Anastasia's lounger opened only about thirty seconds later and she jolted awake, looked around, and let out a sob.

"Ch-Charon?" she choked, and he moved to her, quickly. She stumbled out of the seat and missed the second step, falling into his arms.

"You okay, kid? What happened?" He asked, bewildered.

"I-I had to kill them! I killed them all!"

"Wha-"

"It was the only way—he would've tortured them forever if I hadn't!"

"Kid-"

"I've never felt so horrible in all my life!" she bawled, and he just held her and let her cry it out. He felt horrible too, for having nothing to say. The sound of subtle footsteps came from behind him and Charon, still holding Anastasia off the ground in one arm, drew his shotgun and pointed it toward the figure emerging from the darkness into the circle of light created by Anastasia's Pip-Boy.

"Ana, sweetheart, who is this?" He heard a smart voice say as Anastasia's father stepped forward, a pistol aimed at Charon's head, worried lights flashing in his eyes.

"Dad!" She exclaimed, and ran to him as soon as her boots hit the ground. Charon watched them embrace, and felt a pang inside him.

"Ana! Are you all right? What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing! How long have you been in there? Why were you in there?"

"I'd love to tell you, honey, but I can't talk now. I have to get back to Rivet City, and discuss some things with Madis—err, Dr. Li." He let go of her and stepped away from her, but she grabbed his arm.

"Wait a second!" she commanded, frowning, and he looked back, surprised. "I didn't travel all this way, wait all this time, just to be brushed off by you! You don't know what I've gone through to get here, and I want some answers, now!" James stared at her, then sighed, and stepped back into the light.

"Your right. I'm sorry, honey. Please, ask away." She looked at him, then back at Charon, then said,

"Come on. Let's get out of this creepy place and start heading back toward Megaton. We can rest up there and get back to Rivet City the next day. " She looked at her father and said, "We'll talk when we get back to my house." His eyebrows rose.

"You have a house? Sweetie, how long were you out of the vault?"

"Since the day you left, Dad. I came out right after you, but I wasn't quite fast enough. But I'll tell you more back in Megaton." She looked at Charon. "Can you hand me my armor? I'm going to get re-dressed." He picked up her armor, which was lying by her pack and handed it to her, then stepped between her and James, crossing his arms protectively. James cleared his throat.

"Um, sweetie, aren't you going to introduce me?" Charon heard a long 'zzzzzzzzzzip' and the sound of clothes falling to the ground.

"Oh, sorry. This is Charon, my bodyguard. He's traveled with me since about a month after I got out of the vault. Hold this, please." He felt something being draped over his shoulder and grabbed it off; it was the jumpsuit. He heard her grabbing her clothes and sliding them on.

"Well…it's *ahem* nice to meet you. I hope I can get to know you better on the journey to Rivet City. That is, assuming you'll be coming?" Charon nodded. He heard the tiny 'clicks' of Ana's armor being clipped on, and finally the rustle of her picking up her pack and her weapons. She grabbed the vault suit from Charon and stuck it in her pack with a quick 'thanks.'

"Alright, let's head out!" she said, bringing out her sniper rifle. James was taken aback.

"Sweetie, are you sure you should be swinging that around? It's very dangerous!" Anastasia laughed.

"Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself." James stiffened, then nodded.

"You're right. Let's…let's get moving." Anastasia grinned, and headed for the exit, which Charon held open for her. James nodded at him as he passed by, and the three headed back out of the vault, toward the surface.