...Hello Everyone! If you've made it this far, thank you very much. Just wanted to pop in and give a Trigger Warning. I've rated this fanffic M for adult situations. The following chapter contains such a situtation.
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The pair walk triumphantly into Cottonwood Cove.
Lucius awaits them at the bottom of the Fort, quickly escorting them up the hillside to Caesar's tent. Siri is brought along to assist the Auto Doc. When Lucius dismisses Agnes at the entrance to Caesar's tent, Vulpes doesn't give a glance back as he enters the tent without her. Finding herself too tired to care, Agnes makes her way to her tent. Waiting for the bath to be drawn, she falls asleep in her dusty clothes.
...
The surgery is a success.
After a week of quiet recovery, a small celebration is held in Caesar's tent. Agnes is invited by way of Vulpes. A few officers openly stare as she is seated while the rest ignore her completely. Seated at the end of the table, she sits opposite of Vulpes, who gives her a brief nod upon her arrival. Agnes greets the men around her out of manners, unsurprisingly none return her greeting. During dinner, she sees the charismatic side of Caesar as he talks and laughs with his men. Caesar toasts Vulpes for saving his life, any mention of her assistance completely glossed over. Agnes raises her glass along with the others as Vulpes grins wickedly amongst the joyful noise. Despite not speaking to anyone, she finds herself enjoying the festivities. The Fort is indeed a boring place, especially since she has no business to attend to. Though free to wander the Fort, Agnes visits Siri and assists when she can. Idle hands as her Mentor would say.
After dinner entertainment is bevy of scanty clad slaves dancing provocatively to the beat of drums and pipes. The officers leave the table and begin to mingle, watching the swaying bodies. Agnes remains seated, watching the scene while Vulpes switches sides of the table to speak with Caesar.
A fair haired officer catches her eye, looking intently at her. He cocks an eyebrow suggestively, pulling a smirk from Agnes. If this was New Vegas I would invite him over, she thinks bringing a smile to her face. She hears her name and looks to see Caesar and Vulpes wearing matching grins. Vulpes motions for her to join them. He pats his lap, giving a toothy smile once she sits as requested, his arm cinching tight around her waist.
Oh, Agnes thinks as his fingers stroke her hip. Once again, Vulpes flaunts what the others can't have. Agnes is promptly ignored by both men as they return to conversing in Latin. She watches the gathering from his lap, the fair haired officer actively avoiding her gaze.
Yep, Agnes muses silently, Vulpes has certainly put out a message.
There is no love, only purpose, she reminds herself.
...
"Put this on," Vulpes says as they sit in the shade of an old shack.
A smooth gold ring sits on her palm.
"What is this?" Agnes asks, staring at the ring.
"Is there a problem?"
"Yeah, there is," she says, holding the ring between her fingers. "I can't wear this."
"And why not?" Vulpes says with raised tone.
She notices the matching band on his left hand.
"It would be a mockery," she replies.
Vulpes smiles like she said something hilarious.
"Oh no, not a mockery," he says with exaggeration, pressing his hands against his cheeks.
Agnes rolls her eyes and shakes her head at his act.
"You won't be my pretend wife?," he asks with false sad eyes, clutching his heart.
"No I won't," she says firmly.
"Tough," Vulpes says, forcing the ring on her finger.
Agnes stares at the matching rings they each wear. It was a surreal moment for Agnes. As a young girl, she dreamed of being married but that was before the Legion came into her life, ruining everything. Now she is playing pretend with Caesar's top Frumentarii and NCR's Most Wanted.
"Let's go, Wife," he says tugging her hand.
...
Agnes admires the ring as they eat lunch.
"Where did you get the rings?," she asks. "From some of your "newly acquired stock?"
Vulpes snorts in amusement.
"Nothing of the sort. I bought them in Freeside."
"Why?"
"Why not?," he responds.
Agnes shrugs her shoulders and returns to her can of beans. She swings her legs as she sits on a boulder, getting the last bite out of her can. Vulpes watches her eat with a smirk resting lightly on his lips.
"So what's the angle? Why the rings?," she asks, wiping her lips.
He gives her a sly smile.
"What do you know about the Boomers?," he asks instead.
"Rumors mostly." Agnes says. "Bunch of Wastelanders living on an old military installation, armed to the teeth. Enough ammunition to last from now to the second coming of Christ. No one has been able to get close enough to even see what they look like due to their firepower. Blow up everything and everybody to itty bitty bits."
Vulpes gives an unnerving grin.
