*In response to Guest: Thank you so much! I know it's not a popular category to read anymore since Fallout New Vegas is an older game, but I just love these two so much and wanted to give the Courier a chance with Boone, and give Boone a chance at happiness. I'm so thankful for you reading!

Also, warning: SMUT.*

"I want you all go out and have fun," Jovie spoke, looking from person to person in the suite. She missed Victor's "High Roller Suite" and his greets, but after taking House offline... Yet, it had to be done. Their eyes conveyed to her that they were immensely confused, so she shook her head and smiled. "Look... When you get back, we have to start heading to the Dam. The war starts tomorrow, and I want this night to be a night where you can relax."

"You mean for us to have fun before we die," Arcade cynically joked. Raul elbowed his ribs. "Ow, I was joking." He smiled at Jovie. "We can do that. You should, too."

Lily swung her massive arms. "Saw little children chasing molerat near Fort. Help them kill it."

Veronica laughed. "You do that, Lily." She walked to her room. "I think... I'll put that dress on one last time."

Raul nudged her shoulder. "Lucky dress, eh?"

She blushed and punched his shoulder. "Stop teasing me, Raul!"

He laughed, but when she wasn't looking, he rubbed his shoulder, making a pained face.

"Well, we'll all be off, then," Arcade saluted, pressing the button for the elevator. "You two have fun."

Neither Boone or Jovie reacted, leading to an awkward silence. The elevator doors opened, and before the others piled in, Jovie called for them to wait.

"The war is tomorrow," she outed. Everyone turned and looked at her, silence again taking over. Her head was bowed, her eyes on the ground for a moment before looking up at them, her green eyes honest. "If you don't come back... I won't blame you, nor will I think any less of you for it." She looked at her Pipboy, which told her it was nine in the morning. "If you decide to come back... I'll see you at seven this evening."

It was matter-of-fact, but that's how she had to be. Wordlessly, the others piled in, minus Jovie and Boone. Rex would probably go to The King, ED-E following him. When the doors closed, Jovie exhaled and slumped in a chair, her feet aching. Boone sat down on the chair next to her, his hands in his lap. They had just returned from saving Kimball from an assassination attempt, and it was then they knew... the war was nigh. She took off her NCR beret and put it in her lap then took out her loose side braid, her now-long brown hair cascading down her back. It was straight, minus the slight wave the braid gave it.

"You should go out, too, Craig," she whispered to him. He didn't look at her.

"I'll stay."

"For what reason?" she asked. "I'm sure you have things to work out... people to see-"

"I resolved that with Manny. Remember?" he interrupted. He folded his hands together. "What about you?"

She scoffed, then thought a moment before leaning back in her chair. "If it wasn't too far, I'd like to go back to Goodsprings. They, uh... they really helped me there." She put a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'd at least like to Doc Mitchell know how I'm doing... how grateful I am. He saved my life."

"I'm sure he knows, Jove."

She nodded and fiddled with her beret. "...I'm not ready for this, Craig." He didn't say a word. "God, all this over a stupid poker chip..." She leaned forward, her hands on her knees and her head in her hands. "But I can't keep Legion doing this. I can't..."

"Legion has to be stopped. One way or the other."

She lowered her hands from her face. "I know you've tried diplomacy-"

"NCR has. Every which way."

"I'm going to try my own."

Boone's eyes cut to her, and she looked at her hands. "I've done enough killing... We all know how good I am with words." She then directed her eyes to Boone. "I'm going to speak to the Legate."

"Jove... he'll kill you," he argued. "You haven't seen him. He's in full armor, carries a massive sword."

Jovie's right hand twitched. "What else do you know about him?" Boone shook his head. "Craig, please... I have to try."

He stared into her eyes briefly before inhaling and exhaling. "Legate Lanius. Originally from a gang called the Hidebarks, the toughest of the tough... except when it came to Caesar. Lanius, seeing his men surrender, killed his Chieftain and fifteen others of his tribe before he was finally knocked out. His entire face was almost ripped off during the fight."

"Jesus..." Jovie breathed, her eyes on the floor.

"When he came to, Caesar offered him a place in his tribe and a mask for his face. Lanius agreed, but to one stipulation."

