravan. You've grown our trade more than I imagined."

Something in my gut clenches and I feel shaky and sick. I might very well lose the best job I've ever had right now.

"But just because you've helped us out, that doesn't mean you get to call the shots around here." Amata's voice is sharp and authoritative. "I started opening the Vault entrance for trade, and I grew that part. I trained those officers how to interact with customers, and they know what they're supposed to be doing. You don't have the right to step in and tell them how to do their job, Jack."

"I was trying to protect the Vault!" I protest. "Something about those guys didn't feel right, Amata. What was I supposed to do, let someone walk in and ruin everything you've built?"

"My security team could have handled a disturbance by two guys. Not only are they the best of the Vault staff, they've had Brotherhood training, remember?"

She's not listening to me, even though she doesn't know much of anything about the wasteland. I can already tell that trying to talk sense into her is going to be like having diplomatic discussions with a Super Mutant. "Even if they're bumbling idiots distracted by a shiny suit of armor?" The dig comes out before I can stop it, but I don't do anything to retract it.

Amata's jaw twitches at the insult to her men. "They're allowed to trade just like anyone else that wants to. What they trade for is up to them. Just because you don't like what they found doesn't mean you can just waltz in here and bash them."

"Even when they're on duty?! What kind of a stupid policy is that?"

"Last time I checked, you weren't in charge," Amata snaps. "These are my men, this is my Vault, and I'm going to run it the way I want."

"What? I'm sorry, is the power of Overseer going to your head?" I fire back. "Funny, I always thought you wanted to be different than your dad!"

Amata tenses and fixes me with a cold stare.

I stand up and grab my bag. "I don't get why you're so mad at me all of a sudden. I'm only trying to help." The look on her face doesn't change and I scoff. "Whatever. I'll just go. If you decide to fire me or have a job for me, I'll be over in Megaton somewhere."

She groans and starts to say something but I move for the door.

I have something else to say, and when I realize I'm probably already fired anyway, I go ahead and let it fall out of my mouth. "By the way, the rest of your Vault needs some instruction on fair pricing. Most people out there don't have much in the way of caps. Having someone trying to sell a few bottles of water for fifty caps each is not gonna work out. That whole 'good trade' thing you got goin'? That's gonna fall apart right in front of you."

Before she can say anything else, I turn and leave, wanting to get out of there before either of us says anything else to make it worse.

I end up back in my Megaton house, throwing my bag on my bed and digging through it for some caps. I tromp back downstairs and get something to eat, my appetite mostly gone.

I'm frustrated with myself for having gotten so defensive so quickly and for trying to change the way Amata's done things. I didn't mean to try and tell her her ideas were stupid, but that's all I can make out of the conversation playing over and over in my head. I'm an idiot; I still manage to screw things up even when I just want to help or protect Amata.

I give up on the idea of food and head over to the saloon, ready to drink away the emotions.

The door of the saloon falls shut and Nova looks up from behind the bar. I don't bother to follow her gaze, swirling the amber liquid in my glass instead. I've spent most of the past few days holed up in the saloon, only going home to eat or sleep or shower.

After drunkenly describing to Nova what happened, she didn't say much, just doing her usual motherly thing and rubbing my shoulder and cooing comforting words to me. I'm well aware I'm going to ruin my liver while I drink up paycheck after paycheck, but it's easier to pretend like I don't care.

Someone slides onto the stool next to me, and part of me wants to turn and yell at them for getting in my personal space. I'm not quite tipsy enough for that, though, so I just sit there.

A familiar voice murmurs my name and I look over to see Brady sitting beside me.

The boy looks only mildly uncomfortable, and more interested in his surroundings than afraid. He catches me looking at him and gives me his usual unknowingly-cocky smirk.

"How'd you get here?" is the first thing that falls out of my mouth.

Brady waves away my confusion. "Overseer had a map from old expeditions. Wasn't that hard anyway; we just followed the signs and asked for you."

"We?" I echo and glance over my shoulder.

"Colin's outside. He didn't wanna come in; made some excuse about not being eighteen yet," Brady scoffs.

"Oh." I look back down at the bar and play with the glass between my fingers.

Brady looks around the saloon a little, coughing and turning his attention back to me when Nova throws him a flirtatious wink. He eyes the glass cradled in my hand. "It's not even afternoon yet," he points out quietly.

I'm embarrassed and a little ashamed. "Yeah, I know. Haven't really been drinking it so much as just thinking."

Nova's apparently listening in because she leans over the counter toward Brady and nods. "It's true. I don't think she's even asked for a refill yet today."

