Traversing the plains for almost five days was an exhausting feat. Ash had wildly underestimated how long it would take them to get to New Canaan. The terrain was treacherous in some areas, either inhabited by vicious creatures of the waste, including Cazador nests, or the terrain was impossible to traverse on foot. Despite her protest to take a more direct route, Ash listened to Aelius' suggestion about taking a longer but safer way around the hazards and accepted the fact that it was simply going to take longer to get to their final destination. Travelling together for a little over five days gave her some time to feel a little more at ease with their new travelling companion. If anything, Ash was glad that he had found them that night. Although she despised anyone who associated themselves with the Legion, she was growing more accustomed to Aelius and was beginning to realise that he wasn't your ordinary Legionary soldier. She knew he was a deserter, and he didn't show any ill will towards her or Gael. In fact, he treated Gael's fever effectively with some medicinal herbs he was able to collect in their surroundings, found enough food to feed all of them, and even used his own cloak to cut strips to bandage Ash's sides. For the majority of their travels he kept a respectful distance from Ash and Gael, despite her son's protests to interact with him.

In the late afternoon on the sixth day they came across a small lake surrounded by a green forest. A sign nearby read Johnson Valley Reservoir and there were several abandoned cabins nearby that, considering how long they had been vacant, were in decent condition. Aelius broke into one of the locked cabins, figuring that if it had been locked then maybe there was a chance that it hadn't been used since the war; he was right.

Gael was the first to run in excitedly, going straight for the toys in the corner of the room.

"Get back Gael! We don't know if it's safe!" Ash called.

"It's alright", Aelius commented, walking into the cabin and checking the shelves, drawers and cabinets for useable supplies. There was a dusty but clean washroom in a separate room to the back of the cabin with some stimpaks, rad x, bandages and antiseptic.

"You don't know that", Ash retorted, checking the corners of the room and under the surfaces for any pests, "There could be anything in here. Radroaches, molerats, ghouls even".

"It's safe", Aelius came out of the washroom, laying out his findings onto a large office desk near the window, "None of the original supplies have been touched. Good news for us".

Ash eyed him critically but didn't respond to his self-assured stance.

"Mom! Look!" Gael came running up to her with a toy airplane in his hands with its wings folded vertically, "It's just like the planes dad showed me!"

"You're right", Ash knelt next to him, examining the well-preserved figurine.

"Can I keep it?" he asked with pleading eyes.

Ash turned the toy in her hands, admiring the intricate paint and detailing. It even had a pilot and co-pilot inside. "I don't see why not", she smiled at him, handing it back to him, "No one else is going to play with it".

Gael squealed with happiness and went back to his corner with the chest of toys, immersing himself in his own little world.

"I'll check the perimeter", Aelius said, dropping some of his food and water supplies on the table next to the medicines for Ash and Gael to have while he was out, as well as the spare machete he took from Valens, "Won't be long".

Ash bowed her head in acknowledgement and moved aside to allow him to pass. She watched him as he walked outside, checking the reservoir then moving on to the surrounding area, wondering what went on inside his head. Since the night he killed the Legionary called Valens, he remained courteous with her but silent, only speaking when spoken to or if he needed to warn them of danger in front of them. She was curious about him, and that bothered her. It wasn't often that people she met intrigued her; the last person who did so ended up being the father to her child, and Ash wasn't sure what to make of that. He was a towering figure with a powerful physique, easily 6'4" tall with broad shoulders and a muscular body, light brown hair with vivid blue eyes, a strong angular jaw and more recently was sporting an attractive five o'clock shadow. As well as being an intimidating and attractive figure to look at, he was an expert in survival and tracking in any environment. Just thinking about him sent a jolt up her spine. One thing was certain; they were incredibly lucky that he was able to track them down and find them when he did. Had he not, it would have certainly meant an unpleasant ending for her and Gael. She glanced over at her son who was happily playing with his new toys. He had taken such a liking to Aelius that she found it almost impossible to keep him away from the soldier. He had made it a habit to scamper off next to Aelius and beg to be carried on his shoulders or talking with him when she wasn't looking. By the third or fourth day, Ash had no choice but to relent to her son's demands; and Aelius seemed to enjoy his company as much as Gael did, even when her son started pestering him with inane questions.

