Cass fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, trying to not show how uncomfortable she was in the luxury suit of the Lucky 38 casino as her companion organized their weapons and talked to the eyebot that followed them around. The woman in front of her was humming to a song playing from their pipboy as she considered which supplies to take. Finally, Cass spoke up.

"So, uh, where you heading again?"

"Some place called Zion? It's supposed to be the remnants of a pre-war park, and apparently it's really pretty!" Ollie smiled over her shoulder at her as she placed something else in the storage box. "Just have to limit my stuff, apparently there's a limit to how much I can bring. Should I bring my shotgun?"

"Take it, you let enemies get too close anyway," Cass joked, laughing as Ollie scrunched her nose. "What time are we heading out then?" The mood in the room shifted as Ollie halted, shoulders tensing before drooping. She stood, sighing a little before turning to face the redhead. Cass cocked an eyebrow, asking, "Is everything okay?"

"Cass, I'm sorry, but I'm not able to bring anyone with me."

Cass looked into those familiar blue eyes and felt anger bubbling up. Stepping back, she shook her head. "That's not funny. When are we leaving?"

"Cass.." Ollie reached forward, their voice soft. "I tried, believe me I tried asking, but that was the rule: I can't have too many items, and I can't have anyone come with me-"

"And you're still going? How many times have I saved you! How many times have you been in a dangerous spot and ED-E and I have gotten you to safety! You need someone with you!" She was yelling now, cheeks burning. "No, you can't go."

Now it was Ollie's turn to be angry. "Oh, you get to decide where I get to go? Think I can't handle myself? Just because you've helped me, you suddenly get to dictate my choices? I never asked for your help, and I never expected it. I accepted your help and offered mine because we're friends. But I can make my own choices. If you don't want to stay here, fine. Stay the night, but in the morning you can leave." Her eyes burned with tears, regretting the bite in her voice. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself before speaking again. "When you leave, just leave a note telling me where you went. I'll come find you when I get back."

"Fine. I don't like staying in this place anyway, surrounded by cold robots and drunk people wasting caps. I'm going to bed." Cass turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the guest room door behind her. Tears stung her eyes as she wiped them away, hurt and anger and frustration making her mutter as she ripped off her shoes and threw them at the wall, flinching at the loud THUD. Flopping onto the bed, she sighed shakily as she tried to fight the tears. "Just go to sleep, and in the morning she'll be gone."

But I don't want her gone.

She wasn't used to someone like her: always helping whenever anyone asked, going out of their way to do so most times. She was reckless, hopeful, tender, yet strong. To be so gentle and trusting with those in need, yet demolish their enemies without flinching. Her jokes, her laughter, her eyes. Cass hadn't traveled with anyone like the courier in years, and the protectiveness was a new feeling. What if they got hurt? What if they're cornered, or something bad happens? Or a bad pain flare happens? Or if this whole "Zion" thing is a trap?

The thoughts swirled like a dust tornado, filling her head with anxiety till she took another deep breath, digging a bottle of whiskey out of her pack but stopping as she brought the bottle to her lips. No, this isn't right. I can't keep hiding. Why am I so angry? After all, they were friends. Just friends. Sure, Cass had caught those eyes lingering a little too long, or seen how Ollie scooted closer in the cold evenings, but that's just because she was cold. Even those times that they remembered little facts and went out of their way to find gifts for her, that's just normal friend stuff, right? The way her heart fluttered when she heard that laugh? Or desperately wanting to feel their lips against hers? Or to hold her in her arms, playing with those curls she loved? Normal friend stuff, right? Right?

"Oh," she muttered, realization dawning only to be washed away by embarrassment. "Oh no."

----------

Ollie laid in bed, finally feeling the fatigue hit her bones as the tears dried up. That was the first argument she'd ever had with Cass, and for some reason it hurt more than it should. Sure, they had been traveling for a month together, shared laughs and jokes, terrifying moments, gazes that lingered a little too long, but this? This was a surprise. Stop it, you'll just cry again.

How long had it been since she heard the door slam? The sound of those familiar boots, usually stirring the dust as they walked next to her, slamming against the wall angrily? Their heart ached at how the conversation ended, but ached even more at the knowledge that anything else said would make it worse. They shifted in bed, unable to sleep comfortably alone. They were used to the nights on the open road, sleeping under the watchful eye of her companions, but sleeping in this suite felt cold and empty. ED-E was beeping gently in the hallway, Cass was in her own room, and Ollie felt too alone.

Just as she was accepting the suppressive blanket of darkness, a gentle click! of the doorknob turning filled the silence. In the dark, Ollie dared not move as someone walked into the bedroom. By the footsteps alone, they knew. The comforter slid away partially, the bed behind them dipping as someone sat down. The familiar smell of sunbaked whiskey and gunpowder hit her senses as Cass eased into the bed next to her, pulling the blanket up as she scooted close to Ollie's exposed back from the nightgown she had on. A chill ran down her spine as those hands they had stared at countless times pressed against their skin, her breath ghosting the back of her neck. The two laid still, afraid to disturb the moment: Ollie facing the wall, and Cass pressed against their back.

