Sorry for the delay. So this is it, the final chapter!


CHAPTER TWENTY: Capable.

Capable woke one morning with Nux resting behind her, around her, everywhere, in the comfort of their room. This was life now, just as it had been since her monumental decision to stay. Since the night of the great downpour three weeks earlier, it had been a Full-Life spilling with all the wonderful things that she had once thought lost.

After some time struggling to drift off again, Capable gently removed herself from Nux's arms and set the blankets down as to not wake him. The bedding had slipped down to his waist, and she could just see a knife cut on his hipbone…one of the many injuries still healing from the confrontation with Flay weeks earlier. In the dim light, she could make out the circular scar on his arm from where the medical port had once been, now a permanent reminder of his own victory. Nux twitched slightly, but heavy breathing suggested he was in a deep sleep. Capable shook her head in disbelief. How could he be sleeping so soundly on a day like today?

While the cold nipped her bare legs, Capable tiptoed across the granite floor to snatch up a heavy shawl. It had been a chilly night, and the sun's rays had yet to reach their room. Wrapping the soft fabric tight around her naked form, she stepped through the heavy glass balcony door held ajar by a piece of an axle.

She rested her arms across the railing, admiring the morning desert. Out to the east, the first hints of sun peaked out behind the canyon, its ridges stretched out across the Badlands in long, fingers-like shadows. With the first touches of sun on the sand, the landscape was painted a deep shade of red, like rust.

How could somewhere so desolate still look so beautiful? Capable thought, shivering and pulling the wool shawl closer. The yard was empty and silent, save for the faint whistle of wind between the monoliths.

Once her bare legs began to tremble, Capable left the balcony and scurried back inside to find that Nux hadn't moved. His one arm still lay stretched across the empty side of the bed in her absence.

"We should probably get up soon," she sighed to herself, crawling back under the covers. However, the warmth beneath those sheets welcomed her, blurring each word into the other. It's an important day…we should probably…probably…

Soon the comfort of the blankets and Nux's form next to her washed away the last of those thoughts, and she quickly dozed off again.

~o~

When the morning light from the east finally spilled in through their dusty windows, Capable woke to Nux stirring. The back of her neck tickled from his warm breath.

"Cape?" he whispered.

Inhaling softly, she turned over to face him, meeting his blue eyes cloudy with sleep.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" he asked.

"It's alright," she hummed in response. Capable stroked the slight stubble on his jaw. "Ready to take on today?"

Nux exhaled and rubbed his face. "Don't think I'll ever be ready."

"You will," Capable reassured him. "Speaking of which, we probably should get down to the bay soon and start preparing."

"Right." Nux agreed. However, instead of getting up, he wrapped his arm over Capable and pulled her closer to him.

"This isn't getting ready!" Capable giggled in protest, but let herself relax into his embrace. "Hey, why don't we get rations first? They do a special meal on convoy day."

"Not sure I could even eat," Nux mumbled into her locks.

"Alright. But if we don't get ready soon, they might drive off without us!" Capable teased, trying to convince herself to get up as much as him. The cool air on her face created a sharp contrast to the warmth beneath the blankets, making the thought of leaving impossible.

"Too comfortable," Nux sighed. "Can't we just stay here? They can go without us."

"Don't even joke!" Capable laughed. "You've worked too hard for this. We both have."

Nux turned his head and grumbled something into the pillow. Capable frowned. This clearly wasn't just about comfort.

"Nux, it'll be okay. You've got this. C'mon, hon," she pleaded, but Nux responded by pulling her across him and drawing the blankets higher.

Capable sighed in defeat. However, with his arms wrapped around her waist, she suddenly realized that warmth was a perfectly acceptable excuse to stay. Capable let her eyes grow heavy again.

Just as sleep began to retake her, a loud knock sounded at the door, startling both of them. Capable groaned. After managing to pull herself from the bed, she tossed on some clothes and made her way to the door.

"Oh. Hey." Toast smirked, eying Capable's ruffled hair and inside-out shirt. Toast tried to peek behind her friend, but Capable quickly narrowed the door behind her.

Toast raised her brow. "Are you both seriously still in bed? Today, of all days? Aren't you ready yet?"

"We're up!" Nux grumbled, now moving about from inside the room.

Toast pushed the door fully open, and for a brief moment Capable's heart ceased beating. To her immense, relief, Nux had slipped on some army shorts.

"Hey, Toast!" Capable balked at her friend's slightly disappointed face. "Some privacy please?"

