A week after returning to the Fort, Agnes decides that she is going to visit Vulpes. Despite her best efforts, she finds herself missing his company.
He greets her dryly when she arrives at his tent.
"Courier," he says, sitting at a battered wooden desk, quickly closing his notebook. Agnes recognizes it from their time with the Boomers. "Is there something you need?"
"No," she says, slightly taking aback by his tone. "I just wanted to see how you were, it's been a while since we last spoke."
"Things are going as well as can be expected," he states.
"That's good," she replies.
"Did you receive your cot?"
"Oh yes, thank you. It's much better than sleeping on the ground."
Agnes sees a ghost of a smile before it is smoothed away.
"If you don't need anything from me, I have to get back to work. I'm a very busy man."
Agnes fights to keep a frown from her face, disappointed at his lack of interest.
"No Dominus," she says. " I just wanted to see how you were, is all. I won't take up anymore of your time. "
"Vale, Courier," he says, returning to his work.
"Vale," she echoes, walking away slowly.
Her hope that Vulpes would appear that night go unfulfilled. He doesn't appear that week nor the next. Gathering herself, she goes to his tent, only to be told that he is away. Calling herself a fool, Agnes begins to question herself. Everything they had done in New Vegas was a mockery. Those rings, the gift of water, the honey cakes, and especially those bastardized vows Vulpes whispered as he lay atop her, all come back to haunt her. Her willingness in the charade is not beyond her grasp either.
Did she really like Vulpes? Or was it because he was her constant companion outside the Fort?
When did she start to smile every time she saw him? Agnes thinks back to when she first meet him in Nipton. How fearful he looked surrounded by death with that just so smile on his face, the look of a man quite pleased with himself. Quite a contrast from the man she knows now.
How did Vulpes feel about this? she wonders. Did he even care or was she simply another conquest? In the beginning, Vulpes flaunted the fact that he was her handler, that only he could touch her. Did he want her only because he felt it owed to him? Surely he had feelings as well, but did he have feelings for her?
Agnes lays on her cot, feeling sorry for herself when it hits her. Early on, she had confessed her dislike of marriage and that smooth talking bastard got her to call him Husband! Her mood begins to shift as rising anger pulls her from the pit of despair. How she would love to march up to his tent and give him a piece of her mind. Much to her irritation, she can picture his smug face as Vulpes revels in her frustration.
"That son of a bitch!," she fumes.
In effort to rid herself of her self inflected embarrassment, Agnes throws herself into assisting Siri. The healer is impressed with the amount of skill that Agnes has acquired in her time away. She even allows her to treat some of the lesser ailments. Despite knowing that she had been played, Agnes still finds herself missing his company.
...
"Agnes will do it," Vulpes says.
Caesar rubs his forehead.
"This is not a time for jokes," he grumbles.
"Seriously," Vulpes insists. "Send Agnes, the NCR won't expect it."
"I don't know," Lucius says. "She's unproven."
Vulpes narrows his eyes at the man.
Caesar holds up his hand, silencing the pair.
"She has done well so far, but I'm siding with Lucius, she hasn't been proven in battle."
The men sit and ponder for a moment.
"You really think she can do this?," Caesar asks Vulpes.
"I know she can," he replies.
"For your sake, I hope so," Caesar says. "Get her ass up here to be briefed."
...
Vulpes stands with Agnes on the far side of the river, just outside the Cove. It has been two months since she last saw her Mentor. The distance did well to cool the flames of her enamorment.
"You are to rendezvous with Cato Hostilius. He will advise and escort you to Hoover Dam. Cato is quite knowledgeable."
"Is this the same Cato as...?"
"Yes, he is," Vulpes answers.
Agnes purses her lips at this news.
"That pig," she mutters, earning a smirk.
"I'm sure you'll be fine, you have teeth now," Vulpes soothes.
Agnes gives him a questioning look.
"Why would a wolf fear other wolves?," he quotes.
She gives Vulpes a hard look.
"I am nothing like you," she states.
He chuckles, "Whatever you have to tell yourself."
Vulpes hands Agnes a small white pill.
