I enjoyed writing this chapter oh so much and after reading it I think you'll see why. Have fun reading! Leave a review at the end!


June 1, 2280

15:00

The Strip

When Ava had told Veronica she needed to go shopping, she had imagined perhaps a quiet afternoon with her girlfriend where she could buy a dress to infiltrate the Tops. What she hadn't imagined was the shopping trip turning into an extended mission briefing.

However, that was indeed what it had become. As soon as Knox had heard where the two of them were off to and for what purpose, he had invited himself along.

In a logistics sense his presence was very helpful. He was familiar with Benny and could provide valuable insight. On an emotional level though, Ava couldn't quite shake the mild irritation that Knox had once more managed to interrupt her Veronica-time.

Not that the Scribe seemed to mind at all. Veronica was her usual bubbly self as they strolled from store to store, every once in a while breaking from her monologue on the Strip, the Brotherhood, the Mojave, and life in general, to comment on some article of clothing or some aspect of the plan that Knox and Ava were slowly concocting.

That was another thing Ava was getting more and more irritated with Knox about. The plan. Her plan. Rationally, she understood Knox's concerns, but again on an emotional level, his constant second-guessing was beginning to grind on her nerves until she simply couldn't hold it in anymore.

"KNOX!" she shouted, drawing attention from the entire store they were standing in the middle of. The store clerk cast a critical glare at them, but was wise enough not to directly bother the heavily armed trio standing in his store.

Knox had stopped talking with his mouth open, in the middle of questioning whether it was really wise that Ava was going to try to get Benny away from all his guards. In his mind, being alone with Benny was tantamount to suicide. He looked like he was going to continue, but Ava snapped in front of his face to keep him quiet.

"Don't even think about it," she warned. She poked him in the chest. "I understand that some sort of misplaced concern for me is causing you to question me, but it needs to stop." She lowered her voice until it was just a whisper and Knox had to lean in to hear it. "If you don't have faith in me, I don't need to know about it."

Knox let out a long sigh, his shoulders drooping. "It's not that I don't have faith in you. I do. It's just-"

"It's just what?" Ava snapped at him, her voice biting and her irritation bubbling over.

Choosing his words carefully, Knox said, "Benny is dangerous, Ava. You don't know what he's capable of."

Ava rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, her entire body exuding an air of annoyance. "You're right. I don't know what he's capable of. And frankly? You don't know what I'm capable of either!"

Knox tried to argue, but Ava silenced him again by snapping her fingers in front of his face once more.

"You're worried. I get that. This is big to you. I get that. But motherfucker you have to let me do this!" Ava narrowed her eyes, daring Knox to try and tell her she was wrong. "Of the two of us, yes, you are the only one who has dealt with Benny and he nearly killed you. My track record of nearly dying is much greater than yours and I'm still here. You got shot in the head and lost your memory."

"Not like you haven't lost anything," Knox grumbled under his breath, refusing to meet Ava's eyes. "Your mind for starters."

Veronica stepped in between the two, trying to diffuse the situation as Ava let out a strangled cry of rage and her knuckles cracked as her fists clenched.

"Alrighty then, why doesn't everyone just calm down a little? Ava? I know he's a colossal ass about it, but Knox is just worried about you."

Ava looked between Veronica and Knox, the struggle of allowing herself to be talked down evident on her face. Apparently Veronica had more sway than bloodlust. Ava simply muttered, "whatever" and studiously looked away from them both.

"Thanks, Veronica," Knox said before looking firmly at Ava. "Glad one of you is thinking straight."

"Shut up!" Veronica growled, punching Knox in the shoulder, her power fist causing the Courier to nearly topple over. "That crack about loss was a low blow. Ava is solving your problem! Show some gratitude and get off her case, you infantile jerk-off!"

Knox opened and closed his mouth in shock a few times, one hand clamped over his now throbbing shoulder. Ava was standing just behind Veronica, a victorious smirk plastered across her face.

"You know, I remember a time when you had my back in arguments, Veronica."

Veronica looked like she was considering punching Knox again, instead she settled for saying, "Yeah? Well, I'm not sleeping with you."

Knox shrugged. "You're not sleeping with her either, so far as I've heard."

Veronica put a restraining hand on Ava's chest as she tried to clamber over her to murder Knox. Pushing Ava back behind her, Veronica looked Knox in the eye with a sickly sweet smile. "Don't worry," she said. "Soon enough. And anyway. This isn't about sides. This is about you," she pointed at Knox, "Having the emotional neediness of a pregnant woman, and you," she pointed at Ava before pausing, "Actually you're not really doing anything wrong in this scenario."

Ava smiled smugly and gave Knox a taunting gaze. Knox ground his hands into his eyes in frustration and growled something indecipherable, but undoubtedly unpleasant.

He threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "You know what? Fine! You don't want my help?" He waved dismissively at them and brushed past, walking quickly towards the exit.

Veronica watched him go, shaking her head sadly. "Well, that went well," she said to Ava, without looking away from the retreating Courier.

"Hey fuck-head!"

"Oh no," Veronica said as Ava stormed after Knox, one arm already wound back to punch Knox in the head.

Knox spun around, the barbed comment he had prepared dying in his throat as Ava's fist collided with his face. The force of the blow knocked him backwards out the double doors of the store. His ankles caught on each other and he twirled around, about to fall face first down the steps into the street below, but instead of falling he impacted with a solid wall of blue muscle.

Before he could react, a gruff voice rumbled, "Oh dearie! Give Grandma a hug!" Powerful arms wrapped around Knox and hauled him off the ground. His face was forcefully ground against a pair of overalls a similar shade of blue to the Nightkin that had picked him up.

Knox's legs pinwheeled fruitlessly in the air, but he still managed to gasp out. "Crushing… ribs!"

The Nightkin let out a booming laugh, the vibrations shaking Knox's teeth. "What's the matter, dearie? Afraid Grandma will embarrass you in front of your little friends?"

The "little friends" in question had just stumbled out the doors after Knox. Ava was staggering along, one hand trying desperately to pull Clarity out of her belt, the other was held high above her head by Veronica. Veronica had her legs wrapped around Ava's waist and was riding her piggy back style, one hand holding Ava's wrist and the other threaded into her Mohawk, trying to steer her anywhere, but towards Knox.

"Let go of me! I'm just going to kill him a little!"

"By definition you can't kill a little. It's kind of an all or nothing thing. Now… sit down!"

Veronica wrenched back on Ava's hair, eliciting a sharp squeal of pain, followed by the two of them toppling over backwards into an undignified heap on the ground, Ava cursing and Veronica apologizing.

"Veronica! Hair pulling is not cool!" Ava howled, trying desperately to unravel Veronica's grip on her head.

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Veronica repeated, staggering to her feet and pulling Ava up with her, one hand still attached to Ava's wrist in an effort to restrain her.

As soon as they were up, Ava immediately took a step towards Knox, but then noticed his predicament. The Courier was still being embraced against his will. She paused in confusion at the bizarre sight of the Nightkin affectionately nuzzling him, knocking his cowboy hat askew. Knox was still gasping for breath.

"Lily! It's so nice to see you again," Veronica chattered, vainly trying to distract everyone from the previous mood of murder.

The Nightkin, Lily, loosened her grip on Knox slightly and peered down at Veronica from under the brim of her ragged sun hat and through her red tinted goggles. Veronica stood still under her intense scrutiny until the mutant dropped Knox into a heap on the ground and patted Veronica on the head.

Veronica's knees nearly buckled under the patting, but she laughed as Lily said, "Oh goodness, dearie, I almost didn't recognize you! You've grown so much! Still tinkering with your little toys?"

Veronica nodded enthusiastically and pulled Ava forward from where she was warily watching the mutant. Ava stumbled into the Lily's eyesight and swallowed under her gaze. Sure Davison and his kin were cool, but she didn't know if that went for all mutants. This one had apparently just killed Knox with kindness.

"Lily," Veronica said, "this is Ava. She's new to our little band of adventurers."

Feeling slightly awkward being introduced to the blue behemoth with what appeared to be a Vertibird blade strapped to her back as some sort of sword, Ava just gave a small wave and slight smile.

Lily gasped in loud shock, the noise sounding like a cross between a rockslide and a vacuum cleaner. She lifted her hands over her mouth and stooped down to peer at Ava closely.

"You're Ava? Oh how nice!" she crowed happily, clapping her massive hands together in delight. "Davison and his boys couldn't stop talking about you! You've got some admirers, young lady!"

Veronica wrapped her arms around Ava possessively. "They'll have to get in line then. She's all mine," she said, pressing her lips against Ava's cheek.

Ava scrunched away from her, blushing madly.

Lily stared down at them for a second. She murmured to herself, "Kids these days," before clearing her throat and saying, "Ignore this old woman's old ideas! You kids have fun together." She patted Ava and Veronica each on the shoulder. The two swung together at the "pat", their heads clacking together.

Ava couldn't help, but giggle as she rubbed the side of her skull. She laughed harder when Lily peered down at Knox, still lying on the ground.

"Dearie, how many times does Grandma have to tell you not to lay around on the ground like that? You'll get in some nice person's way." Lily reached down and grabbed one of Knox's arms, bodily lifting him back to his feet. She brushed some dirt off his chest nearly knocking him over once more.

"Lily! Lily, stop it!" he said, swatting her hands away.

Lily chuckled and left him alone with a good natured, "All right dearie."

