Agnes wakes to a moon bright, windswept landscape. To her amazement she spies her childhood home, the lights are on. Cautiously peeking into a window she sees her Mother and Father sitting at the dining table, laughing and smiling. Without another thought Agnes runs into the house.
"Mom, Dad!," she cries.
"Annie," they cry in unison as they stand, arms open.
It had been years since anyone has called her by her birth name. After the annexation of her hometown, only her Mother called her Annie despite Pater's insistence of using her Legion name.
"My daughter, look how big you are," her Father smiles.
"Oh, Dad I missed you so much!"
Agnes hangs onto her parents, her happy tears turning into open sobbing.
At last she was home.
She tells her parents everything: about her struggles in the Mojave, about the Legion, and even Vulpes. Her Father wears a serious expression while her Mother wipes away her tears with a cool hand.
"Baby, that's awful," her Mother coos.
"I tried so hard, I really did," Agnes sniffles.
"We know baby, we've been watching," her Father says, rubbing her back.
Her parents exchange a glance before looking to her.
"We love you baby but you have to go, you can't stay," her Mother says with sad eyes.
Agnes' heart heaves at the thought of leaving.
"No! I don't want to," she pouts. "I wanna stay here with you."
"You can't stay," her Mother says with a sad smile. "Wake up, baby."
"But," Agnes sputters as the wind begins to howl outside, the atmosphere growing heavy.
"Wake up," her Father commands with an unnatural gravelly tone.
Agnes looks on in horror as their faces begin to change. Her Father's face grotesque, as pained as when he was hung. Her Mother's face looks no better, her eyes red and bulging as when she was found in the dining room, the clear outline of fingers encircle her neck.
"Wake up," they groan, their voices terrible.
"Stop! Please stop!," she pleads, backing away.
"Go home," her Father begins to drone, pointing his broken and battered arm at the door.
"Go home, Go home, Go home," the horrific imposters chant.
The sound grows in volume, reverberating til it drives Agnes from the room. Crying hysterically, she opens the door, running out into the blinding moonlight.
Agnes sputters awake, tears streaming down her cheeks. She doesn't need to look around to know that she is alone.
...
The captured NCR doctor gives her a look of contempt when he set eyes upon her. The tired looking man is escorted by two legionaries. One of the men gives her a nod of acknowledgment as they stop at her bed.
"You again," the doctor mummers under his breath, looking at her chart.
"You deserve whatever fresh hell you created for yourself Courier," the doctor tells her softly as he examines her bruised shoulder.
"I know," she agrees, looking at the soldiers that stand at the foot of her bed.
"The innermost circle of Hell is for treachery and betrayers," the doctor continues.
"I betrayed no one," Agnes hisses.
"You know the difference between right and wrong," he counters.
She says nothing as the doctor places the stethoscope on her chest.
"You know First Recon is still out there," the doctor mumbles, moving the stethoscope around. "That blond soldier that brought you in was with First Recon, wasn't he?"
Agnes stills at the news before slightly nodding her head.
"I'm sure he can take care of himself," she responds. "If they're smart, they'll leave while they still can."
The doctor clears his throat loudly before standing upright.
"You're underservingly fortunate that it's only bruising," he says, writing notes on her chart.
"But how?"
"Could be the amount of Stimpacks you injected, over saturation," the Doctor muses. "Who knows for certain? Two inches over and we would not be having this conversation. Try not to use your shoulder for at least two weeks."
"Thank you Doctor," Agnes grumbles as the man is escorted to the next patient.
Later that day, she is given private quarters. The name plate beside the door is removed and the room cleared of all personal effects. A pile of fresh bedding lay on the bare mattress. Agnes finds that her armor and heavy overcoat hanging in the closet. Exploring her quarters, she is delighted to find a bathroom with shower. Soon she is standing under warm water, letting it flow over her as she contemplates everything that has happened.
She finds it hard to believe that Boone actually shot her.
"He did warn you, " the tiny voice supplies.
"I know," Agnes responds aloud. "But still."
It makes her sad, Boone thought he was saving her. Did he think her dead?
The doctor is right, she will reap what she has sown. With a heavy mind and only one good arm, Agnes wrestles the bedding into place. Her final thoughts are of Vulpes and if she would see him again.
...
Without a window, the days seems to run together, her PipBoy the only indicator of time. Agnes scans the radio, desperate for stimulus of any kind. All she picks up is static and the steady beeping of code.
