Chapter 12: An Offer I Can't Refuse

Jericho and his raiders escorted the trio into the first floor of an abandoned building, where Moriarty was waiting with Sister. The raiders had stripped Marcus and his companions of their weapons, but the fact that they had the rest of their gear and were not bound gave him hope that this was just a social call. Besides, Marcus figured if Moriarty wanted him dead, he would've done it by now. Jericho pushed Marcus into the small room where only a wooden table seperated him from Moriarty. Clover, Charon and two raiders were a couple of steps behind him. The rest of Jericho's crew was waiting outside.

"Well, well," Moriarty began, "you've made quite a name for yourself. What does that fool on the radio call you? The Lone...Wanderer? Ha!" He glanced at Clover. "You don't seem very 'lonely' to me."

Marcus got right down to buisness. "What do you want, Moriarty?"

"Well after what you did...you're head on a pike!"

Marcus braced himself and he could hear Charon stir behind him.

"But I've learned that the only thing more inspiring to the un-washed masses then a hero, is a DEAD hero. So I not be makin' a martyer out of ya today."

Now Marcus was confused. "Then why did you put a 3000 cap bounty on my head?"

Moriarty laughed. "You really think I'd pay that much for you? The contract I put on you was 1000 caps ALIVE! You stirred up a hornets nest between your 'holier then thou' shit and taking down Eulogy. Someone else put that bounty on you."

"I would gladly cut your throat for free." Sister chimed in.

Marcus glared at the ex-slaver for a few moments, but Clover had not stopped staring at him since she'd been brought in; and there was murder in her eyes. Moriarty continued. "So your luckly I found you first and not Talon Company. I have a lot of influence with them, but their first loyalty is always to the highest bidder."

Marcus tilted his head in Jericho's direction. "And what about these raiders?"

"Their loyalty is to the man who keeps the jet and pyscho flowing. Enough small talk." Moriarty placed both fist on the table and leaned in until he was inches from Marcus. "You took something of mine without payment. Normally I'd hang ya from the walls of Megaton, but I need someone of your talents. Which is why I'm gonna give you one chance to repay me for your slight."

Marcus' face hardened. "I am not killing anyone for you."

A sinister smile crossed Moriarty's face. "I figured as much. After all you're 'The Wasteland Saint'! No, I need you to rescue someone for me." The mob chieftain reached into his pocket and removed a picture of a young red headed woman. "This woman goes by the name...Cherry." Moriarty's voice strained on the last part. "She is being held by this pig named Dukov. He runs a brothel slashed casino along the banks of the Potomac. You bring her to me, unharmed, and I'll consider your debt paid."

Marcus stared at the picture. The woman was quite beautiful, and looked to be about his age. "Who is she to you?"

"That's none of your concern. All that matters to you is that this is the only chance I'm given ya to repay your debt."

Marcus stared back at the photo and focused on the woman's eyes; eyes he had seen before. "She's your daughter, isn't she?"

Moriarty tensed up, but he didn't respond. Marcus looked at the picture again and nodded. "Yeah...she has your eyes."

For a moment Marcus could sware that Moriarty chocked up. The chieftain stood up straight and crossed his arms. "Her real name is Jessica. She ran away a year ago and fell into the company of that fat pig! I'd have Talon Company do it but they're only good at breaking shit. And these raiders...even if they managed to get her out of there they'd rape and murder her before ever reaching Megaton. That's why you WILL do this for me."

Marcus took a quick glance around the room. Charon was behind him to his right, and Clover was on his left. The two raiders were behind them with 10mm submachine guns, and Jericho was standing to Marcus' left. Both Moriarty and Sister were standing on the other side of the table. "If I refuse?" Marcus asked.

Moriarty's eyes narrowed. "Then none of you will leave this room alive."

Marcus took a deep breath. "Charon. Now!"

The ghoul sprang into action and before anyone knew it, both of the raiders were on the ground. Marcus elbowed Jericho in the face then overturned the table, which sent Sister and Moriarty against the wall. Clover grabed the stunned Jericho from behind and placed the knife she'd hidden to his throat. Sister went for his 10mm pistol, but Marcus punched him in the jaw, then twisted the pistol from Sister's hand, breaking his wrist. Marcus stepped back and shoved the pistol in Moriarty's face, and the gangster stared down the barrel defiantly. No one moved or said a word for a few tense moments. Finally, to Clover and Charon's surprise, Marcus lowered the pistol. "I'll get your daughter back...but only because you asked so nicely." He turned to Clover and Charon. "Let them go."

