She searched around the room noting everything was exactly the same before her eyes settled on a very shocked ghoul behind the counter.

She walked behind the bar looking right at her friend, fresh tears poking through her eyes.

"Gob.." She sobbed before embracing him in a much needed hug.

She cried in his arms for a few seconds ignoring the jealous grunt that came from Charon. She was about to say something else before Moriarty came up behind her pulling her collar and slapping Gob across the face.

"Moriarty Stop!" She lunged at him grabbing his arm that was about to hit the cowering Gob a second time.

Moriarty pulled his arm back further, elbowing Mandy in the face hard enough to knock her back against the wall. He turned his attention back to Gob but before he could do anything Charon had already gotten him in a choke hold.

"How dare you?!" Moriarty screamed as his face quickly began to turn purple.

He felt his employers hands calmly place themselves on his arms.

"Charon stop." She said quietly.

He let go of Moriarty and looked down at her as she stared daggers at the coughing pathetic man blood pouring from her nose.

Moriarty quickly turned around taking the gun he had hidden under the bar and pointing it straight into Mandy's face.

"Get yer' arses in my office, now!" He said motioning the gun in it's direction. "Gob clean the fuck up would ya. Pile of shite."

He shut the door behind them and with the gun still pointed at Mandy walked over to his terminal and sat down.

"Tricky stunt ya pulled back there." He said. "Din't think you had it in ya, if I was bein' honest."

"You didn't need to beat him." Her expression never changing as she continued to stare daggers.

"Ya din't need to touch my property." He said casually. "And ya better wipe that look off yer face before I do it fer ya, lass."

She didn't and he just sighed. He opened the drawer to his left grabbing a note from it and replaced it with his gun before shutting it and locking it tightly.

"Got a letter from your boyo." He handing it to her. "Tell him this ain't a fuckin' post office. Now get the fuck out of my bar."

She ignored the letter as she shoved it in her breast pocket. Charon however couldn't help the jealousy he was feeling for the second time in the passed 30 minutes.

Boyo? Does that mean she had someone to keep her warm at night? Was what they did previously, nothing to her? He was confused beyond belief but was brought out of it when she began to speak again.

"Let me pay his debt." Her face had calmed down into a small glare but the hatred in her words still filled the room with a thick tension.

Debt? What debt? Charon listened quietly becoming more interested.

Moriarty sighed heavily once again and just looked at the girl.

"I said no and I meant it. What part uh that do ya not understand?"

"What does it matter to you if you get your damn money?" She banged her fist on the wall to her left seething with more rage.

Moriarty kelp his calm composure crossing his arms as he leaned back into his chair a slight smile creeping on his lips.

"Looks like someone here has got 'erself a wee little crush."

She rolled the idea around in her brain as she straightened herself dusting off some dirt that found its way on her armor before looking into Moriarty's eyes.

"So what if I do?"

His smile quickly faded at the realization of why she wanted to set Gob free. He was instantly disgusted.

She was lying of course but she would do and say anything to get Gob away from this fucker.

Charon had about choked on his breath at the sound of it though. She was in love with that ghoul? I mean, it would explain the hug and tears but he would have never guessed there to be another ghoul or one as pathetic as this one. And there was still the question about the love letter, well he assumed it was a love letter. The idea of her stringing along a couple hearts wasn't impossible. She was becoming famous fast in the wastes but that didn't stop the sting he felt in his heart.

"Yer fuckin' nasty." He heaved a little. "That's a crime against humanity, loving a fuckin' zombie. And what of this one hmm? You fuckin' him too?" He pointed at Charon who's expression never changed despite the thoughts running around his head.

"Who gives a fuck!?" She screamed. "Let me fucking pay the debt and I'll leave!"

"NO! Yer gonna leave right now and never come back. As far as I'm concerned yer no better than any of them." He was standing now. He walked to the back door leading to Megaton and opened it looking at the two waiting for them to leave. "Out with the both of ya!"

She made no move to leave as she crossed her arms.

"Charon, if he comes to touch you or me I want you to tie him to his bed." She watched as Moriarty's face became red with rage.

"Is this a command?" Charon asked looking down at his employer.

She looked up into his eyes with a sinister smile, the blood swiped and dried on her face and he couldn't help but think she looked down right sexy in this moment.

"Yes."

Charon walked a bit in front of her cracking his knuckles as he stood in the middle of the two.

Moriarty slammed the door shaking the entire place before walking to his terminal and taking out the gun he had put away.

"You two are a bunch of crazy cock suckers, thinking you can talk to me like that in my bar, my office let alone!"

He pointed the gun between the two of them, eyes scanning the room that became smaller and smaller as Charon took small steps towards him. Charon was backing him into the corner growling as Moriarty pointed the gun solely on Mandy.

"I will fuckin' shoot her if you don't back away!" He was becoming frantic as the gun in his outstretched arm began to shake. "I mean it!"

