***Adult situation Warning***
Agnes is dragged thru the Dam, her hand held tightly in Vulpes' grasp. The sound of the door shutting behind her brings an anxious feeling. They face each other, neither speaking. Though only feet apart, she feels miles away from him.
"Why did you have to do that? Why couldn't you have just killed him?," Agnes asks, breaking the silence.
Vulpes gives her an incredulous look.
"You don't think I have to right to retaliate against an attack on my wife?"
"I'm not your wife," she says tensely.
"That's not what you are saying the other night!"
Agnes crosses her arms with a huff as Vulpes approaches. He takes her by the shoulders, holding her firmly.
"My lamb, he tried to kill you. Is it so much of a crime to be who we are? Better dead than Legion, is that it?! You didn't have any more choice in it than I did. We are victims of circumstance."
She scoffs.
"I am a victim of circumstance, you are a weapon!"
"Oh really?," Vulpes says, twisting his head. "Says the woman that assassinated President Kimble. For someone that is a "victim", you sure had quite a role to play in the annexation of the Mojave," he bites.
Agnes fixes Vulpes with harsh glare.
"Leave!," she commands, breaking his hold on her shoulders.
He chuckles, "This is our room, I'm not going anywhere."
"Fine then, I'll leave," she replies cooly. "Where is your room?"
"You're not going anywhere either," Vulpes responds, seizing her upper arm to illustrate his point.
"Let go of me!," Agnes cries, trying to shake him off.
"Not until you calm down!," he says loudly, giving her a firm shake. "Sometimes we must do things that are unsavory and unpleasant but it has to be done."
"Why did you take his eye?"
"If thine eye offends thee, then pluck it out and cast it away," he replies breezily.
"That's not what that passage means," she snaps.
"I know," Vulpes smiles. "But I found the symbolism very fitting."
The appearance of that just so smile causes her breath to catch.
"Let me go," she commands.
"Don't worry, my lamb. I'm not gonna hurt you. We're going to have some fun is all."
"I don't want to have fun with you," Agnes states firmly.
Vulpes stands before her, his wanton need clear.
"Fight me," he says instead.
"What?"
"Fight me," he states clearly.
She shakes her head, refusing to play his game.
With a huff he pushes her up against the wall, his hand splayed on her chest. Vulpes studies her as she actively avoids his hot gaze.
"What would it take to get a reaction out of you?," he muses.
"You know," her Mentor begins. "I offered your dog the chance to fight for his life. Well, not just his but for all those we captured, what little remained."
Agnes listens, her face turned away from him.
"I must admit, your sniper fought well but not well enough," Vulpes chuckles as he leans in. "Of course, he failed. There are few that can best me."
His fingers began to caress her body as he continues to boast.
"I enjoyed beating him in front of the others. See their hopes wither and die. I broke his arm and for the hell of it, I broke his other arm. Then I made him watch as the men took turns using that mouthy blonde before throwing her from the cliff. Your friend actually cried. Hell, that whore said less the entire time she was being rode than your little worthless sniper."
Agnes grits her teeth.
"Ah," Vulpes says, "You knew her."
She remains silent.
"I shot that young kid too. Right in the head," he says, poking Agnes to indicate where.
He uses his finger to move her head, making her face him.
"Apparently that stuttering fool felt inspired to do something after that bitch was tossed," her Mentor says with an easy smile.
She remains silent, her eyes focused on his chest.
"You know the only response I got out of him after that involved you."
Her eyes cut to him.
"Ah," he says, amused at her reaction. "That got your attention."
"I told him all about you," Vulpes continues. "How helpful you've been to our cause and all that you've accomplished. All the fun times we had together, every little detail."
He pauses to cast another smile upon her.
"I think it hurt his feelings to know that we were together. That ungrateful cur had the nerve to spit on me and even called me a liar. Naturally I took care of it."
Vulpes reaches into his pocket.
"Here you go," he says holding something in his hand.
After refusing to comply, he takes her hand. Bearing that awful, toothy grin, he places something small and lumpy onto the palm of her hand.
"Can you guess what it is?," Vulpes grins, his blue eyes shining.