As they were going to make camp here for the night and there was still plenty of sunlight outside, Ash decided to start dusting the surfaces so it would be more liveable for them. She found a sweeping broom in a tall wall cabinet in the washroom and began to meticulously clear the place up. After taking the bedcovers and sheets out and giving them a good whack, engulfing herself in clouds and puffs of dust with every hit, she decided that the cabin was spruced up enough for it to be comfortable. She collected some water from the reservoir, warmed it up on the wood burning stove in the kitchenette, poured it in a large clean and rust free bucket, and gave Gael a bath with a clean cloth she found in one of the kitchenette drawers and some soap in the washroom.

"Ow! Oooww!" Gael complained as Ash roughly scrubbed the dirt and grime off of him.

"Almost done", Ash tried to reassure him, finishing up with his hair before dunking a bucket of freshly warmed water over him to wash the soap off. She wrapped him up in a towel and set him on the bunk bed, laying out a fresh t-shirt and boy's shorts she found in one of the clothes drawers.

"What about you?" Gael looked up at his mom, playing with a strand of sweaty and dusty hair that had come loose.

"Don't touch, Gael! I just cleaned you", Ash scolded him, wiping the hand he touched her hair with.

"Who's going to clean you?" he persisted.

"I'm going to clean myself", Ash helped him get dressed, "But you have to be a good boy and stay in bed while I do so. You hear me?" she looked at him sternly.

Gael nodded, content that he was clean and warm. Ash left him some toys on the bed to occupy him while she sorted herself out in the washroom. Warming up a fresh batch of reservoir water for herself, she stood in the shower cubicle and scrubbed herself clean with a cloth and soap, shivering as the warmth of the water faded quickly after touching her skin. When she was sufficiently satisfied of her cleanliness and appearance, she brushed her damp russet brown hair and dried herself off with a clean towel. Rummaging for some clothes in another set of drawers, she was lucky to find a clean long-sleeved denim dress that was slightly loose on her. She got dressed and took all their dirty laundry and soaked it in a bucket of fresh water with some Abraxo cleaner. By the time she had finished everything there was roughly another hour or so to go before sunset. She peered out the window, trying to see if she could spot Aelius.

"I'm hungry", Gael murmured behind her, clutching at his rumbling tummy.

Taking a portion of cured meat from the supplies Aelius had left for them, she handed it to her son and instructed him to wait in the cabin while she stepped outside to look for the Legionary.

She went around the cabin, wondering where he could have gone off to. After a quarter of an hour and still no sign of him she was starting to feel worried.

'He said he wouldn't take long. That was at least three hours ago', she thought to herself, pacing in front of the cabin. Just as she was ready to give up and head back inside, she heard faint rustling some distance away. Turning back, she spotted Aelius jogging back to their camp. Covered in dirt, sweat, and a spattering of dried blood across his face and upper torso, he walked at a fast pace in the direction of the cabin with two large dressed haunches of an animal over his shoulder. Ash found it difficult to stop staring at the frightful sight. He walked past her, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground and set the meat down on a weathered picnic bench that was next to their cabin.

"You were gone a while", she commented, moving next to him but making sure to keep at least an arm's length away.

"Yeah…", he wiped his brow with the back of his arm, smearing blood all over himself and making Ash's stomach churn. Taking out a cutting dagger from his belt, he began slicing the piece of carcass into evenly thick steaks, focusing intently on what was in front of him.

"Find anything good?" Ash asked, looking back at the direction he came from.

Aelius shrugged, keeping at his diligent work, "Found a herd of radstags about ten miles from here. Caught one, cut the haunches off… left the rest".

Ash's brow furrowed in confusion, "Why not take more of it?"

"There was a Yaoguai den near my kill. Couldn't stick around for long".

"Are you…hurt?" Ash asked, looking him over, but Aelius shook his head.

