A/N: Ladies and Gents, may I introduce the last chapter of Megaton Stories. It took longer than expected, but I feel pretty satisfied with how it all came together. It took a lot of research and planning to get each of the stories we have encountered together, as well as a whole lot of re-writes as a whole. The stories have painted a picture of who James was/is and what those around him think of him. There will be a larger authors note at the end of this, but right now I wanted to thank you all for staying with me and for all your support and brilliant reviews that remind me that I am doing a good job. So remember to Read and Review, and if your just discovering Megaton Stories now, may I recommend starting over from chapter 1, or better yet Homeward Bound? As the two are connected. So thanks again and remember to R&R.
"And then what happened?" Nova asked, sitting on the edge of her seat.
"We came back…he didn't say a word to me after that." Susie admitted, as the two women listened attentively to her story.
"Not even an explanation?" Jenny Stahl asked, her tone surprised as she listened to Susie.
"No…" Susie admitted, causing Jenny to sigh in annoyance. Not at Susie but at one of her better costumers.
"Well…how was the sex then?" Nova asked, showing great interest in this subject as she shot back her whiskey fast.
"NOVA!" Jenny shouted, slamming the bottle onto the table in shock.
"Oh come on, don't act like you're not a little curious." Nova responded, wrestling the bottle awkwardly from Jenny's hands and topping up all the glasses on the counters.
"I can honestly say it's never crossed my mind." Jenny responded, lying of course, but not wanting Nova of all people to know that.
Susie had spent the last hour at the Brass Lantern, talking to Nova and Jenny about what had happened in that house. She needed to share with someone, but hadn't made that many friends since she came to town. At least, girlfriends that was. Butch wasn't much of an agony aunt, and Jericho probably would have found enjoyment in her distress. So, she decided that Jenny Stahl and Nova would have to do in the end, despite the fact one was a stranger and the other was something of a pervert. However despite their differences, the two seemed pretty close. The whole event just kept rolling around Susie's head, over and over.
"Uh! I don't know what to think anymore." Susie said, burying her head into her arms leaning on the counter.
"That good?" Nova smirked, sipping on her drink smiling at Susie widely.
"Nova!" Jenny shouted, removing the bottle from the counter and putting it under the counter.
"Can't blame a girl for being curious…" Nova responded, frowning for a second as she drank her drink, feeling like she may have gone too far.
"It was pretty great…" Susie admitted, blushing heavily to herself before the palm of a hand slapped her back.
"That's what I wanted to hear!" Nova shouted in celebration, as she finished off her drink fast.
"And I could have gone my whole life without knowing what he was like in the sack." Jenny admitted, nursing her drink slowly. Of course, that was a bit of a lie too.
"It was everything I wanted it to be…" Susie admitted, blushing even heavier now.
"Until the choking…" Jenny interrupted the comment, as she looked towards the young woman.
"Maybe he's into that." Nova stated her tone very matter of fact.
"Who the fuck is into choking someone?" Jenny asked, raising her voice a bit as she spoke.
"You would be surprised. I've run into a few guys who get off on it." Nova answered, smiling with pride for a moment before her face turned to disgust.
"On choking you!?" Susie asked, raising her voice in shock at how dangerous Nova's line of work was.
"Actually, more that likes it the other way around." Nova admitted, her finger drawing circles in the spilt booze on the counter.
"God damn it, Nova!" Jenny exclaimed.
"Hey, you asked about it." Nova responded, as the three began to laugh to themselves. The three were just tipsy enough, and friendly enough to enjoy the humour in the comment and the company of each other.
"Do you really think he gets off on it?" Susie asked, as the laughter died down.
"Honey, the guys not exactly stable." Nova stated, a frown now appearing on her face.
"I guess." Susie stated, as her mind drifted off.
"I DON'T GET OFF ON IT!" James shouted across his room at Jericho, his arm on the desk before him with its circuitry displayed before him.
James had come straight home after the incident with Susie. He was ashamed of himself, but also terrified at what had happened to his arm. Was his arm malfunctioning, or was he actually becoming that monster in his dreams. He doubted the latter, but it didn't change the fact that he felt it was a possibility. He had opened up his arms circuitry to see if he could find any answers in the hardware that would explain what happened. However, he believed he had made a bigger mistake telling Jericho about what had happened, as the first place the raider went was perverse over helpful.
"I'm just sayings, it wouldn't surprise me none." Jericho said, still laughing at James's distress. Picking up the screwdriver, James pointed it towards the old raider.