"Which was?"

"To kill the survivors of his tribe." Boone crossed one ankle over the other, stretching his legs out. "Caesar agreed, but wanted the women and children alive."

"What's his mask of?"

"Mars, the god of War," Boone answered. "I, uh... I spoke to a slave a freed when we killed Caesar. Her name is Siri. She apparently was one of Lanius' favorites." He sighed. "Anyway, he wasn't popular amongst the Legion."

"Why is that?"

"No one thinks he's truly 'honorable' to Legion."

"I don't understand."

Boone uncrossed his feet and sat up. "Okay, let's put it this way. Have you ever heard the game 'Russian Roulette'?"

"Of course."

"He does that, in a way, as punishment to those who he deems deserving of it," Boone informed. It's an old Roman practice. The entire army is divided into ten groups, and every group casts lots. The unlucky soldier on whom the lot falls on-"

"Dies."

"You guessed it," Boone nodded. "He goes so far as to even have his slaves blinded so they can never see his face. They say his cunning, and his strength his beyond 'god and man'."

"He's a monster."

"I'm not even sure he's worth being called that." Boone then looked at her. "Knowing this... you're still going to try to try diplomacy?" She nodded. "Christ, Jove..."

"What do you want me to do?!" she yelled, rising to her feet, throwing her arms in the air. "Fight him, and then lose more men and women?"

"That's what we're trained to do."

"Trained..." she muttered. "Yeah, well, I'm 'trained' differently. I talk to him. If I can't get him to see things my way, then maybe he'll only kill me and be done with it."

At once, Boone reached her and took hold of her wrists. "You won't put yourself at that risk."

"What's it matter, Craig?" she laughed incredibly, jerking her hands out of his hold. "It's just me. If I don't do this right, it can and will be a lot more."

She turned to walk away, but he grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her around to face him. "'What's it matter?' Jove, you matter! Cass, Veronica, Raul, Arcade... all those people you've helped along the way- you don't think you matter?!"

"In the grand scheme of things, no!" she fumed, jerking her arm in vain. "Craig, let me go! You don't-" she gasped. He always wore his sunglasses, so it took her a second to see it. Tears were streaming down his face. The hold on her wrist was so tight that her arm shook. She understood. She relaxed her body and got closer to him. "Craig... you knew this was a possibility. Tomorrow... you could, too."

"I'm not losing... I won't..."

She couldn't hear what he was muttering. "What?" He stopped talking, but she used her free hand to take hold of his. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. And kissed him again. He returned her kiss, and he let go of her wrist, his arm going around her waist and pulling her to him. She flipped his beret off, took his sunglasses off, and wiped his tears away. "I get it," she breathed, then resumed kissing him. She took off her shirt, and her small hands took off his. She had taken off her bra once they had gotten to the Lucky 38, because during the assassination attempt on Kimball, during a skirmish, a strap broke. From now on, a sports bra would do. She wasn't necessarily big, but she still needed support. Boone picked her up, her legs locking around his waist, and his moved back, their lips locked and tongues dancing as she felt her back slam against the wall, eliciting a grunt from her. She lowered her legs to kick off her boots, and his hand went down her pants and underwear, making their lips part as she gasped. She tried kicking her boots off time and time again-

"Damn army boots!" she fussed. "Craig- gimme-"

He pulled his hand out, and they both started to hastily untie their boots. Finally, they threw them off, and she took him by the hand and led him into a bedroom. She pushed him towards the bed, and when the back of his legs hit the bed, he was forced to sit. This was when she undid his belt and unzipped his pants, reaching into his underwear and pulling out his hardened penis. She gave it a couple strokes, making him purse his lips together, then licked it teasingly before taking it into her mouth and moving her hand up and down and she moved her head up and down. He let out a low groan, clenching the bedding. His hand then went to the top of her head and helped her move along, and it wasn't too much longer-

"Jove, wait!" he cried out, pushing her head back gently. She pulled back with a pop, an he was breathing heavily. She looked up at him from on her knees on the floor, confused. "I couldn't... I was..." He then reached down and kissed her. "You did great, that's what I'm saying."

She blushed. "Really?" He then grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet, removed her pants and underwear, then his tongue found her folds. Her legs instantly began to shake, her hands placing on his shoulders.