Full of apprehension, Agnes studies the mysterious lump before looking to her still smiling Mentor. He licks his lips in anticipation, waiting to catch the moment realization strikes.
"Oh my God!," she cries, dropping the severed tongue to the floor. "What the fuck?!"
Vulpes slams her head against the metal wall with a growl.
"What have I told you about talking to me like that!"
"Fuck off," Agnes growls back. "I don't belong to you!"
Vulpes crowds her even further, his body crushing her against the wall, his face mere inches from her.
"That's were you're wrong," he announces. "I am your Master."
His words set off an inferno that rages inside. Eyeing him fiercely, she struggles to control herself, knowing a fight is what he wants. Vulpes looks on in anticipation, watching her very closely.
"Get away from me!," Agnes growls, trying to push him back.
Her Mentor smiles at her attempts to remove him from her space.
"You're going to have to try harder than that, slave."
She continues to fume as he laughs.
"I'm going to enjoy this greatly! My first order for you, my little lamb, is for you to address me now and forever as Master."
Agnes narrows her eyes at the smug look upon his face.
"Never," she hisses.
"Oh come now, don't be difficult," he mocks to her grim expression.
"You sick bastard," she says full of contempt.
"Oh, don't be like that," Vulpes croons. "After a while, you'll come to enjoy being kept. I'll show you exactly how to please me."
To emphasis this point, he runs his hands down her sides, grasping her hips as he grinds himself against her.
"You'll be perfect, everything I've ever wanted."
Agnes is uncertain how to process her Mentor's declarations. The look in his eyes had yet to alleviate her concern as he continues to watch her closely.
"I serve Caesar," she states. "Not you."
"You will serve me," Vulpes declares. "You will continue to serve under me, in every sense of the word."
With barely restrained fury, Agnes opens her mouth to contest but is cut off by him.
"Continuing to fight me will only make the inevitable harder on you. Submit and I will forgive you of these transgressions. I will be fair and punish you lightly. You have my word."
Agnes fixes her Mentor with a harsh glare.
"Oh come now," Vulpes chides. "You've been calling me Husband and declared yourself to be mine. Just say what I want to hear."
He leans into her, ghosting up her neck til he settles even with her ear.
"You know how persuasive I can be," he whispers, his hand cupping her jaw.
"Contrary to these crazy notions you seem to have, you are not nor will ever be my Master," she spits at him, unable to contain herself any further.
Vulpes smiles as if she said something amusing.
"I am my own Master. Unlike you, I am no slave!," Agnes declares to his face.
The effect is immediate as his face turns into something horrible and ugly. He punches her solidly in the stomach, letting her fall to the cold floor.
"Nothing worse than a disrespectful slave," he says, looking down on her. "Looks like I'm going to have to teach you some manners."
"You rotten bastard," Agnes snarls, kicking his legs out from under him. She jumps on him, pummeling him with her fists and knees, aiming for all the soft spots as she was taught. Despite landing several good hits, Vulpes overwhelms her, quickly pinning her down.
"That was fun," he breathes, looking down at her with a feral grin.
Agnes can feel his excitement against her thigh. The crazed gleam in his eyes frightens her.
"Let me go," she says as calmly as she can. "You win, I give."
"Hmm," he responds, eying her hungrily. "Let's see what I've won."
Vulpes produces a knife and begins to cut her clothes. Agnes struggles to free herself, earning a nick in the process.
"Be still," he orders, pressing the blade against her throat. "I'd hate to cut you, it would ruin our fun."
Holding her breath, she can feel him place the cold blade against the collar of her shirt. In one smooth motion, it slides down her chest, cutting through her undershirt and chest binding with ease. She hears Vulpes suck in a breath as he uses the knife blade to flick the clothing from her body.
"Beautiful," he says, taking a nipple in his mouth.
Agnes struggles again, only stopping when Vulpes places the knife tip against her throat. He continues sucking on her breast while she fights to hold back her tears. With his free hand, Vulpes works her belt open, sliding a hand into her pants. Agnes begins to buck, despite the knife cutting into her throat.
"Don't," she cries. "Please stop."