"Jericho, I will stab you in the dick." James threatened, glaring towards the still chuckling Raider.
"Whatever gets your rocks off, kid." Jericho laughed, before finally calming down.
"Fuck you." James barked, before hearing a voice over the radio beside him.
"What was that?" The voice asked.
"Pinkerton?" James asked, as the voice seemed to come in a bit more clearly.
"And who is that?" Pinkerton asked.
"It's me. James Cole." James said, hoping the old man had not gone senile yet.
"I know well who you are, ya dumb kid, I aint that old! I was talking about the person there with ya!" Pinkerton shouted, causing James to jump in his seat a little.
"Jericho." James answered.
"Oh heaven's sake, son. Is that miserable bastard still alive?" Pinkerton asked, causing James to laugh a little to himself while Jericho grumbled something to himself.
"Fuck you too, gramps!" Jericho shouted from the doorway.
"He's still alive." James answered, looking back towards Jericho with a smile.
"What do you want, son?" Pinkerton asked his tone now more annoyed than when he answered. Pinkerton was the man who had not only created James's arm, but also attached it, helped James learn to maintain and control it.
"It's my arm…" James started before hearing an annoyed sigh over the radio.
"For the love of, Kid, you barely survived attaching the first one, now you went and lost the other one. What is it this time? Held on to a grenade to long? I'm not made of robotic arms ya know?" Pinkerton ranted, under the belief that James had lost his last remaining arm.
"No, it's not that! It's about the one you attached! There's something wrong with it." James explained, trying to stop the ranting scientist before he went off on a tangent.
"Excuse me?" Pinkerton started.
"The robotic arm, it tried to kill someone when I was asleep. There must be some kind of problem with its programming or something." James explained, his robotic finger twitching as if it knew it was being talked about.
"Impossible." Pinkerton said his tone matter of fact and with utter certainty.
"What?" James asked, raising an eyebrow to the radio.
"Son, my programming is perfect. The circuitry is top of the line, considering the fact it was built out of scraps from the wasteland. It rivals that of the institute, to my knowledge. It is biomechanically linked to your nervous system, and therefore only follows the orders your mind gives it. If it is acting strangely, it is because you are telling it to and not because it's a fault in its programming." Pinkerton explained, his tone very condescending and mirroring that of a teacher correcting a student.
"Are you taking care of it? Keeping it maintained and all that?" Pinkerton asked, as James looked at the arm before him.
"Sure am." James lied, running his flesh hand over his beard and through his thick hair.
"Really? You're not putting it under severe pressure? Or doing anything stupid like drinking with it on are you?" Pinkerton asked, causing James to get a little nervous at some of the questions he was being asked.
"Absolutely not!" James responded, hearing Jericho chuckle to himself in the background.
"Because you know that any impairment to the motor functions can affect the arm as well." Pinkerton continued.
"It can become unresponsive, or act irrationally." Pinkerton finished.
"I know." James said, his robotic finger twitching again.
"Then you must also know when a patient says 'Absolutely not', nine times out of ten their lying." Pinkerton said his disapproving tone clear to everyone in the room.
"…." James had nothing to say to this, he was caught out after all.
"I'll leave you ladies alone. I'm gonna get a beer." Jericho said, leaving the room. His footsteps echoed as he walked out of the room, and down the stairs.
"Look, son. I'm not telling you how to live your life, but you have to know your limitations. When was the last time you took a week off? You know, have a couple of days where you're not injured, or getting shot at?" Pinkerton asked general concern in his tone as he spoke.
James grew silent. He didn't know how to respond to this question, besides telling the guy to go mind his own business. He couldn't do that, however, because Pinkerton had done so much for him. Besides, he wasn't mad at Pinkerton as much as he was mad at himself. Dethatching his arm, James sat in silence for what seemed like hours but was only seconds.
"James?" A familiar voice from across the radio said, snapping James out of his daze.
"James?" The voice repeated itself, causing James to look at the radio.
"Bryan? What are you doing there?" James said, raising an eyebrow to the receiver.
"I told him he could help me carry some stuff for me from the market one day, and he hasn't stopped bothering me since." Pinkerton answered, his tone one of an annoyed grandfather now.
"Yeah it's me. I'm Mister Pinkerton's assistant!" Bryan responded, joy in his voice as he spoke.
"He is not. He just won't stop coming down here!" Pinkerton interrupted, correcting Bryan.
"How are you holding up Bryan?" James asked, knowing that Pinkerton probably loved the company but didn't want to admit it.
