Chapter 19

Tyler wakes up from anther dream about his exile and mutters a few choice curses under his breath. He is getting real sick of reliving those memories over and over each night. For years he had been fine, not problem sleeping, no memories, nothing but gentle drug induced bliss. Maybe that is the problem, ever since the Underworld when Doc Barrows patched him up and informed him he was transforming into a ghoul, he hadn't had his usual fix, just some of the Med-x prescribed. At this point, anything else would be welcome, even that crappy stuff raiders get hooked on. Then again, maybe now is a good time to go dry. No, those dreams are too annoying to risk right now. He can go dry later, much later.

He sits up and runs a hand over his head. Looking down, he groans as he sees clumps of hair clinging to his hand. He growls and shakes the strands off, still not sure how to go about telling Luther about his ghoulification. Sure Nick and Quinn took it well, but Quinn is a ghoul and Nick was never exposed to all the bigotry of the world. Luther on the other hand, Luther has very strict ideas about what makes a person a person. Sure, he is willing to work for the ghouls of Underworld, but he never had to like them. With both of them ghouls have been nothing more than another means of earning caps. He wonders just how well his partner will take the news. Right now though, maybe it isn't the right time.

After their flight from the hotel and the battle in the compound, Luther and Reilly had it out. If it wasn't for Butcher intervening on Luther's behalf, no one would have been surprised if Reilly killed him. As it is, they sat in Reilly's office and talked for a long time. Tyler had waited outside the door the whole time, ready to charge in and help if things became violent. He never has been the talking sort, but whatever was said seemed to have helped both Reilly and Luther. When they came out they had relieved looks on their faces, though they are still avoiding each other. If he had been the one with the problem, he would have just growled and maybe shot up the place.

A chuckle escapes him as he thinks about how much he has changed. A few years ago he would have tried to resolve all the world's conflicts with words and a smile, now he just wants to get paid and get his next high. Sarah would be disappointed. No, she is disappointed. She said so back at GNR. Seeing her that day, it had been difficult for him. She was mad, of course she was mad, she had every right to be. There she was, in the middle of a fire fight, and suddenly her asshole brother is there causing trouble. He sighs, that is the one thing he regrets about his exile. The changes in him, his addiction, his anger, none of those compare to how bad he feels about hurting Sarah.

When they were younger, she always looked up to him. At first he was the typical mean older brother who took advantage of his little sisters adoration to get her into trouble. Then he started training for combat at age ten and his outlook changed. He started teaching her the things he was learning, that way she would do well when it came time for her initiation. They did everything together. They still caused a lot of trouble, but they were smarter about it. She was so idealistic. She had dreams of saving the whole world, much like he once did. She was the perfect soldier. She was skilled, disciplined, followed orders to the letter and believed in the cause. He on the other hand, was disobedient, rebellious, and was more likely to do his own thing.

He gives a shake of his head and walks into the barracks. The Rangers, Brick, Donovan, and Butcher are there already eating a light breakfast. With them is Nick and that dog of his. Charon is right behind Nick, arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he watches the proceedings. At the moment, Nick is arm wrestling Donovan, and beating him. Tyler is happy to see Nick engaging with others. After they returned from the Pit the kid had been acting strangely, always angry and ready to kill, even more so than he was himself. Tyler knows that he can never understand what the kid went though in that place, but at least he seems to be recovering. That said, the kid is far from the same person he was. Looking at him now, he can easily see that his face has lost its baby fat, his body is more toned, and his eyes are harder. These are all good, it means that he will be able to make it on his own if he has to.

Tyler sits down at the table just as Nick finishes off Donovan. The Ranger grumbles something about having injured his arm while they were pinned on the hotel but the others laugh it off. He also notices that Brick is giving Nick a seductive look, or well, as seductive as the she could manage. However if Nick notices he gives no indication of it. Butcher pushes some of the breakfast towards him and he nods in gratitude. He likes the Rangers, they are a tough bunch. Plus they still have some morals, which automatically makes them better than other merc groups out there as far as he is concerned.