Vulpes ignores her as he works her pants down. She tries to knee him, only barely missing his face.
"I told you to stop," he hisses, pressing the knife deeper into her neck.
"Let me go," she demands despite the bite of the blade.
"Be quiet!," he growls, pulling her pants down.
He releases his hold on the knife to pull at her boots. Agnes squirms, landing a solid kick on his back, pulling herself free of him, losing her other boot and pants. She jumps to her feet, running to the door.
"You really want to do that?," Vulpes asks as he stands.
The way he says it gives her pause.
"You really want to run nude through the Dam?," he asks.
Agnes looks at him incredulously, "As opposed to what will happen if I stay here?"
"What do you think will happen to you out there, you run around like that?," he responds.
"I bear Caesar's Mark, his will protects me."
"Does it?," Vulpes smirks as he removes his shirt. "I told you before that it was me that kept you safe."
"Me and you have different opinions of what safe is," Agnes bites.
Vulpes laughs, "That's what I like the most about you, my little lamb. Always ready to fight, no matter the odds."
Agnes tightens her grip on the door handle.
"One thing before you go," Vulpes calls.
She looks, only to catch the side of his fist against her jaw, causing her to fall against the door before sliding onto the floor
"You talk too much," he smirks, standing over her.
Agnes feels herself being dragged to the center of the room before watching Vulpes remove his boots and pants. He looks at her as a starving man would look at a meal, licking his lips in anticipation.
"Vulpes, please," she rasps.
"I knew you'd beg," he responds, his eyes shining brightly.
"For real, Vulpes. Stop. I don't want to do this," Agnes protests as he kneels beside her.
"Come now Wife, don't deny your Husband," he replies as he climbs atop her with a devilish grin.
"Get off me!," Agnes cries, trying to throw Vulpes off as he attempts to force her legs open with his knee.
She struggles with him, feeling fear in her heart as it becomes apparent that he is simply toying with her. Part of her holds onto the hope that he will stop once he has proven his point, like before.
"But this is his point," the little voice says forlornly.
Vulpes pauses, giving Agnes that glimmer of hope, only to have it dashed when he dives forward, biting her at the crook of her neck. It burns as his teeth sink into her flesh, drawing blood. She yells, beating him about the head in a desperate attempt to drive him off. He uses this distraction to force himself between her legs, thrusting into her. Agnes gasps at the intrusion, her hands clawing and pushing at his shoulders. Her mind reels at the understanding of what is happening as he begins to move, creating pain she never wished to experience.
"Stop," she cries as he works himself deeper.
Vulpes kisses her neck, holding her tight as he begins to rut into her. Agnes closes her eyes, tears running down her cheeks, desperately wishing to be anywhere but there. It seems to go on forever before she hears him grunt, coming with a low moan.
Resting on his elbows and knees, Vulpes nuzzles her neck before releasing a content sigh. Agnes lay still under him, her breathing slow.
"Lamb?," he asks, looking down on her. "Are you alright?"
"No," she whispers. "Get off me."
Vulpes eyes her critically before doing as asked. She winces as he withdraws, the cool air bringing goose bumps to her naked flesh. Her body curls in on itself, rolling away from him. Agnes hears him sigh as he kneels beside her.
"Come on, get up," he says gently, touching her side.
"Don't fuckin' touch me!," she snaps, moving away from him. She stands, grimacing at the pain she feels.
"You bastard!," she growls, wiping the wetness from her cheeks.
The confused look on his face stirs her anger.
"Are you satisfied?," she asks sharply. "Are you?!"
"Agnes," he calls, reaching out to her.
"Don't you dare," she says shakily, making her way around the perimeter of the room.
"You have no right. I've done everything you asked of me and still you...you hurt me."
"Agnes," he repeats.
"No!," she shouts. "You had no right!"
Agnes feels her bottom lip tremble despite her efforts to keep a strong face.
"I thought I meant more to you than that but apparently I was mistaken."
Vulpes opens his mouth to respond but is stopped by a wave of her hand.
"Stop, I don't care to hear your explanation. There's nothing you can say."
