Author's Note: Behold! My longest chapter yet. I got this little program that makes typewriter clacky sounds when I type. Best. Fix. For writer's block. Ever. Also! I'm off to the mountains for a little vacation with my girlfriends, so writing time will be limited when I get back. Next chapter might be a wee bit delayed. I want to thank all my lovely reviewers! Every review I get makes me smile like a big dork, so thank you! :3 Enjoy! Review if you like, etc etc. See you all when I get back!
Cass had proven difficult to persuade. She'd chosen some colourful language and given some choice instructions about what to do with McLafferty's offer that left Riley slightly at a loss for words and more than a little pissed off - and worse, stranded. Without that signature she wasn't getting paid.
She spent the next few days dragging Veronica and Boone around doing odd jobs for the NCR while she tried to think of ways to convince Cass to part with her apparently defunct company. Her current strategy was bribery - fattening McLafferty's offer with caps out of her own pocket - and it was one she wasn't exactly enthusiastic to rely on because it meant emptying her pouch of all the caps she'd earned so far, effectively resetting her entire Vegas fund. Which, really when she thought about it, was an absolute shit strategy.
So they murdered ants, cleaned up Primm and then for lack of anything else to do, explored every nook and cranny that Riley could find off the I-15 while she scavenged for things to sell. Veronica took her role as scavenging master with great flourish, teaching Riley everything she knew, what had value and turning whatever else that didn't into something that did with her sack of tools. She didn't have any compunctions about stopping in the middle of the road to whip up a makeshift explosive to blow up Powder Gangers, and Riley loved her all the more for it.
She also found herself increasingly intrigued by Boone. His link to Noah had both surprised and fascinated her, and she spent countless hours entertaining herself imagining conversations between the two of them. Sadly, even in her imagination, Boone didn't say too much, but it was easier to imagine Noah grinning and trying to coax conversation out of her new stoic partner than it was to see him up on the cross.
They were clearing out a pack of geckos when Riley sidled up to Boone.
"I still get to ask you a question, right?" she asked, lowering her weapon. Boone paused in his aim, instead letting Veronica take out the last gecko with an awkward downward jab, and looked over at her with a slightly incredulous expression on his face.
"Now?"
"Humour me," she grinned, adjusting her sunglasses. She'd picked them up a few days ago off one of the Powder Gangers in Primm. "When did you retire, exactly?"
He frowned. "Late in '78."
She nodded, satisfied, and gestured for them to push on while she thought about that. The hill they were climbing led into a secluded niche in the cliff-side, a distant refrigerator surrounded by bear traps visible if she squinted. Riley could hear the warbling call of more geckos over the ridge and Veronica made a face as they caught up to her.
"Can't we just go back and punch the guy who sent us up here? I'm not the only one who realizes this is a trap, right?"
Riley shouldered her rifle, wiping sweat from her brow while she looked over at the Scribe with a smug look of knowing. "He's after something up here. I wanna know what it is."
"You mean you want whatever it is to sell," Veronica corrected her.
"That, too," she shrugged. "Beggers can't be choosers."
"I think I've created a monster," Veronica said, nudging Boone with a grin. He grunted, but didn't say anything as they trailed after her.
Later, with the stripped body of Barton Thorn behind her and her pack just a little heavier, Riley declared that they were having gecko for lunch and that Veronica was cooking. It had been discovered a few days ago that Veronica was a phenomenal cook. While Riley could muster up a decent dish herself, it was nothing compared to what Veronica could do with gecko, some jalapenos, and a little ingenuity.
Boone took up a spot to watch the road while Veronica worked and Riley took the time to reorganize her pack, keeping her Pip-Boy's radio on so the silence wasn't so grating. She soon got bored of that, however, instead shoving everything in with a frustrated flourish, and wandered over to where Boone was sitting.
"Soooo… '78, huh?" she started as she came up behind him. He glanced at her over his shoulder.
"What about it?"
"Why'd you retire?" she plopped down next to him, breaking out a water bottle and twisting off the cap. She took a long drink before offering him some, smiling slightly at the expected jerk of his head as he refused.
He gave a weary sigh and looked back towards the road. "Had enough of war."
"Were you at Bittersprings? That was back in '78, wasn't it?"
He became very still. "I think it was."
"Were you there?" she pressed.
He gave a considerable pause before replying. "I don't remember."
"I'll take that as a 'yes'," she rolled her shoulders, stretching out her legs with a groan. "You've got eyes like a god damn hawk, never miss a damn detail."