"If you get captured," he says quietly. "Take this, it will work quickly."
Agnes stares blankly at the small pill in her hand. She gives him a nod, placing the pill in her top pocket.
"This will work," Vulpes says firmly. "Believe in yourself, your training..."
"And your equipment," Agnes finishes with a smirk.
Vulpes shares a wide grin as he takes her hand. Agnes gives a giggle, drawing a look from her Mentor.
"You hold hands with all your agents before they embark on important missions?, " she teases.
Vulpes cuts his eyes at her.
"I do as I see fit," he replies plainly. "Do not question your superiors."
Agnes tries and fails to suppress a grin.
"Alerio never complained," Vulpes adds with a straight face, to which Agnes laughs in amusement.
...
"Is there a Cato Pacifica?," Agnes asks, smirking powerfully as they sit by the small fire.
It had been almost a year since they had last met. He no longer looked like a strung out junkie, just your average Wastelander. The beard was an improvement, she decides.
"You know Latin?," Cato ask incredibly.
Agnes gives a knowing grin before responding.
"Of course, I'm not just any profligate whore. My stepfather was a Decanus, I'm a citizen."
Cato smiles widely.
"And I thought I had seen it all," he says.
Agnes gives an all too familiar smirk.
"Look at you, once a scared little lamb and now you're unstoppable," Cato praises.
"One must adapt or die," she quotes their Mentor.
Cato nods his head in agreement.
"Tell me Cato, do you have any suggestions?"
He bears the same smirk that had just graced her face.
"How do you feel about explosives?," the fellow spy asks.
Agnes gives a mischievous smile, "I'm listening."
...
The explosion had gone off prematurely and with more force than initially anticipated. Agnes is blown
off the concrete steps, landing heavily on the broken asphalt below. She cracks her head on the ground causing an impact of white spots to cloud her view. She lays there, simply breathing, vaguely aware of the commotion going on around her. A dark outline blots out the sun before strong hands pick her up.
"Max?," she ventures.
"Why won't you go home?," a gruff voice growls at her.
"Boone?," she croaks.
"Yea, baby. Its me."
"I've been trying but I can't cross the river," she slurs.
"I know baby, I know."
...
Operation: Arizona Killer is a resounding success, the only unknown is that Agnes had yet to return to the Fort. Cato lost her in the resulting chaos yet there was no news of her capture. Despite the missing agent, Caesar was overjoyed at the fiery explosion that claims the life of NCR President Kimble.
"That'll take the wind out of their sails," he crows after watched Bear One fall in a fiery arch into the Colorado. He joyously punches Vulpes in the arm, excited with the success of the mission.
"Hot damn Vulpes, that girl is good!"
...
Its nearly a week before Agnes is heard from.
Alerio sends word that she was seen entering the Lucky 38 and leaving with a huge bag.
She's at the safe house, a messenger delivers to a brooding Vulpes.
"She's a mess," he hears over the radio from their man, Atticus. "I think somebody else was with her due to the amount of supplies used up."
Dark thoughts cloud Vulpes' mind as he processes the information. He orders that she be taken directly to his quarters upon arrival.
Agnes does look a mess when she is escorted to his tent. She looks at him, uncertainty in her eyes. His face is carefully blank, which puts her on high alert.
"Dominus," she begins but is prevented from saying more by his sudden grip on her throat.
"Who was with you?," he snarls. "Who did you bring to the safehouse you stupid little whore?"
Agnes stares back at him. Her lips move but she cannot speak, instead reaching out to touch him.
"Don't you fuckin' dare," he hisses.
Her lip quivers as she drops her hand. Vulpes bears down on her.
"Your unauthorized little tromp into New Vegas put not only your life in danger but mine as well. Now tell me, who was with you?"
"No one," she manages. "I bought armor and hired someone to bring it to the safehouse."
"You brought someone to our safehouse?," he asks in a sharp hiss.
"Kinda," she admits sheepishly. "I traded supplies for one of their Brahmin to help me carry it to the Cove."
Agnes can feel his grip tightened ever so slightly. If looks could kill, Agnes would have been vaporized by his harsh gaze.
