p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"The Traveler had been vanquished. Chunks of ancient Eridian stone littered the landscape, silent and unmoving, but even that couldn't detract from the beauty of what had opened beyond./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"The Vault of the Traveler./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Finally./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys and Fiona both stood at the foot of the looming portal, both staring up at it in quiet awe. It glowed with a powerful, ethereal quality./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys chanced a glance in her direction. The light from the portal danced in her eyes as she stared at it with the reverence it deserved./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""So," he began, turning back to face it himself, "the Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""The Vault," Fiona agreed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""I mean, the /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Vault/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". Big ol' Vault. There it is. It is definitely... a Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm," Fiona agreed and though she didn't look at him, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "It's... big."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Big ol' Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, the front door is big, anyway." Fiona shrugged slightly and glanced at him. "The inside could be really small."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Little ol' Vault." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Behind them, a short distance away, Sasha, Vaughn and the rest were loudly and enthusiastically sorting through the loot the Traveler had so kindly left for them. Fiona closed her eyes for a moment, drinking it in. That Sasha was there, eagerly hunting for guns... if Fiona believed in any gods, she would have been thanking them for it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""We could, y'know, check for ourselves. For, uhh, science," Rhys continued, half-smiling at her with a light shrug./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I mean, we owe it to ourselves. And... Pandora," Fiona agreed, smiling slightly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Right. We're pioneers. Or, something equally as impressive."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""As if 'Vault Hunter' and 'Corporate CEO' weren't impressive enough?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Heh. Alright, I'll give you that. What can I say? Some people were born to be great to, like, a whole other dimension."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona smirked as a familiar and very welcomed warmth blossomed in her chest. She'd missed this. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"The morning following their somewhat painful conversation - well, if /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"conversation/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" was the right word, more like 'Rhys said a lot of words while Fiona stood there' - had been incredibly awkward, to put it mildly. Sasha had been right, the good night's sleep had definitely helped and Fiona had been amazed at how well she'd actually slept that night, all things considered. Athena and Janey had arrived as they'd eaten breakfast and, together with Zer0, they'd combed over their plans to defeat the Traveler several times to ensure they all knew their roles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona and Rhys had barely been able to look at each other, truth be told. But, this mission had been bigger than both of them and they'd been able to put aside everything raging in their own heads to focus on the Vault. To focus on getting Gortys back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They'd fallen straight back into stride, working together once again. And /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"god/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", how they worked well together./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"And, somehow, something shifted. The /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"thing/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" that had festered between them had diminished to a point where they could at least talk to each other now without wanting to run in the opposite direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Not that either one of them had wanted /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"that/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" in the first place./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys glanced over his shoulder to where the others were scrambling to pick up loot. "Surprised they didn't charge over here, too. I mean, it's a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Vault/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". How many of these does anyone see in an entire lifetime?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona turned slightly to watch the group. "Mmm. Maybe they're letting us have this one. We /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"did/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" technically start this whole thing. Besides, I think Sasha at least has everything she was looking for." Fiona smiled softly as she watched Sasha eagerly sort through some of the guns littering the dusty ground. Sasha's arm was in a makeshift sling but even that couldn't stop her diving for every gun she could see./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah," Rhys also smiled gently as he watched Sasha enthusiastically wave a shield at Vaughn, who perked up at the sight of it. Loader Bot and Gortys were chatting a short distance away. Zer0 and Athena appeared to be chatting about big Vault monsters and Vaults, if Janey's disapproving expression was anything to go by, anyway. Rhys exhaled slowly. Everyone was ok. They were ok. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He made a grand, sweeping gesture toward the Vault with his arm. "Shall we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""We've come all this way," Fiona said quietly, flashes of memories resurfacing and causing a wave of aching nostalgia. She let it wash over her, then suddenly offered a half-smile in his direction. "It would be a shame to just leave it here, huh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Someone else would only come in and see what's inside," Rhys shrugged lightly, "I mean, what if it's awful in there? We're doing Pandora a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"favour/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah. What if it's full of skags?" Fiona smirked at him. "Or skin pizzas?