*Okay. Fair warning. Sex is in this chapter.*

"Think I'm doing the right thing?" Jovie asked, walking out of the dam building. Boone gave a single nod. They had been busy. Extremely busy. They had given the Chip to the NCR, got the Boomers, Powder Gangers, and the Great Khans on their side. Raul really seemed to get along great with Loyal- kindred, old spirits who kept on going on past their time. Cass, while she didn't do drugs, outdrank one of the Great Khans easily, and the Powder Gangers... well... yeah. Arm's length, they were. It was beyond odd to see them getting along just enough to where they could be in the same area together. But they all had a common enemy: Legion.

"Hey, Boone?"

"Hmm?"

"There's one problem I think we should talk about."

Boone noticed Jovie was leaning on the wall, dark circles under her eyes, her hair now in a long, side braid. He turned to her and crossed his arms.

"What is it?"

"Caesar and Vulpes."

Boone inhaled sharply. "Right..."

"Boone, the Legate will be tough enough. But I don't think they'll have him there. It would be too easy."

The ex-NCR sniper rubbed the scruff on his face. "You're wanting to infiltrate."

Jovie looked away from him. "It's crazy, I know. Boone, do you remember that man and the NCR Sharecropper Farm? The one whose family was taken from him by Legion?" Boone nodded. "Suppose they're still alive. And not just them, but a lot of other innocent people, too. If we don't get in there and free them, they're going to get massacred in the crossfire."

Boone let out a frustrated breath. "Shit, Jove, I hadn't even thought of that." He wiped the sweat off his brow. "I'm ready, whenever you are."

"It can't just be the two of us, though," Jovie addressed, standing upright. "Let's head back to the Lucky 38 and tell everyone. They can do their part, while we head directly for Caesar and Vulpes."

"Wait a minute," Boone interjected. "Didn't Vulpes give you the Mark of Caesar?"

Jovie scoffed, "I've killed several Legionnaires since then, Boone. Remember?" She took it out of her pocket and ripped it, letting the two pieces of paper fall to the ground. "Useless."

He couldn't help but know she was right. And that it had been his fault, partly. He was always so ready to pull that trigger whenever he saw just one Legionnaire bastard... and she had to defend him when he did. He couldn't help but notice how tired she was, so he took her by her hand and pulled her along with him.

"Where are we going?"

"Novac."

"Novac?" she asked, puzzled. "What? Why?"

"I have something I need to settle there, not to mention it's closer." He glanced back at her. "You're at your limit, Jove."

Jove's hand slipped out of his as she followed behind him. "I'm fine, Boone. This is more important."

"If you think going into Caesar's camp half asleep isn't idiotic, you're not the Jove I know," Boone snapped. He felt her boot on his butt, and he jumped slightly. "Okay, I deserved that."

"I told you. You keep snapping, I'll keep kicking," she retorted effortlessly, he without looking, he knew she had a smug grin on her face.

Things had changed between them since... the kiss. He didn't know what it meant, and neither did she. Necessity? The need the bring her back? Primal urge? It wasn't that either complained. They just... never brought it up again. She chose not to. If he wanted to talk about it, he would. She knew that much. Yet, he wasn't as rude. She knew he had PTSD without a doubt, and she couldn't blame him much for moments when he would snap at her. To be honest, she had changed, too. She had times where she was like a demon, manipulating people, bending their minds to her will. What she did to Dead Sea, how she helped NCR and Boone take out those Legionnaires... She was beyond return now.

Boone knew her differently. Of course she had changed. Who the hell wouldn't when faced with the shit she had endured? But she was still charismatic and witty, compassionate and... he couldn't think of the right words for her. What had occurred with Dead Sea and at Bitter Springs was a person getting revenge in a world where all that was left to avenge you was you yourself. He'd watched her grow, become a tactical survivalist. When he gave her the NCR beret after he agreed to go with her, she hardly ever took it off, and she represented NCR valiantly. She had so much respect, even from Kimball himself. That meant something.

The friendships she had with everyone: Cass, Veronica, Raul, Lily, Rex, ED-E, Arcade... they adored her. ED-E, a robot, was bonded to her. And him?

"Boone, can ya slow down a bit? I really am tired, ya know."