"Strip," he commands, releasing his grip on her throat.
Mechanically, Agnes removes her worn leather armor til she stands naked before him. Vulpes scans her intently. A large bruise covers the back of her shoulder and her arms are covered in scrapes. Vulpes unmercifully probes the dark bruises. He runs his fingers through her hair, Agnes breathes in sharply when he finds the bump, her souvenir of the successful mission. Her sharp intake captures his attention, his hard eyes upon her. Agnes looks unabashedly, attempting to uncover his thoughts.
"Kneel," he snaps.
Agnes hesitates.
"Kneel," he growls, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"I've done nothing wrong," she defends.
Vulpes seizes her jaw, squeezing fiercely.
"Courier, you are trying my patience. Kneel or so help me," he hisses between clenched teeth.
The mention of her title is a very bad indicator.
"Dominus, please. Allow me to explain myself," she pleads.
Vulpes narrows his eyes at her, his lip curled back.
"As you wish, Dominus," she finally relents.
Agnes slowly slides to her knees, her eyes fixed on the floor of the tent.
"What happened?," Vulpes demands as he walks around her.
"The bomb went off sooner than expected," she begins. "I was thrown off the stairs and got injured. Since I was dressed as a NCR soldier, I was treated at the infirmary. After a while, I was able to sneak away and made my way to New Vegas."
"But you had help," Vulpes says bluntly.
It was a statement, not a question. Agnes wonders how much did Vulpes know about the situation. Surely there were Legion agents embedded at the Dam that could collaborate her story about the infirmary.
"Yes Dominus, I did receive assistance."
"And not from Cato," he deadpans.
"No, Dominus. Not from Cato," Agnes swallows before continuing. "It was Boone that helped me."
"Why would he help you?," Vulpes asks, his voice full of scorn.
Agnes remains quiet as she contemplates how to tell him the truth, why Boone really helped her.
Her head is painfully jerked back as Vulpes grabs a handful of her dark hair.
"I swear by Mars, woman. If you do not talk, I will make you talk."
Her eyes tear up as she looks up at him, his fury palatable.
"Your tears will not help you," he growls in her face.
Vulpes slaps her harshly for her continued silence. Agnes whimpers despite her best efforts. The noise only seems to incite him as Vulpes slaps her again and again until she breaks, fat tears running down her face. His final slap has her seeing stars as she is knocked onto her side. Vulpes is on top of her in a flash, his hands firmly around her neck, squeezing.
"I tried so hard with you," he snarls. "To do what Caesar wanted, to train you as best I could. Yet you continue to disobey. You were warned but did you listen?!"
Agnes' fear finally runs free as her air runs low. She struggles against him, clawing at his face, thrashing on the ground but Vulpes is stronger.
He continues to throttle her, his face turning red with effort, emotion flashing in his eyes. His lips move but she can't hear him over her own thudding heartbeat and desperate want of air. Darkness descends, surprisingly bringing a sense of tranquility.
"Just a little bit more and it will be done," a tiny voice speaks.
Agnes watches with an increasing sense of detachment as Vulpes's face floats above her, a horrible snarl etched on his handsome face, tears in his eyes.
"It's better this way," the tiny voice continues.
Agnes finds herself agreeing as she sinks further into the darkness.
"Yes, this will be just fine."
...
Agnes awakes with a gasp.
She's laying in a narrow white bed with crisp white sheets. Lights shine softly from the baseboard across the room while stiff cloth hangs from the ceiling, sectioning off her bed. Soft steady beeping can be heard from nearby, she was in a hospital. Agnes runs a hand over her body, relieved to find herself in one piece.
A soft sound catches her attention, causing her to look to her right. She spies a pair of long legs, crossed at the ankle. Those long legs lead up to a sleeping man, his arms crossed tightly across his chest.
That can't be comfortable, Agnes thinks.
She reaches out, giving the man a firm poke. Boone jerks awake.
"Hello," she smiles.
"Hello yourself," he replies, stretching.
"What happened?," she whispers.
"There was an explosion, you fell and hit your head pretty hard."
Agnes feels her head, grimacing when she finds the lump.