Taking one more step Charon heard the fire of a gun and quickly slammed Moriarty's hand on the desk crushing his fingers and pushed him off the ground by his neck.

"Smooth-skin are you alright? Are you hurt?" Charon asked as Moriarty squirmed and tried to catch his breath. When he didn't get a response right away his heart began to quicken and the fear hit his stomach like he'd been hit by a truck.

"I..I'm ok. It went straight through so..I'll be ok." Her voice was faint as she responded. "And it's Mandy." she gave a short laugh.

Hearing how small she sounded he yelled slamming Moriarty's back against the wall knocking the air out him and tossing him onto the bed and tying him down with old scraps of cloth he found on the ground.

He turned around to check on Mandy but she was standing right beside him clutching her arm. He still had the scared look on his face and it made the vaulty's heart stutter when he looked at her.

She put her other hand on his face and his eyes closed releasing the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"I'm alright." She said soothingly rubbing under his eye with her thumb.

His heart swelled at the little touch but it dissipated when he saw the tiny corner of the love letter peeking from her pocket. He moved away from her, anger and jealousy filling him as he glared at Moriarty.

She'd be lying if she said it didn't hurt her that he pulled away suddenly giving Moriarty a dirty look. She couldn't help but feel like the look was meant for her and she couldn't understand why he changed so suddenly. She made a mental note to ask him later as she rummaged through her bag for a stimpack. When she found one she stabbed it into her arm feeling a slight sting as the skin around the hole began to cover up and leave a little circular scar. She through it over her shoulder and put all of her attention on the disgusting man on the bed that was beginning to squirm under Charon's glare..

She didn't let him squirm long as she kicked his side practically growling in his face.

He groaned and tried to grasp his side remembering he was immobilized by the ties on his wrists and ankles.

He looked at the girl and ghoul towering over him not holding in the tiny whimper that came out.

She chuckled sadistically at how low he looked in this moment and stared right into his eyes.

"Here's how things are going to go..." She started. "You're going to tell me where his bill is and you're going to sign off his debt..." She paused thinking for a moment. "Or my friend here.." she pointed to Charon. "Is gonna show you how a real person beats worthless piles of shit."

Moriarty spit into her face and laughed at her. "Yeah fuckin' right! Someone will wonder why I'm not out there and they'll come lookin' fer me!"

She stood up wiping the spit off her face and made her way to the door opening it just enough for her head to poke out.

She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear her, including Moriarty.

"Hey Gob. If anyone wants to speak with Moriarty can you tell them he has a bunch of woman back here needing every last bit of his attention." She finished off with a sweet smile and batted her eyelashes at the men sitting at the bar who in turn hoot and hollered words like 'Get'm Moriarty!' and "Ya lucky bastard' and other vile words. Gob shook his head yes not hiding the confused look as she closed the door and locked it with a loud thunk.

Walking back to the bed Charon was eyeing her curiously and Moriarty's face was pale. Everyone in Megaton knew not to mess with Moriarty when he had his 'special' guests around and she was no exception.

"Ya dirty bitch! Sneaky little whor.." He was shut up with a punch in the face by Charon.

'You better fucking choose your words carefully." Charon said with a growl.

Moriarty looked at the girl as he spit blood and a tooth over the side laughing as he did.

"Fine. Ya win. The bill is in my desk and the key to it is in my pocket."

Charon fished out the key and handed it to Mandy who walked over to the desk feeling both Charon's and Moriarty's eyes on her. He hadn't stopped laughing and if anything it was louder as she dug through his papers throwing them on the ground as she found what she wanted.

Her blood boiled as she read the words listed on the page.

DEBT PAID IN FULL IN THE YEAR OF 2273

OF 150,000 CAPS

SIGNED: COLIN MORIARTY

Eyes bore into Moriarty as his laughing ceased and fear began to spread through his legs.

With long fast strides she made her way to his side ripping the laser pistol from its holster and shoving it right between his eyes.

"2273?! FUCKING 2273?!" She was shaking uncontrollably as rage filled her body.

"THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO! YOU WANNA TELL ME WHY HE'S STILL HERE?!"

Moriarty opened his mouth to say something but she pressed the laser pistol more into his face denting the bed.

"SAY SOMETHING TO MAKE ME END YOU, YOU FUCKER. SAY SOMETHING!"

His mouth shut and she didn't hesitate as she pulled the trigger falling forward as his body disappeared turning into a pile of grey ash. She fell to the floor clutching her chest sobbing uncontrollably.

It was all so sad. Gob was beaten and verbally abused for 5 extra years by anyone and everyone. She knew he worked for Moriarty for 15 years before but what sick mind goes back on his word. Gob didn't deserve that and he wasn't a slave.

She felt large muscular hands pry her off the floor and rock her in his arms as she cried. He didn't know what he was doing, he just did it when he saw her crumble. He had never comforted someone before let alone one of his employers. Then again she wasn't like any employer he'd ever had. That must be why he felt the need to help her.

After awhile the crying stopped and she just clung to him, hand balled on his chest as he rubbed her back slowly.

