Location: The slog

Relationship: Romanced- taking it slow

Listening to: Thomas Bergersen – Children of the Sun

Two Steps from Hell -Stay

Warning: cursing and some minor naughty stuff

The Goods.


Is that what I think it is?Macha shielded her eyes against the glared of the midday sun as it sparkled off the water. She leaned further out of the trees to examine what had once been a public swimming pool now turned farmland. Several ghouls bustled around, travailing in the dirt with back hoes and rakes, while another group was waist deep in the pool picking something off of the seaweed type growth that clustered in the water.

Hancock appeared at her side, shotgun at the ready. He gave her that private smile, reserved just for her, and Macha felt a moment of bliss before returning to business.

"Heard rumors of a farm run exclusively by ghouls." He said. "Guessing this must be it."

"Looks like a nice set up." Macha said, scouting it out. Fairly defensible; the chain link fence mostly still intact. The old diving boards would offer the perfect perch for a sniper or two and the solid concrete building was structurally sound. "Let's see if they are interested in joining the Minutemen. We can offer more protection and I'm really curious to see what they are harvesting in that pool."

"Hope it's not mirelurk eggs. Ughhh." He made a face of disgust.

"Oh, they aren't that bad. At least they taste like egg with the addition of dirt, metal, and rancid shellfish. Which is an improvement to most of the food here… I guess." Thinking of food, Macha retrieved a box of Dandy Boy Apple from her pack and busted it open. What once was a candied apple was now dextrose coated apple jerky. The red food coloring had turned muddy brown and bled all over the clear cellophane that it was wrapped in. It looked like a piece of pre-packaged shit in an apple stamped wrapper.

"Mmmm. Well now, isn't that UN-a -peeling." She flashed Hancock the contents of the package hoping he'd catch the fruit related pun.

He did. Hancock sighed. She had been on a pun phase ever since she had rediscovered the Silver Shroud radio broadcasts. The last few weeks of travel had been filled with every variation of pun involving the words stoned, ghoul, and anything else she could get away with. "Oh, you're a laugh a minute. If you keep making those jokes I'm going to have to tell Kent to stop that show."

Macha pouted and put the rest of the Dandy Boys away. She seemed so dejected, Hancock was tempted to retract his statement…that is – until she pulled out a skeletal arm from her pack and waived it at him- a huge grin dimpling her cheeks as the bony limb flopped about. "Why? Don't find it … humerus?"

Hancock groaned and started down the hill towards the pool. Macha was still laughing at her own joke as she ran down the hill to catch up with him, chewing on her Dandy Boy Apple.

"Still think karma is bullshit?" She asked as she joined him. "Or think you are getting exactly what you deserve for dating me?"

"Hey, you're the one stuck with this ugly mug. Who's really being punished?"

"Oh, hush. You are handsome and you know it. What is you said?" Macha did her best Hancock impression, adopting a cocksure stance and lowering the pitch of her voice. "Sounds like someone's phishing for compliments. I've got you. What else could I need?"

"I sound nothing like that." Not exactly the truth. After their return to Goodneighbor, Macha had been insecure when she discovered the number of women he had been with. It had taken a lot of smooth talking and reassuring to get her over it. He didn't think she was completely accepting of their relationship, but she was trying. And seeing her act defensive and protective of him actually had pleased him. In an odd way, it meant she cared.

He couldn't say he understood the reason for the jealousy though. It really was no contest. The others were passing flings or something to occupy his time or energy. He rarely had to work hard to win them over. A few witty words and a charismatic wink and they were his for the night.

It wasn't the same with Macha. She didn't seem to grasp the depth of his feelings for her. He felt he always had to check himself around her. Like she was the one holding back. Any relationship he got in that was hot and heavy, he was always the one who pulled away. Never let anyone get too close. The second they did, he walked. But, he had never been in love with any of the other women either. Macha wanted to take things slow, so he was doing his best to not smoother her, but the more she resisted him, the more he wanted her.