"Hey, Tyler," Nick says as he shoves some food into his mouth, "when are we going to get moving again? We sit around here for much longer and we are all going to get fat and lazy."

The kid is in a good mood. "Soon, probably today. I figure we are going to head back to GNR to pick up Clover and Bryan before setting off for Rivet City. Should take us about three days on the surface. We could take the metro's but after what happened last time I don't really feel like risking it." Nick nods and keeps shoveling food in to his mouth.

"You're headed to Rivet City?" Butcher asks. Tyler nods. "It isn't any of my business really, but why?"

Tyler looks at Nick. The kid has stopped eating and his face has darkened. "My Father." His tone is low and hard to read. "We have been searching for him. This is the third time we have been sidetracked. At this point, he is very likely to be dead." The kid's face brightens a little, "That, and we hope to find the family of a boy named Bryan Wilks. Found him in what was left of Greyditch. His father was already dead. Promised to help him out. He is with a friend of ours back at GNR."

"Well," Brick smiles, "aren't you lot just a bunch of saints?"

Butcher gives him a pointed look. "I wouldn't call them that."

Tyler does not take the bait. "You would be right."

Behind them the door opens and in walks Luther. His partner's emotions are carefully hidden behind a calm mask. Despite that, Tyler automatically knows something has happened. "Time to go." His gaze focuses on Nick. "Gather your gear, we are leaving, now." Before anyone can ask any questions Luther turns and walks out.

Tyler grunts and stands up. "Well, it has been nice, sort of. Brick, thanks for letting me keep that gun of yours. I promise to take good car of her." They all say their farewells and Nick stands to leave. Charon and the dog follow them out. They find Luther waiting by the exit. "Let me guess," Tyler grumbles as he approaches, "you did something to offend Reilly, right?"

Luther just rolls his eyes and steps outside. Nick looks at Tyler with a confused expression, he just shrugs his shoulders. "Kid, you should know by now that between the two of us, someone is always offended by something we do."

They head back towards GNR. Nick suggested stopping at Underworld to resupply, but Luther insisted on pushing ahead. Honestly, the man has been acting strangely here recently, ever since his hands got hurt. Or maybe it was that explosive with the Nuka Quantum. Who knows, either way the two of them need to have a chat. Luckily, they didn't encounter any ghouls on their way back. As they got closer, Tyler started worrying about Sarah again. She was in a rather upset state when they left a few days ago. He wonders if she is still at GNR, of she and the Pride have been called back for some other mission. She never was good at staying in one place for too long. Always looking for something to do.

The knights on duty outside the radio building recognize them and let them inside without any trouble. Almost as soon as they are inside there is a squeal of happiness and something bright pink leaps at him. Clover lands in his arms and snuggles her face against his neck, giggling as his beard tickles her face. "Hey lover," she coos, "did ya miss me? I missed you. I missed you soooo much."

He releases her and lets her fuss over him for a few seconds. Honestly, this woman is crazy. Sure, he knew she was wacko when he worked for Paradise, and he knew she was missing a few screws when she joined up with them, but her doting has moved her from a little off all the way to insane in his books. He is about to tell her off, but then she bends over to mess with his boot straps. The view is nice. Very nice. Okay, so she is a insane, but damn, what a body! "Yeah baby," he finally speaks, "I missed you too."

Over Clover's shoulder, he spots Nick awkwardly patting Bryan on the back as the boy hugs his legs. Nick has a bewildered expression on his face, but it slowly turns into a small amount of reserved affection. Tyler notes that Nick looks around to make sure no one is watching before returning Bryan's hug. Tyler hopes that Nick doesn't get too attached to the boy. Having a dog and a ghoul manservant following him around is one thing, but a child is something totally different. Keeping someone that small and vulnerable safe in the wasteland is almost impossible, it is why so few children are around. Anyone who is born is in a city or settlement is often protected by all the locals. Those out in the wastes, they are destined for misfortune.

