Lucy was devastated to learn what her father had done. After all the hardship she'd been through for someone she loved dearly, it was heartbreaking to find out it was for nothing. It shocked her to the point where she couldn't speak, move, or hardly process. She wanted her father back, she wanted to go back home to safe comfort, she wanted to have her happy family again. But everything had changed with the information she received. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to let it go and take Hank back, she couldn't accept hating him; her father was her life, they'd always been so close. But she knew he was a bad person for what he had done, so she let him go. She could have shot him but she just couldn't do it. She lost him, and it hurt.
She could have went with the Ghoul but she was tired. The surface was harsh and she couldn't take any more. She knew she had to endure it more to make it back home, but at least she had safety to look forward to. Making it for nothing was too discouraging to keep going. She had to leave Maximus and that made it even worse. She fell in love and couldn't bring him with her. She had to get out, so she made her way back through the wasteland, avoiding everything and everyone, on one simple mission. Nothing would stop her from getting back home to Vault 33.
No food, no sleep, no rest. All she wanted was for the hell to be over. She was weary and exhausted when she finally reached the vault, using her Pip-Boy to open the door. She almost collapsed on the elevator ride down, feeling so much relief to be back where she belonged, back to what she was used to. As soon as the elevator door opened she fell out, collapsing onto the floor. Almost immediately, everyone in Vault 33 was alerted and Betty was the one to rouse her. Lucy opened her eyes and saw the perceptively kind woman and her face lit up. She was happy to see her.
"Welcome back home, Lucy," Betty greeted warmly, but then she gave a chastising look, yet still fairly welcoming, "That was a very dangerous thing you decided to do."
Lucy frowned and sat up with the older woman's help, "He's not coming back." Her eyes welled and she wiped the unshed tears away, "I tried," she shrugged, "But he wasn't who I thought he was."
Betty hid a knowing look and covered it with a careful one, rubbing Lucy's back to comfort her, "Come, let's get you to your room."
Lucy allowed Betty to help her walk to her room. She was really needing a shower, food, and her bed. She entered her room and when the doors slid closed behind her she stood in the silence, feeling sad and lonely. It was good to be back but it didn't feel the same. She wanted her father, she wanted Maximus, and she was anxious to look for Norm. But she forced herself to the shower, removing her jumpsuit and getting into the much desired hot water. It felt so good on her tired body. After the shower she got a can of tuna, not caring what she ate, she just needed something, and it made her smile a faint, sad smile, thinking of Maximus and wishing she had caviar.
Finally she got into her nightgown and went to bed. It was overwhelmingly comfortable as she got settled in. She missed all this comfort and safety. But as she tried to sleep all that was on her mind was the look of her father in the cage, tired and dirty, trapped. She thought about the way he pleaded to her, the expression on his face, the desperation, and it broke her. She began to cry, wishing he was the good man she had thought him to be. She went after him because she cared about him so much, she didn't want to lose him. She missed him so much it hurt. She couldn't imagine anything worse than losing the person she loved more than anything.
The next morning she put on a clean jumpsuit and went out to look for Norm, but he wasn't at home. She looked in the commons and he never showed up for breakfast. She really needed to see family, she didn't even see Chet. She truly felt alone. She went to see Betty in her office, needing to know what happened.
"Come in, Lucy," the Overseer greeted her.
Lucy was timid as she walked in and sat in the chair across from the older woman, "I see you're the new Overseer," she spoke quietly, "I know you'd make a good one." She gave a small smile to show she meant it.
"Thank you. I am terribly sorry for your loss. I'm sure this feels very different to you. You'll get used to being here again."
Lucy wrung her hands, "Actually, yes, it does feel different. I'm a bit concerned. I can't find Norm, a-and I didn't see Chet either. Do you know where they are?"
Betty gave a sorry look, "I have to regretfully inform you that Chet moved into Vault 32, and your brother went missing recently. We think he may have went out to look for you."
"What?!" That was bad news, she didn't know how to take it. She couldn't go back out there, she didn't want to, she couldn't handle the fight to look for someone else. She hyperventilated for a moment.
"He may come back, have some hope Lucy. I think you should do your best to get settled back in."
Lucy calmed and nodded, but she was distraught. She had no one to come back to. She didn't know how to accept that she no longer had a family. She stood and left, feeling depressed. She walked around the vault aimlessly, trying to see who was left that she knew. For weeks she tried spending time with people to get her mind off of the people she lost, but she always held on to hope that Maximus would show up. Every day, she wished she would see him again, to live happily with a husband. It never felt the same again, but one day someone did arrive, and it was a complete shock when she saw him.
