Thanks for the reviews guys! I wanted to clear something up: I do own the game, as in, I've played it and own the disc. But I do NOT own the characters other than Ava and Aries (feel free to use him if you find him interesting). That's what I meant. So, playing New Vegas has made me want to finish this up instead of taking forever, because I have a few sweet ideas for the third story in this series. The one-shot series is going to be pretty short, but I want to show what goes on between this story and that story. As always, enjoy the chapter!
Megaton was much busier than usual, and Ava found some relief in that. Charon and Desmond had to push people out of their way as they walked up the rickety, old ramps towards Gob's Saloon. Night was falling quickly over the Capital Wasteland and Ava was anxious to get this recruiting over with so that she and Charon could go back home to the children, who they had not seen in a few days. The three of them walked into the old bar and Nova grinned widely at the sight of Ava and Charon. Ava tripped over several bar stools to wrap her arms around Nova and kissed her furiously. Desmond raised his brow with a smile and Charon snapped his head back at him with a growl, effectively wiping the grin off Desmond's face.
"You can't blame me for gawking at two hot girls making out, and you can't hit a man with glasses," said Desmond.
"That's where you're wrong, because I will pop you in the fucking mouth whether or not you're wearing glasses," Charon growled.
Ava stopped kissing Nova long enough to allow her to wrap her arms around Charon's neck and kiss him tenderly on the cheek. Charon returned the affection with a peck on her forehead. Desmond smiled and stood up straight, awaiting his turn but Nova rolled her eyes at him and went back to Ava, who greedily took the red-head in her arms once again.
"Where's Gob?" Charon asked as he looked around the bar, opening a beer and taking a sip. Jericho, a now sober Leo Stahl, his sister Jenny, and many others sat around them. Some lifted their drinks to Charon in greeting and he did the same. Megaton's residents were always friendlier than most citizens of the Capital Wasteland.
"He's doing a radio bit," said Nova, "But these guys are the ones he recruited for our cause. Jericho has been the most excited of the bunch...I guess it kills him to be stranded in this town after the life he had."
"What did he do before he came here to this dump?" asked Desmond.
"He used to be a Raider. He's still kind of an asshole, but he's trying to be a better man," Nova explained. Ava had been too busy to speak; she had found a comfortable spot on Nova's shoulder that allowed her to kiss on her girl's neck as she pleased.
"Desmond, let's go up to the town armory and gather some things for Ava's new recruits. The girls have not seen each other in some time and I don't mind giving them some time alone," said Charon as he walked over to the door.
"But...but...you know they're going to fool around, and damn it, I want to see! Go by yourself!" said Desmond. Charon shook his head and grabbed Desmond's armor, shoving him outside with a few harsh words.
The moment they left, Ava gripped Nova in a panic. "I have to talk to you and Gob right now!"
"Gobbie's almost done with his segment for today-"
"No, it needs to be now before they come back!" Ava whispered.
Ava barged into the back room, where Gob had set up his station. All along one wall were stacks of computers and tumbles of colored wires, all hooked up to a microphone that Gob was speaking into.
"So folks, Oasis has indeed been secured, because I was there and of course, our lovely Vault Girl is now hitched and officially off the market. Love is so grand...anyone would be dumb as hell to get in between her and the man of her dreams," said Gob with a smile at Ava.
"Gob, turn that shit off right now!" Ava shouted.
"Speak of the devil, here she is, one of my best friends, the Vault-"
"I said turn it off god damn it!" Ava shouted as she tore the wires from the microphone, causing complete radio silence.
"Something's wrong," said Nova with a frown. "You were fine a minute ago, what's going on?"
Ava sat down on a dusty leather chair and held her head in her hands. She hiccupped and clamped her hand over her mouth, trying her best to hold back the wave of nausea that was threatening to come.
"Ava...you're not...dying, right? You were ill at the wedding, and Charon said you've been that way for a while," asked Gob, standing up.
"No...but...I'm pregnant," Ava said quietly.
"Ava Flint, you lied to me!" Nova shouted. "You said you never slept with McGraw!"
"Damn it Nova, keep your voice down! Phillip isn't the father!" said Ava.
"So who is? I can't believe you, you slept with someone else? I'll fucking kill him if Charon doesn't get to him first!" Gob shouted angrily. "You had to go and ruin our already fucked up family! I liked our dysfunctional family the way it was!"
