A/N

Special thanks to my new friend Zukuto for giving me this suggestion!

I shivered a bit as I stepped outside of the warm hull. It had to have been around 2 in the morning here at Rivet City. Waking up, Butch still hadn't returned to our room. I assumed he'd just had one too many. Checking the bar, they said he had left about an hour ago. It didn't take me long to comb through the rest of the empty ship. He was no where to be found.

So I was forced to bring my search outside. Wrapped in a dusty blanket, holding my plasma pistol. I felt naked without my armor, standing in the ruins. Too exposed, and I was far too old to pretend this blanket could protect me in anyway. I kept my pipboy light off, walking down the ramp and out the entrance. Where on earth could that stupid boy have gone?

Butch wasn't one to wonder too far, even when he was drunk. Why would he'd want to go out anyway? It was pretty cold. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep, but the worry about Butch kept me walking forward. I pulled my blanket tighter around me. Gazing at the blue force field the Enclave had set up, I couldn't help but to think the worse. Did Butch somehow get tangled up with them? Was he really gone? Maybe he ditched me, but why would he leave? I had all the funds and ammo. I mean, if Butch wanted to part ways that'd be fine with me. Just-

A sudden sneeze out in front of me made me stop so suddenly I nearly slipped and fell. I darted behind one of the wilted trees, blanket forgotten on the ground as I raised my pistol, ready for the attacker I couldn't see. Silence, a sniff and a shuffle. Nothing came. Peeking out from behind the tree, my eyes strained to see through the darkness. I saw a figure sitting on the ground just a few feet away, a glass bottle glinting in the dim moonlight next to them.

"I feel stupid for talking to a pile of rocks..." A voice muttered, and I instantly recognized it as Butch. My heart skipped a beat, I hadn't realized how close I'd wondered to my fathers grave. Why was Butch here, of all places? I watched his dark figure shift a bit again. Silence, except for a heavy sigh. Confused, I started to step out from my hiding spot to confront him. Thats when he spoke again.

"I...I know I've been total shit to her. To everyone." I stopped, listening to what he had to say. "I just...I think I've changed now. Or at least I'm trying." He explained, hugging his knees a bit. "The wasteland...definitely wasn't what I was expecting. Your daughter has saved my ass so many times I've lost count." he paused. "Still can't figure out why..." He added softly, mainly to himself rather than the rocks.

I didn't know what to think. Why was Butch doing this? Talking to my dad? He's not the sentimental type, thats for sure. I'm still shocked how he had handled things earlier today when I had that break down. I was frozen to the spot, my numbed fingers tracing idle patterns in the scrouched tree bark.

Butch shifted a bit, he couldn't keep still. "I just...I promise you I'm gonna protect her with my life." He said sternly, he sounded like he meant it. "Its the only way I know how to make up for the things I've done. And-" He cut himself off, sniffing again a bit as he chose his next words carefully. "I'm just...gonna take real good care of her. I can promise you that much. I know you don't like me, but I think we both want whats best for Anna." I nearly laughed at that point, I felt a little hysteric. I had no clue Butch felt this way at all. Then to hear him address Dad, like he was still here...Almost like he wanted his approval. That was something, maybe I was the one who had had too much to drink.

I hadn't realized how hard my heart was pounding until Butch lapsed into silence once more. Done with his speech. I swallowed, I needed time to process this. Was Butch really willing to give up his life for me? The thought honestly made my head spin a bit. I wasn't used to people being that...I couldn't even think of a good word to describe it. Sure, there had been a few times when Butch was taking some heat and I jumped in front of him. I could have very well lost my life those times, but you have to understand things seem totally different when someone else does the jumping for you.

I moved from my spot, Pistol holstered. I bent down and picked the blanket, approaching Butch. He didn't move, or even acknowledge I was there. Maybe he had known I was there from the start. He just stared down at the dirt.

"It's pretty freezing out...You should get inside before you freeze to death, ya boob." I hoped a nickname would lighten the mood. I draped the blanket over his shoulders. "Come on..." I tugged at him a bit. Finally he stood, still quiet. I made sure to pick up after him, sended a farewell glance at the grave before following Butch back to Rivet City. The whole walk there was silent, but I sensed we had a mutual understanding now.