Ash pursed her lips, refraining from vocalising her concerns. She hovered around for a while watching him as he carried on making precise cuts in silence. Steam rose from his perspiring body along with a primal aroma of blood, hot metal and sweat. He looked like he ran all the way there and back again to make it in time, and it was becoming apparent that Aelius was done talking and Ash had to reluctantly leave him to his task. She returned to the warmth of their cabin and checked up on Gael who was curled up under the covers napping peacefully. After Aelius finished preparing the meat, he joined them briefly in the cabin, leaving a large mound of useable cuts before making his way out again down to the reservoir. Ash watched him from the window, the sunset outside giving her a view of his dark silhouette as he stripped down and went into the water. Grabbing a fresh towel, she followed him to the edge of the water and carefully laid it down on dry gravel for him to use when he finished. Automatically she went for his clothes, and when she picked them up to take inside for a clean their eyes connected. Ash found herself lingering over his muscular frame. He was almost hip deep in water, dangerously close to revealing his chiselled lower body. Ash could see a few inches down past his navel but thankfully the water was just high enough to keep the mystery between them.

"Don't" he said, looking at his filthy clothes in her hands, "I will do that".

"It's no problem", Ash broke her gaze from him, awkwardly looking at the treeline to her right, "I have already cleaned my clothes and Gael's, this won't take long".

"It's alright, just…leave it", he said, dunking himself in the water and washing the dirt and blood off his skin.

Ash ignored him, collecting his leather chest piece from the ground and examining it, "It's the least I can do. You know, after you saved us".

Aelius slowly walked out of the water, shocking Ash with his blatant disregard for modesty as he stood right in front of her, keeping a steady gaze focused on hers. "You owe me nothing", his voice was calm and steady as he gently took his items back.

Ash looked up at him with a mind to object but found herself immobilised by his presence. He was standing so close that she could feel the heat radiating off his body.

"Okay… well… I just wanted to do something to help", she nodded, wiping her hands on the back of her dress.

He took his things without another word and went back in the water, giving them a soak and using some of the soap to get the tougher stains out.

Ash teetered on her heels feeling embarrassed at seeing him completely naked, even though he didn't seem concerned with the matter at all. She took one last peek at him before going back to the cabin and found Gael awake and hungry again. The fire in the wood burning stove had reduced to gently glowing embers and the room felt chilly in the early evening, so Ash restoked it and cooked up three large steaks from the pile that Aelius brought in, adding some preserved herbs and seasonings she found in the kitchen's cabinets. She also found some candles packed in the very back of the utility cabinet and spread them around the room, as well as a complete set of worn ceramic plates, camping cups and cutlery. Of all the places they have found to rest for the night, this was by far the best. Ash almost forgot how good it felt to lie in bed and have four walls around her for protection and cover when she slept. Shortly after Ash finished preparing the evening meal, Aelius walked in with only the towel she provided him wrapped around his waist, an intrigued expression on his face as he examined the cabin.

"I cleared up a bit while you were out", Ash handed him a plate.

"Why?" he asked, taking his food and pulling up a chair opposite them, "We're only staying for the night".

Ash opened her mouth as if to say something then bit her lower lip.

"I like it here", Gael commented with a mouth full of Radstag steak, "Can we stay longer?"

"We should keep moving", Aelius answered, keeping his eyes on his food, "If you want to get to where you're going, we need to cover at least 20 miles every day".

Gael slumped in his chair, visibly disappointed in the answer.

They finished their meal just as the last dying light of the sun disappeared and curled up in their separate beds. Ash cuddled up next to Gael, covering him up with some of the covers so he didn't get cold. She stayed awake a while after both Gael and Aelius had fallen asleep, cautiously watching Aelius' dark silhouette opposite them as he slumbered, his torso rising and falling as he respired. Part of her felt that she could trust him by now, especially after what he did for them and helping Gael get better; but not knowing more information about their companion was gnawing at her. For now, she had to be content that he wasn't showing any ill will towards them and take things day by day. Fatigue overtook her and her eyes fluttered shut, flinging her into slumber filled with dreams of the past and people she loved.