The ghoul immediatly put down the submachine guns he'd aquired from the two raiders, who were still groaning on the floor. Clover sighed and removed the knife from Jericho's throat.

"Fucking bitch!" He screamed as he raised his AK.

"That's enough!" Moriarty yelled. "I tell you who to kill and when!"

Jericho lowered the rifle and stormed outside. Moriarty turned his attention back to Marcus. "You have four days. If you try to fuck me and run, or if one lock of hair is harmed on me daughter's head, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth."

Marcus picked Cherry's picture up off the floor. "I bring her back, and you leave me and my friends the hell alone."

Moriarty nodded. "Jericho will give you back your weapons."

Marcus placed the pistol on the floor and turned to leave. Sister, who was leaning against the wall nursing his broken wrist, lunged for the weapon. "Die motherfu..."

His words were cutoff by Clover's knife being plunged into his throat. The former slave girl stared into the ex-slaver's eyes as he gasped for breath, until finally the life was drained from them. Clover was as cold as ice as she withdrew the knife and wiped the blade on Sister's sleeve. Everyone watched in silence as she walked out of the room.

By nightfall the trio had stopped and taken shelter inside an abandoned resturant. Judging from the cordinates on Marcus' PIPBOY, they were about three hours from Dukov's place. They had decided on a goodnights sleep before making any rescue attempt. Since part of the resturant's roof was blown out they built a small campfire behind the counter. Barely a word had been spoken since their encounter with Moriarty, and the same akward silence filled their camp. Finally Marcus couldn't take it anymore. "Clover. What happened with Sister back there?"

Clover shrugged. "He was going to kill you so I killed him first." She flashed a coy smile. "So I guess you're back to owing me two, lover."

Marcus continued to press. "Yes but, you seemed to...enjoy it."

Clover stared into the fire. "Sister was at Paradise Falls with Eulogy...and Eulogy would let his friends have their fun with me from time to time."

Marcus reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder. The more he learned about Clover's past, the more his heart would break. "I'm so sorry."

Clover placed her hand on his and forced a smile. "It's okay, he was the last of the Paradise Falls crew. Now it's over."

Marcus carefully placed a finger on her deactivated slave collar. "Is it?"

Clover didn't say anything. She simply pulled his hand down and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight." She laid down on her bedroll and closed her eyes.

Marcus sighed. He looked over at Charon, who was busy cleaning the Terrible shotgun. "Those were some pretty good moves back there. Where did you learn all that?"

Charon continued to clean his gun. "A very long time ago."

"Could you teach me?"

Charon stopped his cleaning and looked up. "Now?"

Marcus shook his head. "No, I'm exhausted. As soon as we finish this job."

Charon began to put his shotgun back together. "Why did you agree to do this? Why not kill Moriarty when you had the chance?"

"Believe me I wanted to, but you heard'em: I took down Eulogy and now there's a 3000 cap bounty on my head. I can only imagine what it would be if I took down another mob boss. I figure it's better to get at least one of them off my back."

"And you think you can trust this man?"

"No, but his daughter seems very important to him and that maybe all the edge I need."

Charon finished assemblying his gun and stood up. "I will take first watch." He turned and began to walk away but stopped after only a few feet. "Is it true?" He asked without turning. "Did you kill Eulogy?"

Marcus stared at the ghouls back for a few moments before answering. "Yes."

Charon looked over his right shoulder. "Good." He walked towards the resturant's front entrance and stood his post. As Marcus snuggled up next to Clover, he wondered how in the hell he kept getting into situations like this.

By noon the next day they had made it to Dukov's Place. The large building on the banks of the Potomac reminded Marcus of the Statesman Hotel. It was surrounded by a barricade with signs saying "Anyone who draws a weapon will be shot." Marcus, Clover and Charon stood at the entrance, and it sounded like quite the party was going on inside. One of the two mercenaries standing guard approached them. "If you want to get in you'll have to hand over your long rifles. Side arms are okay but DON'T draw them for any reason, got it?"

Neither of them like the sound of that, but if it was the only way to get in...

"Alright." Marcus said. He handed them his tri-beam and grenade launcher. Clover turned in her assault and sniper rifles, and Charon turned in the Terrible shotgun. This left Marcus with the only two fire arms; his .44 and sawed-off shotgun.