He supposed that was part of the thrill with Macha. She was the one always running and pushing him away. He was always giving chase in a never ending hunt. Even now, he had her, but at the same time, didn't. She still had a wall up between them, and any time things got too serious, she'd find some way to disengage from him. He was patient though; he'd wait as long as she needed and savor the moment she was completely his. After all, he didn't want her just for a night, but for all nights to come. She was another rare experimental drug; one he had waited all his life to take a hit of and once he did, he would draw out that high as long as possible.

They passed through a hole in the chain link fence and approached the workers. An older ghoul in a dirt stained tee shirt picked himself off the ground, brushing his earth encrusted fingers on his pants and went to greet them. Hancock paused a moment, startled to see someone he recognized. "Holy shit. Wiseman?"

The older ghoul raised a brow, not recognizing the new comer. "Do I know you, boy?"

Hancock touched the brow of his hat in greeting. "You did, but I looked different then back then. I used to see you around Diamond City before that asshole of a mayor evicted you."

Wiseman studied Hancock for a moment, then his eyes widened in surprise. "Well, if it ain't that asshole's younger brother. John McDonough. Yeah.. you have changed. Don't recall you being a ghoul. What the hell you doin out here, son?"

"Name's Hancock now and that, my friend, is a long story for another time." He gestured to Macha, who was patiently waiting nearby, not wanting to interrupt their reunion. "I'm here with the General of the Minutemen. We are looking to establish new colonies and band together. Trying to help the people of the Commonwealth. Was wondering if we could interest your fine settlement in joining."

Macha took that as her queue and stepped into the conversation. "My name is Macha, general of the Minutemen. Pleased to meet you. You've got a nice place here. I can tell you've worked hard to make it a home. You must be very proud."

"Oh yeah. It's hard work, but we get by. Only one's to cultivate tarberries. Heard the Minutemen were making a come back. Good for them." Some of the field workers had stopped and were now watching the conversation. Wiseman took note and ushered them inside. "Let's discuss this inside and over a bottle of scotch. Could use a break anyways."

They were escorted into a well furnished living room of sorts. A few comfy chairs and a threadbare couch focused around a table sporting an unfinished game of checkers. Macha scanned the checkerboard, seeing two or three moves that would result in a red piece being kinged. She crossed her fingers in her lap as she sat to avoid the temptation to alter the board.

Wiseman retrieved a few tarnished glass and poured them a snifter of scotch before heavily sitting in a chair. The chair molded to his form and Macha assumed that was his regular seat as foreman. He savored a sip before addressing them. "Been hearing good things about your people, General. They say you are banding the Commonwealth together. Offering protection and trade to those that pledge themselves to you. You sure the Minutemen wanted to be associated with a bunch of ghouls? Hard enough to get any traders to stop by, even with a rare product to offer."

"The Minutemen believe the Commonwealth is for everyone who wants to rebuild and live peacefully." Macha answered with conviction. "Our settlements are full of people from all walks of life. Our goals bond us together despite our differences. We all want to restore some of what we lost. I can assure you, your people will be welcome and it would be a great honor to include your settlement among our own. I can see to it you have protection, develop tradelines, and improve some of your amenities. My settlements have purified water filters, power, turrets and other commodities to help further their development."

Wiseman examined them for a moment, head tilted in thought before finishing off his scotch. "Gotta tell you, sounds too good to be true. But, we could use all the help we can get. There's a group of super mutants held up at the old Medford Memorial Hospital that have been harassing us. Just a few have been scouting the place out, but one chased my worker half way across the field before we got a few shots in him and changed his mind. Have a feeling they will be back, and don't think we can hold them off if they show up in force. You take care of them and me and mine will back the Minutemen."

"Consider your mutant problems over." Macha answered as she downed the scotch. She made a tiny noise in the back of her throat as it burned its way down her esophagus. Lava would have went down less painfully.

"Good ss-stuff." She choked, eyes tearing up as she handed her snifter back to the Slog's foreman.

"Yeah. Put's some real hair on your chest, doesn't it?" Wiseman stated as he poured himself another.

Macha could only nod in response as she exited the building. Two hundred year old scotch after an equally old sugary confection did not produce a pleasant flavor. Her mouth was reduced to the Sahara desert and all her taste buds had committed seppuku in order to escape that horrendous taste. Goddamn and I thought wasteland food was bad. She thought, trying to keep it together as she sought for a way to cleanse her palate that wouldn't offend their host.

