The way back to Megaton wasn't that bad, actually.

Once James was able to move around and do things without their help, they finally left Vault 112 a day after he woke up and they were making good time.

James kept insisting they press onto Rivet City, but both Maverick and Leyah weren't budging. They were stopping in Megaton and that was the end of it.

Maverick wondered what the scientist thought about him and Leyah. He never was one to care about what other people thought, but he suddenly gave many shits about whether Dr. James Hunter liked him or not.

Then again, he knew it was probably because he knew Leyah was close to her Dad and he didn't want to fuck that up in any way.

Leyah didn't seem to care as much.

"So, where did you grow up? Since the whole Vault thing isn't real," Leyah was asking.

She refused to leave her dad's side in case he needed her.

"I grew up a little north here and moved here when I was around your age. I met your mother when I walked into Rivet City to possibly work for Pinkerton."

Leyah was beaming. While Maverick knew she was still pissed about her dad lying to her, he knew she was having a hay day learning all this new shit about her dad.

Luckily, the only thing that attacked them was a mole rat. Maverick was able to easily take it out with one shot.

Megaton was a welcome sight for once and Maverick had never been happier to see the damn town. Sleeping in a sleeping bag on a metal floor wasn't a good night's sleep after all. Maverick knew he was probably going to be on Leyah's couch, but he didn't give a shit.

He only allowed himself to relax after Leyah locked her door behind them. James looked impressed. "How did you get a key to a house? That's a feat that takes most people months," James asked, bewildered.

Knowing how Leyah was, Maverick quickly answered. "Vaultie here decided she needed to disarm that bomb. Lucas was happier than a mutie with meat bag."

James stared at his daughter, dumbfounded. "You what?"

Leyah looked sheepish and she laughed nervously. "He was offering caps and Maverick taught me how to disable mines and stuff. I also read about them in the Vault…so yeah."

"Honey, do you know how dangerous that is?"

"Yeah, but I didn't like the idea of an active bomb in the middle of this place. And I really needed the caps so I could pay Moriarty to find you."

That shut James up.

Maverick pulled off his pack and tossed it on the couch. "I'm going up to check on Gob. Do you want anything?"

She shook her head and Maverick could tell she was holding back the urge to hug him when she reached out to him for a moment and then quickly dropped her hands. Fixing the problem, he stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I'll be back soon."

She grinned up at him and that grin only widened when he pecked the top of her head.

Maverick sucked in a deep breath of air as he stepped out into Megaton. After this past week, he needed a drink. A strong one.

He started to walk and halted in his tracks when he heard the sound of the door to Leyah's house opening. James was walking out of the house. "I convinced her to let me come with you. I think we need to chat."

Uh oh.

Maverick knew this game, and he knew that if he wanted his and Leyah's relationship to continue, he had to play it. He nodded and waited for the other man to catch up before continuing his way up toward the bar. While Maverick hated Moriarty, he was more than happy to give his caps to Gob. He always paid double the amount so Gob could keep some caps for himself.

The ghoul needed it since he was basically a damn slave.

He stepped in and was pleasantly surprised to find that the piece of shit bar was almost empty. "Gob! Pour me a strong one!" Maverick said with a smirk as he walked up to the bar.

Gob almost dropped the glass he was holding. "Maverick! You're back. Did you find the Vault dweller?"

"Sure did. And she's back at home," he plopped down onto a bar stool, turning to James, "care for a drink? Or has Doctor Hunter down there forbidden you?"

James technically was still sick, and Maverick knew Leyah would kick his ass if he gave her dad alcohol. Then again, James was a big boy who could make his own damn decisions.

"Scotch, please. And between you and I, no, I'm not supposed to be drinking yet."

Maverick pulled a cigarette from his pocket. "You know I'm going to tell her if she asks, right?"

James arched a brow at him and shrugged. "I've handled her wrath before. I'll survive."

Maverick snorted around his cigarette and he cursed when he realized he forgot to light it. He lit it and took a long drag.

