David wanted to wait for the right time and chance to come clean with Boone and Veronica about his family's history. David firstly had to find this Arcade Gannon within the Followers; he was family. David left the Strip with Boone and Veronica in record time; she was embarrassing herself dancing with strippers.

In one of the many empty tents was a man who fitted Arcade's dossier photo and profile. Late-twenties, blonde hair with a medium build. In his white Follower's uniform, he was sat alone by some empty beds reading silently to himself. Boone and Veronica milled around the camp in the meantime with David catching up with the young intellectual.

"Arcade Gannon?" David peered his head into an empty white tent. Just a table and a bunk bed were taking the space.

Arcade slid a bookmark into his book and put it on his lap. The book was The Big Book of Science. "That's me. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Can I have a moment to talk?"

"If it's regarding medical services you wouldn't want me; I'm just a researcher, not even a good one at that."

"Why? Do you need help or something?"

"Personally, no. Julie did say there was a mercenary popping by earlier. She's a fantastic judge of character and tells me you're mighty good to have around. Real Follower material. And from that, I'm convinced you're a good guy."

"I'm glad you think so. I'm wondering if you could join my group and I."

"What reason would you need me?"

David folded his arms. "When things get ugly, it always pays off having a smart person skilled in medicine handy. So I'm asking could you be that person and join me?"

"I see… And how often do things get ugly?"

"It has its moments. It won't be boring, that's for sure."

"How lovely." Arcade smiled. "Coincidentally I was getting disappointed being here day and day out. I needed a change." He put away his book inside his coat and adjusted his glasses. They were pre-war spectacles. Like David's uncle used to wear. "Come on then; there's things to learn and people to see. Maybe not in that order, so let's get to it."

"I'll just get the others."

"Who's coming with us?"

"An N.C.R. sniper and a Brotherhood scribe."

"I've been with worse. Where are we going?"

"Crimson Caravan for now." David whistles Boone and Veronica over. They were just outside and appeared to have gotten bored socialising with addicts and doctors. They stepped into the tent. "Boone, Veronica, this is Arcade Gannon. He'll be joining us."

"Welcome." Boone couldn't think of anything glamorous to say.

"We're building up the manpower now," Veronica winked with a cute bump.

"Charmed." Arcade smiled. "Looks like I'm your physician for the time being."

David lit a cigarette. Inside his menthol Sterling pack, he only had three left after the one he sparked with his oil lighter. "Could someone lead us to the Crimson Caravan, please?"

"You're not from around here?"

"No. I'm not from around here. The Mojave is completely new to me, excluding Vegas. If no one takes me there, I'll just look around for it. Might get lost so it could be fun."

"That won't be necessary," Arcade interrupted as he walked through Boone and Veronica. "I'll take us there."

Arcade walked David and company out of Freeside towards what appeared to be a sizeable military campsite. The outer walls looked like it used to be a fort of some sorts, greater than the Mormon Fort in length and width. Stronger stone walls with castle-like features like towers in the four corners. Now it has been demoted to a lowly business establishment.

The inside housing had a selection of watchful guards, along with the opposite entrance shutters. Five small buildings in total, one was the main offices, and the rest belonged to the workers as their living quarters.

Everyone looked more or less healthy with a strong selection of caravans, ranchers and traders, living each day one at a time. Hard-working traders and ranchers seemed like they were okay with the cards they've been dealt with. Nourishment and comfort were suitable for everyone and travellers. Live brahmin for meat and running taps of water was plentiful.

Stood by the front entrance next to the guards was Ringo from Goodsprings. He came on over to David to greet him. "David, good to see you're still among the living."

"Yeah, I'm starting to get good at that now. Haven't been shot at for nearly a whole hour now, so that's cool." David chuckled. "Might be a new record. So what you up to?"

"Business is coming back now in higher demand. I'll be setting up a caravan to head to Utah. A prosperous settlement is just waiting for some good trades this time of year now, don't want to disappoint them. Now about those caps, I owe you for saving my skin…"

"Keep them. I'm not in it for the money."