He worked his jaw irritably. "Yeah, I was there," he snapped, glaring over at her. "What about it?"
"Just explains a few things about you, I guess," she shrugged. "Got the short story from Noah, but Bravo wasn't on that mission and I joined in '79. He read the report, though." She bit the inside of her cheek, debating. "You wanna tell me the full story?"
He looked away. "Not really."
She considered him for a moment. "What do I gotta do to get the full story?"
"What does it matter?" He demanded. "You know the gist of it."
She gave a small cynical laugh. "Thought it might help to understand you a bit better. You're a little hard to read. Since you're my spotter, that's sort of an issue for me."
He was silent for a while, eyes trained on the road while Riley quietly drank her water beside him. Just when she thought he wasn't going to say anything and she considered dropping the subject, he shook his head slightly, as if coming to a conclusion.
"Maybe if we get back to doing what I joined you for," he suggested with a sigh. "Maybe I'll tell you what happened. I didn't join you to hunt geckos, walk into poorly laid traps so you can loot a fridge."
She hid a smile. "I sound a little compulsive when you put it that way."
"A little." The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. It was the closest she'd seen him come to a smile all week, and she found herself struggling to not feel pride at that. Instead, she focused her attentions on some bare threads coming off the knee of her pants, tugging at them idly while she forced herself to sound nonchalant.
"So that's the deal? We kill some legion, you tell me what really happened?"
He glanced at her. "If it'll get us back on track, sure."
She pursed her lips. "I still have my own score to settle, you know. I can't let that go before anything else."
"That's fair. And your score with the Legion?"
"That's—" she paused. She hadn't really considered a 'score' with the Legion, had never thought getting even was an option. Who did she target if it was? Aurelius Phoenix? The legionnaires with the whips that worked on Noah? The centurion that pulled her from the cage, dragged her to one of the bathroom stalls?
She rubbed her palms over her legs anxiously, looking away from Boone. "That's a new concept for me, I guess."
"Something to consider."
She nodded, eyes vacant, then smiled abruptly. "We've got a weird information exchange going on, you know that? What am I gonna have to do to find out your favourite colour?"
He rolled his eyes and pushed himself to his feet. "It's red. Come on, food smells done."
Food was done, and it was delicious. Veronica beamed with pride as they inhaled it and Riley declared it an off-road masterpiece. Boone helped with dishes as he always did, something Riley found amusing but never commented on, and then they were making their way back to the Outpost.
"It's been a week," Veronica said between gulps of water. They were somewhere in between Primm and the Outpost, Riley taking them once again on another 'shortcut' off the roads. The sun was beating down on them and Riley wondered how the Scribe stayed cool in her potato sack robe. "Think she's changed her mind?"
"Doubt it," Riley made a face. "Asked her every god damn day since we got here. I'm waiting for her to start swinging, actually."
"Thinking of still fronting more caps for her signature?" Veronica asked. "We've pulled in a lot."
"No," Riley replied. "It's stupid. A stupid idea. McLafferty's paying me five hundred for this. I front more caps than that for her signature on selling a company that's not even operational? I don't think so." She gave a long sigh, glancing over at Boone. "Maybe you two come with me this time. Back me up? Yesterday almost came to blows."
"We do go with you," Boone pointed out.
"Yeah, but you sit on the other side of the bar and watch her swear at me from a distance," Riley retorted. "Not really back up. What am I paying you for, anyway?" she teased. "Not your conversational skills." Boone glared at her, and her grin widened.
"I'm serious," she said. "I know I'm annoying her, but I can't drop this. She might start swinging, so just… I want you both there, okay?"
"You gonna knee her in the face?" Veronica grinned. Riley hid a smile as Boone's frown deepened.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Cass was well into her third drink when Riley plopped herself onto the stool next to her. A glance at Lacey got a shrug and an eyeroll; it wasn't even three in the afternoon for Christ's sake. Veronica and Boone were hanging back, as usual. They'd found a spot on the wall to lean against and look unobtrusive until Riley needed them, though at least this time they were significantly closer than they'd been all week.
"How's it going?"
"You again?" Cass sighed, glancing sideways at her as she finished her drink. "You're fucking persistent, I'll give you that. But my answer's the same as it's always been. Always gonna be, too." She gave Riley a pointed glare and gestured at her with her empty glass. "And you can tell that McLafferty bitch the same thing so she can stop sniffing around. Cassidy Caravans ain't for sale."
"Just hear me out," Riley gave a forced smile. "It's all I'm asking, and I'll buy you a drink for your time."