Sometime in the early morning, Ash woke with a jolt. She thought she heard someone cry out for help and bolted upright in her bed. It was still dark outside but light from a full moon poured in directly through their cabin window. Looking down at her side she saw that Gael was still curled up and asleep, sucking on his thumb for comfort. When she looked around the room she noticed that Aelius was missing. Gently shimmying out from under the covers, she made a quick pass around the room but didn't find any signs of him; not until she looked out of their window and saw his silhouette sitting at the edge of the reservoir. Taking an extra blanket out of the dressing cabinet and wrapping it around her shoulders for warmth, she quietly followed him outside.

"Are you alright?" she asked hesitantly, standing a few paces away from him. When he didn't answer she moved closer, eventually kneeling next to him to get a better look. "Alright, seriously. You're freaking me out here. What's wrong?"

"Nothing", he answered in an exhausted sigh, "Please, go back inside".

Ash hesitated, her eyes darting from the cabin and back at him, "Should I be worried?"

Aelius shook his head, the same blank stare on his face. There was something familiar about his behaviour, something that reminded her of a horrific ordeal she endured with her husband who suffered with depression and PTSD due to his long service in the NCR military; and Aelius was showing tell-tale signs of this. When unchecked, depression and PTSD can be just as fatal as a physical wound; it burrows deep inside the psyche and festers, consuming a person whole. Ash found that out the hard way after her husband attempted suicide from the mental and physical stress of several tours of duty. Back then she didn't know how to recognise the signs; now she knew better and maybe she could fix this before it got to the point where they lost all control.

"I don't bite you know", she said, moving a bit closer to him.

He looked up at her, confused, "I don't understand".

"You can talk to me…if you want", she sat down wearily beside him with crossed legs.

He shifted uncomfortably on the rough ground, rubbing the back of his neck and keeping silent.

"Or not… up to you. I just figured we've been travelling a while together and we've hardly spoken. I hardly know anything about you", Ash tried to initiate a conversation, but when her attempts were thwarted with more awkward silence she decided to simply carry on talking until either he decided he had enough of her voice or joined in. "Okay, I guess I'll go first. My full name is Ashley. I grew up in New Canaan and when I was 18, I decided to pack up and follow a passing caravan to the Mojave because I felt restless and had a deep seeded desire to become an explorer. I spent some time discovering the wastelands with them, until we parted ways in New Vegas. After living in a Mormon town for all of my life, it was…a shock, to say the least. All the lights, the drinking, debauchery… Well, let's just say I didn't take to it. On my third day there I decided to leave and joined up with a Caravan company. What I didn't know was that I would end up working for them for years. One day, about 3 years into my stay in the Mojave, while I was doing a run between McCarran and a settlement up North my caravan was attacked by a gang calling themselves the 'Vipers'. They killed the two mercenary guards that were with me almost instantly and my Brahmin. I was pinned, taking cover behind the poor beast's corpse while they carried on firing and circling around me. Just as I thought I was done for, an NCR patrol comes rushing to my aid and chased them down. One of the soldiers stayed with me, kept me safe and calm while the others dealt with the gang…", Ash paused before her voice broke. Her eyes welled up with tears at the memory.

Her reaction caused Aelius to stir next to her. He sat silently, unsure of what he could say that would help comfort her, listening to her sniffling and trying to calm her erratic breathing down.

"I don't remember much after joining the Legion when I was a teenager", he began hesitantly, "I didn't join by choice… I don't think that anyone who is in their right mind would. My family were tinkerers that lived peaceful and solitary lives in the wasteland. They were forcibly introduced into the faction. They made me watch as they raped my mother and sisters. My father was away collecting supplies when it happened. When he finally caught up to us, he tried to stop them; but by that time we were surrounded. They killed him. I haven't seen my mother or sisters since", Aelius trailed off. He wasn't sure what made him open up to Ash; maybe he just wanted to stop feeling so alone, but she stopped feeling upset and watched him with sullen eyes as he spoke.

"I'm sorry", she wiping fresh tears off her cheeks, "I can't imagine the pain that has caused you".

"I don't need your pity", he answered, a coldness to his tone.

