Time for the the talk with Boone!

Boone walked into the penthouse and looked around for Dinah. She had gotten herself more presentable and was sitting at the bar, drink in hand. He didn't think he would be, but he was nervous for what she was going to say. He wanted her to be happy, whether that be with him or Benny. He knew he waited too long to say how he felt. What did he expect from her? The closer he got as he approached, the sweatier he felt his palms become.

Dinah heard the door to the elevator open. She had no clue what she planned on saying to Boone. Try as she did, she just couldn't put the words together about how she felt. It was confusing and maddening. She was at a loss.

She felt his approach. Quickly, she downed her drink and turned to greet him.

"Boone," was all she could say when she saw him. Why was this so difficult?

"Hey, Arcade said-"

"Yeah, um...we should talk," Dinah interrupted. She gestured to the barstool beside her. Boone sat down, looking straight ahead, just as she was.

Finally, Dinah began the conversation, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you wait so long? Why now?"

Boone thought on that. She had a good point. Why now? Because she was about to marry someone he despised, that's why. Before they had made it onto the Strip, Dinah had been in love with him. This much he knew was true. They grew very close while camping out in the Mojave with Cass. Dinah had told him she loved him. He had kissed her. But that was where it ended. He told her that it was too soon. He couldn't give up Carla's memory just yet.

He had broken Dinah's heart, and he knew it.

What right did he have to tell her now? She was happy with Benny, everyone could see that. But Boone couldn't overlook the fact that this was the man that had tried to kill her, buried her in a shallow grave, and left.

If Boone didn't have the right to say he loved her, then neither did Benny.

"I don't know...I just thought if I told you how I felt, you would...I don't know."

"You thought I'd leave Benny and run into your arms?"

Dinah couldn't explain why, but the longer this conversation went, the angrier she became. She was furious with Boone.

When she first met him all those months ago, she was completely head over heels. Here's this mysterious, damaged sniper guy. She thought she could fix him. Heal his broken heart. She poured everything she had into him. She wanted his love like nothing else, so she told him one night.

And he kissed her. Dinah was elated. This man that she loved so much was kissing her. That was quickly shattered when he pulled away and apologized, leaving her with a hole in her chest where her heart should have been.

At her party, when he said what she had been dying to hear for so long, her heart flew into her throat. All the feelings she had for Boone were brought back into the forefront. But now that she thought about it, those feelings weren't real. They were an aftershock. A quick jolt to remind her of what had been, but was now long gone.

She loved Benny. He was the one she wanted to be with. He was the man she wanted to spend her life with.

Dinah's anger at Boone dissipated into relief. Her mind settled itself into peace. The dreaded decision had been made at last.

"Dinah?" Boone questioned. She hadn't realized he had been talking the whole time she thought of their situation.

"Boone, I loved you. I did, I really really did. But you...you threw that back in my face. I love Benny, and while I know you can't stand him, there's no one else I'd want to spend my life with," Dinah said, rising from her seat. "I think this conversation is over. I'm sorry, Boone."

"No, you don't need to apologize to me, Dinah. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted you to be happy. If that's with Benny, then...then so be it," Boone replied, following her towards the elevator. "I...I think it would be best if I headed back to Novac for awhile. Try and move on from this."

Dinah nodded in agreement. She didn't want to see one of her best friends leave but he was right. It would be best. For both of them.

"Goodbye, Dinah," Boone said, stepping into the elevator.

"Goodbye, Boone," Dinah replied with a small smile on her face. She wanted him to know that the bridges between them had not been burnt. She would always be his friend, no matter what.

Once Boone had left, Dinah had a new sense of purpose. She had been moping around for far too long. Benny said he would be at The Tops when she was ready to talk, and dammit, she was more than ready.

She put on the navy blue dress that Benny loved so much, curled her blonde hair the way the women in the posters in the casinos had it, and even put on makeup. Benny always said she looked like a million bucks when she got all done up, and that's just how she wanted to look when she saw him.

Dinah mustered her courage and marched herself into The Tops. Swank was at the front desk. His eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face when he saw her.

"Well, if it isn't the Queen of New Vegas! How's it goin', doll?" Swank laid on the charm.

"Hey, Swank, is Benny around?" Dinah asked nervously, her previous courage disappearing almost completely.

Swank's smile left his face. Benny had told him everything that happened between him and Dinah. He was heartbroken, completely at a loss for what to do.

"Swank? Is he here?" Dinah asked again.

Clearing his throat, he replied, "He left about two weeks ago."

"Left? Where did he go?" She could feel her heart beating a hundred miles an hour. Benny was gone? Oh god, this wasn't going as planned.

"He said if you came around, to tell you to go 'to the beginning of the journey' whatever that means."

The beginning of the journey. Swank might not know what that was, but Dinah knew immediately. Benny had gone to Goodsprings. Why, she didn't understand. But she wasn't going to question him now.

"Thanks, Swank!" Dinah said, turning on her heel out of the hotel. She needed to get back to the 38 and put on her armor. She'd put the dress and makeup in her bag for later. Right now, she needed to get to Goodsprings.

She needed to get to Benny.

One part of this section left! I love this chapter and can't wait to get back to Benny. Will he want Dinah back? Find out next time!

Thanks for reading and reviewing!