A few days after singing rooftops together and declaring that they were falling in love, the two were always never far apart as companions and young lovers were aught to do when the Legion opted to attack one of the smaller ranger camps to the north of New Vegas.
And, well, the small group that was sent out consisted of Mercy, Bitterroot, and Manny. They got to where the attack happened and the sole survivor that they had found was a young girl protecting her little brother. The men went to look for others, but they couldn't find anyone else. Save for the young children, and Mercy managed to bring them out of hiding with some ease and the promise of a hot meal as well.
They opted to spend the night there when the girl told her their names. "I'm Rosie, and this is my brother Luke. We've been here ever since the Legion came three days ago and we didn't dare leave in case there were more mean men outside waiting for us, to take us to the Fort."
Mercy smiled at the bravery the girl showed as she answered,"And that's a good thing that you didn't come out Rosie, you or Luke. Because that meant that you have a protective instinct which is good." When Luke crawled into the young medic's lap and began to cry. She start rocking him with her voice lifting in song.
"Little child, Be not afraid, The rain pounds harsh against the glass, Like an unwanted stranger, There is no danger, I'm here tonight, Little child, Be not afraid, Though thunder explodes and lighting flash, Illuminates your tear stained face, I'm here tonight,
And someday you'll know, That nature is so, This same rain that draws you near me, Falls on rivers and land, And forests and sand, Makes the beautiful world that you see, In the morning, Little child, Be not afraid, The storm clouds mask your beloved moon, And it's candlelight beams, Still keep pleasant dreams, I am here tonight,
Well, now I am grown, And these days have shown, Rain's a part of how life goes, But it's dark and it's late, So, I'll hold you and wait, Till your frightened eyes do close, And I hope that you know, That nature is so, This same rain that draws you near me, Falls on rivers and land, and forests and sand, Makes the beautiful world that you see, In the Morning, Everything's fine in the morning, the rain will be gone in the morning, But I'll still be here in the morning."
Luke nestled down in her arms and fell asleep while Rose leaned against her father's side when he started humming any old Rod Stewart tune to himself and broke into song. She asked him, "Papa, what is the song you're humming? It sounds like something I've heard before." Than she knew what it was, Forever young.
"May the good Lord be with you, Down every road you roam, And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home, And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true, And do unto others , As you'd have done to you,
Be courageous and be brave, And in my heart you'll always stay, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, May good fortune be with you, May your guiding light be strong, Build a stairway to heaven, With a prince or a vagabond,
And may you never love in vain, And in my heart you'll always remain, Forever young, forever young, Forever young, forever young, Forever Young, Forever young,
And when you finally fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well, For all the wisdom of a lifetime, No one can ever tell, But whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you, Win or lose, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, Forever young, For, Forever young, Forever young."
"Very well done," came voice from the darkness and Mercy asked, "Are you Vuples Inculta? Because if you are, i want you where we can see you. If you don't mind too fully much."
The legionary was mildly amused at how well she knew her family tree as well as her mother's history with the Legion before refusing to work with them to overthrow the NCR at the last battle of Hoover Dam over nineteen years prior to her birth that December.
He answered his niece's question by stating rather simply. "Yes, I'm Vulpes Inculta, and no, I don't mean anyone here any harm, at least not until there's some untoward signs of problems on your side my dear girl. Now, down to business. no one knows how you are really Mercy. And for now, that's a good thing, let's keep Hannah's legend alive a little while longer before the fort is taken by the NCR."
They talked long into the night and departed ways early the next morning, leaving nothing but ash and bodies where the Ranger camp once stood, as an eerie reminder of those brave soldiers who fought and died defending that area from slavers, raiders, fiends and the damned Legion as well.