"Great. I help my aunt out around the hotel every day, and people love to hear the stories about how I'm friends with you." Bryan responded, bringing a smile to James's face.
"All of them good I hope." James said smiling to himself.
"Of course." Bryan laughed as James smirked widely.
It was a long time since James had heard the child's voice, and hearing it brought a sense of joy to him. Despite all he had done wrong, he knew he made the right choice when it came to finding Bryan a home. They had travelled together for a month, searching for a place for the young man to live, and finally settled on Rivet city despite how dangerous the journey was going to be. In the end James decided on taking the boy through the dangerous ruins of DC to the only living relative he was aware the boy had in the wasteland.
"James?" Bryan started.
"Yeah?" James responded, looking at the radio once again.
"Are you going to be okay?" Bryan asked, showing concern for James.
James was unsure how to answer that question, as he didn't know the answer himself. What he did know however, was that he wasn't sure how much longer he could continue his crusade before breaking completely. Then again, what crusade was there anymore? He had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with the brotherhood, but without them he couldn't complete his father's work. It was at this moment James realised something. He had wasted so much time trying to avoid helping the brotherhood, he didn't consider where the might go for answers if they couldn't find any of their own on Project Purity. They would go to Rivet City and look for Doctor Li's notes. Surely there was some kind of record on what her and his father had done all those years ago, and they would tear the place apart looking for any hint of an answer. Everyone in Rivet City would be in danger, and it would all be because of James's refusal to help what could be the lesser of two evils.
"I think so." James answered, as he attempted to make a decision in regards to Project purity.
Downstairs, Jericho and Butch sat in silence across from each other waiting for James to finish his call with Pinkerton. Jericho took a swig of his beer, before leaning his head back and taking a deep sigh. Dogmeat was enjoying the food his master had placed in his bowl upon his return, ignoring those around him.
"Hey…Bitch." Jericho said, addressing Butch.
"It's Butch." Butch said, scowling at the old Raider.
"I know what I said…you hear about the kid?" Jericho asked, flashing those yellow teeth of his at Butch in a grin.
"James?" Butch asked, verifying they were talking about the same person.
"Yeah…hear what happened between him and your little vaultie bitch?" Jericho asked, now smiling perversely at Butch.
"I don't think it's proper to talk about my masters business, mister Jericho." Wadsworth interjected, making his presence known to the two.
"Well, I don't give a shit what you think. You're just a fucking mop with a personality." Jericho responded, his glare of contempt.
"Look, I don't really want to know Jericho. It's none of my business." Butch said, not wanting to see a fight break out, but also not really wanting to know what happened.
"He fucked her, and then choked her." Jericho responded, revealing what he knew of the encounter to everyone in the room despite the objections of Butch.
"MISTER JERICHO!" Wadsworth barked, floating over to the raider who showed no remorse for his action. Dogmeat began growling at Jericho, raising his head from his food bowl. The canine was smarter than most people gave him credit for, being capable of finding various items for his master when James needed them.
"What you wanna take me on robot?!" Jericho barked, before Butch got up from his chair and ran up the stairs without saying a word.
"Wait! Is Susie okay?" Butch asked his tone full of concern.
"Yeah, the bitch is fine. He did it in his sleep." Jericho said, smiling.
"THAT BASTARD!" Butch shouted anger in his tone, his hands tightened into fists.
"It aint the kids fault…it's not like the kid decided to hurt your little friend." Jericho said, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket and lighting it. He began to smoke, letting puffs of grey out of his mouth with each word he spoke.
"Oh that changes everything, doesn't it?!" Butch said sarcastically, glaring at the old raider as he jumped to his feet.
"Mister Butch, as much as I agree with your overall feelings towards the act my master has committed, it hurts me to say, I must agree with mister Jericho." Wadsworth explained, sounding more disgusted in his own admission than anything else.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing, but it is also good men who do the most harm in the world. Sadly this truth is an absolute, and sadly my master has become a victim of his own actions." Wadsworth explained, much to the confusion of the men he was talking to.
"Wanna run that by me again, Robot?" Jericho asked, scratching his head as the door upstairs opened and closed. The room suddenly went quiet.
James descended the steps slowly, his expression dark but filled with purpose. Pulling out a cigarette from his pocket, his metal arm began shaking as he tried to get his lighter to work. Finally the flame lit brightly, illuminating his face and the end of the cigarette. Taking a deep drag, he looked at the individuals cluttering up his living room.
"By now…I'm guessing you know that I am a fucked up by now, Butch." James started, his eyes glazing over the faces of his guests.