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh, god," Rhys visibly paled and held his metal hand to his stomach, "nope, I'm out-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Don't even think about it, Strongfork," Fiona fixed him with a mock stern stare, crossing her arms. "We started this thing together, so, that's how we're gonna end it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys stared openly at her for a beat. Together. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It sounded so... /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"right. /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He suddenly didn't want to go inside, if it meant the end. If only they could just press pause, right here. The two of them, together again after all this time and after everything, the hurt, the anger and yet they were in step again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It had come so easily, even after everything that had happened in the last few days. Layers of a mental fortress, likely built to protect themselves, melting away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It would have been too much for some people. Yet, here they were./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Alright, then," he smiled at her. This wasn't the end. Not if he had anything to say about it. "Together."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They stepped through the shimmering portal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys had squeezed his eyes closed as he stepped through. Just in case something bad happened. He heard Fiona gasp softly and, once he realised the door hadn't killed them, opened his eyes again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Nothing could have prepared him. Overwhelmingly /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"purple/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", for a start. So unlike anything he'd ever seen before and he'd seen a lot by this point. Floating steps, weird crystals. A glowing chest at the head of it all. Alien, and beautiful./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Huh," he said quietly, mouth open slightly as he took it all in. "I was right."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Big ol' Vault," Fiona chimed in, smiling. They glanced at each other and the Vault was reflected in her eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It looked even more beautiful from this angle. Purples mixed with soft greens and he could have drowned in it all./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""And there's a treasure chest. Very considerate of the aliens to reward us for not being squashed to death by their giant monster... thing."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Guess we'd better see what's inside," Fiona shrugged lightly, "just to check it isn't dangerous, obviously."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""For, uhh, Pandora?" Rhys smirked, causing her to grin and roll her eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Sod 'em, we earned this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They began to walk toward their hard-earned reward. Rhys was still mildly surprised that the others hadn't followed them in, especially Zer0 and Athena. Maybe they'd seen enough Vaults to last a lifetime. He began to climb the steps, slightly nervous at first - there were no handrails to grab onto if he lost his footing. Hopefully Fiona would be able to stop him from badly injuring himself. She'd been remarkably good at that during their travels./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys stopped as he realised she was no longer in step beside him. He turned to find her stood at the bottom of the stairs, one foot gingerly placed onto the first step in front of her. He couldn't see her face - she appeared to be staring down at the foot she'd placed on the step./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""Fiona...?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"She gently pulled the foot off the step and took a step backwards. Then, she looked up, directly at him, and Rhys' breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of her expression./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"She looked like she was about to cry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Well. This was deeply unsettling./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Her eyes were wide as she flicked her gaze to the chest at the top of the stairs, mouth open slightly. Rhys was thrown and already questioning what he could possibly have done to cause /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Are you... ok?" Rhys ventured cautiously. This was new territory. He'd experienced Fiona in heated anger, deep hurt. This was different - she almost looked vulnerable. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She looked back at him, open and honest. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I don't want this to end."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys turned to fully face her, gently, lost for words. He didn't have to find any - she suddenly started laughing somewhat hysterically. He blinked down at her a couple of times./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Even after everything, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"hah/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"! We should be dead, we had /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"no/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" right to survive what we did - I should be relieved it's done, but I'm /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"not/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"." Some of the hysteria bubbled away and she stared up at him, face flushed, eyes wide. "You - and Vaughn - you completely upended my life, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"our/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" lives, with your stupid plan to get one over on Vasquez and that ridiculous journey... the one where we nearly died a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"lot. /span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Even today! Sasha /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"died/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". I thought I'd lost her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She appeared to collect herself, taking in a deep breath. "That stupid journey was the best thing that's ever happened to me. And now we're here and... I'm not ready to say goodbye."