Kirk and Lucy had been walking in silence for a few hours. Kirk found himself staring at the rocky landscape, keeping an eye out for threats. The trip had been uneventful so far, which to Kirk was a relief. As he did his best to stay aware of his surrounding, he had been reflecting on the last few days and wondered how many people he had killed. He wondered if he would ever get used to killing, and honestly that thought terrified him. He found himself reminiscing Vance walking toward the big raider. Vance had such a terrifying presence that it made a hardened and ruthless killer tremble and crawl away in fear. The power Vance had in that moment was what Kirk was fixated on. "Hello, did you hear me?" Lucy asked, tapping him on the shoulder.
Kirk snapped out of his memory, "What did you say?" Lucy scoffed, "I said, we are getting close to Agatha's shack, we should rest there." "Ah, sounds good." he replied, stretching his arms, and adjusting his pack. "What were you thinking about?" Kirk hesitated for a moment, "Oh, nothing, how are you holding up?" he asked. "Managing, hey can I ask you something?" "Sure." Kirk responded, taking a sip of water.
"Why did you go so far to help me and my town? As well as the Family?"
Kirk thought for a moment and chuckled, "You know, Vance asked me something similar." Lucy stopped and crossed her arms. "Well?" Kirk stopped and turned to her. "Why does it matter?" he asked. "I guess it doesn't, but you do know that people tend to look out for themselves out here, right? I get you are not from around here but I have never met someone who goes as far as you to help people. Is everyone from your Vault like you?" she asked. Kirk pondered her question for a moment, rubbing his light stubble on his chin.
"I wouldn't say that, everyone is different. However, we all looked out for each other in some way. For example, Stanley, an engineer, would get sick sometimes. When he was recovering I was selected to fill in for him because I had an aptitude for engineering. When he recovered I went back to medical with my father. Point is the Vault is like a machine and if a gear were to break, we would fix it or replace it, so to speak. To keep the machine working and everyone happy. Does that make sense?" Kirk asked, worried he complicated it.
"I think so. So you see a problem and you want to fix it with the best solution possible, and you got this from how your Vault operated?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much it." They started walking again, seeing a sign in the distance. "It sounds like a completely different world." She mumbled. Lucy scrunched her face, thinking over their recent exchange."
...aptitude?"
"Oh, uh, skill? Something you have a knack for."
"Ah, gotcha. Hey, there is Agatha's place, let's go." Lucy said, pointing at a crevice and sign while running ahead of duo crossed an old shabby bridge and through a crevice, on the other side there was a tall antenna and a modest shack. Lucy knocked on the door. "Come in!" a voice yelled out. Lucy opened the door to an elderly woman pointing a sawed off shotgun at them. Lucy and Kirk immediately put their hands in the air.
"Hello dears, how can I help you?" she asked, with a very gentle and sweet tone.
"Hello Miss Agatha, we are just hoping to rent a bed for the night?" Lucy asked nervously. "Oh, of course. It's 30 caps a bed dear." she replied, lowering the shotgun. Kirk pulled out his caps and started to grab 60 until Lucy put her hand on his. "Maybe we can share a bed? You know, to save caps?" she proposed, rubbing you thumb in circles on his cleared his throat, she caught him off guard. It made sense and they already shared a bed before, so why was he nervous? "Sure, sounds good."
"Would you two like some dinner? 15 caps a plate." Agatha offered, walking over to a pot. "Yes, please!" Lucy said three of them were enjoying some kind of stew, that was actually very flavorful. Kirk didn't want to ask what was in it since he was enjoying it so much, didn't want to risk ruining his appetite. "Young man, are you from a real Vault?" Agatha asked, pointing at his suit. "Yes, Vault 101, I just left their recently." Agatha got up and grabbed a sheet of paper and some kind of then told them her story. How she comes from a line of talented musicians and one of her ancestors was in a vault in the local area. Through old letters from a great grandmother she learned about a rare and prized violin called the Soil Stradivarius.
"This old thing my husband helped keep together but now that he has passed, it's harder to maintain. I was hoping you would know where Vault 92 is located and possibly retrieve this rare instrument for me?"
"I'm sorry but the only Vault I know is 101. Honestly I wasn't aware there might be other vaults nearby."
Agatha let out a heavy sigh. "Oh, I see. That is unfortunate." She stood up and walked over to the center of room. "Allow me to play for you." With that she started to play a song on her violin. It was a bit melancholic, but sweet as Kirk and Lucy listened over there finished plates. The song was bringing up emotions for both of them. As Kirk listened and watched her play and twirl, he thought about how rare this situation must be. How many other talented violinist were out here? Agatha is also the last of this line and she was in her twilight years. It didn't sit right with him that only Lucy and him could listen to this amazing musician. Once she was done, she gave them a bow as they clapped.