"Jeez man, thanks. I owe you back something for saving my ass." Ringo handed David a bottle of whiskey. It was no different than the few he drank from the Mojave Outpost, but the offer was nice. "I know this will tickle your fancy."

"I can't turn down a good drink. Thanks. Who's in charge around here?"

"Alice Mclafferty. You'll find her in the main offices."

"Safe. Well, I'm only here for a while so take care, Ringo."

"I will. Later, David."

The office was small and tidy, with a strange feel and a stuffy room smell. Behind a simple desk and a few filing cabinets was a fine early-fifties woman in a suit, seemed to be of a higher class and taste - a cutthroat businesswoman who looked like she had a long history of getting what she wants.

"Welcome to the Crimson Caravan, New Vegas branch. How can I help you?" she introduced, formally.

"I'm looking for work ma'am."

"I'm afraid we have no current openings right now sir, my apologies. I can only spare an odd job as of now; it is all I can offer."

"No job is too small."

"As much as I would like to handle matters personally, I can't be everywhere at once. I rely on everyone's contribution to the cause, like yours right now to get this bothersome problem out of the way. It's for the greater good of the company. I hope you take it."

"Depends really on the details."

"There's a small trading outfit by the name of Cassidy Caravans I'm interested in; it would prove to be beneficial to purchase the rights to the name… for trading purposes. Miss Cassidy has wanted to get out of the caravan business for some time, and it's about time for someone to buy her out. On my behalf."

"Where will she be now?"

"She frequently deals with the N.C.R. at the Mojave Outpost; probably at the bar."

"No doubt about that. With all due respect Alice Mclafferty, the Mojave Outpost is quite far away. Are there any caravans set to travel there?"

"If its transport you're looking for I can make something work, for the Crimson Caravan's best interests. Your friends will cost extra. If you're interested, the next caravan will arrive in twenty-five minutes."

"I'll take that one."

"Name?"

"David Wesker."

"Basic mandatory information." Alice took out a document and filled it in. It was mostly a confirmation letter, looked like a pre-war bus ticket or pass. "Hand this to the driver to confirm your journey." She gave David a written note.

"Awesome. I'll take it."

"The travel time will be around the four-hour mark." Alice clapped her hands. "My expectations are simple: get Miss Cassidy to sign the contract and come back to me for payment. Sound good?"

"You can count on me, ma'am."

"Excellent," Alice said, handing David a file which was a sealed envelope. "This is the declaration of the contract for Miss Cassidy to sign, best not lose it."

"No problem, you can trust me."

"That's what I like to hear. Your payment will be waiting here for you. Anything else I can do for you?"

"Not right now. Goodbye, ma'am."

Outside the central office, the caravan was already arriving, a small convoy wagon pulled by four brahmins. David parted ways with Arcade, Boone and Veronica before boarding the carriage from the rear. He asked for them to wait for him to arrive tomorrow. He decided not to pay for the extra luggage unless it was necessary.

Once the rider and shotgun rider asked him for his payment, the business trip commenced at 4 pm sharp. David waved goodbye and relaxed in the back compartment with the rest of the cargo. Small boxes and wooden crates of unknown items and munitions.

Throughout the four-hour trip, the entire experience was smooth and soft, even if the caravan stopped almost three times an hour at all the settlements along the way. On Route 93 the caravan stopped at Grub 'n' Gulp, 188, Novac, Wolfhorn Ranch, Nipton then finishing at the Mojave Outpost on the four-hour mark, as promised.

When David set foot back in his favourite bar, the outpost wasn't as lively as David left it days ago, the caravans were at an impasse trying to move along outside for some reason. Something was holding them all up, can't seem to go beyond the border. The barracks was packed with rangers, troopers and traders all around the bar. Cass was still sat alone at the bar opposite the door away from the others; just where he left her. With no hesitation this time, David occupied the stool next to her.

Cass smiled. "You again? Couldn't get enough of ol' me?"