"C-Craig... you can't d-do that- ah- with-"

She moved forward, making him lie back on the bed to where she was sitting on his face. She put her hands on the headboard, his tongue tracing her most sensitive regions, her hips rocking as moans escaped her. He gripped her hips to hold her into place, and then she let out a loud cry, falling forward slightly. He moved out from under her and sat beside her, her letting go of the headboard and blushing at him, a smile on his face. She leaned forward and kissed him, tasting her on his lips. She turned around, on her hands and knees, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"You want this, don't you?"

He got behind her, and carefully, slowly put it in, making her gasp and clench the sheets. He grabbed her hips and began to move in and out, her vocals giving him all the answers he needed. With one hand, he reached around and grabbed onto a breast, playing with it and eliciting even more moans and sighs from her. She started moving with him, and he pushed her back down, her chest and stomach on the bed, allowing for deeper access. She let out a scream, luckily it being muffled by a pillow, and he went harder and faster.

"Craig!" he heard her cry out. It was ecstasy. Pure ecstasy. He felt her walls tremble, and he pulled out, close himself. Not now. Not yet. She rolled over and pushed him back, getting on top of him to ride him. But instead, she turned around, reverse cowgirl. She let him sink into her, and she rode him like he'd never been ridden before. He noticed her back muscles, her arm muscles- all her muscles in general. She was small but... tough. Strong. Enduring. He also noticed she was massaging herself with a hand, and he knew she wanted, needed another climax. He pulled her off of him and turned her around, only to enter her again. His mouth found her nipples, his tongue unable to decide which one to focus on more. He just kept going, and his hand went to her clit, where he rubbed passionately and gently, but effectively enough to where hopefully, she would have her release. He could feel his building up. Their stamina... He glanced over at her Pipboy on the floor... almost two hours. They were getting tired, and they knew they would need to rest at least a little before setting off towards the dam.

He felt her hand on his face, and he turned to look and her to see her verdant eyes on him, a warm smile on her face. What she said next, he wasn't ready for.

"Craig Boone... I'm in love with you."

He came. As did she. And there was an odd feeling in his chest, and she could tell it. She pulled off him and sat up.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't..." Those words... Why... He just stared at her. "I'm sorry."

She got up, gathered her clothes, and left the room. And Boone, for some reason, couldn't say a damn thing.

XXXXXX

They all sat in the suite, around the dining room table- minus for Lily, ED-E, and Rex, of course- debating on the next steps to take. An attempt on Kimball's life had just been taken, and if it hadn't been for Jovie and Boone, the attempt would've been successful. Jovie sat at the head of the table, her hair now long. She wasn't wearing it in a braid now, and it was wet due to her just bathing. The silence that lingered was understandable; this was it. Tomorrow, the war would start, and the future was unknown. Jovie leaned forward, dressed ready for battle, like the rest of them.

"Well... you're all here."

Cass snorted. "Shit, Jovie, what a keen eye for observation."

They all shared a laugh, then Jovie tapped her index finger on the armrest of the chair.

"Yeah... but I'm glad you are," she quietly said. "You came back, knowing you didn't have to, and I..." She sighed. "Dammit... I'm so good at words, but why am I so bad now?"

"Take your time," Raul assured.

Jovie nodded, then pushed the chair away, standing up. "I, uh... When I started out, I was alone... I'd been shot, left for dead. I had no friends that I knew of." Her eyes scanned the table. "And now look." She felt her lip quiver. "I'm going to try diplomacy with Legate Lanius tomorrow." Nothing was said. Everyone just sort of... knew. "Knowing what I do now, what faces us tomorrow. To see you all here, after everything..." She felt tears roll down her cheeks. "I can't thank you enough."

"Hey, you helped us. It's our turn to help you," Cass spoke.

Arcade stood up and walked to Jovie. He stared at her for the longest time before saying anything. "...I have to leave, Jovie. You know this."

Jovie nodded again. "The Enclave, that's right." Jovie shook her head and looked around at each of her friends. "I have no memories of my life before. But I will say the ones I have with you..." She cried slightly harder. "...are the best."