"Fucking shit, Vulpes. For real?" Agnes curses.
Vulpes chides her on her language before explaining the plan.
"We are to make contact with the Boomers. Gain their trust. Get them to back us during the Battle. Their heavy artillery will be most useful."
"If I don't get blown up into itty bitty pieces first," she moans. "Dammit Vulpes, I thought you liked me."
"I do like you," he stresses, sliding over to her. "But if you get blown up, there will be more of you to like, my lamb."
He smiles widely as Agnes moans in frustration.
...
"So why do we have to be "married" for this bit?," she asks as they walk along the broken asphalt heading North.
"The Boomers are led by an older woman, Pearl. I figured that a married couple would appeal to her more."
"Gee," Agnes snarks. "What a way to manipulate her old lady sensibilities."
Vulpes flashes a dashing smile.
"But of course, my dear. I'll use anything I have to further our cause."
Agnes makes a face at his admission.
"Besides," he continues, "I've done this before, its not difficult. At times, it's like taking candy from a baby."
Agnes resists cutting her eyes at him, concerned that he would strike her. She feels disheartened to hear him speak of such things so casually. Just how many tribes had Vulpes brought into the Legion? How many people betrayed and enslaved?
Agnes imagines this is how he got the name Inculta, Terrible. She pictures a young woman being drug off yelling at him, calling him Terrible as her village burns in the night. Perhaps, an old chieftain cursing Vulpes as their betrayer while his people are either killed or enslaved. She can see Vulpes smiling brightly amongst the carnage, satisfied with the outcome, so delighted in the name the tribals called him that he embraces it as his own. Vulpes Inculta. How long had he carried that name?
Agnes realizes that things will most likely not fair well for herself once the Legion wins the Mojave. She is certain her future will include many children and waiting on a man hand and foot. Will her service to the Empire change anything?
...
The pair walk up the road that lead to the PreWar military instillation, Nellis Air Force Base. They meet a man named George that is willing to sell her instructions on a double or nothing wager. Despite Vulpes' open disapproval, Agnes bets her caps, George smiles mightly as he hands her the instructions.
"Best of luck to you," he grins.
Reading the instructions did not provide any helpful information nor alleviate any of her nervousness. She jumps when Vulpes touches her arm.
"Easy there," he says soothingly. "You can do this."
Agnes begins to tremble from sheer nervousness.
"Breath," he instructs, staring her in the eyes.
She takes a deep breath and loudly exhales.
"If I die," she says, "tell my family I was doing something stupid, like punching a Deathclaw in the balls or something. Please don't tell them I got blown up by a bunch of Wasteland assholes."
Vulpes huffs, "Agnes, you'll be fine. I have faith in you."
She let's out a shaky breath, "At least one of us does."
"I thought you said that you came out here earlier for the Brotherhood," Vulpes asks.
"I did," she replies. "But I was invisible when I did it."
Vulpes gives his head a subtle tilt at her response.
"StealthBoy," she explains.
Agnes takes a deep breath as she clears her mind, focusing on her only objective: to reach the tall metal fence.
"See you on the other side," she says running into the open.
The ground rumbles under her feet as she zigs and zags towards the chain link fence. More than once, she feels heat as the ground explodes around her, peppering her with bits of hard rock. Before she can think, Agnes is blown off her feet by an explosion. She falls heavily on the rocky ground knocking the breath out of her. Her ears ring as a shadow blots out the Sun. Strong hands hoist her up and suddenly her world makes no sense. The ground moves below her but it's not her legs that are moving. Her head pounds as she is shaken about. Mercifully, the jostling comes to an end as her world is righted. Agnes stands on unsteady feet, before her stands a man holding something large and bulky over his shoulder. He's saying something that she just can't make out over the ringing.
"Wha?," she mumbles in confusion.
Another person walks up, Agnes can tell they are unhappy by their tone.
"I don't understand," she says, swaying slightly.
The slight motion seems to grow, building up more and more until she is nauseous.
"I don't feel so well," she mutters before collapsing.
...
Agnes wakes up inside a darkened room, lying on a cot with crisp white sheets. Her whole body hurts, especially her head. She fans a hand over her body to check her parts.
"They're all still there," a familiar voice says from beside her.
She looks to see Vulpes, sitting on a folding metal chair.
"I told them that you would be alright. Gotta a skull thicker than a deathclaw's," he smiles.
Vulpes lowers his voice and leans in, "These people didn't know what a Deathclaw is."
Agnes looks on in confusion as Vulpes nods in agreement.