"You're quite the catch, Cass; it's been a while. How are things?"

"Still doing nothing productive whatsoever. You?"

David lit a cigarette. Only three left now. "I paid a visit to the Crimson Caravan for work. I'm working on a small job for them as we speak."

"Was I right, or was I right?"

"No question." David took a light smoke of his cigarette and avoided making eye contact with Cass. He felt shy to admit that he had a crush on her and the only reason David took the job was that it involved her, and he couldn't pass off a chance to meet with her again. "I'm here on business. The Crimson Caravan is interested in purchasing your caravan," David said, retracting his eyes back on Cass'.

Cass frowned, not because she was sad, it was something else. Like he awakened a deep sense of self-pity. "They want to buy Cassidy Caravans? Don't they know there's nothing left? My caravan scraps are all I have to my name, and I wouldn't sell it for all the alcohol in Reno."

David threw his arms in the air. "That means this entire trip was a waste of my time."

"Sorry about that. Everyone has their price, but you cannot put a price on my scraps."

"Can you at least read this envelope first? I have it with me." David took the sealed envelope from his pocket and handed it to Cass to read for herself. Inside was a document she didn't like.

Cass sighed. "Alice Mclafferty? She's certainly good for it, but still, it's not about the money. Can't sell out the family name. Doesn't feel right selling history for a slip of paper."

"There's nothing that can be done to convince you at all?"

"At this point, I'm too drunk to think straight. The straightest thought to my mind is that nothing you can say to will convince me to sell out for five hundred caps. Just not bloody worth it. No offence."

"Five hundred? That's fucking shit." David snatched the document from Cass' hand to confirm the details. The agreement said that the buyout for Cassidy Caravans was five grand; she missed a zero. He returned the paper to Cass' very hand. "The cheque is for five thousand caps."

"Thousand? Damn… Oh shit, seriously? Five thousand would be more than enough to invest in a new caravan."

[Barter 30] "Do you have an answer for me?"

[Success] "God… damn it... Alright, you win. Hand me a pen; I'll sign the declaration." Cass signed away at the statement but had difficulty finding a pen or a pencil to sign it with. The bar was wet, and there was nothing but empty glasses and tumblers around. "You're lucky you're handsome… I wouldn't have folded so easily. Dammit, I need a pen."

"Sure thing." David took a pencil resting over his ear and gave it to Cass. It caught her attention.

"You keep pencils in your ear?"

"It's handy."

"That's just weird." Cass signed Alice's declaration. For someone as drunk as she appeared to be her, the handwriting was quite elegant to some degree. Better than his. "It might be the alcohol talking… I have a good feeling about this; I think I could do with a break from the caravan business for maybe a year or two." She paused and handed David's pencil back to him. "There you go, the deed is done. Cassidy Caravans now belongs to Mclafferty and the Crimson Caravan. Didn't realise how much I was actually worth until you came along." She took a quick look at her whiskey and drank some. It was just an empty bottle, and she just made herself look more of a drunk.

"That's my job done." David rested his pencil in the space between his head and right ear. "What's next for you now, Cass?"

"Sceptical about heading back west, not sure if the move will do me any good. The problem is that the Mojave is getting smaller, it's getting harder to find anything to do that's worthwhile."

"In that case, it's up to you to seek out excitement where it may be. Whole Mojave is out there waiting for you."

Cass' eyes felt heavy, with a tireless sigh she said, "Then ask it to call back later, I'm tired of looking."

"I'd love to buy a drink and catch up, but I got a payment to collect."

"Got a nice cheque waiting for you on Mclafferty's desk?"

"Damn straight."

David stood up from his stool, and as he was about to leave Cass' company, she held him back, clinging tightly to his right arm. There was some desperation in her hazel eyes. "Can I come with you?"

"I haven't got time for round two right now, Cass."

"No dum-dum." She let go of David's arm. She swivelled around to face David better. "There's no reason for me to stay here now, a bit dull if you ask me. Hadn't realised that until recently. Can I come with you to the Crimson Caravan? I need to get out of this dump."

