(Courier's dream)

We made it to the elevator, heading to the lower levels of the temple. The deeper I went, the higher the tension grows and the guilt never wavering. After a minute or two, the elevator stops. Opening the doors and revealing the biggest missile silo in what was left in the Divide. And at the end, I could see him. Standing there with the old world flag imprinted onto the back of his duster.

I walk forward with ED-E behind me. Step by agonizing step, I reach him. The man who knows me more than I even know myself.

He turned around and looked at me, dead in the eyes as the missile emerged from the hatch behind him. Ready to fire.

"Your city Vegas, lies in the other direction… with the rest of its slaves. Or is it just, you, Courier, without the lights and ghosts."

His cold gaze never tore away from mine. "Judging by your shadow… maybe you can't let your machine go. Doesn't matter now. Either way, the divide giants are awakening. The missiles here, on their way home. There is no way to stop them."

I tilted my head a little, hiding my face from his but still allowing me to see his emotionless face. "I still don't understand - why are you doing this?"

His face hardened. "You've answered your own question. And you'll die with that question on your lips. You don't see, listen - even when it's all around you, no matter if I nailed it into your head like a gift from Caesar."

His face went back to its original dead state. "You brought the DIvide to life, Courier. You walked the road. Brought the Bear, then the Bull, brought me, following your tracks."

I looked at his his hand, clenching and shaking uncontrollably. Out of hate, guilt or sadness. "And when I saw the Divide you made. I saw a second chance, a new way of thinking. My world - no longer the East."

His clenching stopped. "Then you brought the West in that package. Destroyed it all. Nearly killing me, flesh and spirit."

He crossed his arms as the silos sirens continued to blare. "You destroyed something larger than the Bear, greater than the Bull. And even when you could have turned away, you brought it again in that machine."

The guilt in the pit of my stomach grew, almost crushing me in its weight. Drowning me in the screams on the Divide's ghosts. Be it awake or asleep but he didn't care. "You destroyed a nation taking its first breath. A place that could have been my home. Now I will destroy yours."

I did not let my guilt show, I need to be strong. "If you meant to kill me, you should have done it long ago."

He took a brief moment to look at the nuclear missile before looking at me with his dead eyes. "Not if you believe in what you follow. Kill no Courier, Caesar's words. I honored them."

I stand there and listen whist ED-E hovers behind me, staying quiet. "Other Couriers could have been Legion - like me. The truth is, you serve nothing, believe nothing. Killing you… meaningless."

I raise my hat up, so he could see the poker face I doned. Trying to shove down the guilt of my past actions. "What happened at the Divide, what I did, was an accident. What you're doing - it's madness."

He shook his head. "No, now there is purpose, I believe you when you say you were… careless. The Divide… the chip… the machine you brought here… Many messages can be taken from that, intended or not. What I do now is an act of conviction."

I took a step forward hardening my face. If there is anything I hate more than anything, it's the murdering of innocents. "If you blame me for the Divide, then let me answer for it, not others."

He scoffed. Blame you? No, learned from you. Both the weapon to kill a nation, and the strength to do it."

He takes a step forward towards me. "You showed me a road, a way to carry my message. You've already answered for what you've done. Now the flag you follow will answer for it."

I raised my arms, gesturing around the silo. "So what - you intend to bomb the Mojave?"

He again shakes his head no. "No, not the Mojave. The West, all that's been built since America died. Same symbols as before the war, now carried by a tribe of children. You walked the West, did not stay. You know the reason… the Bear grows without structure, follows a symbol without knowing its history."

He takes another step towards me, getting closer. "Without the NCR to support it, Vegas will fall to the Legion. That grave of lights, back to dust and ghosts, as was meant."

"After this, only one flag will remain over the Mojave. Let that one fly, or destroy itself."

I steel myself, not liking that he was getting closer. "You can't destroy the West, even with all the missiles here."

"No need to destroy the Bear, just cut its throat."

He takes another step. "You taught me that at the Divide - only need to cut off the supply line, the road, the watch something great die."

He take another step, three more and he will be right in front of me. "I'll turn the Long 15 into miles of fire, cut off the Mojave, NCR will fall back, lose Hoover Dam… and leave their throats exposed to the Legion."