Ash shook her head, "No, I didn't mean… I wasn't pitying you", she apologised. It occurred to her then that he was most likely feeling pent up guilt of leaving his remaining family in the Legion behind. No doubt he would have held out hope that one day he could free them; Ash knew that if she was in that situation, she would have thought the same way. "Older or younger?" she asked, shimmying closer to Aelius.

"What?"

"Your sisters. Are they older or younger than you?"

"Older…" Aelius answered, recalling a faraway memory, "And smarter. In every way".

"You said your family were… 'tinkerers'? Is that correct?"

"Yes", Aelius nodded, "I never took to it. My sisters were much more talented; they had an instinct when it came to making and repairing machinery and equipment. I was always envious of that". He sighed and stretched his legs out in front of him, resting his weight on his elbows as he reclined, "I take it that man that stopped to help you when you were attacked is your husband?"

The unexpected change in focus to her made Ash flinch, "Uh… Yes. He was." She took a shuddering breath in before continuing, "He died in a skirmish with the Legion a little over a year ago. I decided to go back home to New Canaan as there was nothing left for me in the Mojave. Look where that got me now".

"He was in the 1st NCR recon?"

"How did you guess?" Ash looked at him astounded.

"Gael told me", Aelius answered, "He said his dad is a hero and he wore a crimson red beret with a skull on it. Could only be them".

"When did he tell you this?"

"The night I found him and carried him back to the camp", Aelius answered with some hesitation, not wanting to cause her any more discomfort by bringing up the past.

Ash slumped slightly and wondered what she was going to do about Gael when he figured out what was going on. Although it was one of the hardest things she had to do in her life, after getting the letter of her husband's death from his superior she sat Gael down and told him what had happened to his father in the gentlest way possible. However, Gael was happily convinced that his father was still alive and would come back, despite Ash's repeated attempts to reason with him. She was afraid of what would happen when he finally came to the realisation himself one day.

"It's late, you should get back and get some sleep", Aelius roused her from her thoughts.

"Oh… I'm not tired. Not now, anyway", Ash said, stifling a yawn.

"Why are you doing this?" Aelius gazed at her, admiring her softly lit features in the moonlight.

"What do you mean?" Ash looked perplexed, "We're just… you know, talking. Getting to know one another".

"You don't have to be nice to me", Aelius exhaled, wrapping his semi dry cloak over his shoulders for warmth, "I'm a Legionary soldier, remember?"

"You're not one of their soldiers anymore", she added, "I'm just trying to get to know the man who saved us. That's all".

"Don't you hate me?" he asked. To his surprise, his question elicited an expression he'd not seen from her before; a cross between kindness and empathy.

"… No", she shook her head, "I don't hate you, Aelius".

Her admission lifted a weight off him and Aelius felt like he could breathe a little easier now. He could feel the tension between them slowly ebbing away.

The horizon was starting to show the first signs of light before dawn by now and seeing that Aelius was not a danger to himself, Ash decided that it was time to get back to her bed and get a couple of hours of sleep before they set off again.

"I think I will head back in now", she grunted, getting on to cold and stiff legs, "You should get some rest too".

Aelius nodded, "I will… In a few minutes".

"Well, in that case…" Ash took off the blanket she had wrapped around her and lent down to place it gently over his shoulders, feeling his body tense up as her hand grazed his cold skin, "You'll need this more than me".

Aelius looked up at her and gave her a curt nod, "Thank you".

With a friendly smile, Ash made her way back to the cabin. Aelius watched her until she went inside and closed the door behind her.

The sudden need to socialise with him was intriguing to Aelius. When they escaped the attack on the Legion camp, she made it perfectly clear that if he ever touched her she would kill him and that she would never go anywhere with him. Now all of that seemed to change. He knew she didn't owe him anything, and he'd been trying to tell her that ever since the night he fought and killed Valens. The light and lingering touch she gave him as she wrapped the blanket over his shoulders made him feel strange. Another thing that confused him was her reaction and the way her eyes lingered over him when she saw him bathing in the reservoir.

Whatever she was going through, he was glad that she decided to approach him and begin a dialogue. He knew she needed space after what happened to her, and more than anything they both needed someone who could help them survive and guide them back to their home. For now, he would be whatever they needed him to be; a protector, hunter, a guide, and he hoped eventually their friend.


