One week later.

188 Trading Post.

Junction of Interstates 93 and 95.

Some kilometers north of Novac.

Shelby and Rachel stopped at the outdoor food kiosk counter to eat lunch and rest before continuing with their journey. They had walked back south a few kilometers from the New Vegas Medical Clinic where the 2 females had gotten their standard checkup. The two now lived in Novac, in room 6 of the Dino Dee-Lite motel on the ground floor. Her other new friends had a couple of rooms on the second floor.

It had been a whirlwind couple of days. The next day after Burt, Finn and Kurt had visited them in Primm they returned and said it was too dangerous to stay there with all the escaped convicts using the nearby hotel for a base. There was not too much to pack up and Finn let Rachel use his backpack to carry her things while all of them returned home while helping to escort a traveling caravan with some other armed guards.

Rachel took a seat on a front counter stool but Shelby remained standing as she placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Order us something to eat. I need to talk to my supplier friend behind that truck over there. Anything will be good. I'll be back soon."

Rachel ordered a kebab which included some gecko meat, banana yucca and a jalapeno pepper for added flavor. She made sure to get several water bottles to wash the spicy meal down her throat. While she ate and waited for her mom to return two other kids that looked around her age walked up and make their orders. Rachel casually put her fork down and observed them out of the corner of her eye.

The girl had long dark hair like Rachel but it was worn in a long braid down her back. The boy had a dark complexion like his female companion. He put some bottle caps down as payment and ordered some caravan lunches and trail mix to go. They were wearing work pants and light brown robes, with hoods to block out the bright and hot sun. The two newcomers had their hoods flipped back and wore sunglasses. Rachel nodded her head at them in greeting then looked back down at her plate. She was startled when the other girl spoke.

"You gonna eat that?"

"What? Aren't you buying some food? I don't know you."

The other dark haired girl frowned and decided to change tactics.

"I'm sorry, we just recently moved to the Mojave area. I'm Santana, and this is my brother Noah."

"C'mon sis, it's Puck. Sounds a lot tougher. Get it right for once. Hi there girl."

Santana shook her head and muttered something low.

"Boys and their macho bullcrap. And you are?"

"I'm Rachel. Sorry for snapping at you, I enjoy my food very much. Only child, not used to sharing. You want this?"

Rachel held up her pepper which she had only taken one bite out of.

Santana's face lit up with pleasure as she nodded her head yes.

"I love those, it burns going down but it's hot damn good."

Rachel rolled her eyes in annoyance and shook her head.

"You sure swear a lot for a girl. That's no way to act. Tell you what. You want this, let's barter."

Santana held out a bag of trail mix so Rachel could see her offer.

"Have you tried this yet? It's good. It has diced apples, pears, pinyon nuts and sugar bombs all mixed together."

Rachel's stomach grumbled causing her to laugh.

"That settles it, okay it's a deal. Let's trade."

The two girls exchanged items and Santana took a big bite out of the pepper. Her checks turned red but she had a big smile on her face. Rachel uncapped her spare bottle of water and handed it to the girl. Santana swallowed the entire contents and slammed the empty container down on the counter. She made a loud noise of contentment. Puck shook his head in amazement.

"You are one loco chica sis. Hey Rachel, try not to mimic anything she does. You'll be healthier and stay safer that way."

"Thanks for the advice Puck. So noted. Are you okay Santana?"

"Just great, but thanks for the water."

Rachel smiled and started packing up her supplies as she noticed her mom heading back her way.

"It was nice meeting you two but I have to go now. Mom is waiting."

Santana seemed disappointed but recovered quickly.

"Which way you heading?"

"South. I want to get back before its dark."

Santana looked at her brother and they nodded in silent agreement over something.

We're going that way too. A little ways past Novac actually. Can we walk with you and your mom?"

"That would be nice, let's go."

Rachel and Shelby left with the trade caravan ready to go. Santana and Puck traveled with them to the Novac town limit near the front entryway to the motel. Rachel shook hands with her new companions and said her goodbyes.

"This is where we live. Come visit sometime and I'll introduce you to my other friends Finn and Kurt. You'll like the Dinky Dino gift shop too."

Santana looked up at the life sized mock statue of the T-rex standing over the gift shop building.

