Rex trotted along happily amongst his masters. Claire and Gannon lead the way, chatting furiously about science and other jargon that flew directly over Boone's head. He trailed behind them, regarding the desolate waste's that was on their every side. He watched Claire, the way her cheeks dimpled when Gannon had said something that really piqued her interest and brought a bright smile to her face. The way the golden tanned skin of hers looked radiant against the shabby, dirty outfit she wore. A once white tank top, a pair of cargo pants that were loose, clearly a pair she had taken off a body that was larger than her own. Usually she was armoured well, yet it was particularly hot so she had opted out as they exited the Lucky 38.
They began walking along a path that allowed the refuge of cool shadows, rocks that towered above their heads almost blocking out the sun above.
"So then I tried to give her the shot and of course, she vomits everywhere, and I do mean everywhere."Gannon said, his voice laced with a tint of disgust. Claire burst into laughter, shaking her head at the thought.
"Oh man, maybe I dodged a bullet not becoming a doctor. I can't say that I-" Rex interrupted her with a frenzy of barking. The three stopped, and for a moment there was absolute dead silence. Boone turned his head slowly. Nothing.
"What's the matter boy?" Claire asked, kneeling on the ground beside the modified canine. "You smell something? Huh? You smell something good around here, boy?" She smiled and scratched behind his ear. Rex whined uneasily.
"What do you think it could be?" Gannon asked.
"Anything, out here anyways." Boone answered, unmoving.
A rock the size of her fist lobbed past Claire's head and struck Rex with a thud, knocking the dog unconscious. With a small scream she jumped to her feet and pulled out her hunting rifle, readying it and turning quickly looking for any sign of an attacker.
Before they could even calculate what was going on a Legion raiding party had descended from the rocks, as if they had materialized within the shadows. Boone turned to shoot at one but subsequently had his gun knocked from his hands with a a start. He turned and hurled a fist at his attacked, only to catch a swift kick to the gut from another. Gannon felt the jab of a pistol on the centre of his back, he raised his hands slowly, staring forward at Boone who was in a crumpled heap on the ground.
"Boone!" Claire went to jump at the Legionnaires when she felt two pairs of hands grab her, on pair on each arm gave a sharp yank that knocked her flat on her ass.
"Well, what do we have here?" Claire looked up, one of the Legion was standing above her, his face shadowed, though she recognized his voice. "I deliver the gift of Caesar's pardon and you thank me by killing our party that were dispatched to Bitter Springs." Vulpes lowered himself to a crouch and grabbed Claire by the ponytail, harshly jerking her face close to his. "Fear not, I won't kill you, now yet." Claire jerked trying to fry herself from the grasp of the Legionnaire's behind her and Vulpes in front of her.
"If you stupid Legion fucks think I'm going to help you then you're really stupid." She said, ending her sentence by spitting in Vulpes' face. With a sneer he wiped her saliva away.
"I've got another gift for you, Courier." He spoke. "If Caesar wanted you dead, you would be dead and that I promise you." He trailed a finger down her slender neck. "He told me not to kill you, though I don't plan on letting you leave unscathed." Vulpes turned his head towards the rest of his party. "Hold the men in place." He ordered. He turned his attention back to Claire, a malicious smile on his face.
"Hold her down." He demanded of his Legionnaire's, not removing his steely eyes from Claire's. Her eyes widened in horror as she was forced down, one man holding down her arms while the other moved to pin her ankles. She writhed furiously, trying to kick out but to no avail. She felt the coolness of a hand as Vulpes stroked her cheek.
"Looks like our little rabbit is trapped." He cooed mockingly, taking a blade from his belt. She felt the tip of the knife graze her belly as he sliced upwards, tearing the fabric of her shirt in half. Claire stifled herself from crying out, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of that. Her eyes briefly flashed over to Boone and Arcade. Arcade's eyes were squeezed shut, Boone's lit with a murderous fury that was ever present even through his sunglasses.
"Had you helped Caesar, I believe I would have bought as my own personal toy once you had been branded a slave." Vulpes mused, slipping his knife into the top of her pants, splitting the fabric with ease.
"You say that like I would murder you in your sleep, you pig." She hissed, making another vain attempt to jerk free. Vulpes laughed deeply and brought his face to her, their lips barely touching.
"Let's see how you insult me after I show your companions what you really are, woman." He ran his wet tongue up the side of her neck and Claire shivered in disgust.
"Let me go right now and I won't dismember you like the fucking animal you are." She growled. Vulpes ignored her words and forced himself into her, one hand coming up and grasping her jaw.
"Look at me while I take you, whore." He demanded. Claire tried to writhe him away, desperately trying to wiggle free but found herself glued in place by the iron grip of the Legion members. She squeezed her eyes shut, hot tears pouring out of the corners of her eyes.
"Open your eyes, whore, or I'll have your friends killed." He grunted into her ear, pushing himself in and out tirelessly. Claire forced her eyes open, in her peripherals she could see Boone and Gannon, both with a gun to the head.
Claire struggled to get words out, Vulpes sneered and kept his rhythm.
"Speak up. I can't hear you." He said his voice dripping with malice.
"I should have killed you in Nipton, you piece of shit." She coughed, clenching her teeth. Vulpes placed a hand on her throat and squeeze tightly.
"I might not be able to kill you now, but that does not mean I can't leave you on the edge of death." Claire began coughing, arching her back up vainly.
Boone could feel his hands shaking with rage. He looked out of the corner of his eye at Gannon, who was eyeing him in the same way. With a nod Boone turned and knocked the gun from the Legionnaire's hands, Gannon making the same move almost immediately after. Boone turned and picked up his rifle popping off a single bullet into both their heads before turning and allowing the same favour to the two men holding Claire down.
Vulpes pulled out from her and drew his gun, pressing it against Claire's temple.
"If either of you move a muscle I decorate the sand with the inside of her head." He hissed. Boone and Arcade stood with their guns readied. Claire pressed her legs together, her eyes darting around to see if her own gun was within reach.
Suddenly a loud growl interrupted the intense situation, Rex clamped his jaw around Vulpes' wrist, the gun going off with a start and a bullet narrowly missing the top of Claire's head. She turned to reach her gun when the crack of a rifle exploded behind her. She looked and saw the barrel of a smoking gun, Boone lowered it, his chest heaving with rage. Vulpes lay on the sand next to Claire, a pool of blood spreading from beneath his face which was no doubt obliterated.
Gannon rushed to Claire's side. With a sob she buried her face in her hands, her body shaking as it came to terms with had just transpired. Boone silently approached them, leaning down and picked Claire up in his arms, cradling her against his chest. Her clothes were torn, dried blood caked from her nose to her chin, dirt smeared across her face. Though she had no visible mortal wounds, Claire had been hurt badly.
"Let's get you home." He whispered to her. Gannon looked at the two, Claire looked small in his arms, and Boone looked down at her, the muscles in his neck tight. A man with no words for the woman that loved him, the woman he loved.
No words could be spoken as they shambled back the way they had come. When they arrived back at the hotel, Boone laid Claire on the bed gingerly, changing her from her ruined clothes into a dress he had found in the chest beside the bed.
"Try and get some sleep." He said, holding her head in his lap as Gannon washed her face with a cool, damp cloth.
"Don't leave me..." She cried quietly, her eyes closed. Boone ran his hand over her hair softly.
"I'll be here. I promise."