Toast shook her head. "Ha, alright. But you better get down soon. Furiosa's been asking after you." Noticing the pins and splints in Nux's exposed leg, Toast raised her brow. "Nux, you sure you're gonna be okay on the road for four weeks?"

"I can do it," he beamed. He only had a month or so to go before the brace could be removed, but he was finally walking like it wasn't even there.

"Good. Cape, better watch this one," Toast grinned. "He's part machine now."

~o~

A few hours later, Capable made her last trip down from the medical wing with a duffle bag full of supplies and her own gear. She was on her way to the engine bay, where the convoy would be getting the final cars ready for the rescue mission out West. Crowds of boisterous War Boys rushed past her through the narrow stairwell, their powdered skin so fresh that they left behind plumes of white dust.

It wasn't long before Capable reached the familiar hanger, her heart racing from the heavy bag and her nerves. However, the room was almost unrecognizable. The mechanical chaos and absence of the War Rig made it difficult to gain her bearings. After some scouting, she spotted the mission's War Boys at the far end of the hall. Nux stood with a few of them near the V8 shrine in a small cavern, where many were occupied with coating their skin with wet clay. Nux stood apart on his own, seemingly oblivious to those busy in worship.

Capable strode over to greet him, but she stopped abruptly at the sight of his white skin. For a brief moment, she had a flash of that pale, sickly Boy that she dragged out from the wreckage. However, the man before her was not that fading life ready for the Gates. She shook the image and approached his side.

"Hey!" Capable chirped and touched the small of Nux's back. "Getting on okay?"

Nux turned to her with wide, unsettled eyes. "Think so," he replied, though his shaky voice betrayed him.

He clutched a rag smeared with black grease in his right hand, which he eyed uncertainty. Nux shifted awkwardly and looked to the ground. "No mirrors. Usually, Slit…" he started, his voice catching slightly in his throat.

"I know," Capable nodded. "Here, let me help," she whispered, and gently took the rag from his hand.

Capable drew two fingers through the black oil. She reached up to Nux's brow, and after a moment's hesitation, shaded the bridge of his nose. Next, her fingers delicately traced around his eyes, which fluttered close from her touch.

After some dabs of black, she finished with a faint smear under each of his cheekbones. Capable took a step back to admire her handiwork. Perhaps a bit clean for a War Boy's liking, but still his skull transformation was complete. Capable's stomach fluttered, and she was surprised to find his grotesque war paint both intimidating and oddly alluring. Suddenly before her stood a soldier. No…a veteran.

Nux tipped his head in thanks, then returned to his preparations. Capable watched as he tossed his scattered tools in a bag, dropping them repeatedly with shaking hands. At that moment, the War Rig's horn sounded, followed by the hooting of War Boys.

"That's our signal," Nux croaked. He shouldered his bag and made to head out into the yard, but was met by resistance. Capable was holding onto his wrist.

"Nux. It's okay. You've got this." She smiled and slid her hand into his palm. "They already know what you can do. They'll follow you, wherever you go."

Nux smiled softly, and some of the tension left his shoulders. "Promise you'll keep reminding me of that, yeah?"

"Of course! Why else would I be going?" Capable laughed.

He grinned, then readjusted their hands so that his own knit with hers. The two entered the yard together with fingers entwined, but soon had to part to find their own groups for final preparations. Capable spotted the other medics and nurse aids standing next to the medical Humvee, and so she began making her way through the yard towards them.

As she approached, the crowd in the yard grew more thunderous. There were bodies everywhere in her path, all eager to witness the convoy's departure. Seeing the immensity of it all, suddenly her words to Nux didn't feel so certain. Would they be okay? Capable's throat knotted. Just as she began growing dizzy from the crowd, a voice drew her attention.

"There you are, love!" Ruin called and briskly caught up to her on her cane. "I was just ready to send a search party for you!"

Capable grinned at the doctor. "Sorry. I was just in the wing. Had to make a pit stop." She gestured to Nux near the War Rig. "Here's the last med kits. I threw in the extra syringes since it looked like we'd be short."

"Good!" Ruin smiled, and led Capable to the group of eight somewhat familiar men and women assembled near a Humvee.

"Alright my darlings," Ruin began, "who's ready to go save some lives?"

As Capable listened to Ruin's short pep talk to the other medics and nurse aids, that knot returned to her throat. Did they believe this ex-wife was fit for the harsh bush? Did they think she even belonged?

Capable's thoughts were interrupted when an arm draped over her shoulders and gave a small squeeze. "How ya goin', love? Pumped for our next road trip together?"

Capable looked up to see that familiar face bearing a cleft lip and a constant smile.