I look in his eyes, composed of the dead and suffering from long ago. "Even if you have no faith in Vegas, I do... And my actions have proven it."

He crosses his arms, looking at me with anger and a little bit of… surprise? "Your actions have carried strength. More importantly, not for House, but for the families on the strip."

"If the ghost of of Vegas have come from behind their wall to speak for the West, I'll hear their words."

He took another step, two left. "If you believe that Vegas does not deserve to die as the Bear does… then answer me why."

I gave him a look of conviction, as much as I could muster. "You told me once I gave life to the Divide. I can do it again, and give life to Vegas."

He nods. "History have proven this. Our history."

He realigned his eyes on me. "And you think that you have this strength? Enough to hold up the NCR, long enough so Vegas may live again."

He takes another step, one left. "Even if you speak for Vegas and is ghosts, nothing you can do can prevent the missiles launch. Convincing me changes nothing."

I take off my hat and hold it my hand. Revealing my face fully to him. "I believe that one person can make… or break… a nation. You already know this."

He gestures one of his hands to the elevator. "It may be… that as much destruction has been written in the earth here… you may build something else, as built the Divide."

He takes the final step, standing before me. "You have spoken truly. There is a shadow of a nation behind you, the hope of the people… yet it may not matter. The Divide stands against us."

"The Divide? What do you mean?"

He looks off to the elevator. "Our enemies gather outside… shadows of the Bear and Bull… they will have found their way in just as you did."

Oh fuck, this just went from bad to total shit storm. "It was always my intention - incase I could not kill you, the marked men would flood this place, cut off your escape."

He gestured his arm out for me, I reach and grab him by the forearm as he does to me. A sign of kinship or brotherhood. "If we can not prevent what comes, then let us make our stand here. Two Couriers, together, at the Divide."

I nod firmly and we let go of each other. I draw out my All-American as the Marked men pour into the silo's main room.

Ulysses pulls out a 12.7mm submachine gun, ready to fight alongside me. "They Come for us, East and West alike."

As the fighting started, my vision darkened until there was nothing.

(Courier's pov, real world)

I jumped up gasping for air. I take a few moments to breathe, in hailing the needed oxygen. The pain, the guilt, it's so overwhelming. This is why I can't have dreams, only memories. So I won't forget what I've done. What I destroyed or taken away. It just never ends. No Matter where I go, it just doesn't stop.

"Hey… are you alright?"

I look to my right and I see Lena. She looked tired but better than earlier. She can see my excessive breathing, my guilty expression. She can see me at my most vulnerable points. She lays a hand on my shoulder. "Are you alright love, you look like you saw a ghost."

Its funny how right she is on that statement. I brought my hand up and laid it on top of hers, grasping it in a gentle grip. I make a gentle forced smile to try and convince her I'm fine. "Morning beautiful. Why are you up?"

She blushed and looked at me a little sheepishly. "I could say the same thing about you."

"Its nothing, just... go back to bed."

"Where are you going?"

I took her hand off me and start to climb out of bed. Once out, I grab my hat and duster. "I'm sorry, I just need time to think."

I walk out the door. Lena just looks at my exit with a downstruck expression. Like if I had hurt her.

(unknown pov)

I watch him walk out of the dorms, face hidden by his hat. He continues to walk until he reaches the edge and sits down.

I make my way from the ledge and make my way to ground level. Once there, I slowly make my way over to him. Keeping my presence hidden, soon I can see him more easily. Worn leather duster, faded stenson, strange device on his wrist. Looks like another wanna be cowboy just like Jesse. I keep my voice under my breath. "What do they see in you?"

"I don't know. Maybe its my skills, maybe it's my magnetic personality. Who really knows."

I stood there stunned, he heard me clearly even though I was a couple dozen feet away. I barely even spoke loud enough to hear myself. I pull out my pulse rifle, aiming it at the strange man. "Who did you know I was there?"

He scoffed and looked over the edge. "I'm just that perceptive, nothing can really sneak around me without getting noticed. Did not help that you decided to say something as well."

He looked at me with a deadpan stare. "Jesus Christ, do you see me pointing anything at you do you?"

