Ryliegh was walking through the wasteland. Her boots were crunching along dirt and occasionally sliding down small drops and hills. She grunted when she jumped down and straightened her clothes.

"Just finished another water delivery. This time we went up to Arefu. Earlier this week I had to stop a fucking cult that was stealing and poisoning the aquapure with radiation in Megaton so I was real glad there was nothing funny this time around. The Family has held true to their word and Arefu actually seems to be growing a little. Probably helps they are built on the edge of a busted highway so there really is just one way in but still. Good to see new houses being put up."

There was a quick intake of breath and the sound of skidding along dirt before tumbling. Ryleigh jumped back to her feet and brushed herself off.

"As boring as this work is, it is so nice to be doing something normal. I leave the Purifier with a brahmin, a trader, and usually another Brotherhood guard. It's slow going but there are always raiders or some shit trying to steal the water. It's fucking free. Pricks."

She chuckled and started walking uphill.

"Sometimes the settlers and even the caravan runners will reward me with some good shit. Right now I am hauling back a shit ton of scrap metal to Megaton. I know a guy there who will take it for caps and use it to fix up the water system. As a resident I feel like I should take care of the water I drink."

Ryleigh laughed again and adjusted the weight on her back as she kept walking. The protectron outside Megaton welcomed her with his usual greeting as she breezed past. The large gates of Megaton creaked and squealed as they opened and Ryleigh was almost instantly met with hellos and good to see you. Ryleigh responded with varying degrees of greeting as she walked up a wooden walkway.

"And now I am finally back at Megaton. It's nice to have someplace to come back to when I get tired of wandering around. I never thought I would find myself saying… huh…"

She paused. Paper tore and rustled as she pulled something from her door.

"There's a note on my door from Moira. 'Found something outside my shop, thought it looked familiar. Swing by when you get home.' Huh. Still early in the evening."

Ryleigh fiddled with a key for a moment before she opened her front door and dropped her haul of scrap metal and her pack right inside the house before closing it again. She did not bother locking it the second time and instead turned and began walking back down the wooden walkway. Her footsteps shifted to the dirt road and then the echoing timbre of the metal roof of the clinic. A metal door opened and a radio could be heard in the background playing Galaxy News Radio.

"Moira?"

Ryleigh did not have to wait long before the sound of someone tripping over a box of parts and swearing came from above her. Moira quickly jogged down a set of stairs and Ryleigh's voice caught in her throat with a small gasp.

"Hey! Hope you've been well. So, a few weeks ago I found these out behind Moriarty's and I thought they reminded me of a certain someone. I didn't want to get your hopes up till I was sure they'd all survive..."

Moira held something out in front of her. Ryleigh was silent for a moment before running forward. The Pip-Boy picked up high pitched yapping and barking.

"Holy shit! Oh my god, Moira! Do you really think these are.."

Moira's voice was high pitched and full of excitement.

"Boomer was quite the ladies man! 'Cause I am totally sure they are his. I mean look at them. I was wondering if you wanted one?"

One of the puppies was barking much louder than the others as Ryleigh picked it up and cradled it in her arms. It yipped at her and panted happily.

"Thanks, Moira."

"Oh don't you mention it. All you've done for us?! You have earned this. Can you think of a name?"

Ryleigh giggled and cuddled the puppy for a moment. Her voice was tinged with sadness but confident.

"Abbey. She's Abbey."

Moira sounded pleased.

"Aww, that is such an excellent name! Hi, Abbey!"

The two cooed over Abbey and the other puppies for a few minutes before Ryleigh excused herself. She quickly walked back to her house and set Abbey down. The pup was immediately heard running and bouncing around the steel floor.

"Hey, Wadsworth?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

The sound of the Mr. Handy responded from upstairs in the home.

"We have a puppy now. Make sure she doesn't make a mess anywhere."

If robots could sigh it would have happened in the slight pause. As it was, Wadsworth managed to work every ounce of sarcasm into his voice files.

"Of course ma'am. It would be our pleasure."

*Click*