He stopped walking and looked back to see her limping slightly. "What, did you hurt your leg?"

"I don't know. My right leg just hurts for some reason..." she muttered. Then- "OUCH! CRAMP!"

Boone sighed as she reached for the canyon wall to lean onto it for support. He unzipped his backpack and pulled out two bottles of water, handing them to her.

"You have to start taking better care of yourself," he fussed.

XXXXXX

Once at Novac, Boone looked around and inhaled, a slight pain in his chest. Had he been homesick? From this place, where he was hated so much? He felt a small hand on his arm, and he looked to his side to see her standing there, a smile on her face.

"Feels good?"

"I don't know... kinda," Boone answered, his eyes scanning the small town. "Funny... I even think I missed that freaking dinosaur."

Jovie laughed. "If you want, I can get you a souvenir."

"Very funny," Boone chuckled. They walked farther in, and Boone noticed the Jeannie May's body was no longer in a crumpled heap about twenty yards from the dinosaur. It was getting dark, and Boone's eyes focused on the dinosaur- Jovie at once knew what he had come here to do.

"I'll go somewhere else, if you wish," she spoke.

Boone shook his head. "You'll stay?"

Her eyes softened. "Of course."

They heard the door open and close to the dinosaur gift shop, and the steps of someone descending stairs. Around the massive tail walked Manny, his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder, a cigarette in his mouth as he headed toward his bungalow. Boone opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He grit his teeth, but Jovie understood. She ran up to Manny, up in front of him.

"Heya, Manny!" she greeted with her trademark smile.

"Jovie, holy shit!" he gasped, jumping. "You scared me!"

"What? You? You're a sniper! You're supposed to be ready for everything!" she joked as she gave him a playful slap on his shoulder.

"Not in a town like this." Manny caught his breath then shook her hand. "What brings you back here?"

Jovie clasped her hands behind her back. "It's not me, actually." She nodded behind Manny, who turned around to see Boone. The tension in the air was thick at once.

"Boone? What are you doing back here? You left without a word. People were talkin' that you were the one who killed Jeannie May."

Boone put his hands in his pockets. "Looks, Manny... we got a lot to talk about, okay?"

The hardness in Manny's eyes dulled. "We do, huh?"

"More than you know."

Manny looked at his bungalow and made his way to it, unlocking it. The other two followed, the door closing behind them. Inside, Manny sat his sniper rifle against the wall. He only had two chairs, so Jovie sat on the bed as Manny and Boone sat across each other from the table that divided them. Manny took another huff on his cigarette and puffed out the smoke.

"Somethin' tells me this is a good-bye sort of thing."

"More or less," Boone nodded. "I don't know if you know this or not, Manny... but there's a war coming."

Manny's eyes moved from Boone, to Jovie, then back to Boone. "You two are in it, aren't you?" No answer. "Then why the hell come back?"

"Because I want to tie up some loose ends," Boone answered effortlessly. Manny leaned back in his chair. "Manny... man, we were close."

Manny chuckled. "Heh, yeah, you're right. The shit we went through during our training days..."

"Wonder we made it out of there alive," Boone laughed. Jovie realized... that was the first time she ever heard him genuinely laugh. Boone reached for a shotglass, poured some vodka in it, and took a swig. He coughed; it had been years since he'd tasted alcohol. "I never should've let her come between us, Manny."

Manny took the cigarette out of his mouth and exhaled the fumes. He put it out in the ashtray. "C'mon, man. Don't do that."

"No, I need to say it." He glanced back at Jovie, who pulled the picture out of her pocket and handed it to him.

"Sorry about the stain..." she whispered. "I was shot, and..."

Manny shook his head and took the picture from Boone. "You kept it?"

Jovie nodded. "I didn't give it to him. He only saw it when I was dying." Manny gave her a look, but she waved her hands in front of her. "Ohhh, I'm fine now. Just at the time, I wasn't." She lowered her hands and put them on the bed. "I would look at it a lot. I used to think maybe... maybe she would've liked me, me her."

Manny merely stared at the picture.

"She was just lonely, Manny," Jovie pointed out.

"Shit..." Manny groaned, running his hand over his face as he leaned back, the photo in the other hand.