"Gob!" Nova shouted.
"No! She should have known better! Charon has done everything for her; he fucking changed from a machine into what could now be considered a human being and that's how she fuckin' treats him?" Gob said.
"They are Charon's kids!" Ava screamed, standing up and giving Gob a rough shove.
"Yeah, like I'm going to believe that!" said Gob nastily.
Ava fell to her knees and grasped for a pail that sat by the door and threw up. She thought for sure that her two best friends would believe her without question, but how could they when she barely believed it herself? Ghouls and humans having children, the thought of it almost made Ava laugh out loud. It was so ridiculous and absurd that it would happen, and the only reason she didn't dismiss it completely was because she was going through it right now. She was not throwing up because her body was upset with something she had eaten, it was because two tiny children were quickly growing inside of her and their father was the only man she had ever loved. A ghoul…and not just any ghoul, but one of the most feared and respected ghouls that had ever lived. She would have never believed any of it if someone had told her this would happen when she still lived inside of Vault 101.
"Gob, stop it!" Nova said desperately. "Why would she lie to us?"
"I'm not lying! You, Charon, and Nova are the only ones that I've ever wanted to be with!" Ava cried.
"But you haven't been with me in...shit, since forever," Gob said, suddenly quiet.
"So unless Nova can magically get me pregnant, who's left, Gob? Who else could it be?" Ava shouted. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and grabbed Nova's hand as she pulled her to her feet.
"Holy shit," Gob muttered. "It's really Charon?"
Ava nodded her head and Nova placed her hand over Ava's belly with a smile. A small smile emerged on Gob's face and he did the same.
"There's two...a boy and a girl," said Ava. "I think I'll name the girl Catherine, after my mother. The boy…well, I'm not sure yet."
It was a complete lie of course. Ava had known what to name both of them since the day she left Doctor Barrows' office. There was no better way to carry on a friend's legacy than to name one of her children after him.
"Ava, I'm so sorry I flipped out on you," he said quietly. "Did you tell Charon yet?"
"It's all right Gob. I would have done the same thing if it was Nova…and speaking of that, you guys may want to be more careful in the future or else you will be in my position. But no, I haven't told Charon yet. I don't know how. If you reacted this way, imagine his reaction. And if he does believe me, is it fair for me to fill his head with more worry? There's a fucking war coming. A war that he and I brought about," Ava said.
"You may be right kid. He might not let you fight anymore, but that could be for the best," said Gob.
"Barrows didn't tell me to stay at home and rest. He just told me to visit him twice a month to see how the babies are doing," Ava explained.
"Does anyone else know?" asked Nova.
"Doctor Barrows...and Desmond might know too..." said Ava.
"Why would Desmond of all people know?" Nova asked.
"I'm not sure if he does, but he had to have heard Barrows when he told me to start thinking of names," said Ava.
"Well, come on. Let's sit out at the bar. This should be a happy time, and I didn't mean to be such a dick about it," said Gob.
Ava sat beside Jericho at the bar and he gave her a wink that she couldn't help but laugh at. She watched Nova and Gob tend to the patrons with a smile and explained to Jericho the plan she was forming. He wanted to help out as much as he could, he explained. The ex-raider was glad to finally see some action again and this time, on better terms.
Jericho lifted his head and said, "Do you smell that?"
Ava's nose wrinkled at the smell of gasoline and a burning, acrid stench. "What the fuck is going on?"
And then, they heard the screams.
Charon and Desmond had not returned from the armory when the door to the saloon opened and in walked Commander Jabsco and a large group of his Talon Company mercenaries.
"Fuck!" Gob shouted, pulling his sawed-off from beneath the counter and pointing it at Commander Jabsco as his soldiers began to dump gasoline all over the walls and tables.
"Ava Flint, I believe I had not had the pleasure of meeting you yet...my name is Commander Jabsco. I'm the leader of the Talon Company, and I'm here to bring you to the Brotherhood," said Jabsco as he calmly lit a cigarette.
"Gob, Nova, get out of here! Get the Battlemaster!" Ava screamed. Gob grabbed Nova's arm and pulled her out the side door of the saloon, and in seconds, most of the saloon had cleared out. The only souls left were Ava, Jericho, and the Talon mercenaries.