"Pretty fucked up." Butch responded, getting to his feet and marching over to James.
"Good to know, we're on the same page." James smiled, blowing smoke into Butch's face.
"What you did to Susie…" Butch started, before being interrupted by James raising a single finger towards him indicating silence.
"Gonna stop you right there, Butch. We both know what I did. Better question is, what are you going to do about it?" James asked, taking another deep drag on his cigarette. Butch felt rage grow inside him, as James spoke.
"Your expression says you wanna hit me." James smirked, once again blowing smoke into Butch's face.
"That's it, isn't it? You wanna punch me." James laughed.
"Well go right ahead tough guy. Do it." James said, flicking his cigarette to the ground.
"Do it, tough guy." James repeated, shoving Butch's shoulder a bit.
"Come on, hit me." James continued, this time adding more force to his shove.
"HIT ME!" James shouted, before Butch finally snapped and punched James across the face.
James fell back to the ground hard, and slowly looked back up towards Butch. Butch, seeing what he had done and now instantly regretting it, quickly ran out of the room and the house. Getting up slowly, James ran his hand across his face and saw that Butch had actually drawn blood. Impressed, he sighed and looked towards Jericho and Wadsworth.
"The fuck are you two looking at?" James asked, walking over to his weapon locker.
"The fuck was that?" Jericho asked, watching James as he looked through the locker.
"What?" James asked, looking back towards the old Raider.
"The asshole act, only person it fooled here was Butch." Jericho laughed, as James shook his head and continued his search.
"Who says it was an act?" James grumbled, lifting a couple of different ammo clips from the locker and putting them into a backpack.
"Well either it was an act, or your more of a bitch than I ever gave you credit for." Jericho laughed his smile wide as he spoke.
At this moment, a knife whipped past his cheek and into the wall behind him. It had produced a small cut on Jericho's cheek, which trickled blood very slowly. It shocked him and stung a little, but Jericho's face swapped in seconds from a smile to a gasp and back to a smile again. James had missed on purpose; otherwise Jericho would have a combat knife stuck between his eyes right now. James was too close to his target, and too good a shot to have missed that by accident. Both men knew this for a fact.
"What was that supposed to do? Tickle?" Jericho asked, wiping the blood on his sleeve as James got to his feet. A duffle bag full with a collection of guns, ammo, explosives, and most likely a small amount of medicine, was thrown on the ground as James walked over to the wall his knife was stuck in.
"Jericho…can you promise me something?" James asked, as he pulled his knife from the wall.
"Depends on what it is…" Jericho started, as James looked at Wadsworth who had remained speechless throughout this interaction.
"Wadsworth…can you go upstairs and pack Butch and Susie's bags." James requested, smiling at his loyal butler.
"Sir, I hope you are not considering casting them out of this home." Wadsworth inquired, causing James to crack a smile at him.
"No. We're just going on a trip. So they're gonna need some extra clothes." James answered a smile still on his face as Wadsworth was inclined to do what he was asked. Without another word of question, Wadsworth floated up the stairs, and out of earshot.
"Look, I want you to go and gather Butch, Susie, and those brotherhood assholes. Tell them I want to talk to them in two hours, outside of Megaton." James explained, much to the displeasure forming on Jericho's face.
"Why the fuck can't you do it yourself?" Jericho barked, not wanting to play follow the leader with a bunch of brotherhood assholes and vaulties. If there was one thing he hated more than kids, it was doing someone a stupid favour for free.
"Because I got shit to pack." James responded, sheathing the knife into its tabard.
"What da fuck you planning, kid?" Jericho asked, eyeing the duffle bag sitting against the locker.
"Let me put it this way. If all goes to plan, we are gonna be seeing a whole lot of action in the coming days." James smirked wickedly, placing his hand on Jericho's shoulder.
Jericho's eyes darted to the young man's hand, now resting on the old raider's shoulder, before looking back at James. They had seen a whole lot of action together, and lived through things that ranged from a walk in the park, to hell and back. They had the scars to prove their stories, if the opportunity ever came up. The two had an unsaid level of respect for each other, as well as a friendship neither would admit to. Jericho was hard on the kid, that was clear, but he was hard because the kid needed to know the world wasn't going give him what he wanted just because he said please. The Capital Wasteland was a cruel and monstrous place filled with people out for themselves. For a while Jericho believed the only person he could trust was himself, but he soon learned that this was wrong. He had learned to trust James with his life, but he would be long dead before he would admit it.
"Jericho…" James started his hand still on Jericho's shoulder as he looked for the right words to say.