She noticed that Cass had her hat turned over her face, but she saw tears on her chin. Veronica tried to hide it, but couldn't. If Raul could cry, he would have been. Lily understood the bittersweet farewell to an extent, but she was all right.

Arcade took hold of one of Jovie's hands. "I'll be there. We all will be, and we'll help," he promised. He kissed her forehead. "Look for me there, okay?"

"You bet I will," Jovie cried, watching him until the elevator took him away. She took a deep breath and nodded. "Well... let's head out."

XXXXXX

They reached the dam, and upon entering they were greeted by a general who seemed slightly peeved.

"Well, you took your sweet ass time getting here," he mouthed off. Before Jovie or anyone could say anything, he continued. "Let's get this down to brass tracks. We need to get this thing moving if we want to keep the element of surprise."

Jovie shrugged. "What... is this about?"

"Sorry. General Oliver. Lee Oliver. Anyway, you've done some great work for us up to this point, and we're hoping to use your unique abilities to aid once again. Thanks to the tasks my subordinates have delegated to you, the NCR now has a unique opportunity."

"Which is what?" Jovie asked.

"We now have a chance to take the fight to the bastards on their home turf-"

"Yes, sir, about that," Jovie interrupted. "We sort of took care of that already."

"Caesar and some of his soldiers may be dead, but don't forget, there's still the Legate and his soldiers," Oliver reminded. "I am in the beginning stages of planning out an assault of The Fort. I've made calls to our allies, and they are on their way to our position. Once our forces are in place and garrisoned there, we'll begin our assault."

Jovie couldn't believe it. After everything they had done to take down The Fort, and Lanius just went behind them and set up shop once again. Just as she was getting a sinking feeling, an NCR soldier ran in, pushing past her.

"Sir! I don't know what happened, but a bunch of Legionnaires just stormed into the power station!"

"Into the power station? How is that possible?"

The NCR soldier, a young man barely in his twenties, shook his head, befuddled. "I don't know, sir. There was some talk of them entering through the clogged intake tunnels, but I don't have any confirmation." He ran his fingers through his hair, obviously shaken up. "On my way up here, there was some chatter about their commander, the Legate I think he's called, set up at some kind of base on the eastern bank."

Oliver looked at Jovie. "Okay, listen here. Unless we get some additional support, I'm going to need you to help me resolve this situation. You need to make your way to this camp they have on the eastern bank and take out the Legate. That should hamstring this attack."

Jovie punched a fist into her other palm. "That's what I was planning all along."

She turned to her friends. "Think you all can handle this?"

"Ohh, you know it," Veronica grinned, punching her ballistic fists together.

"You better. I want to see all of you when this is over."

They heard the doors open and close. "Even me?"

They looked to see someone in Enclave armor, but Jovie knew. She ran up to him and hugged him. "Arcade! Ooof! Do you know how hard it is to hug you in this thing?"

"Hey, I told you I'd be here. So, let's get this show on the road!"

"We'll do our thing. Don't worry about us," Raul assured. They took off toward the plant, Boone staying.

"I'm with you."

"As always?" she grinned.

"As always," he nodded. And they entered the plant as well.

"Good gracious!" they heard a man cry out. It startled them to see him down there, trying to hide. "The Legion is using the intake tunnels to storm their way into the dam. Someone has to stop them!"

"We got that, but what are you still doing down here? You need to get somewhere safe!" Jovie fussed.

"I'm trying! Wait... I got it!" the man exclaimed. "I think that you should be able to divert the flow of the water into the generator turbines. That would grind them up like hamburger. The computer to active it is up ahead, but you may need to go outside to activate the manual override. That system hasn't been used in a while."

"Thanks!" Jovie nodded. "What's your name?"

"Mike Lawson."

"Thanks, Mike Lawson. Really," Jovie smiled. Boone couldn't believe her magnanimity even now. "Now, go find a safe place to hide!"

"I will. Good luck!"

Mike ran through the doors that lead the General Oliver's office while the others ran through the doors that led into the plant. Already, NCR was fighting Legion. Then, here came to their aid: The Great Khans, Powder Gangers, Boomers, all there, helping them fight. Jovie looked up and saw the computer Mike Lawson had spoken of and pointed it to Boone. He nodded, so they headed that way. They neared the doors, which opened- instantly, Boone pulled Jovie back and threw a grenade into the hallway, which exploded. She looked around to see dead Legionnaires.

