Gustavo jumped up when he saw Dashwood heading outside. He whistled for one of his men in the lobby to cover the desk while he followed him into the courtyard. "Dashwood! Nice day for a walk is it?"
The morning was crisp, a distant winter sun offering only a whisper of warmth, but the complete absence of clouds lifting the moods of everyone. Everyone except Gustavo, who had a suspicion Dashwood was up to something.
"Good morning Chief, yes it is. How do you do today?" He couldn't remember if he was always this cheery or if it was likely a front.
"Well Dashwood, actually I have a bit of a problem. See, last night there was a new magazine in my desk, and today it seems to have gone for a walk as well. Wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
Dashwood smiled brightly. "Sorry Chief, no idea. Er, does it really count as new when it's two hundred years out of print?"
Gustavo narrowed his eyes. "Well it's new if you haven't read it."
"I suppose you're right. Hmm, perhaps Mr. Collins took it? He has an interest in the botanical, I believe."
"Right. I'll keep my eyes open. Feel free to let me know if you see anything suspicious."
"Right-o. Good morning."
He nodded in farewell as Dashwood took a walk around the tower grounds. Gustavo turned quietly to one of his men. "Go keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't get up to anything funny." Then he then joined those off duty under the roofed living area. "What's happening?"
Vasquez spoke first. "I'm trying to get Grayson to play me for that rifle. Tell him not to be such a wuss, Boss."
Grayson responded. "I already played everyone for this rifle, I'm not giving it up now. Got it zeroed yesterday. It shoots pretty nice Boss. For a raider he kept his gear in good order."
"Seems pretty fair Vasquez," Gustavo observed. It wasn't a bad weapon they'd picked off the body of Talia's kidnapper among everything else. Standard operating procedure was to play poker to determine who got what.
"I offered a fair and generous challenge. He is being a very ungracious opponent," Vasquez mocked.
"You got fuck all worth playin' for Vasquez, why would I play you?" Grayson laughed.
"Pfft," Vasquez dismissed Grayson with a wave of his hand.
Gustavo patted the disgruntled merc on the shoulder. "And he has even less now. You owe me remember? Come on, cough up."
Vasquez grumbled. "How do we know that bet was settled? I gotta go on your word, which you know I respect, but you got interests in this one."
"You all saw her. She was in one piece, right?" He turned to the others for agreement Talia was not missing any fingers when she left.
"Fine," Vasquez acquiesced, handing Gustavo a handful of caps.
"Thank you. You need to learn to win more Vasquez." Vasquez sneered as the others laughed. Gustavo threw some caps back. "Here, go get yourself a goddamn haircut." He enjoyed a wager but he didn't like to take from his men too often.
"Gee, thanks Boss," he ran an uncertain hand through his wilding hair.
"I told you didn't I?" Grayson added with a stupid grin on his face. "I knew he wouldn't touch her. Not like that anyway."
"Then put your money where your mouth is next time," Gustavo interrupted.
"Hey, Boss, why'd she get a kiss and a cuddle when you seen her off? You never say goodbye to us like that." Vasquez smirked around the table, drawing sniggers from the others.
Gustavo donned his best poker face while allowing them to chuckle themselves out. "Grow a pair of tits and bring me coffee every morning, and maybe I will."
That set them off again, and when there was a lull in the laughter Johnny interjected. "I bring you coffee all the time Boss."
"But I have to tell you Johnny."
"You're too ugly Johnny!" Grayson hooted.
"Alright, fuck off," Johnny complained. "He ain't my type anyway."
"Boss!" Happy called over from the gate.
Gustavo held up a hand to halt the current discussion. "Alright ladies, I'll leave you to it." He strode across the courtyard to the letter Happy was holding up.
"Courier. Said it's urgent."
Gustavo took it and inspected the envelope. It was addressed to Burke. "I'll take it." He chatted with Happy for a while, which was a lot like talking to a wall. But considering how many interactions with his unit felt like him stepping between bickering children, he found it quite refreshing.
