Kirk woke up the next morning and had Wadsworth make breakfast per the nutrition plan given to him by Doc Church. Kirk was washing up in the bathroom when he heard Ella come out.
"Sleep well?" he asked, walking out of the bathroom.
"Yes, better than expected. I think your dog's presence helped." she said. Dogmeat gave a happy bark. "Um, is that a shower I see in there?"
"Yeah, it's slightly irradiated water of course. Would you like to use it?"
"Yes, I can't remember the last time I used one."
"Go ahead, breakfast should be ready soon."
Kirk headed down as she started the shower. The processing plant the town had greatly reduced the radiation of the water but still not a good idea to shower everyday. They even had semi working plumbing. A project in work but looking promising.
Kirk was eating when Ella came downstairs and Kirk finally took notice of her physically. She had long blonde hair and a gorgeous face. An hour glass figure with a busty chest and very well endowed backside. What Kirk really noticed first though were her vibrant emerald eyes. How did he not notice them before? As she sat down at the table he found himself thinking she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.
"Um, did I miss a spot?" she asked, with a puzzled look.
Kirk realizing he has been staring like an idiot looked away. "Oh no, I was just lost in thought. I actually want to introduce you to someone today if you are up to it."
"Oh, uh, yeah should be fine. Who is it? Also thank you for the food, I can't pay for it though." she said, wringing her hands together.
"Nonsense, you are a guest, help yourself to anything here. It's a woman name Silver, she is...a survivor like us. I think she can also help you get back on your feet."
"Thank you, and sounds good." She said, helping herself to some food. They finished breakfast and he took her to Gob's to meet Silver. However on the way Kirk's PIPBOY went off.
"Captain, do you hear me?"
Kirk stopped and looked at Ella who was looking at him with a confused expression. He gave her a nervous nod and pulled up his PIPBOY, turning away from Ella.
"Yeah Elliot, what's up?"
"I got a sample ready for transport down to you. The aliens helped us set up a transportation pod, that we can use to deliver things down to you. We just need you to pinpoint on the transponder where to send it down."
Kirk cringed when Elliot said alien knowing Ella was listening. "Okay, just give me a bit. To be clear you can use this pod to send multiple things down whenever right?"
"That's right Captain."
He cringed again at being called Captain. "Okay, I will let you know. It might be a while."
He turned to Ella who still looked confused. "That, uh, it's complicated."
Ella simply nodded, "Okay, I won't ask questions." She smiled at him and Kirk's heart melted for a moment. He moved on with her to Gobs.
They entered Gob's and immediately saw Silver. Kirk waved her over.
"Silver, this is Ella. She is -"
"I know hun, and it's good to see you are fine by the way. Hi, Ella you want to go somewhere more private?" Ella nodded and left Kirk who went to the bar.
"Wow, she's a real looker. Nothing on my Nova but..." Gob said, watching them go upstairs.
Kirk looked at Gob with an eyebrow raised. "Your Nova?"
"Oh...uh uh... did I say...slip of the tongue...didn't mean nothing." Gob stammer mortified and looking around in case she heard.
Kirk chuckled. He knew Gob had a thing for her but never acted on it. "Anyways you sure it's good idea for you to be walking around with a beauty like that? What would Lucy think?"
"Lucy and me are nothing Gob, and I'm helping her get back on her feet. She was...taken like Silver and I was."
"Oh, that's the girl? Poor thing. Had a guy in here last night bitching about burying her husband."
Kirk's expression turned to anger. "Was it Nick?"
"Yeah. but pay him no mind Kirk he whines about everything. Heard you broke his nose, lots of people been wanting to do that. Good for you."
Kirk remembered hitting him. Thinking back on it, it surprised him that he would be so aggressive. He tried to think if he has always been like that. Maybe his time out here is changing him more than he expected.
"Nice scar by the way, chicks dig that shit."
Kirk scoffed and shook his head.
"I'm sorry to hear about your husband." Silver said, lighting a cigarette and offering her one. Ella held her hand up and shook her head.
"Thank you, um, how do you know Kirk? Did he rescue you too?" Ella asked, feeling anxious.
Silver laughed, "Yeah I guess you can say he rescued me. We were captured together and he broke us out. We have been friends ever since."
Ella looked down, "He, uh showed me what they did to him. I wanted to die but he showed me their were others like me."
Silver nodded, "Yeah, he has been through a lot since he left his vault. He didn't deserve what they did to him, just like we didn't deserve it honey."
"He's from a vault?"
"Yeah, 101. Left it a few months ago now. He is looking for his father who left it too. But he has to go to D.C. to find him. Enough about him, let's talk about you. We can find you a job here if you'd like, kinda get you back into a routine."
"Oh thank you, but I don't think I would like to work at a bar. I can cook though if you need one. I can stay in the kitchen and just cook."
"Shame you would bring a lot of customers. We don't cook food here, but Jenny down at the Brass Lantern might have use for another cook, we could go ask her."
Ella wondered why she said shame but dismissed it. "Um, can I ask a personal question?" Silver nodded, taking a drag from her cigarette.
"Do you have...nightmares of what you been through?"
"Yea...but they get easier to handle over time. I sleep better with Nova if they are really bad."
Ella nodded, "I slept better with Kirk's dog in the room."
"You stayed with Kirk last night?"
"Yes, I had a hard time...sleeping at the guest house."
"Oh that makes sense, some real creeps in there sometimes. Well no harm in it, Kirk is a softie, I'm pretty sure he won't make a move on you. Actually I know he wouldn't, he just isn't like that."
