Chapter 5: Rude Awakening

Hey folks, sorry it has taken me so long to update this story. I just got into a massive New Vegas obsession and school just killed a lot of my passion for writing, but I'm slowly getting back into the groove of everything. This might be a kind of short Chapter, but I hope you folks enjoy it nonetheless!

I do not own Fallout 4, that belongs solely to Bethesda.

Waking up with a knife to his throat was something that Rourke Lorcan had faced many times in his life, both pre-War and post-War. Today though, today was a bit different, given he actually knew the person who was threatening his life.

"Okay, I'm done with these games." Cait growled. "Whaddya want from me?"

The Irish fighter was currently straddling The Sole Survivor's waist, one hand holding the knife pointed at his throat and the other firmly grasping his shirt. The mercenary looked down, trying to find his gun, only to find it sitting by the campfire, way outta arm's reach. Rourke had to admit, the girl was damn smart, removing all of his weapons before confronting him like this.

"Ya gotta be more specific there, love." Rourke grunted. "I want a lotta things."

"Let me be clear here, ya fucking wagon. I got the knife here, and I ain't afraid to gut ya like a Brahmin." Cait answered. "Ya want somethin' from me, only reason you bought my contract and dragged me outta that shitehole Combat Zone. And I ain't gonna wait til you tell me why, so I want answers and I want 'em now."

The smart-ass remark that was brewing in Lorcan's mind was quickly cut short, as the pressure on his neck grew more intense. Lorcan let out a small grunt, as he saw a small trickle of blood pool around the knife's tip; Cait was not fucking around here.

"Number of reasons, really." Lorcan admitted.

"Start namin' them reasons, then." Cait stated. "Or else."

"I saw you fighting, handling yourself in the Combat Zone. Scouted the location for a week or two, went undercover dressed as a Raider." Rourke explained. "And you? You're one scary bitch. Taking on a freaking Super Mutant with your bare hands, and beating it? Definitely not someone I want on my bad side."

"So ya just needed a meat shield then, someone ta take a bullet for you?" Cait growled. "Ya fuckin' gobshite, I ain't protecting your arse."

"Nah, ain't just that love. Cause honestly? It didn't feel right to leave you." Lorcan continued.

"Whaddya mean?"

"I might be a mercenary, but that ain't mean I'm a cold-hearted bastard. It...well, it didn't feel right, leaving ya alone in that Combat Zone, among all them dead raiders. And honestly? I saw that look in your eyes; saw it enough back in Anchorage and the like. Just a look of no longer giving a fuck, not caring what happens to ya, just waiting for the end to come...might as well have shot you myself, if I was gonna leave you there."

"So ya did it outta the kindness of your own heart?"

"Yes, I fuckin' did. So either ya kill me now and be done with it, or put the fuckin' knife down."

Silence fell between the two, both unsure of what exactly to say. A thoughtful look was evident on Cait's face, biting her lower lip hard enough that Rourke expected blood to be drawn.

"Give me one reason, one damn good reason, why I should trust ya." Cait muttered.

"You didn't kill me in my sleep." The Sole Survivor responded. "You woke me up and talked to me, 'stead of just slicing my throat and taking everything. Good enough reason for ya, love?"

Rourke could feel the knife shake slightly, before it suddenly disappeared. The Irish fighter let out a tired grunt before she chucked away the knife, the weapon spinning in the air before landing with a thud next to a rotten tree stump.

"Fuckin' persuasive bastard." Cait growled. "But I'mma telling you this once 'n once only. You even think of fucking me over or try to mess with me? I'll slice ya from mouth to arsehole and turn you into a fuckin' jacket. Ya understand me?"

"Crystal clear, love." Rourke answered back, rubbing at his throat. "Now get off me, would ya? I need a breather."

Realization hit Cait like a super mutant fist, as she looked down and saw the position the two were currently in. The Irish fighter let go of Rourke's shirt and her back went straight up, her hands running through her dull red hair.

"How do I know you ain't gonna kill me as soon as I turn my back, eh?" Cait inquired, eyebrow raised. "I might be willing to trust ya, but I ain't gonna trust you that much."

Rourke just let out a tired grunt, hitting the back of his head against the ground beneath him. This fucking woman was gonna be the death of him. Not the Institute, not the Brotherhood, not any of the damn mercenaries hunting for the bounty on his head, but this bloody fighter from the Combat Zone.

"I'm exhausted as fuck, woman. Let me sleep in damn peace now, kay?" Rourke grumbled, his patience wearing dangerously thin.

A small chuckle escaped from Cait's scarred lips, as she final stood up and removed herself from Rourke. The mercenary let out a sigh of relief, thankful that the pressure to his chest was finally removed. Rourke sat up, rubbing at his throat and staring holes into the back of Cait's skull. The Irish fighter didn't seem to notice; instead too busy stretching her limbs and cracking her knuckles.

"We're headed for Fort Hagen, soon as the sun rises." Rourke explains. "So ya better get some sleep now, ya hear?"

"That shitehole? Ain't nobody there." Cait answered. "Why we headin' there for?"

"Oh trust me, there's somebody there." The Sole Survivor grunted, a scowl forming on his weathered face. "And I'm gonna kill him, plain and simple."

"Contract?" Cait asked.

"Nah, ain't getting paid for this one." Rourke responded. "This…this is more personal."

And Chapter 5 of Commonwealth Blues is done and dusted! I'd like to thank Mandalore the Freedom, Fanfictionfan3601 and Anknonymous for all of their reviews and support! Next Chapter will be the final Chapter of Commonwealth Blues, and will star Catalina Perez. Hope to see you folks soon!

Love,

The Desert Dancer