My sister once told me : 'Catherine, sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.'

She always did love to quote. Looking back on it in times like these, her words couldn't ring truer. People don't tend to ask a whole lotta questions around here, but I liked to question myself. Take a moment to reflect. Why did I decide to walk the path of the mercenary? Because it meant security. Caps, renown, connections. The more people you had in your precious little inner circle, the less the odds were you'd wake up one day with a rusty knife in your back. As a bonus, the odd job here and there kept my mind focused, my body fit and prepared. Why did I help a man in troubled waters when I could've easily walked away, leaving him to rot in his own misery? Because I saw straight through his act. I knew because he was puttin' on the same show as me. He had to, just like me.

'Wake up, sleepyhead.'

I opened my eyes and needed a few moments to adjust to the scenery. It had been so long since I had someone this close to me while waking up. Almost, almost I had forgotten what it felt like. I relished the thought of simply laying there, having him this close to me. Safe from harm. Feeling his hot breath against the back of my neck.

'You're so warm...' I slide my hands over his upper arm hanging loosely over my waist. Mine were always cold, no matter where I was. I rolled around to face him, pulling the blanket over our shoulders.

'Catherine...'

His hair was a true mess, pointing everywhere. He seemed so innocent, anything but a trained, cold-hearted gun for hire.

'Do we have to get up yet?' he mumbled with one eye open.

'Not for a little while.' I nestled my face between his neck and shoulder and closed my eyes.

It wasn't until he pulled me closer, gently stroking my hair that the reality sank in. Maybe I shouldn't have provoked him that much to get my answers, but if clocks could be rewound, I would do it all over again. Not a single doubt on my mind. But the possibility that I made matters more complicated shot through my mind like a rusty, poisoned arrow. I couldn't shake the feeling.

I had to compose myself. This was what I wanted. I couldn't let this moment be swallowed up by my fears. We'd been traveling, surviving, together for so long now. I couldn't let yesterday make a difference.

'I forgot to tell you something yesterday.' Slowly I released myself from his touch.

'Oh? Like what?' He yawned. I climbed out of bed, straightened my clothes and dusted them off. Took a seat in front of the bed, took up my rifle and inspected it for malfunctions. You didn't want to be caught with a broken trigger mid fight. Always, always be prepared.

'I promised Hancock I'd visit him today. He had an interesting business proposal he wanted to discuss. I'd rather not keep him waiting.'

'How many caps?' He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes. Still sleepy. I never understood how he could sleep without his shirt on. The room was ice cold.

'He didn't mention. Said he needed more information, you know how it goes. Check in with some people. But he needed people he could trust... Us.' I smiled and felt my chest swell of pride.

At first I figured taking jobs from Hancock was a strategic choice. He was a man with a lot of power, a lot of influence. Knew many people. Plenty of caps to throw around. When it became clear to me we also shared many ideals, I became his own little personal problem solver.

I put on my leather jacket and picked up my bag from the floor, threw it over my shoulder with a smooth swing. Ready to face the road.

'Cmon. We have to go. Get dressed, slacker.' I taunted.

He looked up at me, raised an eyebrow. 'Oh I see. Was that your plan all along? So after last night, you think you get to boss me around?'

I bowed my head just a little. Felt a bit shy, but I knew exactly what I wanted to say.

'I remember you being in charge yesterday.' Yesterday... when he fucked me from behind against the little dresser a few paces away from me. I grinned.

MacCready stood up from the bed, started walking towards me. Confidently. A little smug. He stopped right in front of me. Leaning close into me, our hips touched. He ran his finger over my lips. I froze.

'Well... Maybe next time, you can take the lead, hm?' He spoke with a flirty, hoarse voice. He lifted up my chin and kissed me briefly on my lips.

Tease. You damn tease. No time. We had to run. But my thoughts, they ran wild. It all came back to me. His firm grasp on my hips, his tongue exploring my body. I felt my blood pumping vigorously in my neck just thinking about it.

He looked at me curiously, drawing circles with his finger on my belly. 'Cap for your thoughts?'

I placed my hand on his bare chest. He picked up my hand, brought it to his lips and carefully placed one kiss on it. My stomach filled up with butterflies. They fluttered chaotically around, begging for escape.

'Why would I tell you now when I can show you later?'