The loss of Radio New Vegas hits her unexpectedly hard; the smooth, sultry voice of Mr. New Vegas had been a constant companion during her travels. As Agnes lays in bed, her thoughts drift back to her final days of freedom. How the Strip seemed to shine that much brighter for her as she took it all in one last time. She had spent the day, stripping the Lucky 38 of most of its valuables and negotiating with the Gun Runners. With House gone, Agnes installs Yes Man in his place. The AI was quite a clever construction and ever so helpful. She greatly prefers his smiling face on the big screen over that drab and stuffy House.
"Well that's just swell!," Yes Man commends, after hearing of all that she had accomplished. "That's gonna help us out alot."
Agnes beams up at the big screen, "So what's next?"
A console opens on the vast control panel. Inside sits two flat metal rectangles with little bits of metals extend from the sides, like tiny legs.
"This gadget I'm handing you is called an override module!," Yes Man explains in a pleasant tone. "Mr. House had two of these made years and years ago - just like him to think ahead!"
"What do we do with them?," Agnes asks.
"Take the module to the El Dorado Substation and attach it the power control terminal! I'll handle the rest!"
"I'll leave in the morning," she crows.
"Fantastic!," Yes Man replies.
In the cool morning light, Agnes stands on the steps of the Lucky 38 looking around one last time. She checks her pocket again, to ensure her souvenir hadn't disappeared.
My proof of happiness she muses.
A Securitron waits for her at the bottom of steps, loaded like a pack brahmin. As they stroll thru Freeside, her attention is captured by a pair of kids running around, a boy chasing a girl holding what appears to be a plastic ray gun.
"Hey kid!," Agnes calls out. "Come over here, I wanna talk to you!"
A thousand caps lighter, she holds the Euclid C-Finder, key to the deadly Archimedes II weapons system. Its heft surprises her, just how did that kid carry this thing around one handed?
Her next stop is the Followers. It's the safest place she can think off for such a dangerous weapon. Understanding the apprehension of the mohawked Doctor, Agnes sweetens the deal with a generous donation and a bit of advise for the near future.
"Get out of New Vegas, take all that you can with you."
Satisfied that the Legion will never get their hands on the C-Finder, Agnes and company set out for the substation.
Everything goes smoothly at the El Dorado Substation. To complete the dream of an Independent New Vegas, she needs to plant the remaining chip inside the Dam. Once completed, Yes Man will be able to activate the Securitrons that lay dormant under the Fort, providing an army able to defeat the Legion and push the NCR from the Mojave. Agnes sets off for the Fort, only to realize that she can't bring a Securitron with her. The speculation alone could get her crucified.
Having given all of her caps to the Followers, she's at a loss of how to obtain a pack Brahmin. Her eyes grow wide as she comes up with a solution but at a cost, she would have to venture West instead of East, adding an extra day each way. Seeing no other alternative, Agnes and Yes Man head West. Using supplies raided from the Legion Safehouse, she purchases a pack brahmin in Novac. After transferring the load, Agnes sends Yes Man back to New Vegas, to await further instruction. During her run through the Dam, Agnes stops to install the module. Her PipBoy lights up as a message is received from Yes Man; Activate the Securitrons or Deactivate the Dam? Just Wait, she hastily types before running back into the fray.
Her thoughts on the matter are interrupted by a knock on her door. Checking her PipBoy, Agnes is surprised to find it's lunch time.
She thinks further on Yes Man while she eats. Installing him in House' place was more of a backup plan should the NCR prevail. After defeating the Legion, the Bear would turn its hungry gaze upon New Vegas. Using Yes Man, she would drive the NCR from the Mojave and install herself as ruler, opening negotiations with the Legion. In exchange for the freedom of her entire family, Agnes would offer the shining city of lights. However, the Legion prevailed, driving the NCR from the Dam and presumably from New Vegas as well. Agnes knows that Yes Man will continue to wait until she makes a decision.
If Vulpes knew what she had done while in New Vegas, she would have never left his tent alive.
...
Though free to move around the Dam, Agnes is anxious to go outside. Her previous requests are denied due to the snipers still roam the area. It was by order of Caesar that she remain indoors until the threat is neutralized. The request for her belongings is honored to her great delight. Agnes is very happy to find her secret stash of chems still hidden. One dose of MedX and she finally sleeps easily.