"Do you normally have to ask permission?"

"Not always. So can I?"

"Sure. We'll take the next caravan out. I'll pay."

There was a new caravan was outside, just loading their stock and personnel outside the barracks. The trip was just a come and go for this caravan. The cargo was all just wooden crates, not many munitions this time. David showed the new driver the admission document and boarded with Cass into the cargo hold. Since she was considered property, she got a free ride. That was a nice perk.

The caravan picked up and hit the old dusty trail back to Crimson Caravans. Like his old buses, they arrived every few minutes of every hour. Nearly an hour in the travel in the cargo hold, David noticed Cass' advancements and held her close to him right in the back of the white canvas.

The night was cold and relatively dark, so why wouldn't he? Seemed to be the best idea to wrap up warm. Nearly 9 pm, it'll be 1 am by the time they get back to Mclaffery. That's a slight problem if he's looking to cash in on the same day.

David rested his head on his burlap sack and led down for Cass to curl up with to stay warm, wasn't even a decent blanket in the cargo hold. A large white cloth in the back just kept the dusty heat out and none of it in. That was up to them. Cargo was for cargo and not people.

Cass snuggled against David's chest with her arms around his warm body. It was positively divine to be holding a gentleman. "Getting comfortable are we?" Cass purred.

"You tell me, you're coming along for the ride. So what's your story?"

Cass stared at David provocatively. What game was he playing? "Excuse me?"

"A fine woman like yourself must have a story."

"You mistake me for someone else. There's no story involved. I'm just a sexy businesswoman doing what she can to survive and have fun while doing it."

"Don't undermine yourself, Cass, there's more of you down there. I know it."

"Enough about me, you're the main attraction here. Do you come to the outpost often?"

David chuckled. "Was my first time. I do enjoy a few drinks, mostly to forget the bad things I've been through." David took out a bottle of whiskey from his sack; it was room temperature and generic. He took small sips. "I've been through a lot in my childhood, plus, I recently lost someone important to me."

Cass retracted her head from David's chest. She recoiled back. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Who was it or can't you say?"

David choked. "Wife and two sons. Yeah, that that bad."

Cass' jaw dropped. "Oh, jeez! I thought I had it bad. No wonder you drink."

"I drank during my teens. My life was rough." David took another sip of his whiskey. "Granddad was a homicidal maniac, dad was dead half my childhood, and I shovelled through some traumatising moments during my working days."

"How do you cope? Could use a tip or two."

"It's all in the recovery power of time. Some mindless jargon is inevitable, one day at a time is the least anyone can do, and sometimes that's all that matters. That takes time, as I said. Though whiskey helps me sleep and work better, the problem is I just drink too much now because it helps me with the pain."

Cass felt helpless. She just wanted a day to forget and nights to remember. Now she just feels slightly insignificant. Her depression was a trump or a pardon to do anything she wants without any bounds. "I'm sorry…" she said with a tear.

"Don't be," he smiled. "It's my problem, not yours. Thanks for being a good listener, though. That's very kind of you, didn't have to but you did."

Cass' cheeks went very rosy, complementing the twinkle in her greenish hazel eyes. "You're making me blush." Hearing all the sadness from David's thick tone, she had a craving urge just to beat the demons and grief away. Losing some of hers would be a bonus. Be with him. Please him.

"I've always had problems, but being here really takes the cake," he said grimly, a short sip of his whiskey softened his tone. "This time, my family isn't around to help me through it. It's good to still be alive and kicking, with someone who understands how shit everything can be overnight."

"What happened to your family, if you don't mind me asking?"

"There was an incident… and then I was ripped away from them. Listen, I have friends waiting for me at the Crimson Caravan," he sat up, "and soon I'll tell you all about what really happened. Sound good?"

"There's more to it?"

"Only a bit more. Can we leave it at that for now?"