"Gotta watch out for that."

"Gotcha."

They rounded another corner, Boone withdrawing a pistol and Jovie withdrawing Maria, taking down three Legionnaires. One ran down a set of stairs and shot, the bullet grazing Jovie's cheek- he suddenly collapsed, and Raul bent down and waved, grinning before disappearing to fight again. They ran up the stairs to the computer, which Jovie set to work, Boone on her 6.

"Shit, this thing is password encrypted," she hissed. "Buy me time, Craig."

"Will do."

More Legionnaires started up their way, and he started shooting as many as he could. She stopped typing and started shooting herself, but then Lily, Rex, and ED-E appeared to lend a hand.

"DON'T HURT MY BABIES!" Lily yelled, slamming her sledgehammer down on several Legionnaires, squashing them like bugs. While Rex gnawed on one's leg, ED-E shot it with its laser, disintegrating it. With their help, they were able to decode it and headed outside, only to be met with more opposition. But they weren't without help, and they found the valve Lawson was talking about. Jovie looked at Boone and gave him a nod.

"It's time we find that eastern bank."

"We're on the western side, Jove. We gotta go back in and around."

"Well, we'd better do it fast."

Heading back inside, more Legionnaires were fighting. Bodies were strewn everywhere, but so far, none that they personally knew. The rounded around to the eastern side, heading out, and instantly, Jovie was hit with a bullet in her arm. Boone pulled her down behind a barricade, and she was already applying pressure to it. He reached in his backpack-

"CRAIG!"

He didn't even stop looking when he used his other hand to shoot the Legionnaire that was three feet from him. He pulled out medical supplies and looked at Jovie's arm.

"Clean through. That's good. No bone. Even better," he sighed, relieved as he patched her up. "Ready?"

She nodded, and they continued on. They would run, hide behind a barricade, pop up enough to shoot. Boone popped up once, and the next thing Jovie knew, he grunted and was on the ground.

"Craig? Craig?!"

An NCR sniper took out the Legionnaire that had shot Boone. She looked, and he had been shot in the stomach.

"Oh god. Oh god. Oh god..." she panicked. She got on the radio. "Arcade!"

"No... I'm okay. Patch me up and let's go."

She lifted him up to see an exit wound and blood. "No. Arcade!"

"What?!"

"Eastern side!"

"Almost there, actually. Figured you'd need me. And I'm- here!"

She looked up to see him. "Thank God. Arcade, please, help him. I'll cover."

Arcade looked at Boone's wound and sighed. "You're lucky. Missed vital areas and all."

"I know that. Just patch me up."

"Ask nicely."

"Arc..."

"Shut up, you know I'm already doing it," he joked as he applied antiseptic, which made Boone yell loudly. He cleaned the wound and put gauze on it, wrapping his torso up as quickly as he can. Jovie and the NCR and other help were taking out Legionnaires one by one, losing some of their own as well. "Think you can make it?"

"I have to help her see this through."

"All right. I'll be right behind you."

That's when they realized all Legionnaires on the eastern side were dead. They walked on to find a small shack that had medical supplies, which they graciously took, and then headed on through.

On the other side of that door stood Legate Lanius. Jovie's first instincts was that Boone had been right, but hadn't told her everything. He was a tall man... probably could reach Lily's shoulder, easily. His armor was all gold, and his mask... His men stood at the ready, but Jovie held her hand up, as did Lanius. He walked toward her and Boone, Arcade standing behind them at the ready. Nearing her, she felt so small... at 5'3, he towered her. But she would not let him intimidate her. She had been through too much hell for that.

Lanius studied her for a moment before speaking. "And who are you to come before me... you bear the Insignia of the Bear, yet you do not wear it as a soldier of the West wears it."

Jovie grinned maliciously. "What? Caesar giving you orders from beyond the grave?"

Lanius backhanded Jovie, and instantly, Boone reached for his pistol-

"Boone!" Arcade warned, stopping him.

Boone stopped, watching the blood drip from Jovie's nose.