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona had somehow managed to sum up, in a single, emotional outburst, exactly how he'd been feeling for days. Months, even. He exhaled softly, smiling gently, as a crushing wave of relief crashed through him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He descended the steps back toward her. "It doesn't have to end," he said softly, fighting the impulse to pull her into an embrace. "No-one is saying it has to end. So, why should it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona stared up at him as he stepped down to her. Her heart stumbled in her chest as he stopped in front of her, so close and warm and /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"right/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"there/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Maybe it was the Vault, or maybe she was still riding the high of defeating the Vault monster. Maybe it was because she'd almost lost her sister less than an hour ago. Maybe, for the first damn time in her life, she was just going to think 'fuck it' and do something terribly impulsive and just deal with the consequences later./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She stepped forward, grabbed the collar of that damn shirt that fit him /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"far/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" too well, it was almost unfair, and half-pulled him down as she pulled herself onto her tiptoes but maybe even that was unnecessary because he was definitely leaning down toward her-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Their lips met./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona had kissed people before./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Never before had she felt this. An explosion of butterflies in her stomach, or fireworks, or something just as cliché but /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"damn/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" if it wasn't real. Lightheaded, limbs trembling - her hands tightly clutching his shirt collar were the only things grounding her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"A minute passed or maybe it was an hour, who knew. Who cared?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"His hand was on the side of her face, in her hair - knocking her beloved hat off. On the back of her neck. His metal arm curled around her waist but the gentle touch at the base of her neck as fingertips brushed along it was responsible for the pleasant shiver running down her spine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Her left hand abandoned the shirt collar and curled around his neck and he hadn't managed to find any hair gel in the desert, his hair was soft and she pushed her fingers into it where it began at the back of his neck. She was certain she felt him shudder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They pulled apart, reluctantly, at least, definitely on Fiona's end. She blinked up at him, flushed warm, as he stared rather comically down at her, mouth slightly open. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh, crap. Was that a good thing? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She'd kind of just... done it. He'd definitely leaned in, though. ... Right?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"For once, Fiona was the one stumbling all over her words./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I, umm, heh," she flicked the hair that had fallen in front of her face aside in a somewhat nervous gesture. "Kinda just... did that, huh. Sor-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys placed the fingertips of his left hand on her lips, ever so gently, shocking her into silence. "If you say you're 'sorry', I will throw you out of this Vault and take all the treasure for myself." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He laughed, a warm, hearty exhale of a laugh. "You have /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"no/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" idea how long I've wanted to do that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She smiled, big warm and slightly nervous. "Probably about as long as I have, I'd wager."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Honestly thought I'd be the one to break first," Rhys said, half-smiling at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Huh. Me too, actually. Don't get used to it. This is the smoothest you'll ever be." She winked at him, grinning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'll take it. On the condition that we do /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"that/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Spoken like a true businesswoman," Rhys held out his hand to her and she snorted loudly, before grasping his hand in hers and giving it a firm shake. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Alright, hotshot. We can talk 'business' after we crack open this chest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Deal," he grinned at her and winked. Fiona shook her head, smiling, as she retrieved her hat from the floor and carefully placed it back on her head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They fell into step beside each other as they began to climb the steps leading to the chest. A comfortable silence settled between them as they just enjoyed the feeling of, well, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". Nerve endings on fire, excitement and the thrill of a new adventure that promised to be just as exciting as the last./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, then," Rhys began as they reached the summit. "Big ol' chest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm," Fiona eyed it hungrily as they stepped toward it. "What do you think is inside?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys gave the chest a long look as he considered his answer. "Well... Vault of the 'Traveler'. Maybe we'll... end up travelling somewhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Aww, I didn't bring my suitcase. Damn."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Ehh, we just spent days in the desert in the same clothes and you still managed to look stunning." Rhys went rather pink as Fiona looked up at him in amazement./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""/spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"God/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", Rhys," she laughed, snorting and grinning like a Cheshire cat, "did that Atlas deed come with a crash course in smoothness?