"Definitely, Skarde," Capable beamed, her heart instantly relaxing.

"Good." Skarde let go and leaned against the Humvee. "We'll be 'right, for sure. No one's touching us with that beast," he nodded towards the War Rig. "Jus' promise you'll tell me if you're planning on taking off on your own again, yeah? Ain't that right, Ruin?" he called out to the doctor.

Ruin gave an audible groan, and Capable laughed. "I won't, don't worry."

"Worrying is all I'm gonna do." Ruin came to stand next to Skarde. "Lords help me, the next four weeks I'm going to be nervous wreck."

Capable audibly sighed. "Ruin, you don't have to worry about me this time. I have a gun, plus I'm supposedly one of the Boys now. "

Ruin shook her head and laughed, sending her long braids of black hair spinning. "It's not you I'm worried about. You're more than capable. Heck, that name of yours doesn't do half justice for you, honey." Ruin's eyes made their way to the War Rig, where Nux clamoured on top of the vehicle for the last check-up. "No, you watch after that Boy...make sure he comes back with just one broken leg, hmm?"

"Of course," Capable laughed, blushing. At that moment she caught sight of Furiosa by the Rig, waving her over with her metal arm. Capable grabbed her bag, nodded goodbye, and made to leave with Skarde, when Ruin pulled her into a large, motherly embrace. Capable's face was pressed into her warm scrubs, which smelled of iodine and sweat, and something oddly like home. Capable closed her eyes, savoring the familiarity.

When they parted, Ruin brushed her cheek. "Off you go, War Girl."

~o~

It was just after midday by the time the dozen convoy vehicles shuddered at the ready. Furiosa's had spread the leather map across the hood of the jeep and was reviewing the route again with Nux. "From here you could trace the path West 'till Barter Town, then up the ridge through the northern pass." Furiosa drew her finger across the worn hide. "I find this pass is easier than the main road, but the rock debris might get under your skin. It's up to you, though."

Capable, Max, the other ex-wives, and some generals looked on, throwing in the occasional question. One general pointed to the far edge of the map, a few dozen miles from where they would be heading. "What's this blue land?"

"That's the Ocean. Salt water," Furiosa clarified, suppressing a grin.

With that word, Nux threw Capable an exhilarated glance before returning his attention to the map. Capable felt the first thrums of excitement. She was ready to expand her world, mile by mile.

"Alright," Furiosa nodded. "Ready to roll out?"

After a murmur of agreement, Nux hopped off the jeep and led the way to the War Rig. Grabbing her gear, Capable followed behind him with the others. She was stunned to discover that getting to the Rig might be a little difficult. During their meeting, it seemed that the entire Citadel had emptied into the yard to witness the war machine's maiden mission.

Nux and Capable walked through the excited crowd, parting a sea of Wretcheds and War Pups who stared on in fascination. Capable paid them little attention, for her eyes were locked on Nux. He seemed to move differently, as if the scar tissue and metal running up his leg made him carry himself with the height and gait of a veteran.
Other than the occasional scowl, the Wars Boys in their path cheered, saluted, and slapped his back in congratulations. All stepped out of his way.

As they approached the War Rig, Capable spotted one particular man standing amid a crowd of Wretcheds, and instantly her skin grew cold. A thick-jawed man, broad set and bearing only one eye. Capable almost didn't recognize Flay with his cleaned skin and low-ranking clothing, the signs of a War Boy starting from scratch. Capable stiffened, but Nux kept his pace towards Flay. The two locked eyes mere feet from each other, and Capable watched with baited breath. To her astonishment, Flay gave Nux a small, V8 salute.

The group continued onwards through the crowd, but Capable was so distracted by Flay that she had yet to notice the monster before them. The War Rig. The vehicle stood dead center in the yard, encircled by the dozen vehicles of the convoy. The War Rig had a completely new tanker and cabin, with the addition of larger turrets and a hydraulic winch at the rear. Capable had seen the progress many times in the engine bay, but the way Nux had gone on about it, Capable had suspected he had been a tad enamoured. However, looking upon it freshly painted, mechanically enhanced, and towering in its desert element, Capable realized she may have been mistaken. That's not a vehicle. Capable thought. That's a god.

As they approached the cabin, faces from the crowd stared on in admiration and curiosity at the ex-traitor and this ex-slave by his side. Nux didn't appear to notice though. "This is real?" he asked her, his voice raspy.

Capable laughed. "Yes, this is real."

Furiosa appeared behind them, with Max supporting – or holding? – her by the side. She stood taller now, no longer hunching.