"If you're gonna fucking kiss me, I'm gonna rip off that metal arm of yours and beat the shit out of you with it, before ramming it up your ass." Jericho interrupted, glaring a James before turning his scowl into a wide grin.
"That's 50 caps extra." James responded, as the two men began to laugh.
"Cheaper than Nova, that's for sure." Jericho laughed, as James's hand slipped down his back and began slapping it hard. The two men laughed, wiping tears away from their eyes as the laughter began to die down.
"Look…if it means kicking some ass, and getting out of this shithole, I'll get the fucking vaulties and tin cans for you, but first I got to drop by my place and pick up some ammo." Jericho said a smile on his face as he spoke to James.
"Thanks Jericho." James said with gratitude, as Jericho pushed past him towards the door without saying a word. As he opened the door, Jericho stopped and remained still for a moment.
"Don't mention it." Jericho responded, before continuing his way out.
As James smiled at his leaving friend, he knew that if his plan worked Jericho was going to be very pissed off with him. He'd get over it though, James knew that much. James then went up the stairs, and had a shower, something he had not done yet and probably smelt as though he had lived in a sewer full of molerats. The water splashed down on him, and he recalled the day he fixed the pipeline for the town. It seemed so long ago now, like he was reading this man's story in a book and not recalling events in his own life. He had changed, there was no doubt about that, but he hoped it was for the better. Turning off the shower, James left the bathroom to get some clean clothes on.
A moment later, James arrived down the stairs to see Wadsworth with two packed bags, both of which were more than likely full of clothes and food. James knew food was inside at least one of them, as Dogmeat began sniffing and barking at the two bags. There was either food in one, or someone who wanted to kill James. Something told James it was the former, and not the latter.
"Why do you put up with me Wadsworth?" James asked, as he looked towards his robot butler.
"Young men with a mind for revenge need little encouragement, sir. They do however, need some form of guidance. I felt it was my duty as your butler, to offer you this guidance." Wadsworth explained, bringing a smile to his master's face.
"Also, I find that how much someone cares about you is directly linked to how much you can irritate them, sir." Wadsworth said his tone as dry as ever.
"You must love me." James smirked, turning towards Wadsworth.
"Anything else, sir?" Wadsworth asked his tone as cheery as ever.
"Two things." James said, smiling at his faithful butler.
"Oh then please tell me sir, I live to serve you." Wadsworth said, once again bringing the question of whether he was capable of sarcasm or not, to James's mind.
"I want you to give me a haircut, and a shave." James requested, running his cold metallic fingers along his prickly beard through his hair as he spoke.
"Excuse me sir…have my sensors deceive me or did you just request a haircut?" Wadsworth asked his tone this time noticeably sceptical. After all, Wadsworth had badgered his master for weeks to cut his hair or at least trim his beard before finally giving up. After all, James usually took care of his hair by either using a pair of scissors or at times a knife.
"Don't be such a smartass. You heard me." James smiled, as he sat down in a chair with dogmeat resting his head on his master's lap.
"It is my delight, sir." Wadsworth announced as a sheet was wrapped around James's neck, and then was tightened around the back covering James's body. Dogmeat groaned as he pulled his head out from under the sheet, only to place it right back on his master's lap and looking up at James.
"Not too tight!" James complained, feeling the sheet tight against his neck.
"I apologize sir." Wadsworth apologized, as he loosened the sheet a bit.
"It's fine. I gotta look good for the shit storm that's coming my way." James responded, smiling to himself.
"So, jumping into danger yet again?" Wadsworth asked concern in his monotone voice.
"You know me so well." James smirked, his hand rubbing the dog's head as he spoke.
"You are not planning to bring Mr Butch and Miss Susie with you on this dangerous outing are you?" Wadsworth asked.
"Don't worry. I'll keep them safe." James reassured, looking up at his trusting butler.
"With all due respect, sir, why is it I don't believe you?" Wadsworth asked, as James's face sunk into a frown.
"Probably because, you have better sense than I do?" James responded, his voice growing silent.
"That was always a given, sir." Wadsworth said, as he looked over his model and considered the different styles he could do with what he was given.
"So, is there a particular style my master would like? Or shall I just shave you bald? Maybe paint a target on the back of your head? It's all the rage among the suicidal, or so I hear." Wadsworth asked, once again proving his was as quick witted as ever.
"You're hilarious." James responded sarcastically.
"Look, just…I don't know make me look presentable." James answered the robot, as Dogmeat walked over to his bowl for a drink of water.