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""This is all me," he chuckled endearingly, "so, uh, something to look forward to?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'll take your word for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm, sure. Anyway. What about you? What's inside this thing?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona stared at the chest, trying to remember everything she'd ever read about Vaults and alien treasures. "Alright, I think you're onto something with the 'Traveler' thing. Maybe it's something that aids travel? Like... a map." Her eyes lit up as she eyed the glyphs scattered across the lid of the chest. "A map that leads to more Vaults. That contain more maps. That lead to more Vaults! That lead to /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"more/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"- what are you laughing at?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh, nothing, except I think your eyes have turned into dollar signs."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Imagine the possibilities!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Let's just, uhh, see what's in /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" one first. In case it's full of murder-bots."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Or skin piz-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh-my-god /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"stop/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Shoulder to shoulder. Warm fingers brushed hers, she looked down at them, smiling, and curled her ring and pinky fingers around his. A gentle squeeze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Unspoken, they simultaneously placed their free hands on the chest. Without any further prompt, the chest began to glow brightly, the glyphs shining through in a mix of purple and warm white light. It enveloped both of them and they both closed their eyes against the intensity of it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"A moment passed, then another./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona was the first to open her eyes to find that they were both... standing right outside of the entrance to the Vault. Except, now it was just an empty arch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... Uhh. Rhys?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm?" Rhys' eyes were squeezed tightly closed. "Is it murder-bots? I knew it. I /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"knew/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Rhys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He finally opened his eyes, blinked, and immediately frowned in confusion. "I, uhh- what?" He looked around, to the empty arch and back around the desert again. "I... don't understand."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""You and me both," Fiona murmured, eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the former Vault entrance. "Did we miss something? Why are we just... back here?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Do you have any treasure? Pretty sure I don't have any treasure."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Unless this is some 'the real treasure is the friends you made along the way' crap," Fiona snorted, "in which case, I want my money back."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, maybe we can ask Zer0 and Athena? They've done this before, maybe they have some pointers for first-time Vault hunters. We probably, I dunno, missed a button somewhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah. Speaking of friends..." Fiona turned slightly to see Sasha, Vaughn and the rest staring right at them, apparently as confused as she was. She saw Sasha's eyes trail downwards slightly, her eyes widening before she suddenly broke into a sly grin. Fiona followed to where her sister's eyes had gone. To where Fiona and Rhys' fingers were still interlocked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh, crap./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys turned slightly to acknowledge the group and immediately spied Vaughn looking... smug? Definitely smug. Sasha was grinning from ear to ear. Fiona's fingers were still intertwined with his own./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... Oh."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""/spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... I think I'd rather face the Vault monster again. Vaughn is gonna be /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"relentless/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Sasha is going to have /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"far/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" too much fun with this. I can hear it all now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys exhaled a soft laugh as he met her eyes. "Alright, then. Well, we took down a Vault monster. This, I mean, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah." Fiona shrugged lightly. "We got this. Endless teasing from our nearest and dearest, what's not to love?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Let's get this over with, then," Rhys sighed dramatically as they began to walk toward the group. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"In the distance, the group spotted the pair heading toward them and quite suddenly pretended to be busy inspecting their loot, in Sasha's case, or talking about Vaults and loot in most other cases. Sasha still had a shit-eating grin on her face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona gave Rhys' fingers a quick squeeze, then suddenly dropped his hand. He stopped and looked at her, confused, before she grinned at him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Don't want to give them /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"too/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" much ammunition, do we?" She winked, before turning and jogging the rest of the way to the others. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys let out a loud laugh as he watched her kick up dust, before breaking into a run to catch up. She slowed to let him catch up, which he did shortly thereafter, only slightly out of breath, to his credit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Together?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Together."