"You know, I'm fucking sick of you assholes trying to kill me. It's been years and you haven't been able to do it yet, so why don't you just fuck off and go home?" said Ava loudly.
"Flint, the Talons never give up on their marks. We will hunt you until you are dead, or in this case, until we deliver you to the Brotherhood of Steel," said Jabsco.
Jericho stood between Ava and the leader of the Talon Company. He held his assault rifle high and the smoke from his burning cigarette enveloped him in a thick cloud. Today was his day to turn a new leaf completely. He could still kill, and he realized this when Gob was speaking about new recruits being needed for the Outcasts. He could still kill, and now, he could kill the bad guys instead of killing the innocent.
"You want the Vault Girl? You gotta go through me," Jericho said quietly. He knew that he couldn't take on all the Talons by himself and he hoped that Ava's ghoul would hurry the fuck up.
"You'll die for her?" asked Jabsco with a sneer.
"I will gladly put my life on the line for the only person who gives a fuck about my home! Back the fuck up, or your head's coming off!" said Jericho.
Ava was shaking, but hoped no one noticed. She put her small hand on Jericho's shoulder and he began to back up slowly. Ava noticed he was guiding her towards the back door...he was going to give her a way out. Ava felt the door handle press into her spine painfully and she held her breath.
"We could give back the life you had. An ex-raider, living a boring life in a shithole of a town. What kind of life is that for you, Jericho? Hand her over and we'll hire you. I know what you are, heartless like the rest of us, and we could use you. How about it?" asked Jabsco.
Jericho laughed loudly and said, "You think I'm gonna fall for that shit? I'm not fucking stupid. I give her to you and you kill me anyway. But I don't want to give you the girl, no, she's been good to me, to everyone in this 'shithole town'. That shit is all in the past and this is my one chance to redeem myself. So if you want her motherfucker, you gotta come get her. But you won't live for very long, I can fucking promise you that."
The Talon mercs stepped forward and lifted their guns. Jericho spat his cigarette butt on the floor and said to Ava, "Get out of here! I'll keep them away!"
Ava pulled on his shirt and whispered, "I won't leave you here to die!"
"We should just kill them both," said one of the Talon Mercs.
"No! Gallows and Rothchild specified that they want Ava alive. If we shoot Jericho, she'll die as well," said Jabsco.
"Leave, before I change my mind, Flint," Jericho said.
Ava reached behind her back and twisted the door knob slowly. All she had to do was step back and she could run. She took a firm hold on Jericho's belt and opened the door, yanking him through with her. Shots peppered the wooden door and Ava pulled Jericho out of the way. He unloaded his clip on the mercs, killing all but Jabsco.
"Come on!" Ava shouted as she dragged Jericho away. He stopped and gave her a shove.
"I'll cover you, god damn it! Get to your ghoul and get the fuck out of here!"
Jabsco limped out of the bar and aimed his magnum at Ava. She jumped over the railing, landing right on top of Charon and Gob, sending the three of them to the ground. There was fire, screaming, and death everywhere she looked.
"Ava!" Charon shouted as he pulled her to her feet. Gob stood up and Ava held on to Charon's armor, out of breath.
"Get Jericho! Please!" she cried, pointing above them.
Charon nodded and took off as Gob pulled Ava's arm around his shoulder. The fall had injured her knee severely; she could barely hold any weight on it.
"Come on honey, we gotta move!" said Gob. He dragged Ava past the bodies of several Megaton residents and Talon mercenaries. Moira's body hung over the railing in front of her store, her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Ava heaved at the sight while Gob shot at a lone Talon trying to drag himself away.
"Where's everyone else?" Ava asked. The entire town of Megaton was on fire and falling to the ground.
"They're with Desmond and Nova in front of the town gates. The fuckin' Talons that got away barricaded them! Hurry, the whole place is coming down!" Gob shouted.
"Are you fucking nuts? I'm not leaving without Charon!" Ava screamed as Gob pulled on her arm. She held on to the railing, refusing to move completely.
"Ava, please!" Gob shouted. "Think of the babies!"
"No! We're waiting for him!"
"I'm here!" Charon shouted behind them as he came down the ramp. Charon jogged towards them with Jericho over his shoulder. The ex-raider was barely conscious. "He killed Jabsco, they're all dead now. The bomb's going to blow! We must move!"