Before her, the blue pool water gleamed invitingly. Thick ropey vines of tarberry seaweed clumped together in the soft undulating waves the afternoon breeze created. She had never tried a tarberry by itself before. Only used them to enhance the occasional box of mentats. It kinda made them taste like kids chewable vitamins, so they couldn't be that bad by themselves, could they? Anything had to be better than this.

"Mfind if I twry w-one?" She asked the foreman, pointing to the berries. Her tongue was no longer cooperating and was trying – albeit unsuccessfully- to flee her mouth.

"Huh? Oh the berries? Sure, sure. Hop on it. Matter a fact, if you wanna help us harvest them, Holly there will pay you a few caps for whatever you bring her."

Macha caught a glimpse of the platinum blonde woman the foreman indicated. She raised her hand in an acknowledging wave, but Macha was already knee deep in the water, plucking a few of the purple berries and jamming one into her mouth. Macha turned green as her teeth burst its tough skin and her mouth flooded with what she could only describe as liquified asphalt. Oh god. She was going to puke in their pool. She was going to vomit all over their crop and there would go any chance of them joining the Minutemen.

"Ahem." Hancock cleared his throat, shaking a carton of purified water at her.

Macha didn't hesitate as she snatched the carton from him and downed the entire contents. Rivulets of water coursed from her mouth as she chugged it down.

"You know," Hancock said with amusement. "They are called tarberries for a reason."

Macha used her free hand to give him the finger as she continued to purge her mouth of foul tasting fruit. She gasped for air once the carton was empty and cast a smoldering gaze at Hancock.

"Why didn't you warn me?" She rasped.

"Only have one life, why not try it all." He grinned. "Didn't want to deprive you of the experience."

"That was one experience I could have lived without." Macha replied, equipping her weapon and shoving the empty carton a little too forcefully into Hancock's hands.

"Yeah. They are a bit on acquired taste." Wiseman observed with a good-natured laugh. He waived them both farewell before resuming his farming. "Good luck out there. Try not to get yourself killed."


"Why… does he have a toaster? Macha didn't really expect an answer, but it was just too weird not to comment on. This was the last one they had need to kill in order to clear the hospital and try as she might, she could find no logical reason a super mutant would want to haul a toaster around.

"Maybe he heard me shout 'you're toast' when I was taking him out? Thought he'd be prepared?" Hancock quipped, reloading. "But, it's probably more along the lines of. 'Oh. Shiny. Me want."

Glaring at him dubiously, Macha yanked the toaster from the super mutant's belt. It was still mostly intact. Good for parts at least. She shoved it into her backpack along with the rest of the junk she had collected from the hospital. "Why is it ok for you to make bad puns and not me?"

"Because mine are better." He stated with succinct confidence.

"Oh come on! I've got a real bone to pick with you if you didn't find the last one at least a little funny."

Hancock ran his hand across his face. "I am way to sober for this."

Macha produced a tin of orange mentats from her pocket and approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaned into him.

"I can help with that." She said as she dropped a few mentats on her tongue and brought her mouth to his.

Well, this was new. He was usually the one initiating the kissing, not her. Guess all the fighting must have really got her blood pumping. He couldn't think anymore then because her tongue sought out his and he lost himself to the ecstasy of Macha and the chems as they dissolved on their tongues.

His strong hands enveloped her waist, pulling her closer. The chems kicked in and made him painfully aware of just how soft her lips were against his. He delighted in the brush of his mouth on hers, each passing moment more passionate as he drowned in her taste and scent. Her sharp intake of breath at his touch teased him. Their hearts- still beating fast from the thrill of the kill- sounded in time as he nibbled on her bottom lip.

She continued to surprise him, pulling away and boldly trailing a series of nips and kisses up the nape of his neck. Her teeth found purchase and tugged at what left of his earlobe as his hands progressed under her shirt and up her torso.

Damn, he hated that she wore a full chest plate. He wanted to -needed to- feel her heat under his finger tips. That supple smooth glowing skin of hers demanded exploration. Reclaiming her mouth with his, he settled for cupping her ample ass, excited as she wrapped one leg around his waist drawing him to her.

