"Excuse me lassie...I think I heard wrong." Colin Moriarty blinked where he sat by his console, but he didn't look up at her. "You want to repeat that?" Nova couldn't help fidgeting a little at the cheerful tone, always the most dangerous of them...

Colin's 'office' was less then impressive. A large cabinet acted as an improvised wall from his own little corner, no doubt he had placed it out into the room like that so none could look at him working from the bar itself. The old chair he sat on was in good condition, as was the computer hanging from the left wall where he so often could be found typing, Nova wasn't sure who he had conned that one out of though...

Leaning against the cabinet she looked over at the right wall, knowing better then look directly at Colin when he sat by his computer. He would always assume she was trying to spy on his notes...which instantly lead to punishment...so instead she looked over at the wall, absently counting the ridges in the corrugated steel. "Well, it's just I've already done a lot today...I'm a little tired. I know you won't mind since there are no more customers in the bar right now."

"You hurt me Nova, you really do. Where's the passion for the work? Where's the fire?" Colin made no effort to conceal his scorn and disgust, adding another brick of self-loathing to Nova's weary shoulders. "How will you flirt with any new customers if you're off sleeping? Or are you just trying to get more jet out of me? You haven't made enough caps for that my little princess."

Keeping a grimace of disgust off her face Nova leant a little heavier against the cabinet, her legs weak. "Oh honey...you know I love my job. But with confessor Cromwell getting to do his freaky thing with the plank...and then you letting Jericho pay extra for going extra rough on me...I'm a little too sore to make any more caps today." Sore wasn't half of it...she felt weak, ready to fall over at any instant. Not that the bastard would care about that... "It's just one extra hour of sleep honey..."

"Me letting Jericho...?" Colin stopped typing and swivelled his chair around to look at her, Nova still avoided his gaze, feeling slimy under his scrutiny. "Oh that sounds like critique Nova, you're unhappy with how I run this establishment? Is that it?"

Oh crap...

"No, no! I wouldn't dream of..."

SMACK!

As always Colin moved faster then his stocky figure let on, one minute he was sitting there in the chair with an almost friendly look on his face, the next he was towering above a prone Nova clutching her burning cheek. She held back her tears of pain as she felt the cold steel floor dig into a twisted hip, oh crap...if she couldn't move her legs properly by the next customer Colin would get really...

She couldn't stop a scream from escaping her as a heavy boot kicked at her foot, sending new jolts of pain up her hip, paralysing her as it shot through her spine. "Now, now Nova, I don't enjoy hurting you, I really don't. It's not only bad for business but makes for a hostile working environment..." The man chuckled, the cheerful tone more frightening then any sinister voice Nova could imagine. "But you are sorely testing my patience, now skedaddle to your little corner and let me work in peace."

"I..." Nova bit her lip, desperate to get the pain out of her voice. "I'm...sorry honey, it won't happen again."

"Oh I know it won't, you're attitude is getting a little annoying and at times I can't help but wonder if it's time to replace you." Nova felt cold at the way he pronounced 'replace'...she suddenly found herself struggling to get to her feet. Colin ignored her pained gasps, the chair creaking as he sat back down with a neutral look on his face. "Now run along and earn your keep and I won't need to consider it anymore."

"Yes Colin..." Nova couldn't do more then mutter the words as she limped out of the room, her teeth gritted in pain while she closed the door behind her. Gob stood in his usual place behind the counter, carefully looking over at the door and obviously pretending he hadn't heard any of the exchange. It was all he could do from stopping himself from doing something stupid after all...poor man.

Distracted for a moment Nova didn't consider her step, a moment later she screamed in pain and dropped to the floor, barely catching herself from hitting her head as white lights of pain struck the corners of her eyes. Oh God...it hurt...more then it should. She had been smacked around before of course...but with Cromwell and Jericho having had their way she was apparently too weak to handle Colin's heavy hand...

Gob was instantly next to her, rotting hands clutching her shoulders and disgusting face next to hers, despite his ghoulish features she could easily read the worry in his eyes. "Oh man, are you okay Nova? You look tired."

"I am Gob...very tired." Nova shook her head, feeling a new wave of despair clutch at her, cold claws trying to pull her...somewhere. Gob's hands on her tightened, as if he felt her mood, he probably did...they had been working together for too long... "I think I need to sit for a while." She forced a smile, the look on Gob's face told her he wasn't falling for it however. "Then I'll be good as new, I promise."