I keep my gun up. He looks at me, studying me more just as I do to him. "Whats with the red visor? Are wearing it because it looks cool or are you ugly?"

I I would give him a confused stare but this mask keeps my face hidden as well as my facial expressions. "Whats with the stenson, you trying to look like a cliche cowboy or just because you can?"

He looks back to the ledge and the waters below. "Touche."

I start to lower my gun. "Why are you out here this early? Even for Overwatch, this is early."

(sigh) "memories, the ones I want to forget but my mind keeps reminding me."

I stand next to him. "At least I'm not the only one."

He chuckles. "So what was your fuck up or tragedy?"

"I was too caring and too involved with people. Everyone got hurt, emotionally and physically. I was reborn in the aftermath, fixing the world piece by piece."

"Well, good luck with your nightmares buddy. I know I'm having fun with mine."

The man in the duster gets up from his seat on the ground. "Why are you here exactly? You don't look like Talon and you don't look like a government agent."

I shifted a little. "I'm here for intel, I need to know what is going on."

He nodded. "Yeah, I guess but tell me something? Are you with Overwatch or are you against it? Don't even bother bullshitting me, I know a lie when I see it."

I look off in the distance. "I'm on my own."

He moves his hand to his hip, awfully close to a holstered revolver. "You didn't answer my question?"

I look back to him. "I'm with the good side, not with Overwatch but the good side."

He moves his hand away from his holstered weapon. "Good, then I don't need to shoot you then."

"I suppose not."

He pulls up his device on his forearm. "Well since we're just standing here, mind telling me your name?"

"Soldier 76"

He puts the device down, holding a hand out for me while holding some kind of fruit in the other. "Names Courier, nice to meet you Soldier 76."

I shake his hand as the sun started to rise. I look at my watch and see it is 8:30. Few more minutes later than planned. "I need to leave."

He munches on his fruit. "Yeah, guess people are starting wake up by now. I'd suggest you leave before anyone notices, that is if you plan to make your intrusion a secret."

I nod and leave the way I came in. Ledge to ledge until I'm on the exterior of Watchpoint Gibraltar.

(Courier's pov)

I watch the strange masked man leave the Watchpoint, eating my mutfruit while watching. "What a strange guy."

"What are you doing out here? Why did you leave?"

I turn around and I saw Lena, sporting her normal clothes. Jacket, leggings, accelerator and all. I turn away and look out at the clouded sunrise. "I remembered something."

She walked over to me, standing to my left. "What did you remember?"

I finish munching on my and get ready to throw it over the edge. "I don't feel like talking about it."

I throw it as hard as I can up and out towards the water. She grabs my arm gently but firmly. "Why did you throw that over the edge?"

Shrug her arm off and pull out my anti-material rifle. "Target practice and an introduction."

I take aim and line up the shot, estimating the rate the eaten fruit is falling. I fire off only one shot. Hitting it and making it into nothing but paste for the birds to eat. After the successful shot, I put my rifle away. I look to Lena who looked at me a bit shocked. "Oi... is that what we're going to be doing today?"

I smile a bit. "Yep, i'm going to teach you how to shoot-"

"But I already know how to shoot, why would you need to teach me something…"

I put my hand up, signaling for her to stop. Once she did, I continued what I was saying. "As I was saying, I'm going to teach you how to shoot MY way."

She looked like she wanted something. "Does that mean I get to shoot some of your guns by any chance..."

I nod. "Yes, yes it does."

She did a fist pump. "Yeah! Soooooo, what are we going to start with?"

I pull up my inventory and take out a few mut fruits, two banana yuccas and two purified waters. "We're going to start with breakfast first."

She smiles and take a banana yucca and one of the waters. We walked to the shooting range while eating on our way there. "So, how did you sleep?"

She blushed a little. "I slept alright, how about you?"

(sigh) "Nothing I can't get over."

She looked concerned, saddened even. "Are you sure, you can always talk to me. It might make you feel better."

We made it to the shooting range as I finish another mut fruit. "It's not something I share lightly."

She slowly nods. "I understand, just don't forget that you can talk to me when you're ready to."

I start to eat my banana yucca. "Why would I forget? You're the closest person I've got in this world and that's a true fact."