"How did you find me?," she asks.
"Saw you through my scope."
"I need to get out of here," she tells him.
"Can't," he responds. "The entire facility is on lock down, no one comes in or out without proper paperwork. Besides, what are you even doing here?"
Agnes looks at the white sheets, "It's a long story."
"We got time," Boone says.
"No we don't, I need to get out of here."
"Agnes, Kimble was assassinated. No one is going anywhere."
"Please Boone, I need to leave before they find me," she pleads.
"I don't know what kind of shit House has you doing but the answer is still no," he mutters darkly.
Agnes tilts her head, House? Then it clicks, Boone thinks she still works for House.
"I was supposed to stop the assassination," she tells him. "House is willingly to renegotiate the Treaty in order to protect New Vegas from the Legion. But I failed and he's not gonna be happy about it."
"Screw him," Boone grumbles. "You can get a better deal with us."
Agnes scoffs, "I doubt it."
"Where you going?," Agnes blurts, watching him stand.
"To get some sleep, now that I know you're alright."
Agnes begins to object but is silenced when Boone slides over to her. He leans down until he is face to face with her.
"If you disappear during the night, more questions will be asked. The doctor will be by in the morning. Once you are discharged come find me, Level 3, Room 5."
"Okay," she agrees.
"Atta girl," he grins, chucking her under the chin. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out."
The doctor comes by in the early morning hours.
"Martinez," he greets from her bedside. "How are you feeling soldier? "
"Much better, Sir," she replies.
"Good, very good," he says, writing on her chart.
"If you develop a headache or experience vision problems, come back and see me. Other than that, you are free to go."
Agnes finds Boone waiting for her outside the shared room, smilng at her approach.
"Morning Martinez," he smirks..
Agnes returns his smirk. She didn't ask Cato where the uniform came from and Martinez is a common last name. The patch on her left shoulder identifies her as belonging to one of the infantry units. A perfect disguise Cato announced.
"Morning," she replies.
"Good look for you," he adds.
Agnes does a little twirl, "A bit small."
"I got no complaints."
She shakes her head, while smiling.
Boone's grand scheme is for Agnes to impersonate one of his squadmates, Corporal Betsy. And lucky for her, they could have chow before they left for "their" patrol.
"What have you got yourself into?," Boone sighs as they walk away from the Dam. "Look, I can't help you if I don't know what's going on."
Agnes twists her face, "I can't. You wouldn't understand."
He stops in the middle of the road.
"I just helped you escape from an NCR stronghold during a lockdown. I can be shot for what I just did. Believe me, I want to understand."
Agnes pauses, searching for the right words.
"I don't want to involve you more than you need to be," she states.
"We're about to go to war, how much more involved can we get," Boone exclaims. "I'm sure it will be fine, House will negotiate good terms with the NCR. It's not like your the Legion."
Agnes makes a face at his wording.
"Are you shittin' me?," he growls. "You're working for the fuckin' Legion?! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't turn you in!"
"You said you'd listen!," she says taking a step back.
"I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation about why you are helping those slavers!"
"They have my family," she cries. "If I don't do what they say, Caesar will have them killed."
Boone simply looks at her.
"I'm from Arizona," she explains. "I am Legion, just not in the way you think. My town was annexed when I was ten. I am a citizen of the Empire."
Boone runs a hand over his face, closing his eyes.
"Please say something," Agnes says.
"I already knew you were from Arizona," he replies, sounding less angry.
"But how do you know, I never told you? I tell people I'm from New Vegas."
"Some of the things you'd say about the Legion made me suspicious so I looked through your stuff. Found the receipts and your letters from home. Explained a lot."
"Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Wasn't too far from the truth was I?," he snarks.
Agnes frowns. "I'm sorry Boone, from the bottom of my heart, I really am. I wish I could change things but I'm in too deep."
"What about House?"
"House is dead," she states.
Boone shakes his head.
"Should have never left," he mutters before releasing a long sigh.
"Where will you go? Back to him?," Boone says roughly.
Agnes realizes that he is talking of Vulpes.
"I do have to report back eventually," she replies.
