fo4 b 3 ch 5 the big dig part 2

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To call the small collection of holding cells built within the ruins of the old stadium locker room a Jail would have been generous at best- in reality, they were four separate cells with just enough space to pace in, boasting two dirty mattresses on either side of the barred confines, and a bucket to relieve oneself in.

'Man,' Audrey reflected as she entered the shabby facility,leaving MacCready to wait for her outside. 'I wouldn't want to endure an extended stay here..'

Approaching the only currently occupied cell, she gave the unremarkable man inside a dubious look before demanding his attention.

"Mel?"

Upon hearing his name, the bored, scruffy young blondes head jerked in her direction, and her gaze was met by a pair of cool grey eyes that, upon seeing her, quickly filled with suspicion. He was older than her- physically- but still young enough to be considered youthful, with a tall gangly build and patchy, thin scruff clinging to his angular jawline. He wore a dirty, oil-stained mechanic suit that looked like it had seen better days, and a pair of old work boots that lacked any tread.

"Mel here, can I help you?" He asked politely, pushing himself into a sitting position on the mattress he occupied to give her his full attention.

" ...Yeah. I hear you're some kind of tech expert?" She inquired casually, wondering how a young diamond city guy like him came to be affiliated with a ghoul like Bobbi no nose...

"You herd right- well, maybe tech is too general. I have a thing for robots." He admitted light heartedly, before quickly back tracking to clarify his statement as her expression faltered. "No, not that kind of thing- but i know my way around most machines, yeah. Why? Need my help?"

"I... I'm getting you out of here." She announced matter of factly, causing him to shoot a startled look toward the guard posted by the door.

"If so, maybe you shouldn't be announcing it so every guard in diamond city can hear..."

Unbothered, Audrey rolled her eyes at his presumptive suggestion- As a former lawyer, she had zero intentions of unlawfully removing him from custody. Instead, she planned on using more civilized tactics to get him out.

"Officer?" She called out to the singular guard standing near by, giving him an apologetic smile as he snapped out of whatever mental scenario he had been imagining in his obvious boredom...

"You got somethin to say?" He answered apathetically, looking her up and down with a lazy, unconcerned expression as she turned to face him, flipping her ponytail over her shoulders to begin almost nervously fidgeting with her hair.

"Why is Mel in here?" She asked, keeping her tone light as she looked up at him shyly, as if she wasnt sure of herself. " What are his charges?"

Brows furrowing, the guards gaze drifted slowly behind her toward the inmate in question before shrugging off the inquiry.

"Him? He was caught trying to reprogram the robot down at the tap house to give him free drinks...Between you and me- i'd totally do that if i knew how." He admitted, conveying a nonchalance that bolstered Audreys confidence in her chosen plan of action- Which wouldhave been much more difficult under harsher circustances.

"Oh, that doesnt sound so bad...I was hoping to get him out of lock up."

In response to her intentions, the guard shot a surprised look between her, and the petty would-be thief.

"Huh, I didn't know Mel had friends. Alright- hes pretty much done his time anyway. Just let me open up the door..." As he moved toward the cell brandishing a set of keys, Audrey smiled triumphantly toward her new prospective partner. "Alright- you're free to go buddy!"

Rising to his feet, Mel waited eagerly for the door to swing open, not hesitating to join her on the other side of the steel cage.

"Great!" He exclaimed, elated by the unexpected turn of events, and understandably eager to leave the old locker room behind. " Now let's just...get out of here."

"After you." She answered smugly, a small grin decorating her features as she gestured with one hand toward the exit...

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Once outside, Mel was noticeably relieved, taking in a deep breath of crisp evening air and expelling it in a lengthy decompressive sigh before turning toward her with an expectant expression.

"Thanks for getting me out I guess...so, I'm assuming you're one of Bobbies new toys?"

"Pretty accurate assumption- how did you know that?" had Bobbi somehow managed to get word to him before sending her in to free him?

"No one else would put this much effort in for me...God, that woman doesnt have a patient bone in her body- I wasnt serving a life sentence here! What? she couldnt wait like, a day? Whats the job?"

Surpsised by the warmth and humor coloring his tone as he spoke of the ghoulish woman, Audrey again wondered at the nature of their relationship- His words implied they may be closer than simple business partners, despite her obvious ulterior motives for arranging his release.

"Bobbi can fill you in on the details..." She told him reproachfully, figuring it would be best if Bobbi explained the plan herself.

"Yeah, cos I'll get so much outta her..." He answered sarcastically, rolling his eyes and scoffing at the idea with a bemused smirk.

"You sound like you know from experience."

"Bobbi maybe shady, but she always pays up in the end." He admitted light heartedly, sounding more confident in their auspicious leader than she felt herself. " So...I guess ill get my stuff together and head over to her place then..."

"Sounds good- you go on ahead. I'm gonna stick around a bit to stock up on ammunition- I have a sneaking suspicion that we're gonna need it..."

" Yeah, probably...Okie dokie- safe travels then!"

Waving, Mel excused himself from her presence at once, happy to be on his way- and as Audrey watched him go, MacCready rejoined her in the light outside the old locker rooms, a cigarette smoking between his lips.

"It looks like that went well." He observed smartly, earning a sour look from the disparaged vault dweller.

"Ofcorse- Did you doubt me?"

"Never."

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To everyone still reading, thanks again for sticking with me this far- I have the dialogue for the next chapter written, but my inspiration seems to be lacking these days. nobody seems to be reading, and no feedback has been received. On one hand im reluctant to give up on something I've spent so much time on, and on the other...Meh. I know a lot of my readers are eager for the Hancock romance to ensue- and believe me it was getting there- but i just can't bring myself to skip over the intended plot and character development just to jump into the lovey dovey crap. Fallout isnt supposed to be fluff- its dirty and gritty and angsty. So i guess...let me know if youre reading, and what you think. Is it worth continuing?