The last two words sting a little but Brady seems reassured by them.

"Thank you, Nova," I say pointedly, shooting her a look.

The redhead scoffs and moves away, but waves a hand over her shoulder as she goes to let me know there's no hard feelings.

"Good that you're not already plastered," Brady tells me, sliding his bag off his shoulder and reaching inside. He plops a little sheet of paper in front of me, and nods at it. "Overseer's orders."

I swallow and look down, scanning through the words. I don't have anything to trade at the moment, so no caravanning today. I've heard a few people talking about Rivet City, though, and if you could go over and tell them we're open for trade, I would appreciate it. She's signed the note formally, and I don't know if it's because it was going to be in Brady's hands first or if she's that mad at me.

I decide to go with the second one, just to be safe, and gulp down the rest of my glass. I cough a little on the burn of the alcohol, but set the glass down and throw a few caps on the bar. "Well, looks like I got a little job to do."

Brady and I get to our feet and I wave to Nova as we walk out of the bar. Colin's standing outside, looking out over the crater. He looks over when we exit, grinning at me. "Hey, Jack! What's up?"

"Got a special job from the Overseer," I answer, smiling at him. "You guys gonna hang out here or head on back, or did you wanna tag along with me?"

"It might be dangerous for you to go alone," Colin answers, looking past me and raising his eyebrows at Brady.

"Probably be fun to get out without draggin' that brahmin around." Brady smiles when I glance at him, shrugging at both of us.

These two guys are more than just good hands, they're pretty good friends, too. I can't help but feel a rush of affection for them, and rub a hand through my hair to hide it. "Well, shoot. Guess it's a party." We share a smile and head across town.

I let them into my shack and head straight for my locker, getting a sturdier gun and letting the boys get a drink from my refrigerator. They're both leery of Wadsworth, but that's understandable, given that the only Mr. Handy I ever saw in the Vault was more destructive than handy.

It doesn't take long for me to get ready, and we set out and toward Rivet City. The guys fill the silence with stories from home, and I enjoy listening to the tidbits of their lives. Colin reveals that he has a younger sister that everyone dotes on, and mentions that the boys are starting to notice her. The protectiveness in his voice is sweet, and I look out over the Potomac to hide a grin.

"Look on the bright side," I reassure him. "Not many people have been outta the Vault. Just start tellin' anyone that needs scaring about the yao guai we fought off a while back. They see you survived that, they'll get right on out of your way."

Colin laughs. "Yeah, 'cause I'm so intimidating. All five foot seven inches of me."

"The only thing scary about you is the way you snore," Brady cuts in, looking pleased with himself when Colin pretends to be hurt.

They dig back and forth at each other and I just smile, leading them toward the southernmost bridge. The Citadel looms in front of us, and I wave to a patrolling guard. That catches the boys' attention and I spend the rest of the walk to Rivet City explaining the Brotherhood and my relationship with them.

The sight of the broken ship diverts their attention for a while, but I don't know as much history as I could, so they lose interest in that.

I open the drawbridge and lead them across to meet with Harkness, who still happens to be chief of security, and relay the information that the Vault is open for trade. He maintains his usual mechanical stoicism and promises to pass the news along.

Neither of the boys needs to stop for anything, so we turn and head back in the direction of the Vault. I go ahead and walk them there, bidding them goodnight when we arrive and walking over to the guard that seems to be in charge.

"Got a message for the Overseer," I tell him, pleased that he recognizes me. "She sent me out to Rivet City earlier today. I went ahead and told them the Vault was open. Just thought she'd want to know."

The guard nods, making a note of it on his Pipboy. "Got it. There's gonna be a caravan leaving in three days. You gonna be here on time?"

I shrug. "Can be if I'm running it."

"Don't know who else would." The guard flashes a smile at me and nods again. "See you then. Have a good night."

"You too." I head back home, dread buzzing around in my mind. If Amata's got someone else hired for the caravan, I'll figure something else out. I'll miss the time with Colin and Brady, but I know how to move on, at least in some ways. Still, the idea is only an idea, but the imagined betrayal hurts.

I'm well aware that our fight was my fault, but I want her to admit some fault, too. I really did have the Vault's, and Amata's, best interests at heart. That she couldn't see that bothers me. Even so, knowing that she's mad at me is even more bothersome and I want to fix everything. Amata's too important to me to lose over a little fight like this one.

I've just gotten home when I make up my mind. I head upstairs and find a scrap of paper and a pencil, writing the shortest note I ever have in my life.

Sorry.
-Jack

The words get the job done, though, and I just hope it won't come too late.