From the corner of his eye he saw Dashwood reenter the tower. He returned to the man he'd set on his tail. He only shook his head. He swore the old codger was messing with him. He seemed far too amused whenever Gustavo was annoyed.
Talia would be able to find out if Dashwood had anything to do with his lack of reading material, but she was still out. He had urged Burke to go after her the same day, on account of her being so upset because of him. It wasn't like her, and she'd only gone up to the old garage. But the old fart was being quiet on the matter. Ten years or so of knowing each other and Gustavo wouldn't bet on knowing what went through his head. Not often anyway.
Burke frowned at the empty bar stool next to him. "Shakes, the bottle," he barked at the robot bartender, beckoning with his fingers. "Put it on my tab," he said over his shoulder as he left with a bottle of scotch in one hand.
He rounded the corner to the lobby to find the desk unmanned. He checked his watch and figured at this time of night Gustavo would be outside, if he wasn't attempting to be surreptitious about visiting the woman from the first floor. From the shadows outside, he spotted the security Chief with his men in the far corner. He moved a little nearer to the light. "Chief," he didn't need to raise his voice as the cold night air carried his words easily.
Gustavo excused himself and joined Burke in the shadow. Spotting the proffered bottle he circled back on himself to fetch two glasses. They set off for the tables round the far side of the building.
"Don't suppose you got any more of those cigars yet?" Gustavo asked as they sat down.
"No- I'll let you know," Burke grumbled, offering a cigarette instead as he lit up. Gustavo declined. "Why, you have something to celebrate?"
"Having cigars would be something," Gustavo joked dryly.
Burke laughed under his breath. "Your divorcee not giving you enough to smile about?"
"What?"
Burke leant back puffing heavily on his smoke. "Don't play dumb. You and first floor."
Gustavo looked over his shoulder, speaking in hushed tones. "Don't shout about it… trying to keep these guys semi professional is hard enough."
Burke gave him a quizzical look, knowing he instructed his men not to become too familiar with the residents.
"Don't look at me like that. Look, I know what I tell my guys, but they know if they ever get serious with someone here, nothing can change. They do their job. They aren't rich or important enough to quit and shack up inside. They're security or they're out on their ass.
"Anyway, she's not a divorcee. She's a widow, and she's a real nice woman."
"Older woman, so I hear?"
"Ha! Barely… anyway, don't even try to say anything to me about age differences, you old dog." He smirked as if he knew something. Which he didn't.
Burke scoffed and looked away. "I didn't take you for a gossip."
"Don't have to. It's goddamn obvious."
Burke twitched. He forced a tired sigh as if playing along. "What is?"
"You know what."
He leant in, amused by Gustavo's attempt to play interrogator. "Enlighten me."
"You and 101."
"I've heard the rumours like anyone. They're baseless."
"I know. Damn shame."
Burke raised an eyebrow and leant back. "I didn't know you took such an interest."
"Just my opinion," Gustavo sniffed.
"Well do I pay you for your opinion or to look after that rabble of yours?"
"Technically you don't pay me at all. Tenpenny does."
Burke hummed. He was correct, technically. "Yes, but Tenpenny is getting ancient. He won't be around forever."
"You sure about that? The man must've drunk half the wasteland dry by now and he's still ticking. Come on," he added as Burke shot him a warning look. "I see the deliveries and I can count."
Burke snorted. "I must admit I'm surprised he hasn't fallen off that balcony. The man must have a remarkable constitution." They both looked up for several moments. "Will you still be here then, do you think?"
"Damn straight I will. I have to start thinking about my retirement, and it'll be a fairly comfortable one here. Yeah, it's a nice gig you got me here, did I ever thank you?"
"Huh, not that I remember."
"Hm. Well, maybe I will if I make it to his age. I never fancied dying a merc. I know, but it paid well and there was plenty of work. No, I'd like my last breath to be in a warm bed with the heat of a woman next to me.
"What about you? Don't leave me to get old with Tenpenny. I bet he'll live to a hundred and ten."