The feeling of his hands brought tingling feelings in her lower region and she wanted so much to change positions and let him fuck her against the cold ground but that wouldn't be right. It was only cause she was hurt and it would be unfair to use him like that.

She sighed and settled on a kiss to his cheek and telling him thank you with as much sincerity as she could muster. She meant every word as she stared into his milky blue eyes.

She walked over to the desk grabbing the bill and stuffing it in her pocket.

"Here goes nothing." She said as she wiped away dried tears and opened the door squinting as the light hit her bloodshot eyes.

More hoots and hollers erupted as she came into view but they stopped when Charon made his way to her side.

She pulled out her gun and raised it into the air. "Everyone get the fuck out if you don't want to be shot in the face." It didn't come out with as much finesse as she would have liked and when no one made the move to leave she looked at Charon for help.

Pulling out the gun he stole from Moriarty's desk he shot a beer still resting comfortably in someones hand, shattering it and growling ferociously. In an instant everyone was up and running out the door except for a few extremely drunk patrons passed out at their respective tables.

She smiled and patted Charon's arm. "Thank you."

He put away his gun as a triumphant smile found its way to his face.

Gob stood there confused as ever looking between the two of them. He was the first to break the silence.

"Mandy...I..thought you were dead." He said breathlessly staring into her eyes.

"I figured you would think that. I ran into some trouble in the D.C ruins and had to be taken care of for awhile in Underworld."

His face perked up a bit. "You were in underworld? Did you see Carol? Did you tell her I was alive and well?" He bombarded her with questions.

"Of course I did! She's the sweetest lady I've ever met Gob, you're so lucky to have a mother like her." She smiled at him.

An awkward silence fell over them and this was the first moment she realized Nova was gone.

"Gob, where is Nova?" She looked as his face searching his expression.

He smiled. "She finally paid off her debt about a month ago. Her and Lucas Sims instantly hit it off and she's been living with him ever sense. She really misses you and she cried when I suggested you had died." His face went sad again. "But you're here now which is all that matters." He said pulling her in for another hug.

He stiffened and pushed her away looking at Moriarty's door.

"What happened to him?"

"Gob.." she started off. "He..did something horrible." She looked down at her feet.

He grabbed onto her shoulders and shook her lightly. "He didn't touch you did he? You've been crying I can see it. Did he touch you?" He shook her again and she looked up at him grabbing one of his arms.

"No, he didn't touch me but.." She trailed off using her other hand to take out the paper.

As if Gob knew what it was he dropped his hands and stared at it.

"Mandy..I can't read that. You're gonna have to.." He said not breaking eye contact with it.

She read it to him pausing after she said the year to look at his face. He looked as if he smelled something sour before it fell into one of complete devastation.

"I've been here for an extra 5 years?" He said as he looked passed her into nothing.

Soon his face filled with rage as he stormed into Moriarty's office.

"Gob!" She went after him but was stopped by Charon. "Charon what are you doing?" She asked looking into his face.

"He needs to be alone."

She looked back at the door and let her muscles calm in Charon's arms. He had a way with making her calm down.

She was startled when she heard crashing noises coming from the room as Gob screamed and kicked at anything he could. It was all just so sad.

After about an hour of Gob's outburst he emerged from the office breathing in heavily. Charon and Mandy had made their way around the bar to sit on the stools and just listen to what was happening.

He went into the back unlocking the fridge and grabbed three beers. He walked back to the bar and handed one to Charon and Mandy as he took the stool beside hers and began to drink.

After the beers were gone Gob sighed and looked at the vaulty next to him.

"Hey Mandy?" He said.

She looked at him. "Yeah?"

"I'm a free man now." He said smiling now.

"Yeah you are." She returned his smile.

"Please. Don't hate me.." He said as he grabbed her face and planted a harsh kiss to her lips.

She heard Charon's stand up and she quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. He couldn't help the growl that shook him and the jealousy that filled him.

Gob broke the kiss after awhile not letting go of her face.

"You mean so much to me. No one ever treated me with the kindness you have. I fell in love with you from the moment you smiled at me and I hope what I just did doesn't make you hate me more than I hate myself." He let go of her face and sat back into his stool.

She was digging into Charon's skin with her nails when she spoke.

"It's ok Gob. I understand." She was tense and when Charon moved his hand on top of hers to stop her from tearing his skin she instantly relaxed thanking him for being here.

The rest of the time he spoke of what he was going to do from now on. With the money she had been giving him he had enough to be considered the richest man in Underworld. She told him about setting flame to The Ninth and he just laughed not worrying about the place burning down. Apparently the walls were made of metal and built specifically to stop fires from spreading.

She told him how she came to be Charon's employer leaving out all details of Ahzrukhal. When the conversation died down they said there goodbyes and he went upstairs to pack while her and Charon left to make their way to her home.

Charon was still raging about the Kiss and the moment the doors closed to her home he picked her up and slammed his mouth to hers.