"That was beautiful, I have never heard anything like that." Lucy said, wiping a tear nodded in agreement and pulled up his PIPBOY. He pulled up his notes and put in 'Find Vault 92 for Soil Stradivarius. - Agatha'
"I can't promise that I can find this for you, but if my search for my father takes me there, then I will do my best to get it."
"I noticed a radio tower outside, are you able to broadcast your music?" Lucy asked, cleaning up the table.
"Yes, but the range is limited, only caravans in the area can listen to it. Another project my late husband was trying to get to."
"That's a shame. The whole wasteland deserves to hear you play your music."
As Lucy and Agatha discussed this dream, Kirk added in his notes, 'Antenna repair, Moira?'
They helped Agatha cleanup and were shown their room. Well, more like a corner with a sheet hanged by it, to give it some semblance of privacy. A twin bed again. 'Are all beds in the wasteland this small?' Kirk wondered.
"Good night, dearies." Agatha said walking down the makeshift hall back to her room. Kirk and Lucy looked at each other and both started putting their gear away. Kirk removed his suit and sat on the bed in his white tee and boxers. He turned to see Lucy had removed all of her clothing except a white tank top and panties, he couldn't help but stare at her body. She was quite fit and but still on the thin side. Still she was very pretty to Kirk. Lucy giggled, "Like what you see?" Kirk realized this was the first time they were truly alone, since Vance's lair. Kirk cleared his throat, "I wouldn't be staring, if I didn't."
Kirk tried to bring back his confident flirtatious side he had in the vault, but he found it difficult. Lucy walked over to him and straddled him. The first thing he noticed was the heat between her legs. He gently placed his hands on her slim waist, as she leaned down and started kissing him. Kirk ran his hands over her body slowly as they made out. Lucy gently grinded on his crotch, the heat increasing between her thighs. They parted briefly and Lucy whispered in his ear, "I've been wanting to thank you for everything you have done for me." She then nibbled on his earlobe and starting kissing his neck. As Kirk was definitely enjoying this, he had one problem. He wasn't getting aroused.
Lucy lifted her head up and looked at Kirk. "Everything okay?" Kirk was speechless, he didn't know to be thought back to their time at Vance's. He was definitely hard then, when they woke up together. What's the difference now? "I, uh, guess it's been awhile, maybe I just need some time to get it going." He said sitting up and spinning them to where he was on top now. Lucy squealed during the repositioning, getting excited again. "Okay." She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him down to make they started picking up where they left off, Lucy tried to touch his torso under his shirt. Kirk responded with snatching her wrist, "Stop."
"You're hurting me." Lucy said wincing. Kirk didn't realized how hard he was squeezing and let go. He got up from the bed and placed his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, I just reacted on instinct, are you okay?" Lucy nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. "It's okay, I understand. Boundaries and such." Kirk stared at her. Kirk ran through his thoughts on why he wasn't getting aroused. A part of him suspected something, but he didn't dare open that box. 'It's because it's not me, my pet.' said a voice in his head. Kirk shook it off, with frustration. Kirk had noticed all the teasing she was doing to him, and we wasn't going to let it go unrewarded. "Fuck it.
"He grabbed Lucy and flipped her on her back. "W-whoa, what are you doing?!" she said, surprised. Kirk pulled off her panties and lowered his head between her thighs. "What I want." With that he shoved his face in her crotch and start licking hungrily. Lucy threw her head back, moaning and grabbing his hair.
After a few minutes and some orgasms, Kirk was wiping his face, while Lucy laid on the bed recovering from the intense session. She never experience something like that before, usually its used for foreplay, then straight to the main course. She was pretty sure she never came that hard before either, or three times for that matter. As Kirk finished cleaning up, still not aroused at all, he came to bed. Lucy laid on his chest still trying to catch her breath.
"For a Vaultie, you sure know how to use your fingers and tongue. How is that?" Lucy said, giggling. Kirk chuckled, "I found a book on sex in the vault when I was a teenager, it had some great tips."
"Did you bring it with you?" Lucy asked, kissing his chest. "No, but I remember most of it." he replied laughing. "You know, I said I want to thank YOU for everything." she said, reaching into his underwear and stroking his cock. "Let me try to return the favor, at least." Kirk pulled her hand away and kissed it. "I'd rather just get some sleep, but thank you. Let's try again another time." Lucy pouted and nodded. With that they fell asleep, with Kirk mulling over his problem the entire time.
The next morning they got dressed and met Agatha at the table they ate at last night. "Sleep well?"
"Best I've had in awhile." Lucy said, rubbing her hand on Kirk's thigh under the table. "Yes, very well. Thank you." Kirk responded, patting her hand, to move it. "Breakfast? Five cap special."
As they ate breakfast, again Kirk not examining it too much so he can enjoy it, Agatha told them what she knew of the area. Kirk made points of interest on his map in the meanwhile.
