I watched their backs as I followed behind. Occasionally 'Butch' would glance back at me over his shoulder. I adverted my eyes every time. I would be lying if I said nothing seemed familiar about him at this point. Over the past few days of having Butch as a constant companion, memories have resurfaced. Nothing too detailed, normally just flashes, but from the pieces I have, we seemed pretty close.

I didn't remember the Wasteland at all, however. It was a shock when we first stepped out, I didn't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. It didn't seem that memorable once we got out of the ruins. All it was was just dirt and sand. With some rocks and dead plants to add some variety. How exciting. I looked around, desperately trying to pick out a land mark, something that would click in my brain.

"We're here." Butch glanced over his shoulder again as a giant whirling filled the air. We came up to a large set of gates, an unseen engine pulling the door open. My jaw dropped a little. This town looked like it was falling apart.

Butch kept looking at me, waiting for a better reaction. Something did tug at me, but that was it.

"Nothing." I shook my head. I saw his shoulders slump a bit, Sarah patted my back.

"We'll get there." She promised, then gestured for Butch to lead the way to what was apparently my house. I stared at the garden gnome sitting on the table outside. What type of person was I? Butch unlocked the door, ushering me in first.

I stopped just after the doorway, a smile creeping on my face. The was my home, I knew that for sure. I felt safe and comfortable here at an instant. The place was cluttered, but relatively neat. Everything seemed to have some vague organization. from what I could remember; Food and supplies in the kitchen (duh), a locker overflowing with weapons to the left, another full of goods to trade and sell next to me. Weapons, ammo, and nick knacks were on display on the wooden shelves just by the stairs.

"Welcome home Madame!" A robot chimed as it floated over to us.

"Wads...Worth?" The name slowly forming in my head, I put a hand on its haul.

"That's right!" Butch shoved Sarah to the side and beamed. "You remember?"

"Kind of." I glanced at the rusty thing again, taking my hand back. Something about a cannibalistic clown came to mind...No, that couldn't be right.

"He's like a butler or something. Doesn't really do much, though."

"Doesn't do much!?" The robot butted in. "I clean, cook-"

"You can cook!?" Butch narrowed his eyes. I moved between them, heading upstairs. I heard Sarah say something, their voices become hushed.

"You've slept in my bed?" I called down. I waited, hearing footsteps on the stairs as I leaned against the door frame of the small, messy bedroom.

"What makes you think this is your bed?" Butch challenged over my shoulder.

"It's the better one. If this is my house, it'd make sense." I crossed my arms, stepping over to the desk. Looking around, I once again felt that tug on me, but couldn't place it.

"What is that?" Sarah pointed to a jar on the desk.

"Good question." I picked it up, looking at it a bit closer. There was a grayish solid floating in the liquid.

"Part of your brain." Butch said absent-mindedly.

"Ew!" I quickly set it down, wiping my hands on my pant leg. Butch almost laughed. almost, but then he just got sad.

"You used to think it was the coolest." He sighed a bit. I couldn't help but feel guilty, even though it wasn't really my fault. He looked close to something like a kicked puppy. He muttered something about needing a drink and slipped out of the house. I sighed, falling back on the bed. I was feeling completely defeated at this point.

"Don't beat yourself-"

"It's fine." I cut Sarah off, not wanting to hear it for now.

"So, do you remember him?" Butch presented me to a ghoul working the bar. I shook my head, sure I would remember a face like his.

"Nope." I shrugged as Butch deflated again.

"Shame..." The ghoul shook his head, his voice gravelly. "I guess I'll just introduce myself again, names Gob. What'll have?" He didn't offer a smile of any kind as he wiped down the bar. I took a seat next to Butch.

"Were we friends?" I rested my head in my hands.

"Eh...Not really, more like acquaintances. You were the first one in town to not treat me like shit." He went about getting Butch his usual.

"What? Why would people treat you like crap?" Gob looked surprised at that, then managed a chuckle.

"Glad to see you haven't changed that much, Smooth Skin. That's just how you reacted the first time around."

"I still don't get it..." I looked to Butch for help.

"Ya know...because he looks different. Some people can be real assholes." He took a swig of his drink.