"Anything you say. Mind if I have a swig of your whiskey?" David hesitated but handed Cass his whiskey and laid back down. She drank more than he did, drank it down to the last drop. Cheeky."Damn, that's good." She flourished her hair and laid her head on David's chest. "We've both lost so much, but you… you're so young! You lost more than anyone I've ever known."

"I'm twenty-two. You?"

"Nearly twenty-five."

"Least we still have our youth."

"I hear ya. What's next for us when we stop?"

"Meet up with my friends for a drink in Vegas and then some loose ends to tie up."

"Loose ends?"

"Family affairs, no big deal." He had finished off the last drops of his whiskey and threw the bottle out of the cargo hold.

"Okay then. At least it will all be fun 'n' games until someone gets hungover."

"Speak for yourself."

Cass felt around David's crotch seductively. "Overconfident are we?"

David hid all his restrained passion behind a crude smile. "No. Just pointing out a good quality of mine."

"Like what?"

"I can't get hangovers."

"Please don't. You got a lot of stamina cowboy; sending me to heaven and back. Bloody gave me a run for my money, and that suits me fine."

The ego within David skyrocketed. "Okay, my ego is in overdrive over here," he jokingly said, waving his hands to cool himself down, wafting cold air at his face.

"You're telling me." She started to kiss David provokingly. "No one I bedded lasted half as long as you did."

"Come on, Cass, not here in public."

"We'll save it for bed." She lets go off David's crotch and snuggles him softly.

"Thanks. Guess whiskey's your drink of choice. You live for the good stuff, right?"

"I have too much of my dad in me. I find the warmth rushing down the back of my throat to be a guilty pleasure of mine; whiskey is my second favourite. Or maybe it's a fact my dad used to run a bar back in his glory days when he was around. Back west people used to call me Whiskey Rose before I started whacking them."

"May I call you Whiskey Rose?"

"You can call me Sharon if it makes you feel happy. Through thick and thin, you can always count on me to back you up; I'm still good in a bar fight. I can take a helluva punch and send one right back to the jaw; anything can happen when I have a drink in me. Something about alcohol just makes me hungry and horny. Sometimes punchy."

"You just named three favourite things I like in women."

"What got you into whiskey, cowboy?"

"It would be considered an acquired taste. Deep down to me personally it's a family aphrodisiac, I have my great-grandmother to thank for that." Cass blushed and smiled. "It didn't end well for her, though." David noticed a ruby pendant around Cass' neck. "That's a beautiful necklace. Where'd you get it?"

"It was a gift from my dad, with my name: Rose of Sharon Cassidy."

"Your name's Sharon?"

"I prefer to go by Cass. My mom said my dad got the name from an old book about dirt pilgrims. The name sure sounds sweet, though."

"No arguments there."

"The pendant is a little rose from my dad."

"Tell me about him?"

"Not much to go on. He walked east one day and just never came back, wasn't a family deserter like some but just had unfinished business. Mom died waiting for him; she was sick but still took care of me until I was old enough to get in trouble with the boys. As for dad, he probably just got lost one day. Shit happens. Not boo-hoo about it but still…"

"The suspense of the unknown, right?"

"Wish I had the truth." She moaned. "As long as I still have this pendant close to my heart, I'll never forget my parents, or what they had to go through to raise me."

"My parents have been through a lot to get me to where I am today, just like I have been for mine." David took out his wallet and reached for a photo inside, then shown it to Cass. An old weathered family photo.

"What's this?"

"That's me and my late wife, Samantha Simpson, on our wedding day. The kid in my arms is my eldest son with another along the way."

"You're a beautiful couple. The photo seems recent, though."

"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" he murmured to himself.

Cass took David's photo and examined the back with questioning eyes. "Why does it say second of February 2021 on the back?"

David took his photo from Cass' hands and stuffed it away, quickly into his wallet. "No reason," he said, sharply.

"Tell me about your wife."

"We grew up together in the same school and city. We dated, and years later we married each other, sometime after our first son was born. Sam was the bravest, most loyal, smartest friend I had, and a natural leader for her age. Our lives became one. Life was perfect." David puts his wallet into a pocket inside his armour.