The guards let them pass and they walked through the double doors to Dukov's Place. The first floor lobby had been converted into a casino complete with poker, krap tables, roulette, and slot machines. Dozens of people were inside playing games, drinking at the bar, or mingling with various prostitutes. Off in the corner a band was playing rock music and a few couples were dancing on a small dance floor. The scene reminded Marcus of the Mos Eisley canteena in the orginal Star Wars film, and a smile appeared on his face.

"What is it, suga?" Clover asked.

Marcus snapped back to the here and now. "Nothing...just...what a party, hu?"

Before Clover could respond, they were greeted by a balding, over weight man wearing silk pajamas. "Welcome to Dukov's Place!" he said with a rather loud french accent. "I am Dukov. Anything you want I have: gambling, women, booze, women."

Marcus gave him a sideways glance. "You said women twice."

"I know, that's my favorite thing, ha ha!" Dukov pointed to the ceiling, and neither of them were prepared for what they saw. Suspended from the ceiling was a 12 foot long shandaleer in the shape of a man lying between a woman's legs.

"Now that's what I call lighting." Clover said.

"Ha ha, now that's the spirit." Dukov said. "I like you girl, you seem to know how to have a good time."

Marcus had known this man for only a minute and already he'd made his skin crawl. Still, if he wanted to find Cherry had had to play to the man's good side. "Say ah, could I have some of that hooch?" Marcus pointed at the bottle Dukov was holding.

"Of course! I don't trust a man who doesn't have a drink in his hand. Of course...I don't trust one with one either."

Marcus took a swig from the bottle (and silently prayed he didn't get a disease). "So Dukov, what are you doing all the way out here?"

"Eating, drinking, farting and screwing, ha ha!"

Marcus forced a smile. Moriarty was right: this guy was a pig. "Well, we're here for much the same reason."

"Ha ha, that's what I like to hear. You go enjoy yourself, clown shoes."

As Dukov walked away, Marcus stared down at his feet and back at Clover. "Clown shoes?"

Clover smiled. "It's okay suga, I like a guy with big feet." She playfully slapped his rear end. "So how should we play this?"

"Let's split up and mingle." Marcus said. "When we find her we'll regroup and go from there."

Clover smiled. "Alright lover, I'll make my way over to the kraps table." She kissed him on the cheek and took off.

"What should I do?" Charon asked.

"Well, mingle at the bar. And Charon," he stepped infront of the ghoul, "try to pretend to have fun, okay." Marcus turned and headed for the poker table. He had read about poker in the Vault, but since gambling was illegal he had never actually played. 'How hard could it be, he thought?'

Charon made his way over to the bar and ordered a drink. As he stood there he realized that all those years working in Ahzrukhal's place, he had never had a drink. He was about to take another sip of whiskey when someone bumped into his right side. Charon turned and saw a very drunk human barely standing next to him. "Why don't...you watch...where ya goin' zombie!"

Charon placed his drink down, grabbed the drunkered by the back of his shirt and slammed his head onto the bar. The man fell backwards onto the floor and blacked out. No one seemed to notice and Charon picked up his drink and chuckled. 'This was fun' he thought.

Marcus had lost 200 caps before he realized that poker was harder then it looked. He couldn't believe that so many people thought this was fun. He looked over at the kraps table and spotted Clover standing next to a high roller. She blew on the man's dice for luck and he tossed them down the table. It must've been a good throw because everyone at the table cheered, and Clover kissed him.

"You are good luck, baby!" the highroller said.

"You know it!" Clover said as she secretly slipped a pouch full of caps out of his jacket. She winked at Marcus, and he let out a small laugh. A couple of hands later he looked over at Clover who was signaling him. He followed her gaze to the staircase on the opposite side of the casino, and spotted a petite redhead dressed in lingerie walking down them. Marcus nodded at Clover and stood up. "Thank you gentlemen, but I'm going to leave while I still have my shirt."

The dealer thanked him and Marcus made his way over to Cherry. "Hi Cherry my name is..."

Cherry cut him off. "I'm off limits pal! Go bother one of the other whores." She walked past him.

"Jessica!" Marcus called out.

That made Cherry stop in her tracks and turn. "How do you know my name?"

Marcus took a quick look around and lowered his voice. "Your father sent me. He wants you to come home."