"Being with Jove... I've learned some things," Boone spoke. "I messed up plenty of times in my life, Manny, but I don't want to mess up here. I don't want to go out with you thinking about the 'what-ifs' and all that bullshit." He grabbed the shotglass and turned it upside-down. "For all the wrong I've done you, I'm sorry." Droplets of vodka ran down the side of the shotglass, making a ring on the table. Manny swallowed hard, refusing to look at Boone or Jovie. "I did kill Jeannie May."

"I helped him."

"We found proof she sold Carla and the unborn baby, and I couldn't let her do it to anyone else." Boone tapped the bottom of the glass. "Look, I... I want you to keep this place safe, Manny. I believe you can, better than anyone." Manny still refused to look. "Don't forget the good times we had, yeah? We-"

"So you..." Manny's voice shook, "you come back... say your piece, your goodbyes, and I don't get to say a single word?"

Boone simply sat there. "Say what you want."

Eyes still away, he chewed on his bottom lip. "I had no one, Boone. Then we met, and I got a best friend. For once, I felt like I finally felt like I belonged some place." He sniffled. "Then she... Carla... she changed you, man. I know you were happy with her, happy when you learned you were to be a dad. But she hated me for what I was. A Great Khan. She told me so. Said that's all I would ever be." He finally looked at Boone, and they were pained to see tears streaking down his cheek. "Years, Boone. Years of nothing, and you come back to say your goodbyes? Bullshit." He grabbed the shotglass and threw it against the wall, it shattering into a million pieces. This made Jovie jump up, but Boone held out his arm to her, signaling it was okay. "BULLSHIT!"

"Manny. We're going to take out Caesar and Vulpes ourselves," Jovie. "If we make it through that, there's the war next."

Manny was now on his feet. "So what?! None of this means a damn thing!" He grabbed the ashtray and threw it next, clanging loudly on the wall behind Boone. "You come here with your excuses and apologies, and you expect me to give a damn?! At any time, you could've done this!"

"I've changed, Manny."

"The only thing that's changed about you is your direction of guilt," Manny lashed. He flipped his chair over and pointed to the door. "Get out."

"Man-"

"Get out!" Manny screamed. "Both of you! Get the hell out!"

Boone grabbed Jovie by her hand and pulled her up, urgently moving to the door and leaving. Once outside, Boone kept pulling Jovie with him across the yard until they entered his room at the hotel, where they entered and he locked the door behind him. He leaned his hands on his door, putting his bodyweight forward with a sigh. Jovie reached for him but stopped, knowing he needed space. He leaned up and walked to the bed and laid down on it, putting his beret over his face and his hands on top of his head. Jovie walked to the door, unlocked it, and left.

XXXXXX

He heard the door open and close again, knowing it was Jovie. He heard her unzip her backpack but ignored it. After a moment or two, he heard her sit down on one of the chairs. Then...

"Can I have a Sarsaparilla?"

He motioned to the fridge, and she got up, opening it and getting one out, popping the top off with her knife and sipping on it. The sound of her sitting on a chair filled his ears again, and it confused him. He took his beret off his face and sat up in the bed, staring at her. She was reading a Pre-War book, so she didn't notice until she glanced at him.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"You're not going to ask what any of that was about?"

"Why would I? It was pretty obvious," she answered. "He'll be all right, Boone. You know that."

He swung his legs over the bedside, shoulders stiff. "Yeah, I guess." He then noticed something on the nightstand and grinned. "Really, Jove?"

She looked at the small, plush dinosaur and shrugged. "Told you I was getting you one."

He reached and took it in his hands. Would he ever come back here? If they did happen to survive, then what? Jovie had done a small act of kindness (or what was small to her) by getting him this, but to him...

"You've stood by me... all this time," he spoke quietly, his eyes on the toy. She lowered her book and looked at him. "I... I don't understand any of this."

"Any of what?"

Boone then looked at her. "You."

She put the book down on the table. "I'm as simple as they come."

Boone shook his head. "No. No, you're not. Jove, you're..." He took his beret in his hands and tossed it, confused. "I don't know what you are."

Jovie stood up, empty bottle in hand, walked to the trashcan to toss it in, then picked up the beret.