"A softie? He has such a hard expression on his face and his eyes are intimidating. I also saw...what he did to the raiders...and a jerk from last night."
"He definitely has an edge now but when he first came out here, he was such a bright looking guy. The wasteland quickly changed that, but trust me. He is still a good guy. Besides you wouldn't have stayed with him if you didn't feel safe. He makes you feel safe right? He has that effect on me too."
"True. I'm ready to see this Jenny if you are." Silver put out her cigarette and got up.
Kirk saw the ladies come downstairs. "Kirk, I'm gonna take her to Jenny's for a job possibly, we will catch you later. Don't be a stranger either." Kirk nodded and got up deciding to go to Moira's to see if his gear was ready.
"Hey Moira, was wondering if the rest of stuff was ready?"
Moira popped up from behind the counter with all of his stuff. "It sure is! I really outdone myself!" She laid out his vault which looked slightly different.
"So I fixed up all the holes and damages that were on it from your trip. Added a mesh layer to help with stabbey pokey things and added a bandolier for more ammo! I noticed your new shotgun so I figured you could use more ammo storage. For your rifle I got an extended magazine on it, so should hold eight rounds now, cleaned and lubricated it too!"
"Thanks Moira, I would like to purchase some ammo actually too. A box of shells and more 10mm."
After the transaction Kirk went to find the sheriff. He wanted to go scout out D.C. and figured he could ask the Simms for a buddy to go with him. He found him patrolling the town.
"Sheriff, was hoping to get your permission to scout the outskirts of D.C.? Also to see if you can spare a man to go with me?"
Simms smiled, "Sure thing. Hang on. Nick! Come here!"
Kirk's expression turned sour as Simms chuckled at it. "Yes Sheriff?"
"Got a job for ya. You are to scout the outskirts of D.C. with Kirk here and report back your findings. Think of this as a chance to fall back in my good graces for your poor behavior that's been reported to me lately." Simms ordered and walked away laughing.
The men looked at each other with sour expressions. "1000 at the gate." Kirk said and walked away. "Hey you don't give me orders!" Nick yelled. Kirk gave him the finger walking away. This was gonna be annoying he thought to himself.
Kirk got home and put his suit on. He missed the feeling of it and it made him feel more secure. It felt a bit heavier too, which he figured was from the new mesh. He packed his gear, loaded magazines, and filled up on food and water. He stored some food in the sanitizer as well. "Wadsworth, if I am not back tonight, you are to let Ella in and she has free reign of the house. Understood?"
"Very well sir, shall you be taking your furry companion with you as well?" the butler asked hovering next to Dogmeat. "No, I think you should stay here for Ella, you are good for her right now." he told Dogmeat, who happily barked in return. Kirk left and went down to the Brass Lantern. "Ella here?" he asked Jenny.
"Yeah, she is cooking in the back, she has a real knack with food. Hey Ella! Kirk is here to see you!" she yelled.
Ella came out wiping her hands on a rag. "Hi Kirk! Would you like some food, it will be ready in a minute."
"No thank you, I am here to let you know I am going scouting for a bit. I should be back tonight but if I'm not, I wanted to let you know you are free to stay at my place as long as you want. I got to go, I'll see you soon. Bye Jenny." Kirk left leaving a stunned Jenny and Ella standing there. Ella went back and continued cooking, with a slight blush on her face.
Kirk and Nick met up at the gate. Nick had simple attire with some leather armor and a 9mm submachine gun. He had dark long greasy hair and a patchy beard. They said nothing to each other and headed out, but soon Kirk remember he had to signal Elliot to send down the sample. He really did not want to do that with Nick around. He also didn't want to do it so close to Megaton either, so he needed to find a close but private location for it. Elliot would have to wait until he found such a spot.
The two said nothing to each other as they got close to Super-Duper Mart. In the distance Kirk saw the bridge leading into the ruins. As they got to the bridge Kirk stopped and looked ahead. He could see some road following the river, and some stairs leading higher up but he couldn't see past that.
"Is there a safe point to enter the city at all?" Kirk asked.
"A little ahead their is a metro tunnel, most people use it to get to Rivet City. Only veterans, merc groups, and heavily guarded caravans use them. The tunnels are dangerous as hell." Nick answered, with a slight annoyed tone.
"How far have you gone in?"
"None. I like living. Why are we scouting this anyway? All we ever do make sure this bridge is clear of threats and head back."
"That's enough scouting of these ruins for you guys? No wonder raiders set up shop here so close to home."
"Fuck you. Coming this close to D.C. is considered suicide by most, so yeah we tend to keep it short and sweet. Besides we would've wiped out the raider gang eventually when we did another pass out here. They didn't do anything to the city or the residents so who gives a shit?"
Kirk kept his anger under control but this guy was a real prick. He glared at him and shook his head. "Yeah not counting the farmers. What are you some kind of messiah? A hero to the people? Give me a break man, this is the wasteland. Bad shit happens, you can't save everyone." Nick said, adjusting the bandage on his nose.
"Doesn't mean you can't try though." Kirk said, he looked over to his right and saw a hill leading into some ruins.
"Where does that lead?"
"No idea."
Kirk sighed, this guy was completely useless. "Do you know anything? You have scouted before right? Do you always just do the bare minimum and move on with your life."
"Don't judge me asshole, you don't know me. We never had a need to go over there so no we don't know what up there. Is that a kid?"
Kirk turned back and saw a child running toward them. He ran toward the kid with Nick following with his rifle out. When they got to the kid he was breathing heavily and covered in sweat.
"T-T...Those things! They are gonna get me!" he cried.