Jessica rolled her eyes and sighed. "Good old dad." She looked him up and down. "You're that Wanderer kid everyone's talking about. Let me guess: you owe my father a favor so he sent you."

Marcus couldn't help but feel embarrassed about the situation. "You're a pretty smart girl. Yes, I do owe your father, but if you don't want to go back I won't make you."

"Are you kidding, I'm DYING to get away from that pig!"

Marcus took another look around. "Any chance we can slip away?"

Jessica shook her head. "He's always watching me. You'll have to distract him somehow. And don't draw your weapon around him. He'll kill you on the spot, and no one can shoot faster then him."

Marcus glanced down at his PIPBOY. "Yeah well, he's never met me."

As if on cue, Dukov suddenly appeared and grabbed Jessica's arm. "Hey what are you doing? You'd better not be trying to steal my girl, clown shoes."

Marcus fought the urge to hit the gangster and raised both hands. "Absolutly not - just making conversation."

"Well go make it some place else!"

Marcus backed away and returned to the casino floor. After rounding up Clover and Charon they made their way underneath one of the staircases away from the other patrons. "Well she's ready to leave but Dukov watches her like a hawk."

"Shooting our way out is not an option." Charon said. "There are two guards on the casino floor and one on the balconey in front of his suite."

Marcus agreed. Without their main weapons they wouldn't last long against those odds. "We'd have to distract Dukov just long enough to slip Cherry out of here."

"Well," Clover began, "there seems to be only one thing that will distract him."

It didn't take Marcus long to figure out what that one thing was. "No!"

"Come on, you saw how he looked at me. It would be a piece of cake."

Marcus shook his head. "No! We'll find another way."

Clover couldn't help but smile at Marcus' concern for her. "No reason to be jealous, suga. I'm not doing it because I like that pig." She placed her hand on his cheek. "This is the only way and you know it."

Marcus looked over at Charon who nodded in agreement. He stared into Clover's eyes and he could see the sincerity in them. The idea of Dukov's hands on her made him sick, and what made it worst was that he was asking her to do it. Marcus felt like he was using Clover, just as Eulogy Jones had for all those years. Still, it didn't change the reality of their situation: there was no other option. "Alright. You be careful."

Clover smiled with confidence. "He'll be like puddy in my hands, suga."

As he watched her walk away Marcus felt sick to his stomach.

"She'll be alright, Marcus." Charon said with his gravely voice. "We all do what we have to out here to survive."

The ghoul's words were true, but they didn't make him feel better. He watched Clover approach Dukov and she immediatly began flirting with him. It didn't take long for the sex-crazed Dukov to escort her upstairs, leaving Jessica on the casino floor.

"Now's our chance." Marcus said. He and Charon made their way over to the red head. "If you want to leave we have to go now." Marcus whispered. "Do you have anything less...comfortable to wear?"

"I may have something." She took a quick look around. "Meet me under the staircase in five minutes."

Clover was giving it her all in the kissing department dispite Dukov's rancid breath. He lifted her up by the underarms and tossed her onto the queen sized bed.

"Oh baby! You are a stronge one, aren't ya?"

Dukov began to unbotton his shirt. "You haven't known love till you've been loved by Dukov, ha ha." He removed his shirt, and Clover did her best to keep the smile on her face.

Marcus stood with Charon at the bottom of the staircase, doing his best to act natural. He kept shifting his attention between the casino guards and the doors to Dukov's suite - trying not to think about what was happening on the other side of them.

"I'm ready."

Marcus and Charon turned around and Jessia was standing before them wearing a long trench coat and a hat from the 1940's. It was a simple disguse, but it would do.

"Alright, we're going to walk out the front doors nice and slow."

Jessica nodded. "Lead the way."

Marcus took a deep breath and started walking. None of the guards or employees noticed them as they crossed the casino floor and approached the doors. Marcus pushed them open but then froze. He turned and stared at the doors leading to Dukov's suite.

"What is it?" Jessica asked. "What's the matter?"

Marcus grabbed Charon's arm and whispered next to his ear. "Take her out of here and wait for us near the metro tunnel."

Charon could see the look in Marcus' eyes and it worried him. "What are you going to do?"

"Just keep her safe no matter what, you understand?"

"But Marcus..."

"Do as I say!"

Charon knew there was no way he was going to convince him, so he nodded in defeat. "Yes, Marcus." The ghoul escorted Jessica out of the building and closed the doors behind him. Marcus headed back to the staircase which led up to Dukov's suite.

