Wendy

We're making shitty time. We should have been there by now.

I have a terrible feeling that even if we do find him, he won't want me anymore. Because of what we'd done. No, because of what I had done. What I'm doing. I look at my left arm. Or, who I am now. What a difference a month and a half in the wasteland makes.

A few months ago, we were madly in love. I'd promised to love, honor, cherish. Instead, I've betrayed him in the worst way possible. I don't hold out hope that he won't find out – we've never kept secrets from one another, and I've never been a very good liar. So if – no, when – I see him again, I might just wind up losing him.

BEEP BEEP

I look at the screen of the Pip-Boy. 'Load DC Area Map?' It asks. I click 'Yes.'

Another series of shrill beeps, and I read the screen: ERROR: DATA CORRUPTED.

"Fuck!" I growl in frustration. "Well, there goes Plan A. What now, big guy?"

Charon looks over at the screen, and sighs. "We'll find a place to rest and resupply. I have a few ideas."

He points in the distance. "There."

"That tall building? What's there that's so important?" I ask.

"It's Tenpenny Tower." He drops his pack, digs in a pocket, and fishes out a keyring. He selects a beautiful although tarnished key, decorated with stunning, intricate scrollwork. "The key to Mallie's suite. Hopefully, she left us some stuff in there. We can also get a good night's sleep on a clean bed."

"If they'll let us in. How long has it been since you've been there?"

"About…forty-four, forty-five years. Thereabouts."

"Let's hope my silver tongue can get us through the gate."

"Here goes." I press the button on the intercom.

"Hello? Security?"

"State your business."

"I have a key to a suite I…inherited."

"Which one?"

"Penthouse. Name, Maleficent."

The sound of paper shuffling. "That one's been closed for almost fifty years."

"Are ya gonna let me in or not?"

"Hold your horses."

A few minutes pass, and a stern man in a khaki uniform walks up to the gate. "There's two names on the deed. If you know the other one, I can let you in."

"The other name is Charon." It can't possibly be anyone else.

"You have a key?" I flash it to him through the gate, and he's genuinely surprised. "Hold on a second. I'll open the gate for you."

Charon is standing next to the wall, body obscured. As soon as the gate opens, he's by my side. He'd told me that he expected trouble – that the residents of Tenpenny weren't too tolerant of ghouls; the only reason he was allowed in was that Mallie had done something for the owner a long time ago, and she was pretty much given carte blanche after that. "I had no idea she put me on there." He says, stunned.

"Let's hope that she also put in a description."

"Whoa!" the security guard exclaims, as he catches sight of Charon. "I thought that paper was a joke. Who'd believe there was a seven foot ghoul?" He shakes his head. "Since you're on the deed, I guess you're allowed in."

I hold out my hand. "Hi -?"

"Jacobs." He grasps my hand firmly, pumps it twice.

"Hi, Jacobs, I'm Wendy. Maleficent's…daughter." Not entirely a lie…

"Nice to meet you. Go ahead on up. Just straight through the lobby to the elevator." He smiles. "Welcome home."

Before I open the door, I turn to Charon. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"

"No. But I will try."

I swing the door inward, flick the light switch, and step into the room. It's amazing! I've never seen such splendor in my life. The bed is absolutely huge! All this furniture – a workbench, a safe, a writing desk, even a small infirmary! It's decorated like a pre-war home – the upholstery on the chairs is musty, like it's been shut up for a long time, but it's pristine!

"Wow!"

I look back at Charon, and he's standing at the entrance, stock-still, eyes distant. I have to snap my fingers several times to get his attention.

"It's been a long day. Why don't we drop our stuff, eat, and go to bed?"

He nods slowly, walks inside, puts down his pack, and closes the door as if in a trance.

Charon

My throat tightens. It looks just like we left it.

The wound in my heart reopens.

I could almost swear we never left. That I'd walk in the bathroom and see her there, fixing her hair in the mirror. Or maybe, out on the balcony, smoking a cigarette.

"Charon!" a series of loud finger snaps force me out of my reverie.

"Why don't you drop your stuff over there?"

I follow my orders mechanically, and sit on the edge the bed – her side. I stare at a point on the wall and try to collect myself. It's been a long time since I've had to put on a mask to perform my duties. I'm a bit out of practice.

"-then we can go to bed." I hear Wendy say.

I turn my head to Wendy, frowning. "I'm sorry – I missed that."

"We'll eat, then go to bed. Why don't you find something in your pack?"

"Yes, mistress." I dig in my pack, find a can of Pork 'n Beans, and eat it, slowly, pressing my emotions down, letting the programming take control.

I want to leave as soon as possible.

Her ghost is everywhere here.

Wendy

Mistress?!

Oh no...

I can't wait to leave this place behind, no matter how nice it is. I don't know how much time he spent here with Mal, but it's enough to make him start grieving all over again. I hope I can get him to snap out of it soon – we need a game plan. We can't just go waltzing up to the Enclave, and ask them to take us to their precious bunker. We have to find out where it is and see if we can sneak in, find Virgil, then get the Hell out.

I don't even know where to start!

Charon

It tastes like sawdust in my mouth.

When I finish, I discard the can and stand by the balcony door – the place where Mallie'd have me stand when she was busy and wanted me out of the way.

"Charon, stop this. I can't do this on my own."

"Stop what?"

"The robot act."

"I must maintain control over my emotions to serve you effectively."

Wendy points to a spot close to the edge of the bed. "Stand here."

I obey.

Tears fill her eyes, but I force my face to remain blank.

She clambers up on the bed, stands, and looks into my face, nearly eye-level. She repeats, "I can't do this on my own."

Since she's not asking me a question, I don't respond.

She shoves her stump in my face, startling me. She raises her voice. "I got this for you. So you can do this for me!" She's angry. "We're both in pain right now," she says, her voice shaky. "I love her as much as you do."

"NO." I snarl. "No. You do NOT! I was hers, and she was mine." She is so much more to me than you or anyone else will ever be, no matter how long I live.

"She's gone, Charon. And I need you."

My body, as if on auto-pilot, responds. I seize her head, draw it to me, and kiss her deeply. She fights at first, out of shock, and then relents. I need you…

When I disengage, she asks, "Do you want to pretend tonight?" I know what she means. I can pretend I still have Mallie, she can pretend that it's Virgil with her.

"Yes."

"Turn off the light."

I still know it's not her, but in the darkness, it's easier to lose myself.

Her skin is smooth, soft, warm.

I can't help myself. I'm rough.

She clings to me for dear life.

Wendy

As it turns out, betrayal is like killing. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Sad to say, but it's the only time I've felt anything out here. I tell him that he can turn me away if he wants, but I think that he needs it as much as I do. When we couple, it has always been in the dark, and almost silent. When we do speak, it's just single words:

"Yes!"

"Faster."

"Please…"

"There."

He says her name.

We don't speak each other's names. We aren't making love to each other.

Once you've given in to temptation, it's hard to find a reason to say no. A bond is developing between us. A bond of pain, grief, loss. A pale imitation of love, at best. But it's there. And it's all we have.