"What happened to her?" she asked softly.

David fought the urge to cry but soldiered on. "She was... murdered..."

"I'm… sorry."

"Thanks. I'm, uh, actually getting a little… sad now."

Cass frowned. "I didn't mean to bum ya out-"

"We're cool. Killed a lot of time, though."

"Yeah, it did. Let's just enjoy the rest of the ride."

"No problemo." David held Cass firmly into his arms.

Cass slept in David's arms the entire duration of the length of the trip. It was warm. The road along the 188 to Vegas was smooth, but untimely came to an end shortly after falling to sleep himself. Only got a few minutes of shut-eye.

David and Cass were woken by the driver the very second they arrived at the Crimson Caravan. The night was cold this time around; everyone was getting some shut-eye. Both David and Cass needed to see Alice before the central office closed down.

To no surprise, Alice wasn't available to see. All that could be done was to just sleep over it until the main office is open to collect their money. David and Cass quietly commandeered a vacant bed in the barracks and slept.

Waking up with Cass in his arms again, it was another bright, crisp morning for the two. Though with Cass still asleep. David found the affection for her growing towards him, almost feels more than a piece of good looking meat around her.

Might be seeing more of his personality. With a slight nudge, they were out of bed, Cass was still tired but shuffled behind David to the office, wiping the crap from her eyes and yawned repeatedly.

Alice Mclafferty was available to see; she seemed like she had just woken up. Still, she mustered on and sat up straight behind her tidy desk to greet David again with a professional attitude. It wasn't easy managing a vast business, gotta skip some hours to save time and money. That's what corporations do.

"Mr Wesker… Miss Cassidy. So pleasant of you to pop in."

"Let's get this over with," Cass mumbled. She walked to Alice's desk with David and presented the declaration to Alice. The career she made for herself in the palm of her hand. "Cassidy Caravans is now part of the Crimson Caravans. Mclafferty… you finally did it. You broke me."

"Don't be like that Miss Cassidy; these actions will pay off in the future. This trade has been long overdue; I will take good care of my own." She took Cass' declaration and presented to her a written cheque for five thousand caps in legal tender.

"Be sure that you do." She received the cheque. "Thanks…" she said bitterly before leaving the office in a childish huff. David tried to stop her but held back; she was already outside.

"I trust you're here for your payment too, Mr Wesker?"

David withdrew his hand and glared at Alice. "That's right."

Alice handed David a bag of caps. "Enjoy."

"Pleasure doing business," he said with slight reluctance. He snatched the nicely-sized bag of caps from Alice's desk.

"It proves to be utmost beneficial to buy out the competition than to compete… this is one of those occasions."

"That's all for now. Goodbye, ma'am."

Cass wasn't outside the office, David looked all over. Seemed like she was gone, but she was just sat at a campfire next to makeshift bedding, staring into the raging fire blankly; she was oblivious of David who stood behind her with a regretful expression. He forcefully played a decent woman on to have her entire business bought out from a company she didn't want.

"Cass…"

"That was the most the single painful thing I had to witness."

"Why did you leave?"

"I choked up bad in there, signing my name away for a piece of paper." Cass Sighed. "I should be steaming right now losing my business like that but I only just realised that I'm… free. I'm free of the caravan business!" she exclaimed with a slowly deflating smile. "Still… it would mean the world to me if I could pay my respects to the site where my caravan died."

"Where was your caravan hit?"

"Upside of Vegas. It was weeks ago it was hit, so the site is probably just a Cazador's nest by now. I got all the time in the world to do that, though. They deserve my last respect for the shit I put them through; I owe them that much."

David walked to Cass and squatted down to her. "I promise you that someday soon, we both will pay our respects. You have my word." He placed his hand on Cass' shoulder caressingly. He felt the heat radiating off her by the touch alone.

Cass took a short breath and spoke lightly, "Thank you." She held David's hand and kissed him on the lips.

