"Oh baby..." That was the last Nova heard before Billy Creel drifted off into a slumber, his naked body turning away from her as his arms moved to hog the pillow. Normally that would be a source of irritation, but with Billy one didn't have to worry about him waking up any time soon...which meant she could cheat a little and walk out of bed.
Not that the sessions with him didn't have their disadvantages...Nova winced a little as she got up, he ass sore from Billy's obsession...god she hated her job. Ignoring the torn stockings Moriarty forced her to wear, he wouldn't mind since she was already 'taken', she merely went to put on her skirt and the old suit with practised efficiency and silence. Not that it was really needed, when Billy was out after a session...he was out.
Gently pressing down the handle to the door she glanced out, only to find her heart skip a beat. The bar was dimly lit by the shoddy light bulb in the ceiling, meaning that it was evening and the sun wasn't shining through the cracks in the walls anymore. It also meant a whole host of people, almost half a dozen, were in the saloon, all sitting by the bar and having their last drink for the evening, they were all about to leave however and not of particular interest...
John was there though.
Sitting by the cash register he had some sort of grey cylinder with padding on the inside and a blank screen fastened to the outside of it placed before him...which he seemed to be trying to repair with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Judging by the look on his face it wasn't going well. The glass of clear liquid next to his work was still full, forgotten.
He looked angry, at first she thought it was just irritation with whatever he was working with but...there was a frustration there born out of something else. Stepping out of her hiding place and carefully closing the door behind herself Nova watched as two of the guests took their things and headed for their houses. For once they didn't shoot Gob any insults as they tossed him the owed caps though. Heh...maybe he was having a good day?
Gob didn't seem depressed or happy however, instead the ghoul was standing behind the cash register, furtively counting the caps within. What he really was doing however was eyeing John's work, waiting for the man to abandon it and talk to the poor ghoul. One couldn't help but compare him to a dog craving some attention from its master..
Nova felt rather then saw Colin, the bastard was on the second floor, leaning against the railing in the arrogant way he always did. A satisfied sigh told Nova he was taking one of his rare smokes...good...that always put him a nice mood. Nice enough for her to dare walking within his sight without getting bashed around for not being with her customer even.
Stepping closer Nova felt a little twinge of satisfaction of seeing the last two customers leave. That way Colin couldn't blame her for talking to the only one left...well Mr Burke didn't count, not even Colin thought so anymore. A quick glance upwards told her he had at least half his smoke left too...nope, he wouldn't bother her. Right?
Swallowing what little hesitation was left Nova stepped up to Gob just as John grumbling pushed the odd piece of technology before him to the side. With a grimace he took a sip from whatever Gob had poured him. "God I needed that, bloody thing won't work..."
He had aged. Not physically, he still seemed relatively untouched by the ravages of the wasteland...but his movement was more confident and decisive, his eyes expressing a slight weariness. The fresh cuts in his jumpsuit, exposing a sweat and blood stained t-shirt, showed what had forced him to age. Great, soon he would be just another wastelander, she knew it, still sad to see...
"What is that smoothie?" Gob asked and pointed at the cylinder, obviously liking the way he could lean forward without the absent minded John becoming upset. "Looks fancy."
"It is if it works" John grumbled. "It's a Pip-boy, everyone in the vault got one, mine got bashed up and broke when I...left the vault." He looked up, the sudden glare making Gob scramble back. "By the way Gob...did you know there are crazed ghouls out there trying to eat people?"
The ghoul frowned, a flake of skin dropping from his forehead...which he quickly swiped off the counter. "Yeah sure, the ferals. Those are poor ghouls whose brains have decomposed...or at least that's what people say. I for one have never felt any..."
Nova yelped as John suddenly reached out and grabbed Gob by the collar, pulling the frightened Ghoul closer John got inches in front of Gob's decaying face. "And why didn't you tell me this!? I almost got myself eaten by an army of those freaks! The fight broke my pistol and I barely got back here in one piece because of them...and nobody told me of them!?"
"I didn't think of it!" Gob squealed, or what constituted a squeal for such a raspy voice, while he tried to pull away from the suddenly furious man. Huh, Nova hadn't thought John capable of it... "It's common knowledge! Heck, even Three Dog mentions it! Why do you think people always treats me like crap!? It's not just my face..." Gob whimpered, shoulders bunching up in the way they did when he expected a blow.
No blow came though, instead John released his grip on the worn t-shirt and leant back in his stool, a grimace betraying his regret: "Ah...right, sorry. I should really had expected such an answer...or better yet, asked someone else." He looked away, suddenly fiddling with his belt. "My...apologies. God, seems all I do to you is apologising for putting my foot in my mouth."
"Don't worry about it smoothie." Gob pushed the collar of his shirt back in place, right between the melted part of his neck and the collar bone sticking up almost right through his skin. Ugh...despite being with him for such a long time Nova always felt a little queasy at such little details... "So I guess you didn't get into DC?"
"Nah, after killing those ferals I wasn't up for anything else really. Almost got killed on the way back by a radscorpion even." John admitted, shaking his head with irritation. "And now I had to buy a new pistol from Moira, worse quality and expensive as hell...I think I'll have to stay around here and make a few caps before I try again."
Mr Burke was suddenly there, resting a hand against the counter with a delighted look on his face he turned to the two at the other side of the bar with a predatory smile: "If you two would excuse us for a moment...me and this fine gentleman could use a private word about funding...and the like." John turned an annoyed look at Burke, so would Nova had done...if the man wasn't looking directly at her.
There was no protest, both stepped backwards. It was a little silly really, weren't they the ones running the saloon? He couldn't really order them anywhere, especially not away from the register. Though who could protest when those evil eyes, hidden behind dark glass, looked at her as if she was a fly he considered swatting? He wasn't even irritated with her, it was an emotionless thought, which made it all the more horrible...