"Eventually?"
"I have some business to attend to in New Vegas first."
The pair stand facing each, the gentle breeze filling the silence.
"Thank you Boone, for everything. Maybe we'll see each other again."
"Agnes, I love you. But if I see you again, I will kill you."
"Promise?"
...
Agnes awakes for a second time. Her mind swirls, where is she now?
A single lamp hangs from the roof of the canvas tent, illuminating the space. A large screen provides privacy. Her mouth is dry, looking around she spots a bottle of water on the nearby table. The water is cool as she swallows, wincing at the pain. As she puts her hand to her throat, it all comes back to her. Vulpes attacking her, choking her until she passed out.
She's still in his tent.
As if summoned, Vulpes steps from behind the screen.
"I'm glad your awake," he says.
Agnes freezes at the sight of him, bottle in hand. He moves slowly as he approaches her.
"Came to check on you," he offers.
"Figured you'd come to finish me off," she snarks, unable to resist the jab.
Vulpes pauses at her remark before resuming his path. Agnes shifts back on the bed at his approach.
"Gonna defend yourself with that water bottle?," he smirks.
His words puzzle Agnes until she looks down at the tightly clutched water bottle.
"If need be," she responds.
Vulpes approaches until he is standing before her.
Agnes takes stock of the situation. She is obviously at the disadvantage being naked and unarmed. Her eyes flash to him, full of apprehension and wariness. His mouth becomes a thin line at her unease in his presence.
Watching him draw his lips into a grimace, flares her temper. How dare he! Vulpes started this and has the gall to look upset because she moved away at his approach.
"What is wrong with you?," Agnes growls, her anger quickly overriding her fear.
Vulpes says nothing as he as stands before her.
"Where are my clothes?," she demands. "God help me Vulpes, I'll leave your tent wearing only a bed sheet."
Vulpes sniffs at her threat, the look he gives her says she is welcome to try.
"I'll give them to you once you tell me why," he says firmly.
"Why?," she echoes in confusion.
Agnes gives a bitter laugh at his question once she realizes what he is asking.
"My dear Vulpes, are you more concerned about why Boone helped me instead of thinking about how a NCR soldier helped your little Legion experiment escape from a NCR stronghold? You men," she scoffs. "Always thinking with your dicks."
Vulpes glares at her.
"Whatcha gonna do? Strangle me again?! Tell you what," she says, standing up from the bed. "If you do decide to go that route, do me a favor and kill me! Otherwise, when I get up, I'll be coming for you. Head of Frumentarii or not, you will bleed like any other man!"
Agnes stands toe to toe with her Mentor, chest heaving, refusing to look away, the challenge clear in her eyes. She would not go down easily.
"Feroces meo pet," he says softly, cupping her jaw.
"I am not a pet!", she snarls, freeing her face from his touch.
Vulpes grabs the Mark that hangs around her neck.
"This says otherwise."
Agnes glares at him.
"You're cute when your angry", he says, releasing the medallion but not moving away.
"Give me a blade and I'll show you how cute I can be", she growls.
Vulpes smirks before caressing her slender neck. Agnes fights to remain still as he slides his hand across, his thumb rests on her carotid, feeling her pulse. She feels her eyes dilate as her heart begins to pound. An uneasiness settles across her shoulders.
"So brave", Vulpes says softly, "Here you stand with nothing but your fiery indignation. Most would soil themselves in fear but not you. I do believe you would hurt me if you only could."
Agnes snorts at his statement.
"I would make you bleed", she says thru clenched teeth.
Vulpes gives a half smile at her words, a brief flash of emotion in his eyes.
"Without a doubt", he says.
"Are you afraid?," he whispers.
"No," she says.
"Liar," Vulpes smirks. "I can feel you tremble, your heart is about to beat out of your chest. Don't lie to me, Carrisima. I've taught you better than that."
Agnes eyes him at the term of endearment.
"Do I frighten you?," he asks in a cautious tone.
"No," she whispers after a long moment.
It is true. Vulpes may be a homicidal maniac but she does not live in fear of him.
