A wide range of emotions radiated from the group standing at the dock of Cottonwood Cove. Frightened but hopeful former slaves all huddled together, unsure of what to do with their new freedom. The two NCR soldiers who had been rescued from the Arena were ecstatic, both at their release and at the death of Caesar. Layla got the feeling her companions were angry at her.

The girl herself felt like she had been shot and beaten up, which was accurate. She ignored her discomforts, however, as she finished binding the shoulder of Private Fielding, the man she had rescued from crucifixion. Layla administered a shot of Med-X to the soldier, who gave her a hazy grin.

"So, you wanna grab a drink when I'm on my feet?"

Layla laughed. "You don't waste any time, huh?"

"I'm not one to waste a second chance. So, when can I pick you up?"

Smiling, the Courier put away her medical equipment. "How about you get some sleep instead?" The man's eyes were already drooping as she spoke.

"I like a woman who plays hard to get," he murmured as he closed his eyes, falling asleep as the Med-X kicked in. He'd live, but would need some time to recover. The Courier had been immensely relieved they'd been able to save the trooper, and glad she had kept her promise.

Looking over to the others, she caught Siri's eye. The woman had taken a leadership role among the ex-slaves, and they were still trying to come to a consensus on what to do now. The Courier hoped they'd take her advice and go to the Followers. They would need time to adjust to their freedom.

"Well hey, Baby, I didn't think I'd be seeing you again." The Courier spun, gaping as Benny strolled up to her. The Chairman smiled toothily at her, and despite the bruises on his face, looked quite happy.

Layla opened her mouth to speak and suddenly realized both Boone and Raul had appeared at her sides. Both men were warily eyeing Benny, who was only mildly leering at her. The girl realized how uncomfortable things would get if they found out exactly who they were dealing with.

"Glad to see you made it out alive," Layla said casually.

"Well, I have you to thank, little lady. So thanks." He smiled again, and Layla couldn't help but smile back.

"What are you going to do now?" Benny shrugged and looked up at the sun for a moment.

"I'll keep out of your hair for starters. I think I've run out my welcome with you." He gave her a sidelong look, and found her crossing her arms over her chest, "So don't worry about me, Doll. Benny lands on his feet. I'd tell you to keep out of trouble, but you've got enough of it on your plate already. Make Vegas swing, baby." With that, he turned and walked away.

Layla watched him go, then realized what he had just said. Her eyes widened, then snapped back to normal. Maybe they hadn't noticed-

"Benny?" she heard from Boone. She winced and turned to face both men. Raul was giving her a surprised and angry look. Boone was watching the retreating figure of the man, hand slowly reaching for his rifle.

"Come on, no need for that," Layla said, putting a hand on Boone's arm to stop him. "We've all been through enough today."

"Why was he here? Was he with you at the Fort?" Raul said suspiciously.

Layla bit her lip. She had hoped to gloss over what had happened in Caesar's tent. She started to don one of her placating smiles, but gave up at the look both Boone and Raul were giving her.

"Okay, listen…" She tried to think of a way to phrase this bit of information. "The Legion captured him. Caesar wanted me to choose how he died. You've seen how they execute their prisoners. I couldn't do that, not even to Benny, so I helped him escape. It… didn't go very smoothly." She didn't mention that she'd known the plan was doomed from the start. Even with the guards distracted, she'd known Inculta was watching them. She had been ready to go down fighting.

"So you nearly got yourself crucified to help the guy who shot you in the head?" Layla winced at Boone's tone. She wasn't usually on the receiving end of his anger.

"You got a soft spot for this guy, Boss?" Raul asked with a hint of suspicion. "Cass told us what happened at the Tops…"

"Dammit, I didn't fuck Benny! Why won't anyone believe me?" Her exclamation left both men staring at her in silence. A few other heads turned in her direction as well. She would have been embarrassed, but a thought had just come to her, a nagging suspicion she hadn't noticed until now. Her face suddenly clouded, and she looked back across the river in the direction of Fortification Hill.

"What is it?" Raul asked, thinking she was just trying to change the subject.

"Did we ever find Vulpes Inculta's body?"

The ghoul frowned. "The scout?" The girl nodded, still looking towards the river. "I never saw him," he answered. "I thought you checked."

"I did…" Layla turned back to them, sighing. "Well, I'm sure that'll end well. The whole Legion's going to know exactly what happened and who to blame. They'll be after us."

"To be fair, Boss, I don't think that's going to change much."

Before the conversation could go any further, Siri approached the group. The newly freed women had a plan.

*.*.*

Layla felt like she was going to vomit, pass out and start laughing hysterically all at the same time. Dr. Richards had assured it was just the adrenaline leaving her system combined with her blood loss. He had offered her a shot of Med-X to calm her, but she had declined.

She laid back on one of the cots in the medical tent of Forlorn Hope. Raul dozed in the next cot. The ghoul had not declined the painkiller when they had pulled the bullet out of his leg. Boone stood nearby, his numerous wounds freshly bandaged.

"Thank you," The Courier said quietly. Boone turned to look at her, and she saw Raul's head turn her way. She almost smiled at them, but it suddenly withered into a frown. "You shouldn't have come. You both could have been killed. And you," she looked at Raul, "You promised you wouldn't tell."

The ghoul shrugged lazily. "Sorry Boss, I lied."

"Why did you go alone?" Boone demanded suddenly. "Why didn't you take me?"

"I didn't take you because I -" She paused, knowing this wasn't going to go well. "I wanted to see what they had to say." The face Boone made was about what she expected. "Not to join them. I just wanted to know why they'd even bother to contact me. Besides, how many opportunities was I going to get to see them in their element?"

The Courier sighed. "And, I didn't want you to get yourself killed." She hadn't planned to say that bit, but she meant it. She glanced up at Boone, who was looking thoughtfully at her.

"You shouldn't have gone alone."

I wasn't about to have one of you crucified right next to me." She frowned and looked at both of her companions again. "It's a miracle we all didn't end up dead. Or worse"

"We weren't going to let you run off to your doom alone." Raul cracked a lazy grin. "We're just as stupid as you."

Layla laughed, then grabbed her side as pain shot through her. She looked back at her friends again.

"I guess it was stupid…but," She dug in her shirt, pulling out the Platinum Chip. "At least I got this back. Besides, we killed Caesar, so it all worked out."

"It won't stop the Legion," Boone said. "They're still coming."

Layla gave him a sidelong look, grinning. "It felt good though, didn't it?"

Boone grinned back. "Yeah it did."

Raul snorted, "I told you you were just as bad as she is."

I hope you've enjoyed our trip to the Fort! Starting this Tuesday, we'll be digging into Dead Money with "Playing the Board"