"S...sure Nova." The ghoul rose, gently helping Nova up from the floor and leading her to the closest bar stool. How many times had they done that little manoeuvre now? Far too many...Nova gritted her teeth in pain as she sat down, feeling the bones in her hips ache from the blow they've received. Nothing broken...as usual...Colin would never hurt his property enough to reduce his income.... "Here, water."

Taking the lukewarm bottle Gob had slid across the counter Nova smiled a thank you, her chest tight from the pain raking her...soul? Self esteem? Did she still have some? Nova didn't like to think about it too much...instead she unscrewed the cork and took a deep swig while trying to conceal her grimace...she could practically taste the rads in that one.

Of course Gob caught her look, always staring on her face as he did. "Sorry, Moriarty's orders, unless you want more scotch..." Nova's grimace was enough of an answer, scotch or dirty water...both poisons that Nova had found more and more repugnant as of late. They just seemed to make her even more tired nowadays...which lead to angry customers...which lead to more beatings and more weariness.

It was a vicious circle, the mere thought of it made Nova groan and put her hand in her palms as she rested against the counter. "Gob...don't you ever get tired?" She struggled not to sniffle, sudden tears pricking her eyes, oh God...she couldn't cry...hadn't she stopped that two years ago? She didn't want to cry...it hurt...too much...

"Sssh..." She felt Gob's rotten hand run through her hair, the ghoul risking the pain of seeing her flinch to comfort her. He was so nice at times...Nova forced herself not to withdraw as she felt rotting skin cling to her scalp. "Yes, I get tired...but I can't really just give up now can I?"

"Why not?"

Nova regretted the question the moment it left her mouth. Of course there could only be a reason for him struggling on...his vain little hope... She heard Gob clear his throat, if he had had any proper skin he would probably have blushed. As it was he merely pulled his hand out of her hair, leaving some of his skin still clinging to it. Oh fuck...Nova and her big mouth...

"Hello wasteland! Can you hear me!? This is Three Dog! Aoooh!" Oh thank God...looking up Nova saw Gob move for the radio, tuning it up a fraction so they could hear the announcement clearly without disturbing Colin. "Once more my fortified bunker in the DC hell-hole has once again been cleared of super mutants, and boyee do I have a story for you kiddos!"

Propping her head up Nova dared a glance at Gob, the ghoul was obviously focusing on the radio in an effort to ignore her and her painful question...the next few days would be awkward... "Not only was my poor station saved by the finest of the brotherhood, the ever wakeful Lyon's Pride, but also by a very interesting vault dweller with whom I've had a very interesting discussion with."

"No...way." Nova breathed, leaning forward a little to listen.

"Apparently this John character not only fought with the Pride in an effort to reach yours truly, he even slew a super mutant behemoth just for the pleasure of my company! For those who don't know what a behemoth is you can imagine a super mutant the size of a building in DC and not be far off. I'm not kidding here!" Three Dog made a chuckling sound. "And this kid, not even twenty of age, just killed such a monster...without asking for payment! Apparently he even impressed my powerful protectors here on the station...and that's no mean feat I tell you."

"That's...." Gob's voice caught in the remains of his throat, the way he reached for the radio however, almost as if in a dream, spoke volumes. Nova herself felt a little moved, despite Three Dog's amused way of relating the story she still felt something...epic behind those simple words.

"Now kiddo's, he's looking for his father, a scientist named James. Since I fight the good fight I of course gave the kid the information he needed, for a promise of some help with a little thing...." Three Dog paused there, as if giving room for the snorts of disbelief he knew would come. Then he resumed, almost whispering the words, as if letting them in on a secret: "...and you know what kids? I think he's going to keep his promise."

"Sounds like John alright." Nova mumbled, finding herself straightening in her seat. Huh...

"So if you see this John out there, give him a pat on the back, for he fights the good fight...and darn it he's got a knack for it." The last was added with another chuckle. "And now...in honour of this hero of the good fight I give you...Roy Brown with Mighty, mighty man!"

Both Nova and Gob laughed, Nova feeling relieved all of a sudden and...by the looks of things...so did Gob. So he was still alive huh? Well now she owed Gob a few caps...but she didn't mind that. He was alive! Alive and apparently making a difference...a good difference of all things. What was that warm feeling? That heat growing within her chest?

Was it...hope?