Authors Notes:

"Just The Girl" - Click 5

I feel like maybe we can skip forward a few years now... right?

And I kinda borrowed inspiration from a pinterest pin that keeps popping up.

I want to add that there are actual IN FILE TAGS for the game that mark Fahrenheit as Hancock's daughter, even though the relationship isn't alluded to in-game. I can't see her as anything else now.

Smoke filtered up to the ceiling.

"That was fun."

I looked at her, still in shock. It had been years, years, since I'd been with someone. The high of having touched and tasted a woman again was mind blowing. I felt like a fucking king. She rolled over looking at me. Her hair was pale blonde, almost silver it was so light. Her deep brown eyes were enticing. It was a beautifully odd combination. She tapped her cigarette on the hotel bed, ash drifted down on the sheets.

"So you've got a daughter?"

I nodded, "13 now. Fucking terrible age. She's so comfortable with weapons and death and shit. We got into a fight last year and she blasted my damn toe off." The memory still made my blood boil. I took a deep breath, running a hand over my head, still surprised to not feel hair. "So on top of stupid emotions I have to worry about periods too now. At least I never have to worry about her coming home pregnant from a date." I felt her gaze on me, "She likes girls." I explained with a sigh, "I don't remember being as ornery as she is."

She laughed, "None of us ever do, but we all were. How long has it been since you'd..."

"Years." I responded, "Not many people have a kink for ghouls you know."

"Lucky for me." She fingered a scar, her breath quickening. "How'd you turn ghoul?"

"Radioactive drug." I replied quickly, "Helluva high."

She bit her lip, nodding, taking another drag.

"Helluva tour." She winked.

I felt myself heat up at her comment. I leaned back against the pillows in embarrassment.

"Tour of the town!" I shook my head, throwing an arm over my eyes. "Was it worth it, Sister?"

She grinned, "I guess we'll see."

Her gaze darkened as she lowered her mouth to my skin, dipping a tongue into one of my scars. The sensation sent a thrill clear through my body. I felt a wicked smile kick up on my face as we devoted the night to one another.

"Fahrenheit!"

I was seeing red. My daughter, my fucking daughter went off and took out another raider encampment. I burst through the doors, red frock and temper blazing.

"What the HOLY FUCK do you think you were doing?!"

She rolled her eyes, kicking her feet up on my table. The empty jet canisters rolled around. I took her in, even in the haze I could see her in insane detail; her armor had a few new scuffs, she had a deep cut on her arm that would end up being another scar, but nothing else looked the worse for wear.

"I know you're worried, Hancock."

I wanted to growl at her. She'd never called me dad or daddy or anything like that, but I was always John until she'd become a fucking teenager. She was even worse now that she was 18. I scratched at my throat, the scarred skin tight and itchy as some scars were. I sighed as she looked at me. I plopped down on the couch across from her, the faint sound of gun shots in the distance ignored.

She leaned forward, her grey eyes were fierce, serious. "I'm the best body guard you've got, Hancock."

I nodded, "Damn straight you are. But you've gotta take care of you too. You'll probably be running this joint one day."

She leaned back, rolling her eyes as she slung an arm over the back of the couch. "I thought this was a democracy. What if I don't get voted in?"

I snorted through my ruined nose, "You fucking wish. You care way more about this place than you let on. I was 18 once too, you know. I can read through your cool stoicism." That earned me a death glare. "Besides, you know the paperwork way better than I do."

She rewarded me with a small smile, "I do. I won't argue. And I like being in charge."

"So how many did you kill?" She lit up at my question, suddenly becoming engaged and animated as she described her attack.

I watched her move, the way she used her whole body to tell me what had happened. Battle was her passion and she was damn good at it. One of the best fighters I had ever met. It was as natural to her as having freckles or red hair. I adored her, my daughter. She was smart in a way I had never been, sometimes her mind just making connections before the problem was even laid out before her. A kid on mentats all the time, but without the mentats. Despite having me as a father she had never done drugs beyond a few experimental tastes.

She felt it clouded her mind, made her weaker, more susceptible. I knew she disapproved of my usage but wouldn't stop me. Especially after my ghoulification. Everyday life came with a degree of regular pain now. Just a thin layer always there, staining everything I did. She knew the drugs helped. I had tried everything, but Jet was the most effective. The sun had begun to set when we heard the gates to the city creak open and close. A dog barked. Fahrenheit stopped her detailed description of her strategy and leapt to her feet, pacing to the window.

"Damn things too boarded up to see."

She turned on a heel and strode down the stairs. I followed close behind, curious. I liked to see any newcomers when I could. I followed Fahrenheit out the door, pausing just long enough to take the newcomer in. She was beautiful, her eyes were large and round as she took in our city. A dog was by her side, a dog I'd seen with Nick a few times during special cases that required a sensitive nose. It sat beside her, tongue lolling. My eyes went back to her. Her armor was beat to hell, she looked like she'd just been through a fight. I wondered vaguely if she'd been the one in the gunfight earlier.

I watched her face change from awe to appreciation as she saw the shops, saw Finn. Her gaze started to turn my way.