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"I hope you enjoyed this! Eight months after playing the game for the first time and I still can't get it out of my brain. I'm planning more fanfics, watch this space./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"The Vault of the Traveler./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Finally./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys and Fiona both stood at the foot of the looming portal, both staring up at it in quiet awe. It glowed with a powerful, ethereal quality./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys chanced a glance in her direction. The light from the portal danced in her eyes as she stared at it with the reverence it deserved./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""So," he began, turning back to face it himself, "the Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""The Vault," Fiona agreed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""I mean, the /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Vault/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". Big ol' Vault. There it is. It is definitely... a Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm," Fiona agreed and though she didn't look at him, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "It's... big."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Big ol' Vault."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, the front door is big, anyway." Fiona shrugged slightly and glanced at him. "The inside could be really small."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Little ol' Vault." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Behind them, a short distance away, Sasha, Vaughn and the rest were loudly and enthusiastically sorting through the loot the Traveler had so kindly left for them. Fiona closed her eyes for a moment, drinking it in. That Sasha was there, eagerly hunting for guns... if Fiona believed in any gods, she would have been thanking them for it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""We could, y'know, check for ourselves. For, uhh, science," Rhys continued, half-smiling at her with a light shrug./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I mean, we owe it to ourselves. And... Pandora," Fiona agreed, smiling slightly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Right. We're pioneers. Or, something equally as impressive."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""As if 'Vault Hunter' and 'Corporate CEO' weren't impressive enough?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Heh. Alright, I'll give you that. What can I say? Some people were born to be great to, like, a whole other dimension."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona smirked as a familiar and very welcomed warmth blossomed in her chest. She'd missed this. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"The morning following their somewhat painful conversation - well, if /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"conversation/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" was the right word, more like 'Rhys said a lot of words while Fiona stood there' - had been incredibly awkward, to put it mildly. Sasha had been right, the good night's sleep had definitely helped and Fiona had been amazed at how well she'd actually slept that night, all things considered. Athena and Janey had arrived as they'd eaten breakfast and, together with Zer0, they'd combed over their plans to defeat the Traveler several times to ensure they all knew their roles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona and Rhys had barely been able to look at each other, truth be told. But, this mission had been bigger than both of them and they'd been able to put aside everything raging in their own heads to focus on the Vault. To focus on getting Gortys back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They'd fallen straight back into stride, working together once again. And /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"god/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", how they worked well together./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"And, somehow, something shifted. The /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"thing/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" that had festered between them had diminished to a point where they could at least talk to each other now without wanting to run in the opposite direction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Not that either one of them had wanted /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"that/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" in the first place./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys glanced over his shoulder to where the others were scrambling to pick up loot. "Surprised they didn't charge over here, too. I mean, it's a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Vault/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". How many of these does anyone see in an entire lifetime?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona turned slightly to watch the group. "Mmm. Maybe they're letting us have this one. We /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"did/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" technically start this whole thing. Besides, I think Sasha at least has everything she was looking for." Fiona smiled softly as she watched Sasha eagerly sort through some of the guns littering the dusty ground. Sasha's arm was in a makeshift sling but even that couldn't stop her diving for every gun she could see./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah," Rhys also smiled gently as he watched Sasha enthusiastically wave a shield at Vaughn, who perked up at the sight of it. Loader Bot and Gortys were chatting a short distance away. Zer0 and Athena appeared to be chatting about big Vault monsters and Vaults, if Janey's disapproving expression was anything to go by, anyway. Rhys exhaled slowly. Everyone was ok. They were ok. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He made a grand, sweeping gesture toward the Vault with his arm. "Shall we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""We've come all this way," Fiona said quietly, flashes of memories resurfacing and causing a wave of aching nostalgia. She let it wash over her, then suddenly offered a half-smile in his direction. "It would be a shame to just leave it here, huh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Someone else would only come in and see what's inside," Rhys shrugged lightly, "I mean, what if it's awful in there? We're doing Pandora a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"favour/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah. What if it's full of skags?" Fiona smirked at him. "Or skin pizzas?