"Well shit," Cass smirked. "Never been one to turn down a free drink. Not gonna change anything though. Lacey!" Cass tapped her glass on the counter. "One more. Her tab."
"I'll take the same," Riley ordered, fishing out the caps and slapping them on the counter. Lacey served up two glasses of whiskey and placed them in front of the women without a word. It was strong, and not something Riley usually drank. She never could get behind whiskey unless it was mixed with something, but hell if she didn't want to lose face in front of Cass when she was trying to broker a deal. She watched as Cass practically inhaled hers, impressed despite herself.
"Deal's still on the table," Riley started, taking another sip and trying not to choke on it. "You sign and take the receipt to the Crimson Caravan for your caps. Hell, I'll take you there myself. Armed escort."
"This still smells hinky to me," Cass told her wearily. "I don't know what McLafferty told you, or what she's paying you. Don't really give a shit, if you wanna get down to it, but this is some grade A brahminshit. Cassidy Caravans is done. I have nothing left. Why would she try buying me out now?"
"I don't know. I'm just the hired help. What are you gonna do?" Riley demanded, frustrated. "Sit here for the rest of your god damn life drinking away the rest of your caps?"
"Jackson will open the gates-"
"Un-fucking-likey," Riley snorted, downing her whiskey in one. She pulled a face as she coughed, thumping on her chest as she choked the drink down. "Not until this shit with the Legion gets resolved and who knows how long that'll take. Best thing for you to do is sign the damn thing so you can leave this place and get on with your life. Your company is dead anyway, why not pull a profit off it?"
Cass's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Fuck the Legion," Cass declared, swinging around in her seat so she could get into Riley's face properly. "And fuck you. I'm not signing shit." Riley slammed her glass down and stood up, eyes hard and pissed off. Cass followed suit, her hat falling off in the process while she shoved her face into Riley's, nostrils flaring. The effect was less intimidating than it probably should have been as Riley had a few inches on the other woman, but the threat was still there and Riley felt her muscles tense in anticipation of a fight.
Veronica chose that moment to step in, one hand on each of their shoulders as she forced them both apart. The bar and its few patrons had grown quiet, all eyes on the two women. Lacey stopped wiping the glass she had in her hand, and folded her arms, annoyed.
"Calm down, the both of you," Veronica ordered, her voice firm and quiet.
"Then tell this-"
"Fuck you!" Cass spat. "I owe my men more than what you're asking. I've got my pride."
Any other time, Riley could have easily accepted that and apologized, realizing she crossed a line. But a week's worth of frustration at getting absolutely nowhere closer to getting that chip back was gnawing at her, combined that with the shot of liquor and she threw reason out the window, finding herself instead livid and shoving against Veronica's hold. "Pride? All I see is a fucking washed up dru-"
That was it. She'd done it. Cass elbowed Veronica aside and launched herself at Riley, screaming a string of profanities as they went flying. Hoots and hollers went up as Riley was knocked to the ground, cries of 'Cat fight!' barely registering as Cass straddled her and she struggled to block a series of blows to her face. Cass got a few hits in before directing the punches to her ribcage instead and she cried out. In a display of profound maturity, she managed to grab a chunk of Cass' hair and yanked her to the side, hitting her head on one of the stools. Cass wobbled slightly while Riley marvelled at her luck.
By this time, Boone managed to step in, dragging Riley out from under Cass and pulling her to her feet. She tried pushing past him to get at Cass but he kept her in place, searing her with a stern glare. She huffed, but didn't argue as he checked her over briefly for injuries, making sure to keep himself in between her and the angry redhead while he turned her face up, down and to the sides. She'd gotten a few good bruises and a split lip, but was otherwise fine. Veronica was using an arm lock on Cass to keep her from attacking again and Lacey had had enough. She slapped her towel down onto the counter, eyes wide and furious as she pointed towards the door.
"Out! Get out! All of you, now, before I get Jackson in here!"
"I'm fine," Riley batted Boone's hand away, irritated. She glared at Cass over his shoulder.
"Now!" Lacey repeated.
She turned on her heel, stalking out of the bar and the rest of them followed. A small round of applause went up for Cass as Veronica hauled her out the door, Cass swearing up an unholy litany the entire time.
"Some back up!" Riley spat once outside, whirling on them. Her ribs were aching and she was sure she'd be sore for a few days.
"I didn't take my power fist off," Veronica said, straining to keep a struggling Cass still. "Thought you might still like her with her head intact."