To her surprise Colin didn't seem to protest either, though if it was out of fear or out of greed for Burke's continued stay was hard to tell. Fact was that none could hear the odd men as Burke quietly spoke with John.
First John seemed frightened, understandably considering the aura that seemed to follow Burke wherever he went...then something changed. The vaultie frowned as Burke gestured, the businessman smiling convincingly, obviously trying to offer something. John's eyes widened a little at the offer...
Then Nova watched how the wide eyed was turned into a new frown...only to switch over to a mask of unbridled rage.
Gob and Nova both jumped as John suddenly pulled a rusty pistol of Chinese brand...and shoved it right under Mr Burke's nose! The businessman was pushed back by the firm pressure of the gun while John got to his feet, the rage in his face in stark contrast to the still cool disposition of Mr Burke. "You sir...are very close to getting you face blown off."
Mr Burke took a step back, grimacing in irritation over the smudge atop his upper lip. It was more frightening then John's rage...the calm Mr Burke radiated even when he was moments away from death. "You disappoint me, surely you understand a good deal when you see it. Grasp it!" He was still giving the offer! As if the gun didn't exist...Nova found herself inching closer behind Gob.
"I also recognise evil when I hear it!" John barked, his face stern as he gritted his teeth. "I'd like to be able to sleep at night without a bad conscience...or fearful of what will happen. You're leaving, now."
"Think of what you are doing my friend." Burke straightened, sudden hostility in his eyes, making Nova feel as if someone had punched her in the gut. John wavered a little under the gaze too, but still kept the gun trained on the man. "I am not one you want as an enemy, earning my enmity could make your life...very uncomfortable."
John hesitated. Come on kid...lower the gun...don't get yourself killed over some silly little offer. The vaulties face twisted into a growl however: "I haven't had the chance to kill anything in a while...so you better leave before I take a liking to those glasses of yours. Or maybe you'd like me to tell Simms about that offer of yours?"
"Insolent child!" Burke's anger made Nova jump while Gob ducked, instinctively expecting a blow. "This is your last chance. Accept my offer or suffer the consequences."
"These are my people...get out of town or die."
Relief rushed through Nova as Burke with a snort of disgust slammed the door shut behind him, Gob too seemed to relax as he straightened up. Heck...even Colin wasn't protesting about the obvious break of rules in his saloon...or the lost caps Burke's leaving meant. Sighing John put his gun back to his hip, sat down on the stool and looked down at the counter. He looked even wearier then before...but somehow...happy.
Inching closer Nova lowered her head to catch John's gaze. "Erm...everything okay?"
John looked up at her, she had an odd feeling of him scanning her face...marking the concern etched in it. Finally he smiled, an oddly distant smile, as if he wasn't really smiling at her as much as for her. It was a little odd to see... "Yeah, I'm fine, quite good actually."
"I'm not sure I should say this, but you probably did something stupid there." Nova pointed out even as Gob returned to his place by the register, his milky eyes fixed on the door.
"No...I made the right choice." John chuckled as he looked away, a dreaming look in his eyes.
Huh...what an odd man. Sure, vaulties were odd and all that...everyone knew that, but to willingly make enemies out of...principles wasn't it? It seemed awfully stupid, yet she never looked so at peace as he did now...so maybe she was wrong? Of course that was just a thought, when the fool lay rotting in a corner because of his 'principles' she wouldn't think so anymore...
"Say, what happened with those super mutants?" Gob suddenly asked, breaking Nova's reverie. "The ones you talked about last time?"
"Oh please Gob, of course he got to his senses, he's still here right?" Nova chuckled.
John blinked. "Oh right...those. Yeah they're dead, even helped a prisoner of theirs. Heh...forgot about that for a moment. Do you know if he found his way here?"
"Wait...that was you!?" Nova took a step back. He couldn't be serious! "The guy who got here was ranting about this blue hero freeing him from super mutants...we just thought he had suffered from a heat stroke!" Gob was beaming with pride and awe. Even Colin, who of course tried to look as if he wasn't listening, seemed a little taken aback. No...John had probably seen the guy head for Megaton and tried to take credit for something that hadn't happened, he couldn't have...
John merely chuckled as he took another sip from his glass. "I wouldn't call myself hero, the mines did most of the job after all. Besides, I didn't know the guy was there until afterwards." He smiled at her. "But he got here then? That's great! I was a little worried after giving him the little supplies I could spare. He's still here? I should visit him."
"Sure thing, he's over in the common house." Gob answered, his milky eyes alight with admiration.
"Well then." John finished his glass, smacking his lips in appreciation he pushed the junk he'd been working with down his old duffel bag and got to his feet. "I guess I'll visit him then...see you guys."
As the door closed behind the 'hero' Nova and Gob looked at each other, sharing a quiet "Wow."
"All right now, show is over." Colin called down as he went for the stairs, his annoying accent breaking the wonderful feeling that had begun to fill Nova. "Gob I want the caps counted and the floor swept, get to it you lousy bag of bones! I swear on my mothers grave if you work any slower I'll put you in the box again!" When he got to the foot of the stairs he glared over at Nova. "And what are you doing here you useless whore! Get back to your work or it'll be the devil to pay!"
"Sure honey, I'm going."
"Damn right you are. If Billy complains tomorrow it'll be the back of my hand that complains next, you get me? Stop staring at me you zombie! Did I say look 'at me with puppy dog eyes' or 'sweep the floor'!? I swear, whenever I give you two a little time for yourselves you both use it to become useless! Even my generosity has limits you know...was that a laugh corpse boy!? I'll show you to laugh! Did that hurt!? I bet it did! Now get to work!"