Knox tried his best to compose himself, but Lily's appearance had him somewhat flustered. He cleared his throat once and then once more. He straightened his hat and twisted the ends of his mustache before saying, "Right… so. Ava… meet Lily."

"We've already met, dearie. You were on the ground."

Ava and Veronica stood next to each other quivering, trying to contain their laughter. Ava was biting her fist and Veronica had hid her face in Ava's shoulder as Knox stared sourly up at Lily. Lily seemed not to notice and just beamed happily at the three of them.

"So what brings you to New Vegas, Lily?" Knox asked, shooting the giggling girls a harsh look.

"Oh well I was out for a little walk and I saw all the bright lights," Lily waved her hands broadly around at the Strip. "I remembered Granny's favorite boy lives here and I decided I'd come visit you!" She reached down to pinch Knox's cheeks, but the Courier wisely ducked under her arms. "How have you been, dearie? Have you been behaving yourself?"

At that Ava snorted derisively. She clamped her hands over her mouth as everyone turned to look at her; Veronica in surprise at the adorable sound her girlfriend had just made, Lily beckoning for her to expound on her feelings, and Knox in unadulterated terror.

"Go on, dearie. Tell Grandma what her special boy has done now," Lily bid, one hand reaching back to pull Knox back towards them as he tried to back away quietly.

Ava flashed him a vindictive smirk and said, "He's not being bad per say, just overbearing and rude." Lily nodded gravely and looked down at Knox. Knox grinned weakly up at her.

"Grandma might have to tan your hide into leather," she admonished wagging a finger at the Courier. "Being rude to nice, young ladies is unacceptable!" She turned back to Ava. "What else, dearie? Tell me more."

"Well, it all started with Benny-"

Ava was cut off as a loud, vicious growl tore itself from Lily's throat. Ava visibly jumped and grasped at her sword nervously. Everyone who wasn't already looking at them because they were with a Nightkin on the Strip certainly was looking now. The growl petered out and Lily looked around bashfully.

"Sorry, dearies," she whispered, "Sometimes Leo just gets so angry about things."

The hard look on Knox's face softened somewhat and he stepped in front of Lily, one hand placed softly on her massive blue forearm.

"Lily. Has Leo been a problem recently?"

"Oh, no," Lily assured him. "Grandma takes her medicine and Leo's not a problem. Certain things just set him off, dearie. Like that snake, Benny."

Benny's name came out like a low growl.

Knox patted Lily on the arm again, drawing her attention back to him and off Benny. "Lily, why don't you head back to the Lucky 38 and rest for a little while? You must be tired after your walk."

"Well, I suppose Grandma could use a nap," she grumbled. "I just wished you didn't live in that dirty, old casino. Grandma's told you that it's no suitable place for an upstanding young man like you to live in. Come find Grandma later. We'll have a nice talk about your behavior."

Knox sighed, but kept smiling at Lily. "Absolutely. I'm sorry I disappointed you. I'll do better."

Lily patted him on the shoulder and said, "You're never a disappointment, dearie," before trundling off in the direction of the Lucky 38.

Ava, Veronica, and Knox watched her go, until she disappeared in the doors of the Lucky 38, bowing her head to get through.

"Is Leo one of her… voices?" Ava asked quietly. Knox nodded silently. "I'm sorry. I know Davison had them, but I guess… I don't know. Lily seemed so nice, I'd hoped…"

"It's alright. As long as Lily keeps taking her medicine she should be fine."

Veronica elbowed him affectionately and explained to Ava, "Knox worries about his big, blue Grandma."

Knox chuckled and looked at the two of them. "I worry about all of you idiots," he said. "Which is why, as I told Lily, I'm going to do better."

"Do better?" Ava asked.

"Aye. Better. I might not like your plan, but I'll be damned if I don't do everything in my power to make sure it succeeds."

Ava stared at him in surprise for a few moments. "You mean… you're in? You're going to help? Like actually help this time?"

Knox laughed at the last bit, but nodded his head. "However," he suggested, "I'd recommend we find a different store. After you decking me inside, I don't think the owner is too fond of us. And besides, you're going about it all wrong."

Ava rolled her eyes and groaned. "I thought you were actually going to help!"

Knox grabbed Ava's and Veronica's elbows and began steering them away from the store they were at and towards the Gomorrah.

"The Chairmen have a thing for classy dames. Benny in particular," Knox explained as he led them along.

"If the next words out of your fucking mouth are that I'm not classy, I'm going to break your goddamned spine," Ava grumbled.

Knox chuckled at that and merely replied, "Case and point." Before Ava could take another swing at him he continued, "However, some of the Chairmen, Benny included, were once tribals. They still hold onto their old beliefs in honor and that sort of thing, despite their leader being a duplicitous bastard. Do you know what is popular among former tribals?"