...
Agnes answers the knock at the door, was it lunch time already?
"You guys are early," she says before realizing who is standing before her.
"Should I come back?," Vulpes smiles.
She smiles brightly as she looks him over.
"My Mother always told me to be cautious of handsome strangers," she smirks.
"Your Mother was a wise woman," he grins. "May I come in?"
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't," Agnes says, allowing him entry.
She watches Vulpes do a quick scan of her room before turning his attention back to her.
"My lamb," Vulpes says, embracing her.
Agnes relishes being in his arms, hugging him tightly.
"I'm glad that Mars has blessed you with his protection. It was alarming to hear of your death on the Strip," he tells her.
"On the Strip?," she echoes.
Her Mentor sighs, "During the fighting over the Strip, the NCR announced your death, sniped by the revered First Recon. They also implied that the Dam remained firmly in their grasp."
"Lies, " Agnes spits. "I wasn't shot until after I presented General Oliver's head to Caesar."
"Your friend in First Recon," Vulpes smirks.
"I can't believe it," she sighs.
"I can. Never underestimate a man that has nothing to lose, my lamb."
Agnes says nothing, thinking of Boone.
"What are you thinking about?," Vulpes asks.
"Is it true? Is First Recon still out there?"
He gives her a hard look, "Really? You do realize he tried to kill you."
Agnes opens her mouth to argue that no one knew exactly who shot her but seeing the look upon Vulpes face, shuts her mouth.
"I know, " she says instead.
Vulpes sighs, holding her by the shoulders.
"I'm not mad, just concerned. He tried to kill you and you still care for him."
She chuffs, "You choked me until I passed out and I still like you. What's the big deal?"
"That was different," Vulpes says firmly.
"Felt the same," she counters.
"It is not my inclination to hurt you purposefully. As your Superior, it is my duty to see that you develop into the Courier that Caesar wishes to see."
"The Courier that Caesar wishes me to be. How charming," Agnes says blandly.
"I didn't do it out of anger," Vulpes clarifies.
Not that time, she thinks.
"So you wouldn't kill me if I betrayed you and everything you stood for?," she questions.
The look he gives her answers loudly.
"Thought so," she sniffs.
...
"I just wanted to stop by and tell you I'm going to be gone for the next couple days," Vulpes says as he stands in the hallway.
"Oh? But you've just arrived, where are you going?"
"To finish what was started," he states.
Agnes frowns.
"Did Caesar?"
"No," he interrupts. "This is something of my own doing."
"Please let him go," she says softly.
Vulpes quickly looks around, "Can I come in? I don't want to continue this conversation in the hall."
Agnes allows him entry.
"As long as that miserable dog draws breath, I will pursue him," he announces as soon as the door is closed.
She opens her mouth but is cut off by her Mentor.
"What he did to you is a slap in the face to me," he snarls. "Mark my words, lamb. He will suffer dearly for what he did to you."
Once again, Agnes attempts to speak but is cut off.
"You know he killed his wife," he says, as if explaining everything.
"Do you even know the whole story?," she spits, unable to contain herself any longer.
Vulpes gives her a hard glare," His wife was captured and taken to the Cove. Your sniper friend sat up on the cliffs, killing her at the auction block."
"It was more than that," Agnes says firmly. "His wife was sold by a controlling old loon, just so she could keep Boone around to guard Novac. He loved his wife, they were going to have a baby. He killed her to save them."
Her Mentor regards her with a cool expression.
"And what do you have to do with all that?," he questions.
"I helped Boone find out who sold his wife to the Legion," she explains. "The old lady even kept the bill of sale which I presented to him as proof. She never suspected a thing as I lead her out to her death."
"Explains his devotion," Vulpes remarks casually. "But it makes no difference, my lamb. I will find him and he will suffer."
She closes her eyes, knowing it was no use, Vulpes would not be swayed.
Her Mentor approaches, pulling her into his arms. Holding her, he presses his lips to her forehead.
"I know it feels like you're betraying him but anything that sniper had for you stopped the moment he shot you. Caesar was standing right next to you but he chose to shoot you instead. Between you and me, Caesar is somewhat vexed about that."
Agnes huffs in amusement.
"Congratulations Courier on saving the life of our Emperor. Throwing yourself in harm's way is a bold move," he smirks, changing the subject.