Burke ran a hand over his jaw and looked into the distance. "This tower was the plan... Could be more expansion, I suppose. Can't see another place coming together as well as this one though." He mulled over old, shelved plans. What had started as business had become a home. He drowned a bubble of sentimentality with a swig of scotch.
"It's a damn fine place. There's freedom in small settlements, but they could be wiped out overnight. I've seen it happen. Damn near caused it, to be honest."
"Really?" Burke inquired.
"Job for the unit way back. The fools between us and the objective happened to make up most of some tiny settlement. Dumb way to live if you ask me, unless you're gonna make sure you stay completely unheard of to anyone."
"Sounds like your ability to be charming."
"Ha! More like your wallet. Speaking of dumb, holy shit, that walk-in the other day. Jericho was it? Man… What. A. Plan."
Burke replayed the scene in his mind while smoking. "It wasn't so much idiocy as desperation."
"I don't like desperate," Gustavo commented. "Desperate is dangerous."
"It can be… it can also hand over all control to the other."
Gustavo shook his head. "I prefer to shoot things if necessary, and be upfront about it. I don't know how you talked him in like that."
Burke shrugged.
"Well, it's good you did or Talia might've snuffed it too. I don't think he was playing."
Burke tensed at the words, but let nothing show. Gustavo spoke bluntly, but wasn't wrong. He paused before posing a question, drumming his fingers on the table. "What, uh, what made you say it's a shame?"
"Hmm?"
Burke gritted his teeth at how slow he could be to keep up. "You said earlier, 'it's a shame', in your opinion…" Recognition flashed across Gustavo's face along with an irritating smirk. "You know what, never mind."
"No takebacks. You asked, I'm going to tell you anyway," Gustavo blustered. "Don't wince, I know you think my mind lives in the gutter but this isn't that."
Burke sighed and plonked his chin in his hand in wait.
"You've obviously got your eyes on each other- "
"Obviously?"
"Yes. And everyone can see it, so don't say it's just me. But-" he held up his hand when Burke rolled his eyes, "hold up, but I don't mean the gossip. I can see there's more to it Burke. No other man I know would ignore a pretty eighteen year old who's got the hots for them as long as you."
Burke grimaced. "That's because the men you know are your men, they're not exactly pillars of self-restraint.
"And she's nineteen."
"Ha!... That may be true, but what I mean is, I can tell you aren't ignorant, but you're trying to ignore it. Hell knows why."
Burke inhaled sharply. "Well it's all very lovely hearing how much you think about me, but I've heard quite enough."
Gustavo slurped his drink. "No no no, I'm not messing with you, I'm saying you're not a pervert-"
Burke palmed his face and signalled for Gustavo to stop.
He ploughed on, finally getting to the point. "It's a shame, Burke, because she thinks you don't even care she left, and you obviously do."
Burke glared while finishing his cigarette. "Thank you for finally answering my question. Are you quite finished?"
"She's a sweet girl, that's all I'm sayin'. It was a sad sight when she went," he shrugged and polished off his drink.
Burke did the same and let Gustavo refill the glasses. "Is that what she thinks or what you think?"
"She told me."
"Why?" He eyed the Chief suspiciously.
Gustavo chuckled. "I'm the agony aunt, I don't know. Not much different from the day job." He sat back and swirled his drink. "Can I be frank?"
Burke sighed. "You already are."
"I really think you should go find her. It's been days."
"She'll be alright, she's a tough girl."
Gustavo narrowed his eyes. "Stop with whatever it is you're trying to do with her as well."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Just treat her like a normal man would, hell. That whole Jericho thing fucked it for you, you know."
Burke looked around for who Gustavo was actually speaking to. "I don't know what you think I'm trying to achieve, and I suggest you don't know what you're talking about." Burke almost laughed. If he only knew who had brought the mushroom cloud they all witnessed back in summer.
"No, I guess I don't," Gustavo said meaningfully. "Guess it doesn't matter since she might not even come back."
"Of course she will."
"You're so sure? She's gone to find her dad."