David came on a bit too strong to Cass; it was enough to encourage her to get him going as well. In well enough time less than a minute later, they both were already making out on the makeshift bedding. It was a basic tan blanket it was sufficient enough. David was just a great listener and a decent comforter, despite his fruitless endeavours he had to solve once upon a time.

Cass was dangerously getting close to baring it all and going the extra mile for some good old public debauchery. If it weren't for a particular gang, she'd almost inconveniently succeed, when they came on over while David was just on top of Cass getting warmed up. The word embarrassing came to mind, but that was hardly the question.

Veronica looked away from David. "Is now a bad time, David?"

"Now I just about saw it all," Arcade said, folding his arms.

David paid attention to his three friends, and he was as surprised as they were. "How? What? How?"

"Three excellent questions," said Arcade, "I can't wait to see where this is going."

Cass took short breaths. "They're only making this hotter. Let's go!" She started to grind her crotch over the bulge in David's.

"What is wrong with you?" David said, jokingly, "This is not what it looks like."

Veronica was still looking away out of respect. "Public sex?"

"Just a minor lapse in judgement," David said, standing up quickly, brushing his short brown hair back.

Cass sat up. "Speak for yourself." David helped back onto her feet.

"This is Cass, everyone. Cass, this is everyone. Arcade, Boone and Veronica."

"Nice to meet ya."

Veronica retracted her eyes onto Cass. "Cool, another girl! Finally, someone, I can relate to."

"Please… stop with the talking," Boone politely asked, hidden behind some irritation.

David folded his arms. "Drinking again, Boone?"

"Not yet," he replied.

"Well, we're all friends now," Arcade said, "What's next for us?"

"Cass wants to stop to pay some respects. However, in light of everyone being here, I think it's time I properly explained myself…"

"About what?"

"Only the fact you hardly know anything about me. It's necessary for me to be level with you four, to just be fair. Tell you about it over some drinks, my treat."

Boone chuckled. "Sounds good to me."

Cass held David's hand. "Where are we talking about exactly? Anywhere but the Outpost and God forbid the Atomic Wrangler."

Veronica had a eureka moment, pointing her finger in the air. "Ah! How about the Tops!"

"I killed a guy in there, doubt they'd let me back in-"

Arcade exclaimed. "You what?"

"Killed a prick in a daisy suit."

"Sure they won't let you in? It's a great casino."

"Depends how much blood and bone they shampooed from the carpets." David chuckled morbidly. "I turned that smug fucker's chest into chunky salsa."

Arcade grimaced. "My word…"

David simmered down after realising he was joking about killing a man he didn't even know. It wasn't like him to take murder lightly. He scretched his head. "I suppose we could go ask if they're still open for business..."

"To the Tops, we go!" Veronica cheered, clapping her hands.

"Veronica… please be quiet..." Boone muttered under his breath, trying far too hard to sound stern.

Freeside wasn't far, just outside the Crimson Caravan. All of Freeside welcomed David and his group with open arms; they all knew he meant well. Thugs did litter the streets now and then, but David was good business and did do a fair share of helping those in need. There was some fame to his name, even if it was a little.

Once David had shown his face a second time all acts involved in the killing of Benny was forgotten. Out of either fear or respect, Swank allowed David and his group to bear their arms, only politely demanded they don't cause any trouble. Some people were still cleaning blood and meat from the light carpets near the stairs..

Despite the rigorous cleaning of the staff, there were still some tiny fragments of skull and bone festering in the carpet's fabric. David led everyone straight to the ACES theatre upstairs just in time so see some quality shows and performers.

The theatre had little light. A small bar was within an arm's reach in the short left corner. The floor had a fair amount of empty booths to commandeer, and David picked the one with a good view of the stage.

David went to the bar for some drinks and came back with a few bottles of gin, scotch, whiskey, wine and vodka; plus even more whiskey. Ten or so caps for each bottle. The taste was growing on him for every drop he savoured. The spirits were tolerable, watered down or not.