"Caesar's will is the will of the Legion. And the West... all beneath the flag of the Great Bear exist to test the strength of the Legion. The West shall fall as the East fell, and all the tribes that stretch to the setting sun shall bear the mark of the Legion."

Jovie rubbed her bruising cheek and wiped the blood away with the back of her hand. "Maybe you're willing to listen to reason."

Lanius swatted his hand to the side. "I see you fight with words, like all beneath the flag of the Bear. Let us hope your skills with weapons proves better."

Jovie shook her head. "This battle is decided. That's why I'm here."

Lanius' head cocked to the side. "So you seek quarter? Terms to surrender? Our roads into the NCR are hung with the bodies of those who attempted to negotiate with us." He scoffed. "Save your speeches. We will take Hoover Dam and move forward until our feet crush the setting sun beneath them."

Jovie motioned around with her arms then crossed them. "Move forward? The Legion spent years trying to take Hoover Dam."

Lanius shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Boone could see... Jovie was winning. "Hoover Dam has never seen the massed strength of the East. Only Legates such as Graham... who deserved the fire Caesar blessed him with." He patted his chest. "Now I am here, and make markers of your people as the Legion carves its way West."

"And then what of the East?" Jovie asked. "What then?"

Lanius put his hands on his hips. "You speak in circles! What of the East? I am the East, and I will prove it this day."

"But if you need all the East to crush the West..." Jovie hinted.

"The victory here shall be swift. Our forces shall take the Dam, secure it, the build a road west on the bodies of the NCR." Lanius crossed his arms. "The East will hold. Once across the Colorado, nothing to rival Hoover Dam remains."

Jovie stepped forward. "Well, except Vegas."

"Vegas will fall," Lanius confidently spoke.

"Really?" Jovie asked in a sing-song voice, rocking back and forth. "I hope you're not counting on the Omertas to help you."

"I count on no one."

Jovie clasped her hands behind her back, shifting her weight from leg to leg. "Oh, good. Because the Omertas' plan was stopped. Vegas is as strong as ever."

Lanius growled and crossed his arms in annoyance. "A plan by Vulpes... treachery is a plan no one should ever rely on. I can only hope that the Omertas died when their treachery was exposed; to have the plan succeed would only have sullied the Legion." He shook his head. "It does not matter. Victory shall be ours, it shall be swift, and it will be honest, purchased with blood."

Jovie then became serious. "It is not the strength of the West that will slow you down, Legate. It is their weakness."

Lanius was completely thrown off by this. Hell, even Boone and Arcade were. "Your weakness? You seek to thwart me by claiming the Legion is too strong for you?"

"Nope. Not that at all," Jovie denied. "NCR's weakness is its size- it'll take your entire army to hold the West."

Boone smirked. 'Atta girl.

Lanius didn't budge. "That does not mean we would not succeed."

"Eventually, sure," Jovie nodded mockingly. "But moving your whole army West means losing the East. You can't hold both."

At this, they could see the pride in Lanius subside. "The East was a hard-fought campaign. Even now, Caesar drew too much of the Legion's blood needed there for... this. Hoover Dam is but a place. I will not have it be a gravestone of the Legion- whether quickly, or as you describe, slowly... by attrition."

Jovie stepped forward. "There is victory is wisdom, Legate."

Lanius nodded. "As for wisdom... there is wisdom in your words, woman of the West. Know that I shall return to the East. I shall not remain there forever. On that day, the strength of the Bear will be tested. If the West is one day filled with ones such as you, perhaps it shall be a worthy fight, indeed."

Jovie shook her head. "If you feel that war matters that much, perhaps you will see differently in time."

Lanius chuckled. "My coming would have saved you, set your people free in ways they cannot see. War would have tested them. Broken the weak with its violence, yet allowing the strong to arise. Violence gave you that strength, awakened you- I can see it in your face, where two bullets left their mark." At this remark, Jovie had to take a sharp inhale of breath. A fire sparked inside her... He was right... it had changed her. "Perhaps it is unfortunate Vulpes was not here to hear your words... something tells me you would prove more than his match." He motioned for his men to head out. "Until the day when our armies meet again, NCR- I shall wait for you on the battlefield."