"What the fuck do you mean the bomb's going to blow? I disarmed it years ago!" said Ava.
"The fire will set it off for sure! We have to get everyone into the vault!" Charon answered. Ava looked over the railing and saw that the bomb was completely surrounded by fire.
They dodged fire and falling buildings, fighting to get to the entrance of Megaton. It was a complete disaster to have only one entrance and exit. What had kept the town safe for years and years could now possibly be the death of every single person that lived there. Desmond and Nova took control at the front of the massive group of residents and formed a somewhat orderly line. Keeping the panic to a minimum, the residents of Megaton that had not been killed made it free of the city the moment they broke free of the barricades.
Gob held Ava in his arms as she screamed directions to Vault 101. Charon followed close behind, keeping a firm grip on Jericho's arm and leg. When the group had made it to the almost hidden entrance, Desmond knocked down the flimsy wooden door and led the people into the tunnel.
Ava limped and pushed her way to the front of the group and slammed her hand onto the keypad in front of the vault's entrance. "It's Ava! There's an emergency! The bomb in Megaton is about to go off! Let us in!" she bellowed.
Amata's voice came over the intercom and said, "I'm sorry, I can't help you."
"You fucking ungrateful bitch!" Ava screamed.
"Amata, if it weren't for Ava, you would all be dead! Do you fucking hear me? Open up the fucking door and let us in, there are children with us!" Charon shouted.
Maggie Creel held onto Charon's leg and sobbed. Her guardian, Billy, had been killed in the slaughter. He picked up the child with his free arm and she nuzzled up to his throat.
"Are we going to die?" she sniffed.
"No little one, I hope not," Charon said quietly.
"Billy's gone, who will take care of me?" Maggie asked.
"You will stay with Ava and myself. We take care of many children, so you would have plenty of new friends to play with. Would you like that?" The ghoul asked softly. Maggie nodded and cried. The Megaton residents that stood around Charon were touched by his kindness. Most of them had never heard Charon speak a word, let alone show kindness to a child.
Sheriff Simms put a hand on Charon's shoulder and smiled. "That is very generous of you," he said.
"It is the least we can do," said Charon.
There was silence on the other end of the intercom and only the wails of Megaton's former residents could be heard.
"We only have about two minutes! The fire has engulfed the town!" shouted Desmond, who was standing just outside the cave door.
"Let us in!" Charon yelled again. "I will tear that fucking door open and kill us all if I have to!"
The door hissed and the screeching of metal was almost deafening. Megaton's residents poured through the door and Charon shouted for Desmond. He handed Maggie to Nova and heaved Jericho's battered body onto a table. Gob placed Ava beside Jericho and squeezed her hand. Once the people were safe inside, Amata pressed the button for the door to close but the gears did not move. The door was stuck open.
"Fuck! We're going to fucking die!" Ava screamed. She couldn't hide the fear she felt at that moment. MacCready and the other children didn't even know what was happening. She hoped Ashur would watch over them and she hoped the children had learned enough from Charon and herself to become decent human beings.
Charon, Desmond and Gob rushed over to the door and began to push it with all their strength. Charon tore off his armor and shirt and Gob and Desmond followed suit, using their shirts to cushion their hands against the sharp metal of the door. Several other men from Megaton leapt forward to aid the ghouls and pushed.
"Push god damn it!" Charon shouted. "There's no time left!"
The door creaked loudly as it rolled on the track and it slammed into place. Seconds later, the ground began to shake violently as the nuke went off. The men fell to the floor, exhausted and Charon crawled over to Ava and Maggie, and pulled them into his arms with what little strength he had left.
Desmond pat Gob's shoulder and muttered, "Too fucking close."
"You're telling me," he muttered.
Nova rushed over to Gob and threw her arms around his neck. "Gob you're never going to leave me again! I hate when you fight! You're not Charon, he's invincible and you're not!"
Desmond, Charon, and Ava all burst into laughter, startling the residents.
Jericho groaned loudly and Desmond pulled himself up to check his wounds. The ghoul wrapped his shirt around Jericho's leg, stopping the blood from oozing out.
"He is going to lose this leg, I think. The damage is irreparable," said Desmond. Gob looked around for the town's doctor, but he was nowhere to be found amongst the group. Another life lost.