The act on stage was a smooth-talking bearded stranger; he was in his mid-thirties and seemed to be a lonely soul. He had a pre-war acoustic guitar that was in excellent condition. The stranger played a similar medley his father used to play back in his days - Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

With slight hesitation to get started, David wanted no more secrets. To disclose the truth wasn't as easy as he thought the last hundreds of times in his head, speaking the truth was hard. With bated breath, David obliged himself. He swore it was a lot harder thinking it over than to lay it out for his friends to hear.

"Now that we're all here it's time I come clean with something bothering me. It's about my past. I won't lie, it's long and somewhat complicated, but otherwise serious."

"There's only one real way to find out."

David scratched his head. "Yeah. Living out here as long as I did, I already made some good friends, like you four being the closest. You know little of me, which isn't fair. Denial, depression or regret and whatever was stopping me from moving on has passed. Bear with me; this isn't easy for me. I have been bottling it up for a while now."

Veronica swirled her wine in her glass. "If you're feeling uncomfortable, you don't have to."

"No more secrets… Please!" David brushed his face. "No more. I treated you all with respect and affection in ways I see fit. Don't tell me you never once questioned me or my motives."

Veronica placed her hand on David's shoulder. "Well we're here, and that is what matters most. Good friends and good times. I'm sure it'll last through thick and thin."

David remained sceptical. "Do you mean that? Seriously? Sounds cheesy."

Boone placed his beret on the table. "Now that we're honest here, I have something to get off my chest. I'm not good with words or emotions for that matter, but if there's anything I do know it is I'm happy now fighting the boredom out here you than I was killing myself back in that nest of mine. That's no living for a soldier."

"I can't say much myself, on the fact I only just met you." Arcade adjusted his classes. "As long as you stay on the path of the… decently good you'll remain in my good graces."

"Wow, I'm just… wow. I'm feeling a bit beloved."

"I've been drinking at that outpost countless hours every day, woulda been there right now if it wasn't for you." Cass rubbed David's hand, which found itself under her hand. "I was missin' something back there, a real man like you gave me a reason to leave. Glad it was you." She smiled.

"You're not just saying this, are you? Sounds like a cliché."

Cass stuttered. "That place would be the death of me. Nothing to do but to mope and drink. Being here with you and friends I can understand is a damn good start. Guess I grown up."

"I'm not lying. Are you lying? Boone, you? Arcade?" Veronica said, waving her hand about the table. She pointed at everyone with a smile. "What reason would we lie David?"

"Everything seems too good to be true. Having quality time with lovely friends is all I ever really wanted. I'm… thrilled that you're all sound about me. Which is why I need to come clean in my past."

"Is it necessary?" Arcade asked.

"No. It's just something I feel I need to announce properly."

"Are you two… seeing each other?" Veronica wondered. Cass and David stared at her.

David smiled. "Change the subject much? I was in the middle of something."

Veronica choked. "With the hand holding I just… the hand holding."

David cleared his dry throat. "We shared a moment if that's what you're implying. Purely business."

Cass smirked. "Lie much."

"Was that before or after we caught you dry humping?"

David let go of Cass' hand. "Setting that aside, your feedback has been very warming. So with no hesitation." He sighed. "Here I go." David cleared his throat and leant forward at the table. "Time for a brief history lesson."

"In case you're wondering," David continued, "my name is David Alphonso Wesker. I'm twenty-two years old, and I was the L.A.P.D.'s point man of STARS Alpha Team Division. At the time, STARS was one of the finest counter-terrorist groups around most parts of the United States, though it was based mostly in my hometown in Beverly Hills." He leant back and relaxed his tone of voice. "Just when I was at the highest point of my career – wife, sons and family, it all came crashing down on the coldest day in April 2021-"

Arcade wasn't so easily convinced. He spoiled David's bubble of a speech and just dug in. "Woahwoahwoahwoah… Are you telling us you've been around for two hundred and sixty years?"

"No. I recently arrived here out of the blue. Why don't we start to where all this really began… 'Kay?"