She runs into the bathroom, shutting the door quickly. Huddling against the far wall, Agnes watches the door for any sign of Vulpes. After an eternity of piercing silence she climbs into a warm shower, the running water covering the sound of her crying. She comes to her own understanding of why Vulpes is called terrible.
...
Agnes awakes in bed. She furrows her brows, last she remembers is crying under the warm running water. How did she get in bed?
She slowly shifts to sit up, surprised to find herself dressed in an oversized shirt. Her entire body aches. Looking around she spies her Mentor sitting at the table, writing something. Feeling her eyes upon him, he stops. With a crippling sense of deju vu, she watches Vulpes slowly approach.
"Here again,"the tiny voice states.
Never again, she silently resolves.
He sits on the bed. Agnes turns her head away from him, refusing to look at him.
"How do you feel?," he asks softly, gently touching her hand.
"Are you hungry?," he offers to her silence. "Thirsty?"
His soft tone and gentleness irritates her. How dare he pretend to care now.
"Yes, I have an intense craving for some fresh water, why don't you be a dear and go fetch me some," Agnes bristles, snatching her hand from his touch.
Vulpes draws a long breath before releasing it through his nose.
"Okay," he says. "I'll be back in a moment."
As soon as he leaves, she races to find her pack. Opening the secret compartment, she is relieved to find the small case. Upon opening the case, Agnes is disappointed finding only her potions remain.
"That bastard," she mutters, pulling out a vial.
At least the horrible taste brings some relief.
...
It hadn't occurred to Agnes til now to inquire if Vulpes had his own room. Up until he attacked her, she didn't give it a second thought, finding comfort in his arms. Funny how things change, she muses, watching him undress for bed.
"You know both of us can't fit on this bed," she growls to Vulpes as she balances on the edge of the mattress.
The bed is spacious for one but there is only one way two can fit comfortably. Agnes is not keen on being the little spoon . There is a long pause before he responds.
"You're right," he says before pushing her off the bed.
Surprised, Agnes falls on her side, her feet tangled in the sheets.
"You asshole!," she cries from the floor as Vulpes chuckles.
"Got enough space down there?," he asks, clearly amused with himself.
She huffs before pulling on the sheets and blanket.
Vulpes pulls back, a playful grin on his face.
"Hey!," Agnes cries. "Not fair, first you push me out of bed and now you won't share the sheets."
"If you wanna share the sheets, you'll have to come up here," her Mentor teases.
She releases the sheets with a quickness.
"Fine. Keep them."
He watches her retrieves her sleeping bag and mat from her pack.
"Really?," he deadpans, propped up on one elbow.
Agnes gives him a glare before crawling into her makeshift bed, turning her back to him. She hears him release a long sigh before muttering to himself and walking over to her. Lying still, Agnes awaits his move. It's not long before she feels a nudge on her back.
"What?," she asks sharply.
"Don't take that tone with me!," Vulpes snaps. "Get up!"
"No," she says over her shoulder. "I'm tired, leave me alone."
"If you don't get your ass up this very instant, I will throw you off the Dam myself!," he growls.
"Fine!," Agnes bites as she stands. "I'm up, what can I do for you?"
Vulpes points to the bed, "Get in."
Her eyes flash with doubt and worry.
"Go on," he instructs, giving her a nudge.
Reluctantly, Agnes pads over to the bed and climbs into it. She watches as Vulpes drags her sleeping bag next to the bed. Snatching a pillow from the bed, he settles into it with another sigh.
...
Vulpes was right, Boone passed during the night.
Agnes is truly thankful of his release, saying a silent prayer. She stares at his boots, studying how scuffled they were before giving a tiny, sad smile. Boone was meticulous about his boots. This tiny detail brings tears to her eyes. If Vulpes notices them, he is mercifully quiet. She watches numbly as they cut down the body, the sound of it hitting the concrete turning her stomach. The next occupant is drug out and hoisted into place, struggling the entire time. This man spews curses at her from his new perch. Agnes turns her face into her Mentor's shoulder, hiding her tears.
...
"You need to eat," Vulpes tells her, shoving a bowl of food in her face.
Agnes pushes it away, "I'm not hungry."