Finally, Cass built up the courage and snaked an arm around their waist. Almost instinctively, Ollie slotted her fingers between the sniper's and gave a gentle squeeze. They were rough from years of hard work, but had a sturdiness to them. Cass scooted closer, pressing her warm frame against their small one, grazing her lips against the freckles on their back. Voice barely louder than a whisper, she broke the silence.

"Please, don't go."

Ollie squeezed their eyes closed, willing the tears to not fall. The hand locked in hers shook gently before squeezing reassuringly.

"I can't make you stay," Cass whispered. "But please. Please come home to me."

Rubbing their thumb against hers, Ollie sighed.

"I promise."

The droning sound of cicadas echoed around the trees that surrounded camp as the stars above shimmered like embers of a dying fire. The stone was cold as Ollie sat on it, dangling her legs over the edge as they listened to the rush of the river below. Horseshoe Overlook was much prettier than their temporary home in the snow, and she almost wished they could stay.

She was so lost in thought that she almost didn't hear the soft footsteps in the damp grass. A gravelly, sleep-riddle voice spoke gently behind them, pulling them out of their memories.

"Whatcha doin' up? Ain'tcha cold?"

Ollie looked over her shoulder to see the slouching form of Arthur, rubbing his eyes as he leaned all his weight on one hip. They could tell he had just woken up and wasn't fully awake yet. She patted the spot next to her, offering it as a seat to him which he accepted. Once he was seated Ollie offered some of her blanket that was wrapped snugly around their shoulders to the sleepy man. Arthur scooted close, pressing his side against hers as he pulled what little blanket he could around his other shoulder.

"I'm a li'l cold, but this blanket feels good. Plus you're a walkin' furnace, Mr. Morgan." She smiled as he elbowed him. "What are you doin' up? It's almost sunrise."

"Dunno," his deep voice rumbled in his chest as his eyes unfocused while looking at the valley before him. "Woke up, looked around, saw ya sittin' here alone and wanted to make sure you're alright."

Ollie couldn't help the flutter in her chest. Sure, they had a crush on him but she assumed that he wouldn't like her back, so hearing he was worried made her smile. "I'm just thinkin'. Sometimes I miss 'em, ya know? My family? Wonder what they're doin'." She sighed heavily before continuing, "I left without tellin' 'em. Packed my bag, grabbed what money I could, some food, and Sugar Cube and left. Never looked back."

"Why'd'ya leave? If you don't mind my asking," Arthur questioned, leaving the conversation open in case she didn't want to speak further. He was watching her from the corner of his eye and felt his heart sink a little at the sight of a tear slipping out.

"We was bad people, Arthur. My pa? Struck rich with gold in California. Moved to Nevada, set up a homestead. Stupid man flaunted his money and ended up hiring a local gang for 'protection'. Ended up deciding he needed more land, and that gang? Well, started wrestlin' up land and livestock from honest folks. His greed made him hungry for something that could never be satisfied." Ollie sighed again as she stared past the trees, eyes focused on memories of the past. "Couldn't stand it no more, especially when he hit me. Tried to tell him he was a greedy bastard, he called me ungrateful and said I'd never see a cent of his money. Hit me so hard I fell against the wall. And my ma? She ain't stop him. She ain't even cry. Waited till they was asleep, grabbed my things and my horse, and left."

The heaviness of their story settled in Arthur's stomach like a stone, his heart aching. His life hadn't been any easier, but hearing other's stories always hurt. Without thinking, he snaked his arm around their back and settled his large palm on her hip and pulled her closer. Ollie leaned into his side, resting her head on his shoulder as she willed the tears to stop. It had been the first time in years she had talked about her family, and now here she was crying like a fool in front of the man she looked up to the most.

Arthur broke the silence first. "Is that why you was fightin' folks in that bar all those years ago? When Hosea and I found you?"

"Yeah," she sniffled. "Drunken old fool was talking about how he swindled a poor old couple outta a few cows. Couldn't handle it, so I stole his cows and returned 'em. Went back to the bar, heard him talkin' 'bout how his cows were gone. Said it was me, and he was a sorry sack o' shit. That's when he punched me, and I-"

"You broke his nose, I remember. That was the moment we walked into the bar," Arthur interrupted. "Hosea and I heard the shoutin' and decided to see if anything interesting was happenin' and we walked in just to see your fist connect with his face. Ain't he split your lip?"

Ollie giggled at the memory, the moment her life changed forever. "Yeah, that's where this scar came from."

"Which one? I can't see."

"This one, here," she replied as she turned her head towards Arthur, only to freeze as they realized just how close he was leaning. "S-see?"