"While you were out, I met their matriarch, Mother Pearl. It seems that she has been expecting us."
Agnes furrowed her brows in further confusion. A man in a white coat appears beside her.
"Good, you're awake," the man says looking down at her.
"Hello Doctor," Vulpes says in greeting. "Think she is well enough to be discharged?"
"Well, she's awake, so that's good," Dr. Argyll says as he flicks on a bedside lamp. "Let's take a look at the rest of you."
...
"This is my wife, Agnes," Vulpes says, introducing her to Mother Pearl.
Mother Pearl is old, older than Caesar. She has a kind but firm look about her, Agnes decides. The trio sit on ancient furniture in the older woman's private quarters with Raquel, the Master of Arms, standing quietly, just out of eye sight, in the corner. Agnes eyes the pistol that the older woman wears in a shoulder holster.
"Pleased to meet you," the old woman says cheerfully, shaking her hand.
"Max has been telling me all about you."
"Max?," Agnes echoes, uncertainly.
Mother Pearl smiles at her softy. "Yes, dear. Max, your husband."
Mother Pearl looks to Vulpes. "Poor dear, she's still a bit scrambled ain't she?"
The older woman looks back to Agnes with another soft smile.
"You gotta a good man here. He saved your life."
Agnes looks to Vulpes and smiles.
"He's alright," she says.
Mother Pearl smiles warmly.
"It's good to see young love. This world can be so harsh." The older woman smiles wistfully before clearing her throat.
"Well, I'm sure you young kids would want to get some sleep, especially you," Pearl says looking at Agnes. "I'm sure Dr Argyll told you to take it easy. That being said, breakfast is at 7:00 am followed by morning exercise at 7:45am, if you feel up to it. Afterwards, I'll introduce both of you to the others."
They all stand.
"Raquel will take you to your quarters," Mother Pearl says. "I'm so glad to see you two. I've been waiting for someone with enough guts to come out this way for a long while."
Raquel leads them to a row of round topped cabins, stopping at the fourth one.
"This is you," Raquel says curtly. "Just know that we will be keeping a very close eye on you, outsider."
Vulpes gives a patronizing smile.
"Me and the misses will sleep better knowing that we are being so well looked after."
Raquel gives an ugly look in response.
"Breakfast is at 7:00 am, you must wake yourselves," she says before disappearing down the dimly light street.
Vulpes looks to Agnes.
"Charming that one," he says dryly.
Agnes shrugs her shoulders and goes to open the door.
"Allow me," Vulpes says, moving in front of her.
Agnes steps back to give him space and is surprised when he lifts her bridal style.
"What are you doing?," she hisses in surprise.
"We are being watched," he mummers.
Agnes deftly looks behind him and can barely make out two shapes in the darkness.
Vulpes opens the door and carries her over the threshold, kicking the door shut behind him. Striding over to the bed, he unceremoniously dumps her on the old mattress.
"I've always wanted to do that," he smiles down at her before walking off.
"So, Max is it?," Agnes calls out to him, laying on the worn bed. "You know, I told you that in confidence. Not for you to incorporate parts of my personal life into one of your cover stories."
Vulpes turns and eyes her for a long moment as if determining how much of her he wants to chew on.
"I told you before that I am willing to use anything to get ahead, for us to win. You need to get over yourself and see the big picture."
Agnes humphs at his words.
"I've done nothing more than be accommodating since I had the misfortune of coming to the Fort," she says, propping herself on her elbows.
Her body was beginning to hurt again, bringing her tolerance for Vulpes' bullshit to a minimum. Vulpes stalks over and stands beside her. Agnes eyes him, waiting for him to say something angry or rude or a mix of both.
"You came cause you wanted to," he states.
"Here," he says, giving Agnes her first aid kit. "Take something and get some rest. You're getting upset over nothing."
She eyes him a bit longer before sitting up on the bed and going thru her kit.
Agnes is surprised that Vulpes would let her take chems, usually he would lecture her about the dangers of chems and give her that healing powder the Legion prefers. The powders are no where close to being a substitute for Stimpacks and Med X but was better than nothing. The fact he is letting her have chems gets her thinking, there must be more to this than he is letting on or maybe he feels bad for her getting blown up. Agnes's chuffs internally. Vulpes would have to have feelings first for him to feel bad about her getting injured. Scratch that, she thinks. He would have to be human first to have any feelings to begin with.
One dose of Med X and Agnes is feeling just fine.