"You know... I used to think me being shot in the head was a bad thing. Ya know, losing memories and all that shit. But had I not, none of this would've happened." She paced back and forth. "I never would've met Cass. Ronnie. Everyone else..." She looked at Boone. "I never would've met you." She smirked. "We sent power to everyone, remember? And that moron had no idea."

Boone stood up and grinned as well. "Oh, man. What was that guy's name?"

"Shit if I remember. All I know is that he annoyed the hell out of me."

Boone walked to her and reached for her beret. "Please." She shook her head. "Jove."

"You have to promise me something," she nearly whispered, her eyes on the beret.

"Yeah?"

She nodded. "We've faced a lot of shit that would've killed normal people by now." Her hold on the beret tightened. "Boone... I'm not going to lie to you. I'm scared."

"Yeah..." Boone murmured, "me, too." He put his hand on her arm. "I used to have a death wish, but... I think I finally found something to live for."

Tears were building in Jovie's eyes. "It's almost too much, you know? I get a second chance, and then..."

"Hey hey hey," Boone soothed as he took hold of both her arms this time. "You're with me. And when you're with me, what happens?"

"Things die."

"Right." He took the beret from her hands and placed it on the drawer behind her. "You know what?" She shook her hands. "We've stood by each other for a long time now."

"...Almost a year."

"Yeah," he nodded. "And that still goes." He put his index finger under her chin and tilted her head up, seeing the tear streaks that ran down her beautiful face. "Just stand by me. Okay?"

He planted a soft kiss on her lips and leaned back, an unfamiliar chemistry there. Their lips were close, and her eyes lingered on his, and he felt her lips on his next. They never parted afterwards, and he found his hands on her cheeks, wiping away the tears and holding tenderly onto them. Her hands were on his wrists, not pulling away, but holding on for dear life, wanting and needing this. It was primal, human... it was a need. But, there was something there. It had been building up for a year, and the wants and desires were overwhelming. Their kissing was tender, as though they needed each other more than anything or anyone. She took her hands away from him and stepped back suddenly, now unsure. He reached and placed a hand on her cheek.

"It's okay."

"...I'm not her..."

"No. You're not."

"And that's okay?"

"It's more than okay."

He gently pulled her to him, where they resumed. They started removing armor, that being the difficult part. The clothing underneath would be easy. Plain white t-shirt for the both of them, Army cargo pants, Army boots... His fingers tenderly pulled up her shirt, and she felt exposed until she pulled off his shirt. He reached behind her and reached for the clasp of her bra, but struggled. She giggled.

"Sorry," she breathed. "One of the hooks is bent."

She undid it herself, and the bra fell to the floor, to which she covered herself. He pulled her hands away and kissed her.

"Don't be ashamed."

"I'm scarred up, Boone."

"So am I," he addressed, glancing down at his scars. "You're beautiful just the way you are. You've had to fight for everything. Don't ever be ashamed."

She reached for him and started kissing more fervently at those words. He fumbled with his belt, shaking, finally getting it off and unbuttoning his pants, unzipping and letting them fall to the floor. Before long, all clothing was gone, and they had moved to the bed, him above her and looking down at her. She seemed nervous, understandably.

"Are you scared?" he asked her. She nodded. "We can stop." She shook her head. "Are you sure?"

"I want this, Boone. I've... felt..." she shook her head. "Tonight is about us. Okay?"

"I can do that," Boone agreed. He kissed her again, his lips trailing from her lips, to her throat, planting several there, then to her chest, where he lingered a while, taking his time. Each moan she made was... he couldn't describe it. With his tongue, he traced lower and lower until...

"Boone!" she gasped, her back arching. Her hands took hold of his hands as his tongue took to its work, making sure she knew how thankful he was for everything she had done for him, for the gang... for everyone. Her body contorted, her legs shook, as well as her hands that were intertwined with his. He let go of one of her hands and reached up to a breast to fondle it, making her cry out. Loudly. He moved his head back a second to see her breathing heavily, clutching the sheets.

"...Jove?"

"...Gimme a second..."

He smirked. "Not a chance."