And they left. Orders were given not to shoot as they fled. Jovie stood there, her legs feeling like jelly, and yet...

"Holy shit..." Boone breathed just as the rest ran in.

"What? What happened? I take it we won?" Veronica asked, breathless from fighting.

"Jovie just talked down the Legate," Arcade murmured. They all looked at her, and she turned around, seemingly shocked, then-

"You're all okay!" she sobbed openly. "Oh my god, you're all okay!"

"Well, minor hiccups here and there. Ya know, the traditional battle wounds," Cass nodded. She looked at Boone. "You all right there, Champ?"

"Yeah."

Oliver walked up, and Jovie made her way to him. They watched her talk to him for a moment, him thanking her for NCR's victory over the Dam and for pushing Legion East again. Standard protocol. She then excused herself and walked to her friends, all waiting. She smiled at them, still crying.

"Jovie, c'mon girl, dry those tears," Arcade urged.

"S-Sorry," she wept. "I'm just really happy." She stopped crying, and there was a silence.

"So... now what?" Cass asked.

"I guess... we go back to what we were before," Veronica murmured.

"No," Jovie quickly rejected. "You do something better. Go out and do good in the world. Leave an impression and let them know that friends of the Courier are good people to be trusted."

Raul nodded with a smile. "I can do that. Rafaela would like that, too. I'm old, but I still got plenty time left."

Arcade took off his helmet. "You know I have to go back to the Enclave, but I'll do my part, I promise." He leaned down and gave her another kiss on the forehead. "You did so much for me, Jovie. I can't thank you enough."

Cass adjusted her cowboy hat on her head. "I don't drink like I used to because of you."

"I'm... sorry?" Jovie confusingly apologized.

Cass laughed. "Just messin' with ya. If it hadn't been for ya, I'd been in a ditch somewhere dead, my liver exploded or something." She hugged her. "I just wanna say thanks."

They heard a sniffle, and Veronica was crying. "Ronnie-"

"I'll always treasure that dress," she sobbed. "I'll find my place in the world, one way or the other. And on special days... I'll wear it. Okay?" She threw her arms around Jovie. "Okay?"

"Okay," Jovie smiled, rubbing Veronica's back.

Raul was next. "You showed me I could keep on after everythin', boss," he spoke. "I thought about Rafaela an awful lot, how I'd failed and would always be a failure. But you... you're special." He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Don't let your light die out."

Lily gave Jovie a strong pat on the back. "Grandma's proud of you. You turned out a good kid."

"Thanks, Lily," Jovie beamed.

She then gave ED-E a pat, then bent down and hugged Rex.

"You're free to go, boy," she told him. "Go on. The King's waitin', I'm sure."

She then looked to Boone, who held onto his side. He'd be fine; just another scar. During the battle, his sunglasses had been broken, so she was able to look into his eyes. Everyone just sort of unintentionally watched as they walked slowly away.

"Been through a hell of a lot together, huh?" Jovie asked.

"Sure have."

"I think I'll go back to Goodsprings," Jovie said, playing with her side braid. "Not sure you've been there, but it's really nice. It's smaller than Novac, but the folks are nice. They helped me when I first came to."

"Goodsprings, huh?" He winced slightly. "You mentioned that place yesterday."

"Mm-hm," she nodded. "I think when I'm not helping people out or anything, I'll have a place of my own there. That way, I can come home, rest, and set out again."

"Sounds nice."

She looked down at the ground. "You're going back to Novac?"

"Seems that way."

Her chest hurt. "I see." She wanted to cry. What had this all been about? Everything? Was it all just... for nothing? For him to use her? "You... you have history there. Carla and the baby... and you're friends with Manny again."

"Yeah."

She nodded. "I'm glad." She looked up at him and smiled her characteristic smile. "I'm really glad, Boone."

"Boone". Why did that hurt?

"Take care of yourself, Jove."

"I will," she continued to smile. "And you, too, okay? You're a changed man now, doing things for the better. I wanna hear word that you're still doing that. Okay?"

"Of course."

He watched her go... until she was completely out of sight. A medic nearby wanted to take a look at his wound on his torso. He would lose the shirt, so he unzipped the front zipper of his backpack, opened it up...

Staring up at him was that little plush dinosaur.