She woke up one morning and went out to the common to eat breakfast. She happened to look up to the doorway to see Betty standing with- her father. It was him. She sat there frozen, wide eyed. She felt her heart begin to race. She didn't know if she should be excited or scared. She didn't know how to approach him. And then he looked at her, and their eyes locked. He looked grim. He didn't look happy to see her, but she knew it was an awkward situation. She was shaking as she stood, her knees feeling weak. He turned to leave and she found it in her to run across the common toward him. "Daddy…" she said weakly, her voice cracking. Her throat closed up but she still called out louder, "Dad!"
He turned around when she reached him and she flung her arms around him, crying so hard her shoulders were shaking. He felt stiff and he didn't hug back, he was surprised. He thought she hated him and he didn't know what to say or do.
Lucy pulled back to look at him, "Why? I just want to know why."
Hank's expression was still grim and he pulled her arms from around him, taking a step back, "This is not the time or place." He then turned and walked away.
Lucy was hurt as she watched him walk away. She didn't know what to do so she went to her room. She was anxious and paced the rest of the day, feeling restless and frustrated. She had to talk to him. So when evening finally came she made her way to her father's room. She knocked, "Dad! Please, just talk to me!"
She waited, breathing heavy, anxious, worried that he wouldn't open the door for her, but finally it slid open. She rushed in, and he was sitting at the table. He greeted her with a simple, "Lucy."
She was nervous and she hesitated before going to the other chair and sitting. There was a moment of awkward silence and she opened her mouth the speak, halting a moment more, "All those people in Shady Sands. Mother… It's so horrible. I wanted to hate you." She deflated a bit, "But I can't. I just can't hate you, dad." She tilted her head and gave him a pleading look, "Daddy… I love you so much. I didn't want to lose you, and I still don't. I went through so much for you." She felt her eyes begin to water and she asked meekly, "Do you still love me…?"
Hank sat quietly for a long moment, looking very serious, but soon enough his expression softened and he gave in, lifting a hand to take Lucy's, speaking sincerely, "I love you more than I've ever loved anyone, Lucy. And I'm very proud of you for going to the surface for me. You were very brave and strong. You were like Heaven to see when you showed up." He squeezed her hand and gave her a loving look, "I know it was a shock to you, to find out what I did. But I did it for you. You and Norm wouldn't have survived up there. I couldn't allow it."
A tear streamed down Lucy's face and she took her father's hand in both of hers, holding it up to kiss it, "I know you care. I wish you didn't do it, but I love you too much to let you go."
Hank smiled warmly and he moved his hand to brush the tear from her cheek, "Lucy…" he whispered, "I can't stay here. I have to go back to New Vegas. I just came to speak with Betty."
Her dismay was apparent and she shook her head, "No, please stay. If you go then I want to go with you. It's not the same here. It's not right without you."
"I want you to stay here, where it's safe. It's all I ever wanted, for you to be safe."
"Please," she pleaded, "I'm not happy without you. You're everything to me. I know you can protect me. We'll survive together. Please, dad, let me go with you."
Hank's lips parted and he looked unsure, it took him a moment to relent, "We leave in the morning."
Lucy's face lit up and she stood to throw her arms around him, speaking into his ear, "Thank you, daddy, thank you." He hugged back this time. They embraced for a long moment and then she asked, "Can I stay here with you?"
He squeezed her and spoke quietly, "Let's go to bed."
They moved to his bed and quietly got under the covers. It felt less awkward between them and they were both happy to have each other back. Hank laid on his back and Lucy settled in on her side close to him. Lucy didn't know if she should bring it up, but she wanted to talk about Maximus, knowing she'd probably never see him again. "I could wait for him," she whispered, "I met a man when I was up there. I love him, daddy. But I will always choose you."
Hank moved his hand to take hers, running his thumb along it gently and whispered back, "You'll meet someone else someday."
Lucy snuggled closer to him, "No I won't. There's only you. I'll go wherever you go."
Hank was troubled and it could barely be seen in the dark, but there was concern in his voice, "Lucy, there's no one else. It'll just be us. It's not a life."
Lucy was nervous as she got even closer, unsure, and she hesitantly placed her hand on Hank's chest, "There's no one else, dad. You're all I need. I love you so much…"
Hank looked at her, surprised, and he finally wrapped his arm around her to hold her close, looking into her eyes, "Enough to be with only me for the rest of your life?"
Lucy was so close to him now, her hand on his chest. She looked into his eyes and thought about how he would be all she had, the only man in her life; she would never fall in love again. But she was okay with that, because that was how it had always been. Sure there had been Chet, but her father was always the man in her life. She began to feel heat spread within her at the closeness and the thought of only being with him. Her hand slid lightly over his chest and she nodded softly.