She grins before taking a mut fruit. "Good."

It was a few more minutes before we finished our food and drinks. Once that was done I pull up my pip-boy. "You have your pistols on you?"

"No."

"Would you do me a favor and go get them?"

"Sure."

It took a moment or two but she came back with her weapons. I pull out an array of weapons and lay them on the stand in front of us, each with their own respected ammo. I look back to her twirling her pistols. "Mind if I try one of your guns, to try and see what kind of level you should start at."

She stops and hands me one of her pistols. A sleek design, lightweight too. Good for hit and running. I press a few buttons and pull up a few targets. I aim and start shooting, quickly getting used to the small gun's recoil. After it needs to reload I stop and turn around and hand her the gun.

I press a button and set up new targets. "Aright, I want you to shoot those targets to see how well you shoot and deal with recoil."

She nods and gets in position. She starts to fire and hits most of the targets with decent accuracy. Once done, she cools her pistols down and turns to me expectantly. "How did I do?"

I shake my head, chuckling a bit. "Oh, we're not done yet. I want you to shoot your targets with both of your pistols now. Then I will tell you."

She shrugs as I set up some new targets to shoot. She gets in firing position again and starts to shoot. After shes done she looks to me. "So how bout now?"

I nod. "I can see where your strengths lie, why you are more of a run and gun gal. You are more proficient with these dual wield pulse pistols. I assume your accuracy is more than likely from years of experience and you have had time to hone your shots? Are you're familiar with any other kind of firearm or weapon?"

She shook her head. "Not really, I mean I've had experience using an array of firearms but none of them really stuck to me like these two beauties."

I smile and grab the first gun off the table. I pull out the magazine to make sure it's loaded before cocking it. "Your array of weapons is about to get even bigger."

I hand her the light in shining darkness handgun that a very good friend of mine gave me. She looks at the gun in interest. Admiring the snakeskin grip and the etched foreign words on the slide of the gun. I press a button. "Hey Athena?"

"Yes Courier?"

"Can you keep setting up targets up after we shoot them?"

"Of course Courier. Is there anything else?"

"Naw, thanks though."

I turn to Lena. "Get in position please."

She gets in position and aims the .45 handgun. "Alright, let's try this."

She pulls the trigger but is knocked a little off balance. Her face is one of little confusion and surprise. Guess I forgot to tell her. She turned to me, a bit flustered and embarrassed. "Why didn't you tell me this thing is automatic?"

I take out another magazine and hand it to her. She grabs it and looks at me strangely. "You know I don't know how to reload it, right?"

I put my hand on the gun in her hands. "Then here, let me show you."

I press the button between the trigger and grip. The magazine slides out with ease and I hand it back to her. I take one of her hands and put it on the grip and I take her hand thats holding the magazine and show her how to put the mag in. The slide is still pulled back so I press the switch on the right side of the gun, sending it back in its default position. "I hope you got it Lena."

I look at her face which is flushed crimson red. Y-yeah, I um- I got it."

I simply nod. "Good, but I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I thought it would be best to start you off with something similar to the type of weapon you use."

She nods. "Thank you and it's alright. It just caught me off a little."

I put the empty mag back into my inventory. "Ok, do you think you could try shooting again? Now that you know."

She nods enthusiastically. "Alright, I got it this time."

She gets back into firing position and fires off all of the bullets. Each one hitting their mark with with five torso shots and three head shots. "Good shooting lena."

She blushed. "Thank love."

I smile and hand her a fresh mag for her to reload. "We're going to do this a few more times, if that's okay with you?"

She fumbled with the magazine before she finally got it in the gun and released the slide. "Absolutely, I love shooting your guns."

I shrug. "Doesn't everybody?"

She we both shared a brief chuckle before we got back to what we're doing. Who knows how long we were there. Sharing stories, telling jokes, shooting stuff and what not.

A few hours latter

"Alright, now shoulder the stock right here and put your left hand here."

"Alright."

Right now, I'm behind her and guiding her into the basic shooting position for my All-American assault carbine. My left hand on hers, holding it just in the right position for her to accurately shoot it. Considering that she has never shot a rifle like this. "Now, you are holding it right. Good job."

She grinned. "Thanks but you helped me."