"It was nothing like that," she objects.
"I know but that is the story that we are going to sell."
...
With Vulpes away from the Dam, her days once again become dull. With little else to do, Agnes decides to chronicle her adventures. She often stays up late, committing memories to paper. The days turn into weeks and by the best of her recollection, she had been at the Dam for a month. Agnes wonders if she would ever leave this place.
That night her Mentor appears, his eyes holding a strange look.
"Vulpes," she greets cheerfully despite being caught off guard. "Forgive me, I did not hear you arrive."
She didn't even hear the door open. How long had he been standing there, watching her?
He doesn't return her greeting.
"Is everything alright?," she adds.
A cautious feeling settles upon her shoulders as he approaches. Agnes steels herself when he stands beside her, his eyes lingering on the papers.
"These are my adventures," she states proudly, tapping the loose paper. "You might be in a couple of these stories."
Vulpes remains silent, only giving a nod to indicate that he heard.
"Is there something that you need of me?," she asks.
His continued silence and intense gaze makes her nervous. Eager to relieve herself of the feeling, Agnes does something she swore she would never do again. Moving slowly, she stands.
"You look tired Husband," she coos, placing a hand upon his arm. "Come, let me take care of you."
The shower stall is surprisingly large enough to hold both of them.
"What happened to you back?," Agnes ventures as she gently lathers the mass of shiny and raised tissue that covers his back.
"My birth," Vulpes finally speaks. "In my younger days, I was a Decanus, eager to prove myself. During my last campaign, I disobeyed orders. There was an opening on the flank, I took my men and captured the chieftain, ending the battle. Centurion Argos was very unhappy to say the least. I was put before Caesar, Argos demanding my execution for insubordination. Fortunately, Caesar found me clever and promoted me into the Frumentarii. But I still had to be punished, twenty lashes for my troubles.
"And here I thought you sprung up from a rabbit hole. Fully grown, all teeth and rage," Agnes smiles.
"Never heard that one before," he chuckles, turning to face her. "And you my lamb, born of sand and fire."
She remains silent, taking his hand, running the washcloth over it before working up his arm.
"I had a good teacher," she says, reaching his chest.
"I only accentuated what was already there," he grins.
She goes to lather his stomach when he stops her.
"I'll take a shower later," Vulpes says, rinsing himself off.
Feeling her face flush, Agnes slips out of the shower, returning with a towel.
...
He takes her roughly, not giving her enough time to adjust before setting a fast pace.
"Mea," he growls against her lips as he covers her, seating himself fully inside her.
Agnes winces in discomfort at his efforts, clearly this was something for only him to enjoy. Becoming uncomfortable with his heavy handed treatment, she resolves to do something about it.
"Mea," Vulpes says again, nipping her delicate skin on her neck as he thrust deeply into her.
"Tua," she purrs, kissing him softly, hoping to placate him.
He stops, making Agnes uncertain if she did the right thing. Vulpes kisses her with an intensity that banishes all doubt. Moving slowly, he begins to roll his hips. Agnes finds this motion much more to her liking.
...
Her Mentor surprises her the following morning, a pleased smile on his face as he greets her warmly. A slave brings breakfast for two instead of her regular ration.
"Does this mean you will be staying with me?," Agnes asks as they eat.
"As long as you don't mind," he grins. "Besides husbands should stay with their wifes, don't you think?
Agnes blushes, looking away.
Living with her Mentor brings back pleasant memories of the Boomers. Unfortunately, Vulpes is nothing like the fictitious Max. Agnes quickly finds his mood varying greatly from day to day. "Business" keeps him away most the day, only coming back to eat and rest.
One evening he comes in with bruised knuckles and shining eyes. Agnes eyes him warily from the table, one hand falling into her lap. Giving her a curt nod, Vulpes goes into the bathroom before changing his shirt and leaving again. She breathes a sigh of relief as she places the pen on the table. All her weapons had been previously seized, leaving her defenseless. Though feeling uncomfortable, she never felt concern until just then.
Another night, she is swept away by passion as he consumes her body and soul. Afterwards, as Vupes' breathing begin to deepen in slumber, Agnes wonders what she is doing. Despite being upset with her previous mistreatment, she is willing to play with him again.
"Play with fire and you're bound to get burned," trills the tiny voice.