Her hands traced patterns down his neck, under his shirt, and she reached between them and tentatively stroked his hardness. Her touch was adrenalizing, intensified by the perception enhancing drugs and Hancock nearly lost his balance, both of them stumbling a bit as they regained their composure. That was unquestionably new. So far she had never once attempted to touch him in that way: always too shy or scared about their differences. Always pulling away if they got too involved.

"It's getting late." She huffed, breathless and flushed a she put a halting hand on his chest. Macha glanced around the room.

They were still in the filthy hospital. The bodies of several super mutants were cooling as blood seeped into the grout of the tile and ran in small streams through holes in the floor. No doubt they were going to have super mutant blood dripping on them as they traveled back down the floors.

"Hmmm. Do my best work after dark anyways." He muttered into her neck, not wanting this to end but knowing it would. For now at least and just when they were making progress. She was right. This was not the time nor the place. In a bloody hospital surrounded by dead bodies wasn't exactly how he pictured their first time together. He may not exactly be a gentleman, but he did have some romantic inclinations.

Plus, it was smarter for them to move now while there was still light and get back to the relative safety of the settlement. Traveling at night in the Commonwealth was a good way to get ambushed.

"Just when we were having fun too." Groaning in slight frustration, he let her go, but not without one final urgent kiss. "You drive me crazy, you know that?"

She bit her lip to hide a smile. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Always did like trouble. Come on, love. Let's get this freakshow on the road." She took his offered hand as they sidestepped bodies, leaving behind the carnage and death to forge a path of hope for the settler's of the Commonwealth.


"Ready to get paid for those tarberrys? The platinum blonde ghoul asked. Holly, Macha recalled the foreman had called her.

"Looking for Wiseman." Macha replied. "I wanted to let him now we took care of the super mutants."

"He's probably inside. Sure you aren't here to admire the goods?"

"The goods?" Macha asked confused. Was she a merchant? Well, that was fortuitous. She could use some more ammo. Some of those mutants took several shots to down and she was running low. "Tell me about these goods."

"You're looking at them, hot stuff. I might be a ghoul, but I'm still all woman. So what do you think?" Holly flipped her bangs out of her eyes and gave Macha a flirtatious grin.

Now Macha was really confused. Was she? No. Nooooooo. Couldn't be. "About what?"

"About me? And be honest."

Oh god. This was happening. This was actually happening. Macha could feel Hancock's smile on the back of her neck as she squirmed. Ok. She could do this. She took a deep breath and looked at Holly. Really looked at her; past the decaying flesh, lack of nose, and strange eyes.

Holly had probably been pretty once. Tall, lean, and athletic. Despite working in the fields, her hair was neatly coiffed and clean, showing she took pride in her appearance. Her eyes were radiant, blue as the pool water and seemed almost out of place amongst her burnt skin. Macha's eyes traveled down the ghoul, trying to find the best she could among the scars. Just think of her as a burn victim, Macha. She's still human. It's not her fault she looks like that.

Holly's smile was open and sincere, a rarity in the Commonwealth. For being over two hundred years old, she had a great set of tits. Macha only hoped hers would hold up that well when she was her age. Her eyes traveled lower, past Holly's waist, but her mind conjured the image of an old Arby's roast beef sandwich at the thought of her ghoulish genitalia and that was about as far a she got.

Well, Mom said if you can't say anything nice. "I think you look pretty good. You have a beautiful smile and your eyes are stunning."

"Hmmm.. you are looking mighty fine yourself stranger. This may be coming on a bit strong, but we ghouls don't live forever. When I see something I like, I go after it. Do you think you may ever see yourself.. dating a ghoul."

Macha's jaw dropped a second. Wow. She just came out and said it. Macha turned red and became uncomfortable. Damn. Everyone in the Commonwealth just said whatever was on their mind. There was no verbal dance she was accustomed to as a lawyer. No chance to just let things slide and pretend you missed the meaning or divert the subject with subtle machinations. They just threw it out there in the open like it was a live grenade. "Ummmm... are you hitting on me?"

Holly chuckled. "Not use to aggressive women, huh? That's ok. I would still like an answer though. So... would you date a ghoul?" She twirled a lock of hair around the end of her finger and gazed at Macha with ravenous eyes.