In her hand was the shiny steering wheel, newly forged and bearing a grinning skull in the center. Without a word she handed it to Nux, who took it with delicate care as if it the steel might shatter in his grasp.

Nux bowed his shoulders to her and climbed up first, followed by Skarde and some War Boys. Capable watched Nux shift in the driver's seat and lock in the wheel. He gently traced his hands around its curve, his ocean-filled eyes dazzling from the machine under his fingertips.

Seeing him in his element, she felt strangely dizzy. Toast was right, Capable thought. He was part machine now, and he was with his kind. Just like the War Rig, he had been dragged back from the Gates of death to be repaired.

Capable threw her main bag in the back storage, which was heavy with assorted medical equipment. There was also a second bag containing some non-essentials for those quiet desert nights with the rest of the crew…including a Record Play. Just as she was about to climb up too, Cheedo, Toast and The Dag appeared behind her.

"So you're really leaving then, eh?" The Dag smirked. "I thought you were just mucking with us." She climbed onto the edge of the War Rig to peer through the open window, her bulging belly pressed against the door. "Nice fix. Looks better now without all of Nux's blood on the cushions."

"Hilarious," Capable scowled as The Dag carefully stepped down.

Toast stood with crossed arms, frowning and holding a box. "Just a few weeks, right?" she asked and Capable nodded.

"You'll call us on the radio?" The Dag pleaded, taking Capable's hand in an oddly delicate way.

"Of course. Every night, if I can."

The women chatted for a few minutes, and Capable did her best to suppress a growing lump in her throat and the burning behind her eyes. The lump grew larger when Cheedo handed her a bag of homemade treats for the ride to supplement rations. Capable did everything in her power not to think about how this would be the furthest and longest she would be away from her sisters in eight years. Can one even live for that long without those people who keep your heart beating?
Just as she began to feel her composure cracking, she spotted Max near his motorcycle, who would be leading the pack as a scout. Max was busy strapping a satchel on his motorcycle when she saw Furiosa approach him. Curious, Capable kept one eye on the pair as she conversed with the girls. She watched Max step around his ride to stand close to Furiosa, but a War Boy passed in front before Capable could see what was happening. Frustrated, Capable craned her neck, and suddenly saw the two holding each other tight, their lips pressed.

Stunned, Capable stood staring for a moment before she returned her attention to the girls, immediately noticing their sullen expressions. "It's okay!" She cooed, "We'll be back before you know it, this time with a bunch of traumatized people," she smirked. "They'll fit right in."

"Alright," Toast frowned. "And here. For the ride." She handed a small woven box over to Capable. Inside were fresh cherries resting in a bed of blossoms. "Nux'll love them."

Capable felt her heart jump at the sight of the beautiful fruit, and nodded in thanks.

"Gods I hate how much I hate this whole thing," Toast groaned. "You'll be careful, right? You won't do anything stupid?"

Capable shrugged and stepped towards the cabin. "When have I ever?"

"I'm serious, Cape! You'll be safe. You promise?" she pleaded, her voice cracking.

"Hey, I've got Nux and Max." Capable placed her hand on Toast's neck and leaned in to press her forehead against her friend's own. She took a deep breath, doing everything in her power to hold back the tears, to no avail. "And of course, I promise."

After a moment they released each other. "And promise you won't cry, okay Sis?" Capable croaked through her own tears.

Toast let out a laugh and wiped her wet face with her arm. "Done."

At that moment Furiosa appeared beside them, which meant that it was time to go. The other women picked up on this too, and instantly smothered Capable with hugs.

Capable turned her focus to Furiosa, ready to hear her leader's final words of advice. Furiosa placed a hand on Capable's shoulder. "Those men, and the girls out there…Bring them back safe, okay?"

Capable reached out a hand to shake, but Furiosa pulled her into a soft embrace. Capable relaxed and closed her eyes, forgetting the crowd of cheering bodies around them. She flew back to the moment when Furiosa took her hand and pulled her from the Vault, down the Fury Road, and into her new Full-Life. They parted. "Just...Thank you," was all Capable could muster.

Furiosa gave her a nod, her eyes shining bright olive once again. Capable took this moment to turn to the Rig and began to step up. She looked up to Nux, and felt her heart flutter at the sight before her…his outstretched hand. Just like his kind gesture that brought them together that night on the salt flats. Capable accepted his hand and was quickly pulled up. She crawled over him and into the vacant passenger seat, while Skarde sat behind her with two War Boy nurse aids sorting through their gear.

