Next chapter is the last one. Thanks so much for reviewing through out the story. I am sad this story is coming to a end. Atleast I've managed to finish one now.

Vulpes sneers as he draws closer to Stephanie.

"Vulox my beautiful wife, how did it come to this ?"

"You took me from slavery. Remember ?"

Vulpes twists his mouth into a grimace as he stares her down. Stephanie gets into a defensive position, legs apart arms tense.

"I loved you you know. I was going to take us away from here. The four of us."

Stephanie laughs snidely "you're more brain washed than I am. You never loved me you just controlled me."

"What is love but a means of controlling yourself and others."

Stephanie backed up slowly her steps retraced by Vulpes in a slow dance of changing feet.

"That is not even close to what it is. It's what you should have gave Lucas."

"I LOVED MY SON." Vulpes roared.

"Enough to kill him."

"You're testing my patience here Vulox. You could still live. If you only listen."

"My name is Stephanie" she spits "and one of us is dying today and it sure as hell won't be me."

Vulpes laughs with a evil grin.

"Are you sure ? You might as well leave another child behind for all you're good for. I will take our daughter and she will be mine."

"Don't you even think of touching Carla or I will kill you, you son of a bitch."

"Carla" Vulpes scrunches his face in disgust "is a degenerate name."

"Well I guess she is a degenerate. Just like her mother."

Vulpes finally launches his attack delayed enough that Stephanie has time to jump out the way. She grabs his back and lifts her knife but Vulpes holds onto her thighs and with a sharp spin launches her across the floor slamming her back down.

Stephanie breathes loudly winded.

"I always loved you on the floor"

"Fuck you" she screams as she rolls away ready for another move.

Vulpes jumps once more and begins what Stephanie can only describe as a vicious sparring session. She moves quickly to block blows and deliver them herself. Vulples knees her in the stomach and Stephanie returns with a jab to his face.

Vulpes spins Stephanie slamming her against a support beam and she feels something sharp hit her stomach.

With a loud gasp she looks down to find Vulpes knife sticking out of her mid abdominal penetrating an organ. She gives more breathless gasps.

"I told you I would win. I always do." Vulpes spits.

Stephanie draws him a look of hatred and in a quick move, that requires all of her energy, she swings her arm.

Her knife cuts through his neck easily as close to decapitation as she can manage. Vulpes' face remains frozen as he sinks to his knees then the floor. Stephanie kicks him away.

"Bastard" she mutters as she sinks to the floor herself.

Gasping for air and in pain Stephanie begins to crawl to Boone. When she reached his unconscious body she slaps his face.

"Wake up" she gasps and continues to hit him. He shows no responsive signs apart from breathing so Stephanie begins to crawl to the door clutching her side.

She needs help. The legion doesn't keep appropriate medication. Healing powder only goes so far. The noises of battle are still loud outside. It is too noisy to hear her sounds of plea and her friends are too busy protecting their own lives to save hers.

She crawls as far as the table before tears stream down her face and she screams in pain. She tries to lift herself using the table but only manages to bring the contents down on herself.

The items fall around with a loud clang. One item falls slowly and gracefully till it lands in front of her face.

'Me and Momma'

Stephanie gives a smile with a gasp as she takes in the picture Lucas had drawn. If she can't save her life she can protect her daughters.

Weakly she lifts her Pip boy and begins to record a holotape.

Charon, Butch and The Courier run in and take in the sight. Vulpes is crumpled on the floor, not moving or breathing. Boone lies close giving laboured breaths, the Courier reaches him first to offer medical service. Further down lies Stephanie outstretched by the table, she is face down with her arm beneath her.

"Stephanie !"

Charon runs to her grabbing her to turn her around. Her eyes are open but unseeing and blood seeps down her stomach. He holds her limp body close to him and roars.

Butch sinks to his knees and holds out his arm with a cry. He lifts up the holotape confused and loads it into his pipboy.

It's with one final growl and a sob that Charon realises that when the day has finished he'll have buried three generations of the same family.

Butch, you've always been my best friend, and i'm sorry to leave you. Take care of Paul and have a nice life.

Charon, take Carla back to DC. I trust you. You can do it. She needs someone strong to support her. She's your contract holder now. Keep her safe please. Please. Charon. I'm sorry I couldn't see her grow up. Tell her I love her so much. I'm sorry.

I love you.

Click.