"I don't know if it's possible, sir, but I shall do my best, This I can assure you." Wadsworth explained, clearly taking another dig at his master's expense.
"Good enough." James responded, smiling as Wadsworth began cutting his hair.
After his butler had finished with his masters hair, he began sharpening his built in razor blade to begin his master's shave. Once finished with the blade, he began applying the shaving foam to James's face. It stung James's nostrils, the smell of the foam. Not that it was unpleasant; it had a sterile clean smell that reminded him of his time in his father's office in Vault 101. That was something James had not thought about in a long time, the good times he and his father had in the vault. He smiled as the razor blade hung over him, and began doing its work. Gliding over his face, shaving off the unwanted hair, and leaving his face smooth, while also revealing old scars forgotten in time to both the master and the butler.
"Do you remember the day I moved in, Wadsworth?" James asked, as the razor blade ran along his face slowly and precisely.
"As if it were yesterday, sir. You marched in, and after I introduced myself I found you had drawn mole rat excrement into the house and all over my lovely clean floor." Wadsworth recalled much to the amusement of his master.
"You were trying so hard not to get mad, it was hilarious." James chuckled, as Wadsworth paused his movement of the razor blade.
"Might I remind you of two things, sir? One that first impressions are of the most important, and two, you are currently mocking someone who has a rather sharp blade close to your neck. I believe there was a story about that, years ago." Wadsworth stated, before rambling on in his own way.
"There you go again; lecturing me like you did the day we met. I'd take away your vacation time, if you ever took a day off." James smiled, as Wadsworth continued to shave his master clean of his beard.
"Maybe I would stop lecturing, if you actually listened to me." Wadsworth commented, still concentrating on the work at hand.
"You got me there." James responded, smiling at his butler.
"What ever will I do with you, sir?" Wadsworth asked, giving the impression if he was capable of smiling he would have at this moment.
"I think I'm a lost cause. Probably be better off when I' m gone and you get a new master." James said, causing the robot to stop shaving his master. While Wadsworth knew that his master would expire one day, especially with his chosen lifestyle, he had never truly considered what he would do then. Wadsworth was a loyal butler, there was no question of that, but he had grown very close to the young vault dweller in the time he served. He would cherish the fond memories he had of Master James, but also never considered before that one day that's what their experiences would become. Memories.
"Death and bad luck, took your parents from you sir. Of course, rather than become a victim to it, you have done everything in your power to control your fate. You left vault 101 when you could have stayed and lived a safe happy life, to search for the only family you had left. You spent all your time helping others, while still searching for you father. In your effort to control the chaos that washes over this wasteland you managed to defy the fate many would have destined you for. You, master, have managed to defy death and fate at every turn. If that makes you a lost cause, than I believe you as poorly educated as mister Jericho." Wadsworth responded, his words cheering James up a great deal.
Wadsworth quickly returned to his work, so as not to arise suspicion in his master, and finished off the shave with great care. After all, it would be an embarrassing state of affairs if he were to do a bad job at shaving his master's face. Finishing up, he handed his master a towel to clean off the foam from his face. Holding up a mirror, Wadsworth revealed the results of his work. Running a hand along his face, James admired the job his butler had done at both the haircut and shave he had given him. He looked like a different person, were it not for the scars on his face and neck, he would have been positive it was an imposter looking at him.
"Thoughts, sir?" Wadsworth asked, pride in his tone.
"Looks good. Great job, Wadsworth." James said smiling, as Wadsworth began to untie the sheet from James's neck.
"I don't deserve you, Wadsworth." James smirked, getting up from his seat and smiling.
"No, sir, you don't." Wadsworth acknowledged.
James would always appreciate everything Wadsworth had done for him, which made what he was about to ask so hard.
James waited outside the large metal gates of Megaton for the group with Dogmeat, recalling all of the memories he had in this town, both good and bad. Despite its faults, he really loved living here. Making it all the more difficult that he was leaving this place to go on this mission. The doors opened wide, and out marched James's requested audience. Jericho, the vault dwellers, and the brotherhood members all exited the city together as per James's instructions. Turning from them, he looked out into the wasteland and smiled widely. To Susie's surprise, James had cut his hair and shaved his beard. This transformation made James look not only different, but much more handsome than before, and also revealed some scars previously covered by hair. Susie felt a blush coming on, as she didn't want to be caught staring at him.
"You sent your errand boy for us?" Lyons asked, her tone annoyed at James's lack of a greeting. As if they didn't deserve one.
"I aint no fucken errand boy, bitch." Jericho barked, glaring at the power armoured women.