"Right at this moment?" Riley sneered. Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Let me go!" Cass demanded.
"Just sign the god damn paper!" Riley ordered. "Then I can leave you and this shithole behind and get back to what I'm actually supposed to be doing!"
"I told you I'm not signing shit!"
Riley huffed out a breath, turning to Boone. "If I shoot her, you think I'll get in trouble?"
He stared at her. "Probably. Maybe you should calm down."
She glared at him, but turned away, clenching and unclenching her fists while she tried to regain some semblance of composure. He was right. Frustration had gotten the better of her. She should have known better, should have expected Cass to reply aggressively because that's what she'd done all week. She had to get her anger under control, focus on what she was here to do, which was not killing civilians because they had a tendency to run their mouths while drunk.
But hell if that didn't seem like a great option at this point.
"Okay," she turned back to where Veronica was still holding Cass in place. A few soldiers were standing around, watching them curiously. "Let her go," she ordered. "We're going to talk. Just—" she held up her hands at Veronica's incredulous look. "Just talk, I swear."
Veronica loosened her hold and Cass yanked herself free, breathing heavily and pushing her tousled hair back out of her eyes. She glared at Riley.
"You fight like a girl."
Veronica covered her mouth so she wouldn't laugh.
"Jesus Christ," Riley grabbed Cass by the arm and hauled her over to the picnic tables. "Sit," she ordered, releasing her. Cass sat. Riley took the seat next to her and took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. Cass took the time to fix her hair while she waited, her hand motions irritated and jerky. It occurred to Riley that this was the first time she'd seen Cass outside since they arrived at the Outpost a week prior. And sure, they'd been traipsing up and down the I-15 all week but they'd stayed most nights and mornings at the Mojave Outpost; every time, Cass had been without fail inside the bar.
"How long have you been here?" Riley asked. "Stuck, at this outpost, because of your Caravan license."
"A month," Cass replied, her tone suspicious. "Why?
"Do you have any idea what I've done in a god damn week? Because I'm not stuck here like some people I know?"
Cass threw up her hands. "Fucked if I know."
"Exactly, because you've been stuck. Here. Because you won't put your pride aside and realize that you're wasting away. Here. Hell! I've made like a thousand caps cleaning up Primm's little Powder Ganger problem and getting them annexed and protected while you've been drinking away what caps you have left. Here."
Cass rolled her eyes. "Okay. You've made your point. You're a god damn hero."
"Why won't you sign the contract?" Riley wanted to know. "You're holding yourself back when you could be out there, doing anything else instead of getting into bar brawls with the courier who's trying to get you out."
Cass snorted. "You know, I highly doubt you're doing this for my benefit."
"A given," Riley smiled slightly. "But do you really want to stay here? Seriously."
"No," Cass sighed again. She was sounded more and more defeated with every word. "No, I don't." She looked down at her hands and Riley waited while Cass seemed to deflate beside her before giving a final slump of her shoulders. "Alright. You win. Give me the damn contract."
Success! She refrained from breathing a sigh of relief as she pulled out the papers, watching as Cass penned her signature, folded it up, and handed it back. Riley tucked it away, wondering why the hell she hadn't thought of this before she'd gotten clocked in the face. Cass stood up, rubbing at the back of her neck while she turned and faced Riley.
"You said you'd take me to Crimson Caravan earlier. That offer still open?"
Riley eyed her. "I dunno, you gonna attack me again?"
"Not with your two bodyguards over there," Cass smirked, looking over at Veronica and Boone. Veronica was talking animatedly while Boone kept his eyes on Cass, apparently not satisfied that the threat was alleviated. "Girl seems like she knows what she's doing. Who's the soldier? Seen him trailing behind you all week. Doesn't say much."
"That's Boone. He's ex-First Recon, like me. Girl's Veronica. She's Brotherhood."
Cass blew out a whistle. "Interesting group of friends you got. First Recon, you say?"
"Yeah."
"You don't really look the type."
Riley raised one brow. "Meaning?"
"Pretty, blonde, young," Cass regarded her shrewdly. "Don't they make you cut your hair in the army?"
She barked out a laugh, surprised that they'd gone from brawling to talking about hair. "I've had time to grow it out since I was discharged. You serious about coming with us?" She asked, waving Boone and Veronica over. Cass tilted her head, smiling slightly.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"You two work everything out?" Veronica gave them both a stern look as she walked up. "I don't want to have to separate you two again."
Riley grinned. "Yes, mom. Everything's worked out. I got her to sign it."