Dukov had removed Clover's top and was lying on top of her. She was caressing his bald head, her eyes closed the entire time as she tried not to think about what was happening. 'You can do this Clover' she told herself. 'Just like you did with Eulogy'. Suddenly Clover found it difficult to breath, and her heart began pounding in her chest. A great panic filled her soul, and try as she might she could not calm down. Her mind was screaming for her to get out of there - to get this pig off of her. "No." she cried.

Dukov didn't stop. Clover cried louder and louder. "No, no, NO!" She kneed Dukov in the groin, causing him to roll off of her. "You bitch!" He screamed.

Clover pulled out her knife from her pants, but Dukov grabbed her hand and punched her in the face. "You think you're going to kill me! You worthless whore!" He backed handed Clover across the face, and a metallic taste filled her mouth.

Even with everything going on in the casino, Marcus was able to hear the fight going on in the suite. He rushed up the steps and headed straight for the doors where the guard was waiting.

"Hey hold it..."

Marcus punched the guard in the face, and while he was stunned threw him over the balconey. The guard landed on top of the roulette table, shattering it and startling everyone in the casino. Marcus kicked the suite doors open - and what he saw make his blood boil. A shirtless Dukov jumped off the bed and stood at the foot of it. Clover was cowering against the headboard trying to get her top on. Her mouth and nose were bleeding, and her right eye was swollen.

Dukov was enraged. "What the hell do you want, clown shoes?"

Marcus clinched his fist. "You're fuck'in life!" He noticed that Dukov still had a 10mm pistol strapped to his waist. "Now draw your gun you sonofabitch!"

Dukov raised his chin. "Oh, you think you can out shoot Dukov, hu..."

Dukov was fast, but he was not faster than VATS. He only had his pistol raised halfway when a bullet from Marcus' .44 struck him between the eyes. Marcus ran over to Clover and helped her off the bed. "Are you alright?"

Clover was shaking, but she managed to stand on her own two feet. "Yeah." She rushed over to the foot of the bed and began kicking Dukov's corpes. "YOU! FAT! DISGUISTING! PIG!"

"Marcus wrapped his arms around her from behind and tried to calm her down. "Clover, Clover! It's over, it's over!" Guilt shook Marcus to his bones. 'My God what have I done?' He thought. "We have to go NOW!"

They had taken one step outside the suite when automatic rifle fire forced them back inside. The two mercs armed with 10mm submachine guns charged up the staircase to the left of the suite. Choas erupted inside the casino. Marcus handed his sawed-off shotgun to Clover. "You ready?"

Clover gritted her teeth. "Let's do it."

They both stepped out onto the balconey and openned fire, dropping both mercs. They were about to run for the staircase when more machinegun fire erupted from the casino below, forcing them back inside. Marcus cursed as he realized he'd forgotten about the two guards who greeted them outside. Not wanting to end up like their comrades, the two men opted to take cover in the casino and unleash a barrage with their AK-47's. Marcus and Clover returned fire, but they could not get a clear shot.

"You have a plan to get us out of here?" Clover yelled.

"I'm working on it!"

Suddenly the main doors to the casino burst open, and Charon stepped inside holding the Terrible shotgun that the mercs tragically returned to him minutes before. Two quick burst of fire put an end to the remaining guards. "You're clear!" He yelled up to his friends.

Marcus was relieved and shocked to hear Charon's voice. He and Clover made their way through the bedlum of the casino as patrons and prostitutes grabbed what they could and run. Marcus ran up to Charon. "Where is Jessica?"

"She's safe. I had her hide in an abandoned building next door. I'm sorry I disobeyed you, Marcus."

Marcus slapped him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you did. Now let's get what we can off these guards and get out of here."

After retrieving their weapons and relieving the dead guards of theirs, the trio met up with Jessica and headed out towards Megaton. Everyone felt safer once they put the Potomac between them and Dukov's Place. It was on the banks of the river that Marcus encountered his first mirlurk; a giant crab-like creature that walked on two legs. With their combined fire power the three travelers managed to take it down, but Marcus couldn't believe how heavily armored it was. Only when he used his VATS to target it's face (the only part of the body not covered by a shell), did they finally kill it. When they were a mile from the city the group decided to make camp and rest for a while. Marcus took the time to treat Clover's injures.

"Ow!" she yelled as Marcus placed hydrogen peroxide on her lip.