"If you wait a bit, a caravan should be arriving. It should be Lucky Harith, a weapons specialist." Agatha told them over breakfast. "Oh, we always need ammo, and maybe an extra gun, if we can afford it." Lucy told Kirk. He swallowed his food and trio walked out to the other side of the bridge and waited. Soon they saw a brahim with boxes and bags strapped to it, and three individuals approaching them.
"Agatha! Always good to see you still kicking!" A man in a yellow jumpsuit exclaimed, approaching Agatha with his arms wide. They gave each other a quick hug. "Oh, Lucky you always know how to talk to a gal." Agatha said, with a giggle. "I see you have guests, name's Lucky Harith, but you can call me Lucky. My wares are guns and ammo, with a few meds and miscellaneous pieces."
Kirk shook his hand, "Pleased to meet ya, we could do with some ammo and maybe an extra gun. Also do you offer repair services?" Lucky pulled out a clipboard and pencil, "I sure do, let me take care of old Agatha, and then we can conduct business. Agatha, I'm guessing the usual?" Agatha pulled out a bag of caps, "Twenty four rounds of .44 and two boxes of shells please. Had to take care of three raiders last week, better safe to over stock nowadays."
As they completed their transaction, Kirk wondered what she did with the bodies. The way she said she took care of them was cold and nonchalant. Even the elderly are hardened out here.
"Alright lovers, I hope to see you again, and good luck with my personal request. Oh, and I hope your 'problem' is handled soon." she said with a wink and smile, walking away. Kirk scoffed and Lucy blushed. Guess the walls were thin, but nothing to do about it now, Kirk figured.
"Right then, what can Lucky do you for you?" Lucy and Kirk bought some ammo for their guns, and browse what guns he had. Nothing popped out at them, even if it did, they wouldn't be able to afford it. However, Kirk spotted a scope. "Would you be able to fit that scope to my rifle?" Kirk asked, handing him the rifle. "Sure can, scope and fitting will be eighty caps."
"The gun is also jamming on me, sometimes, can you show me why?" Lucky pulled the bolt back and forth a few times, occasionally looking into the chamber. "Yeah I see the problem, I gotta swap out the bolt, it's degraded too much. I can do it for another forty caps." Kirk pondered for a moment and pulled out the rifle part he got off that raider a couple days ago.
"Will this be a suitable replacement?" Lucky looked it over, "It's definitely better than what you got, but not as much as I would like. Still it will fix your jamming issue for a bit. Since you have the part, I can do it for twenty five caps now."
"Let's make it an even hundred, and you step me through repairing this." Kirk offered. Lucky scratched his beard and laughed. "I like you Vaultie, you got a deal." Lucy stepped up with her shotgun. "Excuse me, I have a request, but it might be silly."
"Nonsense, honey, no request is silly for Lucky. What do you want?" Lucy pointed at the handle of the gun. "Would you be able to etch the letters, L.W. here?" Lucky took the gun, "For your cutie, I will do it for free."
A few hours later Kirk and Lucy were getting close to Minefield. Lucy hummed a tune the entire while twirling her ponytail. She also kept close to Kirk more than usual. Kirk didn't mind this, he was too focused on his arousal problem. He was embarrassed and frustrated about it. That damn voice kept creeping in the back of his mind too, which irritated him. He stopped climbed up a rock and used his new scope to scout out the area.
He saw the scrapyard Vance mentioned and looked it over. He didn't see any raiders, but he was right that it gave a good overlook to lowered his scope and sat on the rock, he still was not fit for all this traveling. His whole body still ached from all the walking and injuries he sustained. He flexed his still healing fingers, which ached like hell just holding the rifle. Murphy was right, he can't see himself shooting his rifle properly right now. "Need to rest?" Lucy asked, smiling at him. Kirk pulled out his water line and took some sips. "We can rest more at that scrapyard, while we recon Minefield. Sound good?" Kirk still wasn't confident about anything out here, so he relied on Lucy to help. "Yeah, sounds good."
They walked on, and as they entered the scrapyard, they heard shouting and shooting nearby. The duo pulled out their guns and took cover. Kirk listened to the fight play out and heard another noise. Barking?
Author's Notes: Hello again. Thank you for everyone who have followed and favorited my story, greatly appreciated. Thank you to Interfectorum for the great review and I am glad you are enjoying my story! I do plan on going back and sprucing up some chapters, I will admit I am taking some liberties and assuming that most of the readers have played the game and understand the areas that Kirk enters. Keep in mind I do my best to expand on pretty much every location most of the time. Making it either bigger or more compelling. Like Arefu having houses lined the entire roads edges, or Megaton being bigger and taller. I will do my best to be better about adding a bit more detail, however this is gonna be a long story, so I am keeping some things short, and really wanting to focus more on Kirk's mind and experiences. Also if some things are coming off as being resolved quickly, I have reasons and future plans for these, so stay tuned. Again I will try to keep up with chapters, but life happens and this writing goes on the back burner more than I would like, but I am enjoying writing it. Thank you for all the support and again I am always welcome to criticisms and reviews.