"I can't wait to see the look on that guy's face when we see him again and get my caps back." Agnes muses as she lays back and closes her eyes.
...
She awakes to the sound of Vulpes' smooth voice.
"Tell me about Max," he says.
Agnes frowns, it was an order not a question. She opens one eye to find the room dark. Vulpes lies next to her on the full size bed, she can feel warmth radiating off of him. He mutters to himself about thinking she was awake, Agnes smiles at the doubt in his voice.
"You favor Maxie very much," Agnes whispers in the dark. "Well, what I remember of him. He had blue eyes just like you. Never seem eyes that color until I met him."
"Maxie?," he says beside her.
"Yes," Agnes says. "It's what I called him."
"Delightful," she hears Vulpes mutter.
Agnes smiles as she nestles against him, Vulpes huffs as he re-adjusts to accommodate her.
"How did you met him?," he asks, his voice rumbling under Agnes's ear.
"Max just showed up one day. Pater was acting nervously, which was strange for him and Mother had me dressed up more than usual. There was a knock at the door and Pater had me answer it. I opened the door and there he was. He just stared at me in the strangest way, like he never seen a girl before. I asked him who he was here for and he smiled, said that he was here for me. Max took my hand and kissed my knuckles. It was just like a scene from those PreWar holotapes they used to show in the Theater when I was a kid."
Agnes smiles at the memory.
"And what did you do?"
"I stood there like an idiot, mouth open and everything. I was sixteen at the time, not once did a boy pay me any attention like that. My stepfather had a firm hand and kept the boys away, always telling me that he had big plans for me and those plans didn't include any of the local boys. "
"Yeah, Pater was a real hard ass. Everything in black and white, no grey. Everything had a purpose, every action performed with intent. Nothing worse than wasted effort. Blah, blah, blah. Give me a fuckin' break."
Vulpes chuckles at her rant.
"I'm sure you grew up hearing the same shit," she says.
"Something like that," he replies vaguely.
They lay in the dark, curled together like lovers, before Agnes speaks.
"Stepfather told me that Max would make a great husband. We were evenly matched and would do well together."
"Is that so?," Vulpes says.
"It's what Pater told me," Agnes replies. "I thought Max was nice enough."
"Sounds like you were very fond of him," Vulpes said.
She sighs, "He was my first love. I was completely smitten with him. He was so handsome and very charming. Max stayed with us for a while, charming my Mother and convincing my eldest brother. Adam didn't like him from the beginning and probably still doesn't. Pater was already sold."
Agnes giggles, "Max stayed in the barn but didn't stay there if you know what I mean."
Vulpes chuckles, "Well well our little lamb isn't as innocent as she appears."
"I was young," she defends. "And Max was very persuasive. Told me that he would be gone for a while and this would keep him company while he was away. We would be married when he returned anyway so what was the harm?"
Vulpes snorts at her story. Agnes burrows her head into his shoulder, hiding her face. "I know, I know. It was stupid of me."
He surprises Agnes when he embraces her, pulling her close.
"My poor little lamb, taken by the oldest line in the book," he says in a harsh whisper. Agnes stiffens at his tone. "Tell me, did sweet Max ever come back after sampling your goods?"
Agnes is confused at the sudden shift of his mood. At times, Vulpes acts like a jealous boyfriend while other times treating her like he barely tolerates her existence. It's frustrating at times and with recent events, is something she doesn't care to deal with.
"You already know what happened," she says frostily, freeing herself from his grasp. "Max never came back. I don't know what happened to him. Maybe one day, I'll find out but until then I'm done talking about him."
Agnes rolls over, facing away from Vulpes.
Thankfully sleep comes for her quickly, taking her away from the madness. She dreams a dream she has often.
She is sixteen again and back in her childhood home. Her window is open, white lace curtains flutter in the warm breeze. There's a noise outside her window. Agnes smiles, knowing that it is Max sneaking into her room. But this time, much to her horror, it is not Max but Vulpes that slithers thru the open window. He smiles in a kind way as he silently makes his way to her. Agnes watches herself smile warmly at his approach. She screams at her dream self to stop, its not Max but her cries go unheard. Agnes watches in distress as the dream plays out.
...
Agnes arms Vulpes with her memories.
"Call me Max," he says with a friendly smile.
Agnes is speechless as she watches Vulpes create a new persona.
"It's the eyes," he says, giving her a dazzling smile. "You got see it in the eyes for it to be believable."