I looked back down at the counter. Butch and Gob began playing a game of 'Asking Anna 20 billion questions and expecting her to remember.' That seemed to be Butch's favorite game lately. We had only been in town for a few days, but so far I think Butch has made sure I talked to every single one of its tenets. It was getting old fast. I'm starting to think fate doesn't want me to remember anything. I keep trying and trying, but all I get is a load of nothing.

I started to tune the two out after a while. What if I really couldn't get my memories back? Is it bad to say I'd be glad if that happened? I seemed like a completely different person for who I am now, and I sorta liked who I was now. I shook my head, why was I thinking about these deep things in the middle of the local bar. Maybe I really did need a drink, maybe that would numb Butch's words at least.

Just as I was about to look up and ask for one, a man came up.

"Quiet your gabbing and get back to work!" He raised a hand, causing Gob to flinch, but he covered up the threat by brushing back some of his silver hair. Once Gob had stepped back an acceptable distance, he turned to me. "Ah, if it isn't my favorite little flower. Glad to see you right and healthy once more."

My eyes narrowed. I did not like this man. I don't remember what he did, or even his name, but I hated him with a passion. The moment I heard his accent things just clicked. The way he treated Gob too...Did he think we were all stupid?

"Please cut the crap and leave, old man." Butch glared as well. "We don't need your bit right now." The man looked at him, pretending to be offended.

"I just wanted to re-introduce myself to the kid, heard she's lost her memory, nothing more!" He looked at Butch once more, when Butch couldn't think of a come back, he continued, putting an arm around me. "Colin Moriarty, at your service! Welcome to Moriarty's! My saloon, my home, my slice of heaven in this backwoods little burg." I listened with distaste. All my negative emotions bubbling to the surface.

"Don't treat him like that again." I replied, almost in a harsh whisper.

"Treat who like now dear? Speak up."

"Gob. Don't you dare treat him like that again!" I spoke louder, making sure the whole bar heard as I turned to face him. Things grew quiet. I had no clue why I was picking this fight, but I decided it was a hell of a lot better than having to put up with Butch's nonsense.

"Gob? Why, he's my employee! I only treat him with the-"

"Cut the crap!" I rose from my chair, removing his hands from me. Moriarty changed his tune, his expression growing darker.

"I would watch my tone if I were you, girlie. You have no right to tell me how to treat my workers." I bit back a laugh.

"I have no right to call you out when you don't treat someone with respect? Gob is just as human as the rest of us!" I gestured towards him, no one spoke up to defend my case. Only steely silence filled the room.

"I said watch your tongue!" He grabbed my wrist, I reacted by punching him in the jaw.

"Don't touch me you son of a bitch!" I snarled, my hand already starting to sting a bit, but I was sure Moriarty was feeling it more. Moriarty let go, looked up, and became enraged. He prepared to recoil, raising his hand just like he had with Gob, but Butch was to fast for him. Leaping up from his chair he shoved Moriarty back, pinning him to the wall before he could finish the blow.

"How dare you!?" He yelled in his face, Moriarty didn't seem phased by Butch, he struggled. "You try hitting me before you lay a hand on my girl!" I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him, Butch looked to me, begging for me to give the word to punch this guys lights out. But I kept quiet, looking at Moriarty for a moment before punching him in the gut. He doubled over in pain. Briefly, I thought how this fight was pretty unfair, having Butch hold him down. I decided I didn't care at this point.

This wasn't about his treatment to Gob, or even Moriarty himself. I brought my knee up, hitting him where it counts. My anger was about something else. Butch let him go allowing him to fall forward, barely catching himself on his hands as he groaned in pain a bit. I took a few steps back, trying to decide if I was done with him. He spit out what looked like a bloody tooth.

"Next time you'll lose more than that." I hissed. turning on my heel, I glanced at Gob before I left, his expression was a mix of fear and gratitude. Finally, I stormed out. I just couldn't take it anymore. I heard Butch call after me, but I didn't pause. Walking past settlers with my head down. These were my neighbors, people I was once willing to give my life to protect. Now, I didn't recognize them, nor did they mean anything to me. All I saw was a crowd of dirty, selfish people.

"Where ya going!?" Butch had finally caught up. My feet had taken me outside of Megaton's protective walls and out into the wastes.

