With the Tall Stack back with the Cuddle Friend, there was hardly any room left for Noodle on the bed. He didn't mind much, though; he was just happy to be able to sleep with them and get pets and snuggles. Though he didn't much appreciate being kicked around a little by accident in the night.

Once morning came, he trotted out of the room to see what the Funny Sound Friend and the Other Tall Stack (with a Beard) were up to. As usual he found them in the kitchen eating breakfast. And he decided he wanted something to eat too.

"FOOD," he yipped, his tail wagging.

"Good morning, Monsieur Noodle!" The Funny Sound Friend scratched his head.

"FOOD PLEASE," he yipped again.

"Shh, quietly. Renee and Gene are sleeping." She went back to her breakfast.

The Other Tall Stack (with a Beard) got up and grabbed Noodle's food dish. "I bet you want breakfast."

"THANK." Noodle whined and pawed the ground impatiently. As soon as the dish was back on the floor, he set to work gobbling up the contents.

He heard them talking in the background but he paid no notice. Instead he thought about what to do that day. With the Tall Stack around he could play with her, though the Cuddle Friend seemed to be feeling a little better so maybe she could play. But of course there was Dogmeat around too who he could play with. Though Dogmeat was usually busy.

"I 'ave to see 'ow Dr. Virgil is progressing with our experiments. Would you mind assisting Miss Jones today?"

"No problem. With Gene around it should go pretty smoothly."

"Merci, Elwood. You are a blessing to be sure."

"Say hi to Lawrence for me."

Noodle's ears perked up upon hearing the Deathclaw's name. He very much enjoyed playing with Big Friend. He finished his food and pawed at the Funny Sound Friend's foot. She looked down at him, one eyebrow raised.

"Hm?"
"I COME TOO."

"Do you want me to pet you?"

"I COME TOO."

Funny Sound Friend patted his head. She pushed her chair back and took her dishes to the sink. "I am unsure when I will return."

"Take your time, Miss Curie. I have things handled here."

She smiled and headed for the door. Noodle squeezed outside behind her. He wagged his tail and pawed the ground. "I COME TOO."

"Ah, are you going to come with me Monsieur Noodle?" She reached to pat his head and continued down the street.

Noodle jogged along at her side. Once they were past the bridge, he ran ahead to the Red Rocket Truck Stop. "BIG FRIEND!" He barked, skidding to a stop in front of the garage.

"Noodle!" Big Friend met him and gave him a rough scratching behind the ears. "How are you?"

"PLAY?" Noodle bowed and continued to wag his tail.

"In a minute. I need to talk to Curie and Dr. Virgil."

It didn't take long for Funny Sound Friend to catch up. She waved to the Deathclaw. "Bonjour, Lawrence!"

"Hey Miss Curie!" He waved in return.

"Is Dr. Virgil around?"

"I think he's in back. And he has good news." Big Friend chuckled. "Well, good for us anyway."

Noodle followed them as they went around to the back of the truck stop. Not Friend was talking to Blue Friend as they stood in front of a large cage. "WHAT THIS?" He yelped, sniffing the cage. It smelled like one of the big green men that Cuddle Friend sometimes had to fight, but there was no big green man to be seen.

"So, I assume this is proof that our hypothesis was a success?" Funny Sound Friend crossed her arms and stared at the cage.

"Indeed it is. Melted from the inside out." Not Friend nudged at Noodle. "Get away from there, mutt."

Noodle growled at him.

"So if it melted a Super Mutant, then it should make the Deathclaws nice and squishy, correct?" Big Friend shook his head. "Perfect for shooting."

"That's the plan." Blue Friend nodded. "We poison their water supply, wait a while, and then go in guns blazing."

"Zhat is quite the plan, Monsieur 'Oward." Funny Sound Friend seemed surprised. "I was expecting somezhing per'aps more, ah, subtle."

"I'm afraid we don't have time for subtle anymore. We've wasted enough time with Renee—" Blue Friend cleared his throat. "I mean, we've wasted enough time in general that we can't afford to waste any more."

