(Dizzy)

I'm not sure what was more fun; the night Cain and I spent together, or the adventure to Rivet City. The whole way there, it felt like this big weight was just lifted. We ran, tossed pebbles at one another, laughed, joked, and just goofed off. I can't remember a time, minus our childhood, where we had so much fun. The feelings of forbidden lust are gone, and we don't feel as burdened anymore. Cain dreaded coming here, to be honest. He said he was unsure of what our parents would think. When I asked him how they would know, all he said was that dad knew, and if dad knew, mom knew. I'm not sure how, really, and I didn't want to ask. It seemed to make him uncomfortable.

"We made it."

I say as we arrive. Rivet City. The last time I saw this place, I was a little kid. Back then, it seemed a lot bigger. The sun is slowly setting behind the ship, making it look all sorts of flashy and dramatic. Dad says there used to be these things called 'movies'. Mom talks about them too. She showed me some from the vault, although I didn't know they were from the vault at the time. Something about 'duck and cover', in case a bomb hit the earth or something. What good that did. Anyways, it looks like that. Not like 'duck and cover', but really this whole 'movie' thing. I'm not sure how to describe it. Definitely cooler than the Vault-Tec ones, though.

"Yeah, pretty surprised about that. Was fairly certain you were going to get us killed."

Lightly, I punch Cain in the arm. To be really honest, though, we hardly ran into trouble. There's no more feral ghouls, really. And the Raiders are really lacking. The only things we had to worry about were the big bugs, and creatures, and what have you. Super Mutants don't lurk in the tunnels, which I'm pretty thankful for. Cain and I have had a hard time dealing with them in the past.

"I'm not that irresponsible."

We begin walking up to the bridge that opens and closes. Mom used to mention that it's open most of the time now. I wonder how long it'll be until the grass in Megaton, reaches here? That is, if the fire didn't burn it all out. Thinking of that fire makes me sick. Even more sick than when I think of that crotchety old man who tried to kidnap me. I must really like my home.

"That's to be decided. Come on, I bet Dez and Charon are having some sort of mental breakdown over us."

"I don't think so. If they were, don't you think they would have come get us? I am their precious child after all."

"No, it's the males who carry on the family name."

"You're adopted."

"It's still a good argument."

"It holds no radiation, Cain."

We laugh together as we enter Rivet City. It's all sorts of shiny. I remember as a kid, they were in the process of cleaning it up. When I asked mom why, she said it was the new hope the land was given after she planted the G.E.C.K. She never did tell me what G.E.C.K stood for, and frankly I don't care to know. Really I'm just happy I wasn't around when mom was growing up. She said it was pretty bad and dog eat dog. When she first said that, I imagined people actually eating dogs. The smaller version of me didn't have the best rationalizing skills.

But back to Rivet City. So, it's all shiny, and chrome-looking. I'm use to places having a Megaton sort of feel, you know. Everything kind of thrown together on a whim. At least, that's what I've seen while out of Megaton. Even in The Pitt, things seemed to be just slapped together with steel. Rivet City, it's different, though. It's an old ship, so they had the interior built for them. Pre-war, I'm guessing. How it survived the war, I can't say. When I asked dad how the world was even still living after something like that, he would just tell me that life always found a way, no matter what. I guess, he was right. One day, I'd really like to hear about his past, in complete order.

"Think dad'll ever tell me his life story?"

Our feet take us on autopilot, as if we've walked this place many times before. People glance up from their conversations in the halls, but quickly look away. Not because they're suspicious, only curious as to who is coming in and going out.

"I don't think so, Diz. You've heard of it, but…you don't want to hear him say it. Know what I mean?"

"I guess."

I really don't, but there isn't much time to argue it. Pretty soon we're in front of Vera's, and there's a robot ready to greet us. But we don't need the robot, because Gob and Zack are standing outside chit chattering with mom and dad. It's mom who sees me first, and I think the smile she gives me is burned into my retinas forever.

Mom gets to me first, then dad. Together they wrap me in a giant hug, obviously happy to see me alive. I mean, who wouldn't? Strangely, they don't say how worried they are. Actually they don't say anything. Just hug. And when they're done, mom gives me this look as if she definitely knows something is amiss.

"I need to talk with you. In private."

Mom doesn't say anything else. Dad gives me a look, as Cain nods. It wasn't like I wasn't going to follow her into the room, but I guess I just needed some silent reassurance.

When we're inside, mom shuts the door. It's a small room, about the size of my own in Megaton. There's a single cot on the wall, and nothing else, except the silvery steel walls. I sit down on the cot, happy to rest my feet, but mom stays standing.

"You know…before you were born, I wanted a boy with blue eyes, and black hair."

I raise an eyebrow, and smirk at her.

"Yeah but you got me. I'm worse. I'm a girl."

Stressed, mom rubs her temples and closes her eyes.

"That I know, trust me. I'm happy, that I got you, I'm just trying to figure out how to start this conversation."

"What conversation?"

"The conversation to help you in life."

I raise my other eyebrow in equal confusion.

"What?"

Mom sits beside me, and I can see in her eyes she's still confused.

"Dizzy, you and Cain…look. There's going to be a lot. A lot that I can't protect you from. And things, things are going to get hard. But you can't leave him. And it's not because of any reason other than how you feel. I've left your father, and he has left me. Some relationships work that way, but sadly, you don't have the privilege to do that with Cain. I want you to understand this. "

"Mom, I do get it. I know it's going to be hard. You're worried. You're supposed to be worried."

"And why's that?"

"Because you're mom."

She laughs a bit, and we both light cigarettes. Mom seems to relax a bit more.

"I'm happy you're safe."

"You should tell me about you and dad."