Lying in Mary's bed, Joshua had never been so relaxed in his life. He was stretched out on his front in only his underwear as Mary sat beside him, applying a soothing skin treatment that she had made to help heal his burns just that morning.

"What's in that again?" he asked sleepily, keeping his eyes closed while he enjoyed the touch of her soft, cool hands massaging his shoulders and arms. The mild floral and slightly nutty aroma was calming and relaxing.

"Silver rose, banana yucca blossom and peel, and broc flower seed butter", she smiled down at him, "Does it feel alright?"

"It's wonderful", he exhaled, appreciating the relief it brought him. The cream had a cooling effect on his skin, offering a gentle pain relief as well as making it feel less taut.

"Ok, now the front", Mary lightly tapped his shoulder letting him know she wanted him to flip over. Joshua happily complied, turning over with a grunt. He still felt self-conscious about his appearance, though he knew he shouldn't since Mary didn't care at all about such trivial things. She looked down at him with a grin on her face and love in her eyes. It brought back the familiar butterflies in Joshua's stomach, along with a new sensation below his waist that took him by surprise. Mary stifled a giggle when she saw him move his hands to cover up between his legs that made his underwear feel tight.

"Joshua, you don't have to be embarrassed", she commented, stroking some of the balm on his face, "I'm a doctor, remember?"

"Hmm…" he mused, refusing to relax, "Still, it's not proper".

Mary rolled her eyes at him and started applying the treatment gently on his scalp, massaging the medicine into his skin, "It's a normal human response and nothing to be ashamed of". When he still refused to relax she leant over and gave him a kiss on his lips.

"You know, I appreciate your affection… but it's only making things worse", he said, doing his best to save face.

Mary blushed, pulling back stray hair strands that were getting in her face, "Did you want to turn back over, wait until it passes?"

Joshua nodded, "I think that would be best". He turned over back on his front and relaxed, trying to not to let himself feel too embarrassed with his reaction. After all, just as Mary said, it was a normal human reaction.

"Is it something I did?" Mary asked, rubbing the remaining balm over her arms. The question made Joshua pause before he answered. He wanted to be honest with her but he feared what she would think if she heard the truth; and the truth was he wanted her, more than anything.

"Not at all", he fibbed, "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious. I can see it makes you feel uncomfortable so I figured if it was something I did -"

He interrupted her, turned to his side and gently took her hand in his, "No, you didn't do anything that would make me feel uncomfortable. It's… Well, it's…", he stammered, words failing him.

Mary shook her head in confusion, "Just be honest with me. There's nothing you could say or do that would make me think less of you. In fact, quite the opposite", she grinned, her cheeks turning a bright pink as she blushed.

"I'm sorry, this is not something I have had to deal with in the past, so I don't feel comfortable being open about it. You have to understand that, everything I have learned from the teachings of our Lord and our community, is that we must abstain from temptation. A man who abstains from temptation is a far better person than one who doesn't and repents for his sins after".

"I see", Mary's brow furrowed, "and you are… tempted… by me?"

Joshua nodded, a hungry look in his eyes that sent lustful shivers up her spine, "You couldn't begin to imagine how much", he said in a low intoxicating voice.

His words made every part of her exposed skin flush, "…Is that so bad?"

He smiled and shook his head, "No, but it does make things a little difficult, and possibly uncomfortable, for me in the sense that I wouldn't be able to act on these temptations".

Mary bit her lower lip, not wanting to go into a moral or religious debate with him, especially knowing how headstrong Mormons are with their rules and practices. There was no doubt in her mind that she was tempted by him as well; she'd hoped that he would have a more open view on the matter of physical attraction as he was well-travelled and experienced but it was clear that, with the combination of his religious beliefs and his desire for atonement, there was no leeway in this scenario for either of them.

"Alright, well… Then I will try to make myself less tempting for you", she replied, beginning to wrap fresh bandages over his affected skin.

Joshua smiled and gazed at her affectionately, silently thanking God for the gift of her presence beside him.