Jericho reached out for Desmond's arm and whispered, "Is Jenny here? I need to talk to her..."
"Is there someone named Jenny here?" Desmond called out. Gob frowned as Jenny stood up from the corner of the room and watched her walk over to Jericho. She looked angry and Gob remembered what he and Ava had read on Moriarity's computer.
"Jenny, I'm sorry I tried to force myself on you. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad...you fought me off. I'm less than shit, I know, but I just hope you can forgive me. If I live, I'll make it up to you, even if it means killing myself," Jericho whispered. Jenny shook her head and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"You're obviously a different man now. It was so long ago, and whenever I saw you, you had a look of guilt on your face. I forgive you...but I won't easily forget," said Jenny. Jericho took her hand and held it tight.
"If I live, I will work my ass off to give you a new life. I promise," he said softly. "New house. I'll build it myself."
"Where is this coming from?" She asked.
"I want to make shit right. I mean, look at them," he said, pointing to Ava and Charon as they held Maggie. "In the end, even the most blood thirsty motherfucker wants a good life like that."
Jenny smiled and held his hand a bit tighter.
Amata wiped her brow and said, "Ava…what is going on?"
"I may have started a war with these assholes out in the Wasteland. What they did to Megaton was kind payback of some sort," Ava explained. She looked around the room and added, "I'm sorry guys. I should have just left you all out of this."
Ava hung her head and she felt Charon's hand on her cheek and his lips on hers within moments. His actions were soothing, and he did not have to say a word to make her feel all right. He never had to. His touch had always been enough.
"They would have come for us regardless. If you weren't here, we would all be dead, because we wouldn't have been able to get into the vault without you. No one here is angry with you," said Sheriff Simms. The displaced Megaton residents all murmured in agreement.
"Amata, we just need somewhere to stay for a few days, until the cloud blows over. We'll leave as soon as it's clear, is that all right?" Ava asked. She didn't really care what Amata's answer would be, because either way, the group was going to stay, even if Ava had to kill Amata to do it. These people, her friends, were her priority.
"I can't turn them away. You can stay, but it cannot be permanent," said Amata. "Come, you all can stay inside. We have room as long as you don't mind sharing space."
Charon carefully gathered Ava into his arms and followed Amata, with Maggie holding on to his belt with a sad face.
"I love you. Thank you for going back for Jericho. If it wasn't for him, things could have turned out a lot differently," Ava whispered to Charon.
"I love you Smoothskin. You are not leaving my sight any time soon. That ordeal was a bit too close for comfort. I cannot raise the children on my own, and you know that," he said.
Charon gently placed her on a worn couch and watched Maggie cuddle up beneath Ava's arm. He took a seat on the floor in front of them, his hands on his shotgun and he leaned his head back against the soft fabric of the couch. Ava stroked his neck with a free hand and let it drift over his chest.
"Where are we taking everyone when the cloud blows away?" Charon asked before closing his eyes.
"I was thinking Rivet City. More secure than Megaton ever was, and they have plenty of room. Besides, Harkness owes me a favor after I saved him from that bastard from the Commonwealth," said Ava. "Gob and Nova can stay at Tenpenny in our suite, and we can live in your office."
"You always know what to do, don't you?" asked the ghoul.
"Honestly? I wing it half the time," chuckled Ava. "But I have something to ask you."
"Out with it then, Smoothskin."
"MacCready wants to join the Outcasts…I told him I'd give him an answer after we talk about it. What do you think?" she asked.
"R.J. has always been the more…mature out of all the boys, besides Joseph of course, but fighting is not in Joseph's blood. R.J. would make a fine soldier, he has my blessing. It is your clan, in the end, and if you don't think it would be wise to bring him in, then don't," said Charon.
"I'm proud that he wants to join. If you're okay with it, so am I," she muttered sleepily. Charon's hand found hers and he kissed it.
"The joys of being a parent," he said quietly. "Never thought I had it in me."
"You are an awesome father, Charon. And a pretty good husband too. Don't ever change," said Ava.
The lights inside of Vault 101 flicked off one by one until they were all engulfed in a soft, velvety darkness that lulled everyone to sleep. Thoughts inside of Ava's head, thoughts of her children, the ones she carried inside her body, telling Charon the news, and the new child they had decided to take in, all slowed to a stop and allowed the Vault Girl to fall asleep.