I decided to toy with her. "What? I didn't do any of this, it's all you. I'm choosing to recognise it."

She rolls her eyes at me. "That's just rubbish and you know it."

"Do I?"

"Yes, yes you do."

I raise my hands. "Eh, maybe I do."

She just shakes her head, still smiling. "Whatever floats your boat in that head of yours."

I look between the targets and her. "Would you mind doing a weapons demonstration madame Lena?"

She sarcastically sticks her nose in the air away from me. "That's madame Oxton to you messenger."

I pretend to cower a little. "Oh, many apologies madame Oxton. Please forgive my rudeness."

It didn't take much to get us laughing like buffoons. Our laughter probably could be heard from outside the shooting range. It took a few minutes for us to get back to what we were doing but we managed. Lena however was the first one to speak. "That was -he, he, he- a good one."

I'm still laughing a little. "ha, ha, ha- R-really?"

She gave me her signature smile with a small flush. "It was good. We got a couple kicks out of it."

I shake my head. Not many people would laugh at my petty jokes. I'm glad I met her, finally someone who would play along. "Thanks, but it wasn't that funny."

She gives me a nonchalant wave. "It was good love, I've haven't had a good laughing buddy in some time."

"I know right? Not many people like the little things in life. It feels so good to have someone who finally gets it."

She drummed her fingers on the carbine, giving a cautious yet adorable look. "So you're saying that... you're glad to have met me?"

I feel the uncomfortable feeling rise. "Yeah, I am glad I met you."

She blushed hard at my reply. "Well um… I'm am also glad I met you too, Courier."

There was a deafening silence between us. She spoke first. "This is awkward."

I scratch the back of my head. "Yeah, it's a little awkward."

I pull up my pip-boy and look at the time. Seeing it was 1:07 PM, guess we should go get something to eat. I pull down my pip-boy to see Lena zoning out a bit, blushing still present. I reach and tap on her shoulder. "Hey, Lena you there?"

She got out of her funk and looked at me. "What is it?"

I point to the exit to the firing range. "Wanna go get something to eat?"

She gingerly nods before running ahead of me. "Race ya!"

I start to run after her. "Hey, that's not fair!"

From room to room, we were still running. We passed Mercy the med bay, Winston in his lab, the dorms, everywhere. Seems she was trying to lose me or out run me. Or she is just playing with me. Either way, I'm having too much fun with this. I start to run faster with new vigor and I catch up to her. "Sup."

She looks to me, albeit shocked. "How are you keepin u? Nobody is able to catch up to me in a race."

I start to run faster, my heart beating in my ears. "Then call me the first one then."

Running through doorways and jumping over obstacles, I make it to the cafeteria just barely before Lena. She walks over and stis in one of the chairs. She was panting a little. "For a guy carrying a ton of guns, you run pretty fast."

I walk and sit down right next to her. "Yeah, but after lugging it for so long you get used to it. Hell, I'd feel exposed without any of my guns."

After a few minutes of resting, we can finally breathe straight. I look to Lena who was resting her head on my arm. "So, what would you like to eat?"

She gets up from her seat. "No, what would you like to eat?"

I get up from my seat. "You know you don't have fix us anything. I wouldn't have asked you if you wanted to go get something to eat if I wasn't willing to fix you something."

"Naw love, you beat me in that race fair and square. You deserve something anyways, for all you've done here."

"I guess if you're absolutely sure you want to make me something. Surprise me, I have no preference on food."

She nods and blinks to the kitchen. I sit there and wait for her. I pull up my pip-boy and take out a rag. I unholster Lucky and I begin to wipe the dirt off my gun, making it look cleaner than what it was before. After a few minutes of cleaning, I see Lena coming out of the kitchen with a big tray in her arms. I put the rag away and holster Lucky. She puts the tray down and hands me a fork and knife.

I look the concealed tray. "What is it?"

She takes the top off revealing it to be fried fish with fries. "Fish'n chips."

I stare at the wonderfully smelling food. "Never had fish'n chips before but I'm willing to try."

She sets the lid of the tray aside. "Now that's the spirit."