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh, god," Rhys visibly paled and held his metal hand to his stomach, "nope, I'm out-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Don't even think about it, Strongfork," Fiona fixed him with a mock stern stare, crossing her arms. "We started this thing together, so, that's how we're gonna end it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys stared openly at her for a beat. Together. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It sounded so... /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"right. /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He suddenly didn't want to go inside, if it meant the end. If only they could just press pause, right here. The two of them, together again after all this time and after everything, the hurt, the anger and yet they were in step again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It had come so easily, even after everything that had happened in the last few days. Layers of a mental fortress, likely built to protect themselves, melting away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It would have been too much for some people. Yet, here they were./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Alright, then," he smiled at her. This wasn't the end. Not if he had anything to say about it. "Together."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They stepped through the shimmering portal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys had squeezed his eyes closed as he stepped through. Just in case something bad happened. He heard Fiona gasp softly and, once he realised the door hadn't killed them, opened his eyes again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Nothing could have prepared him. Overwhelmingly /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"purple/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", for a start. So unlike anything he'd ever seen before and he'd seen a lot by this point. Floating steps, weird crystals. A glowing chest at the head of it all. Alien, and beautiful./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Huh," he said quietly, mouth open slightly as he took it all in. "I was right."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Big ol' Vault," Fiona chimed in, smiling. They glanced at each other and the Vault was reflected in her eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"It looked even more beautiful from this angle. Purples mixed with soft greens and he could have drowned in it all./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""And there's a treasure chest. Very considerate of the aliens to reward us for not being squashed to death by their giant monster... thing."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Guess we'd better see what's inside," Fiona shrugged lightly, "just to check it isn't dangerous, obviously."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""For, uhh, Pandora?" Rhys smirked, causing her to grin and roll her eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Sod 'em, we earned this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They began to walk toward their hard-earned reward. Rhys was still mildly surprised that the others hadn't followed them in, especially Zer0 and Athena. Maybe they'd seen enough Vaults to last a lifetime. He began to climb the steps, slightly nervous at first - there were no handrails to grab onto if he lost his footing. Hopefully Fiona would be able to stop him from badly injuring himself. She'd been remarkably good at that during their travels./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Rhys stopped as he realised she was no longer in step beside him. He turned to find her stood at the bottom of the stairs, one foot gingerly placed onto the first step in front of her. He couldn't see her face - she appeared to be staring down at the foot she'd placed on the step./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;""Fiona...?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"She gently pulled the foot off the step and took a step backwards. Then, she looked up, directly at him, and Rhys' breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of her expression./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"She looked like she was about to cry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Well. This was deeply unsettling./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: 'yes'; font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11.0000pt;"Her eyes were wide as she flicked her gaze to the chest at the top of the stairs, mouth open slightly. Rhys was thrown and already questioning what he could possibly have done to cause /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Are you... ok?" Rhys ventured cautiously. This was new territory. He'd experienced Fiona in heated anger, deep hurt. This was different - she almost looked vulnerable. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She looked back at him, open and honest. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I don't want this to end."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys turned to fully face her, gently, lost for words. He didn't have to find any - she suddenly started laughing somewhat hysterically. He blinked down at her a couple of times./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Even after everything, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"hah/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"! We should be dead, we had /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"no/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" right to survive what we did - I should be relieved it's done, but I'm /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"not/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"." Some of the hysteria bubbled away and she stared up at him, face flushed, eyes wide. "You - and Vaughn - you completely upended my life, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"our/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" lives, with your stupid plan to get one over on Vasquez and that ridiculous journey... the one where we nearly died a /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"lot. /span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Even today! Sasha /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"died/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". I thought I'd lost her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She appeared to collect herself, taking in a deep breath. "That stupid journey was the best thing that's ever happened to me. And now we're here and... I'm not ready to say goodbye."