Leaning back, I feel sleepy.

"What about me and your father?"

"You just said you left him. Were there other women?"

Something stirs in mom. She looks like a sick mixture of hurt, and uncomfortable. I'm about to say she doesn't have to answer when she opens her mouth.

"Diz, there were only two. And honestly, I'm not sure how I got to be that lucky. I suppose, even if there were, though, I would still take him back."

"What? Why?"

"Because we were young and foolish back then. At least I was. Your father…a bit later on. But love, Dizzy. Love is a very powerful drug. Even more powerful than Jet. When you're in love with someone, no matter how much they hurt you, you still just only want to care for them."

That's pretty deep words for the Wasteland. Really, I can't imagine Cain staying very loyal. I haven't thought much about it, but then again there hasn't been time. I've been so busy enjoying the moment, I haven't thought about the future. Maybe that's a good thing, though. Cain doesn't seem like the type to be disloyal. Then again, I thought the same thing about dad, too, and look what happens.

"Either way, Dizzy, there will be hurt, and love. Everything has to balance out. Take the bad, and remember the good."

"Mom, why are you so worried, anyways? If Cain is like dad, I don't have to worry."

"I'm worried about your survival, but mostly, I'm worried about how you're going to be in an argument. I can't lose the both of you."

I can't really argue that, so I hug her. She hugs me back, and it's probably one of the most tender moments mom and I have had together. When we pull apart, she smiles at me, and rubs her fingers through my hair.

"I am so proud of you."

Those words…I had no idea, they would make such an impact. It takes everything I have to keep myself from crying. I don't know what she has to be proud of, but, still. Mom smiles at me, rubbing my cheek with her soft, smooth hand. Pretty soon, the door opens, and dad and Cain walk in. Dad smiles at me, and I can't hold myself back. I hug him. He's my daddy. My one and only. I know there are girls out there, with no dad, or no parents. I feel lucky, to have both of mine. To have them both love me and forgive all the bad things I've done. In fact, I couldn't ask for a better set of parents.

"Diz, what's gotten into you?"

Dad asks, as I squeeze him tighter.

"I just really missed you."
Which is true. I have missed my dad. A lot. Being with Cain is great, and I was happy, but in the back of my mind I was worried if dad would be okay. I knew he would be, but still. It's scary to see one of your parents like that. All unconscious and whatnot. Plus there was a lot of blood, and…the whole thing was just stupid and worried me.

"I missed you too."

Letting go of dad, I take a step back into Cain's chest. I feel his elbow resting on my shoulder, all casual-like. Glancing up at him, I catch a sideways smile. It makes me sideways smile back.

"Barrows will want to see the both of you. After that we have to go see Horace Pinkerton. From there, we'll go home."

Mom says, suddenly badass and ready to fight someone. Mom's like that. She's either really goofy, or really serious. Dad's always really serious. But they're my parents and I love them.

"But mom, I'm fine. Why do I have to go see Barrows?"

I whine, really not wanting to go. Barrows was always hanging around our house growing up because of Cain. It got annoying. I don't mind seeing him as a friend, but as a doctor it's weird. I guess I just grew to see him as an uncle, and having my uncle give me shots and examine my body is weird. Although he's actually a wonderful guy. I just hate checkups and doctors. Radiation, all the way.

"It's more Cain than you, Dizzy."

Dad says and I smile. That was almost too close for comfort. Cain lifts his elbow off of my shoulder, and I look up at him. He's not at upset at going to see Barrows as I am. Mainly because he's use to it.

"Alright, which way?"

Dad leads us all in line out of the room. Gob and Zack tell dad that they're going to stay behind for us, and when we're done we'll begin the drive back to Megaton. With all the rubble that I saw, though, I wonder how anyone could drive. I've never seen anyone drive anything before Megaton caught fire. Gob was always fixing things, it was destiny that one day something would work. But maybe there's this pathway I don't know about that brings you straight from Megaton to Rivet City with no rubble. Or vice versa, whichever way you're going.

"It's just down the hall."

Mum tells me, but she lied. We ended up taking a lot of turns, and taking stairs down to Dr. Barrows' office. Nurse Graves was with him. I've always liked her, she has this kind, gravely voice. One that really makes you feel like they care, and that you're safe. Although nobody is really safe anywhere out here. Super Mutants could come any minute and try to take over Rivet City and leave nothing behind. But Super Mutants aren't that smart.

Barrows and Graves turn around when we enter. There's no a lot of room in here for all of us.

"Why haven't you moved down to the old lab yet?"

Mom asks Barrows. He puts his clipboard down, and shrugs.

"We're in the process of that. The old lab is where patients rest, up here is where I treat them."

His eyes wander over to Cain, and whatever stress he had sort of dissipates. It's like Barrows was worried about him, or something.

"I'm happy to see you're holding up just fine."

Cain nods.

"Yeah, well, things are…different."

"How do you feel?"

"Same, but different."

"Good or bad?"

"Good."

He shines some light in Cain's eyes, and looks at his teeth. I don't know why, but he did.

"Horace Pinkerton would probably be better suited to see Cain at this point. With no visible injuries, there's nothing I can do. But maybe he would have some words of advice."

Horace Pinkerton? Mom and dad nod knowingly at Barrows.

"Can he be trusted?"

Dad asks, and Barrows shrugs.

"I can't say. I don't know him too well. But I doubt he's dumb enough to pull one over on you two."

With that we leave the room. Cain looks at me, a bit worried, and I take his hand. Squeezing it lightly, as mom and dad walk ahead of us, I give him a look that says everything is going to be okay. Even though I don't know where we're going, or who Horace Pinkerton is. I guess we're about to find out, though.