He sighs, "It's been two days and you've barely eaten more than a mouthful."
"I'm not hungry," she states again.
"By Mars, woman, you are trying my patience. You need to eat something!"
"Just let me sleep," she says.
"That's all you do is sleep," Vulpes retorts.
"Because I'm tired," she replies.
"No," he says firmly. "You're tired because you haven't eaten." Vulpes pauses, giving her an once over. "This is good stuff," he announces, pushing the bowl towards her. "It's your favorite, Brahmin Stew."
Agnes eyes the bowl before her.
"Come on lamb, just a few bites," he pleads. "You have to eat something. It'll make you feel better."
She studies the food before her. The stew does looks good, full of vegetables and chucks of meat. A generous portion of bread sits off to the side next to a tall glass of water. Despite her stomach rumbling at the smell of the food, despair sits heavily upon her heart, keeping her from caring about anything. The actions of the past week weigh heavily upon her, Boone's capture and horrible death along with Vulpes' betrayal, hurt her greatly, leaving her in a pit with her own dark thoughts for company.
A thousand voices come from the darkness.
She was a fool for trusting in someone like Vulpes. Having feelings for such a man put her where she currently was. He didn't care for beyond her use. She brought this on herself for helping the Legion. This was her punishment, rightfully earned. Vulpes kept her safe from the others, so that he may be her only tormentor. Despite giving herself willingly to him, her Mentor has a perverse pleasure in taking. She was a fool, ignoring what so clearly lay in front of her. Death would be a welcome reprieve for one so stupid and worthless. Death is what she was better than this pain.
Death would make everything better.
"I'm not hungry," she announces, standing up and crawling back into bed.
...
Siri comes by, Agnes knows that Vulpes had called for her but welcomes her familiar face none the less.
"You need to eat," Siri chides. "Your Mentor says that you haven't eaten much in four days."
"I'm not hungry," she mutters.
"What's wrong?," the healer asks, sitting close to Agnes.
"Everything," Agnes replies, feeling her lip quiver.
Siri hugs her, the simple kindness causing Agnes to cry. She cries for all the lives lost, for all the pain caused, the suffering, and finally, she cries for herself. Through heavy tears, Agnes confides in Siri, telling her everything: how she was coerced into helping, all the terrible things she had done in the name of the Legion, how she felt about Vulpes and his betrayal.
"I wish I was dead," she concludes, wiping fat tears from her cheeks.
"If you're dead, you will never have your revenge," Siri whispers.
"What?," Agnes sniffles.
"If you go and kill yourself, that smug bastard wins," the healer clarifies.
"But what can I do?"
"You survive, just like the rest of us," Siri states. "Leave this place, go where he can't reach you."
Agnes looks confused.
"Ask for your release, go home."
"Vulpes will never let me go," she responds mournfully.
"Only Caesar's word matters," the healer responds crisply.
Agnes eyes her with uncertainly before understanding.
"You're right, only Caesar matters. The hell with Vulpes."
"Atta girl," Siri smiles. "Now you have to eat, build your strength back up. I'm sure its a long way home."
Agnes gives a watery smile, "Thank you Siri. For everything. I wish there was something I could do for you."
"All in good time," she responds with a smile. "You've ended the war, that's enough for now."
"She'll be fine," Siri reports to Vulpes as he stands in the hallway, arms crossed.
Vulpes releases a long breath, "Thank you Siri. I was concerned, I didn't know what to do."
"Do you care for her?," she asks quietly.
Vulpes pauses, having been caught off guard by her question.
"Do you?," she asks again.
"I don't see where any of that is your concern," Vulpes bites.
"If you care for Agnes, it would do her well to hear it," Siri says before walking away.
...
Vulpes comes back late, long after Agnes had retired for the night. He crawls into bed, smelling strongly of smoke. Almost immediately he begins to touch her.
She doesn't fight him, there wasn't a need to so for Vulpes is going to do as he wishes. For the past three nights, Agnes had gone to sleep on the floor, only to awaken in his arms every morning. The more distance she tries to put between them, the closer she finds him. Now with his business outside concluded, Vulpes spends most of his time with her in their room. He had taken over the table, her written adventures gathered into a tidy pile and put away. More evidence to her eye that Vulpes only takes.