"Damn, that's one big freaking lizard. Oh, sorry Rachel."

"It's okay, I understand."

Santana started to walk away but Puck looked at Rachel again.

"We live at the Wolf horn Ranch down I-95 here. Turn west at the T-junction down the road and it's on your left over the hill a little ways. We have a big garden and plenty of places to play and have fun. Good day Rachel."

Rachel waved farewell at her new friends then walked through the open gate of the chain link fence protected motel complex. She debated dropping her stuff off at her room first but headed up the stairs. She thought Santana and Puck were interesting but Rachel wanted to be with her other male friends. She thought of Kurt as a great friend and brother, but Finn make her feel new things that both excited and scared her. Rachel could not wait to see him again.

Wolf horn ranch.

Southwest of Novac off Nevada Highway 164

When they got back Puck decided to go check on the various crops that grew in a few parched but sometimes irrigated plots below the small house they occupied. They barely managed to grow some coyote tobacco chew, agave fruit, maize and barrel cactus. Santana stopped by the front door and took off her sunglasses. She greeted her adult guardian who was sitting in a large chair under some shade provided by a rusty metal sheet. It was propped up over a gap between the house and a shed.

"Hello Elder Bieste. Mission status green. Target has been approached and interacted with. I'm hoping to observe more of her behavior first hand when Noah and I see her again. Permission for a short rest?"

"Granted. Good job initiate Santana. I'm very pleased. Carry on with your mission and keep your guard up always."

Santana bowed slightly towards her guardian and uttered their group's motto.

"For the Brotherhood."

Novac.

Dino Dee-Lite motel, room #1.

"After we decide where to go next then we'll pick out what gear and supplies to take. Always be prepared then it's chill time. Hey I came up with that."

Rachel and Kurt laughed at Finn's attempt at humor as they listened to his advice and suggestions. Rachel looked at the map taped to the living room wall next to a dresser and make up her mind. She was about to tell Finn her idea when Kurt spoke first.

"Wherever you two go it's very important to look your best. Style and fashion are still very important, especially in these drab times. Are there any ruins of upscale clothing stores you could loot through? Rachel would look fabulous in a fitted leather outfit. Don't you think so Finn?"

Finn looked at what Rachel was wearing then glanced down at his battered and torn jeans.

"We all would. Let's ask dad if he has any surplus clothing at the NCR supply terminal. Then we can pick up anything we don't have. First though Rachel and I will continue training tomorrow morning at another place I hang out at sometimes. It's not far but remote enough and lots of room."

Rachel smiled at the prospect of spending more quality time with Finn. He seemed to be full of confidence, and she admired him for that, but she planned to give this boy some surprises tomorrow. There were some areas where Rachel excelled at and she would be the teacher, not the student. She held up her hand to get his attention. Finn smiled back at his gal pal and nodded for her to speak.

"I've hear stories about this place, a hideout built into a rocky alcove east of Primm. Let's go check that out sometime. It sounds like another good place to build one of your stash spots Finn."

Both boys looked at Rachel with surprised expressions but did not reply. Rachel started to feel uncomfortable and some color rose up in her cheeks.

"What's wrong? Isn't a girl allowed to come up with macho let's storm the fort suggestions? It sounds like fun to me."

Kurt let out the breath he had been holding.

"That's a very thoughtful idea Rachel. You're thinking about the group's needs. Group hug everyone!"

Kurt gave Rachel an excited squeeze around her shoulders then looked at his brother still standing over by the map.

"C'mon Finn, you want some of this, don't deny it."

Finn walked over to the bed that the other two were sitting on and put one tentative arm around Rachel's shoulders. She reached one hand around his back and put her head on his chest for a few seconds then pulled away. Kurt was ecstatic at how they were acting around each other. Finn glared at his brother then his face lightened up when he looked at Rachel.

"Good thinking Rachel. I'll be glad to check it out too to keep you from trying anything too reckless. You have a knack for getting into trouble. That's what partners do for each other."

"Thanks for caring Finn."

Kurt spoke out before he could close his mouth from sheer astonishment.

"Ah, you two are so cute."

Rachel and Finn stared at Kurt while they joined their pinkie fingers together behind her back. They replied at the same time.

"Shut up Kurt."