"I'm sorry but I don't want you to get an infection." As he cleaned her bruises the guilt he felt was almost unbearable. Clover must've seen it in his eyes because she gently placed her hand on his cheek. "Hey. It was my choice, okay lover."

Marcus shook his head as he fought back his tears. "I shouldn't have let you. I should've...I mean, I..."

Clover leaned in and gave him a long kiss dispite the pain on her lips. When she pulled away she flashed that childish smile that he loved. "Just remember: you still owe me one."

Marcus laughed. "I'll remember that."

When he had finished treating Clover, Marcus made his way over to Jessica, who was sitting on a rock staring in the direction of Megaton.

"Yeah, yeah you're my hero." she said as he approached. "Don't let it go to your head."

"You don't seem too excited to be going home."

"Well you know what a bastard my father is. That's why I ran away in the first place. Going to Dukov's seemed so glamorious at the time, and I knew hooking up with one of his rivals would drive my father nuts."

The last part of her explaination sent alarm bells off in Marcus' head. "What do you mean by 'rival'?"

Jessica looked up at him. "Didn't he tell you? That wasn't the only casino Dukov owned. He controls all the gambling in the capital; well he did until you blew his brains out."

Marcus' throat went dry. "So...he was a gangster like your father?"

Jessica nodded. "You got it."

Marcus felt sick to his stomach and slumped down on the rock next to her. "Great. I get one gangster off my back, but kill another one in the process."

A bitter laugh escaped Jessica. "And that's my dad. He uses everyone. Sorry to disappoint you."

Marcus looked into the young woman's eyes. "I'm not happy about the way it all happened, but I'm not sorry I got you out of that place."

For the first time since he'd met her, the head strong woman seemed stunned. "Why?"

Marcus stared down at the ground. "Because no one should have to pay for the sins of their father."

Jessica regarded him for a few moments not sure how to respond. Finally she just shook her head. "Boy, I'm surprised you've lasted this long."

Marcus didn't say anything as he wondered the same thing.

When Marcus returned to Megaton he couldn't believe the reception he got. People ran up to him and shook his hand, patted him on the back - one woman thanked him for everything he had done and handed him two stimpaks. As humble as he tried to be, Marcus couldn't help but smile. 'Maybe this hero thing isn't so bad' he thought. The group made their way into Moriarty's Saloon andn they were recieved much the same way.

"Hey, it's the kid!" Gob said from behind the bar. "Thanks to you Galaxy News Radio's been coming in loud and clear."

Nova leaned against the bar and took a drag on a cigarette. "Everyday we hear about your exploits, hon. Pretty exciting stuff."

Marcus looked at his two companions. "Well, I didn't do it alone." He picked up a shot of whiskey Gob had poured and held it high. "A toast: to Charon and Clover. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here."

Everyone in the bar raised their drinks and let out a cheer. As Marcus downed the shot, Moriarty stepped out of his back room and stood behind the bar. Gob and Nova stepped to the side, and Moriarty stood silent as he stared at his daughter. Jessica was the first to break the silence. "Hello Dad." she said with a condasending tone.

Moriarty took a breath. "Hello Jessica."

Marcus stepped infront of Jessica, blocking Moriarty's view. "My debt with you is now forgiven, yes?"

Moriarty's jaw tightened. "We'll discuss that later."

Marcus stood his ground and talked loud enough so that everyone in the bar could hear him. "We'll discuss it here. I brought you your daughter, you forgive my debt, that was the deal."

Silence filled the saloon as everyone waited to see what Moriarty would do. The gangster clenched his fist as he glared at Marcus. He knew what the kid was doing by putting him on the spot like this. Marcus knew that even a man like Moriarty had to play by the rules, and rule one was never go back on a deal. If Moriarty double crossed Marcus, Megaton's local hero, the people in town would not tolerate it. After relaxing his stance, Moriarty forced a smile and spread out his arms. "Of course it was. I am a man of me word."

Marcus grinned with satisfaction. "Good." He turned to Jessica. "You take care of yourself."

Jessica started to make her way around the bar, but then turned and ran into Marcus' unsuspecting arms. After a long hug she looked up at him. "Seriously, thanks for getting me out of there." With that, Jessica walked around the bar, past her father and into the back room. Marcus turned to leave, and he could feel Moriarty's stare burning into the back of his head.