Placing light kisses along her neck and shoulder, his hand begin to roam, caressing her breasts. Vulpes moves to capture her mouth but she turns her head, refusing his kiss. He stops with a sigh, pulling her into an embrace. The way they lie together reminds her of their time with Boomers. Agnes falls asleep thinking of the them, safe behind their tall metal fences and foolhardy application of explosive ordnance.
The next morning she eats her breakfast, earning a smile from her Mentor.
"I'm glad that you're feeling better," he says.
"I am too," she responds.
Agnes realizes that Vulpes is watching her more than usual as she eats.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," he replies. "I'm glad to see you finally eat, I was becoming concerned."
Agnes quirks an eyebrow at his words, "You finally develop some feelings?"
"Something like that," he says with a small chuckle. "I'm just glad that you're feeling better."
Agnes spies the small bouquet of wildflowers that grace the table.
"What's with the flowers?"
"Oh, I'd thought they might cheer you up," he replies, nonchalantly.
Her eyebrows shoots up to her hairline.
"Now I'm concerned," she says, eyeing him carefully as she places the back of her hand against his forehead.
"Maybe you should see Siri, I think you're developing a fever."
Vulpes smirks, pushing her hand away.
"Nothing of the sort, I'm fine."
Agnes chuffs, "If you say so."
Afterwards he takes her out onto the walkway. When she inevitable peers at the row of crosses, Agnes spots the one that held Boone had been burnt, only a charred stump remains.
"Lets just say that profligate had it coming," her Mentor offers as explanation.
Agnes nods her head, uncertain of how to take his response.
"Come my lamb, let us take a walk. I'm eager to be outside and I know you feel the same."
For the rest of the day, Vulpes lingers closely giving small touches here and there. Once again, Agnes thinks of the Boomers, of her time with Max and of a house engulfed in flames.
"Can you schedule me an audience with Caesar?," she asks the following morning at breakfast.
"Why?," Vulpes asks.
"I'm going to ask for my release. The war is over, I want to go home."
Vulpes suddenly regards her with a tense expression causing Agnes to furrow her brows in confusion.
"What's that look for?," she asks, drinking her tea.
"Nothing," he replies, smoothing his features. "Of course, I will get you an audience with Caesar. You're right, the war is over, I'm sure you are ready to go home."
She gives him a smile,"I bet you're eager to leave this place as well. "
"Yes," Vulpes smiles. "It will be good to leave this wretched place."
Agnes notices how his smile doesn't reach his eyes and is unprepared for the pang she feels in her chest. She resists the urge to touch him, to make him give a true smile.
Never again, the tiny voice reminds her.
Vulpes was right, she should know her worth and being kept as a plaything wasn't it.
...
"Agnes wishes to return home," Vulpes says to his Master. "I would like to accompany her."
"Yes and No," Caesar states from his throne at Fortification Hill.
After the "assassination attempt, the Emperor was keen to stay away from the Dam.
"My liege," Vulpes begins to counter.
"Are you wanting to request this as your boon?"
"No, my liege, I just."
Caesar smiles at his agent, effectively cutting him off.
"Well then, you have my answer."
"Yes my liege, thank you for your time," Vulpes says bowing deeply.
A few days later Agnes kneels before Caesar, who looks upon her with a pleased expression.
"Agnes Tutor of Arizona, citizen of the Empire, it is because of your contributions, through hard work and dedication, that the annexation of the Mojave was successful. New Vegas will be the shining jewel of the Empire. Rise, knowing that you have accomplished a great task and that your exploits will be remembered for eternity."
Agnes rises, unable to stop herself from smiling.
"Thank you my liege," she says bowing lowly. "It was an honor to serve for the glory of the Empire."
Caesar hands a set of folded papers to Vulpes with a slight smirk. Her Mentor had remained silent and carefully neutral through out the whole ceremony. He turns, papers in hand to Agnes. She tries to keep a somber face to match that of her Mentor but is having limited success as her smile keeps creeping back.
