A/N: So! Here is the second chapter for my short story, Saving Me. I hope you guys like it so far, if some of you are watching over it or something xD Remember, review with constructive criticism and feedback if you'd like this to continue! If not, then the story ends here!

Happy reading, happy writing!

~Konfessionist out!~

Chapter Two: If I Ever See Your Face Again

With three pairs of sore feet, several complains out of James, a few smacks upside his head from C.J. to shut him up and about a half hour of walking did the trio finally come across the metal structure that worked as the entrance for Rivet City. Lucky Harith, the weapons supplier for Flak N' Shrapnel's, eyed the three curiously and they waved him off, asking that he not ask about why they were soaking wet and why C.J. was muddy all on her front side.

They staggered up the metal slope, greeted the water-beggar that resided out front, and stalked across the bridge with heavy limbs and aching joints from all the exercise they endured that late morning. The load of their exhaustion lightened with hope and relief when they looked on to the entrance of Rivet City, and immediately noticed that none of the security guards were standing out and watching- not even Harkness, and damn, was it a miracle sent from the heavens!

"Looks like we get a fucking break today!" James exclaimed victoriously, darting past Bryan who had been leading up until this point and stood by the door that lead to the stairwell with his hands on his hips proudly. "Hurry the hell up, you're both slower than my ma when she has to go to her "good parenting" meetings with Father Clifford!"

"Y- You- You're lucky she is- isn't 'round to hear th- th- that," C.J. chuckled through clacking teeth, still hugging herself tightly and she glanced up to Bryan. "I- I'm freezing Br- Bry- Bryan!"

"It's okay," He smiled back warmly. "We'll be inside soon enough."

"Are you so sure about that, Wilks?" An authoritive voice chastised as a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice grip.

Bryan slowly pivoted his head towards James as if to confirm who it was, but James wasn't looking at him. He was staring down at a hand gripping his own shoulder with a scowl on his face. Their eyes finally met and they gulped audibly, slowly craning their necks to look back into the angered face of Harkness.

If returning to Rivet City without Harkness guarding their front door step to reprimand them about their field trip was considered a God-given miracle, to only have the strict man appear seconds later- Well... God had a strange sense of humor.

"Did you three enjoy your little excursion?" He asked in a low voice as two security guards came up behind him, shaking their heads in disappointment.

James grinned from ear to ear arrogantly. "Best field trip I've ever fucking had."

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Harkness retorted.

"Only after I wash it out with soap." He shot back snidely.

"Watch it kid," He warned, pointing at him sharply. "You're old enough where I can kick you off this ship."

James opened his mouth, probably to tell the commander off, but with a quick glance at C.J., he closed his mouth and shoved his hands into his pockets with surrender. Harkness smiled at the shift in power that was turning into his favor, and his eyes darted over to Bryan as he removed his hands from both of their shoulders.

"How are you going to work your way into the force if you keep breaking all the damn rules, Wilks?" He asked sternly with a slight tinge of disappointment in his voice and a frown on his face.

Bryan looked away, ducking his head ashamedly. Ever since he turned twelve, he had been trying to convince Harkness to let him join security. The commander denied him time and time again, due to the fact that he was still too young, but said he'd consider it when he was older. He hadn't meant to be such a nuisance- he just wanted to explore and have a bit of fun with his friends…

"I- I'm sorry, Harkness." He answered quietly. "We didn't mean to break the rules."

James shot him a threatening look, but the words seemed to soothe Harkness a bit and he waved the officers behind him to disband. They disappeared to the staircase in a few moments.

"Do you kids know why we make rules?" He asked, his tone softening to that of parental scolding as he turned the boys around so they were facing him. C.J. squeezed herself in between them.

"So you can be an asshole about them?" James asked, and C.J. smacked the back of his head as soon as the words left his mouth.

"No." The commander growled, folding his arms over his chest. "It's to keep you kids safe. Or maybe it's because I don't like punks like you, Hargrave- you're a bad influence for C.J. here, always have been, and when her parents hear about this…"

"What?" She exclaimed in horror, eyes snapping wide open. She knew what would happen- her parents would tell her to stop hanging out with the boys, and would try to enforce that as much as they damn-well pleased. "Pl- Please don't tell my parents! We were just having fun, please!"

"I'm sorry C.J., even though this isn't a rule that comes attached to a harsh punishment, leaving the ship and wondering into the bow is extremely dangerous with all the Mirelurks that have nested down there! I'm glad you kids are unharmed, but you all need to understand that there will still be consequences to your careless actions."

"Then why don't you kick us off the ship already if we're such a huge fucking problem for you and your boy scouts?" James retorted, fists curling at his sides.

"James!" C.J. exclaimed with wide eyes of shock, gawking up at him.

"Maybe I should." Harkness growled with dark consideration in his voice. "Don't tempt me, Hargrave."

"What's this I hear about kicking people off the ship?" A silken voice called behind the trio, followed by a low chuckle. "That seems a bit harsh for a bit of good fun, don't you think, Harkness?"

The three spun around to find a woman standing behind them with her hands on her hips and a plasma rifle strapped to her back. Her mane of hair was wild with curls from spun gold, her eyes were as wide and bright as full moons, and her skin had a slight bronze tint, as if she had captured the radiance from a thousand suns. Her plump lips, brushed a light pink were tugged at the corners with a slight smile, and she had high cheekbones that made her look so sophisticated.

"After all, you can't tell me that you didn't get into trouble a few times when you were their age," She chuckled again, shaking her head as she walked past the kids to stand next to Harkness, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Bryan caught the astonished look on the commander's face, eyes blinking rapidly as if his mind couldn't quite comprehend what was going on and his jaw opened and closed like a confused guppy, unsure of what to say. He was doing the exact same thing as the commander at that moment, because he recognized the woman's face and voice immediately- neither seemed to change since they first met ten years ago.

"It- It's you!..." He stammered in disbelief, catching the attention of the woman- his savior- and the still stunned Harkness.

And then, Bryan remembered her name just as clearly as he had remembered her face all those years, searching for it through the numerous crowds of people that came into Rivet City as he waited at Harkness' side for her to return again.

"Janny…"