'Damn...' he spoke with a hint of bewilderment in his voice and let go of my hand. 'I'll be looking forward to that. Give me five.' I watched as he turned around and got dressed.

When we left the house I took one last look at the dresser before pulling the door close behind me.

When we arrived in Goodneighbor one of Hancock's cronies told us he wasn't in yet.

'Wanna hit the Third Rail while we wait?' I proposed.

'A plan as good as any.'

Ascending the stairs, the scent of beer and cigarettes greeted me. Been a while since I was here. Apart from the regulars, I noticed many new faces from all walks of life. Bar was crowded.

He grabbed my wrist. 'Hey, give me a sec. I'm gonna talk to Daisy.' I nodded at him and he gave me a short smile. But there was something different now. Something changed. Normally he would just go. He didn't need to inform, report to me like that. He placed the palm of his hand against my lower back and paused.

'Go.' I nodded and laughed cheerfully, my eyes scanning the bar to see if anyone noticed. I could've sworn my feet lifted from the ground a little.

Magnolia's performance ended. When I took a seat at the bar she walked up to me. Looking stunning as ever in the red dress she wore.

'Darling... What brings you to our little cozy corner of the world?'

'Business as usual. Hancock wants to see me.'

'I see. Well I won't be stickin' my little nose into that business of yours.' She glanced behind my shoulder and noticed MacCready talking to Daisy.

'You two crazy cats still hanging out? Haven't seen him back here since the day you picked him up.'

'Well, it's strictly business. He's a good shot. I pay him caps, he kills for me. That's how it works.'

Been a while since I had to lie about things like that. I looked over my shoulder and watched them talk in the back. Couldn't see his face. Couldn't understand the whole conversation but it looked like he was telling an elaborate story. Then I heard him enthusiastically imitating the sound of a grenade exploding. He even mimicked the impact with his hands, followed by a loud amusing laugh. 'Oh man, you should've seen it!' That right there, that was one of the reasons why I loved him. With light speed I turn myself around back to Magnolia. Inside I'm dying of laughter.

Her eyes softened. 'Oh honey, no need to lie to me. It's written all over your pretty face. I've got a, how do you call it, a sixth sense for these kinds of things.' She smiles at me forgivingly. Her voice went quiet. 'Truth be told, it warms my heart to see that love still stands a chance against the wasteland.'

I shuffle uncomfortably on my barstool. Didn't want to confess anything to her, even though she was right about everything. Me being pretty was debatable. But the rest? I wanted to keep it to myself, hold it close, protected.

I shake my head and fake a confused expression, trying to make her believe she is wrong about us.

'Charlie, a whiskey please.'

'Make it two.' There he was. In the nick of time. He startled me, came up from behind. He took an empty seat next to me.

They nodded politely at each other. Charlie presented us with drinks and Magnolia took the stage again. Music filled up the bar, allowing for secret conversations to take place.

'That woman picks up on too many things that's good for her.' I said in a hushed whisper.

'Whatever do you mean?' He grins and winks at me. Took a sip from his whiskey.

I roll my eyes at him. 'Idiot. She saw. You know.' I pinched his upper leg.

'Don't!' He spoke abruptly, pulling up his leg out of reach from my hand. He spilled some of his drink. He always hated it when I pinched him out of the blue. Or tickled him. But I loved his reaction too much. His face was priceless every damn time.

'You know I hate that.'

'You know I hate that.' I mimicked him, with a high pitched voice, waving my hands dramatically in the air on the rhythm of my words. I saw him smile, but he tried his best not to laugh out loud.

'This is where we met.' He suddenly said, pointing on the wooden bar. Didn't expect him to reminisce about us so soon.

He could barely contain his laughter, interrupting himself.

'Remember that day? You wore that army helmet that was three times too big for you. Oh man, you should've seen yourself back then. And your aim. Your aim was shit, Cath.' He shook his head in despair.

'Yeah, yeah. Shut up. I remember.' I smile. It was all true. But I didn't feel like reminiscing about my former life for various reasons. I've spent the last months blocking out memories, telling myself it's part of the past. A new, fresh start was what kept me sane. It made sense. We made sense. There's no point in looking back when there's nothing to look back upon.

'You two!' A voice suddenly shouted from behind us. As I turned my back it was the same guy who told us Hancock wasn't in yet. He pointed upwards. Time to go.