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona had somehow managed to sum up, in a single, emotional outburst, exactly how he'd been feeling for days. Months, even. He exhaled softly, smiling gently, as a crushing wave of relief crashed through him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He descended the steps back toward her. "It doesn't have to end," he said softly, fighting the impulse to pull her into an embrace. "No-one is saying it has to end. So, why should it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona stared up at him as he stepped down to her. Her heart stumbled in her chest as he stopped in front of her, so close and warm and /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"right/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"there/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Maybe it was the Vault, or maybe she was still riding the high of defeating the Vault monster. Maybe it was because she'd almost lost her sister less than an hour ago. Maybe, for the first damn time in her life, she was just going to think 'fuck it' and do something terribly impulsive and just deal with the consequences later./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She stepped forward, grabbed the collar of that damn shirt that fit him /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"far/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" too well, it was almost unfair, and half-pulled him down as she pulled herself onto her tiptoes but maybe even that was unnecessary because he was definitely leaning down toward her-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Their lips met./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona had kissed people before./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Never before had she felt this. An explosion of butterflies in her stomach, or fireworks, or something just as cliché but /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"damn/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" if it wasn't real. Lightheaded, limbs trembling - her hands tightly clutching his shirt collar were the only things grounding her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"A minute passed or maybe it was an hour, who knew. Who cared?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"His hand was on the side of her face, in her hair - knocking her beloved hat off. On the back of her neck. His metal arm curled around her waist but the gentle touch at the base of her neck as fingertips brushed along it was responsible for the pleasant shiver running down her spine. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Her left hand abandoned the shirt collar and curled around his neck and he hadn't managed to find any hair gel in the desert, his hair was soft and she pushed her fingers into it where it began at the back of his neck. She was certain she felt him shudder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They pulled apart, reluctantly, at least, definitely on Fiona's end. She blinked up at him, flushed warm, as he stared rather comically down at her, mouth slightly open. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh, crap. Was that a good thing? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She'd kind of just... done it. He'd definitely leaned in, though. ... Right?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"For once, Fiona was the one stumbling all over her words./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I, umm, heh," she flicked the hair that had fallen in front of her face aside in a somewhat nervous gesture. "Kinda just... did that, huh. Sor-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys placed the fingertips of his left hand on her lips, ever so gently, shocking her into silence. "If you say you're 'sorry', I will throw you out of this Vault and take all the treasure for myself." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He laughed, a warm, hearty exhale of a laugh. "You have /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"no/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" idea how long I've wanted to do that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"She smiled, big warm and slightly nervous. "Probably about as long as I have, I'd wager."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Honestly thought I'd be the one to break first," Rhys said, half-smiling at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Huh. Me too, actually. Don't get used to it. This is the smoothest you'll ever be." She winked at him, grinning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'll take it. On the condition that we do /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"that/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Spoken like a true businesswoman," Rhys held out his hand to her and she snorted loudly, before grasping his hand in hers and giving it a firm shake. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Alright, hotshot. We can talk 'business' after we crack open this chest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Deal," he grinned at her and winked. Fiona shook her head, smiling, as she retrieved her hat from the floor and carefully placed it back on her head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"They fell into step beside each other as they began to climb the steps leading to the chest. A comfortable silence settled between them as they just enjoyed the feeling of, well, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;". Nerve endings on fire, excitement and the thrill of a new adventure that promised to be just as exciting as the last./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, then," Rhys began as they reached the summit. "Big ol' chest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm," Fiona eyed it hungrily as they stepped toward it. "What do you think is inside?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys gave the chest a long look as he considered his answer. "Well... Vault of the 'Traveler'. Maybe we'll... end up travelling somewhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Aww, I didn't bring my suitcase. Damn."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Ehh, we just spent days in the desert in the same clothes and you still managed to look stunning." Rhys went rather pink as Fiona looked up at him in amazement./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""/spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"God/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;", Rhys," she laughed, snorting and grinning like a Cheshire cat, "did that Atlas deed come with a crash course in smoothness?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""This is all me," he chuckled endearingly, "so, uh, something to look forward to?