"So what's your game?" James finally asked, addressing the deathclaw in the room.

"Game? I wasn't aware I was playing a game."

"Don't pull your sarcastic stuff on me, I need a straight answer from you," James continued, taking a sip of his scotch.

Maverick sighed. He knew these questions were coming, but he wasn't going to sit there and let this man threaten him. The threats haven't come yet, but Maverick knew James was itching to say them. Honestly, he didn't blame James for having some problems with him and Leyah. Maverick was about 14 years older and he had been wandering the Wasteland for almost a decade now. He wouldn't want his kid with someone like him either.

But, Maverick also knew he was better than the typical Wastelander prick and he actually cared for his vault dweller.

"First of all, there is no game, like I said. And two, sarcasm is my first language. Ask Gob here."

Gob frowned at him, obviously not wanting to be pulled into this.

James set his scotch down. "I just want to know who exactly my daughter is with. While I trust her judgement, I can't help but wonder if she's with you because she feels like she owes you something for helping her or if you are tricking her somehow."

Yep, this man definitely grew up in the Wasteland. Maverick would be wondering the same things if he was wearing James' sorry shoes. "Well, I hate to tell you this, but neither are happening in our case. No drama tonight."

Gob, being the bartender he was, perked up. "Wait, you and Leyah are a thing? Moira will be so happy!"

Maverick liked Gob, but he wanted to toss him off the balcony at the moment. He gave the ghoul a hard look while taking another drag from his cigarette. Gob was a smart ghoul. He went into the back room.

"And if you want to know who she's with, I'm just some poor bastard trying to make it out here after being dumped on his ass," he gestured to the door, "And she's the first good thing that happened to me in eight years and I'd be damned if I let anything happen to her."

He met James' even stare with his own, hoping the man would be convinced.

"What exactly happened with the Brotherhood? I feel like you weren't telling me the whole truth back in the Vault."

Shit.

Maverick knew this would come up, since James was so familiar with the Brotherhood after working with them for Project Purity. "Like I told you, my dad and his asshole gang were trying to start a coup and I got in the way. And my dad wanted to keep his shiny title and not give it up to the son he despised."

James' brow furrowed as he stared at Maverick for many moments. "I didn't know that second part," he let out a huff of a laugh, "I'm actually finding the second part more believable than the first. None of us liked your father. Your mother though…we liked her."

Maverick couldn't help but grin. A lot of people liked his mom. It was hard not to. His heart clenched at the thought of her.

"Since your father and the others who wronged you were banished; you could go back now. Will you?"

Well damn.

To be honest, Maverick hadn't really thought of that. He was so focused on helping Leyah and being angry at his dad to really think about it. He could go home. He could see his mom's kind smile and hear his sister's loud laugh again. He could see his friends and go back to the life he knew.

But it felt wrong, because if Leyah wasn't there it wouldn't be worth it.

Maverick absolutely knew he loved her now and he wasn't going anywhere without her.

She was home.

"That depends," he finally answered, finishing off his cigarette.

"On what?"

"On Leyah."

James' eyes narrowed. "You would wander out here with her instead of going back to the Citadel?"

"Yes."

"Completely give up the life you knew?"

"Yes."

Maverick met the man's stare, almost challenging him.

"That's all I needed to know, Maverick. And while I still have my reservations, I know Leyah can think for herself." The scientist opened his mouth to continue, but Maverick wasn't having it.

"Before you threaten me, I'll let you know that Leyah can kick my ass. Or wait until she can get a sniper scope on my balls. She can take care of herself and I don't plan on hurting her," Maverick growled. He never took being threatened well.

James huffed out a laugh. "A sniper scope, hm?"

"Yep. She's a good shot. You taught her well."

"Didn't you teach her some things?"

Maverick snorted. "Shit, I didn't even have to show her anything when it came to using a gun. I was more focused on deathclaws and yao guai."

James gave an approving nod. "Good."