This chapter is going to be from Sennia's point of view. Thank you for all the reviews, I really appreciate them. I read them during class and they make me really happy.

I woke up feeling something I hadn't in years. I felt loved. I was loved by the man sleeping on the floor so I, a slave, could be comfortable. A man truly horrifying by everyone but me. He has only shown me kindness and compassion in a world of hatred and anger.

I sat up in the cot and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I yawned and looked over my shoulder to see Vulpes huddled near the flap of the tent. He must have been cold; I could see the goosebumps from here. I stood up and stretched out. I grabbed the blanket and pillow and pulled it over him and gently lifted his head to place the pillow under him.

"I have to go." I whispered in case he could hear me.

He reached out and held my wrist.

"Please stay with me." He looked so sad, I couldn't just leave him like this.

"... Alright."

He lifted the blankets and I crawled under, settling into his side. He turned over and wrapped his arm around my waist. He pulled my closer and buried his face into my hair. I must smell awful, slaves rarely bathe. He didn't seem to mind though.

"I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I? That's the last thing I want to do after what happened."

"I'll be fine. It's a soft touch. And you're not hitting me."

"You never have to worry with anyone again. I made quite sure of it."

I pondered the statement. I couldn't wrap my head around Vulpes doing something so awful that it would deflect every other advance.

"What did you do to Otho, I've been really wondering."

"Well, I could tell you some of it, but you'd have to see it to really believe it."

"Show me. I want to know if what he got was what he deserved."

"Are you doubting my abilities? I assure you that he's gotten what he had coming. I'll show you."

We got up and left the tent. I followed him down the hill to the crosses. The bloodstain near the arena didn't go unnoticed. We stopped at a fresh cross and I stared in what must have been a mix of anger, fear, and appreciation.

The man was gutted and turning inside out. Crows were pecking at him and his armor was torn. What stood out the most was the word "rapist" carved into his face.

I threw my hand over my mouth. Vulpes looked over in concern.

"Are you alright?"

"I- I love you."

"I was worried I would scare you off. Did he suffer enough? Did I not do good enough?" His brow was furrowed in confusion. He really believed I wasn't pleased.

I pulled him towards me by the collar of his tunic. I kissed him with as much heat as the Mojave sun. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into an embrace.

"You did good."

"I live for your approval."

I didn't leave his side through out the day if I could help it. People stared at me in contempt and fear. Good. They should fear me as much as I hate them.

While Vulpes was talking to Caesar, I was in the kitchen with Siri. I was making more beef stew for him.

"I don't think you understand how lucky you are, Sennia." Siri said with what may have been envy.

"I do. Believe me, I know that slaves aren't shit to people here. Vulpes is different."

"That's what I mean. Do you know how many slaves would literally kill for a man like Vulpes to protect them from life? Do you know what they would do if they had the opportunity to be looked at in fear instead of lust?"

"Are you trying to make me feel guilty about being lucky?"

"Absolutely not. I just want to know you aren't taking Vulpes for granted."

I glared at her. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"That's what everyone thinks you're doing. It's just the nature of people."

"I don't have to prove my love for him to anyone. Especially not people who talk shit to my face."

"Are you ladies gonna fight? Otho can't say dick to women anymore so you might be able to fight in the arena." Lucius was sitting at the table, he'd been quiet up until now.

"No, but I won't hesitate to fight for Vulpes's honor."

Siri eyed me from the oven. "Do you have a problem with me? Because I was just trying to make sure you knew what you were doing."

"I know exactly what the fuck I'm doing, Siri. It's not your business anyway. So stay the fuck out of it!"

Lucius imitated a cat hissing and swiping his hand at Cursor Lucullus who, in turned, meowed and swiped back.

Vulpes entered the kitchen and stared at the two at the table mid-mock cat fight.

"Is everything alright? I heard there was a conflict."

"It's fine." I turned back to the stove to pour his bowl and placed it on the table with a loud clack.

"Is that for me?"

"Yes. It is." I sat down in the chair with my head in my hands.

He rested his hand on my forearm. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I just want to leave. I want to go home." I whispered.

"Why would you want to go back to the Wasteland?"

I smiled sadly. "I meant your tent."

"You really consider that home?" He was asking it out of surprise, not out of mockery.

I looked up from my hands, "Of course I do."

"I guess I'll have to get another cot."

"... Or a bigger one." I whispered.

Lucius laughed and Vulpes raised an eyebrow.

"Let's go home." He grabbed his bowl from the table.

I stood up from the chair. He offered his elbow like an old-fashioned gentlemen.

"You treat me like I'm human." The words were more for Siri's ears then Vulpes. I smiled to reassure him I wasn't mad at him.

"Don't stay up too late, kids." Lucius called out. I looked over my shoulder and stuck my tongue at him.

We walked home and sat on the ground near the cot. He had a radio, so I listened to Mr. New Vegas while we were eating the stew.

"What had you so worked up over at the kitchen?"

I paused to swallow a spoonful of broth. "Everyone thinks I'm using you as a means of protection. You don't think that, do you?" Tears were threatening to spill over.

"Of course not, Sennia. You love me and that's quite literally the most important thing to me. People make assumptions all the time. They can just shove spears up their asses."

I put my bowl down to crawl in his lap again. He wrapped his arms around me. He kissed the top of my head like yesterday. He reached at his neck to pull something over his head. He placed whatever it was in my hand. I opened it to see a necklace made of twine and dried clay. The clay had a print of a beach with a strange animal on it.

"What is it?" I traced my fingers over the indention that made the animal.

"It's my Mark. My tribe. We lived on Antelope Island. The animal is an antelope. They looked like deer with long, slim, black horns. The beach is the Salt Lake. I want you to have it."

"What does it mean to give me your Mark?"

"It's the most formal way in the Legion to show love."

"Oh. Thank you. It means a lot. Do you think you could tell me about your tribe?"

"Of course."