Burke didn't answer, scowling into the distance. He'd had to ask Gustavo where she went the day she left. But now he knew she was already on the move, and not in the direction of the tower.
Gustavo continued, more to himself. "Like I said, sweet girl. Hope she's alright. Sounds like her dad was some kind of lab guy, not exactly a wasteland type."
"She's fine," Burke muttered.
"How could you know that?"
Burke groaned. "Because… I sent someone to track her and… lend a hand, if necessary. That letter was news. She left that Vault with someone already, presumably her father. Looks headed toward the city."
There was a quiet pause while Gustavo repeated the statement to himself, before he broke down, roaring with laughter. "Oh hell… Burke... that's classic. Only you would send a spy after your woman. A spy!" He shook his head in an attempt to calm himself.
Burke waved his hand incredulously. "Gustavo, I have contacts all over the wasteland. If I want to find somebody, I will, faster than most. It would be foolish not to use them."
Gustavo was wiping a tear from his eye. "That's all great… if you're a spy too, or goddamn... Santa Claus."
Burke huffed and took out another cigarette.
Eventually he regained the ability to speak normally. "I'm sorry. Maybe she'll appreciate it, she seems to like you after all. Well, good to know she's alright. You could've said though. Don't see the need for all the secrecy."
"I think you've just demonstrated that," Burke grumbled through a flame.
Gustavo cleared his throat. "Don't pretend you're offended. And don't pretend you don't know what she thinks. It was endearing but now I just think you're a goddamn idiot."
Burke chuckled bitterly, not entirely disagreeing. "Eloquent."
"What?"
"You have a way with words, my friend."
"Yeah, and you know too many. I'm serious though Burke." He pointed firmly at Burke's chest to reiterate his point. "You're an idiot. She's crazy for you. She told me. What are you doing sitting here?"
Gustavo was testing his patience, but only because it was thin on the ground lately. He was sitting here getting the second opinion he'd asked for. Was he right to have resisted, ignored what was apparently so obvious for so long? It seemed not. That much was evident, since she wasn't here and wasn't coming back any time soon. Now he was much more occupied with Gustavo's testimony on Talia's feelings. The very morning she walked out. The morning he saw her honestly for the first time.
"I'm finishing this bottle. What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?" Talia griped as James dropped an armful of flammable detritus onto the ground.
"Got to keep warm sweetie. It gets cold out here at night."
"We can't have a fire Dad. It will be seen miles around. Do you want a midnight visit from mutants or raiders?" Or regulators, she added privately.
"Of course not, but neither do I want us getting hypothermia, and that is a lot more probable, darling," he retorted firmly.
Talia stood and kicked the pile so it scattered all around. "No. No fire. We'll have to find something more sheltered and… huddle up." She frowned at the idea and his arrogance while looking around for any features that would shield them from the elements. Burke and Gustavo had taught her plenty about staying alive while crossing the wastes, particularly anywhere near the city ruins. The guys had rather amusingly demonstrated how they would spoon each other to stay warm on cold nights.
"Alright, you're the boss," James ceded. "But I do know a thing or two about living in the wasteland, you know."
"Yeah I know, I just found out," Talia replied scathingly. "Anyway so do I. And I'm surprised you didn't get yourself killed already." She broke into a jog to investigate a dip in the ground ahead. It was dry, and within it was a rock formation that should break up any remaining breezes that made it down, as well as hiding them from view should anyone pass by, unlikely as it was.
She beckoned for James to join her and, while he approached, set out what blankets she carried in the small space.
"Cosy huh?"
"Very," James said as he sat down beside her. "I'm sorry for hiding it from you, but I did live a life on the outside, and I survived as long as I did. Don't act like you know it all, all of a sudden, young lady."
Talia rolled her eyes while taking some food from her pack. He had a point. But here she was lending him blankets and food, having had to persuade him to stop at all. He was under prepared, completely single minded, and it made her nervous.
"I want you to tell me what that was in the simulation," he continued while opening a tin of something (it was too dark to tell what, and anyway Talia found it easier to eat the preserved twenty first century foodstuffs if she didn't look at it first, or at all).