Veronica nodded. "Good. I've said this before, but you sure have a way with people. First Boone, now her."
Riley had the good grace to look sheepish. "I've got luck in everything but people?"
Cass gave Boone a bewildered raise of her eyebrows. "You attacked your partner?"
Boone sighed, turning to Riley. "Are you done? Wasted enough time here."
"Yeah," she stood. "We're done. We'll make for New Vegas. She's coming with us, by the way."
Veronica exchanged glances with Boone. "Uh. No offense, but you sure that's… wise? You two haven't exactly played nicely."
"Please, I kneed Boone in the face and look how well we get along now."
Boone rubbed at his eyes underneath his shades. "Can we just go? Or are we leaving in the morning?"
Riley glanced at her Pip-Boy. "It's not even four. We can leave now. Make a late arrival in Novac or Ranger Station Charlie. If, you know, that's okay with everyone."
"Fine by me," Cass shrugged.
They took the time to restock their supplies and ammo, and Cass surprised Riley by getting them better deals with the merchants. Apparently, the merchants had been laughing all week over drinks about the 'easy' Courier practically giving away her fission batteries. Bastards.
"You're handling our bartering from now on," Riley muttered as they left the Outpost. Cass gave a wry smile.
"You gonna pay me for my services?"
"I'm keeping you and your gun fed and giving you a prime escort to Crimson Caravan," Riley pointed out. "Not everyone can say they got escorted by ex-First Recon snipers. Least you could do is get me the better deals." She took off her rucksack as they walked, pulling and adjusting the straps to a more comfortable length.
Cass glanced over her shoulder to where Boone and Veronica trailed behind. "That's all well and good. But I wouldn't mind a go with your sniper boy, to be honest."
Riley fumbled with her bag, almost dropping it while Cass regarded her with a sly smile. "Wh- Boone? Uh… I don't think that's such a good idea."
"Why?" Cass raised an eyebrow. "You two fucking?"
"What? No!" Riley replied, a little louder than necessary. Veronica and Boone stopped talking and gave them a questioning look, and after their brawl earlier, Riley didn't want them stomping up and asking questions. She sighed and waved them off, slinging her bag back onto her shoulders. "No," she said again, quieter this time. "Just… he's not- I just don't think-" she took a deep breath and tried again. "He's got some heavy baggage."
"Don't we all? Sometimes a good fuck helps with that," Cass shrugged. Riley groaned.
"Not this baggage. Trust me. Just don't, okay? He's got enough issues without a sex-craved vixen hounding him."
Cass' gaze turned shrewd, eyeing Riley suspiciously. "You're mighty protective of him. You sure you're not interested?"
"Fuck's sake!" Riley threw up her hands. She was regretting this already. "He's my partner! You don't mix business with pleasure. I have to have his back and this… just isn't a good idea. I don't want him more messed up than he already is. He comes onto you, that's something different entirely and you have my blessing to fuck like rabbits. But otherwise you keep your hands off my god damn spotter."
"Alright, alright!" Cass held up her hands in surrender. "I won't touch him. Yeesh."
After that, she didn't speak much as they made their way down the hill, weaving in and out of rusted hulls of metal. Cass pulled back to talk with Veronica, leaving her to her thoughts, which were, unfortunately, still on their conversation. Would Boone be open to Cass' advances? She gnawed on her lip, realizing she never really gave much thought to Boone's situation after they left Novac, at least not until Cass threatened to fuck Boone's brains out.
It was clear to Riley that Boone was still hung up on his wife. On the other hand, she had no idea how long it had been since Carla was taken by Legion, so she couldn't say for sure what his reaction would be to being approached. She couldn't say 'since Carla died', because she was still uncertain how Boone would know that. Instead, she figured Boone had simply accepted his wife as dead because the odds of rescuing her were quite frankly slim to none. They would have to find out who bought her, where they were, launch a rescue mission deep into Legion territory with low chances of success. Not to mention there was the issue of his child…
Yeah, she could see why Boone would prefer thinking of her as dead. It was probably just easier that way to accept that he could do nothing for her.
Still…
The girl was naked up on the podium, crying and pretty and pregnant...
For the first time since Novac, she thought of the girl. A gunman had taken her down, and not many people could make that sort of long distance shot except—
She raised her head, eyes wide while things clicked inside her head. Except… for maybe a sniper. She glanced over her shoulder to where Boone was fending off a barrage of Veronica's questions, dread and suspicion and just plain old curiosity welling up inside her.
Was it possible?