Suddenly Hancock was there, right by her side. She thought he would make some move to save her and get Holly to back off. A squeeze of the shoulder. Rub on the back. Holding her hand. But no.. the asshole just stood there with that cocky grin and said, "Inquiring minds want to know. Would you?"

Macha turned her head and gave him THE LOOK. It said when this is over and we are alone...I'm going to hurt you.

"I-I appreciate the offer." Macha stammered with embarrassment. "But I'm currently seeing someone. At least... I was... that may change soon." Her voice hardened with the last few words, directing them at Hancock, THE LOOK still leveled at him.

"Oh, I'm certain he won't mind." Hancock replied with smarmy inflection. "Why don't you two run off and have fun. I'll stand watch over you. Wouldn't want anyone taking advantage of you ladies while you were...occupied. The wastes can be a dangerous place."

Macha elbowed him as discretely as possible in the ribs. He flinched a bit, but never lost that shit eating grin the whole time.

Fortunately Holly was intelligent enough to figure everything out. She sighed, seeming more than a bit disappointed. "Oh. I see you would date a ghoul. Figures, the good ones are always taken. Well, good luck with everything then. Let me know if you want to help us harvest some more tarberries. Wiseman's inside."

After Macha's face returned to it's normal color, they found Wiseman and discussed the plans for incorporating the settlement into the Minutemen's faction. They would stay on a few days and help with repairs and defenses before Macha returned to the Castle and help set up a trade route. With the sun finally disappearing beyond the horizon and rain clouds looming overhead, Macha and Wiseman shook hands, sealing the deal.

"You know, I really like that place. Really is a charming little community. And the people are so friendly." Hancock said as they left the Slog for the night, planning to camp in the nearby abandoned diner. "We should go back and visit now and again. "

"Not gonna happen, John." Macha growled.

Hancock just laughed.


"Should be a good place to get some shut eye." Hancock commented as he tossed another piece of scrap wood on their fire.

Macha was finishing straightening their sleeping bags on the part of the diner floor she had cleared, readying them to turn in. They needed to get a good start in the morning with all the work they had ahead of them. The chems were calling to her as well. It was back; that tickle in the back of her mind, the itch on her arm. She needed to relax and just let loose a bit. Just to relax and take the edge off.

Digging through her backpack, Macha retrieved some of her chems. She had crafted a wide variety last chem station she had discovered. Not certain what she was feeling in the mood for, she took a little of each. Handful of bufftats, a huff a jet, and a shot of psychobuff. Her eyes dilated, pupils large and dark almost mirroring Hancock's ghoulified eyes. She let the last puff of jet escape her mouth, a swirling vortex amongst the night sky. The stars streaked across the velvet night, twisting and becoming galaxies that spun with prismatic radiance. Yessssss. That hit the spot.

"Hey, you.. may wanna slow down there," Hancock squeezed her shoulders and breaking her trance like state. "And that's coming from me. How much did you take? Let's not over do it."

Macha shrugged his concern off and snapped at him. "Don't bring me down. I can handle it. We had a rough day today. This place is relatively safe for the night now that the super mutants are gone. Just let me unwind a bit."

That was a role reversal for him. Normally, it was Fahrenheit telling him to ease up on the chems. Sometimes even hiding his stash when he got really heavy into them. He despised that shit and had threatened to fire her several times. But, as she reminded him, it was her job to keep him alive even if that was from a potential overdose. When had he become the man and started imposing his judgment on Macha? She could take care of herself and knew her limits. John dropped the subject and turned her around and kissed her on the forehead. "Sure. Just save some for me, ok?"

"Got you covered."

Hancock noticed a bloody bandage just peeking out from under her sleeve when she had removed her chest plate earlier. He gently caught Macha by the arm as she handed him two boxes of mentats, exposing more of the wrap. He tugged up her sleeve to get a better look at the bandage, shocked when she slapped his hand away. "I didn't know you got hit today."

"It's not a bullet wound." She said self consciously pulling the sleeve over her arm. "Just a rash or something. I probably ran into some mutated poison ivy or something. Just leave it be. It will heal on it's own."