"Away." I replied simply, hardly glancing over my shoulder. Part of me knew this was foolish, all I had was my armor, a few caps, and the weapon strapped on my back. I wouldn't last very long on my own, but the other part of me didn't care. I needed to get away from all of this before I blew up.

"Will you stop? Come on, lets talk!" Butch wouldn't let up, picking up the pace. "Is it about Moriarty? I know that guy's a creep, but now that we've taught him a lesson I'm sure-"

"It's not about him!" I snapped, stopping and spinning around. Butch halted, being careful not to get to close. Was he afraid I'd treat him like I did Moriarty? I took a deep breath, struggling to control my emotions. Clenching my fists I stared at him. "It's not. About. Him." I repeated, in a harsh whisper this time.

"Then what?" He asked. I started to turn and walk away. Just turn and walk away Anna, you don't have to answer him. "Then what!?" He shouted again. I couldn't stop myself as I spun back around.

"Everything!" I cried, a bit more desperate than I meant to. "Just- Everything!" I felt like I was suffocating. If I didn't walk away now, there'd be no hope for me later. Unfortunately I was too stubborn for my own good. "You, The people, The wasteland, You!" I jabbed a finger at him. "All it is is 'Do you remember this?' 'Can you remember that?' 'Remember! Remember! Remember!'" I was blowing up now. While I was at it, I might as well tell him how I feel, even though I owed him nothing. "I can't take it any more, Butch! I don't think I'm ever going to remember."

"So you're giving up?" His expression almost blank. He seemed calm and collected for someone who had to deal with a screaming, slightly insane, wanderer. "The girl I know would never-"

"I'm not the girl you know!" I cut him off, not wanting to hear it anymore. "She's gone now! Along with my memories! So stop trying!" I waved my arms a bit, letting them flop back down at my sides. "Just leave me alone...I want to start over again." I was running out of energy.

"I can't let you do that." Now it was his turn to start getting angry. "I won't let you just abandon me again!" I nearly scoffed at that, crossing my arms.

"I'm not your mother. You seem to do just fine on your own." Butch stormed up to me, the look so wild in his eyes, I thought he was going to hit me. Instead he shook, clenching his fists and taking a few steps back.

"You- You have no idea how much you mean to me." He said finally once he had gained his composure. I felt my stomach drop. When I didn't interject, he continued. "I've done a lot of thinking...A few nights ago...When you were in the coma...Even back when we were traveling together."

"No..." I shook my head, somehow I knew what was coming and I didn't want to hear it.

"I care about you, Anna. Believe it or not." He struggled to keep his voice steady. "I can't do this without you." I wasn't sure what 'this' was. Carry on? Survive?

"You confessing your love to me now?" I felt my heart grow cold. I stared him down, with a slight hope that he was just desperate to get me to stay.

"Something like that, yeah." He lowered his head a bit, looking a bit nervous. What did he want from me? I looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer. My gaze bounced from the sky, to the horizon, to the pebbles at my feet. I shook my head.

"That means nothing to me." I forced myself to look back up. Butch looked broken by that point. "You know it does. It doesn't matter what you think. I don't know anything anymore. It doesn't matter if we grew up together or not. You're a stranger to me. Just like everyone else in this god forsaken wasteland." Butch's jaw dropped a little, he fumbled to form the words.

"B-but...Tunnel snakes for life right? You're a Tunnel Snake. You're part of the baddest gang in the wastes! You can't just-"

"Shut up about that stupid gang!" I was annoyed that he even tried to throw that lame excuse at me. "You can't just have a gang with just two people! Grow up!" I threw my arms up, done with trying, done with caring. "Just grow up and PLEASE leave alone! I will beat you! Just watch me! So don't try following me." I snapped, Butch's eyes widened. I assumed he got the point as I spun on my heel.

I didn't notice the giant footsteps until they were right upon me. Startled, I looked up to a giant mutant thing marching towards me, a large wooden board embedded with nails looked like a toothpick in its hands. It was something that resembled a human, but maybe in another life. It laughed stupidly, as it ran up swinging its weapon. I didn't react as it collided with my head, forcing my body to the ground. My vision blurred, a loud ringing in my ears covered up the screams and gunfire. I felt my thoughts fizzle out one by one until there was nothing left but darkness, and Butch's frantic shouting.