Shit! I turned on a heel, quickly making my way into the alley where Fahrenheit was waiting in the shadows. I wasn't sure why I'd hidden.

"Finn's out there." Her grey eyes were narrow, angry slits. "If he starts pestering another person I'm gunna-"

"Whoa, whoa!" I held my hands up. "We might be able to talk him down some, no need to go blasting his head off if we can talk him down."

She pinned me with her gaze, her mouth screwed into a fierce frown. "How many times have you warned him already, Hancock?"

"Fair point." I shrugged, hooking my thumbs in my pockets, "but we can't just shoot him. He's our best fighter and-"

"... bloody accidents..."

I winced. "There he goes again."

Fahrenheit crossed her arms, her smug smile followed me as I strode out to the courtyard.

"Whoa, whoa!" I emerged from the shadows, trying to stay cool. "Time out."

I flicked a look her way as Finn straightened. She looked bored. I tried not to let it affect me, but I'd be lying if i said my pride wasn't hurt. People had a lot of reactions towards me, bored was not one of them.

"Someone steps through the gate the first time, they're a guest." I growled at Finn, his eyes were hard, his stance haughty. "You lay off that extortion crap."

I let the unvoiced threat hang between us. It wasn't the first time I'd had to warn him, but it was going to be the last. He didn't move, didn't budge, didn't speak. He didn't need to though. He'd said everything with his actions.

"No love for your mayor, Finn?" I grinned without mirth. "I said let 'em go."

"What d'you care? She ain't one of us."

The blood raged in my ears, drowning out his next words. The ghouls in Diamond City hadn't been 'one of us'. The drifters in Goodneighbor weren't 'one of us'. I didn't believe in that shit. I'd built Goodneighbor to be better than that. He'd stopped talking, I was painfully aware of the travelers eyes on me. Everyone was looking, but I wanted to impress her. The idea made me feel awkward.

"You're soft, Hancock." His voice was low and threatening, the crowd that was watching us gasped. "You keep letting outsiders walk all over us. One day there'll be a new mayor."

The tension had reached the high point. I knew the fucker was trying to bait me.

I grinned, Bastard isn't forcing my hand.

"Come on, man." I slung an arm over his shoulder pulling him close.

This position gave me the chance to reach my other hand into my pocket. I wrapped my fingers around my knife.

"This is me we're talking about. Let me tell you something." I plunged the knife into him as quickly and deeply as I could.

I let his body drop to the ground, his blood was warm on my hand. "Now why'd you have to go and say that, huh? Breaking my heart over here."

My vision split for a moment as adrenaline charged through me. She had watched the whole thing with rapt attention. She hadn't looked away once. I walked towards her, wiping my knife of on my pants out of habit. I felt kind of like an asshole. I could feel Fahrenheit looking at me. I knew she was going to give me shit for this.

"I know you had him handled," I shrugged, feeling sheepish, she didn't look away from me. I shrugged, smirking a little. "But a mayors gotta make a point sometimes." She seemed a little shaken. "You all right?"

Her face turned a little red, she rubbed her arm self-consciously.

Damn but shes cute. My heart sank as I realized I was a ghoul. She was ... not. But... but she hadn't looked away. And she was making eye contact. And she didn't look disgusted. Her skin was a pattern of scars and freckles, her hair was kept up under a hat though some strands had fallen loose.

"You're fine. I'm fine- It's fine!" She took a deep breath, "I'm sorry you lost a guy though."

I like her voice. I stroked the dogs head, sneaking a peek. She's still looking at me.

"Yeah," I sighed, watching her.

She looked a little... different from everyone else. Less worn out, less jaded msybe. One thing was for sure, she was magnetic. I could feel the people around us watching her with a wary curiousity. Something about her was compelling. She felt different, safe. I didn't realize I'd drawn so close to her until her face changed and she pulled away.

I cleared my throat, the trance broken. "We'll miss him next time supers come on by. But we'll manage, we always do." I turned away, "Enjoy Goodneighbor. I'm late for a speech. Try the Third Rail, it's good for a drink. And you look like you could use one. Just stay cool and you'll be part of the neighborhood." I leaned back towards her, tinting my voice with authority granted me by my position, "just remember who's in charge."

I walked away before she could respond. Fahrenheit kicked off the wall she was leaning against, the stupid smirk on her face and raised brow said everything.

"Shut. Up." I growing, feeling ridiculous.

"I mean, you stabbed Finn."

"Shuuut. Uuup!" I could feel her grin at the back of my head.

"You've got a crush!" She teased as we whetted my main rooms, "you... you really like her, I don't think I've ever seen you do something that stupid before. And I've seen you do a lot of stupid things."

"But I mean, do you think she even noticed me? I'm a ghoul, Fahrenheit. She couldn't ever like me." The self-pity was thick in my voice.

I felt ridiculous. I was a full grown man worrying over a pretty face like a love-struck teen. I ran a gnarled hand over my face in exasperation. Fahrenheit caught my eye with an amused grin.

"Hancock." She crossed her arms over her chest. "You stabbed Finn in front of her. I think she noticed you. And you're charming, I'm sure you'll win her over." She started shoving me towards the balcony, "we don't have time for this. Your speech."