"What's wrong James?" Susie asked, as James pulled one of the few cigars he had left out of his pocket and lit it.
"It's really amazing, isn't it?" James asked, raising his hand and motioning towards the land ahead of him. Radiated, dangerous, hostile, but a place where life did thrive.
"All of this. It's amazing how in the end, the entire world was fucked up just because two sides couldn't get along." James said, taking a deep drag of his cigar.
"When we were kids…in the vault…we were told we had to grow up, get a job, get married, have children, and become a part of the community. The funny thing is…they never told us just how strange the world outside really is." James started, his hand running over his faithful canines head.
"It's so much darker…so much more dangerous…and so much better." James smiled, turning around to his audience.
"Why did you bring us all here?" Lyons asked, her glare piercing through James.
"I propose a truce." James stated, letting a puff of smoke escape his lips.
"Excuse me?" Lyons asked, raising an eyebrow to James.
"You heard me…I have decided to help you unlock my father's research." James admitted, drawing heavily on the cigar.
"Excuse me if I am not cautious, considering the fact you were willing to kill me the other day to prevent us from your father's data." Lyons responded, her tone displaying her unease with how easily James was cooperating with the Brotherhood all of a sudden.
"Trust me; I am not a fan of the idea either. But, the Brotherhood didn't pull the trigger that killed my father. That was the Enclave. The Brotherhood sat there and let it happen, sure. But, their the lesser of two evils in the end." James explained, frowning at the Brotherhood members before him.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." One of the Brotherhood members said.
"Two conditions and I will help the Brotherhood unlock my father's data." James started, rising to fingers towards the group.
"What are they?" Lyons asked, as James let out another puff of smoke from his mouth.
"First off, I want complete immunity for any and all crimes I have committed towards the Brotherhood. I don't like the idea of getting shot on site when we make it to your little clubhouse." James explained, looking towards Sara Lyons.
"Fine. And the second condition?" Sara asked, as James looked at her as he finished his cigar.
"I want sanctuary. Shelter, food, and protection, the whole deal." James stated, throwing what was left of the cigar on the ground and stepping on it.
"Of course you can-"
"Not for me. For them." James interrupted, pointing towards Butch and Susie.
"Wait, what?" Butch asked, looking confused at James.
"They're just two vaulties. The wont survive out here without a safe place to live." James explained, looking at Lyons.
"I'll have to discuss things with the Elder, but I am sure we can arrange that." Sara Lyons responded, as James offered her his metallic hand in agreement.
"It's a deal then." James said, looking at Sara.
"Yes." Sara responded, grabbing the hand and shaking it.
"The fuck are we doing, kid?" Jericho asked James, anger in his tone, but also surprise.
"We're going to war, Jericho." James responded, causing Jericho to crack a smile upon hearing this.
"Fucking Aye!" Jericho said, cocking his gun in excitement.
"Let's get moving. Susie, Butch, your bags are there." James said pointing towards two duffle bags on the ground, before walking out into the wasteland with Dogmeat. The group followed behind him soon after.
Susie was in shock, as she couldn't believe that James had just agreed to help the Brotherhood. What little she knew about them, she was positive that James was not their biggest fan. So to have heard him say that he was willing to help and to make them agree to giving Butch and her a place to live just caused more questions to bubble inside her. Was she no longer welcome in his home? Christine used to say that sex complicates things way too much, and that it was better to make a guy wait. So, maybe she was right. This thought made her feel cheap. She had to prove it wasn't the case, otherwise she would just feel worse and worse the more she let it eat away at her. Running up ahead of the others towards James and Dogmeat, Susie needed to ask talk to him.
"James?" Susie started, finally catching up with James and Dogmeat.
"What?" James asked, not halting his movement to talk to Susie.
"Um…are we okay?" Susie asked, this time causing James to stop in his tracks.
"Isn't that my line?" James asked, raising an eyebrow towards Susie.
"Well…I know you didn't mean to do that after..." Susie started, her cheeks growing bright red as she recalled the night before. Their bodies wrapped around each other, close enough to hear the others heartbeat.
"After what?" James asked, much to Susie's shock and dismay.
"You know…" Susie started her face even redder than she wanted it to be at this moment.
"Yeah, I know, just messing with you." James said, a smile crossing his face again.
"Can you not be an asshole right now?" Susie asked, punching James in the arm.
"Sure. I can try." James chuckled, rubbing the spot that she had punched.
"Look, I know it's kind of last minute. So, I am sorry you guys got caught up in all this." James explained, apologizing for the last minute trip he had roped the two into.