She started to scratch it and caught herself, balling her fist up and cementing it to her side with purpose.

"Well," Hancock traced a thumb down her face and neck. "Just so we are clear. I'm here to scratch any itch you may have."

Macha rolled her eyes and climbed into her bedroll and patted the surface of his adjacent one, indicating he should join her. Shrugging off his coat and putting his hat on the counter, Hancock slid into his sleeping bag and welcomed Macha into his arms. He sighed contently as she rested her head on his chest, her fingers playing with the frills of his jabot.

"That reminds me," Macha said. "I thought you said you would react as jealously as I did if someone openly hit on me?"

"Well, sure, if it was a man."

Macha turned around in his arms and glared at him. "And a woman doesn't warrant that reaction?"

"Like I said, only live once. Why rule out a possibility of a threesome?"

"We have barley gotten past second base and you are already thinking about threesomes?"

"That wasn't a no." He pointed out. "And I like to plan ahead."

"No." Macha clarified. "You are just one horny ghoul, aren't you?"

"Only for you, love. Got me on the edge of my seat. Though.. what's a base have to do with anything?"

Macha rolled over and propped herself up on her arm, looking at him squarely. "Seriously? You don't know about the bases? What are they teaching kids in school these days? Though... I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given that swatter guy's definition of baseball over at Diamond City."

"Don't tell it's not actually beating the shit outta people with bats? Because that sounded like one sport I could really get into."

"Not even close."

"Christ. What did you people do for fun? Macrame? The end of the world probably couldn't come fast enough."

"The bases were certainly fun." Macha went on to describe the bases and their various stages and significance in sexual conquest.

"Well, that gives a whole new meaning to running the bases."

Macha chuckled, back in his arms. He ran his hand over hers, both of them staring up at the stelliferous sky through the broken diner windows. "Never thought I'd have to explain something about sex to you, Mr. Tourguide. Suppose I have to tell you what the Mile High Club is now as well."

"Got my attention."

When Macha had finished her description, she found Hancock gazing at her with a wicked smile. "Are you certain we can't jack a Vertibird from the Brotherhood?"

"Absolutely not. Neither one of us can still fly and I'm not to keen on the idea of giving the pilot a free show."

"Can't say I didn't try." He squeezed her a bit closer.

Moments passed in silence as the stars twinkled overhead and their breathing patterns fell into a slow steady rhythm. He figured she had dozed off, but she spoke after a while. "You sure this is what you want? I mean...us?"

"Well I figure at this point you got enough dirt on me I gotta stick around." He replied, feeling her shoulders rise and fall in silent mirth. "What about you? You sure you want to wake up to this ugly mug?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way." She kissed him to reinforce her statement and tucked herself back into the crook of his arm.

"There is one thing that's been bothering me though." Hancock teased as Macha blinked sleepily and focused on his face, worry furrowing her brow. "Who's this other guy you told Holly are seeing? Hmmmm... Let's see. I know. It's Danse, isn't it?"

Macha made a disgusted noise and smacked him in the chest, turning her back to him but still cradled in his arms. "We are so not going there."

Hancock followed her, spooning with her; their bodies a perfect fit together. "I'm charming. Witty, irresistibly handsome, yet you still withstand my allure. Maybe that's what our relationship needs? I just need to turn to you in the middle of the night and say-"

"I swear to whatever god you believe in, if you say it, I WILL cause you harm."

"Ad victoriam, soldier." He breathed on the back of her neck.

The guard patrolling the Slog that night stopped to investigate the shouts coming from the diner. His finger found the trigger as he crept nearer, thinking the two new comers were in distress or under attack. He stopped several feet from the diner when he heard what the commotion was actually about.

"Not the hat Macha! You don't -ow- hit a man with his own hat!"

"Ad Victoriam John!"

"Come here!"

"No!"

The guard chuckled as the shouts became squeals of laughter and delight as the male voice resounded. "Gotcha!"

Damn fools were going to alert every raider in a five mile radius to their presence, but he still couldn't bring himself to tell them to keep it down. It had been a long time since he had heard unrestrained laughter like that. Backing away, he resigned himself to be extra vigilant that night and let the two have their fun, recalling how he and his wife had once dallied like that before the bombs had fallen.