Agnes can't help but smile back. Vulpes moves towards her until he is standing very close to her. Despite watching him cautiously, Agnes is surprised when he leans forward, quickly stealing a kiss. She pushes him away, a smile plastered on his face.
"You'll have to get used to that," Vulpes grins. "I can't have my wife looking at me like she wants to scratch my eyes out every time I touch her."
Agnes crosses her arms and twists her face, unhappy at what her Mentor is telling her. Vulpes pulls her close, trapping her arms between them.
"I know I'll be looking forward to us getting to know each other better, " he whispers before kissing her.
Agnes twists in his grasp but Vulpes doesn't relent. His lips work against hers as she struggles to free herself. Snatching a handful of hair, he pulls her head back, baring her neck to him. Trailing kisses down her neck, Vulpes unexpectedly clamps down on the tender flesh at the crook of her neck, drawing a yelp from Agnes. With the surge of adrenaline, Agnes pushes herself free, angrily slapping him across the face. Vulpes pounces, seizing her upper arms tightly, his teeth bared in a fierce expression.
"Hit me again and there will be severe consequences," he threatens.
"You have no right to touch me like that," Agnes growls, refusing to back down.
"My dear lamb," he purrs. "Ever since I agreed to take you as my apprentice, I have had all the right to do with you as I please. That's why none of the men talk to you or even look at you in my presence. It's why none would dare touch you. Much as you threw yourself at everyone, it was not your consent they worried about. It was mine!"
Agnes feels her heart drop at Vulpes' proud declaration.
He pulls back to look upon her anguish and smiles in a truly disturbing manner. The delight in his eyes ignites an inferno within her. Since when did she give consent to be treated so poorly?
Never.
Agnes narrows her eyes at him as she gathers the growing anger around her. One much have total confidence to challenge Vulpes Inculta. Or be a total fool. Sometimes it was hard for Agnes to tell which she was. She knows Vulpes enjoys their fights, the constant struggle for control. If it was a fight he was looking for, she would be more than happy to indulge him.
"Your consent only matters to the others, you will never have my consent," she hisses.
Vulpes regards her as if she was but a tiny insect.
"Who says I need your consent?," he asks, his tone cool.
Agnes raises her chin in defiance, her look clear.
You wouldn't dare.
He regards her with an unreadable look, easing the tight grip on her arms. Agnes feels an inkling of relief when Vulpes suddenly grabs her blouse and rips it open.
"What are you doing?!," Agnes shouts as the fabric tears. She reaches for her knife, only to see it on the dresser. Vulpes takes a step back also expecting to see her blade but upon seeing her empty handed, he grins.
They struggle in the morning light, kicking up dust as Vulpes bears down upon her, pushing her towards the bed. The cabin was in essence a large room with a small bathroom, there was simply no where else for Agnes to go.
Within minutes, he has her face down on the mattress, holding her down with one hand while tugging at her belt with the other before deftly cutting it in half with his knife. Agnes struggles all the while, cursing and thrashing about, unable to free herself from his grasp. With seemingly little effort, Vulpes pulls her pants down, the cool air on her bare skin makes her thrash about with renewed vigor.
"You sonofabitch," she growls into the mattress. "Let me go!"
"Please," Vulpes chuckles, "By all means, please continue to thrash about. I find it very amusing. You look like a fish out of water."
She freezes when Vulpes teases her chest binding open, his fingers trail down her bare back, causing muscles to twitch and jump in response. Running a finger under the waistband of her panties, he snaps the material against her skin, chuckling when she jumps.
"You bastard," she snarls.
Agnes has never felt so angry yet helpless in her entire life. Asshole is just trying to prove a point, she tells herself as she tries to control her breathing, to keep the fear at bay. Her mind races as to how to defend herself from what comes next. Feeling the bed shift as Vulpes sits next to her, Agnes forces herself to remain calm as she hears the sound of his boots hitting the floor and the rustle of clothes. Vulpes walks to the foot of the bed and begins to remove her boots.
"Kick me and you will live to regret it," he threatens, loosening the laces.
Her boots and pants join his on the floor. Vulpes pulls her chest binding from under her while Agnes remains deathly still, her mind desperate to figure a way out. She jumps when he snaps the waistband of her panties again.
"Lose them," he orders.
Agnes shakes her head, refusing to do so willingly.
"Take them off or I will take them off of you," he growls in her ear.