"Its fine…I just wanted to say goodbye to Wadsworth. Now he probably thinks I'm rude." Susie said, concerned about how the wonderful robot butler must think of her right now.
"He won't…I promise." James promised, as the memory of his last minutes in his home came flooding back to him.
"What was the other request sir?" Wadsworth asked, as James stood with his head hanging and fists clinched.
"I just wanted to tell you, how much I appreciated everything you have ever done for me. I cheated death so many times, thanks to you." James confessed, tears forming in his eyes as he spoke.
"Sir, I would be blushing were I capable of doing so at this moment. You give me far too much credit." Wadsworth stated, joy in his tone as he spoke.
"You're wrong. Wadsworth, you are an amazing friend, and a hell of a butler. I never deserved someone as patient and helpful as you." James interrupted, holding back his tears as best he could
"That is simply not true, sir." Wadsworth objected.
"Wadsworth, I want you to believe me when I say this is one of the hardest things I have to do." James admitted, clearing his nose as he tried to compose himself, a tear running down his cheek.
"Erase your memories of me." James said bluntly. There was a noticeable pause and stillness in the air, as the two looked at each other.
"Sir….I…" Wadsworth started.
"As your master, you are obligated to do what I say…and I order you to erase every memory you have of me in your memory banks." James interrupted, shouting at his butler.
"I think doing that would be unwise." Wadsworth responded, also raising his voice towards his master.
"Well it's not a request anymore, it's an order! Isn't that what butlers? Obey their masters, no matter what?!" James barked, more tears forming as he asked his loyal friend to forget he existed.
"Are you sure, you want me to carry out this order, sir?" Wadsworth asked, not wanting to violate what it was to be a good butler.
"Yes…" James said, tears dropping down his cheeks as Dogmeat rubbed up against his master's leg in an attempt to comfort him.
"I understand, sir." Wadsworth responded, melancholic in his tone.
"Your father would be proud of the man you have become, I know I am." Wadsworth stated, pride in his voice.
"Thank you." James said, taking a step towards Wadsworth.
"If I might make one final request sir, before I erase my memories of you?" Wadsworth asked.
"Please…don't add me to the weight of souls you already carry on your back." Wadsworth pleaded.
"Sure…" James smiled.
"Know this sir, I was truly honoured to serve a man such as yourself, and it was a pleasure to be your butler." Wadsworth explained, before his master wrapped his arms around him and hugged him.
"Thank you, Wadsworth. For everything. I'm going to miss you." James said crying, feeling like he was about to lose his father all over again.
"And I, you, sir." Wadsworth said, as he wrapped his tendrils carefully around his master.
James stood still as he recalled that moment, and held back the sadness twitching in his gut. This was it, it was time to move on and finish what had started all this almost two years ago. It was time to finish his father's research. With this in mind, he continued on his journey into the wasteland and towards the Citadel. Home to the Brotherhood of Steel.
A/N: So there it is, the sad end to Megaton stories. My proof reader has warned me that I am going to be making some enemies by ending this story in such a way, but I assure you I have a plan of some sort. So heres things I wanted to point out:
1. Opening the story with Susie finishing up telling the story of what has just happened to Nova and Jenny was a creative decision that was originally going to be from James's perspective to Jericho and Butch, but I felt that coming from Susie's perspective would be better. After all, for the majority of the story we heard things from her point of view. So why not open the last chapter with it.
2. The choking joke was something I felt would be brought up by Jericho when he was told the story. It also is something I would assume Nova ran into a few clients that probably would have been into it as well.
3. Radio contact with Pinkerton seemed the only logical way he could contact the robotics expert without A) Running into Enclave [their right beside Rivet City after all] B) Carrying the Vaulties through the DC Ruins, which seems like more danger than its worth and C) Getting ripped apart by Supermutants. Dc is a hellhole, and James doesnt have the time to watch his and everyone elses back just to get a check up on his arm. Besides, radio contact made sense to me as he had to keep in contact with his mechanic somehow.
4. Bryan Wilkes is alive. Finally confirmation. I can not tell you the amount of people asked me whether he was alive or dead or what. I suppose since I do have a tendency to change my mind now and again they were justified but heres confirmation.
5. James's plan is going to be expressed in the next story, which will be published sooner hopefully rather than later.
So thank you all for being there and reading my story. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed coming up with each story and each character trait. Despite all the things that got in my way while writing this, I found it very enjoyable. Thank you all again, and I hope to see you all later.