She hands me a plate and I take it, setting it down in front of me. She takes a bottle of 'ketchup' and puts some of the strange paste in the corner of her plate. She sees me looking at the red bottle. "You want some ketchup?"

I take the bottle and look at it before popping the top of and pouring some next to my fries. "Thanks for cooking."

She takes of bit of her fish. "Of Course, you provided for breakfast this morning and you have cooked for me plenty of times. It only seemed right."

I take a bit of my fish. Tastes different from what I expected but it was still great all the same. "So, is fish'n chips a local food from where you're from?"

She nods as she ate some of her fries. "Yeah, it's almost everywhere local. The big fancy restaurants don't have it though. I'm fine with that, I've been one for those fancy places anyway."

I take another bite. "Well, if we ever go to the UK we are going to go to whatever local place you want."

She rest her head in her hands, giving me a sly and cheeky smile. "Really now? How are you going to afford it?"

I eat some fries with ketchup on them. "I'll trade in my gold bar for whatever currency your country uses. The ketchup is good by the way."

A big grin forms on her face. "Realy! Then let's go to London the second we get, I know just the right place."

I nod. "Yeah, once I figure out how I will exchange it for cash."

She takes another bite of her fish. "Do you know how much a bar of pure gold is worth in the UK?"

Continue to eat my food. "How much is it worth?"

"Quite a lot just for one bar, but with all thirty seven. You would be loaded for life! You could live in luxury and not worry about anything with that kind of money."

I start to chuckle. "Good to know, but we are assuming that I can even get back."

"Don't worry none, if anyone knows how to get you back then it would be Winston. Besides, I thought you liked it here?"

"I do, But I want to grab a few things from home if possible and maybe pick someone up."

"Who?"

"Rex."

I pull up my pip-boy and take out a sunset sarsaparilla. "Hey Lena, you want a drink?"

She eats more of her fries. "What is it?"

I take out another bottle and hand it to her. "The damn best sarsaparilla you're ever going to find out in the Mojave."

I take off my bottle cap and she takes off hers. We clink the bottles together. "Cheers."

She giggles a little. "Cheers love."

We continue to eat and drink there was a silence after we finished our meals. Didn't know why we were still sitting here. Moment after moment, I could feel this 'uncomfortable' feeling again.

I look back at her as she looked at me. Her hazel eyes looking at my amber ones. I could feel a force or urge to get closer. I put my hand on top of hers as her fingers wrap around mine. She smiled, the sweetest smile I have ever seen. I slowly start to lean forward while she does the same. I could feel her hand trembling as I could feel her breath on my lips. I closed my eyes to savor the moment.

"Courier, Lena. WInston needs you two for mission briefing."

The sudden intrusion made us immediately move away from each other. Her twirling her hair as I pulled up my pip-boy and began looking through my inventory. I turned around to see McCree leaning in the doorway. "Oh, McCree I didn't see you there. What did you need again?"

He gives me a shit eating grin. Fucking asshole. "You two need to head to Winstons's lab for mission briefing."

I nod and look to Lena who was blushing. I look back to him. "Yeah, just give us a moment to clean up."

He starts to leave. "Just get there soon."

I get out of my seat, picking up the plates and silverware. I turn to head to the kitchen for cleaning. I scrub and rinse until all the dishes are done. After that, I came back into the cafeteria where Lena was still sitting there. "You ready to go?"

She doesn't say anything. I can see she is zoning out hard, I snap my hands near her face and it seems to get her attention. "You alright?"

She shook her head and looked at, blushing a little. "Yeah! I mean uh…. Never better."

"Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting because we've got another mission briefing to attend."

She nods and gets out of her seat and she walks with me to Winston's lab. Makes me wonder though. What is going through her head right now, she seemed pretty out of it when I came in.

Well there we go, I finished chapter twenty. Took me a little while but I got it done for you guys. The first part took a little while to complete, having to write the entire dialogue word for word from the game. I intoduced Soldier 76 for you guys, he may not be an Overwatch member now in the story but he will be in a latter chapter. Also, I want you people to remember to post suggestions for the story. I'm always open for that and don't worry, there will be power armor in the story at some point. It's just a matter of when, where and how I put it in. Remember to comment and review. -Paladin Leroy

P.S. Guess what happens next chapter?