Preston Garvey had only just returned to the Castle when he was assaulted by a vivacious teenager.

In between deep, plunging breaths, Cassie Shaw poured all the excitement of the last few hours on his weary head. Garvey stoically ignored his grumbling stomach as Cassie dragged him to her new power armor, and he resisted the urge to pass out when they passed by the Barracks on their way to see her new uniform. A small smile and the odd exclamation of surprise was more than enough to satisfy the gray-eyed teen as she flitted about the Castle.

"-you can imagine the look on Patrick's face! He looked so jealous!" Cassie exclaimed. While her infectious enthusiasm would have broken any other man in the Commonwealth, it was wasted on Garvey.

"I can imagine." Garvey repeated, in a monotone voice that even Cassie couldn't ignore. Her face fell a little at the stale reply; before a smile quickly chased away the momentary disappointment. The pair were now standing just underneath the exterior wall of the Castle, all but invisible to the many sentries manning the walls.

Cassie delighted in the cool shade, running her hand through her short, black hair.

"Did I mention the new uniform I got?" Cassie asked, worried she was losing his attention.

"Yes, I believe we even looked at it. It's…an interesting shade of blue?" Garvey was quickly nearing wits' end. If he didn't find a bed soon, he might as well aim for the nearest patch of grass and pass out.

Wait.

Was that his brain shutting down, or was she…chewing on her lip?

He blinked a few times, clearing his bleary eyes. Yup.

Garvey froze, as his exhausted brain finally catching up to reality. Is that supposed to be…seductive?

Cassie's nerves were starting to get to her. Either she wasn't getting the message across, or Garvey was ignoring her on purpose. Her heart pounded in her chest, protesting the very possibility that he wasn't interested.

"I-I could try it on for you?" she muttered. Her meek delivery made her bold proposition sound more like a request for permission.

"I d-don't think that would be appropriate." Garvey stuttered, before rather lamely adding. "Plus I need to give the General my report."

Cassie set her jaw, in a way that gave her an uncanny resemblance to her mother.

"Have a good nap then." She snapped, with more force than she might have intended. Garvey sighed hopelessly at the sky. Right now, the only thing keeping him upright was the promise of a warm bed. Maybe even some warm food.

And a cold shower.

Definitely a cold shower.

"I've been looking for you."

The female voice caught him inches away from the barracks. Garvey heaved a massive sigh.

"I've been busy."

Jennifer raised her eyebrows.

"Wasn't MacCready with you? I'm sure he handled the dirty work."

"No ma'am." Garvey replied through clenched teeth. "The dirty work isn't the killing, it's the clean-up."

She nodded absentmindedly; Garvey wasn't even sure if she'd heard his response.

"So you managed to find someone to settle in the stockpile?"

"Yes ma'am. A caravan of traders were more than happy to take up residence. Especially when I let them know they could keep anything they found inside."

"It's quite the deal they're getting; they'd be stupid to disagree." Jennifer looked at him with a thoughtful expression. "Any serious raider opposition?"

The question surprised Preston, and he had to dig through his exhausted brain to find the answer.

"There were some raiders on guard duty. Most of them ran for their lives when we tossed Tourette's body into the compound." Garvey couldn't keep the disapproval out of his voice.

"This is a war, Preston. You conscripted me into it." Jennifer said firmly, the steel in her words making it clear that she wasn't looking to argue. "Fear is the easiest way to force the enemy to submit." Her normally warm, brown eyes were blazing.

"Surely you agree? It's more humane, and more effective to let someone live in fear, than to kill them for defiance. Don't you think?" Jennifer asked.

Garvey knew better than to get into an argument with his superior, especially when he could hardly keep his eyes open. No, there would be a better time to have this discussion.

Garvey nodded, but moved to change the subject.

"I heard about Cassie's promotion."

"And you want to know why I chose her, over you?" Jennifer added quickly.

"No ma'am. I'm just glad to see her happy." Again, not the time, not the place.

Jennifer looked over the battered Minuteman, before offering him a quick salute.

"Well, get yourself some rest, soldier. I'd like a report on your findings by tomorrow morning."

Garvey saluted back, before letting his feet carry him to the nearest bed.

He was asleep before he hit the mattress.