"Agnes Tutor," he begins. "You have fulfilled your contract and your services are no longer needed. You are dismissed."
Feeling like her heart is going to burst at any moment, Agnes reaches for the folded papers. She pulls them only to have Vulpes hold onto him.
"Do one thing for me," he says.
"Yes, Dominus," Agnes responds.
"Go home and stay there."
"Gladly," she replies, giving a dazzling smile before pulling the papers from his hand.
"Walk me out?," she requests.
Vulpes grins as he escorts her out the tent, holding his head high despite Lucius's snickering.
The pair walk to the edge of the camp, past the guards and further down the road. Just out of eye sight of the tall, wooden palisades, they stop.
"I'm surprised that you wanted to see me," Vulpes says.
"I couldn't just leave," Agnes replies truthfully.
Vulpes gives her a small smile, "I'm going to miss you."
She says nothing, simply nodding her head, she will miss what they had.
"Don't go," Vulpes blurts. "Come with me to Flagstaff. I have a house there and..."
"I can't," she interrupts.
In another time, Agnes would have accepted his offer in a heartbeat, perhaps even marry him. But that was before she experienced his cruelty. The notion goes unspoken but still seems to have been conveyed as her Mentor nods.
"Well, I guess this is it," he says, giving her a half smile.
Once again, Agnes feels that pang in her chest at the look on his face.
"I guess it is," she agrees, smothering her feelings.
"Take care of yourself, my lamb. Mars be with you."
"And with you," she replies, placing a chaste kiss on his cheek.
Agnes walks away with mixed emotions. Despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to outright hate Vulpes. There had been something between them, she didn't imagine it. This thought begins a quick series of feelings and memories, flowing so fiercely Agnes' heart aches. She can't help how she feels, can she? The happiness is short lived by the sadness that inevitably follows. For all his passion, he was an equal monster, ruin and damnation wearing a charming smile. Vulpes wouldn't change. How many times would she allow her heart and body to be bruised? The promise she made to herself floats to the forefront of her mind: never again.
Agnes turns to look back, to have a final look at what she was leaving behind but finds the path empty, Vulpes is gone.
"Just as well," she tells herself as she picks up her pace.
...
She stops at a small town that reminds her of GoodSprings, spending the night at the Cactus Blossom Inn. When asked for a name, Agnes provides Annie Fox of New Vegas.
That evening Agnes sits at the counter eating her dinner while the radio drones on about the success of the annexation of the Mojave and the Courier's role.
"Can you believe that?," the man behind the counter says as he wipes down glasses. "A woman helping the Legion. "
"I think it's wonderful," a woman sitting nearby remarks.
"Nobody asked you Doris," the man playfully retorts.
Doris grins as looks to Agnes, "What you think honey?"
"It could be the start of a new age," she responds.
The man behind the counter scoffs loudly.
Laying in bed, Agnes reviews the paperwork she was given. To her surprise, the Empire will give her a monthly stipend of twenty golden aureus for the rest of her life. She is further surprised to find she is to receive a lump sum as her part of the spoils of the annexation. Her mind swirls at this information. A folded piece of yellow paper falls from amongst the stack of papers, pulling her head out of the clouds. Agnes unfolds it, recognizing the tiny, neat handwriting instantly.
My dearest lamb, I have failed you. Instead of protecting you, I hurt you and for that I deeply apologize. It burdens me to know that not only have I lost your trust but also your friendship. One day I hope that you look upon me with the fondness that we once shared. If you should ever need me, know I will be there for you.
Yours always, VI
Agnes reads and rereads the letter many times before tucking it away in her wallet. She pulls out her precious souvenir from the hidden compartment of her pack. A pair of smiling faces with entwined hands greet her eye as pleasant memories bubble forth. The wording of his letter validates her feelings but brings her no joy. Like fog dissipating in sunlight, his heartless actions had opened her eyes to his sadistic nature.
"But you knew the entire time," the tiny voice chides.
Agnes makes a face as she fiddles with the ring hanging around her neck, a nervous habit she picked up from her time alone at the Dam.
"You were willing to overlook it as long as it never affected you," the voice continues.