"You'd best not let her hear you say that." Big Friend snorted.

"You know what I meant."

"Either way, we're ready to continue with the plan when you are." Not Friend began filling a bunch of vials from the nearby lab table.

Blue Friend sighed. "Lawrence, when he's done, feel free to take these back to your buddies."

"Of course." Big Friend nodded and stepped back.

Noodle whined. "PLAY?" He jumped a few times.

"We can play now." Big Friend turned to him with a smile.

Noodle ran in a tight circle and went to get a ball from the garage. When he returned he spit it out into Big Friend's clawed hand. "THROW!"

Big Friend threw the ball high and far. Noodle ran after it, his paws pounding on the ground and scrabbling to get a foothold as he sprinted. He watched the ball go straight into a molerat hole and wasted no time in diving after it.

"Hey!" A molerat pushed the ball out and began stalking toward him. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

"BALL!"

"That's my home, you idiot!"

Noodle yelped as the molerat leapt forward, biting his leg. He growled and flung off the animal, baring his fangs. "NO."

The molerat didn't listen and tried to attack again. Noodle grabbed it by the neck and shook his head until he felt the molerat go limp in his jaws. He limped over to get the ball and trotted back to the Red Rocket.

"Noodle, what happened?" Big Friend knelt next to him.

"BAD MOLERAT." Noodle lifted his leg for Big Friend to see.

"You should go see Curie to take care of that before it gets infected. I doubt Renee wants you to lose a leg too." Big Friend took the ball back. "Go on."

"PLAY?" Noodle sat back on his hind legs.

"No, you need to have your leg taken care of. Go on home. I'll be back in a few days and we can play again then, okay?"

"BIG FRIEND BE SAFE." Noodle got down on all fours and licked Big Friend's palm.

"I will. Go on now."

Noodle limped back into Sanctuary and back to the house he knew he could find Funny Sound Friend in. He clawed at the door until he was let inside.

"Monsieur Noodle, what did you get into?" Funny Sound Friend led him into one of the sharp-smelling rooms and patted a table. He jumped up. "Hm. Stay right zhere."

He sat on the table. Funny Sound Friend turned to rummage through a nearby cabinet and brought out a Stimpak. "'Ere."

"NO." He pressed his ears against his head and growled.

"Noodle, do not be like zhat. Hold still."

He yelped as she stuck it in his leg. "HURT!"

The pain ebbed away and he felt the bite heal. He licked at his leg where it once was. Then, he licked her face. "THANK."

"Hehe, you are quite welcome. Go on now, go on." She helped him down and shooed him out of the room.

Noodle went back outside to find something else to do. Cuddle Friend and Tall Stack were nowhere to be seen, so that meant he was on his own for entertainment. He decided to go see if Dogmeat was available, and hopefully the two children he often corralled.

"Noodle, can't you jump up heah on the end of the bed?"

"Oh come on Gene, he doesn't mean any trouble."

"Dumb snup…"

Noodle wriggled his way between the two women. He gazed up at Cuddle Friend as she laid on her side and stroked his head. "Did you have a good day?" She asked.

"I did."

"Not you, I'm asking Noodle."

Tall Stack huffed and rolled her eyes.

"YES!" Noodle's tail wagged and thumped between Tall Stack's and Cuddle Friend's legs.

Cuddle Friend giggled and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. "How's my handsome boy?"

His tail wagged harder.

"Noodle, quit that." Tall Stack held his tail down.

"Aw, let him have his fun." Cuddle Friend shifted and pulled the blanket tighter. "Curie told me that she's planning on taking my arm cast off tomorrow."

"Healed up finally?"

"Well, sort of. She said I'll have to wear a brace for a while…" Cuddle Friend sighed. "My left arm still isn't very strong."

Tall Stack rolled over this time and nearly kneed Noodle in the snout. "That's what you have me for."

"Heh. True." Cuddle Friend inched toward Tall Stack.

Noodle pushed himself between them as they leaned in for a kiss. He licked at Tall Stack's cheek. She sputtered and shoved him away. "Noodle!"

Cuddle Friend just laughed.