Once they were outside the saloon, the trio was approached by Billy Creel. "Hey there Marcus, good to see you back in town."

Marcus shook Billy's hand. "Good to see you too."

Billy noticed the large amount of gear they were carrying. "Man you guys look like a couple of pack brahmain. Why don't you go see Moria and trade some of that stuff."

"Who's Moria?" Marcus asked.

The sound of an explosion caused everyone to jump and grab their weapons. At the bottom of the catwalk the door to a building marked "Crater Ton Supply" burst open. White smoke poured out of the building, followed by a man and woman couching and hacking.

"That's it *cough* I quite!" the man yelled.

"Oh you always *cough* say that *cough* when I blow something up." the woman replied.

Billy turned to Marcus. "That's Moria Brown. She's a...tinkerer of sorts."

Marcus and his companions lowered their weapons. At first he didn't know what to make of the strange scene, but he decided to check it out. They waited until most of the smoke had gone before entering the store. There was a counter to the immediate right of the doorway, and behind were all sorts of items: weapons, clothing, food and a mix-mash of parts and junk. The man, who was clearly a mercenary, leaned against the wall and watched them closely. Moria stood behind the counter. "Oh hello there!" She said in a very cheery tone. "New customers! Sorry about the mess before...sometimes that happens when I'm mixing chemicals."

Moria looked to be in her mid-twenties and she was wearing a Robco jumpsuit and had her red hair in a pony tail. Marcus carefully approached the counter. "You're Moria Brown?"

"Why yes that's me, Moria Brown! Trader, inventor, scientist, buisness owner - jack of all trades, master of none."

"Well Moria my name is Marcus andn these are my friends Clover and..."

"Oh my gosh!" Her sudden outburst cut Marcus off. "You're the Lone Wanderer everyone's been talking about! I can't believe you actually lived in a Vault! You know a few years ago a girl walked in here and she was from a Vault too."

The last sentence caught Marcus' attention. "From Vault 101?"

"Ummmm yeah, that's the one. I remember she had those numbers on her back. She asked me to make an armored vault jumpsuit but she never came back for it. Here..." She reached under the counter and pulled out the suit. It was a Vault 101 jumpsuit, but it had been modified with patches of armor.

"You said she never came back. What happened to her?"

"Oh I don't know. Probably ran off and got killed, the poor thing."

Marcus was surprised at how Moria described a woman dying with the same empathy as someone stubbing their toe. He continued to stare at the armored Vault suit as he tried to process what he had just heard. Marcus knew about the Overseer's scouting parties but it seems he wasn't the first person to actually escape from 101. "Moria, we have some stuff here to trade. Can we throw this jumpsuit into the pile?"

Moria smiled. "Sure thing."

When their trading was finished the trio walked away with and impressive load. In addition to the armored jumpsuit, they got ammo, food, water and few caps and nuka cola. Marcus led them inside his home, which he hadn't seen in over a week. There wasn't much to it: a small table in the kitchen, a couple chairs, some lockers and an old couch. Upstairs was a small bedroom with a bed and desk. After having a nice meal of canned food and water, Charon agreed to take the couch, and Clover led Marcus upstairs to quote: see how sturdy the bed was.

Marcus was dreaming. His father was standing in front of him, a sheet of glass seperating them. His father's right hand was flat against the glass and he was saying something that Marcus couldn't understand. Suddenly his father's flesh began to bubble and melt away. Marcus began pounding on the glass until his fist bleed, but he couldn't break through. His father continued to disentegrate before his eyes. Marcus screamed...

"Marcus! Marcus, wake up! You're having a nightmare!"

Marcus jumped up in bed, nearly knocking Clover out of it. He was covered in sweat, breathing heavily and shaking uncontrolably. Clover wrapped her arms around him. "It's okay, it's okay. It was only a dream."

They heard foot steps coming up the stairs, and Charon appeared in the doorway with his shotgun. "I heard a scream."

Clover was craddling Marcus in her arm. "He had a nightmare. He'll be alright."

Without saying a word Charon turned and headed back down the stairs. Clover held Marcus and slowly rocked him. "Shhhh, it's alright. It was only a dream."

Marcus was still shaking. "I'm never going to find my father. He's going to die and I'll never see him again."

"Shhhh, don't say that. You will find him. If anyone can it's you. Now try to get some sleep."

Marcus laid his head on her chest. Clover held him and caressed his hair until he finally fell to sleep.