Breaking away from Clover, he searches for Luther. He is slightly alarmed when he doesn't find him right away. His partner's attitude during their trip back was reserved at best, furious at worst. Tyler still isn't sure what set the man off, but he intends to find out. Eventually he spots Luther coming back downstairs from where Three Dog usually resides. Tyler intercepts him. "We need to talk." His tone leaves no room for argument. He leads Luther outside where they sand out of earshot of anyone on guard duty. "What they hell is your problem?"

Luther glares at him. Tyler as seen many people fall apart under similar glares, but it only further proves to him that something is wrong. "I don't see how my affairs are any of your concern."

"They are when they get in the way of our job." Tyler growls back.

"Our job?" Luther almost spits. "Just what is our job right now Tyler? We have been escorting this vaultie all across the wasteland for months now! What have we gotten out of it? I will tell you what, nothing! Nothing but pain and anger! We started with good intentions, but what has that done for us? The kid needed us when he first showed up, that I know and understand. He needed us when he was taken tot the Pit. That I also understand! Now tell me why we need to keep following him around when he doesn't even know if he wants to find his Dad alive any more! Tell me why he needs us!"

Tyler can't quit believe what he is hearing. "You want us to leave him? You want us to leave the kid on his own? Did he take out part of your brain when he cut off your fingers? Or is that what this is all about? Come on, if he hadn't cut them off you would have and you know it!"

"Damn it Tyler," Luther shouts, "don't you get it? he doesn't need us anymore! We are not getting anything out of following him around now. We already have the satisfaction of knowing that he can handle himself and won't die of his own fucking stupidity! That is the reason I stuck with him. He has people now, friends! I wanted to help him because he was alone! He isn't any more!"

The real reason for Luther's anger suddenly becomes clear. "You're jealous? You envy the fact that he has friends?" At his words all the fight seems to leak out of Luther. He slumps against the building and slides down to the ground where he shakes his head and looks at the nubs of his missing fingers. Tyler sighs, "Listen, Luther, the kid can handle himself now, you are right about that, but I think he still needs us. Think about it, his own fucking Father walked out on him. How would it look if we did the same now?"

Luther looks up at him. "And here everyone thinks you are a thoughtless brute." He heaves a sigh and stands. "I know, I know that he needs us. I just... What is going to happen when he doesn't any more? Have you thought about that? When this is all over, what will we do? Go back to being angry mercs who take any and all jobs that come their way? I don't think so. No matter how much we try to deny it, having the kid around has changed us. He is fixing things. Our pasts are catching up to us. I am worried that is all. He knows about you and the Brotherhood, he doesn't know it all, but he knows. What should I tell him about me?"

Tyler considers. It had taken a lot of coaxing for him to get Luther to open up to him, and a lot of beers. Even now he isn't sure how he feels about Luther's past. He knows his partner has been though a lot, and is worse off because of it. "I think, that if he asks, you should tell him the basics. No need to give him details. If he doesn't ask, then just don't ever mention it. I think he knows that we both have our secrets and that he respects that."

Luther sighs and stands back up. "Right, you are right. Let's just drop it shall we? Pretend this conversation never happened."

Tyler shakes his head. "No, I know you too well for that. I want to know what really brought all this on. Something other than the kid has caused this, what?"

Luther groans and looks up at the sky. "It was Reilly..."

"I knew it."

"Let me finish. After we talked in her office that first time, she asked me to speak privately again. She wanted to know what my intentions with Nick where, what I was doing babysitting him. She said that I should get away from him. She likes him, he must have done something that impressed her. She suggested letting him stay with the Rangers. I got mad, hell it was mostly because of all that had happened and all the bottled up stress between us. We fought, and that is when we left. On the way here, I couldn't get her words out of my head. I decided to try and get you to agree to leaving, I didn't realize the rest of what I was feeling until you called me out on it."

"It is what I do, keeping your stupid ass in line is a full time occupation."

"Nick once asked me how you and I got alone, what with all the arguing we do." Luther says with a small smile.

"What did you tell him?"

"The truth, that we don't get along. We just tolerate each other."

Tyler nods, "Ain't that the truth. Come on, he has to be itching to get moving now that we have a destination and Three Dog has come through with his info."