Ava shook her head, but Veronica giggled and said, "I like where this is going." Ava gave her a look of confusion, but her attention was drawn away by the store they'd stopped in front of.

Knox had taken them to one of the shops bordering the Gomorrah. It was dark and dirty, and a ghoul was playing a saxophone on its steps. Above its door was a hammered metal sign illuminated by a fire behind it. It read 'the Gecko's Hide'.

With a grin, Knox said, "They like a dangerous and fierce woman. Something you're particularly good at." Ava smiled under the praise and cast a critical eye over the store's grimy exterior.

"And so a dress is out?" she asked, watching the ghoul dubiously.

Knox nodded and Veronica harrumphed. She'd rather enjoyed the idea of Ava in a dress. However, scantily clad and terrifying was almost an equally pleasing mental image. So with a wide smile she led the way into the store past the ghoul. Ava flicked a cap into his case before following in.

Upon stepping through the door her eyes widened. The store's merchandise was… interesting to say the least. Lots of leather and revealing outfits.

"Knox, if it's at all possible, I'd rather not look like a prostitute."

"Really? I wouldn't mind," Veronica chimed in. Ava reached over and covered her mouth before looking back at Knox expectantly.

"Don't worry. We can't have you looking too easy or every old fogey in the building will try to pay for you." Ava shook her head in disgust. "What we need is to make you look tough, intimidating, and yet still like a woman."

Knox wandered over to a rack and flipped through a couple of items before tossing a shirt to Ava. Its sleeves were torn off and had several ragged holes in it. Ava could believe it could have been artfully done, except the blood stains on it hinted at a slightly darker history. Not that wearing a corpse's clothing had ever really bothered her.

Before she could ponder where the store they were in got its merchandise further, Knox was already throwing more clothes at her. A vest with slight burning around the edges, a short leather skirt, some knee high boots with heels, stockings, bangles, jackets, pants.

Knox paused and looked back to where Veronica was trying to help Ava sort through the clothing Knox was throwing back at her. He suppressed a grin as he caught Veronica trying to surreptitiously sneak a rather scandalous pair of underwear into the mix as well.

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the wall. "Benny is a smart customer. He's very good at sniffing out danger. Which is why I haven't killed him yet. But he's also a man."

"Thus making him inherently less than me," Ava interjected, staring at herself in a mirror while holding up various articles of clothing. "I think I can seduce a man, Knox. It's really not that hard."

Holding his hands out in front of him peacefully, Knox said, "Please don't get mad at me, this is entirely informed by what you've told me, but weren't the majority of your… targets… also paying you? That kind of lessens the difficulty."

Ava frowned and Knox could tell she wanted to say something offensive to him, but he had voiced a valid concern. Maybe she was overestimating her abilities. There were certainly many more women in New Vegas and the majority of them were far cleaner than any competition she'd had in DC.

"I suppose," Ava admitted begrudgingly.

Veronica gave her a hug and consoled, "I'm sure your feminine wiles have destroyed many a man."

"As am I," Knox agreed. "It's just in this circumstance a different tact might be better employed. You've got to lure Benny after you. You've got to intrigue him, amaze him, tease him-"

Interjecting with her eyebrows raised, Ava asked, "You want me to be a tease?"

"Alright, wrong choice of words. What I'm trying to say is: you've got to be mysterious, attract him without giving a damn. It won't be easy. You need to be menacing, you need to be noir, you need to be aloof, and you need to be…"

"Me?" Ava was looking at herself in the mirror again, but looked away from herself to give Knox a cocky smile.

Knox appeared to consider it for a moment before admitting, "Okay, maybe this won't be as difficult for you as I originally predicted."

Ava tossed a few more articles of clothing aside and held up another shirt. "Of course it won't be difficult. I'm me."

"Don't get cocky," Knox warned, as Ava finished examining her clothing choices and stepped into a curtained changing room. "You got everything you need there?"

"I certainly think so," Ava said, stepping back out into the store.

Knox's eyes widened and Veronica let out an inarticulate moan.

Ava smirked. "Bingo."


The back and forth between characters in this chapters was so enjoyable to write. I also found Lily to be a rather enjoyable character to write as well. She's rather fun. I know I usually give a oneshot in "The Wasteland Journals of Mr. Knox" for whenever I introduce one of the companions, but I will not be this time. There's another Lily interaction that I'm waiting for before posting her oneshot. But besides that, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The caper will continue next time! Oh and always, please leave a review they make it easier for me to write. It shows you're all interested and that gets the creative juices flowing. Oh! And another thing. I love hearing your predictions about what is going to happen or you hope will happen. Feel free to drop those in a review or send them to me in a private message. They make my day. Later folks! Author out!