"Mngh?" she questioned while already shovelling in her meal.
"How could you even consider working with Betty- I mean Braun? How could you do those things?"
Talia swallowed and shrugged, preparing another spoonful. "Well did you want to get out of there?"
James sighed. "That's not my point."
Talia took her time chewing, but he just sat through the awkward quiet waiting for an answer. "I had to play along Dad. She- he, obviously thought he was a god, and he was in charge to be fair. People like that won't be told they're wrong, you have to play by their rules... So I just sucked up until I could find out more."
"But you hurt those people."
"Well look where refusing got you." She shovelled in another mouthful to avoid any more immediate discussion.
"Well, you have a point there," he admitted. "I wonder if every Overseer is insane? They have too much power, it must corrupt them all."
It was a good question. Talia silently wondered if Amata would fall to the same fate.
"That was impressive though sweetheart. I suppose with smarts like that is how you got out of Vault 101, hm?"
"Smmfngh mhh ma."
"Sorry?"
She swallowed. "Something like that," she mumbled before immediately scoffing another spoonful. Her tin would be running dangerously low at this rate.
James set down his meal and unholstered Talia's- his pistol, holding it in his lap. She'd given it to him before they left, finding him woefully unarmed. He checked the magazine and ran his hand over the barrel. "I snuck this in and kept it in case of emergencies. That was the only surviving Vault anywhere near DC, so I couldn't be sure it would be a totally sane environment.
"When I had a chance to leave, I should have fetched it, but the window was so narrow. I thought at least if you were to find it after I was gone, it might be of use to you. I hoped not, I thought they would just seal the Vault after me, but I suppose it turned out otherwise. I hope you didn't have to use it, but I'm glad you're safe now."
She frowned into her food as she used to when she was confused by James' contradictory ramblings. He'd known she might need it, but she knew he wouldn't want to hear how she'd used it. Though she was relieved he didn't ask directly, she was a little disgusted too.
"I found it long before that you know," she deflected instead. "At least I know what you spent nights in the clinic for now."
"What? What do you mean?"
Talia shivered and shifted where she sat. "You were miserable and you were down there a lot… and I found the gun and the booze… locked together..."
"...Oh." His voice changed as he put two and two together. "Oh, sweetheart, no, it wasn't like that, I would never-"
Talia continued as if he wasn't there. "But then you were just normal again in the mornings- you weren't like Butch's mom, so I just ignored it, I thought maybe everybody was like that..."
After several moments of staring into the darkness, she shrugged off the arm she felt settle around her shoulders. She pulled a blanket around herself. "It's fine. Whatever." The memories receded along with his hand, and she continued in a mock admonishing tone. "But this doesn't mean I don't still think you have some sort of death wish. Coming out here with no gear and lighting us up like a Christmas tree."
"Okay, okay, no fire," he croaked.
They sat in awkward silence once more, broken only by Dogmeat moving so he could join them in the blankets.
"Is Christmas still a thing out here? Or- I mean- was it?" Talia asked quietly.
"It was for your mother and I, of course. Some people still knew of the Bible, some people just knew it was an old tradition, it was lost on others. I suppose it's still much the same now."
"That's good. I always liked Christmas the most."
"I know you did. I bet it was because of the food, hmm? It certainly wasn't because of the presents."
Talia laughed softly and shook her head, giving him nothing but a vague "mmm." All of the older folks would spoil all of the children in the Vault since there were so few, but since everything was in finite supply, gifts had to be 'imaginative'. And it turns out five year olds are rather harsh critics.
Christmas had been the only day of the year that everyone in the Vault was off duty. But for Talia it was one day she knew James wouldn't disappear for the night or slip into a morose gloom. The food was a bonus.
As full night drew in and they lay their heads down to get some rest, Talia grudgingly allowed herself to be the little spoon. Between the warmth of Dogmeat and her dad, she was quite comfortable despite the cold night air, but she still couldn't sleep a wink for several hours.