She sighs, it was true. The signs are all there but for a moment of happiness in such a dark time, she was willing to overlook his terrible nature. Agnes takes a moment to debate on if such men were born or simply created. Another reason to never give her children to the war machine, she decides.
That night she dreams of a house in a lush field of golden wheat on a fine day. She is standing at the sink when she notices the dark outline of a man on the horizon. The appearance of this man unsettles her greatly. Agnes stands in the fields, her fair skies gone dark. He approaches, leaving a wake of destruction. Embers fall from the dark skies as he stands before her. She pulls a gun on the dark figure but is unable to pull the trigger. The figure smirks before caressing her hand. Much to her horror, darkness covers her hand, spreading quickly up her arm. Agnes puts the gun to her temple and pulls the trigger.
She awakes with a start, breathing heavily as she wildly looks about the room. Finding nothing, Agnes lays back and closes her eyes. She would never be free of him.
...
The closer Agnes got to home, the more tightly coiled she began to feel. It is hard to explain away the anxiety that she felt. Curious thoughts began to pop into her mind: What if nobody remembered her? Could they tell that she was different? Can they see the blood?
Agnes daydreams about running away. She would go to the farthest reach of the Empire and perhaps beyond. Away from everyone. Maybe return to the Mojave, find solace in the wide open desert. To simply be alone. The thought of abandoning her family, the people she fought so desperately to return to, twists her heart. In her mind she hears Pater chastising her foolishness, she had accomplished great things and should be proud. Agnes continues her slow journey homeward.
She stands on the road that will take her into town. Finally, after two weeks of detours and countless hours of self reflection, she is finally home. Taking a deep breath, Agnes puts one foot in front of the other and continues.
...
Almost there, she thinks, spying the large rock that marks the entrance into town.
A man sitting on the rock jumps up and begins calling out to her. Without a second thought, Agnes pulls her pistol and tells for him to stop. The man freezes, hands held high as she cautiously approaches.
"Agnes!," the man calls. "It's me, Jonathan. We received word that you would be returning home soon. I've been waiting for you."
Agnes smiles, it had been years but Jonathan still looks the same. Stocky like his Father with honey brown eyes of his Mother. She can see shaggy dark hair peeking out from under his worn cowboy hat.
"Sorry," she calls, holstering her pistol. "Old habits. It's good to see you, how have you been Jonathan? How is your Dad?"
"Dad died three years ago. "
"I'm sorry to hear that," she says touching his arm.
"Don't be, he had a lingering sickness. It's better this way, he isn't suffering anymore."
Agnes nods her head in understanding.
Jonathan smiles, "Enough of my sadness. How are you? Where have you been all this time?"
"Just roaming around, got a job as a Courier. Been as far West as Shady Sands in California."
"Perfect job for you!," he replies. "Since Dad died, I got elected Sheriff."
"Family tradition?," Agnes teases.
"Between you and me, I don't think anybody else wanted it," he replies.
"How did you receive word that I was on the way?," she asks.
"A man came by looking for you."
Agnes tilts her head at this, "A courier?"
"Hmm, not quite. He was tall and had blue eyes. Said he was a friend of yours."
Agnes pauses, letting out a tiny gasp.
"Where is he?"
"Oh, he left about three days ago. He stuck around for a week, just waiting. Seemed disappointed when he left. Kinda concerned that you hadn't made it back."
Agnes gives a half hearted smile.
"Yeah, I didn't come straight back, just wandered around a bit. Had some thinking to do."
Jonathan laughs, "That's what I told him, you're like the breeze, just doing whatcha want but eventually you'd make it home."
"Did he leave anything for me?"
"Nope, said that anything he wanted to say, he'd do it in person."
Agnes dwells on the thought that Vulpes had trailed behind her, hoping to find her. She imagines his disappointed face and wonders as to the reason he came here in the first place. Part of her is glad to have missed her Mentor while the other part is devastated at the loss of opportunity. Jonathon touches her arm, bringing her back.
"Want me to carry your bag?," he asks.
"No, I got it. "
"Okay, let's go find your brother. He's been very anxious to see you. So is Max."
"I'm ready to see them too," she smiles.