"Nah, hold on. Lemme see," Arthur smirked as he closed the distance, kissing her softly. His lips were just as burning warm as the rest of him, yet it sent shivers down her spine. His hand on their hip pulled her even closer as he deepened the kiss. Finally breaking it to breathe, Ollie's cheeks were a deep shade of red that was mirrored on Arthur's. "Been wantin' t'do that for a while, now."

"Really?" She asked, blinking a few time as she turned the words over and over in her mind.

"Yeah, you're just so Goddamn beautiful. Knew you was something special the moment I saw ya, and I'm just sorry it took me so long to say somethin'." Arthur avoided her questioning gaze sheepishly. "Sorry if you don't like me, you just looked so damn cute, an' I felt bad, I couldn't think of anything to cheer you up-"

"Arthur Morgan," Ollie interrupted as she grabbed his chin. "You talk entirely too much." Before he could protest, she kissed him deeply, releasing his chin to rest their hand on his scruffy cheek.

Ollie broke the kiss this time, smiling up at the outlaw who looked more like a lovesick schoolboy. The sun was just starting to rise, casting bright pink ribbons across the skies as the birds began their morning medley. Placing one last kiss on his nose, she turned and snuggled into his side, resting her hand on his as they watched the sun awaken. It was the dawn of a new day, both for the world and for the two of them, and neither one couldn't wait to see where it takes them.

Ellie groaned loudly as she felt her body ache and burn. It was ridiculous, how could she of all people get sick! And with a stupid cold? She rolled around in her bunk, covering her face as she groaned again. "This is stupid!"

"What's stupid?" Ollie asked as she opened the door to Ellie's room, carrying in a mug of tea. "How ya feeling, Ells?"

"I feel like shit, honestly," Ellie grumbled, looking up at her captain. "I'm a doctor, so why am I sick?"

"Just because you're a doctor doesn't mean you can't get sick, silly. Scoot." Ollie laughed as she set the mug down, waiting for Ellie to sit up so she could sit at the head of her bed. Patting her lap, Ellie laid her head down on her thighs and sighed as Ollie brushed her slightly damp hair back. "I know it sucks, babe, but you'll feel better soon. In the meantime, I'll help!"

"As long as it's not Max, he'd leave me to die," Ellie laughed before coughing. Catching her breath, she just sighed and looked up into those blue eyes she loved so much. Reaching a hand up, she rested it on her cheek and rubbed her thumb along her cheekbone. Ollie leaned into her touch, smiling down at her as she scrunched her nose. "Thank you for taking care of me, I know I'm a terrible patient."

"You're right, you're a terrible patient," she laughed as she leaned down to kiss her nose. "Don't worry though, I'm right by your side. You'll be feeling better soon, I promise."

"That makes me feel better already. I'm really sleepy, do you think you could stay with me?" Ellie surprised herself by blurting that out, it was unlike her to show this much sappy emotion. It's probably because of the fever, right? That's why she feels this fluttering in her chest?

"Of course," Ollie smiled softly, enjoying getting to see the sentimental side of her girlfriend. "Go ahead and rest, I'll be right here when you wake up." She chuckled as she watched her start to doze off as she played with her auburn hair, happy to get to spend these moments together.

The sounds of the nightlife echoed around the trees, the fire in the old stove crackling and keeping the darkness at bay. The two inhabitants of the old firewatch tower lay in a tangle of blankets and limbs, hushed voices sharing words and jokes.

Boozer had one arm around Ollie's shoulders, her small frame laying down and curled against him. She was holding his left hand in the air, admiring the rings on it, turning his hand over to admire how they glinted in the firelight.

"You know," she mumbled under her breath, "I really like your hand."

"You shoulda seen the other one," Boozer laughed as he flexed what remained of his right arm, making the both of them laugh. Looking down, he felt his body warm up at her smile. He wondered if she would ever know just how much she means to him.

"I remember both of your hands, Will!" Ollie half-exclaimed before getting serious. "I'm sorry, you know. I wish I had been with you, I could have helped-"

"Nah." He cut her off. "We didn't know why at the time they wanted me, and if anything had happened to you? I don't know how I'd live with myself." The silence that fell between them felt suffocating. Closing his eyes, Boozer sighed before scooting up a little bit to look at her better. "I know you can handle yourself, Ollie. I never will doubt that. It's just, there ain't a lot left worth living for in this shithole, and having you here with me keeps me going."

"Will," Ollie's voice softened as she saw him clench his jaw. Bringing a hand to his face, she cupped his cheek and felt him lean into it. "I'm never going to leave your side. It'll take a lot more than some wanna-be freaks or actual freaks to pull me away from you."

Smiling down at her, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, you know that? You're my reason." She giggled, pressing her forehead against his while making a happy hum.

"Yeah, you're my reason."