Chapter 26: Anal Pip-boy 3000

"Eleanor, it's great to see you, but why the fuck did you bring him?" Gob spit out.

I sighed and put my head down on the dirty bar. Streaks of grease and dust pooled in the grooves of the old wood. "Nice to see you, too. I needed someone to watch my back. Besides, you were the one that told me to go get his contract. This is on you."

I heard a loud noise and Gob yelp. I looked up to see Charon holding him by the collar of his shirt. "What the hell are you doing talking about me?"

I reached for his arm but he shook me off. "Charon, calm down. If it weren't for Gob, then I would have never even met you."

Charon's eyes flickered to mine, then back to Gob. Slowly, his grasp loosened and he dropped Gob.

"Charon, I order you not to hurt Gob or anyone who doesn't have immediate intentions of inflicting harm on me or you."

Charon rested his hands on the bar and straightened his back. "Fine."

After I was at least a little happy with his behavior, I spoke up. "Gob, can you get us two shots of whiskey?"

"No." Charon bit out. "I have told you not to drink."

Gob's eyes passed between the two of us. "Any reason for her not to drink?"

Charon glared at him, but kept his mouth shut. Instead of speaking, he looked to me as if expecting me to give him the news. I slid my hand across my face and peeked through my fingers.

"I'm pregnant." I whispered into my palm, barely audible.

Gob leaned in closer. "What was that?"

I dropped my hand. "I'm pregnant." I snapped.

Gob shot back on his heels with eyes wide open. "No fucking way."

"Just get her a Nuka-Cola. I'll take the whiskey. A lot of it." Charon ordered.

"I'll be right back." Gob shook his head lightly and ducked under the bar.

"So, lass, what's this I'm hearin' about a little bun in ye oven?" Moriarty's voice sounded over my shoulder. He was way too close for my liking.

Charon swung his arm without looking. I ducked and his forearm slammed into the Irish bastard's nose. Moriarty stumbled back and Charon tackled him to the ground. I watched in shock as Charon pinned him to the floor, nose bleeding down his cheek.

"Call yer fucking dog off, ya little bitch!" Moriarty screamed.

I stood up and yanked Charon back. He glared at me and kicked the downed man, eliciting a slew of curses.

"Stay the fuck away from her. I don't know who you are, but don't get close to her again if you know what's good for you." Charon snapped.

"Charon!"

"What? He was in your space and he smells like piss." Charon sat back down in the stool like nothing had happened.

Gob stood still like a deer in the headlights. Whatever a deer is. There was a shot glass in one hand and a Nuka-Cola in the other. Moriarty spat blood on the ground. When he looked at me from the floor, I could feel his little daggers digging into me.

"What the fuck was that for? Yer dog wanted a bit 'a the action?" Moriarty wiped at his nose, smearing a streak of blood across his face.

I bit my cheek before saying something stupid. "Why were you so close to me?"

"I can't be blamed for trying to get 'a bit of that action either, lass. Although, now that I think about it, I remember owning this bar when ya were a wee baby. Age ain't nothing but a number, though. Now that I know someone done gotcha knocked up, I'm not sure if I want a piece 'a that pie now. Lord knows what else ya got." Moriarty stood up and dusted his pants off.

"I know you'd just want anal and I don't think my Pip-boy is going to fit up that ass of yours when your head is taking up all the room." I sipped my soda quietly.

"Nice one, lass. No wonder ya get stuffed all the time. Look at what a lady ya grown up to be." Moriarty smirked.

"Yet, I'm probably a lot cleaner than you've ever been."

Moriarty's brow furrowed and his grin disappeared. "Ya know what? I'm sure yer makin' yer daddy proud with every day yer out here."

I pressed the bottle to my lips, but held still. It felt like ice had invaded my veins. I looked back to see Gob and Charon glaring at him. "Charon, let's go."

"Gladly." He downed his shot and slammed the glass on the counter. He dropped the caps on the bar and stood up.

"Aw, what's the matter, lass? Can't take the heat?" Moriarty smiled, scooping the payment into his pocket.

I ignored him and stood up. Charon led us out and into the afternoon sun. I rushed to get ahead of him and down the ramps. He tapped my shoulder.

"What do you want?" I sniffled.

"Are you crying?" He asked, turning me to him.

"I hate that asshole so much. He didn't need to fucking bring up my dad and he knew that." Words were getting harder to spill out due to the lump forming in my throat.

"Hey, hey. Don't cry. That's what he wants. You don't want to give him that. Just please don't cry again." Charon rubbed his thumb over my cheek, wiping away a tear.

"I know. It's just too hard. I hate it here so much. I don't want to exist anymore." I cried, shaking my head.

"I know what you feel like right now, believe me. Let's just go home. I'll tuck you in and get some food for you. You don't have to leave your house ever again. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

Looking up, I saw nothing but concern and caring in his eyes. "You don't have to do that for me."

"I want to do it for you. You don't even need to walk home. I'll carry you if you want. Fuck it, I want to do that too."

Without warning, he scooped me up off my feet and carried me down the ramp bridal style. I pushed and shoved in protest but gave up. He was carrying me like a child.

He pushed the door open and carried me passed a confused Wadsworth up the stairs. He dropped me on my bed unceremoniously. He pulled the covers over me and ruffled my hair.

"Just because I'm going to have a baby doesn't mean you have to treat me like one."

"Mhmm." He kissed my forehead and left the room.

"Where are you going?" I called.

"Food."

The door closed and I was home alone with Dogmeat. His panting and Wadsworth puttering along the the house was the only noise to be heard. It was otherwise very quiet without Charon grumbling and bitching about places not being safe.

After about ten minutes of agonizing silence, the door opened back up.

"Hope you like punga fruit." Charon called from the stairs.

"Never heard of it."

He emerged into the room holding a strange pod. He pulled a knife out and began cutting it. The room was filled with a sweet aroma. He handed a slice to me and I thanked him. I bit into the slice and immediately regretted it. The sweet taste overwhelmed my stomach and I pressed my hand to my mouth.

"I'll get a bucket." Charon ran out of the room and I followed after him.

Charon took the stairs and I hurdled over the rails down to the kitchen. Charon stopped in his tracks as I landed and doubled over the sink. Vomit splattered all over. It was pure nastiness.

Charon held my hair back for me as I finished getting rid of most of my stomach bile. It was just painful dry heaves and gagging for now. He handed me an old rag and I wiped my face gratefully.

"Sorry. It sucks being pregnant."

"I wish I could help with it." Charon took the rag and dabbed at my face.

"You're too good to me." I smiled and closed my eyes as he wiped the rag.

"Someone has to be."