Ignoring that tiny, nagging voice, she tells herself she is simply bidding her time until released from her bonds . They are enjoying each other company, nothing more.
...
"I have a gift for you," Vulpes purrs in her ear as he nuzzles her from behind. "Get dressed."
Agnes feels a ball form in the pit of her stomach at his toothy grin. With shining eyes, her Mentor escorts her outside. The feeling of the afternoon sun quickly dissolves any apprehension she holds.
"It's been ages since I was allowed to go outside," she says, basking in the daylight.
How long had it been? A month, two?
"Some things had to be sorted out," Vulpes says nonchalantly, watching her enjoy the sunshine.
Agnes turns to him, an easy smile on her face that fades once his words are understood. If she is outside, that means that First Recon has been neutralized. Vulpes gives her a smirk, his hand brushing her stomach. For some reason,this action does not sit well with her. She goes to step away but Vulpes is quick to fasten an arm around her waist, drawing her near.
"Don't you want to see your gift?," he asks, watching her intently.
"Yes, Dominus," Agnes responds dutifully.
"Call me proper, "Vulpes corrects.
"Yes, Husband," she says softly.
"Excellent," he smirks, his blue eyes flashing. "Come Wife, I wish to show you something that I made for you."
Vulpes escorts Agnes onto the walkway. All debris from the battle removed, a large blood red bull painted onto the Dam greets her eye. Other new items soon catch her eye, a row of crosses stand on the walkway, facing down river. Every single one was occupied. Agnes feels her heart drop as they walk to the first cross.
"Behold, " her Mentor says proudly.
Agnes fastens her gaze to the stained concrete at the foot of the cross, only looking up when Vulpes snaps his fingers.
"Courier, look, its your old friends from First Recon," he says proudly. "Silly fools thought they could outlast the Legion. They crawled these hills like vermin and like vermin they were exterminated. Perhaps you know this profligate?"
Agnes looks at the dark skinned man, who appears mostly dead, and shakes her head.
"No, Husband. I do not know this man," she replies.
Vulpes grins as he takes her arm, walking her to the next cross. Agnes heaves a ragged breath as she recognizes the man on the next cross.
"Bitterroot," she says.
The man stirs at his name, casting wide eyes around before noticing the people below. It seems to take great effort for him to focus on the pair before him. Vulpes drapes himself over her shoulders.
"This one took extensive effort to subdue, I wonder if he will linger longer than the rest."
She shivers despite the warm sunshine.
"He is the favorite of the men in the pool, got a lot of coin riding on this profligate," Vulpes says easily as if talking about the weather.
"Enough of this, let's go see the rest of the crew."
To her increasing horror, Agnes does recognize those that occupy the remaining crosses. Sterling is already dead, as is Lt. Gorobets. There is no sign of Betsy nor 10 of Spades.
"I've saved the best for last," he says with a sly grin.
"No," she breathes.
"Yes," Vulpes says with a proud expression.
With heavy feet, Agnes is dragged to the final cross. Vulpes gives the wooden beam a hard kick.
"Wake up you NCR dog!"
The man stuck on the cross groans as his platform shifts. Agnes didn't need to see his face, she would recognize his form anywhere. She gasps when Boone raises his head. His face is ruined, one of his pale blue eyes is gone.
"No," she says lowly.
Boone stares down from his lofty perch, a tear runs down his ruined face.
"I'm sorry," Agnes whispers before she turns away from her former companion and friend.
Vulpes takes her arm, turning her back around, his delight palatable.
"A final gift," he whispers in her ear.
A soldier steps forward with a heavy sledgehammer.
Vulpes nods to the soldier, who raises the heavy instrument and begins to smash Boone's legs. Agnes jumps at Boone's guttural cries over the sound of pulverising meat and bone, her nails digging into Vulpes' arm.
"Look," Vulpes orders, raising her chin.
Agnes looks, unable to keep the tears from her eyes.
Boone breathes heavily upon his cross, his remaining eye closed tightly.
"He won't last the night," Vulpes whispers. "Does that please you?"
Agnes nods her head.
"Thank me," he whispers as his hand trails along her back.
"Thank you Husband," she says quietly.
Vulpes looks into her eyes before wiping away a tear, licking the moisture off his thumb. The hungry look he gives makes Agnes contemplate jumping off the Dam.
"Come Wife," he grins, taking her hand. "Let us retire to our room and you can thank me properly."