He moved his hand from her breast lower and inserted a finger softly, then continued to lick. She squirmed, her grip on his hand tightening.

"B-Boone, please... I..."

"Shh..."

He moved his finger in a "come hither" motion, and instantly, she let out another loud moan. He removed his finger and rose up, looking down on her.

"Just like me... it's been a long time for you."

"I wouldn't know," she cheekily grinned. "But you're doing fantastic."

Boone positioned himself between her legs, holding his member, the look in his eyes something Jovie couldn't quite place. "Ready?"

"Yes," she nodded.

He entered, slowly, watching her facial expressions to know when to move further in or when to wait. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her nails leaving marks on his skin. Finally, after some time, he was fully in.

"Jove... can I move?"

"Y-Yes," she nodded. "Please!"

He pulled out slightly, and she gasped. He knew that sound. After all, he was married at one time. He moved back in, and the hold around his shoulders tightened, her legs now pulling him in further. He moved slowly, passionately. This wasn't about him, not to him. It was about her. He leaned down and kissed her softly, their tongues dancing around each other. His arms were on either side of her head, and he felt a wetness on his wrist. At first, he thought it was sweat, but then he noticed... she was crying. He stopped, concerned.

"Jove, what's-"

"No no, it's okay," she smiled through her tears. "I'm just... happy. For once, I'm happy." She rocked her hips, making a slight moan escape Boone's lips. "Together... right?"

She then flipped them over, and started riding him, slowly at first then picking up speed. He gripped the headboard, his head rolled back into the pillow. He couldn't help the noises he was making, and neither could she. It hit him then and he wanted to say it, but...

"Boone!" she moaned, her back arching as she orgasmed again. Boone sat up and started thrusting into her, making her ride it out as long as she could, until she begged for mercy. But she didn't. He kissed her stomach, her chest... He pushed her on her back, grabbed her legs, and held them together on his chest as he thrust into her, watching her intently. The faces she made, the sounds, the... everything. It all mattered right here, right now. She was nearly screaming, so she covered her mouth as she felt yet another release. Boone thought he was either so wound up, her body just needed a way out or she was extremely sensitive. She pulled back and turned, getting on her hands and knees, her rear facing him. He shook his head.

"Not tonight..." he breathed. He turned her around and spread her legs, getting between them again and putting his member into her once more. "I want to see your face."

He started again, and that's when he noticed her braid had fallen out. Beneath him was one of the strongest people he had ever known, and at the moment, as of every moment before he was too stupid to realize it, the most beautiful, inside and out. Rocking her hips with his, his hands on either side of her she gripped tightly, making marks in the shape of fingers. She latched her legs around him again, making him go as deep as he could. Now, it wasn't about passion. It was primal need. He went, and he went hard. And she met with just as much ferocity.

"W-Wait," Boone breathed, "Jove-"

He felt her climax again, and before he could do anything, he climaxed inside her. They rode out their climaxes together until Boone collapsed on top of her, making her squeak and him laugh.

"Sorry, but, Boone... you're squishing me."

He laughed again and rolled off. They lay on their sides, looking at each other. He reached out and took a lock of her hair and put it behind her ear then leaned in and kissed her. She smiled at him, her eyelids heavy... and it wasn't long until sleep found her. Boone... for the first time didn't think of Carla. What was before him, sound asleep... the person he had just made love with. He would protect to the ends of the earth. And the feeling he felt... He would tell her if they made it.

XXXXXX

They headed out the next day, feeling rested and much better than before. What had happened the night before... they weren't sure what it meant, but it had meant something. They left the Bungalow and headed toward the gate-

"Boone."

He and Jovie stopped and turned- Manny embraced Boone tightly, shedding tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just don't want to lose you again, man. Not again..."

Boone embraced him back. "Hey, I'll try my best. Okay?"

Manny nodded, wiping away his tears. He then glanced at Jovie and moved closer to Boone's ear. "I'm not sure what this is, but uh... take care of her, okay? She seems like a good gal."

Boone looked at Jovie quickly then to Manny. "She is. If we make it, we'll be more formally introduced."

Manny nodded with a smile. "I'd like that."

Boone and Jovie started to walk away, Manny watching and praying to any god that did exist for them to come back alive.