Hank shuddered slightly and he inhaled deeply at the touch. He was clearly unsure about the situation. He lifted his hand to stroke the back of her head, pulling it a bit closer. His lips searched for hers, "I love you so much, Lucy…"
But even though he was so close to claiming her lips he decided, achingly, to tip her head down and press his lips to her forehead lovingly. He rested her head on his chest and stroked her hair. Lucy had wanted him to kiss her, her heart stopped and she felt so much heat. It was easy for her to accept that kind of relationship with him, even though he was her father, because she felt so much for him. So she was disappointed that he wasn't ready to go that far, though it seemed like he was tempted. She allowed him to comfort her, snuggling close to him, feeling comfortable and safe. They fell asleep together, knowing that they'd forever be together.
The next morning she woke him up with a kiss on the cheek. He smiled softly and ran his hand down her back, squeezing her side, "Are you ready?"
She smiled warmly back, "I'm ready."
They left the comfort of the bed and got ready in silence. Hank was glad that his daughter wanted to stay by his side, but he was also nervous at the prospect of their relationship advancing. As indicated the night before, Lucy wanted more with him. He loved his daughter, but it was so strange, to go from being her father to a lover. He wasn't sure how to accept it, but he knew he eventually would. She was beautiful and sweet, and the thought was definitely arousing.
They rode the elevator up to the vault door and Hank used his Pip-Boy to open it. He turned to Lucy, taking her in, loving the sight of her, it warmed his heart. He gently took her hand in his and held it. They shared a smile and stepped out together. The sun was bright and it was hot. Still holding Lucy's hand, Hank began to lead her in the right direction. "It's far," he informed, "We'll make stops. I tried to pack enough food for us, we'll have to be careful with the water."
Lucy was sad to leave the vault but happy to be with Hank, she couldn't imagine any other way. It was how it should be, them together always, sticking together. "Don't worry, we'll make it, daddy."
Hank cringed internally, he wasn't sure she should be calling him that anymore, but he decided to bring that up at a later time. They walked in silence, not having much to say, but it was comfortable and familiar. They rested once evening came and sat together on the dirt path. They shared some InstaMash and looked at their broken down surroundings. "You should have kept the power armor," Lucy broke the silence.
"It's back in New Vegas. Not the best to travel in." He took a bite and looked at her, imagining a life with her.
She gave him a soft smile. She sat her food aside and leaned her head on his shoulder. She gently took his hand in hers. Hank was a bit stiff, the tender action was comforting but it provided him with a tension he wasn't used to. Lucy felt a comfortable bliss with her father, she loved him so much, and having a moment like this meant the world to her.
Hank stroked her hand languidly with his thumb, thinking a moment, and he decided to question her, "What are you expecting with me, Lucy? I'm your father."
Lucy looked up at him, concerned. She was a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry…" she said softly, "It's just- we need each other." She searched his eyes and asked quietly, "Don't we?" When there was no answer she moved in a bit closer and whispered, "I need you, daddy."
That made Hank's chest clench and he looked to her lips, tempted. He gripped her hand and whispered back, "Call me Hank."
That saddened Lucy a bit but she understood. She couldn't expect him to fully be okay with what she was doing, but she wanted it. She nodded subtly and gripped his hand back, showing desperation. He felt his whole body flutter internally and he brought his lips closer to hers to the point they were barely touching. His heart ached and he felt a strong rush of arousal, he couldn't believe he was about to kiss his daughter. But it was sentimental and enticing.
He held off until he felt so much tension that he couldn't take it anymore. He finally pressed his lips firmly to hers and felt a strong release, accepting that he made the choice to take their relationship further. Lucy felt her body alight with joy and bliss as she accepted the kiss, melting into him. She gave a small sound of need and pushed her head forward gently, coaxing his mouth open so she could deepen the kiss. Kissing him felt good, he was strong and sturdy. She was astonished that she was kissing her own father as it slowly grew passionate, his lips moving with hers.
She flung her arms around his neck, pulling him close as the kiss deepened even further, whimpering into his mouth. It felt too good. She felt so safe and loved. She was already aching for more, and she welcomed the sensation of his hands moving firmly down her back. They were both lost in the experience for a long moment until they finally broke apart. Hank swallowed hard, trying to calm himself, then he spoke, "This isn't the best place for this. We should get moving."
Lucy's body was in a frenzy but she tried to calm herself as well. She swallowed and nodded firmly, then she lifted a hand to her father's cheek, "I love you, Hank."
The former overseer touched her hand with his, "I love you too, Lucy." He brushed some of her hair back, "And God, I want you."
She grinned before giving him a soft kiss to the lips. She pulled back and stood, helping him up with her, "We have time for that when we get there."