Agnes slowly draws her legs up and pulls the silky material off, holding them up. Vulpes snatches her panties away, leaving her completely nude. Unable to come up with a solid plan, Agnes grows despondent as the reality of the situation makes itself apparent. She refuses to cry, instead driving her fingernails into her palms. Agnes hears Vulpes gives a dismissive sniff before walking away. She chances a glance, only to catch sight of his deeply scarred back and bare backside as he walks to the door. Vulpes locks the door and walks back to her.
"What happened to your back?," she asks in an attempt to engage her Mentor in dialogue.
Vulpes smirks as he approaches, recognizing her tactic.
Unable to look away, Agnes watches him move. To her eye Vulpes is a beautiful man. The confidence in his stride, his bright blue eyes, and that damned smirk could be charming but Agnes knows of the cruelty lurking below. She admires many parts of him but as a whole, Vulpes disturbs her. He is misery and destruction in an attractive package.
Much to her dismay, Vulpes crawls onto the bed, reaching for her.
"Get off me!," Agnes shouts, struggling against him.
Vulpes grunts as she makes contact with her elbow in his ribs. He grabs for her arm to flip her onto her back. The very thought of laying naked on her back looking up at Vulpes terrifies her. Agnes elects to stay on her front, giving him to opportunity to settle over her.
"Are you ready?," he teases before quickly pinning her in place.
Vulpes parts her legs with his knee, driving it high between her legs. Agnes tries to squirm away from the intruding body part but is prevented as he pulls her back into place. He drives his knee even higher, til it presses uncomfortable against her mound.
"Damn you to Hell for this Vulpes Inculta," Agnes growls as she feels the warmth of his body and other parts of him.
She hears a dark chuckle at her cursing.
"You know this is all your own doing, right?," he says to her.
Agnes makes a disgusted noise and begins to explain how this is all his doing when Vulpes jams his knee against her pelvis. She leaps at the sensation but is held fast.
"Why do you continue to fight me?," he asks, grinding his knee against her. "You will never win. I am your Superior, I give the orders and you will follow them."
Vulpes moves to whisper in her ear.
"You will follow them to the letter."
Agnes grits her teeth before responding.
"Yes Dominus," she says tempering her tone to something obedient, eager to have Vulpes off of her.
"Say it," Vulpes hisses.
His hot breath puffs against her ear, drawing goosebumps down her arm. Her hesitation earns her a harsh nudge, causing her to wince in discomfort.
"You are my Superior, you give the orders and I will follow them to the letter," she says dutifully, trying to not think further about the placement of his knee.
"Very good," he says, his breath ghosting over her neck. Agnes feels her skin dimple at the sensation while Vulpes makes an amused noise at the display.
"You gonna keep fighting me?," he asks.
"Most likely," Agnes grumbles.
To her surprise, Vulpes laughs, deep and rich.
"I figured," he says as his fingers trail down her bare side. "If you would have said no, I knew you were lying." His fingers continue their course until reaching the dip of her hip.
"I'd have to punish you for lying to me," he purrs. Agnes barely breathes as his fingers round her hip and begin to slide towards her front. She shifts her hips laying flat against the mattress, blocking Vulpes' wandering hand.
"You're a fool if you think I'm going to sleep with you after what just happened," Agnes states over her shoulder.
Vulpes gives another dismissive sniff before removing his hand.
"If I wanted to sleep with you, i would have already done so."
The smug way he says it sends chills down her spine.
"You're not as special as you think," he adds.
Agnes smiles at his tone, knowing otherwise.
"You need me, just like you need theses Boomers. I'm useful," she placates.
Vulpes' hand sweeps the curve of her ass before giving her a firm swat.
"More than useful," he admits. "I got big plans for you."
Agnes sighs internally, why am I not surprised.
Vulpes finally rolls off of her and onto his back.
"If we can manage this, it will be another victory to my name. Camp Searchlight, a clever idea that established a foothold across the Colorado, then Nipton to let the Mojave know that nowhere was safe from the Legion. Once we secure the assistance of these Boomers, we will take the Dam and then New Vegas!"
He drags Agnes into an almost tender embrace.
"It will be glorious!"
...
The following days are truly torturous as the early mornings contain "forced personal contact" as Agnes calls it. Vulpes calls it Bonding.
"We have to be believable," he tells her as she sits on his lap. "People will be watching and it has to be convincing," he says for the umpteenth times, his arms encircling her waist.
It feels strange to hold the hand that has killed so many or to feel a soft caress on her cheek, such motions out of place with a hardened man.
"This will go on for as long as it takes," he tells her. "Relax, my lamb. We are only acting, Caesar only requires your body, not your heart."
There is no love, only purpose, she echoes in her mind.