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""I'll take your word for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm, sure. Anyway. What about you? What's inside this thing?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona stared at the chest, trying to remember everything she'd ever read about Vaults and alien treasures. "Alright, I think you're onto something with the 'Traveler' thing. Maybe it's something that aids travel? Like... a map." Her eyes lit up as she eyed the glyphs scattered across the lid of the chest. "A map that leads to more Vaults. That contain more maps. That lead to more Vaults! That lead to /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"more/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"- what are you laughing at?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh, nothing, except I think your eyes have turned into dollar signs."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Imagine the possibilities!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Let's just, uhh, see what's in /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" one first. In case it's full of murder-bots."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Or skin piz-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Oh-my-god /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"stop/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Shoulder to shoulder. Warm fingers brushed hers, she looked down at them, smiling, and curled her ring and pinky fingers around his. A gentle squeeze./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Unspoken, they simultaneously placed their free hands on the chest. Without any further prompt, the chest began to glow brightly, the glyphs shining through in a mix of purple and warm white light. It enveloped both of them and they both closed their eyes against the intensity of it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"A moment passed, then another./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona was the first to open her eyes to find that they were both... standing right outside of the entrance to the Vault. Except, now it was just an empty arch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... Uhh. Rhys?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Mmm?" Rhys' eyes were squeezed tightly closed. "Is it murder-bots? I knew it. I /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"knew/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"-"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Rhys."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"He finally opened his eyes, blinked, and immediately frowned in confusion. "I, uhh- what?" He looked around, to the empty arch and back around the desert again. "I... don't understand."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""You and me both," Fiona murmured, eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the former Vault entrance. "Did we miss something? Why are we just... back here?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Do you have any treasure? Pretty sure I don't have any treasure."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Unless this is some 'the real treasure is the friends you made along the way' crap," Fiona snorted, "in which case, I want my money back."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Well, maybe we can ask Zer0 and Athena? They've done this before, maybe they have some pointers for first-time Vault hunters. We probably, I dunno, missed a button somewhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah. Speaking of friends..." Fiona turned slightly to see Sasha, Vaughn and the rest staring right at them, apparently as confused as she was. She saw Sasha's eyes trail downwards slightly, her eyes widening before she suddenly broke into a sly grin. Fiona followed to where her sister's eyes had gone. To where Fiona and Rhys' fingers were still interlocked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh, crap./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys turned slightly to acknowledge the group and immediately spied Vaughn looking... smug? Definitely smug. Sasha was grinning from ear to ear. Fiona's fingers were still intertwined with his own./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... Oh."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""/spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Oh/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""... I think I'd rather face the Vault monster again. Vaughn is gonna be /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"relentless/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Sasha is going to have /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"far/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" too much fun with this. I can hear it all now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys exhaled a soft laugh as he met her eyes. "Alright, then. Well, we took down a Vault monster. This, I mean, /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"this/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"..."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Yeah." Fiona shrugged lightly. "We got this. Endless teasing from our nearest and dearest, what's not to love?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Let's get this over with, then," Rhys sighed dramatically as they began to walk toward the group. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"In the distance, the group spotted the pair heading toward them and quite suddenly pretended to be busy inspecting their loot, in Sasha's case, or talking about Vaults and loot in most other cases. Sasha still had a shit-eating grin on her face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Fiona gave Rhys' fingers a quick squeeze, then suddenly dropped his hand. He stopped and looked at her, confused, before she grinned at him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Don't want to give them /spanemspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"too/span/emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;" much ammunition, do we?" She winked, before turning and jogging the rest of the way to the others. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"Rhys let out a loud laugh as he watched her kick up dust, before breaking into a run to catch up. She slowed to let him catch up, which he did shortly thereafter, only slightly out of breath, to his credit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Together?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;""Together."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"I hope you enjoyed this! Eight months after playing the game for the first time and I still can't get it out of my brain. I'm planning more fanfics, watch this space./span/em/p