The cabin was just as roomy as she remembered. Some of the seats were patched and replaced, and the intricate ceiling bore a new chrome veneer. After waving to her sisters below, she looked out her window and watched the rest of the crew, a handful of War Boys decorated in weapons and tumors, climb up the tanker to the roof.

Furiosa's face appeared at the driver's side window, holding onto the frame. "You still remember the sequence?"

Nux nodded, his expression numb. Capable watched as Nux flicked the hidden switches in quick succession, as if he had done it a thousand times before, and started the ignition. The vehicle roared to life, followed by the holler of men crawling over its midst. The low thunder in its belly vibrated up into Capable's stiff hand on the dash.
Furiosa hopped down, tapped the painted skeleton door and made her way over to Max on his motorcycle.

With her signal, the entire convoy of vehicles rumbled at the ready. Nux looked over to Capable, eyes uncertain again. "Well?"

Capable smirked. "Fang it, Nux."

Nux nodded, then kicked the gas. The machine instantly lurched forward, snarling and furious, and Nux's lips immediately turned up into a huge grin. The sea of curious onlookers parted for the War Rig, and immediately all other heavy vehicles followed suit. Spectating War Boys bellowed in delight all around, chasing after the War Rig and hopping on and off the tanker as it rumbled forward. Behind them, the Humvees, trucks, and armored coupes decked out with an assortment of guns honked and growled. However, their noise was muted by the War Rigs thundering twin V8 engine. They were mere pups in the great beast's midst. Capable watched out the window as her strange, adoptive family faded into the faces of the crowd. However, she was surprised to find that she no longer felt that choking sadness.

The convoy reached the gates, and Nux barreled the War Rig into the open Wasteland and onto the Fury Road. The hollers of excitement from the crew crawling over the War Rig's new tanker joined in with the massive machine's roar.

Capable's chest thrummed painfully with excitement, her own heart fueled by both adrenaline and the tart scent of guzzoline in the air. The War Rig sped along with a strange elegance under Nux's hand, who seemed to be able to read every contour in the terrain and chatter from the engine. To be moving again felt so goddamn good. Capable opened her mouth to speak, but only shaking breaths came out.

The rough breeze tugged at Capable's vibrant braids, so she pulled her goggles up to keep loose strands from getting into her eyes. Peering out her window, she could just see Max match the Rig's speed, his motorcycle spraying a pinwheel of sand in his wake. In a few miles before Gas Town they would be making a turn west off the Fury Road, to Barter Town and beyond. As her world grew bigger, the wide, empty desert seemed to exhale.

Ten cars nipped the War Rig's heels, carrying the dozens of fanatic and obscene men that were slowly becoming Capable's trusted brothers. She admired their coordination like birds on the wing, reading each other's subtle movements with an artful skill beyond simple bravado. This was a delicate dance of machine, with Nux taking the lead.

Nux's face was locked in concentration, yet his eyes were filled with unfathomable awe. After a few minutes, Capable switched spots with Skarde to prepare her gear and crawled into the back seat behind Nux. She leaned forward into the driver's seat and squeezed Nux's bare arm in encouragement, while they flew on wings of steel and oil.

She looked up ahead at the beautiful expanse of tangerine dunes, painted with swirls of iron dust. A tiny porcelain seagull with a silver face sat on a spring on the dashboard, nodding in approval.

"Think we'll see the ocean?" Capable whispered, stroking Nux's arm.

"Gods, I hope," he smiled. Capable placed a small kiss on his powdered cheek.

She peered out through Nux's window to the passing landscape, where the eastern canyon slept in the distance. In the dusty side mirror, she just could see the monoliths of the Citadel growing smaller and smaller in the distance. Capable felt a smile grace her lips. After all, this wasn't a goodbye. This was just the beginning.
Wrapping her arms tight around Nux's shoulders, Capable returned her gaze forward. The War Rig flew onward, churning up dust on this road that would always lead her home.

The end.


~o~

EPILOGUE: I decided to create two paintings as a visual prologue and epilogue to this story, and have included the links in my profile. (You can also see it on my Tumblr, dark-and-endless-sky)

Can't believe it's done! Thank you so much for reading along and for providing encouragement along the way. It has been a joy to write and to engage with fellow Mad Max fans, and your support over the year has motivated me complete my first 100,000+ story. I'm so thrilled!

Once again, a HUGE thank you to my beta reader, BlueSky509, who stuck with me the whole way. You gave so much of your time and taught me so much, helping me grow as a writer. The visual epilogue is a tribute to you.

Thank you all again, it's been a shine ride!