He looks at her with something akin to relief before pulling her into a hug, holding her tightly. Agnes tenses in surprise, concerned on another attack. When nothing happens, she relaxes, resting her head on his shoulder. She closes her eyes, relishing the moment. This was the closest they have been since leaving New Vegas. Long repressed emotions threaten to come bubbling up.
No, she is not frightened of Vulpes, only confused. To a degree, Agnes wishes she was afraid, fear is an easier emotion to handle.
As quickly as it began, the moment is over.
"Your clothes are in the chair," he says, pointing to the table.
Agnes turns her back to him as she quickly dresses. Emotions surge within her, threatening to overwhelm her sensibilities. Threatening to have her say silly things, admitting to dreams that have no chance of becoming reality.
"I still need to know, my lamb," Vulpes calls from behind her, his voice firm.
"For the report, " he adds.
"I bet," she mutters to herself.
"Caesar wants to see you as well, he is not happy that you were gone for so long. He questions your allegiance."
Agnes turns, concern on her face.
"I told him that I would handle it," Vulpes says nonchalantly.
"Thank you," Agnes replies, bowing her head.
Another link in the chain that binds them together, they will be inseparable.
"I'll send for you in the morning. There are many questions to ask," Vulpes says, dismissing her.
...
Agnes sits in a chair before his wooden desk. The screen is folded back, exposing the large space of Vulpes' quarters.
"How are you feeling?," Vulpes asks as he fiddles with a micro recorder.
"Fine," Agnes says. "How are you?"
"Much better," he replies with a satisfied smile.
Agnes cringes internally, knowing that smile. She says a silent prayer for the unfortunate that had to weather his attention.
Vulpes activates the recording device and begins his line of questioning.
"What is your name?"
"Agnes Tutor"
"Where are you from?"
"Arizona"
"Are you a Legion agent?"
"Yes"
"Were you present at Hoover Dam during the assassination of NCR President Kimble?"
"Yes"
"What happened?"
"His Vertibird, Bear One, blew up shortly after take off, crashing into the Colorado."
"Did you play a role in the demise of President Kimble?"
"Yes, I planted the bomb on Bear One."
"What happened afterwards?"
"I underestimated the power of the explosion and was knocked off my feet. I landed badly and was taken by medics to the infirmary inside the Dam."
"Why did the medics assist you?"
"I was disguised as a NCR soldier."
"What happened next?"
"Once I woke up in the infirmary, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before I was found out. So I escaped from the infirmary but leaving the Dam would be difficult. The NCR had the place down due to the attack."
"Lucky for you, someone helped you get out."
"Yes, I did receive help."
"From whom?"
"A NCR sniper with First Recon named Craig Boone."
"What is your relationship to this NCR soldier?"
"We used to be traveling partners. He traveled with me during my quest to find Benny, that rat bastard that shot me about two years ago."
"How long did you travel with Boone?"
"Almost a year until he rejoined First Recon."
"Tell me Courier, why would a NCR sniper help a Legion agent escape detection?"
"I wonder that myself. "
"Answer the question, Courier."
Agnes sighs, "Because he felt guilty."
"Could you clarify?"
"I think he helped me because he felt guilty for leaving me. Probably never gotten mixed up with the Legion if we had stayed together."
"Interesting. Is that they only reason why?"
"Yes. He warned me, told me that he would shoot me if he saw me again."
"You were gone for seven days, where did you go after you escaped the Dam?"
"I went to the Lucky 38."
"Why?"
" I had to prepare, war was coming. "
"What did you do there?"
"I gathered all my supplies and purchased some top of the line items. The Gun Runners were very pleased. Check my bags, its all there. I even have the receipt."
"Are you loyal to the Legion?"
"Yes, my life for Caesar and the Empire."
...
During the taping, Vulpes closes his eyes as he listens to her. She knows that he is listening to the way she is speaking, trying to decipher if she is telling the truth.
Its not the whole truth but it should be enough for satisfy Vulpes, Agnes thinks as she walks out of his tent.
The tiny voice at the back of her mind whispers about how he would find out and then what. She tells the voice to be quiet, if he ever found out the complete truth, she would have bigger problems to deal with.